Abstract: A compact applicator for tanning lotions and the like reattachably disassembles. A telescoping handle removably attaches to an applicator base. When disassembled from the applicator base, the telescoping handle collapses and with the applicator base, fits within a closable compact for easy carrying and storage.

Abstract: A rearwardly tiltable chair set sturdily in a frame. The chair allows a user thereof to tilt back and thereby decompress the spine. The user may subsequently engage in exercises that flex, stretch, and strengthen the spine and its accompanying tendons, ligaments and muscles. The user is tilted back to a limited degree so that while the spine is allowed to decompress, blood does not rush to the head. The chair is pivotably held by the frame and tilts easily backward or forward so that the user can easily control his position. In an alternative embodiment, a resistive element is interposed between the back of the chair and the floor so that the user can exercise by pressing back upon the resistive element with the upper torso. A gauge may be coupled to the resistive element to measure the force applied by the user to the resistive element.

Abstract: A brake for restraining movement of rolling carts. Attachable to heavy tool carts as used in machine and auto shops, a mechanical brake of heavy-duty construction uses a spring-biased bolt to hold a brake pad. The brake pad is of sturdy but resiliently flexible material to engage the floor. To engage the brake, a brake set lever is depressed as by stepping on the lever. The brake set lever is pivotably attached to the brake chassis and has mechanical advantage over the spring-biased bolt. The other end of the brake set lever prevents the longer end from flying up when the brake is released. When the brake is engaged, it is held frictionally in place by the spring-biased brake release lever. The bolt shank passes through the brake release lever. The spring-biasing of the bolt causes the brake release lever to more tightly engage the bolt shank to hold the bolt in place. To release the brake, the spring-biasing of the brake release lever is overcome as by stepping on the lever.

Abstract: A stretching frame for a fabric material provides for spring mounting of the four frame sides. The frame sides are tubular. At each corner of the frame is a bracket which slides within the adjacent frame tubes. A tensioning device at each end of each of the frame sides may be set to provide an appropriate urging force by tensioning a spring. Each side has a slot for insertion of the fabric edge and a locking rod to hold the fabric edge in place within the slot. The frame may be used for a range of fabric sizes by changing spring length or characteristic used for tension development. In use as a silk-screen, the side forces applied to the fabric during the printing stroke is taken up by the springs such that a minimal amount of distortion is experienced by the fabric and stencil thereon.

Abstract: A folding basket having pivotable sides allowing the basket to attain and sustain a number of configurations. A platform providing support for items held within the basket has upper and lower pivotable sides connected at its perimeter. Likewise, a rim allowing articles to pass through it into the basket's interior has upper and lower pivotable sides connected at its perimeter. The upper platform side is pivotably connected to the lower rim side. The basket so constructed is completely collapsible, yet when unfolded, can provide a basket with a large payload.

Abstract: A fluid control device for hydraulic systems is provided having closure means movably positioned within a valve housing and adapted to selectively close a fluid passageway in response to a predetermined pressure level. The closure means includes a piston body slidably located in the valve housing for reciprocating movement therein and a spring adapted to bias the piston body away from a shoulder to maintain the fluid passageway open during normal operation. The piston body includes a conical nose and a plurality of flow channels (or apertures) which allow fluid to pass through the piston body during normal flow. When the fluid pressure is large, indicating a downstream break or leak in the flow line, the fluid pressure will overcome the force exerted by the spring and force the piston body against the shoulder, thereby blocking the flow pathway and stopping flow through the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising the lumbar and truncal regions of a person. A rigid framework supports two generally horizontal turntables at opposite ends thereof. A person reclines the upper region of his torso on one turntable and lower region of his torso on the other turntable, thereby permitting cyclic bending of the torso and, as a result, working of the paraspinous and associated muscles. An adjustable headrest extends from one turntable, and an adjustable footrest extends from the other turntable. Each turntable may be adjusted toward or away from the other, set at a predetermined tilt with respect to the rigid frame, and set at a predetermined degree of rotational resistance. A cyclic motion driving means and a cycle counter are provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a set of six dice that provides two groups of intransitive dice, each group containing three dice (10, 20 and 30). The dice of one group are sized larger than those of the other group. Each die is one of three colors and each group of three intransitive dice includes a die of each color. The six dice are used in a casino game wherein all dice are rolled and then twelve possible bets are resolved. These bets fall into three catagories: contests between two dice of the same size but different colors, contests between two dice of one color and two dice of another color, and contests matching two dice, each of a different color and different size versus another two dice, each of a different color and different size. Game apparatus includes a layout (40) providing twelve betting areas (A-L) and chips (50) for placing wagers on twelve possible bets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit which provides the controlled generation of tri-level digital signals utilizing Field Effect Transistors (FETs), as active elements. The stability of all three states is due to a unique feed-back technique, and utilization of the gate threshold characteristics of FETs. This circuit is controllable with either bi-level or tri-level digital signals, and is externally configurable as: a ternary up counter, providing the count sequence of 0,1,2,0 . . . ; a ternary down counter, providing the count sequence of 2,1,0,2 . . . ; a ternary shift left/right register; or as a ternary memory.