Abstract: A combination notepad and key holder has a notepad with a top binder. A holder for holding writing instrument is attached to one end the top binder. A flexible strap has one end connected to the top binder portion and has a distal end connected to a key holder. The key holder has a U-shaped frame with a push bar biased with a spring to a closed position closing off an open end of the U to retain a key on the push bar. The push bar is moveable against the force of the spring to an open position to remove the key from the push bar.

Abstract: A cart for a refuse bag has a base panel with left, right and rear upright panels attached to it. The panels have top flaps that fold over into the boxy structure formed by the panels to engage the inside of a refuse bag to hold the refuse bag upright. The cart has wheels and a handle for moving the cart and easily transporting the refuse bag.

Abstract: A decorative cover for a plant container is constructed from a rectangular piece of stretchy fabric formed into a tube that slips over the container. The top and bottom ends of the tube are fitted with elastic members to control the size of the open ends of the tube and to ensure a snug, wrinkle free fit. For tapered containers the bottom end of the tube is drawn smaller that the top end of the tube to better fit the contour of the container. A slit along the sidewall and top of the tube opens the tube for easier insertion of the container. An invisible zipper closes the slit and a hook and eye fastener securely fastens the slit.

Abstract: A computerized voting system has a central computer, regional computers and voting modules connected to a data transfer link for communication with one another. The voting modules access the central computer database under control of the central computer control center. Voter data is created at one of the voting modules and communicated to the database for storage. Input voter data for a given voter at any one of the plurality of voting modules during an election is compared to the stored data for the given voter to verify that the given voter is eligible to vote. Access to the stored voter data for the given voter during an election is restricted to prevent the given voter from voting more than once during the election.

Abstract: An emergency escape window provides a large unobstructed opening for escape from a room during an emergency. The window unit includes a window frame for positioning in a window opening in a wall and fastening to the wall. The window unit has window lights contained in a jamb which fits inside the frame. A hinge is fastened to one frame member and the adjacent jamb member so that the jamb is pivotally movable relative to the frame between a closed position at which the jamb is flush with the frame and an open position at which the jamb is displaced from the frame. Vertical frame and jamb members opposite the hinge are tapered to prevent binding during opening and closing. A locking mechanism is attached to the jamb to lock the jamb and frame in the closed position. Operating the locking mechanism causes the jamb to swing away from the frame like a door to provide an opening for escape.

Abstract: A multiply carton tray base or lid comprising a paperboard substrate (S) to which an outer sheet material (16) is secured. The tray has a main panel (m) across which the sheet material is stretched so that it is normally out of contact with a substantial part of the main panel and is secured to the tray only at locations internally of the carton side panels (s) and end panels (e) and not at all to the main panel (m).

Abstract: A grill has detachable legs and removable fireboxes to conserve space during storage or transport. The fireboxes are spaced from the bottom of the housing to retard corrosion of the housing. The fireboxes may be mounted directly on the housing sidewalls or may be mounted on a liner that is mounted in the housing. A connecting nut is fastened to the bottom of the housing and supports a removable cooking rack assembly. The cooking rack folds down for transport or storage and folds up for use. The rack holds food vertically so that the food cooks from both sides simultaneously.

Abstract: A valve is provided for a piston of a two stroke engine wherein the piston has a sidewall and top and bottom surfaces with the top surface having a first opening therein and a second opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces for receiving the valve, and wherein the piston has a plurality of pressure relief openings extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The valve comprises a valve plate positioned in the opening in the top surface overlaying the pressure relief openings with the valve plate having a central opening extending parallel to the sidewall. The valve plate is movable from a seated position covering the pressure relief openings to an unseated position exposing the pressure relief openings when pressure inside the piston exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A torso trainer has a user platform mounted on a pivoting, rotating shaft. The lower torso of the user is strapped to the platform with the upper torso supported by the user who employs the waistline muscles. As the platform rotates, different muscle groups are worked so that during the course of a complete 360.degree. revolution all the waistline muscles are exercised. The user effort required varies with the degree of tilting of the shaft and platform. At a nearly vertical tilting position user effort is minimal, while, at a horizontal tilting position, user effort is maximum. A user hand control starts platform rotation and overrides the stopping of platform rotation so that there can be multiple rotations.

Abstract: A sports utility belt has a central body with first and second end portions and a middle portion intermediate the end portions. A strap has one end connected to the first end portion of the central body and a free distal end. The strap is extendible between a retracted position at which the distal end contacts the central body and an extended position at which the distal end is spaced from the central body. A key pouch is attached to the distal end of the strap and movable with the distal end between a retracted position at which the key pouch contacts the central body and an extended position at which the key pouch is spaced from the central body. The second end portion receives a watch or cardiovascular monitoring device. The central body is adapted to receive a water bottle to be carried with the user for convenience. A drinking tube is provided so that the user can drink while wearing the belt.

