Abstract: An automobile window shade system comprising a frame (20) formed of horizontal tubular elements (20a through 20c) and vertical tubular elements (22e through 22f) interconnected by T-shaped connectors (24a through 24f). The frame is installed inside the automobile body and contains a cord (42) guided through a plurality of guiding means (64, 66, and 68). Two adjacent shades (94 and 96) which are made of a light-impermeable flexible material are attached to a yoke (84). One end of the yoke is located inside the vertical tubular element (22e through 22f) between two stops (88 and 90) which are rigidly attached the cord. The cord is also connected to a handle (110). When the handle (110) is moved in the window shading direction, it moves the cord (42) and hence the stops (88 and 90). When the upper stop (88) comes into contact with the yoke (84) it moves the yoke and the shields (94 and 96) down, thus shading the windows.

Abstract: Aseptic dental valves and instruments and accoutrements therefor comprise a handle extension (20--FIG. 2) and a flange guard (22) to be added within the path of a saliva ejector (FIG. 1) for preventing a dental professional's (DP's) hand from touching and contaminating the hose (14) or the hose valve (24), thereby to prevent microorganisms on the hand from contaminating these latter components where they might be picked up by the hand later and cross-contaminate subsequent patients. The handle extension and flange guard are useable on saliva ejectors (FIG. 3), surgical suction tips (FIG. 4), drills (FIGS. 12-12C), and air-water valves (FIGS. 14-15). The surgical tip can be formed of a series of sections of decreasing diameters in a stepped-down formation (FIG. 4A) to enable it to retain its shape when bent (FIG. 4B). The hose valve (FIGS.

Abstract: A light concentrator, preferably for use with a color optical scanning device includes a reflector (34) with parabolic reflecting walls (36). Green LEDs (22), red LEDs (24), and blue LEDs (26) are situated at the base of the reflector (34) and a diffuser (30) is attached to the opposite end thereof. An electric switch (32) controls the LED array. When an input page is scanned, the switch (32) activates one type of LEDs at a time. The reflector (34) concentrates the emitted light at the surface of the diffuser (30). The photodetector array of the xerographic device receives three monochromatic images which are then superimposed to provide a color image.

Abstract: Glasses with multilayered, color-switchable lenses (102) and (104) for blocking harmful radiation include a rim (100) connected to temples (108) and (110). The rim contains a photosensor (116), a color-changing switch (118), a dry-cell power source (120), solar cells (121) and (123), an electronic driver unit (122), and an electronic circuit (124). The color-switchable lenses comprise glass plates (126a), (126b), and (126c), conductive layers (136a), (136c) (142a), and (142b), color polarizers (138a) and (136c), alignment layers (140a), (140c), (146), and (148), a neutral polarizer (144), and liquid-crystal layers (158) and (160). When the photosensor determines that the intensity of incident radiation falls above or below the specified threshold, an amplified signal is sent via the circuit to the electronic driver unit which supplies layers 158 and 160 with voltages which cause the color-switchable lenses to change their spectral transmittance characteristics.

Abstract: LC sunglasses with selectively color adjustable lenses comprising an energy cell (30) attached to one butt-strap (22) of a rim (10), a color changing switch (28) supported by another butt-strap (24), a memory chip (26) supported by a bridge portion (16) of the glasses rim, and lenses (12 and 14) of a laminated structure. Each lens consists of a color mosaic mask (43), an input polarizing plate (44), a liquid crystal cell (50) sandwiched between voltage-controlled active matrices (52a and 52b), and an output polarizing plate (46). When the wearer of the sunglasses wants to change the color of the lenses (12 and 14), he/she installs the switch (28) into the position of a selected color, whereby the battery cell (30) is electrically connected with respective pixel sets of the active matrices (52a and 52b) via the memory chip (26). As a result, the lenses will pass only the component of the white light (W) which corresponds to the selected color.

Abstract: An underwater closed-loop track consists of at least two tracks (12 and 14) which are formed of floating pads (16 and 18) connected in series and containing weights (22) for maintaining the pads at a predetermined depth from the surface of water. The underwater track is supported by flexible links, e.g., by ropes, connected to stationary supports (S1 and S2). The external track (12) has a depth suitable for walking and running in water on the bottom formed by the pads, while the external track (14) has a depth for running in water without touching the bottom. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a stationary swimming pool of a closed-loop configuration (40) or a zig-zag configuration (66) having at least two tracks, one of which is suitable for running and walking in water with touching the bottom, and another for running in water without touching the bottom.

Abstract: A DIP or surface mount type switch (10) contains a built-in electronic system for direct interfacing to an electronic circuit. The DIP switch and the built-in electronic system consisting of bias resistors (22), active buffers (14), and decoding circuitry (18), are combined as a single package. These components will be mounted and interconnected to a substrate PCB (26), or chip carrier package (31), or as an integral unit within the switch housing (12). This DIP switch also includes socket pins or mounting leads (30) to connect the assembly to a system circuit board.

Abstract: An improved golf ball teeing device provides a method and apparatus for conveniently and automatically positioning golf balls on a tee (38) so they can be hit by a golf club in the hands of a golfer. The golfer can activate the entire operation with a golf club from an upright position or stance. Upon activation of the golf ball release and transfer assembly, a golf ball from a single line of golf balls supplied by a golf ball dispenser follows a path from golf ball receiver (60) to a downward sloping guide track (36) and a runner provided by the two side arms of a pivot arm assembly (43 and 49) where the golf ball is centered upon a tee (38). A spring (51) provides tension on the pivot arm assembly. The teeing device is designed for use with two different sizes of mats with fixed tees. Both of these mats (39 and 81) have an opening which allows the teeing device to be so positioned within the opening at the outer end of the pivot arm assembly (43 and 49) that the tee (38) will be properly aligned.

Abstract: A combined table and portable solar water heater comprises a suitcase-like rigid casing (20) molded from a rigid plastic material which contains a pair of solar collector panels (38) and (38a) connected in series. The panels can be exposed to solar radiation when the casing is opened. Each collector panel (38) or (38a) is formed by a copper plate with the solar radiation absorbing surface and copper pipe coil (56) or (56a) in heat-transferring relationship with said copper plate. The casing is provided with compartments (40) and (40a) for accessories, such as adjustable legs (42a, 42b, etc.) for supporting the casing, adjusting its angle to incident sunlight, and for converting the casing into a table; containers for feeding cold water to the solar collector and for receiving hot water from the collector; and a tripod stand (86) for supporting the feeding container at the level above the collector and for arranging a shower set.