Abstract: Presented is a fluid drive motor that may be attached to a conventional garden hose, for instance, to effect reciprocating motion of a drive shaft that may be connected to a utilitarian device, such as a scrub brush. The fluid drive motor is provided with a piston assembly that responds to the pressure of the fluid to translate the piston assembly from one position to another and in so doing imposes rotational reciprocation on a drive shaft that extends out of the motor block of the fluid drive motor. The reciprocating characteristics of the piston assembly are controlled by the imposition of fluid pressure, and the imposition of fluid pressure is controlled by a valve assembly cooperating with a reciprocable magnetic bar to channel fluid under pressure alternately to opposite ends of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A hoop, in collapsed configuration fitting readily into the mouth of a plastic trash bag, is formed from a synthetic resionous material and is peripherally expandable from its collapsed form to fit tightly against the inner surface of the bag and hold the bag securely in place with the mouth open. The hoop has provision for either free-standing use with the bag mouth in the vertical position, when trash may be swept directly into the opening, or mounting on a vertical support with the bag mouth in the horizontal position for use as a trash receptacle. A pan attached by a flexible integral connection to the hoop serves both as a threshold when sweeping trash into the bag, and as a lid when the bag is used as a trash receptacle. The flexible integral interconnection of the hoop and pan also permits compact storage and transportation of the holder in assembled form, and even greater space savings when stored or shipped in "blank" form as one flat integral unit.

Abstract: A jumpsuit with an improved, utilitarian dropseat having a bodice attached to pants at the front waist seam. The pants have hidden, in-seam side pockets that facilitate the opening of the dropseat area. The dropseat area has a back, elasticized waistband and side tabs having fasteners that, when fastened, secure the dropseat in closed position with the appearance of a normal jumpsuit.

Abstract: Presented is an article of furniture constituting a portable rubbing pedestal for cats. The portable rubbing pedestal includes a generally flat base member which extends an upwardly reaching pedestal. The base includes a platform on which is detachably secured a covering into which a cat can sink its claws. The upwardly reaching pedestal provides a flat surface on which is detachably secured a covering into which a cat can sink its claws, and a second surface that is undulated vertically from the base member and is ribbed or corrugated to provide an uneven surface against which a cat can rub its body to provide a self-administered message.

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring the status of an alarm system is disclosed. The sensor includes a base station at the location of the alarm system and arranged to respond to an alarm condition. When an alarm occurs, the base station latches the alarm condition and retains it until it is manually reset. A remote station includes a transceiver for interrogating the base station to determine whether an alarm condition has occurred. The remote unit may also be used to arm or disarm the alarm system, and to operate other controllable devices.

Abstract: A support system to be worn by a person who is required to carry heavy loads on one shoulder. The support system includes a strap arrangement that transfers part of the load from one shoulder to the other shoulder so that the load is balanced between the two shoulders. Additionally, the system provides a shock absorber for supporting loads spaced forwardly of the shoulder, thus leaving the load-carrier's hand free to merely guide the load instead of supporting the weight of the load with his free hand.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus that permits a skier to control the speed at which he descends a ski slope. In terms of structure, the invention includes a pair of probes mounted on each ski that protrude below the running surface of the ski and thereby drag in the snow. The probes may be controlled as to the depth of penetration of the snow either before the skier starts his run, or during his descent. Having deployed the probes, added manueverability control is achieved merely by conventional body movements which affect the depth to which the probes penetrate the snow.

Abstract: An electronic fire protection system is disclosed which includes a central control circuit that operates a sprinkler, or other extinguishing system in responsive to a sensed overtemperature condition. The trigger temperature of the system is adjustable, and the control circuit automatically resets after the sensed temperature has been reduced substantially below the trigger temperature. An audible alarm is also actuated by the control circuit that must be manually reset to ensure that the occurrence of a fire when the protected area is vacant will not go unnoticed. A visual temperature display is provided that can be operated in a power saving mode when external power for the circuit is lost, and a battery backup is actuated. A combination valve/nozzle is utilized in the controlled extinguishing system which is normally spring biased closed, and opened in response to extinguishate pressure.

Abstract: Presented is a method and a structure for protecting the corneal endothelium of the eye during the implantation procedure of an intraocular lens. The structure includes a hydrophilic material that is formed to envelop the anterior and posterior surfaces of an optic, the anterior and posterior portions of the structure being joined integrally by a connecting strap that spans a peripheral portion of the underlying or sandwiched optic to retain the covering material on the optic during the insertion process. The connecting strap may also be used to confine one of the haptics to the outer periphery of the optic during the insertion process, and may also be used as a tab to facilitate withdrawal of the protective device from the eye after implantation of the intraocular lens. The protective device shields the corneal endothelium and iris tissue from inadvertent harmful contact with the polymethylmethacrylate material from which a large proportion of intraocular lenses are fabricated.

