Abstract: An improved skylight blind for mounting in the light well of a skylight. The blind has a frame which defines a substantially rectangular opening through which visible light transmitted through the skylight can pass in order to enter the interior of a structure in which the skylight is incorporated. Slats are mounted on the frame so that when closed light is substantially not transmitted through the blind and when open the slats of the blind present a minimum of obstructions to such light. A motor plus controls opens and closes the blinds in response to manual controls or temperature and light sensitive controls. The slats and motor are enclosed between two planar sheets of an impact resistant and transparent material which planar sheets are secured to the frame to form an enclosure.

Abstract: Fluid is inertially removed from the bristles of brush by causing the bristles of a moving brush to be intercepted in the path of their motion in a manner so as to abruptly affect the speed of movement of the bristles and so inertially disperse fluid therefrom. The fluid so dispersed is collected within an opened top container comprising an upright walled enclosure. This upright walled enclosure may be utilized in the manner disclosed for stowing and transporting additional items useful to an artist.

Abstract: An improved lock mechanism whereby the raised element, or rosette, provided exteriorly for defining the keyway and providing secured access thereto is coupled to the lock body by mechanical means utilizing rigid interference fit lock mechanisms. Latch pins are emplaced within tapered latch recesses and the latch pins coupled one to another. A locking pin is driven into interference relationship with at least one of the latching pins to bar its movement within the latching recess and, thus, due to the fact that all latching pins are coupled one to another, an extremely strong coupling of the rosette to the lock body results.

Abstract: A lock strike plate is coupled to a door frame by orthogonal coupling means which mate within the interior of the door frame. The orthogonal coupling means not only provide the means for mounting the strike plate to the door frame, but also reinforce the door frame itself mandating the removal of a large portion of the door frame before a forced entry through a door locked and utilizing the innovative strike plate assembly of the invention can be successful.

Abstract: A convenient, easy-to-use calculator computes a person's proper bra and cup size given a knowledge of that person's chest, overbust, and band measurements. The calculator comprises a circular slide rule of three superimposed disks, the intermediate disk being of larger diameter than the upper disk and the lower disk being of larger diameter than the intermediate disk. The three disks are mounted for relative rotation by means of an axially disposed pivot, pin, rivet, or other means transfixing the disks for ease of rotation about their centers. Scalar indicia at the periphery of the disks represent body measurements required for the determination of proper bra size. Proper bra and cup size are viewable through circular indexes when a person's chest and overbust measurements are aligned on the two outermost peripheral scales and the person's underbust or band measurement is aligned with a fixed index on the intermediate disk.

Abstract: A computer desk may be utilized with computer keyboard terminal equipment or other devices requiring manual manipulation by a user. The desk permits the efficient support of such devices without sacrifice of the desk top working surface available to the user. The computer desk provides a support surface immediately below the work surface of the desk top. This support surface extends toward the desk-user a greater distance than does the desk top work surface. Thus, there is no interference between the desk top work surface and the user's access to equipment emplaced upon the support surface. An extension of the support surface to the side provides additional support areas for associated computer devices or the like without sacrifice of desk top work surface area. Storage areas beneath the desk top work surface and the support surface are provided to store materials and devices of use to a user of the computer desk.

Abstract: A plurality of cartridge magazines is coupled to a mounting base such that when one magazine is inserted within a weapon, the additional magazines are readily stored on the weapon and in ready, convenient and instantaneous access to the shooter. The mounting base is provided with a plurality of mounting surfaces having coupling means thereon for coupling to a conventional, commercially available cartridge magazine.

Abstract: Improvements in a gas detecting system utilizing a filament-heated gas sensor displaying measurable resistance characteristics which vary with the concentration of selected gases within the atmosphere in the vicinity of the sensor inhibit the production of gas detection indications automatically during the initial activation of the system while the sensor element is stabilizing and further inhibit the production of short staccato alarm indications produced by inherent small changes in the characteristics of the sensor brought about by thermal drift.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a shoe base and an interchangable shoe upper. The interchangable shoe upper comprises a vamp and insole as a unit-construction with means for attachment to the shoe base. The shoe base has means for attachment to the shoe upper unit assembly.

Abstract: Means and method for repairing an inflatable ball damaged to the extent that its ability to remain inflated has been impaired in which the method comprises the steps of removing a portion of the ball covering so as to permit the removal of the damaged bladder, if any, and the insertion of a new or replacement bladder; maintainably positioning the new or replacement bladder within the ball covering for ease of inflation thereof; and the restoring of the surface integrity of the ball cover while providing external access through the restored surface to the inflation valve of the new or replacement bladder. Apparatus has been disclosed for carrying forth the steps of the method and the end result of practicing the method is seen to be a manufacture comprising a repaired inflatable ball.

Abstract: An upper U-shaped slide member and a lower U-shaped slide member are slidably coupled to form a generally rectangular framework. For storage, the upper and lower slide members are moved toward each other to reduce the size of the generally rectangular framework. A U-shaped rotating support member is pivotally coupled to said U-shaped slide members. Linkages couple the rotating support member to the lower U-shaped slide member and cause the rotating support member to rotate to a storage position when the lower slide member is slidingly moved with respect to the upper slide member. The linkages also move the rotating support member to a supporting position when the lower slide member is itself extended to a supporting position. Wheels coupled to the rotating support member and/or the lower slide member provide ease of movement of the frame. Extending the upper slide member provides a handle whereby the frame may be maneuvered readily.

