Abstract: A timepiece for continuously calculating and displaying the actual biological time of day of an individual. After an initial biological time of day is entered, the timepiece runs at a pre-determined rate corresponding to the rate at which time would progress in a free-running circadian clock for the individual. When the individual is exposed to clock-altering stimuli, such as bright light, the timepiece computes a new operation rate based upon the relative effects of the clock-altering stimuli as determined by a phase response curve for the individual. By combining information concerning the presence or absence of clock-altering stimuli with information concerning the effects of that stimuli, the watch is able compute and continuously display the individual's accurate biological time.

Abstract: Base-ten blocks for teaching arithmetic to children, in which each block (19) has a projecting boss (27) with curved (bowed-out) sides (29) and an aperture (33) with straight sides (35), so that blocks (19) can be securely joined together to form multiples of units. A row of integral blocks (37) has common wall thicknesses (42) between adjacent blocks equal to twice the thickness of the end wall (45) of the row so that the row can be correctly mated with a row of single blocks or end-to-end rows of shorter blocks. Integral rows (37) of ten blocks each have two end bosses (41) for joining to other rows (37) to make flats (47) of one hundred units. Each flat has four bosses (51) for joining to other flats (47) to make a cube of one thousand units. The blocks have one color for units, a different color for rows of tens, a different color for flats of one hundred, and a still different color for cubes of one thousand. The blocks can be used to teach addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, etc.

Abstract: A generator for electricity, utilizing one or two groups (29A and 29B) of separately placed water-driven paddlewheels (31) placed side by side in man-made canal. Each group is coupled together by a belt (41A and 41B) embracing a plurality of drive pulleys (43) which deliver power to central assembly pulleys (70A and 70B) on a single shaft (67). The central assembly pulleys each incorporate a centrifugal clutch (75 and 75') which transmits power to flywheel device (71A) which monitors rotational speed, thereby building up angular momemtum. A pulley (72) delivers the power via a belt (90) to a power-take-off pulley (104), then through a centrifugal clutch (92) to a shaft (91) and then to a generator (82).

Abstract: A combined releasable holder and lock for electrical connections and cables comprises a pair of identical, strip-like flexible members. Each has a first narrow end or tongue (16), a second wide end or head portion (18), and an intermediate portion with serrations (12 and 14) on its opposite sides. The longitudinal axis of the member has a longitudinal slot (30) which is long enough to pull a cord (39 or 41) with a standard electrical plug (32) or receptacle (34) therethrough. The head portion (18) has a transverse slot (20) formed therein. The member has, on both sides of the transverse slot, two side slots (22 and 24) which converge in a direction opposite to the tongue (16). The end of the long slot (30) nearest the transverse slot (20) terminates in a hole (28). The slots (20, 22, and 24) in the head portion form bendable flaps (23 and 25).

Abstract: A holder for accessories for electronic equipment, such as remote controls (RCs) (30) for televisions, VCRs, audio receivers, etc., and schedule or guidebooks (62) for such equipment comprises a cradle (56) of variable width and length for holding one or more RCs and an underlying holder (34) for the guidebook. The cradle comprises a plurality of L-shaped members (10U, 10L, 80U, 80L) whose long portions (12, 82) overlap to form the bottom of the cradle and are clampable together in a range of positions, e.g., by means of screws (18) or hook-and-loop (H&L) fasteners (22) or double-stick sided tape. The short portions (14, 84) of the L-shaped members stand upright in a spaced relation to form the sides of the cradle. Plural shorter L-shaped members can be used with a provision for adjustable spacing so that the length of the cradle can also be adjusted. The RC units are positioned on the floor of the cradle, side-by-side, and may be held thereto by means of H&L fasteners (24).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming and steering laser beams directed from a laser sources onto a target area and composed of a visible guide beam and an invisible power beam which is guided and aimed by observing the position of the visible beam on the target area. The optical system of the apparatus (10) consists of a concave mirror (42) and a convex mirror (76). Both mirrors face each other. A hole (43) is made in the concave mirror (42) to ensure unobstructed passage of both beams to the convex mirror (76) from which the beams are reflected in a diverging pattern onto the concave mirror (42). The latter reflects the beams in a converging form onto a beam reflecting unit, such as beam splitter (84). The beam splitter is connected to a steering mechanism, which allows manipulation of the beams reflected from the splitter so that the position of the beams on the target area can be controlled.

