Abstract: A device for coiling or uncoiling a wire, cable or the like, comprising two cap members. Each cap member has an axis, a circumferential wall portion terminating in a free circumferential edge at one end and gradually merging into an end wall portion at an opposite end. The circumferential wall portion of each cap member has a slit which extends from the free circumferential edge towards the end wall portion. The two cap members are coaxially and freely rotatably assembled with their circumferential edges substantially facing each other, wherein the axes are aligned in a common axis. In the common axis of the two cap members between said opposite end wall portions thereof, a core element is provided, so as to define an annular coiling space around the core element. The two cap members are adapted to the rotated relative to one another. Firstly the two slits are put in mutual alignment to allow the wire, cable or the like to be inserted.

Abstract: A folding multi-tool comprising first and second generally channel-shaped handles each having first and second ends, each generally channel-shaped handle having an open side and an at least partly closed side opposite the open side, the at least partly closed sides comprising plier-receiving openings. The folding multi-tool also includes pliers including first and second plier halves pivotally and adjustably mounted to each other, with the plier halves being pivotally mounted between flanges at the first ends of the handles. Control straps extend between the flanges for limiting the maximum pivotal movement of the plier halves and for frictionally resisting pivotal movement of the plier halves. The folding multi-tool is foldable between a closed, compact configuration and an opened, extended configuration for operating the pliers and in the opened, extended configuration the open sides of the handles face each other.

Abstract: A portable tree seat for temporary mounting to a tree includes a frame which has an upright stanchion and a lower fork mounted thereto for partly straddling a tree. An upper lug is mounted to an upper portion of the upright stanchion and a generally U-shaped armrest frame is mounted to the upright stanchion. A seat bottom is suspended from the armrest frame and a lanyard is coupled to the upper lug and adapted to be draped about and secured about the tree to suspend the frame from the tree. With this construction, the portable tree seat is suspended by the lanyard and is stabilized by the fork partly straddling the tree.

Abstract: A coin escrow apparatus for use with a pay telephone includes a housing defining a coin hopper, a coin acceptance chute, and a coin return chute. The apparatus also includes a door mounted within the housing for selective movement between an escrow position for supporting coins in the hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from the hopper to the coin acceptance chute, and a return position for releasing coins from the hopper to the coin return chute. The door includes first and second ends and an underside portion.

Abstract: A reel for winding up and unwinding surplus cable, comprising a first housing part and a second housing part which are connected together as to be able to rotate with respect to one another about a common axis and together enclose a chamber for receiving the cable. The reel includes a central member present in the chamber with each housing part having a free rim which extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis, with the housing parts each comprising a slot which extends as far as the free rim. During the winding operation, a cable part which extends through the two slots into the chamber is pulled further into the chamber by rotating the housing parts with respect to one another and is thereby wound around the central member. The housing parts are connected to one another by means of a connection which is releasable via an operating member.

Abstract: A coin return apparatus, for use with a pay telephone, which provides a discontinuous coin return path between the coin return structure and the coin discharge opening of the pay telephone and which resists "stuffing", "stringing", and "pinning". The coin return apparatus includes a housing which is mountable within the pay telephone and a movable door mounted to the housing. The housing includes a chamber therein and a first opening which is communicable with a passageway of a coin return structure of the pay telephone and which is selectively communicable with the chamber. The housing further includes a second opening which is communicable with the environment about the pay telephone and which is selectively communicable with the chamber. The movable door is movable between first and second positions relative to the housing.

Abstract: A computer input device, such as a mouse, and a method of operating the same. Initially, the location of the cursor at various times on the screen is detected. From these various positions a path of travel and a rate of travel of the cursor are computed. Display objects, such as buttons, which exist along or near the path of travel are identified and designated as potential targets. The rate of change in the rate of travel is also computed. This information is used to decide if a user is slowing down in approach of a specific screen display object. If certain deceleration criteria are met, then that target which the user is approaching is designated as the intended target and the cursor is translated smoothly to that target. After the pointer has been moved to the intended display object, the pointer is maintained at that object and small mouse movements are ignored, thereby allowing the user to maintain the cursor on the desired target despite small, possibly inadvertent, mouse movements.

