Abstract: By providing a wind deflecting panel with illuminating devices mounted thereto and an information bearing overlay positioned in spaced juxtaposition to said illuminating devices, an illuminated drag reducer is provided. In this manner, advertising messages or warnings can be provided on the overlay for both daytime and nighttime visibility.

Abstract: A valve positioned in the fuel supply line of a vehicle has two positions selectable by means of a key-operated lock. In the first position, the valve permits full fuel flow allowing the vehicle to operate in its normal manner. In the second position, the valve only permits a greatly reduced fuel flow allowing the vehicle to operate at idle speed, and thereby preventing the vehicle from being operated in its normal manner by an unauthorized user.

Abstract: By providing a completely adjustable support system for securely mounting drag reducing equipment to the roof of a land transport vehicle forward of a drag producing surface with the support system secured to the roof in a configuration which allows the drag reducing equipment to be positionable in a plurality of orientations forward of the drag producing surface with the support system adjustable for mounting to any roof, a universally adjustable drag reducing equipment support system is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the universally adjustable support system incorporates elongated support members, support struts and adjustable brackets which have a plurality of securement positions for complete adjustable interconnection of the support system to any vehicle regardless of the vehicle's configuration and secure support of the drag reducing equipment in any desired position.

Abstract: A lightweight portable hand-held tool for use in producing printed circuit assemblies is provided with a squeezable handle piston grip surmounted by an incrementally detented ejection mechanism. The tool is topped by a rearwardly raked loading "snorkel" engaging and holding "dipstick" storage tubes for dual in line package or "DIP" integrated circuit assemblies, aligned end to end therein for lengthwise sliding, dispensing movement. A squeezable trigger-handgrip actuates a rack and pinion ejector ram-slider provided with a spring biased detent, producing forward feed movement of each DIP in turn from the snorkel magazine through an ejection portal, pausing with the DIP's terminals protruding for alignment with the mounting holes in the printed circuit board, followed by ejection of the DIP from the portable tool for insertion, produced by further squeezing movement of the trigger-handgrip.

Abstract: A motorcycle clutch tool for securing the clutch hub assembly to the clutch shell so as to facilitate removal of the clutch hub assembly during maintenance operations incorporates a unitary rigid disc having a central opening and a plurality of radially extending tabs or slots for engagement with the inner periphery of the clutch shell. The disc includes a second plurality of tabs or apertures about its inner periphery for engagement with the outer periphery of the clutch hub assembly. When so engaged, the clutch shell is secured to the clutch hub assembly thereby permitting easy disengagment of both the clutch hub nut and the drive sprocket from the drive sprocket shaft. The clutch tool also incorporates a handle attached to the disc for positioning and imparting torque to the disc or, alternatively, a female socket attached to the disc for engagement with the male socket of a ratchet drive tool.

Abstract: By providing an upstanding drag reducing baffle wherein the upper edge of said baffle comprises smoothly curved extension portions on both sides thereof, lying in substantially the same plane of the baffle, an improved wind deflector capable of increased drag reduction is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, these extension portions extend from the edge of the baffle toward the center and comprise at least half the distance from the edge to the mid-point of the baffle. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a front curved vortex stabilizer, a portion of which extends above the wind deflector, is used in combination with the wind deflector for additional drag reduction.

Abstract: By mounting a spring-like resiliently flexible member between the shoulder of a die cast valve stem and tabs or flanges of a valve housing so as to biasingly engage the valve stem with the valve housing in the closed position, a unique, self-contained, captured valve assembly is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the valve stem incorporates a dust deflecting shoulder in order to prevent unwanted debris from entering the area between the valve stem and valve housing. In another embodiment, the valve housing comprises two sections frictionally engaged with each other with one section manufactured from brass or aluminum to eliminate leakage therethrough. This valve assembly is particularly useful in gas lighters of the butane fuel type, since the embodiments of the present invention provide against leakage and secondary ignition.

Abstract: By providing a unitary, molded cycle seat support unit which incorporates a seat member, a forwardly extending nose portion, a support frame interconnecting said seat member with said nose portion, along with a plurality of support ribs extending between and interconnecting the support frame with the seat member, a unique, unitary, cycle seat support unit is achieved capable of flexible movement in the seat member area in response to the demands of the rider. Preferably, the plurality of support ribs employed have varying thickness along their lengths, and are mounted between the support frame and the seat member in a cantilevered arrangement. Also, in the preferred embodiment the seat member is bifurcated with respect to the support frame, forming two independently supported seat portions. In this way, both flexibility and support are achieved in varying amounts depending upon the demands of the area.

Abstract: A label incorporating a plurality of concentric rings having two different light reflective characteristics provides a binary coded label on which any desired information can be displayed, and which may be secured to various objects. By passing the label in any orientation over a label scanning assembly which provides a scanning light beam, the label code signal is read and transmitted to a label information assembly which converts the label signal to digital signals, determines when the entire label signal has been read, and transmits the complete label information to data storage.

Abstract: A Universal Product Code (UPC) bar pattern printer comprises a loop of magnetizable recording tape moving at a constant speed past writing heads. The tape advances to a toner applicator incorporating a toner applicator drum having a surface incorporating a plurality of magnetic poles and a series of magnetizable wires parallel to the upper, longitudinal periphery of the drum. The wires and drum cause the toner material adhered to the drum to form rotating helical ridges of toner along the upper periphery of the wires. The magnetized recording tape makes physical contact with and is swept by these ridges to form a toner deposited image on the recording tape. This image is enhanced by cleaning with a sheet of air from an air knife and transferred to a label. The label is synchronously peeled from its backing and then fused by a heater. The label may then be replaced on a label backing strip for application to a package.

