Abstract: A binding mounting system for releasably mounting bindings on a ski apparatus comprises a binding plate having a front end and rear end, a first mounting structure positioned adjacent to the front end of the binding plate, a second mounting structure positioned adjacent to the rear end of the binding plate. The first mounting structure is positioned coextensive with a front mounting location of the ski apparatus, and the second mounting structure is positioned coextensive with a rear mounting location of the ski apparatus. The first mounting structure is releasably attachable to the front mounting location, and the second mounting structure is releasably attachable to the rear mounting location. Several varieties of mounting structures are used to encompass the ski apparatus mounting techniques.

Abstract: A tool for batch processing the definition of air bearing surfaces on rows comprising a plurality of sliders is disclosed. The tool has a main body member having a length defining a y-axis direction, a width defining an x-axis direction, and a thickness defining a z-axis direction. The main body member has a top surface defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface. The main body also defines a y-axis alignment reference surface, and an x-axis alignment reference surface. The rows are positioned on the tool for processing, where the upper surface of the platform engages the lower surface of the plurality of rows to provide proper z-axis positioning on the tool. The y-axis alignment reference engages one longitudinal side of an anchor row to provide proper y-axis positioning, and the x-axis alignment reference surface abuts the second end of the plurality of rows to provide proper x-axis positioning. The top surfaces of the rows lie in a common plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an MR head, and the method of making the same, which has a pole/shield. In the preferred embodiment, the pole side of the pole/shield is constructed such that it has a length that is approximately equal to the length of the pole, and a shield side that is approximately the length of a shield. Through this construction, the MR element, which is disposed between the shield side and the shield, is fully shielded during a read operation. Additionally, the flux lines generated during a write operation approximate the length of the pole so that excessive fringing does not occur. As a result of the smaller flux lines generated between the pole and the pole side of the pole/shield, data may be more densely packed on the disk used in conjunction with the MR head.

Abstract: A flag for throwing having a flexible main body member, a flexible handle member having a first end attached to the main body member, and a throwing weight attached to the main body member. The throwing weight is attached to the main body member adjacent to the intersection of the handle member and the main body member, and is positioned in a pocket formed at the intersection of said main body member and said handle member.

Abstract: A limb protector which attaches to a limb and protects it from injury due to impact. The limb protector remains securely positioned on the limb, has a plurality of protective compartments for dissipating impact, and is positionable immediately adjacent to a joint without causing any interference with the joint's movement. The limb protector includes a main body member having opposing edges which define a length of the main body member. The main body member also has a protective compartment, which defines an interior cavity in which an insert member is positioned. An elongated attachment strap fastens the main body member to a limb, and has two opposing ends. A front edge extends across the width of the main body member between the opposing side edges and has an arcuate concave shape across the width of the main body member.

Abstract: A swim training paddle for attachment to the hand of a swimmer includes a main body member having an arcuate shape defining a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface, as well as having a finger securing loop attached to said upper surface to secure the paddle to the hand of a swimmer adjacent to the upper surface. The main body of the paddle defines an airfoil shape along its length and width to encourage the use of a curvilinear stroke path when using the freestyle stroke.

Abstract: An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The extension does not contact the furrow. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.

Abstract: A dispensing system of the present invention includes a chute assembly and a rectangular container for dispensing of particulate material in the container. The chute assembly includes door and latch mechanisms which are opened to receive the rectangular container. Insertion of the rectangular container into the chute assembly automatically engages the latch mechanism, allowing the doors to open, which then engages a cutting subassembly of the chute assembly to open the container and expose the particulate contents for dispensing. The container includes an outer cardboard container, a cardboard insert having a wedge-shaped circumference at one end thereof, and a plasticized or foil liner. The container includes means for partially exposing the liner prior to insertion of the container into the chute assembly.

Abstract: A lower-body exercise machine is provided having a frame, a carriage assembly pivotally attached to the frame and moveable in an upwardly and downwardly arcuate path about the frame, a support beam attached to and extending upwardly from the frame, and a platform pivotally attached to the frame and angling downwardly. A hookbar assembly is pivotally attached to the carriage assembly for releasably engaging the support beam to arrest the downward motion of the carriage assembly. The hookbar assembly comprises a hook bar rotatably attached to the carriage assembly, an elongated hook attached to and extending upwardly from the hook bar, and an elongated engagement handle attached to the hook bar. A rung is attached to the support beam. By moving the engagement handle upwardly, the hook bar rotates and pivots the hook towards the support beam to engage the rung and arrest the downward movement of the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A slanted main strut about six feet long is supported by a base having rollers. The top of the slanted main strut allows the base to be rocked back on its rollers for ground transport. Vertical grooves in the slanted main strut support slidable braces. Each brace supports a chosen equipment holder including a golf bag ring, a ski brace, a bicycle support bar, a ball container, and a boot tray.

