Abstract: A remote control unit having a front area containing control buttons and having a sheath wrapped around the control unit snugly covering at least said control buttons to prevent dirt, dust and other contaminants from reaching the control buttons, said sheath being sufficiently flexible to allow normal digital operation of said control buttons, said sheath comprising a thin flexible plastic film which is self-adherent and conformable to the major areas of the control unit, said sheath being wrapped around the control unit and overlapping at the rear of the control unit with the areas of overlap being self adhered.

Abstract: An adapter device for transporting a bicycle having a through axle fork on a fork mount-type holding/transporting system. The adapter device has a hollow tubular cross member adapted to be received between the two spaced apart fork portions of the bike, the cross member being adapted to receive a rod, such as the through axle of the bike, and to be held onto the fork by fastening means. Projecting at about a right angle from the exterior of and near each end of the cross member is a clevis like side member, the free end of which has a U-shaped notch for receiving a transverse rod provided with threaded ends normally present on the mount-type bicycle holding/transporting system. The threaded ends are adapted to receive fastening means for securing the adapter device to the transporting system.

Abstract: A novel water craft, which may include a hull with a keel, having propulsion means extending below the water line. The propulsion means comprises a pair of flappers each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of the watercraft. Means are operatively associated with the propulsion means for applying input force to the propulsion means. The flappers twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the watercraft while moving in both directions along the arcuate path.

Abstract: A headband to be worn on the head of a soccer player including a padded portion adapted to ride on that area of the head normally used to head a soccer ball.

Abstract: An endotracheal oral tube holder made up of two separate parts, the face anchor and the tube cradle. The face anchor has buckles which hold a head harness. The face anchor is made of a material which allows it to conform to the contours of the face of the patient. The face anchor also has a pivot hole to which the tube cradle is affixed by a rivot. The endotrachael tube moves transversely across the mouth due to the pivoting action of the tube cradle. The tube cradle has a "living hinge" which allows the endotracheal tube to move longitudinally.

Abstract: Playing card games, designed and played with a newly set of cards (two decks of fifty-two cards each), having different values and different suits. The suits of this newly designed set of cards are Double Hearts, Double Clubs, Double Spades, Double Diamonds. Each suit of the first deck, (FIGS. 1 to 4), contains 13 cards bearing the number 0, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. The value of the cards is their face values except for cards bearing numbers 11, 17, 19, 20, which have value of 10 each per suit. Thus, each suit contains 5 cards with a value of 10 each, and 8 cards with a value of 0, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 21. The first deck is the primary deck, with which all the games are played. Each suit of the second deck, (FIGS. 5 to 8), contains 8 cards with a value of 10 each, 4 cards each, with a value of 15, 16, 18, 21 and a Joker. The second deck is used only in those games which feature a Super Jackpot.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker which is adapted, to vibrate, the improvement wherein the preformed diaphragm is treated with a solution containing a polymer which readily dries at about room temperature to leave the polymer adhered to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A device for transporting persons between spaced landings using pairs of drive rollers, preferably gears, having a flexible belt loop therebetween made to abut the handrail to move the handrail. Springs and idler gear can be used to maintain the abutting relationship. The drive rollers are carried by shafts mounted on bearings bolted to the fixed supporting structure.

Abstract: Novel loop polymers having a polymeric backbone and a plurality of olefinic groups which have been converted to closed loops by reaction with difunctional organic compounds reactive with said olefinic groups, said olefinic groups from which the loops are formed may either be present within the backbone and/or pendent from the polymeric backbone. The loop polymers may also have hydroxy or carboxy groups which can be capped with diisocyanates or epoxies, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for immunoassays utilizes an improved collection technique of fluorescence induced emissions at the solid phase/liquid phase interface from surface plasmon resonance sensing devices. In a preferred embodiment, a solid phase substrate is coated with a thin film of a conducting material on which a first specific binding partner is directly or indirectly immobilized. The coated solid phase substrate is incubated with a liquid component comprised of a biological sample containing a specific ligand or analyte and a fluorescent labeled second specific binding partner in the case of immunometric assays, or a fluorescent labeled ligand or analog thereof in the case of competitive assays.

Abstract: Novel loop polymers having a polymeric backbone and a plurality of olefinic groups which have been converted to closed loops by reaction with difunctional organic compounds reactive with said olefinic groups, said olefinic groups from which the loops are formed may either be present within the backbone and/or pendent from the polymeric backbone. The loop polymers may also have hydroxy or carboxy groups which can be capped with diisocyanates or epoxies, respectively.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine having a body carrying a separable rigid vacuum-retaining container, within said container, a flaccid container, means for lifting said containers as a unit from the body of the machine for disposing of spent and unspent liquids contained therein, cleaning the containers, and re-filling with fresh cleaning fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the machine is provided with a full floating squeege which enables the machine to be moved from carpeted surfaces to hard floor surfaces by the simple flip of a handle.

Abstract: A catamaran having two spaced apart elongated hulls joined by front and rear cross members holding the hulls in alignment, and having a trampoline extending between the cross members. Cables or wires are carried within enclosures forming side loops in the trampoline and running from the front to the rear of the trampoline between cross members. A plurality of restraining hooks are affixed to the sides of each of the hulls. The cables are detachably held by the hooks to maintain lateral tension in the trampoline.A rudder blade assembly at the rear end of each hull includes a tiller arm connected at its upper end to a tiller crossbar, the connection between the upper ends of the tillers and the ends of the crossbar being live flexible rubber elbows with a snap connect and disconnect between tiller crossbar and the upper ends of the tillers.Pre-formed cylinders are laterally molded into the sides of each of the hulls and positioned to snugly receive the front and rear cross members.

Abstract: A ball transfer unit adapted to receive cargo for movement thereover having a ball race assembly including a cup member having a cylindrical wall extending therearound and having a terminal end at the outer extremity of said cup. The wall in proximity to said terminal end is provided with external threads. A plurality of roller balls repose in the cup. A rotatable cargo engageable ball rests on the roller balls. A ball cover is provided to prevent inadvertent removal of the cargo engaging ball from said assembly while allowing free rotation thereof. The ball cover has a terminal end and, in proximity to said terminal end, the cover is provided with internal threads. The external and internal threads are engageable to hold the ball cover in place on the ball race assembly during normal use and the ball cover being readily disengageable to permit disassembly and cleaning of the components of the unit. The unit has a flat, planar bottom surface on which to rest during disassembly.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a rigid vacuum-retaining outer case, which is adapted to serve as a liquid reservoir, a flaccid container within the case, means for creating vacuum within the case in and around the flaccid container including an inlet communicating with the case, means communicating with the liquid reservoir for discharging liquid on a surface to be cleaned, and means communicating with the flaccid container for drawing the liquid and included dirt from the surface to be cleaned into the container under the influence of vacuum whereby the flaccid container can fill and expand with used liquid at a volume rate essentially equal to the rate of depletion of the unused liquid, within the same space of the outer rigid reservoir.