Abstract: A rotatable traction pad for a shoe can be mounted in a circular cavity in the shoe sole bottom surface, with the cavity being relatively shallow in relation to the shoe sole thickness. The pad mounting mechanism can include an annular bearing housing adhesively bonded to the circular side surface of the cavity, and an anti-friction bearing carried within the annular housing. The traction pad includes a rigid central post that extends upwardly through the bearing.

Abstract: A system for controlling access to a secured building area can include a programmable logic controller that is used to interpret data encoded on cards presented to a card reader at a locked door. The logic controller has one processor for decoding input signals, and another processor for comparing decoded data with data in a database, for thus generating a door-unlock signal. The programmable logic controller determines the permissions associated with the data encoded on the card presented, and unlocks the door if such access is permitted. Ancillary systems are easily integrated into the control system due to the modularity of a programmable logic controller-based system. Fire alarm override, burglar alarm systems, and infant security systems may be integrated into the system disclosed.

Abstract: A test kit for determining the “volatile ammonia content” of biological samples comprising any wet or dry compost, manure, plasma or soil sample. The kit includes a transparent container for holding the sample, and a reactant chemistry gel system, located within the container in the space not occupied by the sample. The reactant mass includes an acidic pH reactant material, and a color change indicator material, responsive to pH changes in the reactant material. Ammonia vapors diffuse into the reactant material, reacting chemically with the acidic pH reactant material so as to produce a color change. The nature of the color change is an indication of the quantity of NH3 in the test-jar atmosphere, which in combination with the known pH of the sample, indicates the total ammonium in the biological sample.

Abstract: A printed circuit board can be formed by a method that includes the step of cutting a circuit pattern out of a low cost plastic sheet material, and transferring the pattern onto a tape. The tape, with the pattern adhesively attached, is transferred onto a conductive film surface on a dielectric board. Thereafter, the tape is removed, leaving the pattern on the conductive film. An acid-etching step is performed on the exposed areas of the conductive film, after which the pattern is removed from the non-etched areas of the conductive film.

Abstract: An imitation ornamental tree can be formed by clamping a split sleeve around an outdoor lamp post, and extending imitation tree branches outwardly from the sleeve. Each tree branch can incorporate multiple electrical lights and lead wiring for the lights. The sleeve can have built-in circuitry for connecting the lead wiring to the power supply for the outdoor lamp, such that the tree lights can be energized by the lamp power supply. The imitation ornamental tree transforms the conventional outdoor lamp into a lighted ornamental display during the Christmas season, or whenever it is desired to have an outdoor ornamental tree.

Abstract: A bicycle can have jumping capabilities by providing a spring-biased auxiliary frame directly below the primary frame, and mounting the drive sprocket on the auxiliary frame. The person riding the bicycle can transfer his weight from the bicycle seat to the foot pedals on the drive sprocket so as to lower the auxiliary frame. When the person shifts his weight back onto the seat the auxiliary frame is rapidly raised by the mounting springs, such that the auxiliary frame forcibly strikes the main frame to lift the bicycle from the ground surface.

Abstract: Heat exchanger liquid can be heated by pumping the pressurized liquid through multiple pin hole openings in partitions spaced along the flow conduit that contains the liquid. The pin holes in each partition exert a heating action on the flowing liquid by causing the liquid to have a high degree of boundary layer turbulence.

Abstract: A home burglar alarm system, dependent on a telephone line for operability, can be protected by covering the exterior telephone wiring with an enclosure fastened to the building exterior surface. The enclosure conceals and physically shields the telephone wiring form attack by a would-be intruder. As back-up protection, the wiring enclosure is provided with an audible alarm system that is triggered by breakage or destruction of the enclosure.

Abstract: A beverage cup holder can be adjustably positioned alongside a front seat of an automotive vehicle, to hold a beverage container in an accessible position near a person seated on the front seat. The beverage cup holder comprises a cup-gripper mechanism for stabilizing various size cups in the holder.

