Abstract: Trans-dichloroethylene is used in a pure or in a blended state as a cleaning agent for all acetate-based photographic films. In manual cleaning procedures of still-photography and motion-picture films, a soft, lint-free material is moistened with trans-dichloroethylene, or a blend containing trans-dichloroethylene, and then used to buff the film. The most favorable blend discovered contains 50% trans-dichloroethylene, 50% perchloroethylene. In mechanized cleaning procedures of motion-picture films, it is anticipated that trans-dichloroethylene, or a blend containing trans-dichloroethylene, can be used as the cleaning agent with little or no modification to the existing machines. Trans-dichloroethylene can serve as an effective, non-ozone depleting replacement for 1,1,1-trichloroethane in all film-cleaning applications.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted advertising system attachable to a vehicle having non-planar sidewalls that pivot with respect to the vehicle's chassis such as a dump truck. The advertising system comprises a rigid frame member, a first surface member for displaying advertising indica, a sign surface member, and a border member. The rigid frame member defines an interior area closed over by the frame member and includes a mechanical connection for attaching the frame member against the non-planar, vehicle sidewall. The first surface member is attached to the frame member in a manner such that the interior area is substantially covered and bridged over by the first surface member. The border member is in mechanical connection with the frame member in a manner such that the perimeter of the sign surface member is covered by the border member.

Abstract: A container holder for supporting a container (12), such as, for example, a paint can, or other item, on a ladder (16) using the interior of a hollow ladder rung (18) for support, into which rung is inserted a flattened, rod-like, projecting arm (14) integrally formed with a completely encircling cincture (10) securing the container, with over-lapping members (14/14A) making up the arm held together under compression by a simple fastener (20) at the point where the cincture and the support arm members join. When unfastened, the cincture is placed around the circumference of the paint can either below the side handle protrusions (FIG. 4) or between them and the laterally extending top lip of the can (FIG. 5B), with the over-lapping arm members then being brought together in over-lapping fashion and fastened together.

Abstract: A medication compliance, co-ordination and dispensing system for coordinating the administration of medication regimens at home equipped with a system for monitoring patient compliance and protection from overdosage and underdosage. The system is accessible to all types of patients, including children, the elderly, the visually-impaired, the hearing-impaired and patients with other handicaps. The device comprises a centrally positioned main housing containing a control element, a plurality of storage and dispensing units dedicated to different medications engageable with the main housing, and a system of input and output devices in communication with the control element. The I/O devices include visual and audible alarms for alerting the patient of administration times, voice and display means for providing extended medication information to the patient, a mini-camera for recording patient compliance and a user-wearable message receiving component for doing same.

Abstract: A toilet system for reducing or eliminating the splash and noise normally associated with human waste as it falls and penetrates the surface of the water contained in a toilet bowl (10). This system includes a floating object or deflector (20) positioned at the surface of the water which functions to deflect the fall of the waste matter. An electrical circuit (1-6) generates an electromagnetic field, which interacts with the magnetic influenceable material of the deflector and/or a permanent magnet connected to the floating deflector. Interaction between the electromagnetic field and the magnetic influenceable material (e.g. iron) or permanent magnet allows the floating object to be maintained at a pre-determined, centralized and depth position on the surface of the water.

Abstract: An interfacing computer program and system which allows a COBOL program, despite its totally different nature and internal data handling constructs and statement approaches, to effectively generate Structured Query Language (SQL) statements in accessing and using data from a SQL oriented database (8-9) and getting appropriate data back in a form consistent with what the COBOL program expects. The program's interface module (5) receives COBOL statements from an appropriately compiled COBOL program (3), and, using information contained in a data dictionary (4) created when the COBOL program (1) was compiled (note compiler 2), generates the appropriate SQL statements to access and generate the appropriate data from a SQL oriented database (8-9) for sending back to the COBOL program (3). A number of innovative programming and logic techniques are used, with innovative techniques for enhanced speed of execution.

Abstract: A simulated golf game including a substantially reduced size course in which each "hole" (10) and its respective tee marker (40) is separated from each other by a minimum of about fifty (50') feet and a maximum of about one hundred and fifty (150') feet for "holes" having pars "3" to "5" (FIG. 7), that can be played, for example, in the yard of the user, including regulation size balls (20) that are of relatively light weight; "holes" in the form of, for example, relatively large, outer diameter [e.g. twenty (20") inch] and relatively large, inner diameter [e.g. fifteen (15") inch] ramp rings (10, FIGS. 1A & 1B) substantially spaced about on the ground, each having an easy-entry/reluctant-exit hoop configuration; miniature flags (30, FIGS. 3A-C) associated with the "holes", and tee markers (FIGS. 4A-4D) and tees. The ball has an effective "maximum" range of about fifty (50') feet and is formed of an aerated, hollow, plastic hemisphere with a weight of about a tenth (0.1 oz) of an ounce.

Abstract: Holders (10) for growing individual oysters each including a cup-like member (12) having a lip (20) defining a cylindrical cavity (16) of a size sufficient to allow a seedling or juvenile oyster to be at least partially, and preferably completely, placed therein prior to the juvenile oyster's setting with the oyster's hinge located at the cavity's rear. At least one aperture (24/26; 124/126) is formed through the cavity's bottom and side walls with dimensions sufficient to prevent the seedling or juvenile oyster from passing through the aperture(s) but large enough to allow the oyster spat to initially anchor itself to the holder by growing into the aperture(s). The holder further includes a flared, radially extending, shelf extension portion (14) into which the lip of the cavity leads. The shelf portion along with the higher, underside side of the lip directs the growth of the growing oyster's shell over the shelf as it grows up past and outside of the walls of the cup-like member.

