Abstract: An encode/decode 5-2-5 matrix system is combined with a discrete digital, multi-channel audio system to expand the number of independently addressable output channels. One embodiment of the system provides additional output channels by matrix encoding the additional audio information into the rear surround channels of a discrete digital five channel surround system. The expanded channels provide additional center surround and left and right overhead outputs. The 5-2-5 matrix channel separation is improved by increasing the surround channel attenuation when no dominant surround signal is present in the input to the 5-2-5 matrix decoder. In a second embodiment the system provides a surround encode/decode system offering eleven independently addressable output channels.

Abstract: A case carries an inhaler holding a canister of medicant. An elastically radially deformable cylindrical sleeve is resiliently expandable to slidably axially receive and grip the inhaler. An elastically lengthwise deformable strap stretches diametrically across the sleeve to secure the canister against inadvertent release from the inhaler. A spring clip is connected to the sleeve by a loop for attaching and detaching the case to and from an external object such as a belt loop, fence wire, storage ring or the like. An aperture in the sleeve exposes a portion of the inhaler to display indices, such as the user's initials, uniform number or the like, suitable to distinguish any given inhaler from similar inhalers.

Abstract: A self-storing ironing board has a casing with oppositely disposed tracks in lower portions of its side walls. A horizontal rod is fixed to one end of a platform with the ends of the rod extending to the tracks. A linkage connects an intermediate portion of the platform to a lower end of the casing. As the rod slides in the tracks, the platform rotates between a horizontal ironing position and an almost vertical storage position. The center of gravity of the combined linkage and platform passes rearwardly of the rotational axis as the platform approaches the almost vertical storage position. A pair of lining inserts disposed in the tracks and slidably engaged with the rod ends have a coefficient of friction such that the platform is gravitationally pulled into and held in its almost vertical storage position when the center of gravity passes rearwardly of the rotational axis.

Abstract: A multiple neck, integral single-body musical instrument having the performance of a multiple full bodied instrument but the feel of a single body construction where the body is substantially u-shaped which defines substantially parallel planes and where a neck extends from each substantially parallel plane. The musical instrument may be acoustic or electric or a combination instrument. The instrument may be a guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin, bass, fingerboard, keyboards and the like.

Abstract: A carriage for guiding a cutting, beveling or welding torch on the surface of a metal work piece has a chassis which is transported along a main path on the work piece by a magnetic wheel assembly driven by a reversible motor mounted on the chassis. A rack and pinion assembly mounted on the chassis is driven by another reversible motor mounted on the chassis to transport a torch holder along a path perpendicular to the main path. A remote controller electrically connected to the drive motors is manually operable to simultaneously permit forward or backward transport of the chassis, right or left transport of the holder and variation of the angular velocity of the chassis motor and the rack and pinion motor so as to accurately trace any cutting path on the work piece with the torch. The elevation of the torch above the work piece and the angle of incidence between the torch and the work piece are manually adjustable.

Abstract: In an athletic ball server, a collapsible tripod supports an elongated inclined tray containing a linear array of balls. A gate at the low end of the tray cyclically releases balls one at a time from the array to gravity. One edge of a trampoline is pivoted on the tripod. The central portion of the trampoline is aligned to bounce a ball released from the tray. An eye-bolt is connected between the tripod and the trampoline allowing the angular position of the trampoline to be varied. By adjusting the eye-bolt, it is possible to achieve any desired trajectory of the bounced ball from a pop-up or slow pitch trajectory to a ground ball trajectory.

Abstract: A cat's toy has a housing with a plurality of ports through its side wall, the ports being preferably substantially equally displaced. Preferably the exterior of the housing is shaped, textured and colored to look like a cheese. A plurality of play objects, one for each of the ports, are supported on a linkage within the housing. Preferably, the objects look like mice. The linkage is adapted for sequential reciprocation of at least a portion of each of the objects through its respective port so that the “mice” emerge from and return into the “cheese” in a circular sequence that entices the cat. A plurality of sensors are provided within the housing, one proximate each of the ports. The housing is adapted to permit the sensors to detect motion proximate and exterior to the housing so that the presence of the cat in the vicinity of the toy triggers the appearance and disappearance of the “mice.

