Abstract: An apparatus and method for inputting data including controls to a computer, or other equipment. Included are a two-handed, hand-held apparatus and a method for inputting data using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of input devices, each having input elements for inputting data to a computer or other equipment by the transmission of signals to such computer or equipment, and a pair of holders that mount the input devices and have holding portions and hand resting portions. The holders are releasably joined in back-to-back relation by a connector mechanism that allows the holders to be individually held in free space by and between the two hands of a user. The apparatus can be used in any position but the preferred method of use involves turning or rotating the hands so that a selected input device is positioned on top in a convenient position for manipulation by the uppermost hand while it rests on the uppermost holder and while the entire apparatus is being supported by the lowermost hand.

Abstract: A lightweight, low profile trailer especially suited for transporting bicycles. The trailer includes pivotally interconnected upper load supporting and lower suspension frames which have load supporting, suspension, storage, and parking functions. Bicycle supports and clamps are mounted for and aft on the load supporting frame. The suspension frame is located under the load supporting frame in the earth-traversing mode of the trailer and is pivoted for upward and downward movement. Trailer wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the lower frame for movement between ground-engaging positions disposed outwardly of the sides of the upper frame and stowing positions folded under the lower frame. A shock absorber is interposed the upper and lower frames intermediate the wheels for resiliently cushioning the upper frame and thus bicycles thereon during earth traversal of the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for retaining parallels against vise jaws during the entire cycle of performing a machining operation. The subject method and apparatus apply sufficient forces at the places and angles necessary to avoid any flutter or movement of the parallels outwardly away from or transversely across the faces of their respective jaws. By use of the subject invention, the parallels are retained against the jaws of the vise over a range of jaw gaps from a very narrow gap to the maximum jaw gap of vises typically used in machine shops. Also, undesirable movement of the retaining apparatus relative to the vise and parallels is restricted. The apparatus has a low profile and is located in the space under the machining area so that it does not interfere with the machining operations, but if contacted by the machine tool, will be sacrificed rather than the more expensive tool.

Abstract: A pull-top closure for a container and a method of using the container incorporating the closure. The container is of the type commonly used for motor oil. It includes a main body having a top wall, a spout projecting upwardly from the top wall adjacent to one side of the body and terminating in a mouth. The top wall slopes from the spout to an upper corner on the opposite side of the body from the spout. The closure includes a seal releasably sealed to the mouth of the spout, a stem connected to the seal on the opposite side thereof from the upper corner and doubled back over the seal so as to extend toward the upper corner, and a ring connected to the stem so that the ring can be extended over the top wall between the spout and the upper corner.

Abstract: An article of wearing apparel for the head and a method making the same. The article includes a helmet having an upper outer surface, a three-dimensional, simulated animal figure cut out of resiliently flexible sheet material with the figure having a simulated animal head and simulated opposite animal body portions extended rearwardly from the head in transversely spaced relation to each other. The head and the body portions are fastened to the outer surface of the helmet so that the figure is in upstanding position on the helmet and appears as a simulated animal on top of the helmet but can be resiliently pressed downwardly against the helmet.

Abstract: An electrical drive control system includes a controlled drive, an auxiliary generator, a control unit, and a power unit. The rotors of the controlled drive and of the auxiliary generator are connected so that rotation of controlled drive causes a corresponding rotation of the auxiliary generator. The control unit receives a first reference signal having a first frequency. The auxiliary generator receives a second reference signal having a second frequency. The control unit may generate the second reference signal. In response to the second reference signal, the auxiliary generator generates a primary information signal having a phase shift that is indicative of the rotational position of a rotor of the auxiliary generator and the controlled drive. The control unit receives a user selected position command indicative of a selected position of the rotor.

Abstract: A shooting system providing a barrel with an open forward end and a closed rear end and a projectile containing a propellant under pressure located in the barrel. A wad in the bore has a forward holding member allowing the rearward portion of the projectile to be moved rearwardly in the bore and be longitudinally slidably frictionally fitted in the holding member while the holding member is in sealing engagement circumferentially of and between the barrel and the projectile whereby the projectile is in a loaded state. The holding member also allows the projectile to move forwardly out of the holding member in the firing state. The wad also has a rearward sealing portion in circumferential sealing engagement with the barrel and radially spaced from the rearward portion of the projectile whereby the closed rearward end of the bore, the sealing member, and the projectile form a firing chamber.

