Abstract: A booster seat for use by a child at an event, e.g., a movie, a theater production, a professional baseball game, etc. The booster seat can be selectively inflated at the intended seat site and, after the event is viewed by the child, can be quickly deflated and folded into an envelope for subsequent ease of carrying and reuse. In one form of the device the inflatable booster seat comprises two separate inflatable chambers. The child has the choice then of being raised either the full intended height of the booster seat (both chambers inflated) or, alternatively, by inflating one or the other chamber, the child can be raised up a portion of the total two-chamber height. An air inlet valve for each chamber is provided to facilitate inflating by the child or the custodial adult then accompanying the child to the event. To facilitate ease of deflation, one or more selectively openable air outlet valves are provided. In a simple version of the device, the air inlet valve is the same as the air outlet valve.

Abstract: A method for coordinating traffic signals on a roadway network, preferably of the Multiple Loop System type. The method is also suitable for superimposing on existing grid-like systems of avenues and crossing streets. Two phase traffic-signals, red and green, of equal duration are employed at the roadway intersections. The duration of each phase of the signal cycle is determined as the estimated time for a vehicle to travel from one crossing avenue to the next adjacent crossing avenue. Where the method of signalization is employed on an MLS system, the phase duration is the "estimated time" of a vehicle to travel, first along an endless loop segment, starting at a first intersecting roadway so as to cross the next interconnecting roadways, (ta) times two, and, then, along an interconnecting roadway, from a first endless loop segment to the adjacent endless loop segment (tb).

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicles and pedestrians on intersecting one-way roadways. Vehicles on a first one-way street are only allowed, with a "go" signal to either cross the intersection and continue on the street or to turn onto the intersecting one-way street. The vehicles on the intersecting, second one-way street are stopped while vehicles on the first street are moving. During this time pedestrians are allowed to cross in front of the stopped vehicles on the second one-way street. Then, when the light changes, the vehicle traffic on the second one-way street are only allowed to turn onto the first one-way street, i.e., they are blocked from crossing the intersection and continuing onto the second one-way street. During this time, the vehicles on the first one-way street are blocked, too, from entering the intersection.

Abstract: A device for imparting multi-directional rocking motion comprising a housing, a drive mechanism supported by the housing for providing reciprocating motion to an arm extending through a wall thereof, and an adjustable orientation attachment clamp for attaching the housing to a component arranged for rocking motion in relation to a surface, the housing being attached so as to direct the arm for contact with the surface during its reciprocating motion, the rocking motion being imparted to the component in accordance with the arm direction.

Abstract: A dental bleaching instrument with a source for generating heat. A temperature sensor can be distanced from the heat generator for determining the heat proximal to the teeth. That more accurately reflects the temperature of the heat actually reaching the tooth surface. The light used for bleaching the teeth provides, originally, IR, optically visible light and UV wavelengths. All UV and optically visible light is filtered except for a narrow band of optically visible light to facilitate aiming. Also, the heat source of the device is physically separable from the power and control mechanism yet electrically connected thereto, to facilitate alignment and location of the light with respect to the patient.

Abstract: A crib rail safety monitor alerts a child's attendant to the potential injurious situation when a child is located within a crib and the crib side rail is in the down or lowered position. Preferably, a flashing light will first alert the attendant to the condition without awakening the child. If, however, the attendant leaves the vicinity of the child's crib, with the child within the crib and the crib side rail lowered, then an audible alarm is activated. The crib rail position indicator can be an ordinary magnetic reed switch, the mechanism to indicate the presence of a child within the crib can be a weight sensor and the attendant's presence or absence can be performed by an ultrasonic motion detector or an infrared temperature sensor. Timers can be electrically interconnected with the components to ensure the child's safety while, at the same time, allowing the attendant the opportunity, before the audible alarm is activated, to remember to raise the crib rail prior to leaving the vicinity of the crib.

Abstract: A removable device for preventing air from drying the liquid of a spray can nozzle. A metal ring having a fibrous plug is pre-soaked in non-evaporative liquid. The plug surrounds and is in physical contact with the spray nozzle orifice to prevent air from entering the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A water supply for caged birds includes a water outlet actuated by the birds for drinking purposes. A V-shaped channel below the outlet serves to catch spillage adjacent the outlet and the upper marginal edges of the channel form a barrier to one side of the water outlet for the birds to approach the outlet with its neck substantially horizontal or inclined downwardly.

Abstract: A road traffic network wherein the fundamental "building block" is an endless loop of one way traffic flow, a second endless loop of one-way traffic flow completely surrounded by the first endless loop and having traffic flow opposite in direction to the traffic flow direction of the first loop and an interconnecting traffic flow roadway extending between the two loops. The interconnecting roadway merges the traffic seeking to transfer between the two loops such that no vehicle crossovers or intersections are encountered. A road traffic network can be made from a plurality of interconnected "building blocks" or traffic flow systems, each such system being interconnected with either a single two-way roadway or two one-way roadways which, again, allow vehicle transfers between portions of the systems without crossovers or intersections.

