Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the temperature of or at a specific area by measuring the infrared radiation from that area through the use of a reflector structure to direct the radiation from the area to an infrared detector can be improved by using a laser to provide two light beams which are directed so as to intersect at a distance from the apparatus corresponding to the principal focus of the reflector structure.

Abstract: A device for suspending plumbing components such as a pipe elbow or a high ear 90 elbow between the studs of a wall and retarding propagation of sound between the plumbing components and the wall has a main body or housing formed of a semi-resilient material which is incapable of transmitting a sound from a first location in this body to a second location also in the body. A first member which attaches to the wall or a strip of plumbers tape extending between the studs is attached to the body at the first location. A second member which attaches to the plumbing components is attached to the body at the second location. The first and second members are connected to the body at their respective locations such that a parallel portion of the first member is parallel with, but is not coplanar with, a parallel portion of the second member.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a toy of the type incorporating "ball people" figurines to transfer the figurines from one location to a second location includes a base radially displaced from both the first and the second locations and a carrier which is rotatably mounted on the base. The carrier includes a support member having a first end which is movable in an arc between the first and second locations and a holding member which is pivotally mounted on the first end of the support member. A platform is located at the second location and includes an edge capable of being engaged by a portion of the holding member. The holding member is capable of swinging about its pivot; then it engages the platform. The edge of the platform includes a guide and when the first end of the support member approaches adjacent the second location the guide engages the holding member tilting the holding member allowing a "ball person" to roll off of the holding member onto the platform.

Abstract: A hand truck which is especially useful in moving loads up and down stairways can be constructed so as to employ two identical wheel units located adjacent to the lower end and at the back of the body or frame of the hand truck. Each of the wheel units consists of a center hub section and a plurality of arms, each of which carries a rotatably mounted wheel. The wheel units are mounted for rotation about an axis; a motor is provided for simultaneously rotating the wheel units.

Abstract: Wall assemblies useful for a wide variety of different applications can be economically constructed utilizing extruded polymer panels shaped so as to have sloped positioning walls located adjacent to interlocking connecting elements at their side edges. The connecting elements are shaped so that the connecting element along one side edge of one panel can be pushed into engagement with a connecting element along another side edge of another panel through the use of a tool pressing against the adjacent positioning walls when the side edge of the first of the panels is located over the side edge of the other panel.

Abstract: An adjustable pressure regulator for use with pneumatic or hydraulic fluids can be constructed so as to utilize a spool valve structure capable of being operated so as to prevent flow between first, second and third passages or so as to permit the flow from the first passage to the second while blocking flow to or from the third passage and so as to permit flow from the second passage to the third passage while preventing flow to or from the first passage and first and second position control means located adjacent to the valve structure. The first control means includes a bellows having its interior in communication with the first passage. The second control means also includes a second bellows having its interior in communication with the second passage. The movable ends of these bellows are operatively associated with the valve spool so that the operation of the valve structure is determined by the differential in the forces applied to the valve structure by the movable ends of the bellows.

Abstract: A sound insulating support member for isolating a plumbing pipe or other tubular member from a support surface includes an insert member formed of a material substantially incapable of transmitting sound vibrations and sized to be capable of encircling the pipe or tubular member. The insert member fits within a sleeve member which is formed of a semiresilient material capable of maintaining its shape at rest but capable of being flexed when subjected to a force. Both the sleeve member and the insert member contain a slit. The insert member is retained within the sleeve member such that the slit of the insert member is aligned with the slit of the sleeve member and when both the sleeve and the insert are open the pipe or tubular member can be inserted through the slits and the sleeve and insert close around the pipe or tubular member to cradle the tubular member within the insert which in turn is fixedly held within the sleeve.

Abstract: A toy which can repetitively move with respect to the medium supporting it has a toy body with at least one appendage movably mounted to the body. A portion of that appendage is exposed from the body and is positioned to contact the supporting medium. A mechanism within the body is operatively connected to the appendage for moving the appendage such that the portion of the appendage exposed from the body can move in a first direction at one velocity and a second direction at a different velocity. A portion of the mechanism moves with rotary motion which is transferred by another portion of the mechanism to cause still a further portion of the mechanism to move with linear motion. The portion of the mechanism moving with linear motion is operatively connected to the appendage to move the appendage.

Abstract: A toy is described which has a housing which includes an elevated centralized object repository. Associated with the object repository is at least one peripheral section of the housing which includes an inclined top surface. The inclined top surface has a plurality of object locating holes which are arranged in sequence up the inclined surface. An object is sized to fit partly through the object locating holes. An object propulsion member fits beneath the top surface and includes a plurality of object striking projections which are located off-center beneath each of the object locating holes. When the object propulsion member is activated, if an object is located in one of the locating holes, the striking surface associated with that hole strikes the object and can propel the object toward the next locating hole. This is repeated until the object is deposited in the object repository.

Abstract: A hitch for use in towing a trailer behind a bicycle can be constructed using two elongated elastomeric straps, one end of each of the straps being connected to the bicycle and one end of each of the straps being connected to the trailer.

Abstract: A time teaching device which gives a numerical readout to teach a child the position of clock hands and is capable of advancing the clock hands every time the child activates the readout portion has a housing in which is located a clock face and typical hour and minute clock hands. Within the housing are two carrier members which have a plurality of indicia thereon which indicate numerically the position of the clock's hands. The carrier members are located in the housing beneath display openings. Interspaced between the display openings and the carriers is an interference member which normally interferes with viewing of the indicia on the carrier. Both the hands and the carriers are coordinated such that movement of the minute hand will move the hour hand and both of the carriers through appropriate increments. An operator member is located on the housing and when it is depressed into the housing the indicia corresponding to the positions of the hands is viewable.

Abstract: An improved liquid mixing device or mixer can be constructed so as to utilize a disk having flat upper and lower surfaces as a boundary layer type rotor for causing fluid movement. This disk is mounted on a shaft which is supported and coupled to a motor in such a manner that vibration is not transmitted to the shaft as the motor is operated so as to turn the shaft. Such a liquid mixing device is considered to be primarily valuable for use in mixing a wide variety of various types of beverages.

Abstract: A ventilatory muscle training apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a gas rebreathing system having a reservoir and a mouthpiece for use in conveying gas into and out of the reservoir during inhalation and exhalation. An adjustable valve-like aperture is located in the system in a position to vent some expired gas to the ambient atmosphere during exhalation and in a position such that some ambient air is drawn into the system from the ambient during inhalation. This aperture structure is capable of being adjusted so as to normalize the carbon dioxide content of the gas breathed in during inhalation to a patient's normal respiratory level. The reservoir used is preferably an enclosed chamber which is open to the ambient air remote from the mouthpiece. The apparatus also includes a means for use in monitoring the air flow through the mouthpiece so that the patient can determine that his or her breathing is in accordance with the intended manner of use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A toy has a body in the shape of a characterized animal. At least one of the extremities, preferably the head, is attached to a movable member which moves between a retracted position wherein the majority of the member is located inside the body to an extended position wherein the greatest portion of the member is located external of the body. The toy includes a mechanism which will move the member from its extended position to its retracted position upon activation of a mechanism at least a portion of which is exposed outside the body for manipulation by the operator. The member in going from its extended position to its retracted position reaches its retracted position and then automatically reverses itself until it is once again extended.