Abstract: A method using a relatively coarse grained film photographic image produces a photo etched image having photographic-print-quality in that the image displays gradations of contrast throughout representative of light, shadow and contour. The visual effect is that of an image reproduced by use of halftone cuts. The difference, however, lies in that halftone imagery is produced by component particles of uniform size whereas the granular structure of the coarse grained photographic image on the film is more random in nature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus 10 permits material immersed in a body of fluid to move under the influence of gravity across inclined surfaces 14 and 24 having an angle of incline below the horizontal approximately equivalent to that of the repose angles .alpha. and .beta. of the fluid-immersed material. Such materials are moved under the influence of gravity rather than fluid forces to winnowing channels 25 comprising closed regions of finite length through which an upwelling flow of fluid at relatively high velocity passes into the fluid body in which the material is immersed. Undesired materials pass upward, borne on the upwelling flow through the fluid body while desired materials 36 move through winnowing channels 25 counter to the upwelling flow, passing along surface 251 at the repose angle .beta. of such material within the region of relatively high fluid velocity in accord with the material's fluid settling characteristics.

Abstract: A shield to protect the exposed surface of the casing of an evaporative cooler from the heat loading effects of the environment is comprised of thermal insulation means coupled to the exposed surface of the cooler casing and a weather protective covering coupled to both the insulative means and the casing of the cooler so as to protect the thermal insulation means from the environment and maintain the invention in place, covering and protecting the selected surface of the cooling casing to be protected. In the embodiment disclosed, the surface selected for protection is the top surface of an evaporative cooler and the insulation material may be comprised of a polyfoam insulative board configured to conform to the top surface of the cooler. A protective covering is set down over the insulative board and affixed mechanically to the casing to prevent the cover from being inadvertently dislodged. The invention is especially adapted to be retrofit to existing evaporative cooler installations.

Abstract: A rotating force vector is applied to the sidewall of a can at a sufficient distance removed from the end of that can to permit the easy distortion of that sidewall and the ready rotation of the can-end toward a plane which lies essentially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the can. Means are provided to further distort the can and, through the second application of a rotating force vector, to rotate the second end of the can into a plane essentially parallel with the cylindrical axis of the can. Flattening means applied to the can after each revolution of a can-end tends to bring the planes into which the can-ends lie into close juxtaposition so as to provide a relatively flat package requiring comparatively little storage space when compared to the amount of space required to store the original undistorted can.

Abstract: An supplantary reservoir supplants the original integral reservoir of an evaporative cooler eliminating the necessity for accumulating water in said original integral reservoir. The water circulating pump and float controlled valve of the original, conventional cooler may be transferred physically and functionally to the supplantary reservoir. Communication of water from the conventional cooler to and from the supplantary reservoir is by means of the drain opening in the base of the original integral reservoir. The supplantary reservoir is readily accessible providing easy maintenance thereof and inexpensive replacement if necessary.

Abstract: An electrical safety connector 10 provides a thermal linkage 12 between two female connectors 11. If a high resistance contact occurs at either connector 11, thermal linkage 12 melts and the molten material, of which thermal linkage 12 was comprised, flows under the influence of gravity to an expansion void 14 in an insulation sheath 13, thus interrupting current flow through connectors 11 and preventing the re-initiation of such current flow. Any potential fire hazard from the localized temperature rise at said high resistance contact is thereby eliminated. An alternate embodiment provides a male pigtail wire 17 for utilizing safety connector 10 in updating the wiring of early wired residences and other structures.

Abstract: A grade liner which is used in cooperation with grade stakes to determine the grade within a ditch. Means are provided for establishing a horizontal line of sight a selected rise distance "A" above a grade stake. Plumb means are provided which intersect the established horizontal sight line a given offset distance from said stake. The plumb means is calibrated such that the zero calibration is located a selected distance related to said rise distance "A" from the lower end of said plumb means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, optical means, such as a target sighting rifle scope, are utilized in establishing a desired horizontal sight line. For the plumb means, a surveyor's tape measure may be utilized when coupled to a plumb bob, the length of which bob is selectively determinable and related to the distance said sight line lies above the grade stake.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing Lissajous figure is derived from a single signal source which feeds a common signal to both the horizontal and vertical deflection circuits of a cathode ray tube. Between the signal source and one or the other of said deflection circuits, a time delay is utilized to retard the transit of the signal to that deflection circuit. With a fixed frequency source, the Lissajous figure presented will be an ellipse whose eccentricity will be determined by the frequency of the signal output by said source. Where the signal source provides an output which randomly varies in frequency, the Lissajous figures presented will be reentrant in nature and of a character determined by the rate of change of frequency from said source and the magnitude of the time delay inserted in the selected deflection circuit. The invention lends itself to use with single or multiple gun CRT's and in either case may be used with monochromatic or polychromatic phosphorescent screens.