Abstract: A microwave amplifier for amplifying microwave signals, such as the microwave signals received by a microwave repeater station. The amplifier is formed of solid state amplifier-transistors to which the microwave signals are applied by way of transmission lines. The amplification circuitry and transmission lines are formed upon a circuit board which is housed within a heat-dissipative housing. The amplifier can be used in substitution for a conventional travelling wave tube, conventionally utilized to amplifier microwave signals received at a microwave repeater station.

Abstract: An electric oscillating tool, having particular but not necessarily exclusive utility as an electric toothbrush, for driving a brush head assembly or end effector with a resonant mechanism at high frequencies. The electric toothbrush includes handle housing, an electromagnetic motor mounted in the housing, and a mechanical oscillator acted upon by the motor. One end of the mechanical oscillator extends outwardly through an opening in the handle housing while the other end is attached to the housing inside the chamber. The end effector/brush head assembly attaches to the extending end of the mechanical oscillator. A power source supplies an alternating current drive signal to the motor, in turn causing the armature and the mechanical oscillator to oscillate and drive the brush head assembly.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for an auxiliary luggage case which is attached to a main luggage case to attach an auxiliary luggage case for support on and by an exterior surface of the main luggage case. The attachment mechanism includes a flexible elongated belt member connected to the main luggage case, a hook member connected to an outer end of the belt member, and a pocket having a size sufficient to contain the hook and the belt member. A selectively openable and closeable cover member allows access to the pocket to remove and extend the belt member and the hook member, and also restricts access to the pocket and fully confines the retracted belt member and hook member within the pocket. The hook member is preferably pivotal to an extended position in which to attach to luggage and to a retracted position which consumes less space than in the extended position.

Abstract: A modular play structure for animals positionable upon a support surface, comprising a base engageable with the support surface, a plurality of elongated spacer members, with each member having opposing ends. The plurality of spacer members are releasably attached end to end to adjacent spacer members in a linear configuration to form an elongated pole having two opposite ends. The interconnection of the adjacent ends spacer members forms a threaded connector assembly. One end of the pole is releasably attached to the base to support the pole in a vertical orientation relative to the base and the support structure. The pole and base together form a base unit. A structural piece is attachable between two spacer members to act as a platform to support a cat. The base units can be interconnected by structural pieces.

Abstract: A luggage case has a generally rectangular prismatic configuration of a size and shape similar to a flight bag when in the closed position, and presents a garment bag when in the expanded or open position. The luggage case comprises a support structure and a flexible panel connected to the support structure which extends laterally from the support structure to expose the interior of both the panel and the support structure. A selective attachment device connects the panel to the support structure to close the luggage case, forming the prismatic configuration. A support piece is connected to the interior of the panel to hold packed articles in the appropriate position. A packing pouch is connected to the support structure to extend from the interior of the case opposite of the panel when the case is opened. The packing pouch folds into the interior of the case and overlaps the packed articles when the case is in the closed position.

Abstract: A resilient and compliant shock rail is provided on the sides of the bottom cover for a PCMCIA standard Direct Access Storage Device. The shock rails, being of a resilient and easily deformable material, lengthen the impact time and attenuates the shock forces exerted on the DASD, thereby bringing the deceleration forces to acceptable levels. The shock rail may be further provided with low friction surfaces by bonding thin metal plates to the top and bottom surfaces of the shock rails to ease insertion and withdrawal of the PCMCIA DASD. The shock rail is provided with reinforcing members to insure that the keying scheme required for proper insertion is effective.

Abstract: A mechanism for attaching an auxiliary luggage case to a main luggage case including a cassette attached to the main luggage case, the cassette defining a elongated receptacle and a retention edge adjacent to the receptacle. The receptacle is adapted to receive the belt and the links connected to the belt when the belt and links are retracted to the main luggage case. An elongated flexible belt is attached at an inner end to the cassette, and has an attachment device connected to its outer end. A plurality of links are connected along the length of the belt. The belt is bent over the edge between the links to fix the position of the attachment device and the extension of the belt. The engagement of the edge with the link within the receptacle holds the belt and the attachment device in the position established by the selected location of the fold.

Abstract: A base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a shape symmetrical about a fold line defining first and second halves is selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position. A substantially concave shell has an open bottom defining an outer periphery which is releasably attached to the top surface of the base. A resilient frame member supports the shell above the top surface of the base to define an interior volume between the base and the shell when the tent is in the open position. The shell and the resilient frame member collapse and fit between the first and second halves of the base when the two base halves are moved to the closed position. The base extends beyond the outer periphery of the shell, providing an area for the user to enjoy while being protected from the support surface.