Abstract: A pellet stove has an arrangement for improving the flow of air therethrough. Air entering the stove is split into first and second portions. The first portion is diverted upwardly through a combustion chamber, wherein pellets are burned, thereby aiding in the burning of the pellets. The first portion of air then exits from the combustion chamber. It is directed to a rear of the stove through a heat exchanger where a flue exhaust is located. The second portion of air has three parts. The second portion of air is simultaneously diverted upwardly around the hopper and auger mechanisms, whereby the mechanisms and the pellets therein are cooled. One part of the second portion of air then is received in the flue exhaust so that this one part of the second portion of air exits the stove, creating a negative pressure in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An attachment (9) which transforms a lock cylinder having a cylinder housing (30), an aligning bracket (27), and a cylinder core 41a into a lock cylinder with an interchangeable core (40a). The interchangeable core (40a) is held in place and is attached to the interchangeable attachment (9) using a conventional cylinder core nut (21). With a control key (50) inserted into the cylinder keyway (42) within an interchangeable core (40a), a push rod (51) comes into contact with a plunger head (19) at the front end of the plunger (11). The plunger (11) is pushed back, allowing the locking balls (13) to recede into the inward position; at this point, the only thing holding the interchangeable core lock cylinder (40a) in the cylinder housing (30) is the security back-up pin (14). With the control key (50) inserted, turn right five degrees and pull. The interchangeable core lock cylinder (40a) will come out. A new interchangeable core lock cylinder (40a) can be inserted using the same procedure.

Abstract: A saliva ejector tip for dental use comprises a tube (10) with a pliable, flexible tip. The end (26) of the tip is flat. The sides of the tip adjacent the end extend down to form a cage (22) of spiral mullions which terminate at a solid base portion of the tip. Extending axially inside the tip from the end is an internal plunger (24). Below the plunger on the inside is an annular valve seat (28). When the end is pushed in, the cage collapses and the plunger is pushed into the valve seat which it closes off so as to close the tip. In this manner the tip can be closed with one hand when it is removed from the mouth, thereby to avoid a sucking sound, and the need for the dentist to handle and contaminate the more proximal hose and hose valve, which are difficult to sterilize. The mullions of the cage can be extended down over the base of the tip (FIG. 4) to provide lands (32) on the base for an easier grip and saliva routing action.

Abstract: An interlocking plate and cup set for use in casual dining so that one can hold a plate and cup with one hand. The plate and cup mate together so that the cup will be securely held to the plate and so that the mated combination can be placed on and removed from a flat surface without separation. The plate is generally flat and has an upper surface with a raised circumferential edge (12) for restraining food. The upper surface of the plate also has a cup-holding support (20) comprising a slot (24) extending in from the edge of the plate. The slot terminates in a concave cup-support area (22). The cup has a relatively broad base (30), a relatively narrow stem (32) extending up from the base, and a relatively broad liquid-holding body portion (34) extending up fro the stem. The body portion has a convex bottom surface (42) facing downward which is shaped to mate with the cup-support area in the plate.

Abstract: A rotary motion transmitter with an electromagnetic feedthrough device for transmitting rotary motion from the outside to a vacuum chamber (10) designed for treating a specimen in a vacuum environment. The device comprises an evacuated and sealed rotor (14) which contains permanent magnets and, in turn, is hermetically sealed within a capsule (16). The interior of the capsule (16) communicates with the interior of the chamber (10). A removable stator winding unit (22) having electromagnetic windings which interact with the rotor (14) to transmit rotational motion to the rotor is fitted onto the capsule (16). The rotor (14) is rigidly connected to an output shaft (12) which extends into the sealed chamber (10) for supporting and positioning an object to be treated in vacuum. Thus the device combines in itself a rotary feedthrough for transmitting motion to the vacuum chamber (10) and an electric drive motor for positioning an object inside the chamber.

Abstract: A tailer-hitch-viewing mirror tool that can be temporarily mounted on the tailgate of a pickup truck or the rear window of a station wagon, camper, or other towing vehicle. It easily adjusts to pickup truck's tailgate or other towing vehicle's rear window and can be utilized by anyone without special skills or instruction. It conveniently allows the driver of the towing vehicle to align its hitch ball to the mating trailer hitch socket by affording the driver a clear view of the hitch parts from the driver's seat. The driver slowly backs up while viewing the mating hitch parts through the tailgate or rear-window-mounted mirror, whereby he or she can align the hitch ball to the mating trailer hitch, completing the task quickly, comfortably, and without assistance.

