Abstract: An optical viewing system for use by bicycle riders and the like to increase the field of vision thereof includes headgear for supporting the system on the head of the user and an optical viewing accessory attached to the headgear. The optical viewing accessory has a pair of prisms thereon mounted for pivotal movement between retracted and extended positions. In their retracted positions, the prisms do not interfere with the direct line of sight of the user. However, in their extended positions, the prisms intersect the direct line of sight of the user and the internal reflection and refraction of the prisms allow the user to view objects located at positions at an angle, approximately ninety degrees, from the direct line of sight. The pivotal movement of the optical viewing accessory is activated under the influence of gravity as the head of the user is manipulated alternatively between the erect and prone positions.

Abstract: Method for making novel, dip-coated monolithic ceramic capacitors from a pair of parallel integral multi-lead carrier strips 10 and 10a. Each of a plurality of capacitor bodies 18 is positioned and restrained between the wide contact faces 15, 15a of a pair of leads 13, 13a, soldered and dip-coated while the leads 13 and 13a are retained as integral parts of the carrier strips 10 and 10a.

Abstract: A high speed container placement apparatus is provided for use in combination with a high speed filling equipment for consumer products, such as instant coffee. A container separating device introduces groups of containers to a container placement and removal device for sequencing therethrough. The individual members of a group are transferred from a high speed annular turntable of the container placement and removal device to separate stationary work positions on a deck plate where they undergo a processing step such as filling the container by weight with an appropriate amount of product. Following this processing step, the containers are removed from their respective stationary work positions and returned to the high speed annular turntable to be ultimately discharge from the container placement and removal device. Simultaneously, the next group of containers is fed into the apparatus to replace the fully processed group.

Abstract: A multiple-use pressure-sensitive transfer recording media which comprises a foundation and a finely porous layer provided on the foundation, said porous layer comprising minute porous particles and a binder material for bonding the porous particles to each other and containing a liquid ink paste substantially incompatible with the binder material, characterized by at least one of the following features: (i) that said liquid ink paste contains as a coloring agent a pigment, and an oil-soluble dye in a state that it is dissolved in a liquid fatty acid, and said liquid ink paste has a viscosity of not less than 300 cP and less than 4,000 cP at ordinary temperature; (ii) that said binder material is a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer comprising 4 to 7 parts by weight of vinyl chloride and 5 parts by weight of vinyl acetate; and (iii) the combination of the foregoing features (i) and (ii). The recording media gives clear and sharp images without unevenness and spots for a multiplicity of strikes.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting fixture comprises a base adapted to be hung on a wall via a statistical loop fastener and receiving batteries, and a housing releasably secured on the base and having a light bulb, reflector and lens mounted thereon. The light bulb is mounted by a clip with a hook engaging the bulb's flanged base. A circuit, including a timer and control switches, is mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the batteries by contact between metal strips in both the base and housing. Upon selection of the timed mode, the bulb operates for a timer interval of 30-45 seconds, thereby preventing accidental battery depletion. ON and OFF switches are provided for untimed operation, and the OFF switch overrides the timer.

Abstract: A conventional rural mailbox has a slidable tray insert therein molded from a plastic material exhibiting natural flexural characteristics with a generally rectangular configuration defined by a bottom wall with a pair of side walls and an end wall extending upwardly therefrom. The bottom wall has a handle inclined upwardly therefrom and spaced from the side walls and end wall. The handle is operatively connected to the bottom wall by a flexible live hinge permitting relative movement therebetween. Each of the side walls include a flexible finger element thereon for centrally locating the tray insert within the mailbox and limiting relative sliding movement therebetween. The end wall has a rearwardly inclined resilient semicircular member thereon for moving the tray insert partially out of the mailbox to expose the handle when the mailbox is opened and for maintaining the tray insert in a level position when it is fully extended from the mailbox.