Abstract: A system and process for reducing the flowing bottom-hole pressure in a natural gas well has a first discrete fluid flow path extending from the surface well head through a valve to an inlet of a separator, the valve being actuable between a closed condition and an open condition, and a second discrete gas flow path extending from an outlet of the separator to an inlet of a compressor, the compressor maintaining a near or below zero PSIG pressure at the separator inlet. When the valve is in the closed condition, positive pressure builds on the well head side of the valve and, when the valve is in the open condition, the near or below zero PSIG pressure of the separator is applied to the well head.

Abstract: A block is made from loose earth. A press foot in a breech is raised to a first level even with the top of the breech. The press foot is lowered to a second level to receive a volume of loose earth from a feed drawer. The feed drawer is withdrawn to screed excess loose earth from the top of the breech. A bucking foot is lowered to close the breech. The press foot is raised to a third level to compress the loose earth into a block. The bucking foot is raised to permit vertical ejection of the block into the path of the feed drawer. Upon again raising the press foot to the first level, a previously-made block is simultaneously raised. Upon again moving the feed drawer over the breech, the previously-made block is simultaneously pushed aside.

Abstract: In a lift for mooring a boat stern-on, a pair of horizontally spaced guide members is fixed to the sea wall. A frame is fixed to a pair of substantially parallel hydro-pneumatic buoyancy tanks to provide a flotation platform for supporting the hull of the boat. The stern end of each of the tanks is connected to the guide members. The guide members limit movement of the platform away from the sea wall and along the sea wall but permit vertical reciprocation of the stern ends of the lift tanks in unison and restrict the lift from listing during operation.

Abstract: A vacuum shroud for a floor grinding machine has a rigid cover with a cylindrical skirt and a vacuum port. The skirt is concentrically disposed above the grinding wheel. A flexible cylindrical guard has a plurality of vertical ribs protruding inwardly from its upper portion against the lower outer periphery of the skirt and extends downwardly to a plane slightly above the plane of the grinding surface of the grinding wheel. The ribs and skirt define a plurality of vertical air inlet passages which communicate from outside the cover to the vacuum port. The guard bottom rim and the floor define an annular air inlet passage around the periphery of the grinding wheel which communicates from outside the guard to the vacuum port. The air flow caused by the vertical and annular air flow passages prevents dust and debris from escaping the shroud.

Abstract: An adjustable matrix wheelchair seat can be mounted on a pair of rods such as are provided on the seat rails of a typical wheelchair or on any pair of rods adapted to be rigidly fixed to and aligned in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the wheelchair. A lateral array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is extended between and engaged on the rods. A longitudinal array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is engaged on the forwardmost and rearwardmost straps of the lateral array. The longitudinal array traverses the lateral array to define a horizontal matrix of ventilating interstices. The length of any or all of the straps of the lateral and horizontal arrays is independently adjustable to permit alteration of the pressure pattern imposed on the arrays by the patient occupying the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compressing and expanding an information signal for use in noise reduction which includes an input terminal to receive the information signal, a first frequency crossover circuit coupled to the input terminal and configured to divide the information signal into a first and second frequency band. A second frequency crossover circuit coupled with the first crossover circuit configured to receive at least a portion of the information signal within the first frequency band and to further divide the information signal into a third and fourth frequency band. A third frequency crossover circuit coupled with the first crossover circuit configured to receive at least a portion of the information signal within the second frequency band and to divide the information signal into a fifth and sixth frequency band.

