Abstract: The present invention discloses a hand gun case having a top section hingedly attached to a bottom section. Into the top section there is placed a top insert that supports the front and two sides of the top section against prying and also has an additional guide through which the bolt of the lock is directed. A lock is attached proximate to the front of the top section. A bottom insert is placed into the bottom section which has a block which aligns underneath the lock when the top section is in a closed position. The bottom section also has a lock protection bar.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an endoscopic retractor for use in minimal invasive surgery. A retractor blade is pivotally attached to an elongated hollow cylinder. An elongated shaft slides and rotates within the cylinder. At one end of the shaft is a handle. The other end includes a locking surface which bears against the blade. The blade can be positioned for movement of the retractor through a cannula, then moved into a closed position for use during the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a panel system and method for building construction in which standing seam panels are attached to one another such that the inner flange of one panel attaches to the outer flange of an adjacent panel such that the tongue of the inner flange is received by the groove of the outer flange. Multiple panels are joined together to form wall, ceiling, and roof sections. Clips are used to secure wall sections to ceiling sections.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a greeting card holder having a base and a top joined by support. Around the support there are placed plural rods which are received by the base at one end and the top at the other. The greeting cards are placed initially in between any two of the rods with the end of the greeting card being deflected by the support to come back such that the spine of the card resides along one of the rods. Rods are sufficiently flexible so that they may be temporarily bent to allow placement of the cards yet sufficiently rigid so that the cards have consistent spacing thereby preventing bunching of the cards along their respective spines.

Abstract: An electronic wheel balancer apparatus includes an operator interface which adapts the device for concurrent use by multiple operators. A microprocessor works in conjunction with internal memory units to save and retrieve data associated with each operator for use by the processor when a selected operator is actively in control of the balancer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a note caddy which includes a binder with several sheets. The sheets have perforated scoring to facilitate their removal from the binder. Further, the sheets are divided into sections by perforated scoring, and note panels are adhered to each section. Each note panel has a note surface and an adhesive surface. The note surface of the panels are designed to receive notes penned or penciled thereon by the user of the invention.The carrier sheets are constructed in a manner to allow the adhesive surface of the panels to releasably adhere thereto; for example, the carrier sheets can have a release coating on them which will cause the adhesive of the adhesive surface of the panel to adhere to the carrier sheet but be removable from it with the adhesive remaining on the panel for use in thereafter adhering the panel to a file, ledger or the like.

Abstract: A bone-in ham steak is made by separating the muscle, fat, and femur bones from green hams and curing the muscle in a conventional manner. The femur bones are cut into linear segments and aligned lengthwise on a skewer. The aggregated and cured ham muscle and fat are placed into a casing so as to concentrically surround the skewered bone. The product is then cooked and, after removing the skewer, sliced into ham steaks of uniform size and weight with a central bone piece.

Abstract: A robotic joint for use in toys or other robotic assemblies to provide locomotion to animated figures, sub-assemblies, and toy construction building sets. The robotic joint is particularly adaptable because one side of the joint carries the motor that is powering the joint. It also provides for four-way action in a joint in a very compact space by attaching a motorized joint directly to the shaft of another motor. It can also provide omni-directional action in a joint, since each motor turns the shaft or turns the motor housing based on the amount of resistance applied to the shaft. This can be demonstrated in a joint that is used to support a leg in which the joint has two motors attached by their shafts, perpendicular to each other in the same joint. A joint structure is provided in which two parallelograms are placed substantially perpendicular to one another to distribute the weight.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is projected through various types of plastics materials such as plastic containers. The readings from the electromagnetic radiation transmitters are received by a sensor array. Plural readings are taken from each plastic bottle as it passes under the sensor. The measurements from the sensor array output are then fed into a computer. The materials are then separated into three classes. The first class contains polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene teraphalate (PET) containers. The second class contains polypropylene (PP) and natural (primarily milk containers) high density polythylene (HDPE) containers. The third class contains opaque materials such as rigid, mixed color high density polythylene (HDPE) containers, opaque polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, opaque polystyrene (PS) containers, and opaque polypropylene (PP) containers. The groups of plastics contained in each of the classes are then separated out using the same or other detection means.

Abstract: A single panel communication card whose principal function is social expression. The card comprises a card body having a front face, a back face, and no fold; multi-color graphic images of social expression imprinted on the front and back faces; and an exposed surface upon which identifying indicia may be applied. The exposed surface is divided into predetermined regions of specified light reflectance and fluorescence requirements. All colors and images used within these regions are designed to meet the appropriate light reflectance and fluorescence requirements. This enables the exposed surface to be read by light sensitive postal equipment; even when bright and dark colors are present. Prior to mailing the card, the sender signs his/her name, then applies the address and proper postage.

