Abstract: A single-use unitary package for carrying toilet seat disinfecting/covering materials on the person. The package is constructed of flexible sheet material such as aluminum foil, sealed along edges and across the middle to form two compartments. One compartment holds a folded toilet seat cover and the other compartment holds a supply of toilet seat disinfectant.

Abstract: A tool for opening containers with a lid having an overlapping rim, engages the rim and levers the lid up. The tool avoids having to cut the lid and allows it to be removed without damage. The container has at least one peripheral rib extending around the wall below the lid and the tool comprises a lever arm having a handle at one end and a rim engaging lip at the other end, an anchor pivoted at a pivot position on the lever arm adjacent the rim engaging lip, the anchor having a top member adapted for engagement with the peripheral rib on the container wall, and a bottom stabilizing member adapted to rest against the container wall below the peripheral rib, such that when the tool is engaged with a container, the rim engaging lip positioned under the overlapping rim of the lid, and the top member of the anchor engaging the peripheral rim of the container wall, lever action of the tool raises the lid from the container.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing, powering and controlling walking animatronic figures or vehicles by magnetically attracting and/or repelling the feet of such structures, using various cooperative combinations of interacting ferromagnetic plates and electromagnets to guide and stabilize the structures along a platform, as well as facilitating transformer coupling of AC power and/or command signals from the platform to the walking figure without the need for an umbilical.

Abstract: An extendable guidewire for introducing a dilatation catheter into the cardiovascular system. The guidewire has main and auxiliary sections with a connector which permits the two sections to be joined together and separated simply by pushing the two sections together and pulling them apart. One of the sections can be used for positioning the catheter within the cardiovasuclar system, and the other section can be employed to extend the wire to change catheters.

Abstract: A marine toilet deodorant dispenser having intake and discharge pipes for integration into the existing intake flushing line and having a threadedly connected to a cap portion carrying an anti-siphoning device for controlling the fluid during quiescent periods, the cap portion further housing a perforated plastic container or canister enclosing a solid block of disinfectant deodorizer which chemically treats the flushing fluid for deodorizing the bowl of the waste disposal apparatus, accelerating the chemical break down of solid waste, reducing the precipitation and salt build up on plumbing fixtures, and filtering the flushing fluid, the plastic container or canister being conveniently replaceable.

Abstract: A transfer frame mounted on a dock and formed with a pair of side by side elevator towers extending upwardly to about the level of the uppermost container on a ship to be unloaded and over on their sides facing such ship. Elevators are mounted in the towers for up and down movement to transfer cargo from the higher elevation to a lower elevation to be fed onto a feed conveyor. An overhead crane includes a boom projecting over the towers and over the containers on the ship. A trolley is mounted on the boom for shifting between the tower and ship and includes a hoist for hoisting cargo containers from the ship for transfer along under the beam and through such opening side of the tower to a position over one of the elevator platforms for being lowered a short distance thereto. Simultaneously, an outgoing container may be moved onto the other elevator and elevated for pick up by the hoist after the discharge container is released.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a combination stroller-infant seat which can be easily and quickly converted from one form to the other. The invention comprises a shell suitably shaped to hold an infant, a frame assembly for supporting the shell and retractable wheel assemblies on both sides of the frame assembly which facilitates converting from one form to the other. Each wheel assembly includes a vertically moveable central element, and a pair of wheels extensions pivotally mounted to the central element. To convert the apparatus to an infant seat, the central element is moved vertically causing the wheeled extensions to fold inwardly and then moved upwardly out of the way. To convert the apparatus to a stroller, the central element is moved downwardly so the wheeled extensions then extend laterally.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cone and method of construction for the emulsification of cataract lenses employed in a hand-held surgical aspirator having an angle of incidence .theta. equal to or less than thirty degrees, the angle of incidence being located at the point of tangency of a transition radius construction line at the intersection with a horizontal line passing through a hub portion of the cone, the angle construction for eliminating the erosion of the cone along the transition radius and for minimizing the size and improving the dispersement of bubbles created by cavitation of the cone in a saline solution and migrating toward the cataract lens operative site when ultrasonic frequencies of vibration of greater than forty kilohertz and cone shaft horizontal stroke lengths exceeding four- to-five thousandths of an inch are employed. Alternative embodiments disclose an adapter apparatus for employing disposable cone shafts and an array of shaft distal ends for improving the efficiency of the ultrasonic cone.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning microfloppy disc drive heads comprises two hinged leaves (38a, 38b) forming an openable shell (38) and a replaceable disc of cleaning material (70) sandwiched between the leaves. Each leaf has an aperture (16) through which a disc drive head (not shown) may contact a cleaning disc when the shell containing the cleaning disc is inserted into the disc drive, and one aperture is covered by a removable label (62) for use in a single-sided drive which is removed for double-sided use. The label is on the interior surface of the leaf. The hinge is formed by another larger label member (90) on the exterior of the shell.

