Abstract: A microelectronic multilayer ceramic package combines a high temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) module or carrier with a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) module or carrier using a bonding interface layer of electrically nonconductive epoxy having electrically conductive regions for providing electrical interconnection between carriers. The bonding layer also has regions of thermally conductive material for interfacing heat sources on one carrier with heat dissipators on another carrier. The bonding layer also has apertures which allow prominent structures extending from one carrier to pass though and into a corresponding cavity in another carrier.

Abstract: A centralized method for selling items through a plurality of vending machines installed at various companies' sites comprises using vending machines having a substitutable goods-holding magazines from which goods can be extracted only when fully installed inside a vending machine and only by use of a special key when the magazines are outside their machines. The magazines are filled at the supply center and distributed along pre-established delivery routes. The servicing of each machine consists essentially of opening the machine, removing the previously installed magazine, substituting a new full magazine and securely locking the machine without any accounting of goods or currency or any other maintenance work.

Abstract: A self-deploying, collapsible and foldable fabric structure suitable for use as a shelter, shower stall or modesty screen in a changing room, comprises a base panel formed by a piece of fabric stretched over a flexible wire-looped frame. A series of additional flexible close wire-loop frames are mounted over the base panel at spaced-apart locations, and are covered with another piece of fabric to form a tubular enclosure.

Abstract: A self-erecting, collapsible fabric shelter structure whose armature comprises two or more panels, each formed by a resiliently flexible filiform loop, and a pair of resiliently bendable arcuate rods tensioned between each two adjacent panels. A piece of cloth is spread between the loop of each end panel to form the end walls, and another over the rods to form the roof of the structure. Each panel can be folded into three small rings by a 360 degree twist of its loop, causing the associated rods to conveniently coil around the rings to form a compact package.

Abstract: A light and compact vending machine suitable for use on a table or counter top, uses interchangeable magazines that can be preloaded with goods at a service center and quickly and conveniently installed on or removed from the machine. Each magazine has good-holding stations that differ in numbers and sizes. Each station has an access port on the front of the magazine toward which a spiral rack driven by a mechanism mounted in the machine moves goods. The currency accepted in payment for the goods is automatically dropped into a sealed receptacle at the bottom of the magazine. Each magazine is secured by a door that opens automatically only when the magazine is in place and the machine door has been locked. Personnel servicing the machine by replacing an empty one with a loaded one need not handle the goods or the cash. In some alternate embodiments of the invention, packaged goods and beverage cans slide down along slanted channels toward dispensing gates under their own weight.

Abstract: An imitation wax seal suitable for application to a document, package or container is injection-molded out of a semi-rigid plastic, then coated in the back with an adhesive temporarily protected by a peelable film. The fabrication mold accepts a variety of substitutable center escutcheon that can carry a variety of letters, symbols, and logo types. The seal is flexible enough to pass through post office automatic sorting and canceling equipment without breaking or coming loose. The seal is impregnated with a bee-wax scent or other pleasant fragrance.

Abstract: The invention involves an array of playing-cards playable by three or more persons, which delightfully spontaneous if unpredictable word, term, phrase, or picture comparison combinations, invites stimulating social-intercourse. Of the two essential sets of cards furnished with the basic OuickPik™-game iteration, an exemplified first set of Apple-cards each bear different pictures or terms generally derived from: “people, events, nature, places, things, etc.”; while a set of Orange-cards each may bear a picture or descriptive wording such as the terms—“bumpy, slow, magnificent”. Thus, Apple-cards are randomly issued for comparison as to which best typifies the Orange-card over the others,—hence comparing—“apples and oranges”; and a “quick-pick” feature takes the slowest player briefly out of contention,—thereby compelling an exciting rapid-pace.

Abstract: Vertebral strain relief is provided to a keyboard or other data input device operator by a support device attached to the desktop or other data input device-holding structure and projects obliquely and upwardly under the forearms and elbows of the operator to create the same type of upper body support provided by the arms of an armchair. The support structure comprises a pair of telescopic tubular members which provides for height and distance adjustment of the support member as well as its placement, in stowed position, in level contact with the edge of the working surface.

Abstract: A self-erecting, collapsible and foldable dome structure comprises an armature formed by two unconnected loops of resiliently flexible wire concentrically and orthogonally intersecting at the center of the structure, and being bent into a dome shaped configuration. The fabric cover comprises two commensurate cruciform sheets joined around their peripheries to form an envelope containing the armature, and a series of gore panels filing the gaps between the arms of the cruciform envelope.

