Abstract: Improved insulator configurations are provided for retarding corrosion of the central conductor pin of a coaxial cable connector. In a first embodiment of the invention, the distal end of the dielectric which surrounds the pin is provided with a domed protuberance which deflects liquid away from the pin. As a result, there is no surface tension to hold droplets of liquid at the distal end of the connector, and no chance of electrolytic bridging between the conductor pin and the outer body of the connector when the connector extends horizontally through the entry port of a electrical device. In a second embodiment, the dielectric is provided with a tubular extension portion which forms an insulator sheath around the central conductor pin, thus preventing bridging even when the connector is oriented vertically and the distal end of the outer body is submerged in liquid.

Abstract: A truck bed partition including a cargo cage pivotally mounted to a truck bed by mounting members. Truck bed partition 10 is pivotally mounted to side walls of the truck bed proximate the front wall or the rear wall.

Abstract: An after shower hat is fabricated from a towel-like material. A rectangular piece of the material is folded in half. The open sides are sewn forming first and second seams, and elastic is sewn around the opening to provide a snug fit. The seams are also provided with a stiffening material, whereby when the hat is worn with the seams at the front and back of the head, the hat stands relatively straight out from the wearer's head. This permits the hair to dry without flattening.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting objects in storage from damaging environments including a collapsible bag with a sealable opening having a vacuum attachment, for evacuating the bag, and an injection valve, for injecting an atmosphere, attached.

Abstract: A cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR 12) which detects and reports security breach conditions is disclosed. The CMR (12) includes a remotely programmable unit (RPU 48) in which alarm parameter data (1200) may be recorded from a remote programming (RP) host (22). An input (54) may be adapted to receive a vehicle alarm system (26) output. When the alarm system activates, a Mode 1 Alarm procedure (1700) is performed. If the alarm indication is deemed genuine, the CMR (12) automatically places a call to a security service (28). When a vehicle ignition signal (52) has just turned "on", a Mode 2 Alarm procedure (1800) is performed. A user is given a period of time, which is established remotely (1214), to enter a disarming code. If the disarming code is not entered in time, a genuine alarm event is assumed, and the CMR (12) places a call to the security service (28). In placing calls to the security service (28), numerous alarm parameters are established remotely.

Abstract: A vegetation maintenance system includes a soil extraction tool, used to diagnose and treat the soil surrounding an ailing plant, and a plant guard, for protecting the plant from external damage before, during and after treatment. The soil extraction tool consists of an segmented shaft carrying a tubular member having a sharpened, open lower end and a longitudinally extending opening. A plunger is provided for forcibly ejecting soil from the tubular member. The plant guard is a semi-rigid sheet of material having integrally formed fasteners for detachably securing the opposite ends of the sheet in adjustable, overlapping relationship to one another to form a tubular sheath for surrounding a plant.

Abstract: A camera housing having a photographic lens set extending through one side allowing light to enter a camera interior along a light axis, a first film structure, a second film structure and a viewfinder system formed in the remaining sides of the camera housing. A first shutter mechanism separating a first film structure from the camera interior and a second shutter mechanism separating the second film structure from the camera interior. A reflex mirror structure located in the camera interior and coupled to the camera housing, directing the light axis between first and second shutter mechanisms and the viewfinder system in response to the activation of the first and second shutter mechanisms.

Abstract: A display visor for attaching to a display unit of a computer work station and for minimizing the magnitude and amount and intensity of reflected light beams caused by light beams projected by the screen of a computer display unit is disclosed. The display visor includes a left wall having a left inner layer, a right wall having a right inner layer, and a top wall having a top inner layer. Each inner layer is a granular or texturized layer of a substantially black coloring for diffusing a part of the projected light beam in inner surface recesses of each inner layer and for absorbing another part of the projected light beam in the substantially black coloring.

Abstract: A pillow tray having a back panel, sidewalls, and an endwall to which a retaining member is hingedly attached defining a pillow opening for holding a pillow neatly so as to be easily inserted into a pillowcase.