Abstract: The front portion of a sports bra has a lining and a decorative cloth. A flat pocket lays over the opposite side of the lining as the decorative cloth. A cloth cover lays over the pocket. The bottom of the pocket is seamed to the bottom of the cover without stitching the lining or the decorative cloth and the sides of the cover are seamed to the lining without stitching the pocket or the decorative cloth so that the pocket floats in relation to the lining and decorative cover. The lining and cover are of universally stretchable absorbent material and the decorative cloth is of universally stretchable wicking material. The stretch affords the desired support from the bra, the absorbency collects the wearer's perspiration and the wicking draws the absorbed moisture to the outside for evaporation. The floating pocket provides a comfortable pouch for concealing articles within the bra.

Abstract: A tool for use by a machinist in testing the accuracy of a workpiece has an edge to be abutted against the workpiece to be tested and an encased light source connected by a plurality of passages extending within the member to conduct light emitted from the source to an array of apertures spaced at intervals in a bevel of the edge. The array of apertures directs the light at the workpiece on one side of the edge so that defects in accuracy are illuminated to the machinist viewing the workpiece from the other side of the edge. Preferably, a plurality of fiber optic cords extend in the passages from the light source to the apertures.

Abstract: A reeled L.E.D. lighting system has a plurality of rigid circuit boards, each circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes dispersed on one face thereof, the diodes being electrically connected between positive and negative terminals of their respective circuit board, the circuit boards being electrically connected in parallel with each other and structurally connected in series with each other by a plurality of pairs of flexible conductors connecting the positive and negative terminals of the circuit boards, the structural series connection providing a chain of the circuit boards and conductors, the chain being spirally wound about a spool of a reel for every dispersion into and attachment to a light housing.

Abstract: An inductive magnet sensor has two identically wound magnetic antennae connected in series, out of phase, spaced axially from one another, and placed outside and parallel to the axis of a magnetic pipe so that induced noise voltages from the symmetrical noise magnetic flux of the pipe mostly cancel, leaving the responsiveness of the antennae undiminished to sense the non-symmetrical magnetic flux from a permanent magnet or a signal from a transmitter passing through the pipe. The enhanced signal of each of these antennae is then resistively attenuated, one fixed and the other adjustable, to further enhance the cancellation after placement of the sensor outside of the pipe. This balance adjustment improves the signal to noise ratio of the combined signal and the sensor is adjustably resistively attenuated to set the gain to enhance the dynamic range after mounting on the pipe.

Abstract: A device signals possible failure of a typical ball-and-socket hitch. A breakaway switch on the rear of the towing vehicle has an actuating member positioned substantially immediately above the ball of the hitch. A bracket is mounted on the front of the towed vehicle at substantially the midpoint between the tow bar outer ends. A cable connected between the actuating member and the bracket has a length selected such that, when the distance between the switch and the second bracket exceeds a predetermined threshold, the cable pulls the actuating member rearwardly to actuate the switch, causing an indicator circuit in the towing vehicle to give an audible or visual signal.

Abstract: A rake for moving an air bubble entrapped between the surface of the water in and the underside of the top of a waterbed mattress to a vent through the top of the mattress is provided consisting of an elongated member and a handle. The elongated member has a lower surface lying in substantially a single plane and spaced apart beginning and end points. A straight line connecting the beginning and end points defines a geometric area for surrounding the bubble. The handle has one end connected to the member and another end extending above the plane defined by the lower surface of the member. The handle is used for manually urging the member downwardly against an upper side of the top of the mattress to trap the bubble within the geometric area. The handle is also used for guiding the geometric area with the bubble trapped therein into communication with the vent so that the air can be released to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A mount for supporting an open umbrella from an object has a bracket adapted to be secured to a portion of the object and a holder for supporting the umbrella. The holder has a receptacle adapted to receive and support the downwardly inserted handle of the umbrella and a yoke oriented to receive the shaft of the umbrella. A spring biased pin permits rapid insertion and removal of the shaft into and from the yoke. Preferably, the receptacle is slidably engaged relative to the yoke so that the umbrella canopy can be lowered to closely shield the object. A hinge connecting the holder to the bracket permits the umbrella to be positioned at any desired angle in relation to the object.