Abstract: An enclosure for the entrance to a bathing facility, such as a bathtub/shower combination, or other area that can be completely closed, completely opened, or partially closed or opened. The preferred embodiment includes a column mounted in the plane of and at one side of the entrance; a dual cantilever extended from the column intermediate its upper and lower ends; and dual shower doors mounted on the cantilever so that a vertical plane containing the center of gravity of the doors intersects the column. The doors are mounted so that one of the doors is translationally movable for changing the degree of closure of the bathing facility and so that both doors can be pivoted out of the entrance to the facility to open it completely. The mounting of the doors, which features a bearing carriage in the dual cantilever, eliminates both a header and the typical tub rail, and allows the doors to be frameless.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes at least one rotor sector, and the stator plate includes a plurality of stator sector plates. A dielectric is located between the stator and the rotor. The rotor sector plate, the plurality of stator sector plates and the dielectric form a plurality of capacitors when the rotor plate is in a plurality of positions. The plurality of stator sector plates are coupled to an external multiple voltage source which applies multi-phase voltage signals to each of the stator sector plates in which each multi-phase voltage has a different phase. The multi-phase voltage signal is coupled from the rotor to the stator through the formed capacitors so that the coupled signal through the capacitors is indicative of the angular position of the rotor. A second sensor comprises a movable plate assembly and a non-movable plate assembly that form a plurality of capacitors when the movable plate assembly is in a plurality of positions.

Abstract: An eyeglasses holder including an elongated flat plate having upper and lower ends, front and back sides, and a slot adjacent to its lower end extending therethrough from the front side to the back side and including legs joined by a bight and with the legs defining a post therebetween and terminating in a pair of holes closely adjacent to the lower end of the plate. A hanger is attached to the back side of the plate at the upper end thereof for hanging the plate in a pendent position on the pocket of an article of clothing, on the dashboard or interior of a vehicle, on a piece of furniture, or on another convenient support. A flexible O-ring of resiliently flexible material is releasably extended through the bight and thence slidable along the legs into the holes where it is wrapped around the post.

Abstract: An intravitreal medicine delivery device and method that includes an implant device through which a wide variety of beneficial medicines including drugs or other pharmacological agents can be introduced into the vitreous cavity over an extended period of time with only a single initial surgery to implant the device. The device and method minimize the surgical incision needed for implantation and avoid future or repeated invasive surgery or procedures. Additional amounts of the initial medicine can readily be introduced or the medication can be varied or changed, as required. Furthermore, the device and method allow the dosage delivered to the vitreous cavity to be controlled, and the device is constructed so as to filter medicines delivered to the cavity and also avoids damage to or interference with other parts of the eye during implantation or during use.

Abstract: A washing facility including a receptacle fabricated in sheet material with deck portions. The preferred receptacle has vertical front and rear planar walls joined by an arcuate central wall. The rear wall has an inlet, and the front wall has an overflow and an outlet, the former being visible but the latter being obscured from the front of the facility. A water supply unit on the exterior of the receptacle under the deck includes a nozzle over the inlet, for ejecting water from the inlet in an arcing laminar sheet, and valves connected to the nozzle. Valve control handles are slidably mounted on the deck and connected to the valves through the deck. A water drainage unit on the exterior of the receptacle has a chamber over the overflow and the outlet, stopper slidable between open and closed position, and a drain conduit leading from the chamber. A stopper handle located on the inner surface of the receptacle is attached to the stopper for moving the stopper between its two positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing exercises including a case for transporting the exercise device and for use in performing the exercises. The case can be a simulated briefcase, so that the exercise device can be carried around like ordinary luggage, or be another type of container. Included are elastic cables which can be moved from stowed positions in the case to exercising positions in which portions of the cables extend outwardly from the case. The portions of the cables remaining in the case are restrained against stretching thereby allowing essentially only the portions of the cables extending outwardly from the case to be stretched. In performing exercises, the outwardly extending portions of the cables are pulled against the case, thereby setting up forces which resist the pulling action and enable the desired strength training. It is possible to exercise all of the major muscle groups and to replicate the exercises performed on popular stationary exercise apparatus.

