Abstract: A credit card security system employs a personal identification code in the form of a combination of numerals or letters combined with a pre-selected color, and issued to a credit card customer by a credit issuing company preferably in the form of a token having a face of the appropriate color and provided with suitable indicia setting forth the numeral or letter combination part of the code, or as a decal likewise setting forth the code. A card in the form of a planar element is provided with a suitable surface containing a grid of generally rectangular boxes each of a different color is provided to a merchant, and the like, honoring a card issued by the particular credit card company so that a person presenting a card for payment of goods or services can inscribe the indicia of the identification code into the properly colored box. Preferably, the card forming the grid of colored boxes is a removable part of a credit sales slip.

Abstract: Planter apparatus (10) including a plurality of pivotally mounted arms (22, 24) each having a disc unit (26) arranged on an outboard end thereof has each of the arms constructed with horizontal and angular portions (28, 30 and 32, 34) disposed at such an angle with respect to one another that the horizontal portion experiences greatly reduced side forces. The lighter construction of the arms thus afforded permits inclusion of a fine adjustment in the resilient control arrangement (58) associated with each of the arms, with this fine adjustment preferably being obtained by use of torsion springs (62) associated with each of the arms. A stop assembly (48) is provided inboard of the pivot point of each of the arms for potential abutment with an associated subframe (16) of the apparatus in order to limit downward swinging movement of an associated disc unit in the event of disengagement or other failure of the primary motion control system of the arms.

Abstract: The throat configuration of a converging-diverging nozzle (16) is varied by defining a throat area (18) of the nozzle by a plurality of impinging ion beams arranged symmetrically around the throat area of the nozzle and directed toward a central point (34) within the aforementioned throat area. Each of the ion streams is independently controlled so as to permit variation in the symmetry of the throat area as well as the size thereof, and permit deflections of the fluid flow paths as well as changes in, for example, a thrust generated by a fluid stream passing through the nozzle.

Abstract: Capsules (10) such as used for administering medicines, foods, and the like, are formed by a pair of sections (12, 14) locked to one another by a latching assembly (28) including a projecting member (30) provided on one of the sections and a keeper or abutment (34) provided on the other of the sections. By this arrangement, the projecting member and the abutment will snap together when the associated sections are matingly joined so as to resist separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting seed having a frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for transport over the earth in a predetermined direction of travel, a source of seed, a furrowing assembly, an arm borne by the frame mounting the furrowing assembly for movement to and from earth engagement when the frame is mounted on a vehicle, and a conduit interconnecting the source of seed and the furrowing assembly for distributing seed from the source into a furrow formed in the earth by the furrowing assembly during transport of the frame with the vehicle over the earth.

Abstract: A steerable, self-propellable surfboard has a steering arrangement attached to a weight-bearing buoyant member such as normally forms a surfboard and arranged for being actuatable by a surfer lying prone on the buoyant member and permitting the surfboard to be maneuvered under control through a liquid in which the surfboard is disposed. The steering arrangement includes a rudder assembly arranged for changing a direction of travel of the surfboard, and a fin assembly which permits the surfer to propel the surfboard through a calm liquid body by causing the member to fishtail or undulate through the liquid in which the surfboard is travelling.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating hydrocarbons, and the like, in an underground reservoir for the purpose of lowering the viscosity of the substance in the reservoir and facilitating the flow thereof has a flow channel arrangement disposable in a reservoir of the material to be treated for forming a flow path for a working fluid that is heated by a heating system associated with the flow channel arrangement. The heated working fluid is then discharged from the flow path and into the reservoir of material to be heated for the purpose of lowering the viscosity and improving the flowability of the material in the reservoir.The heating system includes an electrical resistance heating unit comprising an electrical circuit including at least one pair of opposed electrodes electrically connected in series and arranged along and partially forming the flow path for the working fluid, with the portion of the electrical circuit between the electrodes being completed through the working fluid.

Abstract: A nut, bolt, and screw holder arrangeable on a finger of a user of the holder has a support arrangement disposed for engaging with a finger of the user along a longitudinal extent of the finger. A holding assembly is mounted on the support arrangement for selectively engaging an item, or items, to be held and retaining the item on the support arrangement. The support arrangement includes a longitudinal extending member, and a finger engaging structure provided on the member for cooperatively engaging with an associated finger and removably retaining the member on the finger. The longitudinally extending member includes a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, with the holding arrangement being disposed on the member at the first end of the member. The finger engaging structure includes a ring pivotally mounted on the member adjacent the second end of the member, with the ring being arranged for receiving a finger on which the holder is to be mounted.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in moving a disabled human limb has a cuff arrangeable on a disabled limb, and a handle assembly attached to the cuff and engageable by an able limb of the user for permitting the able limb to manipulate the disabled limb.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, a guide element is provided in advance of the platen-pressure roller gap for the purpose of preventing creasing of thin papers during transport. The guide element may have a retracted position providing for unobstructed movement of the paper leading edge along an insertion channel and into the platen-pressure roller gap. Then during paper transport by the platen, the guide element is shifted to an active position for deflecting the paper toward the platen such that the paper contacts the platen in advance of the pressure roller over a substantial angle (e.g. 15.degree.-20.degree.). A spring for urging the guide element to active position may have a spring force more insufficient to substantially deflect thick types of paper not subject to creasing.

Abstract: A sling having a longitudinally extending, flexible element attached to a finger of a glove to be worn by one using the sling for facilitating control of an object being thrown by the sling, and for protecting the user's hand. Inserted into the extent of the flexible element, substantially at the midpoint of such extent, is a pocket provided with a centrally disposed, elongated hole arranged for receiving a portion of an object to be thrown, with crossed straps extending across the hole for retaining the object to be thrown within the pocket of the sling.