Abstract: An inflatable towable chariot includes a generally U-shaped inflatable wall bladder insertable within an exterior jacket including a generally U-shaped wall pocket of a size and shape to receive and be substantially filled by the wall bladder upon inflation of the wall bladder. A floor is connected to the pocket and spans and substantially covers the area partially enclosed by the pocket for supporting a passenger on the chariot. The floor may likewise be constructed as a pocket for receiving either an inflatable floor bladder, or a rigid floor insert. Upon inflation of the wall bladder, the bladder and exterior jacket partially define the shape of one another and reinforce one another afford a relatively rigid raised wall. Handles on the exterior jacket accommodate securement of a passenger in any desired standing, kneeling, sitting or reclining position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system capable of scheduling conventional tournaments. The system may also be made universal in that the system may be adapted for use in different types of tournaments such as single or double elimination tournaments for any type of tournament event. The tournament management system includes a digital computer having a processor operating under a set of instructions, memory, at least one input port, and at least one output port. Also included is a data entry device such as a keyboard for entering and converting tournament information into machine readable data signals. The data entry device is connected to the computer via a first data transfer device. Tournament information data signals are received and stored in computer memory for processing by the processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for enlarging and printing panoramic photographs includes a light source and a negative shuttle having upper and lower parallel plates for securing and enclosing entirely a negative placed therebetween. Interposed between the light source and the negative shuttle is a focusing device for concentrating light emanating from the light source. The three above-described elements are operative to project an image from a negative secured in the negative shuttle in a direction opposite the light source. A lens is supported in an adjustable lens support for magnifying and focusing the image projected from the negative shuttle. Photosensitive material is supported on a supply spool, the photosensitive material being passed to a take-up spool adapted to receive the photosensitive material. A photosensitive material is supported in substantially parallel relation to the negative shuttle and is exposed to the image projected through the lens.

Abstract: A dual impression appointment reminder is made from a two-ply form having a face stock releasably secured by an adhesive onto a release liner of a material such that, upon writing information on the face stock with an impression writing instrument, a copy of that information is simultaneously made on the liner. The face stock includes a removable label at least partially defined by a peripheral cut. The removable label is attachable by adhesive on the underside of it to another surface, such as a calendar. Both the face stock and label have permanent printed information thereon so that upon writing the date and time of an appointment on the label with an impression writing instrument, and upon removal of the label from the liner, two separate reminders are provided with the date and time of the appointment recorded on each of them.

Abstract: A food and materials dryer having one or more cylindrical hollow rotary tunnels each consisting of an outer cylindrical shell and an inner lining cylinder. The inner lining cylinder has perforations and is mounted substantially concentrically within the outer shell. The inner lining cylinder has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the outer shell such that air for drying may be directed between the outer shell and inner lining cylinder, passing through the perforation in the inner lining cylinder for drying material within the inner lining cylinder. Mounted in each inner lining cylinder is an agitating auger which has a central shaft and outwardly projecting helical blades for agitating and moving food products within the inner lining cylinder of a rotary tunnel. Also provided are devices for rotating the auger and devices for directing air for drying through the agitating auger and between the outer shell and inner lining cylinder of each of the rotary tunnels.

Abstract: A medical apparatus disposal container includes an open topped container adapted to be closed by a lid having a top wall with an opening through which medical apparatus may be disposed into the container. A cap is provided for closing the opening when the container is filled. A continuous seal is effected between the lid and container by a pair of generally parallel spaced apart interior and exterior flanges defining an open bottom channel around the periphery of the lid. The channel is of a size and shape to receive the upper portion of the container sidewall in fluid tight sealed relation therein with the interior flange extending downwardly into the container. Coacting fasteners on the lid and container sidewall secure the lid in sealed relation onto the container. The lid may be fitted with a sealing gasket or flexible flange in the open bottom channel to effect further sealing of the lid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a router guide plate adapted to be secured to the underside of the router, the router guide plate including guide pins, the apparatus including a base platform having top and bottom surfaces, and a guide pin receiving channel mounted on the top surface of the base platform, the channel adapted to receive and guide the guide pins on the router guide plates. Stop blocks are mounted on the base platform adjacent the channel for preventing advance of the router guide plate beyond a predetermined point and an alignment bar is adjustably and removably mounted on the bottom surface of the base platform, the alignment bar being operative to align a piece of wood to be routed relative to the guide pin receiving channel.The method includes steps of providing the above described apparatus and positioning the base platform adjacent the work face of a work piece such that the bottom surface of the base platform is at least partially overlying the outer surface of the work place.

Abstract: A livestock feeder wagon includes a floor having as peripheral side wall extended upwardly therefrom to define a shallow open-topped manger for receiving and dispensing a variety of feeds. A peripheral outer rack extends upwardly from adjacent the periphery of the manger and includes a plurality of horizontally spaced apart upright outer bars, each adjacent pair defining a first feed opening. An inner rack is situated interiorly of the outer rack and includes a plurality of horizontally spaced apart inner bars extending downwardly and inwardly from the outer rack with each adjacent pair of inner bars defining a second feed opening. The lower end of each inner bar extends through a respective hole in the floor of the wagon in slide fit relation so that the inner bar is free to flex through a limited vertical movement relative to the floor whereby the inner rack acts as a shock absorber to protect both the feeder wagon and the livestock.

Abstract: A gaming machine for distribution of a prize includes a display cabinet which includes a prize display section having at least one transparent surface for allowing exterior viewing of a prize held therein. Access doors are provided on the prize display section, the access doors being releasably locked in a closed position by a locking device. A random number generator generates a random number which is compared an input number input by a user through an input device such as a keyboard. A comparison device outputs a first signal if the random number and input number are equal, and a second signal if the random number and input number are unequal. If the comparison device outputs a first signal, the locking device disengages, thus providing immediate access to a prize held within the prize display section.

