Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for monitoring a battery supply by comparing the monitored battery voltage against average discharge information for the battery supply recommended for the apparatus, estimating battery life after receiving a prompt to do so and, automatically and periodically prompting the estimated battery life calculation.

Abstract: A circuit board panel and chassis assembly comprises hollow panels for mounting circuit boards and a chassis provided with ducting communicating with inlets and outlets in the faces of the hollow panels for the circulation of coolant. Expansible retainers for sealing the inlets and outlets of the panels to the chassis ducting also free the panels from the chassis upon release of the panels and are operable by levers accessible from the exterior of the chassis.

Abstract: A fishing harness and rod belt or holder is disclosed intended for use in standup fishing of large salt water game fish. The system comprises a kidney belt in the order of six inches or more in width and of length sufficient to extend around the back and over the hips and includes a belt portion which extends across the front of the fisherman near his waist to hold the kidney belt portion in position and to allow the spreading of load over the large area of the fisherman's lower back. Internal stays in the kidney belt help to stiffen the kidney belt and spread the load. Suspended from the end regions of the kidney belt are a plurality, e.g. two adjustable length straps from which a rod belt or holder is suspended over the fronts of the legs of the fisherman. The rod belt or holder includes a recess or cup with a pin therein for holding the butt end of a game fish rod of the type which has a recess or other means to engage the pin of the rod belt pin and cup.

Abstract: A bayonet and scabbard are capable of being pivotally connected to constitute a wire or metal tape cutting implement having a recess shaped to capture the wire or tape before such cutting begins. The bayonet blade has a tang extending into the bayonet handle which is of a yield strength greater than that of the handle but less than that of the bayonet blade. A finger guard is provided with notches adjacent the blade for engaging an edge of the cap of a receptacle for removing the same.

Abstract: A multiple circuit track lighting system comprises a track carrying electrical conductors and a connector mechanically engageable with the track for support and for supporting a lighting fixture. The connector is rotatable with respect to the track to effect an electrical connection between it and either of two electrical circuits carried by the track and is releasably latched in either positon.

Abstract: A flap holster with the flap pivotally and removably secured to either side of an ambidextrious holster. The holster inlcudes an opening for the insertion and removal of a handgun and a transverse slot below the opening on each side. The flap is pivotally connected to one side of the holster and extends over the handgun opening. On the underside of the flap, an extensible strip is secured at one end to the flap and includes an end hook at the opposite end to engage one of the transverse slots and secure the flap in place. The extensible strap is preferably captured in a fabric tunnel in the underside of the flap. An inextensible flexible strap is secured at both ends to the extensible strap to limit its extension length to avoid over stressing its elastic properties. The hook is preferably a reverse directed tab dimensioned to slip into the transverse slot allowing the elasticity of the extensible strip to hold the flap closed.

Abstract: A method and assembly of components for effecting closed chest thoracostomy includes insertion of a large bore needle into the chest cavity following local anesthesia. A guide wire is inserted into the pleural cavity through the needle and the needle is removed. An incision of one to one and one-half centimeters is then made parallel to the ribs and a pleural access catheter is delivered over the guide wire into the cavity. The guide wire is removed and a chest tube is introduced through the pleural access catheter, which is then split off and removed from around the chest tube. The chest tube is then sewn in place, dressed and placed to drainage. A thoracostomy kit includes the necessary instruments to effect the procedure in a sealed sterile package.

Abstract: A sliding window is disclosed for use in homes, apartments or businesses. A frame is provided having a sill, header, jambs and a mullion all of which can be produced from extruded aluminum sections assembled into a rigid frame. Two framed window panels are contained in the rigid frame, one panel has a fixed location the other panel slides relative to the rigid frame. Each panel is carried in a separate groove having a vinyl liner. The grooves are separated by a spacer. The sliding panel rides on rollers in its respective groove and is opened, closed and locked by a handle. The fixed panel also rides on rollers and is fixed in its location by the removable mullion which securely locks the frame header and sill together. The mullion has tabs extends through one of two sets of slots in the header and sill where it is secured by a screw. The fixed panel may be located on the left or right hand side of the frame as desired. One set of slots is used by the mullion to lock the fixed panel in the desired location.