Abstract: A display rack having a foundation consisting of a back, top, bottom and sides and a core which can be folded to fit within the foundation creating multiple shelves within the rack. The core is assembled within the rack through the use of ears and slots without the need of screws, snaps, clamps, buttons, or the like to hold the assembled structure together. The shelves of the rack may be separated by a divider which also is assembled within the foundation through the inner connection of the ears provided on the divider fitting into slots cut and formed into the foundation. The sections of the rack which are created by the shelves and divider can be further sub-divided into compartments by the use of wings are formed in the core and are connected to the core by a pivot hinge which allows the wing to swing into the sections of the rack and form compartments.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel balancer having a floor standing base and an operator keyboard and display pod mounted to a support above the base. Manually adjustable brackets attaching the substantially L-shaped support to the base and to the pod allow the pod to be adjusted by the operator through four degrees of freedom, including into a space minimizing position for shipping or storage.

Abstract: A hybrid dredging apparatus uses a clamshell attached to a rigid boom to dig and remove material. The clamshell then deposits the material into the hopper of a positive displacement pump for discharge at low velocities and with minimal water content. Transducers are be used to determine and control the area of excavation.

Abstract: In the present invention, an adjustable mobility assist device is provided which has a base, means for obtaining leverage against a stationary object, and grasping means which allow the user to reach out and up while rising from a seated position. In its several embodiments, the device can be adapted for use in rising from a chair, bed, or commode. Handles are provided so that the device can also assist in walking. Arms are also included for supporting the users arms, a reading or eating tray, and the like. The device is portable and can be moved from one piece of furniture to another within the home with the user.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an electro-luminescent strip that is placed on or integrally molded with a standard windshield wiper arm. Electro-luminescent strip is attached to housing which is placed on wiper arm by a strap, by a clip, by adhesive, or integrally molded into wiper arm. Power for electroluminescent strip is provided by an automobile battery. Power from the battery is first run through an inverter to translate the DC current into AC current. Electro-luminescent strip can also be placed into recess in wiper arm.

Abstract: The leading end of a web on a roll of web convolutions is prepared for a splice by releasably securing that web end to the adjacent underlying web convolution on the roll and then adhering to that convolution just ahead of the web end a spoiler strip having a lengthwise boundary line which extends the length of the strip. A surface portion of the strip on one side of that boundary line is coated with an adhesive so that the adherent portion of the strip is speed in front of and substantially parallel to the web end whereby when the roll is rotated, the spoiler strip deflects the on-coming air stream away from the web end, yet permits the web end to be pulled away from the roll when being spliced to another web. Different spoiler strip constructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a security package for a compact disc having a receiving structure and a retaining plate. The receiving structure has a handle, a lock section, and a storage compartment. The storage compartment receives the audio media. The audio media is held in place by the retainer plate which is pivotally attached to the lock section of the receiving structure. The retainer plate has a flange which covers a portion of the storage compartment holding the media in place. The receiving structure can enclose a detection strip which is then covered by the retainer plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system which does not require the removal of the existing lug nuts. A trim member has holes to receive the existing studs and lug nuts. At least one of these holes is sized to frictionally fit over one of the existing lug nuts. This particular hole also has a flange, swept area, or reverse draw which is placed substantially perpendicular to the base of the trim member thereby providing a large area over which frictional fit between the trim member and the lug nut can be made.

Abstract: In the present invention, a nested wheel trim system is provided. The system provides two wheel trim attachments each having a trim member, a hub cover, and a jam nut. The two trim members are sized so as to nest into each other, and the hub covers are also sized to nest within one another so that the nested hub covers can be placed on top of the trim members if the trim members are for deep well wheels or under the trim members for regular well wheels.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for removing a cap from a fiber core. The device has a housing which resides on a base. The housing includes a receiving member which is defined by a front opening, a rear opening distally located from the front opening, an top wall and an bottom wall joining the front opening and rear openings, a right wall and a left wall joining said front opening to said rear opening and joining said top wall to the bottom wall. The present device is to be used in connection with a cap and core having a key-way. In one embodiment, a key is pivotally attached to the receiving member. In this embodiment, the key is then flipped down to engage the key-way of the core. The receiving member receives the core and the cap. A blade extends through the receiving member proximate to the front opening. The blade extends into and through a portion of the cap close to the fiber core. In the manual machine, the cut cap is then rotated until the key-way is facing upwardly.