Abstract: Electrical signals suffer usually from distortion and noise. This invention gives a very precise and simple digital circuitry as well as basis for software to measure the phase difference between harmonic components of any of two of the input signals. The apparatus may be used also for measuring the voltage, current, impedance, apparent power, active power, reactive power, total harmonic distortion or distortion of preselected harmonics in any two of a plurality of test signals, autocorrelations and cross-correlations for any subset of the input signals. The apparatus may also be used to analyze the amplitude of harmonic components, to filter DC or specific harmonic components of any of the result in an analog or digitized waveform, and to measure object distance for radar, sonar, and telecommunication applications. The apparatus design is based on modern digital signal processor chips and multi-processors operation.

Abstract: A permanent weatherproof blind adapted for use in a variety of hunting or observing situations includes a generally cylindrical, substantially rigid shell sized to resemble a bale of hay. The shell consists of an upper section having a curved outer wall substantially conforming to a cylindrical shape and a lower section adapted to fit within and be supported by a bed of a standard pickup truck. The shell further consists of side walls on both of the upper and lower sections and front and rear walls on the lower section. Included in the curved outer wall of the upper section are one or more game sighting and shooting openings. These openings are covered by movably mounted covers which provide protection for the interior of the blind. Plastic or fiberglass may be used to form the shell.

Abstract: A spring insert for a waterbed mattress includes a plurality of spring bellows units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. Each bellows unit has a top wall and pleated sidewall which is collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume of the bellows unit is substantially reduced. Each bellows unit furthermore has a bleeder opening through one wall so that a compression load exerted on the bellows unit through the mattress top wall is resisted by both spring action and hydraulic action of the bellows units. The bellows units may be interconnected to form upper and lower sections arranged in stacked relation. Stacked pairs of upper and lower bellows units may be arranged in fluid communication to define joint hydraulic chambers.

Abstract: A cooler door display rack for a cooler having a transparent door pivotally mounted thereon and storage racks arranged in the cooler in spaced relation from the door to define a cooling air flow zone therebetween. The cooler door display rack forms an open top box having a bottom, front, rear and two sides. The display rack is secured to the inside surface of the cooler door such that the front side is located adjacent the transparent door interior face and such that the display rack extends into the cooling air flow zone when the transparent door is closed. The display rack is adapted to receive advertising or promotional messages viewable by the consuming public through the cooler doors. An electronic message boards may also be secured to the rack for electronic display of messages.

Abstract: A method for displaying and protecting photographic prints includes providing one or more photographic prints and a set of pockets including a back sheet and one or more front sheets, each constructed of a flexible, moisture-resistent material and connected to form a plurality of print-receiving pockets each of sufficient dimension to accept a photographic print. A photographic print is slid into a pocket resulting in the pocket substantially enclosing, displaying, protecting and supporting the print in substantially coplanar relation to prints supported in other pockets. The method also provides a front sheet of a translucent material to allow viewing of prints enclosed therein. Also provided are a plurality of connection devices which will allow two or more sets of pockets to be connected for display purposes.

Abstract: A food and materials dryer having one or more cylindrical hollow rotary tunnels each consisting of an outer cylindrical shell and an inner lining cylinder. The inner lining cylinder has perforations and is mounted substantially concentrically within the outer shell. The inner lining cylinder has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the outer shell such that air for drying may be directed between the outer shell and inner lining cylinder, passing through the perforation in the inner lining cylinder for drying material within the inner lining cylinder. Mounted in each inner lining cylinder is an agitating auger which has a central shaft and outwardly projecting helical blades for agitating and moving food products within the inner lining cylinder of a rotary tunnel. Also provided are devices for rotating the auger and devices for directing air for drying through the agitating auger and between the outer shell and inner lining cylinder of each of the rotary tunnels.

Abstract: An entry door telephone system having a touch-tone telephone with a keypad and an incoming phone line connected to the telephone. A door speaker phone is switchably connected in parallel with the touch-tone telephone, and a paging module is switchably connected in series with the door speaker phone for completing a circuit between the touch-tone telephone and the door speaker phone in response to a data signal transmitted from the keypad of the touch-tone telephone. For controlling operation of this system, a control box is connected to the paging module, the door speaker phone and the touch-tone telephone such that the circuit between the touch-tone telephone and the door speaker phone is broken in response to a data signal transmitted by the touch-tone telephone. Finally, a power source is connected to the paging module and the control box for supplying power thereto.

Abstract: A simulated shake shingle for replicating the random appearance of natural wood shakes is provided, the shingle including a generally rectangular top plate having forward and rearward ends, the top plate being rearwardly tapered. A generally rectangular bottom plate is also provided, being secured and partially underlying the top plate and being rearwardly and transversely offset therefrom. The bottom plate is of a size and shape for flush engagement against a flat roof surface and is adapted for side to side engagement with bottom plates of six identical adjoining shingles positioned with the top plates thereof in adjacent nonoverlapping relation. The shingle may also include a plurality of venturi grooves formed on the underside thereof for forming an air insulating barrier to reduce heating or cooling loses from a building interior through the roof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reporting progress notes includes a system wherein a collection of bar encoded input data is selectively scanned by a portable hand-held wand. Stored data is downloaded from the wand at the end of a day or session into a computer which edits the data into phrases, combines the phrases into sentences and the sentences into paragraphs to produce an organized readable full text report without any manual writing, dictation, or transcription.