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: Apparatus for equalizing pressure between two conduits including means for sensing pressure in said conduits; valve means communicating between said conduits, said valve means adapted to open so as to equalize pressure between said conduits.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a canoe backpack carrier comprising of a support rods and cross braces, adjustable webbing and straps, which allows for an individual to carry a canoe of substantial weight over rough terrain.

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 foamed polyethylene product has an outer sheath of non-foamed polyethylene fused to an underlying foamed body portion. Preferably, the product is produced in an in-line method when the foam body is extruded and subsequently the skin is extruded directly on the body portion. This process only causes limited thermal degradation of an outer layer of the body portion which improves adhesion of the skin to the body portion.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device encompassing integrally designed parts for opening and closing the cutting jaws of the device and reducing the number of individual parts in the entire device and having features which specifically reduce the number of parts involved in the pivot mechanism, and having features which eliminate projections which may damage equipment used in conjunction with the device, and having features which specifically permit the device to obtain and store more than one tissue sample.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plurality of clips arranged about a tensile member or core belt. The tensile member comprises a multi-ribbed belt. The multi-ribbed belt may comprise any standard multi-ribbed belt readily available in the art. The clips are generally u-shaped and have opposing inclined sides that cooperate with the sides of a CVT pulley. The opposing inclined sides of each clip can have a thermoset, thermoplastic or phenolic coating to provide a predetermined coefficient of friction. Each clip has a multi-ribbed profile bearing surface that cooperates with the multi-ribbed portion of the core belt. The clips are held in proper orientation to the multi-ribbed belt by elastomeric bands. The elastomeric bands are routed through a slot in each clip which then compresses the clips together.

Abstract: The invention comprises an idler pulley, having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is aligned with and affixed to an inner race outer surface of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley is stamped, formed or spun out of sheet metal and may have a central hole described by a lip for alignment with a central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing may be affixed to a mounting surface.

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.