Abstract: An eye glass holder comprising a base member (18) having attached thereto a support member (19) and a clamping member (24). The support member is formed to receive the eye glass nose piece (15) and the clamping member is biased towards the support member such that eye glasses (10) can be placed on the support member and the clamping member moved into contact to hold the glasses in place. Means such as double sided tape (36) is provided for attachment of the base member to a surface.

Abstract: A percussion instrument comprising a base (10) supporting a plurality of percussion heads (11, 12, 13 and 14) on standards (25). The standards are each adjustable lengthwise and fixed to the base by mounts (26) and to the percussion heads by mounts (54) such that the positions of the heads can be set once and thereafter will be automatically determined by the preset mounts and standards.

Abstract: Container transporting apparatus comprising a plurality of pulleys (16) each supported by a support (30,28) in spaced pairs to maintain one or more belts (15) forming a path along which the containers are transported. Each pulley includes guides (24) for maintaining the belts aligned on the pulley and idler wheels (47) for aligning the belts with the pulley. The support for the pulleys includes a locking assembly (31) allowing the position of the pulley to be adjusted for transporting different sizes of containers.

Abstract: A method of allocating transmission time for a plurality of I/O devices (14) connected to a transmission line (12) comprising the steps of causing each device to listen constantly to determine if the line is being used and to only initiate a transmission after waiting a mandatory device delay period (31) and a reply slot period and thereafter to select a random number from 1 to N, with N being the number of bid slots following the mandatory time delay period and the reply slot period, and to begin transmitting only during the bid slot corresponding to the random number selected. Each receiving device is required to answer a transmission during the reply slot period to allow the transmitting device to ascertain that the transmission was received.

Abstract: A tamper evident container (10) having an opening (15) to allow access to the container contents. Undulations (16) are formed in the rim (14), and a seal (18) is glued across the opening to cause destruction of the seal in gaining access to the container contents. A replica (24) is illustrated on the bottle label for comparison to the seal (18) on the bottle for assurance the container has not been opened.

Abstract: A golf bag comprised of three longitudinal sections (11, 12, and 14) that form club compartments and are fixed together by a hinge connection (25) such that the center section (12) can be pivoted out of alignment with the side segments (11 and 14) to form a tripod configuration and render the bag self-standing.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having an upper portion (15) fixed to a lower portion (16) comprising a midsole (21) and an attached wear surface (22). To provide both cushioning and stability to the foot the midsole includes slots or channels (25, 27) extending at an angle other than normal to the wear surface so as to provide a cushioning effect when forces are exerted through the shoe in one direction, as during the heel contact phase of running, and forming therebetween crossbeams 23 to provide stability and force transfer from the foot to the ground as required during the push-off phase of running.

Abstract: A slider for flying along a recording surface and carrying a recording head (19,20) for recording data, comprising an air bearing region (12,14) to create a positive pressure region tending to support the slider, and a negative pressure region (21) tending to hold the slider close to the recording surface, with buffer pads (27,28) and grooves (25,26) between the positive and negative pressure regions to create a neutral pressure zone separation.

Abstract: A fire building kit comprising a carton (12) in which a spacer (30) rests on the bottom wall (14) to support paper wads (31), kindling strips (32, 35) and logs (34) all conveniently arranged to start a fire.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching, trimming and banding vegetables and the like comprising a plurality of arms (20) each having fixed thereto an upstanding finger (32) means (22) supporting the arms for movement in a common plane toward and away from a common area, an actuator (28) for moving the arms in unison and a top plate (16) forming a center opening (18) centered about the common area whereby the arms can be moved to the center, an elastic band (34) placed over the upstanding fingers, the arms actuated away from the common area and a bunch of vegetables inserted so that movement of the arms back toward the common area will allow the elastic band to hold the bunch. A truncated cone shaped hollow guide (37) positioned beneath the arms will guide the vegetables together for bunching.

Abstract: A hoist for lifting a hard top (10) from an automobile and storing it at the garage ceiling comprising a winch (25) for winding a cable (38) that passes through pulleys (39,41) fixed to the ceiling. The cable is fixed to a web strap (50) having end hooks (51) for attachment to the side edges of the top. A cable (52) having hooks (54) maintain the top properly balanced for lifting it rear edge first from the automobile.