Abstract: A wire forming apparatus for making springs with coiled body portions and end loops is modified by providing a digital controlled wire feeding accessory. The accessory permits the normal mechanical feeding of the wire and tooling to be interrupted for desired intervals during the spring forming process thereby allowing digital controlled wire feeding to occur. The digital controlled wire feeding enhances the normal operation of the apparatus by allowing specified lengths of wire to be added to the coiled body portions and/or end loops of the manufactured spring.

Abstract: A lipstick container comprising a cylinder having a rotatable knob on one end and an opening at the opposite end. The cylinder is comprised of an opaque lower section and a transparent shield which extends from the top of the lower section to the cylinder opening. A lipstick is movably disposed inside the cylinder. The relative position of the lipstick with respect to the cylinder is controlled by rotation of the knob, and for application, the lipstick is moved so that a top portion of the lipstick extends outside the cylinder. For storage, the lipstick is selectively moved to its lowest position so that all of the lipstick is inside the cylinder below the level of the opening. In this storage position, the top portion of the lipstick remains above the lower section of the cylinder and, therefore, is visible through the transparent shield. In this storage position, a transparent cover is put on over the cylinder and the shield protects the lipstick from coming in contact with the cover.

Abstract: A pointing device comprises a mouse tablet having a regular repetitive pattern of field sensitive pixels on the surface thereof, and a mouse including coupling elements movable across the mouse tablet, wherein the coupling elements establish position-dependent field coupling with the pixels. Analysis of the coupling yields mouse motion and direction of motion. In one embodiment, the pixels are deployed in rows and columns and a pair of coupling elements are provided for sensing motion and direction of motion in each axis. The coupling elements are elongated to be non-responsive in the axis of non-interest, and are spaced apart to provide phase-shifted output from which direction of motion can be determined. In another embodiment, ferrous pixel strips are provided in one axis and non-ferrous pixel strips are provided in the other axis, with the coupling elements for the respective axis being adapted to field couple with the pixels of interest.

Abstract: A panel fastener system is provided for securing a panel sheet to a frame across an opening, e.g. window opening. The system comprises a frame member mounted along the length of the frame and having a first magnetic element non-adhesively mounted to the frame member. A panel sheet is provided of suitable size to cover the opening. A panel retaining member extends along is mounted to the edges of the panel. The retaining member has an outer and an inner leg connected to each other at one end, the edges of the panel being retained and mounted therebetween. A second magnetic element is non-adhesively mounted to the inner leg. The first and second elements are magnetically attachable to each other. The inner leg and second magnetic element mounted thereto are both shaped and mounted to each other to form a rigidized elongated hollow structural member therebetween along the length of the edges of the panel.

Abstract: A mouse comprises a housing for sliding movement on a nonspecific work surface, and a stylus depending from the housing and contacting the work surface. The stylus bends and vibrates during movement, and the direction and distance of movement are derived from such bending and vibration. Strain gauges, mounted directly to the stylus or to a diaphragm mounting the stylus, are used to ascertain bending and vibration. Photocell means are also disclosed to ascertain bending a vibration of the stylus.

Abstract: A corner panel assembly (for mounting items such as speakers in a corner of a room where two walls and the ceiling converge) comprises a generally triangular mounting frame including three side pieces connected by corner brackets. The side pieces are V-shaped, having an outer panel leg and a wall leg extending from the back thereof at acute angle, wherein the wall leg is secured to the walls and ceilings adjacent to corner. A front panel is removably secured to the panel legs of the side pieces of the mounting frame, such as by Velcro, quarter-turn fasteners, or other means. The mounting frame is mounted in a corner, and the item desired to be mounted is secured to mounting panel, whereafter the mounting panel is secured to the mounting frame, concealing the frame unobtrusively utilizing the space of the corner.

Abstract: A cosmetics applicator brush includes a ribbed flexer at the distal portion of the rod. Bristles extend outwardly from the flexer, some of the bristles being supported on the ribs and some being supported in grooves between the ribs. When the brush is loaded with cosmetics and drawn through a wiper diaphragm of the cosmetics container, the bristles on the larger diameter ribs are wiped relatively clean and the bristles in the grooves are subjected to less or no wiping action and carry a substantial amount of cosmetics for application. The relatively clean bristles extending from the ribs provide good combing action of the applied cosmetics. The ribs of a particular flexer may be differently sized, shaped, or offset in order to provide flexers having a wide variety of contours. In some flexers, the ribs define a longitudinal notch mounting a foam pad for extra cosmetics carrying capability.