Abstract: A shingle removing implement can include a flat blade adapted to be inserted underneath the designated shingle, and an elongated handle extending a substantial distance from the blade to cause the blade to exert a lifting action on the shingle. An arcuate plate is secured to the back surface of the blade, to form a wedge structure that facilitates a prying action of the blade on the shingle.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes an anchorage adapted to fit on the upper edge of a room door, a lower anchorage adapted to fit on the lower edge of the door, and an operating mechanism trained between the two anchorages. The mechanism includes an elastic resistance device and a variable length connector between the resistance device and a variable length connector between the resistance device and one of the anchorages. A flexible tension element extends around a pulley system within the variable length connector and out of the connector to an external handgrip. The handgrip can be pulled to stress the elastic resistance device.

Abstract: A computer can be built into a pre-existing exercise machine so that the person using the machine can view the screen on the computer monitor while engaged in aerobic exercise activity. Keyboard mechanisms are secured to hand rails of the machine, whereby the person can operate the keyboards without releasing his grip on the hand rails. The computer monitor is adjustably supported to provide persons of different heights and head positionments a good view of the viewing screen on the monitor.

Abstract: A stitched waterproof joint can be formed between the vamp and top plug of a shoe by applying waterproof coatings to the interior facing surfaces of the vamp and plug, stitching the vamp and plug together to merge the waterproof coatings, heating the vamp and plug to eliminate voids in the merged film, and applying an additional waterproofing layer to the interior edge of the stitched joint between the vamp and the plug.

Abstract: A mobile screening apparatus can be vibrated by two similarly-constructed vibration units that are mounted on or near the front and rear walls of the box that contains the vibrating screen assembly. Each vibration unit comprises an hydraulic motor having a stub drive shaft and a circular eccentric cam or weight carried on the shaft. The screen assembly has connections to the circular cams or weights, whereby motor rotation vibrates the screen assembly. The use of stub shafts eliminates whipping shaft motions associated with conventional elongated shafts spanning the screen assembly.

Abstract: A spill-proof covered drinking container has an annular protruding drinking spout that provides a relatively large number of separate drinking ports around the spout circumference. An annular suction-responsive valve means is located within the drinking spout for controlling outflow of liquid through the drinking ports, such that liquid flow is confined to the port, or ports, in physical contact with the user's mouth. The user can drink from any point around the spout circumference.

Abstract: A steering wheel lock bar can be stored in a holder mounted on a rear face of a vehicle passenger seat back. The holder preferably includes an elongated cloth pocket acutely angled to a vertical midplane taken through the seat back, so that an elongated steering wheel lock bar can be manipulated into or out of the pocket without striking the vehicle roof. The driver of the vehicle can reach the storage pocket without leaving the driver seat.

Abstract: A mop head assembly includes an absorbent pad cleaning element releasably attached to a rigid head element by an attachment sheet permanently bonded to the upper surface of the pad element. The attachment sheet has a coating of a water-resistant contact adhesive for establishing a releasable connection between the pad element and the rigid head element. In preferred practice of the invention the attachment sheet has adhesive edge tabs that extend around peripheral edge areas of the rigid head element.

Abstract: A recliner chair having a fabric panel for supporting the head of a person reclining on the chair. An annular resilient cushion is placed on the upper surface of the fabric panel to cradle the person's head and distribute the weight of the head onto a relatively large annular surface area of the cushion.

Abstract: A measuring tape anchorage device can be secured to a ground surface or pavement surface to facilitate the taking of distance measurements, e.g. at automobile accident scenes or for surveying activities. The anchorage device includes an anchorage block having a swivel connection to the sub-surface, and two cylindrical mandrel elements spaced from one end of the anchorage block, so that a portion of the tape can be looped around one of the cylindrical elements and then curled over the other cylindrical element before extending away from the anchorage block. Pulling forces on the tape cause the cylindrical elements to be drawn together so as to increase the grip force of the cylindrical elements on the tape.

Abstract: A partially-buried outdoor loudspeaker assembly includes a concealed loudspeaker mounted on the upper end of a tubular enclosure located largely underground. A protective dome is connected to the upper end of the enclosure by an outwardly radiating connector wall that provides support for a plurality of angled sound port tubes located within a chamber formed by the protective dome.