Abstract: A shower dechlorinator is fabricated in the form of a short cylindrical filter housing. A first end cap is provided on one end of the housing, and this end cap is threaded onto the outlet pipe for a shower. A second end cap seals the other end of the housing and is adapted to be attached to a shower head. The filter housing is filled with granulated or randomly oriented fibrous material which chemically interacts with chlorine in the water passing through the unit. Typical filter material is in the form of a copper/zinc metal alloy.

Abstract: A microscopic voltage controlled field emission electron amplifier device consists of a dense array of field emission cathodes with individual cathode impedances employed to modulate and control the field emission currents of the device. These impedances are selected to be sensitive to an external stimulus such as light, x-rays, infrared radiation or particle bombardment; so that the field emission current varies spacially in proportion to the intensity of the controlling stimulus. When a phosphorus screen or other suitable responsive element is provided, the device functions as a solid state image convertor or intensifier.

Abstract: An archery bow sight, for improving the accuracy of shooting by an archer and reducing cant in the use of the bow, comprises front and rear horizontal and vertical cross-hair sets located within front and rear sights which are mounted on a support member attached to sight holes on the bow. The cross-hairs sets are adjusted so that they are superimposed when the archer draws the bow to the normal anchor point. Shooting pins are provided in the front sight to provide centering points for targets located at various distances from the bow. In use, the shooting pins are centered on the target with the front and rear cross-hair sets perfectly aligned with or superimposed with one another. When this is done, cant of the bow readily may be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A computer disk drive dust protector is made in the form of an elongated wedge-shaped slot entry member which is inwardly tapered at the edges, so that insertion of the member into the disk drive slot causes the member to tightly wedge within the slot from end to end and from top to bottom, thereby preventing the entry of dust into the slot. A handle is attached to the rear edge of the slot entry member to facilitate the insertion of the member into the computer disk drive slot and to facilitate removal of the member from the slot when the computer is to be used. At least the portion of the device which enters into the disk drive slot is made of resilient plastic to resiliently hold the member in place in the disk drive slot.

Abstract: A double action expansion wedge is disclosed for attaching a collar to a T-post fence for utilization in conjunction with a bracing system for fences made from such T-posts. A hollow collar member has internal dimensions selected to slide over the posts, so that the collar can be positioned vertically between the lugs of the post at a desired location. The double action expansion cam wedge secures the collar between adjacent lugs on the post by tightly wedging the collar and post together. The double action expansion causes the top edge of the collar and the bottom edge of the collar both to be wedged against the post to hold the collar in alignment with the post.

Abstract: A luminaire is disclosed for producing uniform rectangular or square patterns of light. The luminaire itself consists of eight, curved main reflector sections which are concentrically located about a bulb mounting location opposite the open side of the housing in which the luminaire is mounted. The main reflector sections are joined together at their edges, such that cross sections of the luminaire in planes parallel to the open side of the housing form octagons of decreasing size as the cross sections are taken at increasingly greater distances from the open side of the housing. The orientation of the main reflector sections is such that alternate points of the octagon are located in alignment with the center of the bulb placed in the center of the reflector sections and corners of the area to be illuminated.

Abstract: A safety shut-off protection system is provided for a light responsive system such as video cameras, image intensifiers, thermal imagers, or the like. The light responsive system further includes several series-connected, normally-closed, light responsive photoelectric Darlington safety switches. These safety switches are located to receive light along with the light responsive systems. Light exceeding a threshold intensity impinging on any one of the Darlington safety switches causes such a switch to operate to deactivate the light sensitive system.

Abstract: A siren detection system, particularly suited for installation in an automobile for providing a warning to the driver when an emergency vehicle is operating a siren in the vicinity of the automobile, utilizes a microphone on the automobile to detect the siren signals. An analog-to-digital conversion of the signal obtained from the microphone is supplied to a digital signal processor which is programmed to provide high selectivity of the frequency of the input signals, with improved noise rejection and improved frequency determination.

Abstract: A CMOS crystal oscillator circuit for producing a 32 KHz clock signal operates at low power over a range of power supply voltages without overdriving the crystal. To accomplish this, the complementary MOS transistors in the oscillator inverter are supplied with operating current from a constant low current source. The constant low current is at an optimum value for crystal stability and power consumption and is independent of supply voltage variations. To ensure quick initial start-up of the oscillator circuit, a second current source is connected in parallel with the constant current source; and the second source initially is switched on for a pre-established time interval to supply significantly greater operating current to the oscillator inverter only during initial start-up of the oscillator. After this pre-established time interval, the second current source is rendered inoperative or non-conductive for the duration of the operation of the oscillator circuit.

Abstract: A choke holder device is provided for attachment to the end of a magazine on a shotgun. The cap which normally closes the end of the shotgun shell magazine is removed, and a first hollow choke storage member is threaded onto or otherwise secured to the magazine to close the magazine. The choke storage member then extends outwardly from the magazine. Additional hollow cylindrical choke storage members are provided for releasable attachement to one another and to the end of the first choke storage member. Each storge member is selected to have a length sufficient to store a removable shotgun choke therein. The number of storage members attached to the magazine and to one another in an end-to-end relationship is selected to correspond with the number of different chokes to be stored. The final storage member is closed on the end with a removable closure cap.