Abstract: A long log waferizer for converting logs into wafers comprising a base, with a reciprocating hydraulic cylinder for controlling a wheeled movable frame adapted for linear reciprocating movement on the base. A motor is mounted to the movable frame to drive a rotary cutter that is also mounted to the movable frame. A log delivery chute adapted to direct logs in front of the rotary cutter is provided and the movable frame is moved by the hydraulic cylinder to advance the rotary cutter into the logs, the rotary cutter cutting the logs into wafers.

Abstract: A portable sign kit includes components for quickly and conveniently erecting lightweight signs, e.g. real estate sales and similar signs. The components include an open wire frame with a prejecting mounting stud. A rigid sign panel is received within the periphery of the frame. The rigid panel is retained within the frame by specially shaped moldings which snappably attach to the frame sides and extend inwardly to retain corresponding abutting edges of the rigid sign panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying liquidous mixtures via compressed air is described. The design allows extensive use of plastic in its construction, employs a minimum of parts and allows complete assembly and reassembly with only a minimum of hand tools. The device incorporates an automatic air shut off valve that stops the flow of air upon release of the trigger, an adjustable trigger stop that ensures a uniform flow rate and a special orifice plate design that enables its quick replacement.

Abstract: A waste disposal appartaus comprising a containment cage for holding conventional waste containers. The containment cage has a base platform with attached support feet. Upwardly extending members define the containment portion of the cage, the members having attached centering guides, and a perimeter member to define the open top of the container. Each containment cage is stacked atop a previous containment cage in a column within a shaft, the support feet of each containment cage engaging the perimeter member of the previous containment cage and the centering guides engaging the walls of the shaft to provide a clear space around the containment cage.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a stretcher frame assembly for mounting fabrics such as are used by artists for mounting canvas for painting and other works. The stretcher frame comprises interconnected frame sections having ridges on the inner periphery thereof to which the edges of the fabric are secured by removable means such as spring clips. The stretcher frames are particularly suitable for use in art classes where such frames may be reused.

Abstract: A robotic gripper head includes mechanically actuated gripping fingers having gripping surfaces which are arcuately shaped to perpendicularly contact opposed grip ends of a flat part.

Abstract: A gas spring mechanism for adjusting and locking the inclination of one element with respect to another, such as the backrest on a passenger seat. The gas spring has a low melting point plug which melts in the event of a fire to discharge compressed gas in the gas spring and thereby allow for the expansion of working liquid in the gas spring. In one preferred embodiment, the compressed gas contains a fire retardant such as HALON 1301.

Abstract: A towable surfboard including a hull formed in its fore portion with a bow having on its underside a modified deep-vee configuration and extending rearwardly to form on its underside of its aft section a flatter bottom configuration. A seat is mounted about 3/4 of the way back on the deck and heel cups are mounted forwardly thereof such that a rider may sit on the seat with his heels received in such cups and grasp a tow rope to be towed behind a power boat.