Abstract: A decoy holder assembly comprising a plurality of decoys, a center block, and a plurality of connecting rods pivotally joined to the center block for holding the decoys. A locking element is rotatably mounted onto the center block and includes a plurality of spaced apart outwardly extending arm members. The arm members are placed in overlying relationship with respect to the connecting rods to restrict their movement from a position extending outwardly from the center block to a position directly below the block when the locking element is rotated to a first or locked position. Conversely, when rotated to a second or unlocked position, the locking element removes the arm members from overlying relationship with the connecting rods, releasing them so that they can pivot freely about the center block.

Abstract: A women's therapeutic support garment comprising a pair of breast supporting cups each of which is formed with an inner and an outer panel defining therebetween one of two cupped shaped pockets. A cupped shaped, thermal gel pack is placed in each pocket and has a central opening for accommodating the women's nipple. A pair of side panels are connected to the breast supporting cups, the side panels being dimensioned and configured to encircle the wearer and hold the breast supporting cups in place with the gel packs surrounding the women's breasts. The heat from each gel pack serves to reduce swelling and tenderness of the breast tissues during the premenstrual period, pregnancy or the post-partum period.

Abstract: A portable, self contained, infusion monitor is disclosed which can be easily and quickly attached to the drip chamber of an IV set. The monitor detects each drop of liquid falling through the drip chamber and calculates the volumetric flow rate of liquid passing through the IV set. A display for visually recording the flow rate is provided on the monitor along with an adjustable control member for calibrating the monitor for use with any IV set employing tubing having any drop factor.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the string tension of a strung racket such as a tennis racket wherein a mechanical/electrical transmitter is attached to the membrane made from the racket strings mounted crosswise onto a frame and measures the frequency of the membrane. The membrane is induced to freely oscillate in an aperiodically (non-periodically) manner by a light stroke onto the frame or by dropping a ball onto the membrane. The measured frequency is proportional to the string tension which is indicated by a display.

Abstract: A combined suitcase and portable ironing board comprising a pair of suitcase sections each including a closed end surrounded by side walls and an open end. The suitcase sections are pivotably connected to one another along a side wall of each section so that the sections can be pivoted away from each other to an open position with the closed ends in the same plane forming an elongated, contiguous, substantially flat ironing board surface. A panel extends outwardly from the side wall of one suitcase section opposite the side wall which is pivotably connected to the other suitcase section and has a substantially flat surface lying in substantially the same plane as the closed ends forming an extension of the ironing board surface. Means are provided for supporting the panel in its outwardly extending position and for retracting the panel through an opening in the side wall when the panel is not in use.

Abstract: An oar and oarlock arrangement comprising, in combination: a handle loom and a structurally separate blade loom having a hydrofoil blade mounted to its outermost end, the handle loom and blade loom being hinged for sweep action about a rockable oarlock. The handle and blade looms are interconnected by a motion reversing linkage such as a pair of gears, for example. A feathering linkage is provided between the main frame of the oarlock and the hydrofoil blade for changing the angle of attack of the blade in the water.

Abstract: A display and storage case is provided for a memorial flag which is folded into the shape of an isosceles triangle according to military custom. The case includes two frame members, a base plate and a pair of transparent panels which hold the folded flag under compression so that the flag will not sag or unfold while maintained in the case.

Abstract: A rowing apparatus comprising, in combination: a boat having a hull with fore and aft ends and an outrigger frame movably mounted onto the hull and having opposite ends projecting laterally outwards from each side of the hull. The apparatus further includes at least two oars located one on each side of the hull, each of the oars comprising an L shaped oarloom including two legs joined at an elbow, one of the legs constituting a handle loom having a generally athwartship position at mid-stroke and the other of the legs constituting a blade loom lying generally fore and aft to the boat hull at mid-stroke and having an outer end. A sweep hinge member is mounted onto each opposite end of the outrigger frame and is adapted to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, the sweep hinge member including an oarlock frame adapted to mate with the L shaped oarloom of one of the oars at about the elbow.