Abstract: A compact golf course and method of play which employs a number of tee positions facing a series of targets at ranges up to 300 yards with distance indicators whereby a player at one of the tees can drive tee and fairway shots recording precisely the distance attained one each shot. Chipping greens are provided. Putting greens are provided for the putting phase of the golf game. The golfer moves in sequence from the tee and fairway target range to the chipping range and the putting greens. Score cards are provided and layouts of famous course appear on charts located at each tee position to allow the player to play in sequence the holes of the selected famous course. Television cameras are located in the tee and fairway driving range portion of the course. Player actuated supplemental lighting is provided. The method involves teeing and driving to match as closely as possible to the distance of the first hole of the course selected using the targets as an indicator of the range attained on each shot.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for condition sensing and displaying a numeric value associated with the sensed condition wherein the improvement comprises (1) circuitry calibrating the display of the numerical value associated with the sensed condition to a numerical value associated with the sensed condition in a normal ambient environment, while the sensor is within the normal ambient environment; and (2) circuitry for calibrating the display of the numerical value of the sensed condition to a numerical value associated with the sensed condition in a known offset environment which is different than the normal ambient environment, while the sensor is in the known offset environment.

Abstract: A sliding window to be installed in a rough frame opening in a wall. The window comprising a frame including a sill, header, two jamb members and a removable mullion. Contained in the frame are a fixed panel and a sliding panel. A locking handle is provided for the sliding panel. More importantly the removable mullion allows the fixed panel to be secured in the left or right hand side of the frame as desired. Seals and frame features prevent air and sound leakage particularly under stress from a heavy wind. Also disclosed is an anti-lift stop device to prevent removal of the movable panel.

Abstract: An improved wrist bracelet designed to carry a ring for supporting keys, as well as another connection designed to carry additional hanging objects and when not in use, be stored within the continuous coil of the bracelet body. The bracelet body itself is preferably fabricated from helically wound, perspiration impervious, attractive materials such as polyethylene plastic, having sufficient resiliency to allow the bracelet to be expanded sufficiently to be placed over the hand or foot and worn on the wrist or ankle.The coil making up the body of the bracelet has its ends joined together in a crimped connector, having a perforated tab extension adapted to receive other hanging objects. The crimped connection and tab extension are dimensioned to have a maximum transverse dimension less than the internal diameter of the coils making up the bracelet body, whereby the interconnection member can be inserted within adjacent coils in order to keep it out of sight and out of way when not in use.

Abstract: An ambidextrous holster designed for use on both wide web belts and narrower garrison type military belts. The holster body includes an outer layer defining two pair of slots on each side of the holster body. One pair of each side is located generally horizontally and one above the other. This pair is adapted to receive any suitable type of clip or vertically oriented fastener. The second set of slots on each side of the holster body extend generally vertically and are laterally spaced. The latter pairs of slots have lengths suitable for passing a belt therethrough to allow wearing of the holster directly on one size belt and via a clip or other fastener on belts of different sizes.

Abstract: A cutting device for plastic pipe for use principally in the aid of plumbing, swimming pool and spa installations. The pipe cutter is designed specifically to be used or attached to a hand held drill motor of the type which tradesmen commonly carry and use for drilling holes and setting screws. The pipe cutter includes a body which is attachable to the front of a drill motor and houses a dual directional linear actuator such as an epicyclic ball screw with bi-directional brake. The epicyclic ball screw linear actuator responds to the chuck or rotating shaft of the drill motor. The housing defines or holds a U shaped recess or cradle for receiving a plastic pipe extending transverse to the length of the housing or more particularly on center or to the axis of the drill motor shaft. A guillotine type of cutter blade is driven by the screw actuator to move through a slot into the cradle to be driven through the side wall of the pipe and therefore sever the pipe within the cradle.

Abstract: A tube and rod end finishing machine embodies a generally tubular portable housing within which a spindle carrying a finishing tool is axially movable. An end of the housing adjacent the tool forms one jaw of a clamshell work holder, the other jaw of which is pivoted on the housing on an axis normal to and intersecting the axis of the spindle, for movement toward and away from clamping relationship with said first mentioned jaw.

Abstract: Applicant's sprinkler head is molded with a large number (such as twelve or sixteen) of potential orifices and directing channels with the orifices all plugged or occluded with comparatively light barriers or plugs of the molded plastic material which are readily punctured and removed by the user. In this way the user may select among many possible watering patterns including not only the above described full, one-half, and one-fourth circles, but may also choose to punch one orifice, giving a thirty or twenty-two and one-half degree arc, then skip one or two plugs, then punch another plug or two. In this manner one or a number of orifices may remain blocked making it possible to, for example, water a thirty degree arc, skip sixty degrees, water another thirty of sixty degree arc, etc. Many such patterns become possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a plurality of bingo cards, simultaneously. Sets of numbers, stored on a plurality of bingo cards, are read by a plurality of card readers. Each number called, during the play of bingo, is input manually into storage. A comparison of each called number with the previously stored sets of numbers results in a match or no match. If a match exists, an LED located below the card number lights to indicate the number on the bingo card(s) which matches the number called.