Abstract: A power train assembly having an H-drive configuration is described as having a number of transversely disposed components which transmit drive power from a transversely mounted drive power source to a transversely disposed rear wheel axle via a longitudinally disposed propeller shaft and a conventional axle-mounted differential. The H-drive configuration is ideally suited for use in low floor buses due to its longitudinally compact dimensions, and the resulting significant manufacturing and operating advantages are described. The H-drive configuration takes drive power source torque developed along a vehicle transverse axis, and after a direction changing, folded back arrangement applies the drive torque or power through a right angle gear box to the longitudinal propeller shaft for conventional coupling into the differential.

Abstract: An improved multiple chambered maternity mattress (10) is specially configured to include a bellows (24) for providing fine-grained adjustability of size and firmness of its centrally disposed womb well region (AWW). The bellows (24) consisting of a plurality of accordion-like sections which are interconnected to form a single expandable air chamber that is inflatable under the control of the user while actually in use via a remote control unit (16). The womb well is formed as a cylindrical cavity or opening (26) which extends for the full height of the mattress (10) such that the bellows (24) may change its effective height thereby establishing the physical size of the womb well for optimum user comfort and benefit. Low friction materials and/or coatings on the cylindrical cavity walls (28) assure minimal friction of the contacting surfaces and bellows tips assuring an infinitely fine height/size/firmness adjustment.

Abstract: An improved baby mattress is formed of four sections, with a two part central section including a pair of interactive cradles which provide safe and comfortable support for a sleeping infant. An upper life cradle area may be variably pressurized to produce a telescoping well which encourages placing the infant for safe sleeping on its back. A lower safety cradle is filled with strong and resilient foam rubber and serves to safely support the infant in the event of unwanted cradle deflation. An array of auxiliary support and shape retaining members serve to give the crib-sized mattresses a stable and smooth overall rectangular appearance.

Abstract: A novel “bridge” device and accompanying methodology which link the world of the smart cards to that of the magnetic finance cards is described. This “bridge” device is called the “Magnetic Stripe Bridge” or MSB. The main function of the MSB is to interface an ordinary or “naked” smart card with just the smart chip embedded in it to a magnetic card reader for credit transaction without altering the existing card processing infrastructure. As such any smart card is effectively transformed via the use of the MSB into an ordinary magnetic finance card and admissible for use by any conventional magnetic card reader. Through the MSB and the accompanying methodology, the secure smart cards can now be deployed everywhere, both on and off the Internet, thus significantly reducing the current rampant magnetic finance card frauds and identity thefts.

Abstract: A headlight glare reducing ophthalmic lens system is described as being incorporated into an eyeglass arrangement, or as an attachment to conventional eyeglasses, wherein the lens system is laterally adjustable to allow a user to select the amount of lens tint, or light transmisitivity, that is placed into his viewing path. A pair of lenses, each having a lateral gradient of tint distributed along its horizontal extent, is carried by a beam member which is laterally movable with respect to a corresponding track member to provide the desired amount of glare blocking or light attenuation dependent upon the actual driving conditions being encountered. Alternate embodiments disclose the use of telescoping sections which allow the user to tailor the baseline eyeglass version to his/her personal preferences, and a clip-on version is also described.

Abstract: An equine body brush is specially formed to produce a combined cleaning and brushing action for each single stroke of the brush in a desired stroke direction by using two distinct stiffness of bristles arrayed in a linearly tapered height arrangement. The leading edge bristles are shorter and harder than the following bristles which are longer and softer. The hard bristles first pull up the dander, loose animal hair and other debris and the following soft bristles sweep them away before they get a chance to settle back down. The correct cleaning and brushing directional action can be maintained regardless of which hand the user employs by virtue of either a unique pair of handles disposed on opposite ends of the central bristle-carrying brush portion, or a smaller palm-sized hand brush.

Abstract: The System includes an Alarm Unit and a separate Alert Unit. The Alarm Unit is securely affixed to the parcel before the parcel is left at the delivery site, and the Alert Unit is placed at a secure site that is within radio range of the delivery site. The Alarm Unit is armed by the deliveryman upon depositing the parcel at the delivery site, and arming of the Alarm Unit results in the transmission of messages verifying to the seller or delivery agent that delivery has taken place and notifying the purchaser or intended recipient that the parcel has arrived. Movement of the parcel after it has been deposited at the delivery site and has been armed results in messages being transmitted to the shipping agent and to the intended recipient announcing that the parcel has been stolen. Such unauthorized movement of the parcel also activates a very loud audible alarm affixed to the parcel and activates a tracking beacon in or on the parcel, permitting the whereabouts of the parcel to be determined or tracked.

