Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for processing and storing a plurality of x-ray film sheets. A carrier frame includes a plurality of window frames in the carrier frame, each of which define a window for holding one of the film sheets. Each of the window frames has a peripheral indentation for supporting one of the x-ray film sheets in a position coplanar with the window frame. A first pair of opposing slots supports the film sheet as a packet in a position generally orthogonal to the window frame. A mounting-dismounting fixture comprises a plate having on one side of the plate a plurality of first rectangular bosses, each of which provides a mounting surface such that with the mounting-dismounting fixture engaged with the carrier frame, the mounting surfaces provide a limit to the depth of insertion of each of the film sheets into the peripheral indentations.

Abstract: Apparati and methods are disclosed for detecting vibrations, displacements and motions of a remote surface with high sensitivity, high frequency response and high accuracy using a laser beam with optical modulation, optical hetrodyning and phase detection. High speed digital signal processing is used. Shared aperture design is employed for utilization of a flat target, double-pass design for large lateral movement tolerance with high resolution, and dual target design for detection of displacement as well as angular changes in vibrational motion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extinguishing and storing a cylindrical smoking material, such as a cigarette or a cigar. A cylindrical body has open ends, one of which is for receiving the smoking material. A cylindrical cap has an open end adapted to snugly receive the one open end of the cylindrical body. As such, the one open end of the cylindrical body may be capped in a substantially airtight manner. A hollow cylindrical plug has an open end for providing access to an interior cavity of the plug. A flexible screen covering the open end of the plug extends away from the open end of the plug and fits snugly within the other end of the cylindrical body in a substantially airtight manner. The cylindrical plug includes a non-smooth surface for facilitating gripping thereof. As such, the smoking material may be inserted into the one open end of the cylindrical body, which is then capped by the cylindrical cap, thereby smothering the smoking material within the airtight cylindrical body.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating if the temperature of a fluid within a machine has surpassed a critical temperature. An integrally formed support of a rigid material able to withstand the critical temperature includes a head and a cavity formed within the head. The head provides a hexagonal nut such that a standard socket wrench or other wrench may be used to engage and rotationally drive the head of the device. An engagement shaft extends from the head and provides an external machine screw thread that enables engagement of the shaft within a complimentary threaded hole in the machine. The shaft further includes an axial bore that extends from a distal end of the shaft, through the shaft, and terminates adjacent to the cavity within the head. A temperature indicator is made of a material having a melting temperature equal to the critical temperature and is bonded within the cavity such that the support means and the indicator means are in good thermal contact.

Abstract: An adapter apparatus is provided for a jacking device. The adapter comprises a first and second L-shaped portions, each of which provide a first horizontal plate and a first vertical plate. The horizontal plate of the first L-shaped portion provides an engagement rod for engaging a vertical hole in the lifting surface of the jack. As such, the adapter is circumferentially positionable on the jack, and the rod is free to rotate within the vertical hole. The engagement means of the first horizontal plate may include a downwardly extending cylindrical rim for annular engagement with the lifting surface of the jack. A slot may be included in the first horizontal plate for selective positioning of the engagement rod. The second horizontal plate of the second L-shaped portion provides a second lifting surface. The two vertical plates have a selective mutual engagement bolts such that the second lifting surface may be adjustably positionable at a height substantially below the first lifting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of its use is provided for baiting a fishing line. A handle has a hole therethrough and a surface for gripping the handle. An elongate tube has a proximal end and a distal end and is fixedly engaged with the hole of the handle at the proximal end. The distal end of the tube has a terminal edge which may include a sharp edge for cutting through a bait. In use, a free end of the fishing line is threaded first through the tube, from the distal end to the proximal end, and then through the handle. The free end of the fishing line is then secured to the handle. A looped portion of the fishing line is then extended from the distal end of the tube and along the tube. The tube is then forced through the bait such that the distal end of the tube extends clear of the bait. The free end of the fishing line is then drawn out of both the tube and the handle.

Abstract: Improved manually-powered drive tool means comprising a generally pistol-shaped housing having a barrel portion with a hand grip extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of the barrel portion, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the barrel portion and projecting from the end of the barrel portion opposite the hand grip, a trigger lever pivotally connected adjacent the lower end of the hand grip, an arcuate drive gear connected to the upper end of the trigger lever for movement therewith, a differential gear means for coupling the drive gear to rotate the socket drive shaft, and reversing means for selectably connecting the trigger lever to rotate the differential gear means in a selected direction.

Abstract: A portable beach towel with a built-in hidden pouch for storing valuables is disclosed. The towel comprises an elongated rectangular fabric portion having top and bottom surfaces, top and bottom end edges, and side edges. A pair of elastic loops and a carrying strap are sewn onto the bottom surface near the bottom edge. A pocket is formed by folding the top end edge over the top surface, thereby defining an enclosure space for holding an elongated rod-shaped pillow made from a soft, compliant material. An access aperture between the top end edge and the top surface opens into the pouch, which is sewn into the pocket. The aperture can be closed with a zipper or other suitable type of closure. In use, with the towel resting upon the ground, the access aperture is normally hidden from view from passers by.

Abstract: A soccer training device is described that attaches a soccer ball to a user through a flexible tether line. An adjustable belt encircles the waist of the user and attaches to one end of the elastic tether line. The other end of the tether line is attached to a girdle made of elastic sheet material that encircles the soccer ball. Certain features of the girdle allow it to hold the ball firmly while, simultaneously, provide proper tactile feedback to the user when kicking the ball. Several novel soccer training exercises useful with the present invention are described.

