Abstract: An apparatus for holding recording discs is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first plate defining a first slot for receiving a recording disc and a second plate defining a second slot for also receiving the disc and for cooperating with the first slot to substantially support the disc on the disc's outer edge. In addition, the second slot cooperates with the first slot to laterally stabilize the disc. The apparatus further includes a housing for supporting the first and second plates in spaced relationship from each other.

Abstract: A socket cleaning tool having a rotatable mandrel and a hollow elastomeric sleeve which seats on the mandrel is disclosed. The outer surface of the sleeve defines a plurality of wiper strips which extend substantially the length of the sleeve and which terminate at edges that are sized and shaped to contact and wipe the surface of a socket as the sleeve and mandrel are rotated in the socket to clean the socket.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow between a first point and a second point on a fluid line is disclosed. The system includes the first valve located at the first point on the fluid line to permit forward fluid flow from the first point to the second point on the fluid line and for closing to prevent such forward fluid flow. The system also includes flow sensors for detecting forward fluid flow at the second point and opening the first valve when such forward fluid flow is detected. The flow sensors also close the first valve when fluid flow at the second point stops. The system further includes a second valve located at the second point for opening and closing to control forward fluid flow at the second point. The system prevents forward fluid flow if a break in the fluid line occurs between the first and second points by preventing the first valve from opening.

Abstract: Masking tape is disclosed for covering the gaps between adjacent panels of an automobile body and for isolating a section of a panel to be refinished. The tape includes an elongated flexible core having a cross-sectional shape of substantial thickness. At least a portion of the core's outer surface is adhesive. The core is narrow enough at one end to be inserted into a gap and wide enough in another portion to cover the gap, but not the panel edges. The outer surface of the core is angled or curved in such a way as to form an outwardly opening pocket which creates a vortex during spray painting which, in turn, causes paint to gradually diminish in thickness or feather out in the direction of the pocket's bottom.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine having increased thrust capability is disclosed. The machine includes a rotatable cutter head for cutting material away from the face of the tunnel and a drive shaft and motor for rotating the cutter head in a cutting state of operation. A bearing assembly is also provided for facilitating rotation of the cutter head during the cutting state of operation. Thrust cylinders are also provided for generating forward thrust. The machine also includes first and second structures for defining a fluid pressurizable cavity between the cutter head and the thrust cylinders which transmit forward thrust to the cutter head when the cavity is sufficiently pressurized. In addition, the machine includes a pressurizing system for pressurizing the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a spout and a method for simultaneously dispensing beverage into a plurality of drinking glasses or a single drinking glass. The spout includes a housing having a first portion defining a beverage receiving chamber with a beverage inlet for receiving beverage. The housing also has a second portion defining at least two beverage dispensing chambers, each of which has a beverage exit for dispensing beverage. The beverage dispensing chamber is in fluid communication with the beverage receiving chambers for receiving fluid from the beverage receiving chamber. The second portion of the housing has at least two spout sections, each of which defines one of the beverage dispensing chambers and one of the fluid exits.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steadily holding a container in one hand are disclosed. The container has a bottom, side and a swing handle. The apparatus of the invention includes a loop attached to the swing handle for receiving a person's thumb. The loop is sized and configured to enable the container to be steadily held when a thumb is received in the loop with the fingers of the same hand located against the bottom of the container. The method of the present invention includes providing such a container having a swing handle with a loop as described above for receiving a person's thumb. The method further includes engaging the loop with a thumb of one hand and engaging the bottom of the container with the fingers of the same hand so that the thumb and fingers cooperate to enable the person to steadily hold the container in one hand.

Abstract: An asbestos-free insulating material suitable for use in molten metal casting is disclosed. The material is made from a mixture comprising lime, siliceous component, wollastonite, inorganic fiber and pitch based graphite fiber. The mixture is mixed with water to form a slurry, shaped, heated in the presence of steam, and dried to remove free water.

Abstract: A method of forming a layered structure for adhering gold to a substrate is disclosed. The layered structure includes a first layer overlying the substrate. The first layer includes a member selected from the group consisting of metal nitrides, metal carbides and metal carbonitrides wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and hafnium. The layered structure also includes a transparent layer of refractory metal which overlies the first layer and underlies the gold or alloy thereof. The disclosed method includes forming the aforementioned first layer over the substrate and then forming the transparent layer of refractory metal on the first layer. Both the first layer and transparent layer are preferably formed or deposited on the substrate by a cathodic arc plasma deposition process. The method also includes forming a top layer of gold or an alloy thereof on the transparent layer, which gold layer is preferably formed or deposited by a magnetron sputtering process.

Abstract: An infant rocker/cradle is disclosed. The rocker/cradle includes a generally rectangular frame having two generally parallel, opposing and spaced sides which are joined to each other by two generally parallel, opposing and spaced ends which join the sides at generally right angles. Each side defines a first arcuate rocking edge which is parallel to that of the other side. In addition, each end defines a second arcuate rocking edge which is parallel to that of the other end. The first and second arcuate rocking edges are oriented with respect to each other so that they generally face opposite directions and are disposed at right angles with respect to each other. In addition, the rocker/cradle includes a firm but resilient hammock which is attached to the inner facing surfaces of the frames' ends and sides and which firmly supports an infant lying thereon.

