Abstract: A free standing putter is formed by appropriately weighting the putter head relative to the shaft and grip and forming a foot surface on the putter had which permits the putter to stand alone on the green without external support. The free standing putter permits the golfer to view the geometric relationship of ball, cup, putter and topography of the green from various distances and perspectives.

Abstract: A lightweight rigid container suitable for trans-shipment of golf clubs is formed by two tubular bodies, each having a closed end and an open end. The open ends are adapted to telescopically overlap to form a rigid hollow enclosure. The two bodies are secured together by a locking structure which extends diametrically through the overlapped ends. Carry straps and handles are secured to one of the tubular bodies so that it may be used as a club carry bag on the golf course. Feet and wheels are removeably attached to the container body.

Abstract: A display shelf which employs a support panel for attachment to one face of a transparent wall, a horizontally extending floor to support cylindrically shaped products adjacent the transparent wall; and a containment wall which extends upwardly from the floor and spaced horizontally from the transparent wall is provided with anchors which prevent rotation of the cylindrically shaped product. The containment wall cooperates with the floor to support and orient cylindrically shaped products vertically adjacent the supporting wall. Anchors extending from the containment wall toward the transparent wall urge the vertically oriented cylindrically shaped products against the transparent wall and prevent the products from rotating about their vertical axes.

Abstract: Zipper closures, luggage locks attached to zipper closures and retractable handles on travel bags are protected by covers which conceal such luggage hardware when in the closed or retracted position. The protective covers are in the form of rectangular flaps or the like which have one edge secured to the bag and aligned so that the flap is extendable over and attached or attachable to the bag on the opposite side of the zipper or handle so that the luggage hardware is covered and protected during transit.

Abstract: An AC induction motor is controlled by dynamically matching energy use by the motor to the load on the motor. First and second SCRs are connected in parallel with each other in opposing polarities for each phase of the applied AC voltage. A trigger generator couples trigger control signals to the respective gates of the SCRs responsive to the timing of sensed zero-crossing events of the AC voltage and current in the respective phase applied to the motor winding. The first and second SCRs are alternately triggered into a conductive state during each alternation of the applied AC voltage and are alternately inhibited from the conductive state for an interval in time proportional to a measured difference in time between the AC voltage zero-crossing and the corresponding AC current zero-crossing as determined by comparing the time difference between successive first and second interrupts corresponding to the zero-crossing events with a continuously running time base.

Abstract: A rack for supporting fluid dispensers for use in a sterile environment is formed by two substantially parallel vertical beams supported on a base. The base comprises a cross member attached between two foot members which ride on quadruplicate wheels. A horizontal bar connects the vertically extending beams and a support bar supported at the top of at least one of the vertical beams carries hooks for supporting IV bags and the like. The rack is sufficiently steady and stable to be used for support and transport of IV bags and the like for an ambulatory patient. The rack is also readily disassembled and cleaned so that it may be repeatedly used in sterile environments such as surgical operating rooms and the like.

Abstract: The mouth ends of two bottles are connected in an opposed relationship by an axially elongated connector which has a cavity formed on each end. The cavities are internally threaded to accommodate the external threads on the necks of the bottles and securely connect the bottles together in a rigid dumbbell arrangement with a hand-grip size connection between the bottles.

Abstract: A disposable waste collector is formed by attaching the open end of a porous tubular bag to a rigid ring. The waste collector is positioned in a drain opening below the entry grate so that all fluids passing through the entry grate must pass through the tubular bag. Solid particles in the fluid stream are trapped in the tubular bag as waste water passes therethrough. The waste collector may be withdrawn and replaced when filled.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping tubular members including self aligning gripping jaws with high coefficient of friction for resisting force applied to the elongated member to prevent rotation either clockwise or counterclockwise. Linear cams and cam rollers actuated by a fluid cylinder bring the gripping jaws to an elongated member, applying predetermined gripping force and retract the jaws for removal of the elongated member.

Abstract: A rigid frame travel bag equipped with wheels and a retractable handle is formed with a rigid frame assembly which includes a front panel, a rear panel and a shell in the form of a C-shaped bottom panel. The rigid frame members are constructed of extruded plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). For increased strength and reduced weight, each panel is formed with longitudinally extending cells defined by longitudinally extending ribs. The front and rear panels are attached to the C-shaped bottom panel by integrally formed connecting flanges which extend in overlapping engagement with the inside surfaces of end panel portions extending from the bottom panel. The front and rear panels are also attached to and stabilized on one of the end panel portions by wheel assembly support plates.

Abstract: Thermoplastic foam is converted into useful products by simultaneously compressing and agitating particles of the foam. The particles are formed into a substantially unitary mass of hot softened material which can be immediately formed, cast or extruded into useful particles.

Abstract: Surface mount test and/or burn-in sockets for electronic device packages are formed using contact pins supported between the top of a circuit board and the lower surface of the terminal lead. The central portion of each contact pin is secured in the socket base so that one end of the pin extends into a cavity in the socket and the other end extends from the lower surface of the socket. The ends of the contact pins are supported on curved beams which are designed to control the pressure exerted on the terminal leads and on the contact pads independently.

Abstract: A combination door handle and graphic display is formed by securing a display between an opaque first body portion and transparent second body portion. A rear side surface of the transparent second body portion is fused to a front side surface of the opaque first body portion and a graphic display decal is mounted to the front side surface of the transparent second body portion. The front side surface of the transparent second body portion is fused to the rear side surface of a transparent third body portion to fixedly secure a graphic display therebetween. The graphic display is visible through the transparent third body portion and the opaque first body portion provides a backdrop against which the graphic display contrasts. The transparent second body portion spaces the graphic display decal relative to the opaque first body portion such that the display appears in a foreground relative to the backdrop.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping tubular members including self aligning gripping jaws with high coefficient of friction for resisting force applied to the elongated member to prevent rotation either clockwise or counterclockwise. Linear cams and cam rollers actuated by a fluid cylinder bring the gripping jaws to an elongated member, applying predetermined gripping force and retract the jaws for removal of the elongated member.