Abstract: A system for filing applications with an institution from a plurality of remote sites, and for automatically processing said applications in response to each applicant's credit rating obtained from a credit reporting service comprising a series of self-service terminals remotely linked via a telephone line to a first computer at the institution and to a second computer at the credit reporting service headquarters. Each remote terminal comprises a video screen and a video memory which holds image-and-sound-generating information arranged to simulate the aspect and speech of an application loan officer on the video screen. The simulated loan officer is used to acquire loan request data from the applicant by guiding him through an interactive sequence of inquiries and answers. The terminal is programmed to acquire credit rating data relating to the applicant from the credit rating service, and to use the data to compute the credit worthiness of the applicant and the amount which may be loaned to him.

Abstract: A remotely controllable toy surface vehicle has the capability of deploying wings on command and to attain flight in the absence of any air interactive propulsion mechanism. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the fixed wings are first pitched to keep the vehicle on the ground or water until a takeoff velocity is reached; after which the pitch of the wings is remotely adjusted for takeoff and flight.

Abstract: A skate particularly adapted for speed contests has a foot-receiving boot hinged about a fore-foot section of the sole to a in-line wheel-mounting or blade-mounting truck so that the heel-section of the boot can be rotatively lifted away from the truck while keeping the skate is full contact with the skating surface. The boot is biased down toward the truck by a strong spring in a first embodiment of the invention, or by the resiliency of a hinge-forming web linking the boot to the truck in an alternate embodiment. A quickly set mechanism is provided to lock the boot onto the truck to turn the device into a conventional skate.

Abstract: A multi-tether kite control device uses a racheting mechanism to rewind the tether reels. The mechanism is activated by a pull-string attached to the belt or torso of the operator. By repetitively moving the device away from and toward his body, the operator can rewind one or both tethers without releasing his grasp upon the device handles. Separate reels are used to coil the tethers attached to the leading edges of the kite to provide a controlled braking action.

Abstract: A process for low cost manufacturing light-weight, heat-dissipating structures such as heatsinks, heat spreaders, and covers or lids for microelectronic components such as flip-chip integrated circuits from difficult-to-machine metal matrix composites such as aluminum silicon carbide (generically referred to as “Al—SiC” or “AlSiC”). The process involves selecting a mass produced quantity of Al—SiC material, forming that material into a thin ribbon, then stamping/coining the ribbon into the structures. The ribbon can be formed by extruding a thin strip from a billet of the Al—SiC material, then plurally rolling it. In this way, commonly available AlSiC composites manufactured in high volume for use in other applications such as cast automotive parts may be used.

Abstract: A set of simple and economical components is used to transform an existing back lighted sign into a self-propelled scrolling banner display. Only two structural parts are used, and the electro-mechanical components are limited to a step-down transformer, a rectifier circuit, a pair of motors, and a switch and voltage step-down diode assembly.

Abstract: Heat-dissipating microcircuit substrate, having coefficients of thermal expansion adjusted to match the materials of the microcircuit mounted thereupon, are manufactured by powder metallurgy using carbides resulting from the combination of various types of carbons and wetting agents.

Abstract: A container which can be held and opened by one hand has a dome-shaped cap formed by a series of adjacent, contiguous and ogee-shaped segments resiliently held together by an elastic ring. When the cap is forced down over the opening rim of the vessel, the ogee-shaped segments separate to expose the vessel opening. A similar cap mounted in the inverse direction in the inlet of a paintball-shooting gun magazine opens when contacted by the rim of a paintball container from which the magazine is being reloaded.

Abstract: A tether based connector for locating, identifying, inventorying, controlling and helping to ensure the retrieval of one or more items packaged within a container loaded with potentially obscuring packaging materials. The connector terminates at a fastener at one end for releasably fastening to an item, and at an easily located terminus at the other end. The terminus may be formed as an anchorment for anchoring to the container. A single anchorment may be adapted to serve a plurality of tethers for fastening to a plurality of items. A badge carrying item identifying information can be associated with a connector. A dispenser or applicator dispenses multiple connectors. An oblong foam slab is separable into anchorment and fastener portions connected by the tether extendible from at least one of the portions. Also disclosed is an inventive method for packaging items with tethers.

Abstract: A series of height-adjustable pipe-supports are used to lay a flexible conduit such as the sewer line of a recreation vehicle at a gradually decreasing slant above a ground surface. Gutter segments are also used between the pipe and its supports to prevent sagging between them. Each support comprises a substantially hemispherical clamp mounted on a threaded rod that can be adjusted screwed into a pedestal. An intermediary extension can be interposed between the clamp and the pedestal to provide additional height.