Abstract: A fireman's coat is modified by the addition of several emergency evacuation straps along the sides, the tops of the shoulders, and behind the neck, to permit a fireman overcome by smoke or otherwise incapacitated to be effectively and quickly evacuated by use of the straps as handles to drag or carry the fireman to safety.

Abstract: Means and method are provided for creating giant simulated soft drink bottles, with distinctive shapes more particularly the type having generally longitudinally extended ribs which serve as trade dress. The construction utilizes a series of side panels which are laid out and sewn edge to edge, subsequent to which chalk lines are marked onto the side panels, indicating where the furrows between the longitudinal ribs are to go, and gussets are sewn along each chalk line and centrally restrained with a strap or the like which runs longitudinally of the bottle, so that when the top and bottom portions are installed and the unit is inflated, the trade dress ribs and furrows are well defined in the outer surface of the bottle.

Abstract: A dialable indicator comprising a lockable enclosure housing a rotatable drum. The outside surface of the drum is contoured to define a plurality of tag-holding stations. A window in the hinged cover of the enclosure allows viewing of one tag-holding station. The drum is biased by a coil spring against one side of the enclosure which is provided with a restriction against rotation of the drum. The drum must be pushed sideways against the spring before it can be moved to display an alternate tag-holding station. Spare tags can be stored in cavities running longitudinally within the drum. A locking mechanism mounted on the cover provides a restriction against lateral movement of the drum when the cover is closed.

Abstract: An auxiliary step is provided principly for use with the type of wheelchair lift that mounts to buses and other passenger vehicles wherein the risers and horizontal panels of a step structure are extended horizontally to define a platform which can be raised up and down between the levels of the sidewalk and the floor of the passenger vehicle to permit the boarding and deboarding of passengers in wheelchairs. The lift structure for which the instant invention is primarily to be used defines two steps between the floor level of the vehicle and the sidewalk or passenger platform, and the instant invention defines a third auxiliary step which can be deployed above the highest step of the platform lift.

Abstract: A composition and method of application of the composition to produce masks of the type particularly useful in the manufacture of varnished electronic terminals and components is specified. The composition consists of mixing acetone, nitrocellulose, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), arylsulfonamide formaldehyde resin, and tri (b-chloroethyl) phosphate, a fire retardant, under carefully controlled conditions. This masking product is applied, prior to the varnish, on an electronic part and is subjected to heating in the varnish curing oven to about 200.degree. F. whereupon the masking product will carbonize. The resulting carbonized coating is easily removed by brushing to produce a varnish mask where the masking product was applied.

Abstract: A case is provided specifically tailored to the shape and needs of a video camera and being characterized by a shaped frame of aluminum bands confined between an outer cover and an inner liner, the liner and the cover both being removable from the frame for washing and repair and being made of foam sandwiched between durable Nylon cloth. A specialized anti-slip strap and an accessory bag which is removably attached to the main body of the case are also features of note.

Abstract: A compact, portable microfiche reader is provided which is characterized by two series of mirrors which split the beam, and fold it, as two separate components, enabling the reader to be much more compact than a standard microfiche reader. A typewriter-style fiche holder is also incorporated in the unit.

Abstract: A tie caddy is provided which may be hung from one end on a closet bar, or suspended from the other end from a wall fastener, the angles of the fastener means at each end of the rack being so as to encourage the rack to assume a substantially vertical position when suspended, and yet enable the user to lift the free end of the rack so that it assumes a substantially horizontal position, spreading the ties and rendering them easily accessible.

Abstract: A circuit used in a traffic control apparatus for detecting changes in the frequency of an oscillator which has an inductive loop-sensor as a resonating element. The circuit comprises a phase-locked loop oscillator with restricted tuning range and a high impedance amplifier followed by threshold detectors adjusted to sense the entry and exit of a vehicle over the area covered by the loop-sensor. The high-resolution of the circuit overcomes long-term drift problems inherent to loop-sensor detectors with analog circuitry.

Abstract: A belt caddy utilizes a frame defining a traveler bar formed into an elongated rectangular loop bent in the center to create a pair of parallel, V-shaped portions the arms of which mount the eyelets of hanging hooks which ride on the traveler bar, the traveler being suspended over its center, above the two vertices of the V-shaped members, so that belts hooked on the hanging hooks will slide down on the traveler bar, centrally of the unit and be suspended beneath the hook, aligned with the center of gravity of the device so that it will not tend to skewer to one side due to the moment arm caused by the addition of a belt.

Abstract: A game is provided particularly for use by children in which a series of paddles can be moved from a first position into a second position according to the roll of dice. The object is to flip as many paddles over as possible before the player rolls a number with the dice that cannot be matched by a number on a paddle, or a sum of the numbers on the paddles, at which point the player is given a limited time to make as many words as he can from the letters which are exposed on the backside of the paddles as they lie in their second position. This develops in the child, and in the adult for that matter, the abilities of both spelling and simple addition.

Abstract: The cash box of a vending machine is protected by a heavy steel door or pair of doors which are locked across the front of the juke box covering the cash box, the door or doors being mounted on a framework consisting of steel straps which wrap around the back, and preferably the top and bottom as well, of the vending machine and interlock in such a way that they can be installed without screws, bolts or other fastening structure and will positively be locked into place when the barrier door or doors are closed. This configuration eliminates the need to mount a barrier door onto the vending machine, which is somewhat time consuming and tricky due to the strength of the mounting that is required.

Abstract: An inflatable display is adapted to be towed over the surface of a body of water and includes an inflatable body which in the disclosed embodiment has an elongated ballast along the bottom to provide a keel-like structure and a blower to continuously force air into the body to keep it inflated against the slight deflation that continuously occurs at seam lines, etc. A tether is extended from the body to a tow vehicle so that the float can be towed along lake surfaces, bays and beach fronts for promotional purposes.

Abstract: A fishing lure retriever is provided having a body portion from which depend a plurality of lengths of chain which are captured in the body of the device by a unique structure, the nature of the chains being inherently such that they tend not to tangle or engage structure other than the hooks of a fishing lure.

Abstract: A means and method for implanting bioprosthetic material surgically, in humans or animals, is disclosed. The means comprise lengths of connective tissue such as cow tendons which are covered entirely or partially with a synthetic, looseweave mesh which is stitched to the tendon and which augments the strength of the finished heterograph (or xenograph) by permitting the existing live tissue to grow around the mesh to provide a living bond. Another implementation of the basic idea involves the use of planar patch material such as porcine pericardium to which the mesh is bonded on one side, or part of one side, this patch being used in various ways, for example, hernia repairs, dural patches, arthroplasties, tendon pulleys, gliding surfaces, and blood vessel anastamoses.