Abstract: An irrigation system having a valve assembly which is attachable to the underside of a sprinkler head is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a housing having interior walls which define an inner chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the inner chamber, an outlet in fluid communication with the inner chamber and a valve seat surrounding the entrance of the outlet. The valve assembly further includes a flexible diaphragm which extends across the inner chamber and is attached to the interior walls of the housing so that it divides the inner chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber wherein the upper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly further includes valve closing structure located in the upper chamber and attached to the diaphragm for opening and closing the valve to control fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: An outboard trolling motor mount for use in mounting an outboard trolling motor on the outboard drive unit of a boat equipped with an inboard/outboard type power unit is disclosed. The motor mount includes a mounting block for supporting an outboard trolling motor and a support structure attachable to the outboard drive unit through the drive unit's top cover for supporting the mounting block to one side of the drive unit at a location behind the boat's transom.

Abstract: A work platform for mounting on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The platform has a generally flat underside and a top side which defines a generally flat writing surface. The platform also includes securing means for engaging the outer rounded edge of a steering wheel to mount the work platform on the steering wheel.

Abstract: An animal waste collection and disposal device for separating animal waste matter from granular litter material is disclosed. The device includes first and second sections, each of which has apertures which are sized and configured to permit the passage of granular litter material but substantially prevent the passage of waste matter. The first and second sections are connected by a connecting means which pivotally and slidably connects the first section to the second section so that the sections are capable of pivoting relative to each other between an open position and a closed position and slidably moving relative to each other between the closed position and a waste matter dumping position. An animal waste collection and disposal apparatus including the aforementioned device and a litter box specially designed for use with the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealable, collapsible storage module for storing and shipping matter such as grain and plastic resins is disclosed. The module includes a body having a bottom portion and a flexible, collapsible upper portion. The flexible, collapsible upper portion is sealed to the bottom portion to define a sealable storage chamber for storing matter. The body also defines at least one sealable port in communication with the storage chamber through which matter is conveyed. The module also includes a plurality of internal support lines extending across the inside of the storage chamber wherein each support line is attached at its ends to opposing sides of the upper body portion. The plurality of support lines provides internal support for the upper portion to prevent it from rupturing when it is filled with matter such as grain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a patient's circulatory status during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining a passageway through which the patient's breath passes. The device also includes a carbon dioxide indicator in communication with said passageway for indicating the presence of carbon dioxide in the patient's breath over a temporary period of time wherein the length of the temporary period is a known function of the level of carbon dioxide in the patient's breath. Accordingly, the level or concentration of carbon dioxide in the patient's breath is easily determined by simply measuring the length of the temporary period. The preferred carbon dioxide indicator utilizes a chemical substance that changes color when exposed to carbon dioxide. The chemical substance is preferably disposed in an internal chamber which is in communication with the housing's passageway.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying objects are disclosed. The display system includes a cabinet having at least one viewing compartment such as a shelf and a light source mounted in the back of the cabinet. The system also includes a plurality of generally rectangularly shaped cases such as a compact disc case each of which has at least one generally transparent side and one generally transparent end edge adjoining the transparent side. Each case also has a generally opaque label affixed to the inside surface of the transparent end edge. The cases are arranged in the viewing compartment in an abutting side by side manner and positioned in the viewing compartment with respect to the light source so that the transparent sides of the abutting cases are capable of receiving and transmitting light from the light source to the transparent end edges of the cases where the light illuminates the labels affixed to the inside surfaces of the transparent end edges.

Abstract: A golfer's aid for helping a golfer determine the contour of a putting green and a method of assembling the golfer's aid are disclosed. The aid includes a plumb bob and a plumb line having a first end secured to the plumb bob and a second end secured to a cylindrical shaft which is mounted in a golf ball shaped casing. The casing has a first hemispherical half and a second hemispherical half which are snapped together to form the casing. When snapped together, the first and second hemispherical halves define a chamber for housing the plumb bob. The walls of the chamber, in turn, define an inner bore for receiving the plumb line and an outer bore for receiving the plumb bob. The first half of the casing also defines a round hole for rotatably receiving a first end of the shaft. The second half of the casing is provided with a shaft retaining ring for rotatably receiving the other end of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lockable clamping apparatus for securing a bicycle to the rail of a pick-up truck bed having a generally L-shaped lengthwise extending portion. The clamping apparatus includes outer clamping means for engaging the outer facing surfaces of the truck bed rail's L-shaped portion and inner clamping means for engaging the inner facing surfaces of the truck bed rail's L-shaped portion. The inner and outer clamping means are movably, preferably pivotally, connected to each other so that they can be moved, preferably pivoted, between an open mounting position and a closed clamping position. The clamping apparatus is mounted on the truck bed rail when it is in its open mounting position. When the clamping apparatus is in its closed clamping position, the first and second clamping means tightly engage the L-shaped portion of the truck bed rail to secure the clamping apparatus thereto.