Abstract: An improved golf club having a turf repairing fork formed in the heel of the head thereof enabling the golfer to remain erect while repairing the turf. The golfer saves effort and time by forcing the fork down into the grass mound left by the impact of a golf ball on a putting green, sufficiently far enough so that it extends under the depressed turf of the ball mark. By rocking the putter shaft slightly forward the fork will lift the depressed turf and by rocking the putter shaft slightly backwards, the grass mound can be pulled back to its original position. The fork of the putter can also be used to clean foreign matter from the soles and spikes of a golfer's shoes.

Abstract: A retaining ring of an eyeball return fitting of the type used in swimming pools and spas is provided with a releaseable or breakaway cover cap. The cap closes the end of the return fitting during construction. This permits the finish work for the cement and plaster stages of the pool construction to be effected without the danger of cement or plaster getting into the fitting during construction. After construction has been completed, the cap is released and drops away, carrying with it any cement or plaster which may have hardened on it during construction.

Abstract: An infrared zoom illuminator is contained in a cylindrical housing which may be hand-held. Power is provided to an infrared laser light source from batteries contained in the housing, and a micro lens made of gradient index material is placed between a light exit opening in the housing and the laser light source. Provision is made for selectively interconnecting and disconnecting the light source from the power supply and for changing the distance between the laser light source and the lens. This changes the focus of light exiting from the device from a predetermined maximum divergence, for illuminating a zone, down to the collimated narrow beam of light produced by the laser light source.

Abstract: A picture frame is constructed in the form of a rectangular base member which has a raised outside edge around it, so that a first portion of the base member is located in a plane recessed from the edge. A second recessed portion for receiving a picture is located in the front face of the base member and is located in a plane recessed from the plane of the first portion. When a picture is placed in the second recessed portion, an inner clamping frame frictionally engages the edges of the second recessed portion to press against the edges of the picture to hold it in place. A decorative panel is removably placed over the first recessed portion between the outside edge of the base member and the edges of the second recessed portion. The clamping frame has a flange which overlies the first recessed portion around the edge of the second recessed portion, and this flange engages the removable decorative panel to hold it in place on the frame.

Abstract: An aquatic exercising and therapeutic apparatus includes a relatively narrow rectangular tank for retaining water in it to a selected depth. A treadmill is located in the bottom of the tank beneath the level of the liquid and extends from end to end. A pump system provides a moving stream of water, recirculating from one end of the tank to the other; so that by varying the speed at which the treadmill is operated, as well as the flow rate of water provided by the pump, varying levels of intensity are provided for a workout in the tank. For a fitness or conditioning training, the treadmill and the water flow typically are in the same direction to increase the level of workout. For therapeutic purposes, such as assisting a patient to walk after hip surgery or the like, the treadmill is operated in one direction and the water flow in the other.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an injection molding machine, which is used to form hollow parts, employs mating mold dies with first and second corresponding hollow core members attached to the dies and extending into the mold cavity. When the cavity is closed, the hollow core members engage to form a continuous cooling fluid passageway through them. During the molding operation, liquid cooling fluid is supplied under pressure to flow through this passageway. At the end of the molding cycle, the flow of cooling fluid is blocked and a second valve is opened to admit air into the passageway near the point where the two hollow core members engage. A vacuum is applied to the opposite ends of both of the hollow core members to pull any cooling fluid and air from the junction between the core members and away from the junction back through the core members.

Abstract: An automatic brake locking system, for locking the brakes of a vehicle having a hydraulic brake system, is operated every time the ignition switch is turned off to apply pressure through an auxiliary brake actuating device to lock the brakes and hold them locked until the auxiliary brake actuating device is released. A safety switch is provided to operate in conjunction with the ignition switch; so that the safety switch and the ignition switch both must be operated to an "on" position to release the auxiliary brake actuating device to allow normal operation of the vehicle. Turning on the ignition switch without operation of the safety switch does not permit movement of the vehicle since the auxiliary brake actuating device continues to be operated. The system is a passive system, which it does not require any separate actions on the part of the vehicle operator to cause the auxiliary brake actuating device to be operated when the vehicle ignition switch is turned off.

Abstract: A vehicle oil drain system employs disposable one gallon plastic milk or water jugs or bottles to receive the drained oil for collection and subsequent disposition. The system includes a holder base member which is open on the top and which has side walls and end walls sufficiently high to hold a pair of side-by-side plastic jugs in position during the oil draining operation. In use, a double funnel receptacle is used to collect and distribute the draining oil into the plastic jugs. The receptacle has two spaced-apart openings in the bottom thereof; and a pair of short, downwardly extending spouts are attached to each of these openings. The spouts are inserted into the open necks of the plastic jugs before the oil draining operation, so that the necks of the jugs support the double funnel receptacle.