Abstract: A display apparatus includes a front panel which may be punched from a perforated sheet of foam material such as polystyrene. The front panel contains an image area and a message area which may be preprinted or left blank and filled in by the user. The front panel is maintained in an upright position by coupling the lower edge of the front panel to the horizontal base. A plurality of balloons are coupled to first ends of a plurality of rods. The other ends of the rods are inserted into the foam material of the front panel to complete the structure.

Abstract: An elongate rigid member has a finger at one end which is received against the upper end of a slot extending along a cartridge magazine and a recess at the other end to cradle the retracting button of the follower. Held in compression against the force of the follower spring, the device retains the follower in the retracted position to facilitate the insertion of cartridges into the magazine.

Abstract: An improved toilet bowl air deodorizing system comprises a toilet seat hingedly coupled to the toilet bowl permitting the toilet seat to assume horizontal and vertical stable positions and a substantially hollow toilet seat lid hingedly coupled to the toilet bowl likewise permitting the lid to assume stable horizontal and vertical positions. The hollow lid houses both deodorizing means and exhaust means which includes a disposable filter cartridge and a direct drive motor for driving a fan. An intake channel is coupled to a rear portion of the lid and has an opening which is maneuvered into a position proximate the space between the lower surface of the seat and an upper surface of the bowl only when the lid is in its vertical position. Detectors are placed in both the lid and the seat to assure that the exhaust means is energized only when the lid is in its vertical position and a user is sitting on the seat. An improved hinge arrangement is provided.

Abstract: A shroud, including a shield placed on either side of an evaporation pad, increases the length of travel air transit time within the pad. Pressurized water, emitted in jets from a plurality of orifices spaced along a manifold, is directed against a diffuser for dissipation and dissemination to the upper edge of the pad. The pad is wetted intermittently as the result of a timer controlling distribution of the water. An auxiliary reservoir, in combination with relocatable pump, inlet valve and pad frames, provide for alternate downdraft as side draft operation.

Abstract: A protective cover assembly for covering the vehicle's passenger compartment includes a roller and sheet material wound on the roller and having one end fixed thereto. The other end of the sheet material is coupled to a rod which may be removably placed beneath the vehicle's windshield wipers. Handle means are coupled to the roller for unrolling the sheet material over the passenger compartment and toward the rear thereof. The sheet material is folded such that when unfolded, first and second flaps cover the first and second sides of the passenger compartment. Fastening means are provided either fixed to the sheet material or capable of being fixed to the sheet material to enable the formation of folds at the corners of the sheet material so as to tailor the cover to the general size and shape of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An engagement member, which is detachably securable to the liquid outlet nipple of a filter receiving fitting, is movably carried by a filter housing which also carries an annular seal which resides against the sealing surface of the fitting. An actuating rod extending from the engagement means is received at one end of a lever which is pivotally secured to the housing. In response to movement of the lever, the housing moves relative the engagement member and the seal is separated from the sealing surface.

Abstract: An improved index card for use in conjunction with a rotary card file or the like includes means for displaying a business card. Slots, flaps, or adhesives may be used to secure the card to the index card. In one embodiment, the index card includes a frame which is folded over the business card to give a framed finished appearance. In some cases, the business card is removably secured to the index card, while in others, the business card is permanently secured to the index card.

Abstract: An educational aid, comprising a figure representing an animate object. A plurality of first enhancing means are provided which are adapted to attach magnetically to the figure. One surface of the first enhancing means bears representation of at least one teach object. A plurality of second enhancing means is provided, which are adapted to magnetically attach to the figure, wherein the second enhancing means relates to a feature of the teaching object.

Abstract: The optical portion of a prosthetic cornea fabricated from a relatively inert, transparent, substantially rigid material is shaped to provide a correction factor consistent with the requirements of a selected patient. During implantation a receptacle for receiving the optical portion of the prosthetic cornea is formed by excising a portion of the living cornea. A stromal pocket is formed into the posterior one-third of the stroma of the living cornea receiver and an attachment portion of the prosthetic cornea is secured within the stromal pocket. The attachment portion extends outwardly from the optical portion, and apertures through the attachment portion serve to promote the transfer of nutrients and other fluids and gases as well as allowing normal fibrous tissue growth which aids in anchoring the prosthetic cornea in place over the long term. The apertures may optionally also be employed to facilitate the use of sutures during the implantation process.

Abstract: A receptacle residing within a recess in the sole of a shoe includes an opening located along the edge of the shoe. A lug, receivable through the opening within the receptacle is carried by a flap extending from the upper of the shoe. An indentation carried by the lug is matingly engageable with a protrusion residing within the receptacle. Pressure from the foot of the wearer upon the sole of the shoe prevents disengagement of the lug from the receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of improving the efficiency of an evaporative cooling unit by shielding the unit from solar originated heat. The apparatus generally consists of a piece of insulating material bounded on at least the upper surface thereof by a light-reflecting material and being detachably coupled above the evaporative cooling unit.

Abstract: A housing having a telescopingly extendible and retractable leg is carried by the frame of a motorcycle. A camming mechanism which drives the leg is secured to a reversible motor through a limited torque coupling whereby the extension of the leg is automatically terminated upon firm contact with the ground. Switching circuitry provides that the motor is manually actuated by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: The bottom of a flower pot includes a pair of top surfaces which extend downwardly outward from a medial apex to the inner surface of an upright continuous sidewall having an upper edge defining an open top. A terminal portion of one of the top surfaces extends over an aeration opening residing at the apex. A drainage opening extends through the bottom near the juncture of each top surface and the sidewall. Additional openings through the sidewall are located below the bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating static-like noise comprises a gun shaped plastic housing in which a drive roller and a driven roller are rotatably mounted in rolling engagement with each other. One of the rollers is covered with that portion of a Velcro material comprised of a plurality of flexible hooks while the other roller is covered with that portion of a Velcro material comprising a plurality of flexible loops. Motor means are provided and disposed within the housing for selectively causing the rollers to rotate. In this manner, the Velcro connecting elements continuously engage and disengage. The disengagement of the members produces the desired static-like noise.

Abstract: A panel for overlaying the exposed surface of the leaf of a hinge component has an edge contoured to align with the edge of the leaf. A longitudinally served tubular member extending along an edge of the panel receives the pintle portion of the hinge component. The pintle portion may be compressively quipped within the tubular member. Also, a pressure sensitive adhesive may be carried on the surface of the panel for application to the surface of the leaf.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for use on the head of a vacuum cleaner, carpet sweeper, or the like, includes a strip of fabric having a length sufficient to extend along the front and sides of the head. First and second brushes are removably coupled to the strip of fabric at locations which are adjacent the first and second sides of the head when the strip is secured to the periphery of the head. The strip is detachably secured to the periphery of the head as for example by means of loop and hook fasteners.

Abstract: A specially configured "tee" fitting for tapping into a coaxial cable network is disclosed. The fitting includes a conductive block having a cylindrical channel extending between aligned first and second openings and a passage extending between a third opening and the channel at a right angle to the channel. Cylindrical insulators are fitted into the channel at the openings, and each insulator has a central aperture for receiving the ends of a conductive double-ended pin unit. A central region of the pin unit extends between the first and second end regions, the end regions each having a coaxial blind hole. A coaxial cable connector assembly component includes a nipple adapted to be threaded into the passage and an outwardly directed coaxial cable connector which extends through by the nipple.