Abstract: An underwater eardrum protector for use in underwater diving by a person having a perforated eardrum includes an inflatable bladder insertable in an ear canal of the person; a tube for supplying a non-compressible fluid to the bladder so as to inflate the same; a housing fluidly connecting the bladder to the tube; and a pump which supplies the non-compressible fluid to the tube, the pump including a cylinder having an inner wall, a piston slidable in the cylinder so as to define a variable volume chamber with the inner wall of the cylinder, the chamber being in fluid communication with the tube, O-rings connected with the piston for providing a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder so as to seal the variable volume chamber, and a piston rod for slidably moving the piston in the cylinder so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and force the non-compressible fluid in the chamber through the tube and into the bladder, the piston rod being connected with the piston in a freely rotatab

Abstract: A convertible hair roller includes first and second flexible outer sheets connected together in parallel spaced relation, two parallel memory wires positioned between the sheets and capable of repeated deformation between a straight configuration and a circular configuration, with each memory wire automatically deforming from the straight configuration to the circular configuration upon application of heat of a predetermined temperature thereto so that the first and second sheets also automatically deform into a cylindrical configuration; and heat sink wires positioned transversely with respect to the memory wires between the first and second sheets for retaining heat applied to the hair roller. When heat is removed from the formed memory wires, they retain their circular configuration, but can be manually biased back to their flat configurations.

Abstract: A protective breathing mask comprising fire-resistant stretchable material shaped as a hood for wearing over and enclosing the head. An access opening allows the head to be placed therethrough such that a substantially airtight closure is provided at the neck. In one embodiment, portions of the mask are removed at eye and mouth locations whereat they are replaced by respective viewing and filter materials sealed to the stretchable material. The viewing material comprises transparent fire-resistant material, and the filter material comprises a plurality of fire-resistant flexible layers at least one of which has embedded therein activated charcoal particles.

Abstract: An electrode harness for an electrocardiograph apparatus has a hollow tube for containing and housing the individual lead wires for each electrode and a flexible stylet which when bent, into a desired shape, will maintain that shape, until reshaped. The individual electrodes are slidably adjustable about the exterior of the hollow tube to enhance precise positioning of the electrodes to thereby maximize the proper recording of electro-cardiac information from the patient. All of the individual lead wires are bundled together and exit from the hollow tube at a single location. In addition, the electrical plug for the harness is uniquely configured so that it can only be plugged into the corresponding female receptacle of the electrocardiograph recording machine in the proper manner. The harness is also provided with a pair of straps which are adapted to be placed beneath the right shoulder and the left hip of the patient.

Abstract: A portable hair roller heating device includes a housing defined by top, side and bottom walls, the top wall including apertures through which elongated hair rollers can be inserted into the housing; a heating chamber in the housing for heating the hair rollers inserted through the apertures; two burner tubes with free ends extending into the heating chamber; a fuel delivery system for supplying fuel to the heating chamber through the burner tubes; an ignition device for igniting the fuel supplied to the heating chamber by the burner tubes so as to heat the chamber; a plurality of heat conducting tubes positioned adjacent the heating chamber and in line with the plurality of apertures for supporting the hair rollers in the housing and for conducting heat to the hair rollers from the heating chamber; a first screw-threaded well in the top wall for removably connecting a fuel supply cartridge thereto in an inoperative state when the heating appliance is not being used; a second screw-threaded well in the bottom

Abstract: A portable curling iron having a barrel to be heated, includes first and second burners which heat the barrel; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the first and second burners, the cartridge including a fuel delivery valve which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a plunger which applies a force to the valve in response to user actuation, to start the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a regulator assembly including a diaphragm which applies a reverse force to the plunger when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, to maintain a substantially constant flow rate of fuel to the first and second burners; a valve stem through which the fuel travels from the cartridge to the second burner; a bimetallic element for applying a force to the valve stem to permit the fuel to pass to the second burner when the temperature is less than a predetermined start-up temperature and for removing such force when the predetermined start-up temperature is attained; and a spring which applies a revers

Abstract: A toolholder for use in connection with the grinding of a conventional flat tipped screwdriver into a screwdriver having a hollow-ground tip configuration. The toolholder has a first section with a recess for receiving the round shank of the screwdriver, a second section having an inclined surface with respect to the top surface of the first section and an abutment ledge against which the front end of the screwdriver is located during grinding. A clamping lever is also provided, having a bottom located recess which lies over the shank of the screwdriver and, with suitable fastening mechanism, holds the screwdriver in place and against the abutment ledge for grinding. The angle of incline defined between the top surface of the first section and the flat bottom of the toolholder is slightly more than 1/4 of the angle defined by the tip of the screwdriver.