Abstract: A device for assisting the cooling of computers, especially laptop computers, provides material having an upper surface distributed over at least two levels, preferably a corrugated surface, whereby it contacts the base of the laptop over only a part of said base, permitting the free passage of air across the support and between the laptop and the support, said support being formed from a material of high thermal conductivity, with a surface adapted for rapid transfer of heat between the material and air passing over said surface.

Abstract: The present multinational doll is comprised of a rotatable head with a plurality of different faces. The head is attached to a torso about a vertical axis to enable different faces to be aligned with the front of the torso. Hair is attached to the top of the head. The loose hair is simply draped over either face to expose one face and cover the other, so that it can be easily used by a child. The left and right limbs are of different colors, and each limb is a single color all around. Different skin colors are thus visible on the limbs simultaneously from the front of the doll. Therefore, the doll conveys the idea of different races of people living together in harmony. Further, clothing worn on the doll is printed with the names of many different countries to literally indicate the multinational nature of the doll.

Abstract: A bear proof, lightweight, food sack is made from puncture and tear resistant fabric (10) sewn with high strength thread (24) and secured with an abrasion resistant cord (12). The food sack is closed by tightening the cord (12), which encircles the top of the sack in a hem (14) and emerges through a grommet (16). The cord (12) is secured by means of a cord lock (18) and an overhand knot (20). Excess cord (12) is then tied with a secure knot (22) to a fixed object, such as a tree, so that the sack cannot be removed by a bear.

Abstract: An ultra-narrow automobile is comprised of a body with an enclosed cabin, a pair of tandem seats inside the cabin, four wheels at the corners of the body, a propulsion system driving at least some of the wheels, and ballast positioned in the body for stability. The cabin is preferably narrow enough to enable two of such automobiles to travel side-by-side on a lane. The ballast is heavy enough and positioned low enough for providing a low center of gravity and a high rollover threshold of preferably about 50 degrees or more. The propulsion system is preferably comprised of an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, and the ballast is preferably comprised of a tank of metal hydride for fueling the fuel cell. The ballast may include dead weight for providing a desired rollover threshold when the batteries are not heavy enough, or when the motor is not an electric motor.

Abstract: A system for insuring proper human hydration comprises an oral-suction-activated flow meter (202) which measures and displays (292) the volume of fluid (255) withdrawn from a reservoir (258) through tubing (270). An optional check valve (280) prevents return flow of fluid (255) from the user's mouth (205) to the reservoir (258). Mode and control buttons (294) control operation of a microprocessor (300) and a display (292). Both alphanumeric (292) and graphical (730, 850) displays show the volume withdrawn as a function of time or other events. Drink reminder alarms are provided through a display (292) or loudspeaker (520) to alert the user when it is time for a drink to ensure proper hydration.

Abstract: A mnemonic temperature marking system for fluid valves, especially of the type used in bathing vessels such as bathtubs and showers. Any user can easily, quickly, and accurately set the valve so that water of the desired temperature will flow when the valve is adjusted so that the marker is aligned with a pointing arrow on the valve. The marking system comprises a plurality of individual, personalized, or unique markers (16). Users of the bathing vessel adhere the markers to the valve (knob (14) or escutcheon (10)) at respective positions where such users' desired water temperature settings are adjacent the valve's fiducial marker (12). The markers can comprise graphic symbols (16', 26), letters (32), or markers (34) which can have a plurality of letters (for initials of a user) adhered.

Abstract: An intravaginal glandular stimulator device is sized and shaped to be worn internally by a woman. That is, a predetermined hook shaped device constructed of sufficiently rigid material is provided so that the proximal end (52j) of the device rests in a vaginal subcavity (74f1) adjacent to the woman's Grafenberg Spot (71f1). The proximal end (52j) is shaped and angled to exert pressure against the Grafenberg Spot (71f1), and to resist dislodgement except by conscious muscular relaxation and manual pulling. The stimulator's extravaginal or distal end (50j) may be shaped like a dildo to be used for vaginally or anally penetrating a partner; shaped recumbently upon itself and used to stimulate the external genitalia of the wearer; or shaped as a handle to be manipulated by the wearer or by her partner. The proximal end (52j) may extend into the vaginal cavity beyond the embedding hook (53j) which lodges in the Grafenberg spot (71f1), and thus function additionally as a dildo.

Abstract: An apparatus for servo track writing on a magnetic medium comprises a clock head (12) and a regular head (14). The regular head (14) writes an initial approximation of the clock track so as to leave a small gap between the last written pulse of the clock track and the first pulse of the clock track. Then this gap is measured by gap measurement system (33) and the frequency of clock track is updated using a direct digital synthesis system (35) so as to fill a full clock track during the next writing. The initial clock track is read by regular head (14) and its output signal is supplied to a phase locked loop. The output of the phase locked loop drives a direct digital synthesis system (35), which generates a modified frequency on its output. A signal of this frequency, in turn, is supplied to the clock head (12), which writes a new improved clock track on the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing magnetic heads and disks comprises a phase locked loop (11) with a phase detector (13) formed by an analog-to-digital converter (40) and a digital-to-analog converter (50). A sine wave signal is supplied to an analog input of an ADC (40) and raw data pulses are supplied to the clock input the of ADC. A phase detector (13) detects deviations in the positions of raw data pulses from the zero crossings of the sine wave signal. A PLL (11) locks in the locations of the zero crossings of the sine wave signal and ADC samples constitute instantaneous values of a bit-shift distribution. These values are processed by a DSP (70). The resulting bit-shift distribution is generated during one disk revolution.

Abstract: A massaging foot pad can be installed in a shoe or on a sandal. It includes resilient protrusions arranged on top of a sheet. The protrusions are elongated in a horizontal direction, and slanted in an orthogonal direction, so that they each include an upper side facing obliquely upwardly, and a lower side facing obliquely downwardly. In one embodiment the protrusions include a notch arranged on a lower side, and a large rounded tip. In another embodiment, the protrusions include a large rounded tip and a narrow base. In still another embodiment, the protrusions include a thin tip, a wide base, and a notch on the lower side. In yet another embodiment, the protrusions include a convex upper side and a convex lower side. In all embodiments, the protrusions easily bend in the direction of slanting when pressed by a foot during the downward movement of a walking step, so that they rub horizontally across the bottom of the foot.

Abstract: A back support device employs a torso covering sheet (18) having a plurality of resilient stiffening rods (20), a torso harness consisting a shoulder straps (10), an abdominal strap (12), a breast strap (22), and leg straps (14). The torso harness encompasses the entire back and buttocks of the wearer and its base attaches to the upper leg or thigh. The resilient stiffening rods (20) are placed in sleeves (16) sewn on the long axis of the torso covering sheet (18). When the user bends over the resilient stiffening rods (20) transfer load away from the lower back, and onto the large muscles of the upper leg, thereby relieving stress on the user's back.

Abstract: A condensation-free shower mirror includes a mirror (10) enclosed by a housing (12). The housing is attached to one end of a positionable arm (16), which has a C-clip (17) at another end for clipping onto a water pipe (18) of a shower head (19). The rear surface of the mirror has a protective coating or backing. Prior to shaving or other use, the mirror is positioned in a hot shower stream (20) to be heated. When the mirror is heated above the dew point of water, it will become free of condensation, and can be used for shaving or grooming, either with the hot water continuing to flow onto its rear surface, or after it is moved away from the water spray. After use, it can be easily positioned away from the shower stream so that the user can resume normal showering. The mirror can be easily detached from the pipe and easily clipped onto another, so that it can be used in different hotel rooms when traveling, as well as in the home.