Abstract: A protective facial mask system having an outer, high impact, rigid layer (of, e.g., polycarbonate) and an inner, flexible, relatively soft layer of energy absorption and dissipating material (e.g. an unaerated viscoelastic polymer). The inner, soft layer preferably has variable or different thicknesses of material (e.g., going from about an eighth of an inch minimum to about a quarter inch maximum thickness), affording greater protection to facial areas where the underlying bone structure is weaker (e.g., the nasal region), which is where in the invention the inner layer is thickest, and thinner where the bone structure is stronger (e.g. over the flanking, supra-orbital/glabella regions). The inner soft layer thereby best absorbs, redirects and dissipates the energy from impact forces to the face, protecting the facial skeleton from, for example, fracturing. The mask, in all three of its embodiments (FIGS. 1 & 2, FIGS. 3 & 4, and FIGS.

Abstract: A garden cleaning implement (10) for weeds and the like comprising a cutting mechanism (14) and a retractable guard mechanism (28), generally free to "float" up and down about the cutter mechanism, carried on, for example, an extended pole handle (22). The cutting mechanism includes--an associated rotational power source (16/116); an intermediate, rotatable shaft (18) connected thereto; and a rotatable, rectangular blade, cutting member (20).

Abstract: A vegetable harvesting device or cutter (8) for harvesting a harvest portion from a plant, e.g. okra, which plant has a harvest portion supported at the end of a stem. The cutter includes a conduit member (10) that has a passageway (12) therethrough. The passageway includes receiving and discharge ports (20 & 16) and is adapted to allow passage of a desired harvest portion and to receive a portion of the stem adjacent the harvest portion. The perimeter of the receiving port is defined by a peripheral lip located at a surface of the conduit member and has at least a functional portion lying within a plane. A hand-actuated, squeezeable severing means or cutter is in operational connection with the functional portion of the peripheral lip and is selectively responsive to an operator for harvesting the harvest portion by severing the stem while a section of the stem is received within the passageway of the conduit member (note FIG. 4 ).

Abstract: A basic connector body (13) which electrically connects and mechanically secures a ground wire (1) to a grounding member (14), e.g. pipe or electrical conduit, which body is made of a one piece brass alloy casting. The generally cylindrical, basic connector body has a smaller diameter, wire section and a larger diameter, pipe section, the size of the latter allowing the body to be slipped over the pipe end. In contrast, the smaller, wire section prevents the pipe from passing through the connector body due to the presence of a ridge (7). When the connector body is slipped over the end of the grounding pipe until the end of the pipe bears against the ridge, a first set screw (8) is screwed down until it drives itself down against the outer, exterior surface of the pipe, electrically connecting and mechanically securing the connector body to the pipe.

Abstract: A control system for wild oil and gas wells etc. using a centered, angled tubular device placed over and attached to the well head by clamps and remotely controlled hydraulic cylinders. The discharge of the well is directed into the bottom of the device, having movable blades forming two apertures used to minimize the induction of air from the exterior. Inert gas from engines powering pumps is injected into the space between the apertures, so that greater than atmospheric pressure in this chamber will result in the outflow of inert gas and prevent induction of air. Inert gas can also be injected into the main body of the device when required to prevent combustion. High pressure motive fluid is discharged from nozzles within the angled chamber of the device, directing the oil and liquids which impinge on the upper surface of the tube to be directed by baffles to its bottom, then flowing into a collecting trough and drawn through slots in the trough bottom by fluid jet eductors.

Abstract: An octagonally-shaped, orange colored sign display (10) having intelligible, informational indicia (20) thereon, such as "CALL 911," using chemi-luminescence to provide illumination from within the indicia in emergency situations. The indicia consist of a series of separate, hollow, formed containers, which are made of at least translucent, if not transparent, material and contain a special, generally isolated chemical, which is ultimately mixed with another special chemical located in an upper, horizontally disposed, reservoir tube (30/330), with the tube connected to the indicia containers by connector lines (40). A membrane divider (31/331) extends across the bottom portion of the reservoir tube, isolating the upper chemical from the lower chemical, until steps are taken to break or rupture it. The two chemi-luminescent chemicals are mixed by breaking the membrane by bending the tube until the membrane breaks.

Abstract: A fire resistant blanket which is tossed or placed over a fire in order to smother the flames comprising a square shaped blanket made of a permanently fire proof material, on the backside of which are attached two handles made of the same clothlike material. At strategic points about the perimeter magnets are positioned and secured in pockets of the blanket. The blanket's primary function is to be used to extinguish small household fires such as may arise in the kitchen while cooking. The blanket is designed to allow storage directly on the side of a refrigerator or other metallic surface or on the kitchen wall by draping over a dowel where it will be readily accessible in the event of a kitchen fire. The handles on the back are designed to allow the operator to approach the fire while protecting himself and his hands. The spaced magnets weight the blanket optimally for tossing the blanket onto a fire.

Abstract: A descent apparatus to control the descent of people or materials from physical heights, for example, buildings, aircraft, ships, trees or mountains and may be used for business, pleasure, and military purposes, under routine or emergency circumstances. The apparatus employs a movable lever arm spring bias toward the braking disposition which influences the amount of friction between various sections of the cable used for lowering as the various sections of the cable interactively contact one another in opposed directions about multiple rollers.