Abstract: A fastener apparatus comprises in combination, a mechanical binding device such as a staple. The staple engages substrates such as sheets of paper forming a document. A microcomputer is mounted integrally with the staple and includes a data storage device such as a solid state memory providing a capacity for receiving and transferring a quantity of digital data. The microcomputer also provides a data processing device such as a microprocessor which provides a capacity for calculation using the digital data. A bi-directional data transfer port is adapted for receiving the digital data for transfer to the data storage device and to the data processing device and for transferring the digital data from the data storage device and from the data processing device. Data may be stored and retrieved electrostatically, magnetically, optically and mechanically so as to identify the document for identification and retrieval.

Abstract: A chair provides a chair seat portion and a chair back portion and an umbrella assembly adapted for mounting on the chair back portion. The umbrella assembly includes a receiver tube adapted for receiving an umbrella post to support the umbrella in an upright attitude. The receiver tube provides a pair of L-shaped ears extending from an exterior surface, and the chair back portion provides a mounting block engaged on a rear surface of the chair back portion. The mounting block is adapted for receiving the pair of L-shaped ears within a corresponding pair of L-shaped holes within the mounting block so as to stabilize the umbrella assembly on the chair.

Abstract: A vehicular drive apparatus comprises in combination, an off-road vehicle including an internal combustion engine drive system and a liquid propulsion jet drive system jointly functional in a single engine case of the off-road vehicle for enabling forward motion of the vehicle. The jet drive system provides a means for engaging and disengaging with the internal combustion engine drive system. An outrigger floatation device engages with the off-road vehicle and is adapted for adjustment between a stored attitude and a deployed attitude. When the vehicle enters deep water, the jet drive may be employed to propel the vehicle, and the floatation gear may be employed to maintain buoyancy.

Abstract: A molded baby bottle cap of a soft rubber and a molded water bottle cap of a hard plastic, the baby bottle cap providing an annular portion extending axially within the baby bottle cap. Plural molded circular ribs are engaged within the water bottle cap thereby interlocking the two caps. The apparatus is thus engagable with a baby bottle in a typical manner using a threaded compression ring, or with a water bottle using threads molded into the water bottle cap.

Abstract: A display apparatus comprises a device enclosure supporting a front panel and a monitor housing supporting a first monitor screen. The monitor housing is pivotally engaged with the device enclosure, and enabled for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein the first monitor screen is approximately parallel to front panel, and an open position, placing the first monitor screen at an angle to the front panel. A sliding assembly supports a second monitor screen. The sliding assembly is enabled for sliding movement between a concealed position within the monitor housing and a viewing position lateral to the monitor housing. The sliding assembly is further enabled, when placed in the viewing position, for pivotal movement relative to the monitor assembly for improved viewing, jointly, of the first and the second monitor screens.

Abstract: A near-net shape titanium club face for a metal wood golf head is manufacturing with improved product structure and performance. More specifically, the invention provides a metal wood golf club head face consisting of layers of grain fibering by controllable grain flow along face-orientation and surface contours, similar to composite structures, for improved directional strength, impact strength and toughness, as well as hitting face thickness design flexibility for improved hitting sound and increased coefficient of restitution without sacrificing face performance and durability. The hitting face is made by precision hot-die forging in closed dies through large (&agr;+&bgr;) forge deformation to net or near-net shape from a &bgr;-treated work piece. Alternatively, the process may be applied to aluminum alloys or steels.

Abstract: A fluid control method includes providing fluid flow through a conduit having a pressure sensitive shutdown valve; driving an electrical power generator with the turbine wheel and delivering electrical power to a storage battery which in-turn powers the components of the system. The method further includes: detecting turbine RPM; calculating volume flow rate from the RPM value and conversion factors input to a computer program. Next, it is determined if average or peak flow rates exceed set point values and creating a shut down signal if it is true so as to close the shutdown valve. A fluid pressure delta is therefore established across the shutdown valve and it is only opened when fluid pressure equilibrium is restored across the valve after break or leak repair and after slowly refilling the downstream system.