Abstract: A method and system for visual addressing provides highly intuitive means for guiding travelers between predetermined starting points and destinations using largely photographic techniques. In a baseline point-to-point embodiment, photographs are produced of way points determined to provide preferred and alternate routes to guide a traveler, and are provided in pictograph form. In an advanced regional embodiment, a large number of photographs are produced of way points sufficient in number and location to enable the determining of routes within a bounded region between any one of a plurality of starting points and any one of a plurality of destinations. A traveler or end user needing travel guidance may access either hard copy photographs in pictograph form or a city booklet form, or alternately access fully equivalent information in digital form which may be delivered via digital networks for reconstitution into pictographs or city booklets.

Abstract: An equine lead line assembly is specially configured to provide significantly improved handling of a horse in a much less stressful manner for both horse and handler. Advantageously, a lead line assembly formed as a deformable closed loop portion carrying a pair of swivel snaps, and a connected hand lead line portion, functions to impart a gentle tightening and downward pressure on the horse's muzzle. This control aid applies symmetrical forces to both sides of a conventional halter via the deformable loop portion in response to a single downward force applied via the hand lead line portion.

Abstract: One end of a leaf spring is connected to a plate so that the leaf spring is disposed generally parallel to the plate, permitting the resulting article to be clipped onto an edge of a thin object, such as a waistband. Two spaced parallel slots extend through the plate, permitting a band of material, such as a belt, to be attached to the plate by threading the band into one of the slots and out of the other slot. The resulting article permits carrying cases that are provided with belt loops, intended for a user's belt, to be clipped onto the waistband of a beltless user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining a radius or diameter defined feature at locations on a workpiece that are not symmetrically with respect to the workpiece boundaries, wherein the method employs a simplified and precise set up process which assures exact feature location; and the apparatus for implementing the method employs a dual jawed adjustable workpiece holder formed as a highly versatile V-block device wherein the V-point may be precisely shifted in vernier increments along both X and Y axes responsive to user input controlled translations of one or both adjustable jaws along parallel axes. A baseline method employs determining first and second distances from a feature central axis and first and second boundary points on the workpiece , and then using a 90 degree technique to first adjust the workpiece holder in translation and then adjust an adjustable V-block jaw.

Abstract: An improved maternity mattress is formed from a number of separately inflatable air chambers and a number of internally disposed shape retaining and weight supporting structures which functionally combine to significantly increase the comfort and well being of pregnant women over the course of their pregnancy. Integrally formed within the mattress is a womb well of high shape integrity that is adjustably fillable by use of a hierarchy of interfitting pillows, as well as physical arrays of gussets to preserve mattress shape and integrity, and comfort baffles to optimally support body weight as it is distributed over a longitudinally contoured upper mattress surface.

Abstract: A hand-held hoof cleaning tool is formed as a shaped handle and a simply bent metal pick element, which are specially oriented and configured to greatly improve the amount of controllable power that may be applied to the cleaning task. In a preferred embodiment, a specially shaped handle guides the user's grasp to ensure that a somewhat narrow range of picking angles are employed by the bent metal pick tip. Acute picking angles within the range of 15 to 35 degrees are described, which allow highly controllable and effective leveraged cleaning action to be accomplished while reducing the need of large wrist twisting motions.

Abstract: A plastic pallet cover is specially formed as a one-piece, high-strength device for ideally isolating a pallet load from the wood surface of a pallet. The pallet cover thereby protects the load from being contaminated by any bacteria, mold, or other disease-causing agents on the pallet, and provides a safe and sanitary surface for the storage and transport of food product loads such as shellfish or other edible products susceptible to contamination. The pallet cover is preferably made of plastic formed by the molding process to include a horizontal upper surface which fits over a conventional wooden pallet to isolate the pallet from the load, as well as a grid of internal ribs and edge walls to provide strength, rigidity, and positional stability.

Abstract: An image bearing composite optical material is formed as a laminated flexible sheet having an image bearing photographic quality film layer variously bonded between outer and inner translucent layers of paper, fabric, or synthetic materials. The composite optical material provides two sharply distinct appearances dependent upon being viewed under backlit or ambient illumination conditions. Full-colored and precisely detailed images are produced under backlighted conditions; a plain appearance is produced otherwise. Improved embodiments include a nonbilateral structure wherein a middle image bearing film layer is bonded over its entire adjacent surface with an outer translucent layer, and is bonded at widely separated points or along thin lines with an inner translucent layer to produce an air gap there between. The air gap embodiment negates image transmission under nonbacklit viewing conditions.

Abstract: A dual jawed adjustable workpiece holder is formed as a highly versatile V-block related device wherein the V-point may be precisely shifted in vernier increments along both X and Y axes in response to lead screw driven translations of one or both adjustable jaws along parallel axes. The pair of mirror image jaws are slidably retained in an interior, U-shaped cavity formed into a rectangular shaped overall workpiece holder. Upon being adjusted to translate a workpiece to a desired location in an XY plane, individual locking screws secure the jaws in position. The thus configured workpiece holder may be used in combination with various grinding machines and clamping means to rapidly and precisely position and retain a workpiece with a high degree of positional repeatability.