Abstract: A reinforced composite deck post comprises an elongate, hollow, extruded plastic shell, with the plastic shell being rectangular in cross-section. The plastic shell has an upper end and a lower end and has a notch formed therein adjacent the lower end for receiving a wood joist of a wood deck. The reinforced composite deck post also includes an elongate metal stiffening member positioned within the plastic shell and rigidly secured thereto generally adjacent the upper end of the plastic shell. Upper and lower shim means are positioned within the plastic shell adjacent the metal stiffening member for securing the metal stiffening member to the plastic shell.

Abstract: A portable enclosure system and method for providing a suitable breathing atmosphere therein includes a chamber. The chamber may assume a variety of shapes. An electric fan and filter assembly is provided and is attached to the chamber by way of a flexible air hose. The fan draws air into the fan and filter assembly and exhausts it into the air hose through a filter. The filtered air travels into the chamber thus providing a positive pressure within the chamber. The positive pressure within the chamber forces unwanted particulates out of the chamber by way of exhaust ports and prevents unwanted particulates from entering the chamber. In providing an enclosure filled with a suitable breathing environment, the chamber is placed on a substantially flat surface. The fan is turned on and the chamber is allowed to be purged of unwanted allergens. The fan remains on to maintain a positive pressure within the chamber and provide a steady supply of fresh filtered air.

Abstract: A mailbox support post for supporting a mailbox a predetermined distance above the ground, and including a ground engaging portion, an upright portion, a mailbox support shelf extending outward from the upright portion, and a brace between the mailbox support shelf and the upright portion. The mailbox support post is fabricated of an expanded foam core within a solid plastic shell.

Abstract: A bone screw for use in oral, maxofacial, and cranial surgery. The bone screw includes a screw head and body portion. The body portion includes a body tip, the body portion having a single flute being recessed in the area of the body tip and by the area enveloping the thread at the body tip being convex in shape. By this combination of features a bone screw is produced which is very easy to screw in, self-boring and self-tapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the stimulation through the sphenoid sinus, the pituitary gland and the adjoining brain structures. The apparatus consists of an inflatable balloon and which is inserted into the sphenoid sinus and inflated. The balloon will stimulate by pressure, heat, cold or electricity, the structures surrounding the sphenoid sinus. The balloon is controlled via connecting tubes and control wires. This method and apparatus has application in the treatment of pain and a number of other maladies of the nervous system.

Abstract: A basket-style carrier for containing and carrying twelve containers or other articles includes first and second end panels opposite each other and first and second side panels opposite each other and connected to the end panels. A bottom is connected to the side panels and a central handle is positioned between the side panels. The central handle comprises six handle panels secured to one another, with the central handle being connected to the end panels. A plurality of partitions are connected to and extend between the central handle and the first and second side panels. The partitions define six 2-container cells. The central handle includes a foldable handgrip portion which is foldable between an upright position for carrying the carrier in which the handgrip portion extends above an uppermost portion of the end panels and a folded position adjacent the containers for stacking the carrier.

Abstract: A mechanical athletic training device includes a mobile carriage with a locking device which locks the mobile carriage in a stationary position. An opponent simulator, such as a hockey stick, is connected to the mobile carriage by a pivoting connection. The mobile carriage combined with the pivoting connection allows the opponent simulator to interact with an athlete by simulating the movements and actions of a defensive or offensive player. The mobile carriage combined with the pivoting connection forces the athlete to anticipate the movements of the opponent simulator and play through the opponent simulator rather than around it. The opponent simulator can be activated manually by the athlete by striking the opponent simulator. Alternatively, the opponent simulator can be manually operated by an operator using a handle device attached to the pivoting connection. As a further alternative, an electric motor can be attached to the pivoting connection to automatically impart motion to the opponent simulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the stimulation through the sphenoid sinus, the pituitary gland and the adjoining brain structures. The apparatus consists of an inflatable balloon and which is inserted into the sphenoid sinus and inflated. The balloon will stimulate by pressure, heat, cold or electricity, the structures surrounding the sphenoid sinus. The balloon is controlled via connecting tubes and control wires. This method and apparatus has application in the treatment of pain and a number of other maladies of the nervous system.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an article having a rigid foam core and a resilient outer plastic shell by extruding a heated thermoplastic material to form the shell, partially hardening the extruded plastic shell, injecting a liquid foam material into the interior of the partially hardened plastic shell, and cooling the shell and the liquid foam material to fully harden the plastic shell and the foam under conditions which cause the article to have a predetermined shape and size.