Abstract: A foldable clutch or caddy for carrying elongated objects such as skis, ski poles and the like which can be readily folded and tucked away in a pocket when not in use comprises a main body of pliable fabric or other material which wraps around a first set of objects such as skis, and an auxiliary flap of material for wrapping around a second set of objects such as ski poles. One or more looped ribbons stitched to the main body form carrying handles. Various patches of hook and loop fastener material attached at strategic locations on the main body and flap combine to provide various forms of closure in both carrying and folded mode of the clutch.

Abstract: A multi-chip carrier array in which the individual carriers are defined by two perpendicular sets of parallel scribe lines which bisect the major axes of a plurality of equally-spaced oblong perforations. At the point of intersection of any two perpendicular scribe lines, the major axes of two such perforations intersect and bisect the right angles formed by said two perpendicular scribe lines. All other oblong perforations have their major axes perpendicular to the scribe lines. On the bottom surface of the array, metallic solder pads are located at opposite ends of each oblong perforation, and conductive material from each pad extends to the top surface of the array. Trace conductors on the top surface can be connected to these pad extensions. The trace conductors, in turn, will be connected to various connection points on an IC chip mounted in the center of the top surface of an individual carrier.

Abstract: A batch-brewing coffee system brews a number of cups of coffee at the same time and stores the brewed coffee at a reduced temperature until it is needed to prevent deterioration of flavor. The coffee is then dispensed as needed, with an approximately one cup of volume being either quickly heated in a heat exchanger on demand, or alternatively approximately one cup of coffee could be maintained hot and ready to dispense on demand.

Abstract: A device for raising a warning flag in the rear of a boat pulling a water skier if the skier falls, is disclosed. The device comprises a pivot member in which the flag pole is mounted and which is spring biased towards a position in which the flag pole is vertical. A retaining device normally holds the pivot member in a position in which the flag pole is lowered. When the skier falls the retaining device is released either manually or automatically to allow the pivot member to move under the spring-bias to raise the flag pole.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a series of plastic laminate samples one-by-one in a semi-continuous manner. Samples pass continuously one after the other through a series of heating, compressing, and cooling steps. Each sample is heated and pressed for a predetermined interval in a first compression press, then passed through a series of levels in a stack in a stacking press. The sample is passed from the last level of the stacking press to a cooling press, where it is cooled for the same predetermined interval of time. Thus samples are stepped one after another through the apparatus, with samples at each step moving simultaneously to the next successive step at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A machine for use in the fusion fitting of a branch, T- or saddle junction to a pipe, comprises a first clamp for holding pipe and a second clamp for holding the fitting in the correct orientation to the pipe. A manually-operated sliding plunger arrangement allows the second clamp to be moved towards or away from the first clamp by way of a manually operated device. The second clamp can be locked against retraction from any one of a plurality of positions relative to the first clamp, and is adapted to be loaded towards the first clamp in its locked positions during the fusion process when a fitting engages a pipe or a heating tool is held between a pipe and fitting. The shaft which controls the movement of the second clamp has a pivoting extension or plunger terminated by a handle, which can be folded upward. Pins mounted at selected intervals on the plunger cooperate with a loading plate during the downward movement of the plunger to urge the second clamp either toward or away from the first clamp.

Abstract: A pillow for control of the position of a reclining subject which will inhibit snoring. A semi-soft brace is placed above a shoulder slot which causes discomfort to the subject's head in the dorsal position. Discomfort is relieved when subject rests on the side with his or her head tilted slightly forward. This position is conducive to restful sleep and inhibits snoring.The extensions which form the shoulder slot also provides lateral support with the subject in either the left side or right side position. The pillow can be sized for standard, queen or king sized sets.

Abstract: An air-cushioned vehicle wherein the air pressure differential between the plenum chamber and the atmosphere is used to charge a jet engine; thus allowing the use of pulse-jet or ram-jet power plants which require precharging and improving the performance of other engines.The system is implemented by either ducting the pressurized air from the plenum chamber into the engine intake, or by installing the engine inside the plenum chamber itself.

Abstract: A device working in conjunction with commercial-grade radar equipment for accurately pinpointing the location of a target or a topological feature with a precision greatly superior to the specified resolution of the radar equipment.This high precision is obtained through on-line treatment of the radar echo signals as the radar scans the target area.In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is used for assisting a pilot in steering a ship navigating through coastal or inland waterways. The device provides statistically weighted data relative to the location of a plurality of landmarks in the vicinity of the ship to a KALMAN filter-type circuit which in turn generates an accurate state vector reflecting the ship's present and near future movement.In the course of an initial surveying pass through the waterway, the device can also generate reference charts of the area to be traveled.

Abstract: A strip lighting system comprising a string of electrically connected light bulbs contained within a flexible tube. The tube is of waterproof material and is sealed at each end by a removable plug, so that the string of bulbs can be removed when necessary to be repaired or replaced.

Abstract: For vessels such as drinking cups formed from a metal stamping, having a rim formed by crimping the vessel lip around a length of wire, a U-shaped loop of which protrudes from two slots in said rim and is bent to form a handle, a new vessel lid attachment is provided which includes a hinge pin fashioned from a second length of wire which connects both sides of said U-shaped loop near the rim of said vessel, a hinge formed by an extension of said lid, having two parallel tabs which are slotted to slide over said hinge pin, said hinge also serving as a thumb operated lever for lifting said lid.

Abstract: A baseball batting trainer utilizing an elongated guiding rail, one end of which defines a positioner for the rear foot of a batter, there being a moving foot guide which slides along the rail while controlling the straddling movement of the front foot, and which hits a stop positioned on the rail at a certain point to define the furthermost position that the batter's front foot should assume before the swing. A rear stop behind the front foot guide defines the position of the front foot before the straddling movement starts, these stops being adjustable to accommodate the styles of different batters.

Abstract: A lockable telescopic joint is provided wherein two telescopic members may be fixed against telescoping action by tightening a glade nut, and yet after tightening there remains a substantial degree of rotational freedom so that one telescoping member may be rotated relative to the other by hand, and yet the members will not telescopically collapse short of applying considerably more compressive force than need be exerted to rotate the members.

Abstract: An emergency device which is stowed into a compact enclosure attached to the lintel of an upper-story window to facilitate evacuation in case of fire. The device comprises a windlass upon which is coiled a sturdy web supporting a body harness. The unrolling of the web is restrained by a powerful brake mechanism which can be controllably released by means of a handle associated with the harness. The control cable which connects the handle to the brake mechanism is coiled alongside the web and is unrolled at the same pace; thus giving the user continuous hand control of the brake release during the whole descent.

Abstract: A visual communication device for displaying combinations of written words which are entered by manipulation of an efficiently organized keyboard. The keyboard has certain keys specifically dedicated to a set of the words recurring most frequently in common conversational language as well as keys corresponding to discrete letters of the alphabet for spelling less-frequently used words.The keyboard is backed up by an extensive list of common terms stored in a memory. Each word is automatically fetched from the memory and displayed on a multi-digit alpha-numerical readout as soon as a number of leading characters sufficient to identify the word has been entered; thus, dispensing the operator from keying the remaining characters. In this first version, the device can be used by a person with auditory or vocal disability to quickly enter phrases in the readout by a much lesser number of manipulations than would be required if each word had to be spelled one letter at a time on the keyboard.