Abstract: A drape with multiple horizontal superimposed box tucks (FIG. 1-78) secured by stitching is composed of one continuous piece of fabric (80) containing top (20a-20b to 24) and bottom (22a-22b to 24) rod pocket extensions, and multiple box tucks pockets (33, 35, 37). Top and bottom rod pocket extensions are joined by stitching (46) to form a rod pocket (70) which is subsequently gathered over a rod (75). The construction of the pocket (70) is such that multiple box tuck (78) projects off a center front location on the rod pocket (70). Upon gathering of the rod pocket (70) over the rod (75), multiple box tucks 78 produce the desired ruffle effect (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A pneumatically elevating recreational exercise device that utilizes in its preferred embodiment a commercially manufactured air cylinder (12) as an extendable air spring that is secured, or fixed to a horizontal surface or stand. A safety harness attachment (51) for securing a body harness is also provided. The device produces dramatic extension, or elevating capacity for vertical rebounding movement, and is entirely self-contained. An aspirating check-valve (10) is used to admit air at the top of the stroke, which produces added elevation with each vigorous leaping effort. This concept is also applied to an unsecured toy pogo stick embodiment.

Abstract: An improved baby bottle holder, specifically for use in feeding and storing the baby's food and to facilitate the easy reach by the baby and for other functions. A single-piece flexible holding device has four major components, namely a multi-use clamp (10), a protective sheath cover (18) which provides protection for safe use, beauty, and is designed to bend with the movements of a flexible rod (20). This flexible rod (20) is adopted from those in common desk lamps. Finally a flexible holding grip (22) that can hold a bottle placed within it by flexibly spreading itself open upon insertion of the bottle and will hold bottles of a variety of widths. The grip has a parallel gap (24) which allows it to adapt to various bottle designs. The device is advantageously built into an animal (28), such as a toy bear, with the grip and clamp in place of the bear's hands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively blocking light beams of different wavelengths with the use of a single color-sensitive filter by passing the beams through a multiple layer system consisting of an input polarization plate (12), an output polarization plate (14), a liquid crystal cell (18) sandwiched between voltage-controlled matrices (20a and 20b), and a mosaic color mask (34). The incident light is detected by a photoelectronic sensor (32) which sends voltage signals to respective pixels (22) which form the above-mentioned matrices. These signals selectively control the polarization states of the beams passed through the respective pixels. Depending on the polarization states of the beams, the output polarization plate can either block the light or pass it to a color mask (34). This mask consists of a periodical set of color cells, the amount and dimensions of which correspond to those of the pixels. As a result, the mask selectively filters the beam in accordance with its pattern.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an overhead monorail rapid transit system (10) has a tubular enclosed guideway (12) that is supported above ground level by elevational supports (14). At various locations the guideway splits from a mainline guideway (16) to a secondary guideway (18 and a switching segment (20). The system includes a self-propelled transit vehicle (50) having a carriage or trolley (52) that is mounted within the enclosed guideway with a coupling (54) supporting a depending passenger compartment. The carriage (52) includes a central frame with front and tandem rear whel assemblies and an intermediate stabilizing wheel that engages the upper portion of the inside of the guideway for stabilizing the carriage and passenger compartment to minimize lateral movement.

Abstract: An improved golf-ball dispenser provides the dual purpose of supplying a single file of golf balls to a teeing device and providing an independent golf-ball dispenser. The dispenser automatically feeds golf balls in single file at an exit end of the dispenser after a multitude of golf balls have been dumped into the container. This is accomplished by gravity produced by sides (15) which slope toward the center near the exit end (13) and also by the downward slope toward the exit end (13) and from the back (23) of the dispenser. There is a gradual reduction in width of the opening toward the exit end (13). A guide channel (12) is positioned within the enclosure so as to receive a single file of golf balls at the proper moment to prevent overlapping, hangups, or errant golf balls from leaving the guide track (12). The golf ball dispenser is used by the golfer for more convenience in putting, chipping, pitching, or driving practice.