Abstract: A practice goal apparatus comprises a box-like structure having an open face and providing plural interior faces adapted to rebound a resilient ball upon impact. The plural interior faces are set at selected angles such that the resilient ball, upon forcefully entering the box-like structure through the open face, from any direction will rebound in a manner resulting in forceful exit from the box-like structure back to the kicker. The apparatus has a hollow base that may be filled with water or sand to anchor it in place.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle adapted for receiving a wheeled vehicle and to be driven by the wheeled vehicle. The tracked vehicle has a chassis. Guide and drive wheels are mounted on the chassis at each side and a set of tracks are driven by the driven wheels and guided by the guide wheels. Rear wheels of the wheeled vehicle rest in a pair of drive rollers and rotating stiles are adapted for receiving steered wheels of the wheeled vehicle.

Abstract: A wall mounted shelf system comprises plural elongate bracket standards adapted for securement on a wall surface, and engaged in slots on faces of the bracket standards, plural shelf brackets support at least one shelf. Standard covers are positioned as an outer skin, in contact with opposing surfaces of the bracket standards. Apertures in the standard covers each are sized and positioned for tight-fitting around one of the shelf brackets and are open to an end edge so that the standard covers can be installed onto the bracket standards, without disassembling the brackets from the standards. In this manner, an inexpensive cover can be installed on existing shelf systems without disassembly. The butting edges of each of the covers are hidden behind the shelves so that the final appearance of the wall mounted standards may be changed in color, texture and other designer effects.

Abstract: A colored light water sprinkler head comprises an enclosure having a cylindrical body adapted at a lower end thereof, for engaging a water supply pipe. The cylindrical body encloses light projecting devices interconnected in an electrical circuit for switching a light display on and off. A water dispensing tube is engaged for linear motion within the enclosure and is adapted for moving between an upwardly extended position under the force of water pressure delivered through the water supply pipe, and a downwardly retracted position under the force of a retraction spring when the water pressure force is absent. The light projecting devices are positioned for directing light toward the dispensing tube when in the extended position.

Abstract: A clamping device for aligning confronting ends of a pair of pipe members having a joint therebetween, provides a support member for acting against one of the pipe members, a flexible clamping member having a first and second end and of such length as substantially to encircle one of said pipe members when positioned adjacent to the joint; an anchor member axially moveable relative to the support member; a coupler for releaseably coupling the first end of the clamp member to the anchor member; attachment device carried by the anchor member for releasable attachment of a portion of the clamp member that has been attached to the coupler, a section of the clamp member forming a loop. The section selected to be in conjunction with the support member to clampingly encircle, substantially, the circumference of one of the pipe members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joint music production wherein a remotely separated plurality of musicians are joined by phone lines of a public telephone system. The public telephone system has a signal frequency cutoff limiting transmission to a low range which is incompatible with music. Each of musicians produces a local music signal (MSL) with full audio range. This signal is impressed on the public telephone system which creates a low-end outbound music signal (LEL). Also, separately, the MSL signal is filtered through a first high-pass filter and mixed with a mixer signal to produce a sum/difference signal (SDL). The SDL signal is impressed onto the second phone line of the public telephone system as a high-end outbound music signal (HEL). A second mixer circuit receives at least one remotely produced sum/difference signal (SDR) and the mixer signal and this is again filtered to obtain the high end signal only (HER).

Abstract: A shelter apparatus comprises an open box base member having a bottom panel and a peripheral, box side wall. A front and a rear shelter walls are removeably engaged in spaced apart vertical slots on the inside of the box side wall. A tension beam is engaged with, and extends between the front and rear shelter walls for rigidity. A fabric cover is extensive between opposing portions of the box side wall and is draped over and supported by the shelter walls. The fabric cover is joined with the front and rear shelter walls and the box side wall by a surface fastening means so that the box side wall, the front and rear shelter walls and the fabric cover enclose a space for a pet. The same elements may be stored within the box base member and secured by the tension beam.