Abstract: A cart is provided for transporting bags, cartons and other containers of groceries or other items from the point of purchase. The cart has a support member with a top and bottom end portions and a middle portion intermediate the top and bottom end portions. A wheel is resiliently mounted on the bottom end portion of the support member and a handle is attached to the top end portion of the support member. A plurality of hooks are positioned on the middle portion of the support member for receiving handles of bags of groceries or other items and supporting the bags for transport. A foldable bracket on the middle portion of the support member below the hooks for supports a container, such as a carton of soft drinks or bag of animal food.

Abstract: An outdoor grill has a firebox positioned in a corner at the intersection of the sidewall and bottom of the grill. The firebox has a heat directing surface oriented at an angle to match the angle of the cooking rack which has a handle extending through the sidewall to position the cooking area of the cooking rack over the firebox. Supports are mounted on the bottom for adjusting the cooking rack to vary distance between the cooking area of the rack and the heat directing surface of the firebox. A second firebox with a vertically oriented heat directing surface heats one side of the rack while the first firebox heats the other side.

Abstract: An electronic autoshift control is provided for a transmission and engine to help reduce demands on the operator. Part of the autoshift feature is an auto/manual switch which is a two-position rocker switch controlled by the operator. The switch determines whether the transmission is being operated in the manual or the automatic mode. In the manual mode, all shifting is performed by the operator by moving the shift lever. Once in the automatic mode, the transmission controller takes over with the autoshift feature. When switched to the automatic mode, an auto/manual lamp is lit indicating the transmission's automatic mode of operation. The rocker switch also functions as a hold switch. If traction conditions are poor and the operator wants to stay in the present gear, the rocker switch can be toggled to the manual mode. This locks the transmission in its present gear and causes the auto/manual lamp to flash if the shift lever selection and the present transmission selection do not coincide.

Abstract: A pair of saddlebags has a unibody construction provided by an elongated, single piece, base panel that forms the wide sides of the saddlebags that rest on the horse and forms the entry side of the saddlebags. A removable liner contains rigid insulation to help retain the shape of the saddlebags as it maintains an even temperature inside the saddlebags. The lids of the saddlebags are biased to be self closing. Extra storage pouches are formed on the smaller side panels of the saddlebags and a carrying and storage handle is sewn onto the base panel and into the individual saddlebags.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling overspeed conditions of an electronically controlled transmission and engine wherein the transmission has an output shaft and is electronically shiftable by an electronic shift control module between forward and reverse gears to rotate the output shaft in forward and reverse directions and a neutral gear without shaft rotation. The transmission has an operator controlled shift lever for requesting a gear from the forward, neutral and reverse gears and operates in a present gear from among the forward, reverse and neutral gears. The method includes determining forced downshift shift points, overspeed downshift shift points, overspeed upshift shift points, a directional shift inhibit speed, and overspeed values for each gear based on transmission speed; determining output shaft speed; and operating the shift lever to request a gear.

Abstract: A traction control for a machine calculates percent slip for the wheels and controls operation the differential lock and the throttle control. It turns both the differential lock and throttle control off when percent slip is less than a slip minimum value, turns the differential lock on and the throttle control off when percent slip is equal to or greater than the slip minimum value and equal to or less than a slip maximum value, and turns both the differential lock and throttle control on when percent slip is greater than the slip maximum value.

Abstract: A torque control lever override of an all wheel drive system matches the front wheel fluid flow, as the wheels are turning, to the flow the pump is generating before the two are connected together. The torque control lever normally controls the pressure and therefore the rim pull delivered to the front wheels. The pump will supply fluid based upon the aggressiveness of the torque control lever which may not always match the current wheel speed. The torque control lever override enhances operation of an all wheel drive system and eliminates excessive harshness when engaging or disengaging the all wheel drive system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmission shift control and prevention is provided. When the inching pedal is not depressed, the transmission is free to shift to the desired gear. When the inching pedal is depressed, the transmission is free to shift to the desired gear if the shift is a shift from a gear into neutral. With the inching pedal depressed and the shift lever moved from neutral into a gear, the transmission is free to shift if the transmission speed is below first gear high idle. When a directional shift has been requested, the transmission is free to shift to the desired gear if the transmission speed is below first gear high idle.

Abstract: A digital teaching clock has a base member, an analog clock face on the base member, a digital clock face on the base member with display elements, placards for mounting on the display elements, and fastener strips for detachably mounting the placards on the display elements. A student sets a time on the analog clock then attaches placards on the display elements to form a numerical equivalent of the time of day in digital format.

Abstract: A cargo van is adapted to provide storage areas for work tools, equipment and supplies. Base members are positioned on the van floor and a platform is positioned on the base member to create a raised floor and define longitudinally extending compartments between the platform and the van floor that are accessible through the rear door. A storage unit has a plurality of drawers and is accessible through the side door. The storage unit is pivotally mounted to rotate sets of drawers into the door opening one set at a time.