Abstract: By providing a completely enclosed air heating and exchanging system which is quickly and easily mounted in a conventional fireplace and which incorporates a humidification unit, a unique fireplace heater, circulator and humidifier system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the heater, circulator and humidifier system is mounted along the upper edge of the open fireplace hearth with the air circulation chamber of the system extending into the fireplace heating zone and a fan for driving the air through the system. Furthermore, if desired, the unit may incorporate a thermostat control for cycling the fan motor on and off to a desired temperature.

Abstract: Immersion samplers for taking disc samples and pin samples, from heats of molten steel, alloys or other metal in basic oxygen furnaces, electric furnaces and open-hearth furnaces, are provided with slotted riser vent tubes serving to retard the escape of atmospheric air displaced by the inflowing molten metal entering the deeply immersed sampler while maintaining ample cross-sectional venting area despite accumulated droplets of spattered molten metal solidifying and blocking the vents. For use with melts of unkilled steel, apertured de-oxidizing retort portals are provided at the entrance end of the samplers with protective slag covers and vent apertures, creating a substantial de-oxidizing zone for the melt entering the sampler while releasing entrapped air during the sampler's immersion, and also allowing draining of the melt from the portal upon withdrawal of the immersed sampler from the furnace.

Abstract: A drag reducer for a gap in a land vehicle moving through air which consists of a retractable or articulated baffle, spanning approximately the entire distance of the gap. The drag reducer can be used on all land vehicles and is readily adaptable for use on railroad box cars, truck semitrailers, full trailers in tandem and vehicles towed by cars. The drag reducer can take the form of a fin mounted rigidly or with articulated joint or flexible material to allow for movement between the leading and trailing vehicles. It may also be of a retractable nature, such as an accordian arrangement, a roll-up screen, an inflatable fin, a folding plate, etc.

Abstract: By providing a display and holding rack which is easily mounted to the gunwale, a bulkhead or the cockpit coaming of a boat and which incorporates a plurality of fishing lure retainers, a unique fishing lure rack is achieved which is readily accessible to the user to assure quick availability of all important fishing lures. In the preferred embodiment, a pivotable cover is mounted to the display rack and is movable from a closed position, surrounding the barb portions of the fishing lure hooks to protect against inadvertent snagging, to an open position in which the fishing lures can be quickly and easily removed.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of supported hooks, each being pivotably and slidably adjustable between various supported positions, a unique article supporting and displaying device is provided for accommodating various articles regardless of their size and shape. In the preferred embodiment, the device incorporates a plurality of rows, with each row having a plurality of hooks, thereby maximizing the storage area. Furthermore, the extended length of the hooks in each row are preferably staggered, with the lower rows incorporating shorter hooks, in order to prevent interference and increase the storage capacity.

Abstract: A magnetic toner composition for use in decorating a magnetically imaged substrate in magnetic printing machines comprising a particulate blend of between about 50% and about 99% by weight of colored magnetic particles and between about 1% and about 50% by weight of optically innocuous, non-magnetic, frictionally electrifiable particles present as a separate phase of particles substantially non-adhering to the colored magnetic particles.

Abstract: An infra red lens of very high aperture greater than F/0.75 specially adapted to transmit a waveband in the infra red range comprises from front to back in the order given (a) at least one positive meniscus element convex towards the front, (b) a negative meniscus element concave towards the front, (c) a positive meniscus element convex towards the front and (d) a positive element having a front surface convex towards the front. In a preferred embodiment there is a single positive meniscus element (a) convex towards the front in front of the negative meniscus element (b) and in another embodiment there are two positive meniscus elements (a) convex towards the front in front of the negative meniscus element (b). The back element (d) which has a front surface convex towards the front may be a meniscus element or may be convex-plano or biconvex.

Abstract: A portable heating unit which may quickly and easily be installed in an existing fireplace construction is described. The heating unit, with a controlled adaptable damper system, greatly increases the burning efficiency of the fuel and is designed to provide a circulating warm air stream for heating a room. The heating unit can quickly and easily be moved from the fireplace opening to restore the fireplace to its original operation when the extra heat is no longer needed.The portable heating unit may also be installed in a self-contained enclosure. This enclosure incorporates a triangular-shaped flue that interconnects with a nearby chimney. The triangular flue is constructed so as to connect with a chimney to the right or to the left of the heating unit enclosure thereby allowing one chimney to service more than one heating unit at the same floor level.

Abstract: An interactive terminal which is capable of complete hand-held operation with total freedom of position and location is provided. The terminal incorporates a self contained full 128-character keyboard, a 20-character alphanumeric readout, and a 1000-character memory. The terminal allows the generation of all 128 ASCII characters plus "break." In order to assure review of any message, a conveniently positioned scroll switch is incorporated to advance or roll back any messsage in the memory for presentation on the display.When previous messages are displayed and incoming information is being received by the terminal, the light intensity of the displayed messages modulates to indicate to the operator that information is being received but not displayed. The unique, totally portable, hand-held interactive terminal is provided with a 20 key keyboard which is operated with one hand, while the other hand selects one of four different information levels for each key.

Abstract: A decorative unitary aquarium liner for simulating a scene underwater comprises a bottom and a diorama backdrop that are integrally combined to form a unitary aesthetic scene. The bottom and diorama backdrop may be formed from the same sheet of material, such as thermoform plastic and the diorama backdrop may provide enclosures for accommodating aquarium water circulating conduits connected to pump and filter assemblies, aquarium aeration conduits and illumination accessories, if desired. The aeration outlet to the aquarium may pass through an orifice in the bottom portion of the aquarium liner. The aquarium liner may optionally incorporate side portions integrally combined with the bottom and diorama backdrop to form a multisided liner. The outer surface of the liner may have irregular contours to simulate a natural underwater environment. The unitary aquarium liner eliminates the need for sand and gravel presently used in most convention aquariums.