Abstract: A holder for use in building construction for holding anchor bolts, rebar, in-concrete plumbing, and the like, in predetermined positions during the pouring of concrete therearound. The holder is molded in one piece from a suitable plastic and includes an elongated base plate, the front end of which has an end hole therethrough; a sleeve upstanding from the base plate over the end hole; elongated first and second side ribs upstanding from the top surface of the base plate along the side edges thereof and connected to the sleeve; an end rib partially wrapped around the sleeve and connected to the side ribs; a center rib upstanding from the base plate between the side ribs and also connected to the sleeve; webs upstanding from the base plate, interconnecting the side and center ribs, and having nail holes therethrough. The holder preferably also has an end plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for watering a plant while it is supported in an elevated position is provided which includes an elongated tubular standard which has a longitudinal axial passageway and upper and lower end portions and which is mounted in an upstanding position. A flexible hose is threaded through the passageway of the standard and has upper and lower end portions respectively projecting from the upper and lower end portions of the standard. A hanger is provided on the upper end portion of the standard for supporting a plant, and a nozzle is attached to the upper end portion of the hose in a position to dispense water to the plant either by a drip irrigation method or by a spay or other method. The lower end portion of the hose is connected to a source of water under pressure for supplying water to the nozzle. The apparatus provides an attractive support for a plant while enabling it to be regularly watered.

Abstract: A bicycle frame which includes a strategically-located frame member which is basically a rigid member but which elastically deflects in limited amounts in one direction as it is subjected to increasing compressive forces applied along said direction especially during rough riding conditions but remains rigid and does not deflect when forces normally encountered in the handling and use of a bicycle are applied in other directions to such member. The frame member thus cushions the ride and improves traction while not adding weight or complexity to the frame. In the disclosed embodiment, the frame member is advantageously part of the seatstay and is thus between the seat tube and the rear drop-out. The seatstay incorporating the frame member elastically deflects or deforms under the imposition of sufficient oppositely directed forces of rider weight and ground reaction to absorb part of the force and to maintain traction between the wheel and the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accommodating a saddle on the back of a horse whose anatomy does not conform to the shape of the saddle in that the lengths of its leg bones are different causing its scapulae to be at different heights. The apparatus includes inflatable chambers that are supported on the back of a horse under the saddle at predetermined regions over the scapula, the ribs adjacent thereto and the overlying muscles and that are independently inflatable to transfer part of the weight of the saddle and a rider from the scapula to the adjacent ribs and overlying muscles thereby to distribute the load more evenly between the scapula and adjacent ribs and muscles and also to level the saddle. The chambers have air valves accessible to the rider so that inflation of the chambers can be adjusted by a rider while in the saddle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a pulse oximeter which is based on the concept of an electrical interface between the testing instrument and the oximeter rather than an optical interface. The pulse oximeter signal processor is tested separately from the probe, and still further, the optical elements, that is, the LEDs and the photodiode, of the probe are tested separately from the probe cable. With the probe disconnected from the oximeter, a modulated electrical test signal representative of SpO.sub.2 values and other parameters is generated in response to an electrical signal from the oximeter, and the test signal is applied to the oximeter signal processor, whereby the display of the oximeter shows a value of SpO.sub.2 which is compared with the SpO.sub.2 value represented by the test signal. Independently, the probe including the probe cable, the LEDs and the photodiode are respectively and separately subjected to continuity and optical sensitivity tests.

Abstract: A wearing accessory for use as a hair fastener, armband or legband and a method of making the same. The accessory includes an annular, flexible sleeve of cloth in which is provided a central annular pocket between outer portions. An annular flat elastic band is captured in the pocket with its wide dimension generally perpendicular to the radius of the band and sleeve but is allowed to move in the pocket. The accessory has an unstressed contracted condition wherein the sleeve is gathered circumferentially in closely bunched wrinkles along the pocket and is gathered in more widely spaced undulations or ruffles in the outer portions, and these undulations wind in a serpentine manner circumferentially of the accessory, partially or completely spiraling therearound, thereby creating a distinctive appearance. The accessory also has a stressed expanded conditions wherein the wrinkles and undulations remain, albeit each more widely spaced than in the unstressed condition.