Abstract: A holder for removably engaging a scouring pad (such as stainless steel) includes a handle and an apertured end portion. A scouring pad is inserted through the bottom of the apertured end portion and held in place by a top flanged surface formed in the apertured end portion. Although held securely, the pad may be easily removed after use. A plurality of stiffening ribs may be included around the inner periphery of the end portion's encasing sidewall to increase its rigidity. Retaining wedges may also be disposed around the bottom perimeter of the apertured end portion to urge the scouring pad upwards and maintain its engagement with the top flange portion. A scraper end may be attached to the top flanged end of the apertured end portion, if desired.

Abstract: A fire and smoke damper includes a flat-coil spring actuator to rotate the blades included within the damper between the "normally open" position to the "closed" position when a fire or smoke condition occurs. The damper may include one or more blades, using a linkage connector to ensure simultaneous operation of each blade. The flat-coil spring is held under tension by an actuator (such as a fusible link) to maintain the blades in the "normally open" position. Once the spring is released, a pivot arrangement coupled between the spring and the blade(s) functions to quickly rotate the blade(s) into the closed position, thereby blocking the passage of smoke or fire. The blades may include blade seals to ensure a tight seal.

Abstract: A device for containing, concealing and protecting footwear fasteners to keep the fasteners secure, clean, concealed and protected from snagging on foreign objects. The device is made of a pliable material so as to prevent injury in the event that the wearer or some other person comes into contact with the device. The device has a cover that may display fashionable designs and emblems, or reflective material for use in the dark.

Abstract: A nail polish dispenser including a hollow tube applicator and a receptacle with a recessed central bottom region. The applicator is formed to include bristles at one end and a pressure bulb attached to the opposing end. An aperture is formed in the tube in proximity to the end containing the bristles. The hollow tube is filled with polish so that as the bulb is squeezed, the polish will exit the aperture and flow onto the bristles. The utilization of such an applicator design allows for a large number of nails to be polished without refilling the applicator. The recessed bottom region of the receptacle allows for the collection of polish as the liquid is depleted, as well as providing a holding area for the application means when not is use.

Abstract: A method of making a fibrous doll, in particular a raffia doll, is disclosed that uses an internal support structure so that each doll as constructed will be essentially identical in form. The internal support structure comprises a lower conical form, a central shaft and a spherical member. The spherical member defines the head portion of the doll and the central shaft extends between the spherical member and the lower conical form to define the height of the doll.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the activation of an electrical appliance. The arrangement utilizes a capacitive sensor to recognize the physical proximity of a user (e.g., a hand) to an internal capacitive sensing means. The capacitive change is applied as an input to an electrical control circuit so as to ultimately provide an electrical control signal to an associated electrical appliance. The arrangement does not require direct physical contact to activate any appliance, and may be used to control various power levels associated with a particular electrical appliance (e.g., light intensity for a "dimmer" switch, sound volume for an audio system, activation and trigger signals to an alarm system). The arrangement may be embedded within the wall of a structure (i.e., not visible) and still provide the capacitively-activated control function.

Abstract: An ergonomic storage rack in which arcuate rails are joined to a horizontal beam in a spaced-apart relationship to form an access area therebetween. The arcuate rails form shelves on which loaded pallets may be stored. The rails may be positioned at any desired height but, preferably, at a level which defines beneath each rail an additional storage area. The access area may be entered by a worker to access whatever pallet load has been stored and select from its sides those items which are to be retrieved.

Abstract: A fishing rod provided with a reel clamp and finger grip assembly for ergonomic comfort with ease of use when fishing in deep lakes and/or ocean waters having a feature to secure the rod and reel assembly to a boat to avoid loss of the rod and reel assembly. The clamp is arranged to mount the reel on the rod in front of the handle and the finger grip on the rod at a position circumferentially spaced from the reel. This assembly is arranged to free the hand and body of the fisherperson by providing an alternative grip to eliminate tension and fatigue while fishing for long periods of time.

Abstract: A guide wheel for use with the suspension assembly of a snowmobile vehicle is provided with an embossed rim surface. The later is formed of a succession of convex and concave surfaces, the convex surfaces contacting the inner side of the lower run of the snowmobile track while the concave surfaces are so disposed as to avoid contacting pressure on that part of the snowmobile track in which lies transverse reinforcing rods embedded in the track.

Abstract: A portable traffic control comprising two display units, each responsive to a transmitter's radio signals, each display unit comprising a "stop" and a "go" lamp, the light from all lamps viewable by a person positioned between the display units. The system is optionally equipped with an audio warning means for detecting vehicles that ignore a display unit stop light, the display units each preferably employing a simplified circuit with a servo motor mechanism.

Abstract: Ores containing copper, zinc, silver in the form of sulfides are treated by a solution of sulfurated sulfite ions and ammonium ions in order to remove most of the metals from the sulfide ores. This treatment renders the resulting gold bearing ores much more amenable to cyanide extraction. Dissolved metals are reclaimed by appropriate techniques, such as electrowinning or liquid-liquid extraction, and the solution of sulfurated sulfites and ammonia is recycled for further lixiviation of fresh ores.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for evaluating the degree of hydroenhancement achieved in a woven fabric. The degree of hydroenhancement is related to the permeability of the woven fabric (i.e., the permeability of the woven fabric will decrease as the hydroenhancement increases). The hydroenhanced fabric is pulled over a vacuum source (while a constant vacuum is maintained) and the air flow through the fabric is measured. The air flow per unit area of fabric is then calculated and defined as the permeability. Alternatively, the permeability can be calculated by maintaining a constant air flow and measuring the vacuum drop associated with the treated fabric. The degree of hydroenhancement may then be assessed as related to this permeability measurement.

Abstract: A synchronized reciprocating sawing device having at least one drive plate, saw retaining plates, and a plurality of blades which exhibit little or no vibration during the application of high torque and high revolutions. This device is comprised of one or more drive plates mounted between two mounting blocks which contain grooves that form a channel within which saw retaining plates are constrained to move as a reciprocating force is transmitted from at least one drive plate to saw retaining plates. The force is transmitted in a plane defined by the plane of each drive plate and the saw retaining plates to which each of said driving plates is operatively attached.

Abstract: A five-piece open container comprises a bottom piece formed of plastics material and four side pieces also formed of plastics material and pivotally mounted to the bottom piece so that the side pieces may be pivotally moved between an erected position and a non-erected position. In the upper corner of each piece are provided parts which are integral with the side pieces and which enable the side pieces to be maintained in an erected inter-engagement. One of the integral parts ensures a securing arrangement when the side pieces are in the erected position, but it may be manually flexed outwardly from inside the container to enable the disengagement of the side pieces from one another so that they may be moved into a non-erected position.

Abstract: A pallet return rack storage system of the pushback type is provided in which wheeled carts are selectively and automatically transferred from a pair of feed rails to a pair of return rails. Also provided is a novel braking means for controlling cart speed and avoiding impact with companion carts.

Abstract: An adult walker having a suspended seat assembly which may be adjusted to accommodate the user. Included is an adjustable support frame which may be raised and lowered with respect to the walking surface. This walker is accessed from the rear, making it safer and easier to enter and exit. Also included is a ramp for ease of access by a wheelchair user.