Abstract: A test interface between an electrical circuit to be tested and a test controller generally includes a plurality of translation pins, a plurality of grid boards and a connector to a controller. Each translation pin has a first end disposed for electrical contact with a point to be tested on the circuit to be tested and has a second end; the second ends collectively forming an output grid. Each grid board includes a plurality of grid contacts printed on a peripheral receiving edge perpendicular to the boards faces. The plurality of grid boards are disposed such that the grid contacts form a receiving grid congruent with the output grid such that individual ones of the second ends of the translation pins make electrical contact with individual ones of the grid contacts.

Abstract: A combination lock box and mounting device allows the lock box to be easily attached and unattached. The lock box includes a back wall having a plurality of key-hole openings therein and a lid having a closed position and an open position. The mounting device comprises a mounting bracket and a locking plate. The locking bracket is to be secured to a supporting surface and includes a plurality of flared head shafts extending through the key-holes of the lock box. The locking plate has a plurality of key-hole openings. The locking plate is inserted into the lock box to a locking position wherein the locking plate's key-holes receive the shafts of the mounting bracket and lock the lock box onto the mounting bracket. The lid, in the closed position, retains the locking plate in the locking position.

Abstract: An inflatable wall generally comprises a wall panel including a pliable skin defining an inflatable enclosure and a hinge. Internal I-beams retain the front and rear of the wall panel as spaced vertical planes. The hinge has a vertical axis and is attached to the wall panel first end for supporting the wall in an upright position by hinged attachment to an adjacent wall. The enclosure includes a window box and a window for holding displays or the like. A raceway within the enclosure allows for passage of electrical wiring to displays within the windows. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, two inflatable walls are permanently joined by a flexible hinge having a supplemental hinge on each side, each for hinged attachment of another wall.

Abstract: A tool for removing a compression gasket from a pipe generally comprises a sleeve and a rod; the sleeve having a cylindrical rear end for fitting over the end of the pipe and rear threads adapted for threadably engaging the front threads of a compression nut and a front end including internal threads; the rod passing longitudinally through the sleeve and having a rear end including a bearing adapted for bearing against the end face of the pipe, a central portion including threads threadably engaged with the internal threads of the front end of the sleeve and a front end including a nut or handle for turning the rod. Screwing the rod such that it moves rearward moves the sleeve and the compression nut forward such that the rear shoulder of the compression nut bears against the rear side of the gasket and pushes the gasket forward off the end of the pipe.

Abstract: A support, for a pier of the type having a base with a bottom surface area and fastener-receiving bores therethrough, generally comprises a panel with plurality of ribs attached thereto as a stiffening grid; the free sides of the ribs defining a support plane that is parallel to the panel. A plurality of attachment bores in the support receive fasteners for attaching the pier base to the support such that shear forces between the pier and the support are resisted. Shear pegs in shear bores resist shear forces between stacked supports. A plurality of anchor bores through the support each may receive a anchor rod for resisting shear forces between said support and the ground. In an exemplary stacked configuration, the top support has its first side upward, preferably attached to the pier and the bottom support has its first side downward.

Abstract: The tracker determines a vision vector for an eye of an operator. The device generally comprises: a video camera oriented so as to observe an eye of an operator for obtaining an image of the eye; camera interface electronics and image processor for digitizing the image of the operator's eye and for analyzing the digitized image for determining therefrom a plurality of points determinative of the iridal ellipse, the points being on the boundary between the eye's sclera and iris as represented by different light intensities; and a processor for utilizing said information and an estimate of the diameter of the iris in formulating an estimated optical axis vector for the eye. If the position and orientation of the camera is known relative to the operator's eye, then the pupillary ellipse can be used instead of the iridal ellipse. The tracker of the invention can be used as a mouse emulator attached to a mouse port of a personal computer system.

Abstract: A bathing suit includes a pocket, a waterproof pouch disposed in the pocket and a tether having a first end attached to the suit and a second end attached to the waterproof pouch. The tether is flexible and of sufficient length such that the waterproof pouch can be removed from the pocket for inserting therein items for safekeeping. The pouch is made of pliable waterproof material and has a sealable opening such that, when sealed, liquids may not enter. Preferred embodiment, the pocket is constructed such that the tether can be anchored to the suite's waistband. Preferably, also, the pocket is constructed such that the tether is concealed entirely within the pocket during storage of the pouch. With use of a rear pocket, the tether is sufficiently long such that the pouch can be removed from the rear pocket and held to the front of a wearer for inserting therein items for safekeeping.

Abstract: A ball retrieving and storage cart generally comprises a wheeled carriage that rollingly supports a basket in a ball retrieving position. In an exemplary embodiment, the basket has a front end and a rear end and includes a bottom wall having two side members oriented front to rear and having a normal position spaced apart less than the ball diameter and defining a slotted aperture for entrance of a ball into the basket. In the ball retrieval position, at least one of the side members is a slanted member having a front end higher from the ground than a ball radius and a rear end lower to the ground than the ball radius. At least one of the side members is a deflectable member and is biased to the normal position but is sideways deflectable such that a ball on the ground entering the aperture sideways deflects the deflectable member sufficiently for the ball to pass into the basket. The wheels may define a rolling plane.