Abstract: A mouse comprises a cover and a displacement pad which is displaced upon movement of the mouse over a surface. Displacement transducer means, e.g., strain gauges mounted in a parallel arm linkage, are used to ascertain direction of motion. Noise created by sliding motion is monitored by a microphone, the output of which is a function of velocity and therefore distance. The microphone may be mounted to the displacement pad, and the pad and microphone covered with a friction and vibration enhancing medium, such as felt. The displacement pad may also be suspending in a computer terminal and be "stroked" to achieve displacement and noise. Calculating means produce cursor dot control signals based on displacement and noise.

Abstract: Coordinate digitizers comprise a data tablet having perpendicular X and Y axes grids, which cross each other to define a data surface. Each grid has a plurality of parallel evenly-spaced-apart grid wires having their ends connected by end busses. An inductor connected to an alternating electrical input signal is movable on the data surface, and induces current flow in loops comprised of individual grid wires and end busses, with the strength of the current strongest in the grid wires near the inductor. Each grid has a receptor loop into which signals from the grid are induced, and the receptor loop is preferably deployed in a receptor area off the data surface. The receptor loops are configured such that signals induced therein correlate to inductor position on the data surface. The receptor loops are preferably composite loops providing complimentary signals to compensate for variations in the input signal or an induction-to-grid coupling.

Abstract: A damaged screw remover comprises a handle and a shank terminating in a relatively wide blade, all resembling a standard screwdriver, the blade having a modified working end adapting it for engaging and rotating damaged screws. The working end includes an axially-disposed blunt tip of square cross-section, with two surfaces coplanar with the blade faces. Flanking the tip are bevelled end surfaces, each disposed at an acute angle (45.degree.) with respect to the blade faces, to form sharp leading edges which dig into the screw, providing good engagement as the screw is removed.

Abstract: A lockable ring assembly for securing an electric meter in a meter box comprises a split ring having a U-shaped cross section, a keeper stud mounted to the split ring on one side of the joint thereof, and a lock housing mounted to the split ring on the other side of the joint thereof, the lock housing defining a keeper stud opening for receiving the keeper stud and a lock receiving opening for removably receiving a barrel lock. The keeper stud and lock receiving openings intersect, and the keeper stud has a notch providing clearance for inserting the barrel lock in the lock receiving opening, whereby the barrel lock engages the keeper stud to hold the ring closed. The split ring is preferably formed in two semi-circular ring parts joined by a hinge for articulated opening and closing action during installation and removal.

Abstract: Containers for receiving solid particulate product and for fluidizing and dispensing said product under the influence of a pressurized air flow. The present containers comprise a product compartment having a substantially vertical interior wall of air-permeable fabric, structure for supporting said vertical interior wall closely spaced from the exterior, vertical shell or wall of the container to provide an interconnecting narrow air space therebetween around the entire inner periphery of said shell, and structure for introducing pressurized air into said air space and through the air-permeable interior wall to fluidize substantially all of said particulate product which is in contact with said substantially vertical, air-permeable fabric inner wall.

Abstract: A pneumatic method and apparatus for causing the rapid recirculation of a liquid between a plurality of containers 10, 11 by adjusting the pressure of a gas exerted within each of said containers to superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressures, thereby avoiding the passing of the liquid through a mechanical flow-inducing pump. The containers 10, 11 are connected to each other by means of a liquid circulation system comprising a circulation conduit which includes a work station. A filled first container 10 is subjected to superatmospheric pressure to force the liquid into the circulation system while a second empty container 11 is subjected to subatmospheric pressure to suck the liquid from the circulation system. After each container is empty and before it is subjected to subatmospheric pressure, for refilling purposes, it is exposed to atmospheric pressure to release the elevated pressure therefrom.