Abstract: In order to obtain speed and position information about a moving component of a musical instrument a fin extending in the direction of travel of the moving component is coupled thereto as, for example, by affixing the fin to the hammer shank of a piano. The fin carries indicia, such as a bar code, which can be read, for example, by an optical or magnetic sensor assembly. In one embodiment, a pair of side-by-side indicia bands are carried on the fin with the bands slightly offset in the direction of travel in order that direction, as well as speed and position information can be obtained. The gathered data may include information recorded, for example, for all the notes and the pedals of a piano in order that a performance may be reconstructed and played back employing a solenoid stack or the like.

Abstract: A disposable shower curtain including a holder having a mandrel with inner and outer telescoping segments normally expanded by a spring. Stationary feet, one carried by each of the telescoping segments, bears against the opposed walls of a conventional shower stall and rotatably support the mandrel. A roll of coiled sheet material is carried by the mandrel. A shield supported by a bracket at either end thereof includes a longitudinally extending braking panel.

Abstract: A golf club carrier including an inverted U-shaped frame having a pair of spaced apart legs extending from a common cross member. A brace extends between the legs proximate the lower ends thereof. A tripod leg, secured to the cross member, is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A plurality of club clips, arranged in pairs, are carried by the legs for the purpose of holding the golf clubs.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement.

Abstract: A thermal actuator, also known as a heat capacitance motor, derives its energy from the physical expansion of paraffin wax as it changes from solid to liquid when heated within an enclosure such as a cylinder. This energy is converted into mechanical force which causes translation of a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, thus creating hydrostatic pressure which is converted to work. The thermal actuator may be utilized in various drug delivery systems in which the hydrostatic pressure created by the actuator is used expel the contents of a syringe.

Abstract: A system (10) for operating a multiplicity of credit card reader-equipped cellular mobile radiotelephones (CMRs 12) as credit card paystations is disclosed. The CMRs (12) incorporate a remotely programmable unit (RPU 48) which controls credit card operation (1400, 1700) and which controls data communication sessions (1800, 1900, 2100) with a credit card (CC) host (26) and a remote programming (RP) host (24). The RPU (48) resides between a conventional control unit (CU 42) and a conventional transmit/receive unit (TRU 62) of a conventional CMR. The RPU (48) monitors messages (1200, 1300) transmitted from the CU (42) and from the TRU (62). The CMR (12) powers up in a locked state (1402), within which a credit card (88) may be read. The credit card is locally validated (1421) at CMR 12. If the validation is successful, the CMR (12) is unlocked so that a call may be placed.

Abstract: A handheld punch tool assembly having individual removable punch segments formed of a high strength material capable of being struck repeatedly by a striking instrument, each of the individual punch segments including a substantially flat punch surface on one end thereof structured to engage in abutting relation with a substantially flat corresponding surface to be punched. Each of the individual punch segments have a different transverse dimension than a remainder of the punch segments so as to effectively vary the size of the punch surface. The individual punch segments are removably attachable to one another to form an elongate, multi-punch segment body of variable length. A plurality of various size collar members are each individually structured to be removably fitted about a corresponding one of the punch segments so as to effectively increase the transverse dimension and accordingly, the size of the punch surface of that particular punch segment.

Abstract: An air-to-ground communications system is described for controlling multiple two way radiotelephone conversations between a large number of aircraft (53) and a network of base stations (51) that are capable of being interconnected to landline telephone networks (54, 116). Plural base station controllers (90) of the system, each dedicated to control one base station (51), are in turn controlled by a single central processor (52). Means are provided for matching each aircraft with an optimal base station to afford it the strongest available communication signals, and for dynamically allocating communication channels between the base stations. The central processor (52) is designed to manage the system by recording and recognizing usage patterns (525-530) and allocating channels to most efficiently use the available radio spectrum among all the aircraft (517, 519).