Abstract: Presented is an elastically resilient collar for application to a pet, such as a cat or dog, for the control of fleas and other insect pests that might infest the animal. Structurally, in one aspect, the collar comprises a helically wound member forming an elongated void within which is deposited an appropriate medicament for killing insect pests. In another aspect, the helically wound structure may itself be formed from a synthetic resinous material having embedded therein the insect killing medicament.

Abstract: Presented is a coat hanger providing a main body portion on which a coat may be draped in a wrinkle-free manner. The main body portion of the coat hanger is provided with a depending mounting structure that detachably clamps resiliently on the upper end portion of the back support portion of a cushioned automobile seat so that a coat hung on the coat hanger, hangs wrinkle-free behind the back support portion of the seat.

Abstract: Presented is a device for cleaning dirt and debris from the top surface and side surface portions of a beverage can from which the contents are to be drunk directly by placing the mouth on the end of the can surrounding the opening therein. Included is a flange portion that overlaps the side of the can so that a towel sandwiched between the cleaning device and the can wipes away contaminants. Also included is a bead that projects into the groove found on most cans within the rim to thereby press a layer of paper toweling or facial tissue into the groove so that upon rotation of the cleaning device on the end of the can, any contaminants are wiped away, thus preventing them from being entrained with and consumed with the beverage. A concave surface on the cleaning device presses paper towel or facial tissue against the top of the can in the area surrounding where the opening will be formed when the beverage can is opened.

Abstract: A wetsuit washing hanger includes a pair of hollow laterally extending arms for supporting a wetsuit by its shoulder area. The hollow interior of the arms communicate with an integral funnel into which water from a shower head from which the device is suspended may be directed. Apertures in the side walls of the hollow arms enable a washing liquid to spray onto the interior of the wetsuit.

Abstract: Presented is an adaptor for use with a universal plotter pen that enables use of the universal plotter pen in many different X-Y plotter mechanisms. The interior configuration and dimensions of the adaptor, including elongated longitudinal ribs, are such as to snugly receive and frictionally retain the body of the plotter pen in a stable axial relationship with the adaptor body, which is tubular to receive the plotter pen body. A control boss is provided within the tubular body of the adaptor to limit the extent of insertion of the plotter pen, and slots are formed in the tubular body of the adaptor to give access to the exposed end of the plotter pen body that projects through the slots to facilitate digital imposition of an axially directed force on the end of the plotter pen to effect ejection of the plotter pen from the adaptor body.

Abstract: Presented is a can crushing device which may be manually operated by employing a foot-operated piston to impose a compressive force on the end of a can contained within a cylindrical cavity. A handle is provided on the device to stabilize the device and provide a support by which the operator may balance himself during use.

Abstract: Presented is a fluid-operated control device that may be operated by pressurized gas or liquid. A housing contains a double-acting piston assembly that is moveable in a longitudinal bore in the housing. A gear rack connects the two pistons. A rotor assembly in the housing includes a pinion gear meshing with the gear rack, and a second pinion gear meshes with a second gear rack attached to a slide member moveably supported on the housing. Thus, injection of fluid under pressure behind one or the other of the pistons causes axial translation of the pistons and connecting gear rack. Translation of the gear rack effects rotation of the rotor assembly, which in turn effects axial translation of the second gear rack to which is attached the slide member.

Abstract: Presented in four different aspects is a plotter pen of the type utilized in an X-Y plotter mechanism controlled by computer to select a given plotter pen from a group of such pens and to mount the selected pen in the mechanism in position of use. In one aspect there is presented a universal cartridge for containing a marking fluid, which may be used with different marking "points" or "nibs", and which is expendable when the marking fluid in the cartridge is exhausted. In another aspect, there is presented a plotter pen that utilizes a disposable cartridge containing a marking fluid and which is equipped with a marking fluid flow control mechanism or system to control the flow of marking fluid from the plotter pen. In still another aspect, there is presented as an article of manufacture a marking fluid flow control mechanism for attachment to a disposable cartridge containing marking fluid to be controlled.

Abstract: Presented in three different aspects is a bag stand for supporting limp plastic bags with or without handles in an upright position. The bag stand is formed by two identical metal frames connected together by connectors to produce a frame having a generally square top shape over which the open mouth of a gusseted plastic bag having handles can be cuffed, with the handles or the cuffed perimeter of the bag hooked in open slots on the connectors, to thus support the normally limp plastic bag in an upright open-mouth condition for the reception of refuse or articles of merchandise. Lateral adjustment can be made to the frame to compensate for variance in size of gusseted plastic bags.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus that permits a skier to control the speed at which he descends a ski slope. In terms of structure, the invention includes an integral probe assembly including a pair of probes mounted on each ski at about the center of gravity that protrude below the running surface of the ski when deployed and thereby drag in the snow. The probes may be controlled as to the depth of penetration of the snow either before the skier starts the downhill run, or during descent. The skier may also retract the probes so as eliminate the control and maneuverability that they provide. Having deployed the probes, added maneuverability control is achieved merely by conventional body movements which affect the depth to which the probes penetrate the snow. The probe assembly may be incorporated in the skis during manufacture of the skis, or may be added to the skis subsequent to manufacture.