Abstract: A touch sensitive system comprising a clock (30) for generating a clocking signal supplied to a plurality of circuits each including one of the touch plates (12, 14, 15, 16, 17) for generating a varying capacitance value depending upon whether or not the plate is touched or untouched. The change in capacitance of each circuit varies the time duration of the generated output signal of that circuit. A flipflop (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) for each circuit receives a reference signal from a reference circuit (61) and the output signal from the associated circuit and supplies to an associated output terminal (24, 25, 26, 27, 28) a digital signal indicating which plate or plates are touched.

Abstract: A device for regulating the maximum time a television or the like can be operated, comprising a first counter (19) that can be manually set by use of a key (24A) to set a switch (24) with a predetermined time period. A second counter (20) deducts the actual operating time of the television from the first counter. The device interrupts the power circuit to the television when the predetermined time period expires. The switch can be set to allow operation of the television without deducting time from the first counter.

Abstract: An identification system comprising a reader (10) including a first signal generator (12) for generating a first signal (F1) which is radiated by an antenna (17). An identifier (11) includes an antenna (20) receiving the first signal for transmission to a signal modulator (32) which operates to modulate the signal in accordance with a preassigned code for the identifier. The modulated signal is then used to periodically unload or change the reactance of the antenna (20) which action in turn changes the reactance of the reader antenna and consequent voltage on the reader antenna (17). By detecting the change in the voltage on the reader antenna the code of the identifier is determined. Power drain is minimized and power is used efficiently by unloading during modulation and by changing reactance without changing load.

Abstract: A vacuum cooler for produce and the like comprising a vacuum tube (9) forming a vacuum chamber (10) in which the produce is placed. A vacuum pump (13) lowers the atmospheric pressure while cold water is circulated over the produce by a pump (24) forcing the water through nozzles (22). The invention comprises a venting system allowing outside air into the vacuum chamber to raise the pressure back to atmospheric level to allow removal of the cooled produce. A vent pipe (42) includes an outlet (44) positioned beneath the water level in the pump (29). By causing the incoming air to enter the vacuum chamber through the water, the pressure rise is slowed, pressure differentials throughout the vacuum chamber are reduced, and the humidity level of the air entering the chamber is raised to reduce vacuum infiltration of water into the produce.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic tank control for a water supply system having a closed water tank (10), an air compressor (17) and a water pump (21, 22). A plurality of pressure switches (PS18, PS23, PS25, PS26) at the air compressor detect air pressure threshholds in the tank and a plurality of water level detector electrodes (32, 33, 34, 35) detect water level threshholds in the tank. A control causes the water pump to fill the tank to a pressure level or a water level at the operator's option. A pressure switch (PS2) in a tank adapter assembly (20) shuts down the system if an over pressure condition is detected. The compressor is housed in a waterproof housing (41) and cooled by a blower (48) passing air through the housing with thermostats (TH14, TH15, TH16) functioning to protect the compressor from overheating. A baffle 52 prevents the cooling air from recirculating through the housing.

Abstract: A machine for cutting and threading bicycle spokes (11) comprising a cradle (15) for receiving a spoke, a cutter mechanism (17) positioned to intersect and cut off the spoke at a predetermined point, and a thread rolling apparatus (56) positioned adjacent the cutter. By turning a handle (41) the cutter mechanism is actuated by an eccentric (54) and cam (32) to actuate a lever (24) and move a shear (20) past a stationary shear (19) and sever the spoke. Further turning of the handle causes a feed lever (66) to shift the spoke to a position to be contacted by a movable die (61) to complete the cutting and threading process.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing an elastic band (22A) around a vegetable bunch (19) comprising a band stretcher assembly (26) for receiving the band, a plurality of fingers (46) for stretching the band, and means (37) for moving the band stretcher towards a top plate assembly 21 along a central axis. The band is placed on the band stretcher fingers and stretched, the vegetable bunch is placed through the openings (20) and (50) and the band relaxed therearound. The band stretcher is then moved from the top plate assembly to disengage said fingers from said band. Thereafter the plate sections (54) and (55) are pivoted to enlarge the opening (20) and allow the banded vegetable bunch to drop from the apparatus.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a vehicle comprising a front wall member (18) and an attached bottom wall member (21) supporting two vertical pins (23). Two tool boxes (25) each include a well (33) to receive a pin for support on the bottom wall member in a manner to allow each box to be pivoted outward away from the front wall member to allow access to the box interior. A center tool compartment (46) is formed between the tool boxes with a hitch receiver (44) extending therethrough such that the hitch locking pin is positioned in this center compartment. A cover (30) supported on spring loaded hinges (31) allows locking the tool boxes and center compartment.