Abstract: A circuit interconnecting device for a power tool of the type having a compartment for a replaceable battery is provided. A base is adapted for mounting in the battery compartment. The base receives one end of a power cord and includes an extension that has a proximal end adapted for plug-in engagement with the base, and a distal end adapted for electrical interconnection with a pair of electrical contacts of the power tool. A power cord has at one end a plug for electrical interconnection with a power source socket, and at the other end is adapted for engagement with the base, such that an electrical interconnection between the power cord and the distal end of the extension is provided. A cover is mounted and slidably engaged with the extension in such a manner that the cover may be moved to expose contact surfaces of the distal end of the extension or to cover the contact surfaces to prevent electrical shock when the device is removed from the power tool.

Abstract: A toilet lid apparatus for flushing the toilet by closing the toilet lid is provided. The apparatus includes a hinge that provides a pair of standoffs adapted for attachment to the toilet for supporting a horizontal hinge bar. The toilet lid is adapted for pivotal mounting to the hinge bar and rotates between a horizontal position for covering the toilet and a near vertical position for uncovering the toilet. The lid further includes a toothed sprocket adapted for engagement with a first sleeve that is rotatably mounted on the hinge bar and has teeth arranged annularly at one end for engaging the toothed sprocket. Rotation of the lid, and hence the toothed sprocket, drives the first sleeve in rotation therewith in one rotational direction, but not in the alternate rotational direction.

Abstract: A floatation marker is provided for locating and identifying an anchor line. A float provides an interior surface formed as a frustum of a cone. The surface defines a central hole in the float. Preferably, the float provides for a sloped exterior surface so that, with the marker floating in water, the exterior surface is visible from an elevated position. Preferably the float is shaped as a modified torus. A passageway for the anchor line from outside of the float into the central hole of the float is provided so that the anchor line passes through the central hole. A passage block blocks the passage such that the anchor line cannot be passed back through the passage. The passage block may be a sleeve formed so as to fit loosely and slidably around the float so that in one position on the float the sleeve blocks the passage, while in another position on the float the sleeve does not block the passage.

Abstract: A device is provided for locking a control lever on a handlebar of a cycle. A first clamp arm has a key-actuated lock with a lock mechanism extending therefrom. A second clamp arm has a lock engagement recess for accepting the lock mechanism of the lock therein. The two clamp arms may be locked together as a single unit, a first opening therein for enclosing a portion of the handlebar, and a second opening therein for enclosing a portion of the control lever. The first opening further includes a plurality of protruding tits extending therefrom for frictional engagement with the handlebar to prevent the arms from rotating on the handlebar. In use, the arms are separately placed over the portion of the handlebar and the control lever and then joined and locked together thereon to prevent the use of the control lever.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for stretching a circumcised foreskin of a penis. A tubular body provides an outer surface. An indented portion is included at one end of the body for accepting the tip of the penis, and a passage within the body interconnects the indented portion at the one end of the body with the other end of the body. In operation, with the tip of the penis inserted into the indented portion, and the foreskin drawn toward the tip to contact the outer surface for removable attachment thereto. The weight of the body exerts a tension force within the foreskin to stretch the foreskin. Additional weights may be attached at the other end of the body. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the body is comprised of an outer portion including the outer surface, and an inner portion including the indented portion. The inner portion is slidably and axially engaged within the outer portion.

Abstract: A personal exercise and strength building hoop is disclosed. The hoop has two handles attached at diametrically opposing positions, and are used for grasping the device. The hoop includes a central core made of a flexible, resilient rod material, and further includes a compliant foam outer covering suitable for grasping. The covering is preferably circular in cross-section, while the core is preferably rectangular in cross section. The hoop has a spring constant in diametric compression of approximately 0.4 to 1.6 pounds per inch, and a spring constant in diametric expansion of approximately 1.3 to 3.7 pounds per inch. A person's muscle groups may be exercised over a range of motion of approximately 24 inches in compression and 10 inches in expansion. An auxiliary tensioning device may be removably attached between the handles, or at points between the handles, for increasing the expansion and compression spring constants, respectively.

Abstract: A hand tool is disclosed that includes a first handle that provides at one end a first hinge joint extending in a first direction and a hollow tube extending in the other direction. A fixed work element is attached at a distal end of the tube. A second handle is aligned with the first handle and provides a second hinge joint that extends in rotational engagement with the first hinge joint and includes a first set of gear teeth facing the tube. A hinge pin is pivotally engaged with and aligns the first and second hinge joints. As such, the second handle is rotatable toward and away from the first handle about the pin. A transfer rod is rotatably held within the hollow tube and extends therethrough to a movable work element that is positioned adjacent to the fixed work element. A toothed gear segment is fixed to the transfer rod and includes a second set of gear teeth that engages the first set of gear teeth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support apparatus for an optical instrument, such as a camera or binoculars. A generally rectangular mounting platform for holding the instrument in a preferred attitude includes a first securing slot for removable attachment of the instrument to the platform. A second securing slot provides removable attachment of additional accessories, such as an elongate brace comprising a plurality of interengaged tubes for telescoping extension of the brace. The brace extends downwardly from the platform when engaged therewith, providing a propping capability of the brace. Further, the elongate brace includes a belt engagement clip at its distal end such that the brace may be rested between a belt of a person and an associated garment adjacent to the belt for improved anchoring of the brace. The platform may provide two upwardly curved end portions for cradling a binocular therebetween, and a strap for holding the binocular in place on the platform.