Abstract: A fully steerable skateboard generally comprises an elongate chassis rollingly supported by a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. Each wheel rotates about a substantially horizontal axis for rollingly supporting the chassis and rotates about a vertical axis for steering the chassis. A steering mechanism attached to the chassis and to the wheels steers the wheels in response to movement of a rider's foot. The wheels at all times define a stable support plane for said skateboard. Each said wheel is rotatable through 360 degrees. Braking is accomplished by rotating a wheel set ninety degrees to the direction of travel. According to a preferred embodiment, the wheel steering mechanism includes a pair of foot platforms for supporting a rider's feet. Steering linkage connects each foot platform to a set of wheels such that rotation of each foot platform steers the wheels. The chassis has an underside that forms a plane such that obstacles can only strike a wheel below its axle.

Abstract: A protective cover for the handle of a tool box drawer of the type having a front wall; the front wall having a front face and a rear face and having a rearward slanting upper section terminating at an upper edge. The handle having sides and having a rear edge connected to the front wall upper edge, the handle projecting generally forward and downward such that it has a generally upward and forward facing top face and has a generally downward and rearward facing rear face and it forms a downward facing cavity forward of the front wall for insertion of fingers for opening the drawer.

Abstract: A maintenance device for hooves, such as horse hooves, includes a hoof pick and a hoof dressing applicator including dressing. The hoof pick handle includes a tubular section having an internal cavity containing hoof liquid dressing. A dressing dispensing applicator on the other end of the handle applies the dressing to a hoof. A cap covers the applicator so that the dressing is not unintentionally dispensed. An exemplary embodiment includes a spray pump dressing applicator. In another exemplary embodiment, a dabber is used as a dressing applicator.

Abstract: A tool for removing a faucet stem and cartridge from a faucet body; the stem of the type having a threaded outer end; the cartridge of the type having a central bore retaining the stem; the bore including an inward facing ledge. A cylindrical standoff sleeve has an inner end for bearing against the faucet body. A rod passes through the standoff sleeve. The rod has, on its very inner end, threads for engaging the stem threads and, above that, a device for engaging a cartridge inward facing ledge. Rod outer end includes a threaded section. A rotatable handle threads on the rod outer end and bears against the standoff sleeve outer end such that rotation of the handle moves the rod axially relative to the standoff sleeve for extracting the stem and cartridge after engagement.

Abstract: A batting training aid for biasing the batter's head at a position of rotation relative to the batter's back hip such that the batter's eyes are in the best position during ball contact for achieving ball contact generally comprises an elastic strap having a top end that attaches to the batter's helmet on the side toward the pitcher and having a bottom end that attaches to the batter's waist at the back hip. A chin strap for passing over the batter's chin has a front end connected to the strap top end and back end for attaching to the helmet back side.

Abstract: A plug and light stick allow a light bulb to be positioned within a common elastic expandable inflatable balloon having an elastic filler neck. The plug fits into the neck of a balloon and seals against the neck wall. The plug has a central bore having an interior end located within the balloon neck and an outer end. The light stick includes an elongated cylindrical tube having a light bulb on the insertion end. The bore contains therein at least one concentric constriction ring and the tube has an outside diameter such that the tube forms a sliding air-tight seal with the constriction ring when inserted in the bore. A pair of electric conductors extend from the bulb, pass along the interior of the tube external the balloon, and connect to an electrical energy source for lighting the balloon.

Abstract: A string (10) for a sports racquet, such as a tennis racquet string, is comprised of a string core (20) having a plurality of external ridges (40) bonded thereon for aiding in imparting spin on a ball and for increasing the crossover contact area between strings. The ridges are parallel to one another and extend axially with the string. Preferably, the string and ridges can be circumscribed by a maximum diameter circle (90), preferably of 1.70 millimeters. The process for making the ridged string includes passing a string core (20) through a bath (72) of resin (71), such as nylon, for coating and glueing the core and then through a die (74) shaped so as to form the ridges (40).

Abstract: A sparge assembly including a integral frit can be used with a common test tube. The test tube is retained by a tube fitting on the bottom of an enclosure. An elongated purge gas tube passes through the enclosure and extends downward to terminate near the test tube bottom. The bottom end of the purge tube has a metal frit attached for discharge of received purge gas. Gas is collected from the enclosure with an outlet tube. A liquid input needle passes through the enclosure and terminates within near the test tube bottom. According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, the gas outlet tube is fitted with a bushing having an outer diameter for fitting into a host instrument's tube fitting. Preferably, the gas outlet tube exits out the top of the enclosure so that a liquid needle may pass through the gas outlet tube and into the test tube.