Abstract: A rowing apparatus comprising, in combination: a boat having a hull with fore and aft ends and having an outrigger projecting laterally outwards from each side of the hull and at least two oars located one on each side of the hull, each of the oars comprising an L shaped oarloom including two legs joined at an elbow, one of the legs constituting a handle loom having a generally athwartship position at mid-stroke and the other leg constituting a blade loom laying generally fore and aft to the boat hull at mid-stroke and having an outer end. A blade having a hydrofoil shaped surface is mounted to and below the outer end of each blade loom, the blade lying in a generally vertical plane which at mid-stroke is located at a divergent angle with respect to the plane of the blade mounted to the oarloom on the opposite side of the hull.The rowing apparatus further includes a seat for the oarsman which is movably mounted to the hull and foot restraints for securing the feet of the oarsman.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable container suitable for use as a portable aquarium. The inflatable container has an upper open end and side walls which are easily and economically constructed from a single sheet of flexible film material. The sheet is folded upon itself into substantially two overlapping half sections with portions of each half section being sealed together to form four side panels. The remaining portions of the overlapping half sections form an inflatable tubular, flexible framework including an upper and a lower tubular rim and at least four upstanding tubular columns which surround the side panels. The tubular framework and side panels are formed with only two sealed seams joining the longitudinal and lateral edges of the film sheet, one of which extends longitudinally along the surface of the lower tubular rim and the other of which extends laterally along the surface of one of the upstanding tubular columns.

Abstract: A device which provides protection from misuse and offers the convenience of accessory storage for a video cassette recorder, which is comprised of a main body that fits around the front portion of the video cassette recorder; a hinged and lockable front access door which can be opened to perform video cassette recorder functions and then closed and locked to prevent misuse by children; a storage compartment for information pertaining to the video cassette recorder; a compartment for remote control unit storage; and a video cassette storage rack for holding tapes.

Abstract: A portable tray comprising a tray surface supported by two spaced apart, vertical frames each including an upper and a lower, elongated, horizontal section, the upper section having at a rearward end an outwardly extending hanger which fits over the railing of a balcony, a horizontal leveling and stabilizing brace extending between the two frames, the brace having two leg sections which telescope with the rearward ends of the lower horizontal sections of the two frames, and structure for adjusting the length of the telescoping leg sections so that the brace rests against a row of pilaster boards extending downwardly from the railing, thereby supporting the tray surface in a substantially horizontal plane.

Abstract: An emergency lighting fixture for mounting in a ceiling and particularly a suspended ceiling, which includes a drop down panel normally closing an opening in the ceiling and an electric lamp concealed behind the panel. If a.c. power should fail, the panel automatically drops down below the level of the ceiling along with the electric lamp and the lamp automatically turns on to illuminate a selected path of egress.

Abstract: The present invention improves the efficiency of high performance rowing in shells. The oarsman faces forwards and uses "L" shaped oars with hydrofoil blades. The conventional handle loom section ends at the "L" at the outboard end of the usual outrigger. The "L" is supported by a special oarlock pivoted in the usual manner outboard by the outrigger. The blade loom section of the oar trails the oarlock and carries at its aft end a downwards projecting hydrofoil blade which is angled diverging forwards relative to the opposite blade. A teter pivot, horizontal in the oarlock, is angled to generally bisect the right angle of the "L" and supports of offset center of gravity of the "L" shaped oar. This pivot provides for raising and lowering the blade to the water by the handle in the conventional manner. The action of the hydrofoil blades in the water is to swing laterally outwards during the power stroke and to be raised from the water on the return stroke.

Abstract: A miniature passive infrared motion detector consists of an optical system, a pyroelectric polymer film and an electronic circuit. The optical system is made of a curved Fresnel lens and an elongated wave guide having a reflective inner surface. The polymer film is also curved with the same radius as the lens and has two interdigitized electrodes on the rear surface and one uniform electrode on the front surface. The front electrode is covered with infrared absorbent material. The electronic circuit contains a differential amplifier and a threshold detector.

Abstract: A boot lifter comprising two elongated members arranged in side-by-side relation, the two members having forward and rearward ends and substantially flat coplanar surfaces thereon, each member having a cut away portion within its forward end forming a substantially U-shape opening adapted to receive the heel portion of the user's boot. Adjustable fastener means are provided for securing the two elongated members together while permitting relative movement of each member with respect to the other, whereby both the size and contour of the substantially U-shaped opening can be varied to fit most any type of boot. A pedestal member elevates the forward end of each member so that when placed on a level surface, the boot lifter is inclined at an angle which will accomodate placement of the idle foot or boot of the user to stablize the boot lifter when removing the boot.

Abstract: A portable paper punch comprising a pair of substantially flat, juxtaposed members having therein a multiplicity of holes arranged in a position in which is identical to the pattern of holes to be punched in a sheet of loose leaf paper, and means for securing the flat, juxtaposed members together in a fixed, spaced apart relation with the pattern of holes in one member registering with the pattern of holes in the opposite member, the arrangement being such that when inserted in the space between the members, the sheet of loose leaf paper can be provided with the same pattern of holes by forcing a sharp object through each pair of registered holes in the members.

Abstract: A coating composition applied to a substrate by a thermal spray process which consists essentially of from about 11.0 to about 18.0 weight percent cobalt, from about 2.0 to about 6.0 weight percent chromium, from about 3.0 to about 4.5 weight percent carbon and the balance tungsten.