Abstract: A venipuncture assistor for use in inserting a needle into a patient's vein in order to draw blood or to carry out an intravenous treatment of some type. The distended. vein is received in a pair of substantially rigid, spaced, opposing notches in the bottom edge of the cylindrical body of the assistor. The notches are preferably spaced about 16 mms. from each other. The space between notches is substantially free of any member that contacts the vein segment being punctured. The edges of each notch and the bottom edge of the assistor are free of any sharp protuberances. The assistor keeps the vein segment being punctured from moving laterally out of the path of the needle that is being introduced into the vein segment. It is preferably made of a transparent plastic material.

Abstract: An elongated friction-reducing sleeve for a billiard cue shaft. The sleeve has an internal diameter and internal surface that together provide a close but freely slidable fit with the cue shaft. The sleeve has an external surface that the player's guide hand can firmly, comfortably and immovably contact as the player slides the cue shaft longitudinally through the sleeve to make a shot. Suitable, improved and preferred lengths for the friction-reducing sleeve are disclosed. The sleeve is constructed of a braided material formed from resilient monofilaments of a strong plastic polymeric material.

Abstract: System and method for diffusing gas bubbles into a pond, lagoon or basin that is used for fish farming or other form of aquaculture. A small amount of water is continuously removed from the bottom of the body of water by one or more counterflow gas lift diffusers. This small amount of water is flowed down underground, has gas bubbles introduced into it, and is then returned to the body of water. The quantity of water removed and treated in this way is a small fraction of the total body of water in the pond, lagoon or basin. The ratio of (1) the total volume of the channels below ground through which the water flows downward, and then back up into the body of water, to (2) the volume of the body of water above ground is at all times less than about 1:100.

Abstract: An aluminum beverage can the top wall of which, and preferably the bottom wall as well, are substantially in the form of (1) a regular polygon of at least four sides, (2) a Reuleaux triangle, (3) an extended Reuleaux triangle, (4) a symmetrical curve of constant width derived from a regular polygon having an odd number of sides at least five in number, or (5) an extended symmetrical curve of constant width derived in the same way.

Abstract: A filter underdrain module for an underdrain system for a granular media filter. The module is an elongated, integrally constructed, self-contained unit having an enclosed interior and having a substantially flat, substantially rectangular exterior top wall. The water and air for simultaneous backwashing and scouring the filter media are separately conveyed by conduits within the module, and separately discharged into the filter support bed or directly into the filter media, as the case may be. The discharge openings for the water and air are located in the top exterior wall of the module. The discharge openings for water are all substantially the same shape and size, and substantially uniformly spaced along the length and breadth of the module. The same is preferably true of the air discharge openings. Various preferred embodiments are disclosed, including dual ducts for one or both of the separate conduits for cleaning water and scouring air. An underdrain system using the module is disclosed.

Abstract: A display sign with a collapsible support base. The sign is supported by at least one upwardly extending leaf of a hinge element to which a pair of support legs are attached extending both in front of and behind the sign. When the support legs are extended outwardly and the base is supported on a weight-bearing surface, the legs at each end portion of the sign pivot about the hinge element to exert a pincer-like grip on the bottom portion of the display sign. When the sign is lifted up, the support legs fold down automatically into a compact form suitable for transport or storage.

Abstract: A self-inking hand stamper with an inking pad tilted from the horizontal. In moving from its retracted, inking position to its forward, stamping position, and back again, the die plate pivots around two pivot points to move through an arc of substantially less than 180.degree., resulting in a smaller stamper interior. The first pivot point is provided by a single pivot pin mounted on each side wall of the stamper, and slidably journaled in a single curved cam slot in the respective die plate support leg. The second pivot point is provided by the die plate axle, which is secured to the downwardly extending legs of the actuator yoke and is slidably journaled in a straight, vertical guide slot in the stamper frame.

Abstract: A "wireless" door answering intercom system (meaning no special wiring between the inside and outside stations) that allows a visitor to carry on a two-way conversation with a person inside the building without requiring the visitor to manipulate a "push-to-talk" button. The transmitter and receiver at the outside door are on all the time, powered by connections to the existing A.C. power system in the building. The outside transmitter and receiver operate on separate carrier frequencies or frequency bands, the receiver on Channel 1 and the transmitter on Channel 2. The inside answering station includes a transmitter on Channel 1 and a receiver on Channel 2. The inside station has a spring loaded "push-to-talk" switch. This switch is normally biased to connect the inside answering station speaker/microphone to the output of the Channel 2 receiver, so that anything said at the outside door station can be heard at the inside answering station.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable hand-held apparatus which orients, retains and consolidates a variable plurality of electronic remote control devices. In the present invention the remotes are attached peripherally in such a manner that the control buttons of the individual remotes are easily accessible and the opposite ends of the attached remotes form a footing for the consolidating apparatus. Additionally, as the consumer increases the number of audio/visual components within the household, each with its own remote control device, the present invention will variably adapt to accommodate such growth in the number of remote control devices.