Abstract: In-line roller skates whose wheels make it possible for a skater to stop without the need for a braking pad or other special expedients for this purpose. Each skate includes a boot to accommodate the skater's foot and a frame secured to the underside of the boot supporting a series of in-line wheels having a composite structure. Each composite wheel includes a center section formed of hard material, such as high-density polyethylene, having a low coefficient of friction, the center section being flanked by side sections formed of relatively soft material, such as cast polyurethane, having a high coefficient of friction. In order to stop or reduce speed, the skater turns the in-line skates away from the direction of travel as he would when braking ice skates. This maneuver causes a portion both of the hard and a soft section of the composite wheels, now angled with respect to the direction of travel, to frictionally engage the ground to effect a braking action.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven plastic play pieces. The assembly includes a mold, non-reactive to microwave energy and is provided with shaped cavities for receiving a flowable, plastic molding composition non-reactive to microwave energy and having a predetermined curing temperature. Underlying the cavities is a thermal heating element formed by microwave energy-absorbing ferrite particles dispersed in an inert matrix. The particles have a Curie point higher than the curing temperature of the molding composition so that the heating element heats the composition in the mold cavities to effect curing and hardening thereof, thereby forming the play pieces. The mold assembly is enclosed within a safety container non-reactive to microwave energy.

Abstract: A stuffed toy figure having a humanoid or animal-like form, such as that of a monkey, the figure including a stuffed torso and a pair of stuffed arms extending therefrom and ending in hands. Housed in the torso is a portable audio tape cassette player. The figure is carried by a child wearing an earphone headset having left and right earphones, these being connected by respective cables which run through the hands and arms to the output of the player housed in the torso. The cables leading to the earphones serve to dangle the figure from the headset and so as to raise the arms to place the hands on the shoulders of a child listening to the recording reproduced by the cassette player.

Abstract: A display package housing a cylindrical, transparent container on whose externally-threaded neck is received a screw-on cap, the container being loaded with shaped candy pieces having a figurative form such as that of a miniature bear. The package is constituted by a hollow plastic figure whose form is similar to that of the shaped candy piece, but in a greatly enlarged scale. The figure is divided into a body section and a complementary head section. The internal cavity of the body section communicates with a top end opening and with a front side viewing port. The internal cavity of the head section communicates with a bottom end opening within which is nested the container cap. The container is fixedly seated within the internal cavity of the body section, the container neck projecting above the top end opening whereby the head section having the cap nested therein may be screwed thereon to complete the figure, or unscrewed to provide access to the candy pieces in the container.

Abstract: A lounge chair accommodating an occupant in a reclining position while exposing him to a stress-relieving environment. The chair includes a couch whose frame supports a bed formed by an array of parallel dowels contoured to define an intermediate posterior region having extending therefrom a front thigh and leg region and rear back and head region. The bed contour is adjustable to conform to the natural contours of the occupant. The couch is mounted on a base and is angularly adjustable thereon. Supported on the frame below the bed is a water trough contoured to define an intermediate sump section having extending therefrom front and rear waterfall sections, each provided with a set of deflectors so situated as to cause the flowing water to cascade into the sump section. Coupled to the trough is a pump supplying water to the input of the front and rear waterfall sections, the water collected in the sump section being returned to the pump and recirculated.

Abstract: An edible jelly that is convertible by means of a chopstick or other implement capable of kneading the jelly into a taffy or slime-like candy. The jelly stock, formed by a flowable composition whose ingredients include gelatin, is poured into an open cup where it proceeds to undergo setting in the course of which gelling takes place. But before the composition is permitted to fully set and while it is still in a partially-gelled, sticky state, the cup is sealed by a removable cover to arrest further setting. When a child wishes to convert the partially-set jelly into a taffy or slime-like candy, the child removes the cover from the cup and then kneads the jelly therein with the implement to disrupt its internal structure until the jelly assumes the desired constituency, at which point the child with his fingers can pull the converted jelly out of the cup, stretch it into strands and eat the strands as candy.

Abstract: A variable-weight play piece, such as a ball or bat, the weight of the piece depending on the amount of water dispersed within a compressible internal body confined within a water-impermeable outer casing. The casing, whose shape is determined by the nature of the piece, is provided with a port having a removable closure, at least one section of the casing being flexible so that when manually pressed in, it acts to compress the internal body, and when pressure is released, the body then resumes its original shape which conforms to that of the casing. The internal body is formed of open-cell, flexible foam material having sponge-like properties. To impart heft to the play piece, the port is opened and pressure is applied to the flexible section of the casing to compress the internal body and thereby expel air therefrom through the open port.

Abstract: A power control unit for a thermotherapy applicator adapted to direct toward a localized skin area of a patient overlying a problem region, a stream of hot air whose temperature cyclically alternates between a base level above ambient to a peak level above base to produce a pulsatory heat wave which promotes the transfer of heat to the problem region to raise it to an elevated temperature. The applicator includes a fan driven by a d-c motor that blows air through an a-c powered heater coil to produce an air stream whose temperature depends on the velocity of air blown through the coil; the higher the velocity, the lower this temperature. The velocity is a function of the level of d-c voltage applied to the motor by a rectifier connected to a voltage-divider tap on the coil.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly having a handle component and a brush component which in the storage mode of the assembly is housed within the handle component. In the brushing mode, the brush component is attached to the handle component and projects therefrom. The brush component is formed by a shank having a brush head anchored thereon, the shank terminating in a mounting plug. The handle component is formed by a hollow body having an elongated belly section in whose cavity the brush component is storable, the belly section flowing into an enlarged annular shoulder leading to a neck section adapted to socket the plug of the brush component. The handle body is contoured to define a concave fore depression at the junction of the shoulder and the neck section, and a concave aft depression at the junction of the shoulder and the belly section.

Abstract: A sealing system for effecting a seal around a rotatable cylindrical shaft. The system is intended to be employed with a shaft which extends through a wall, such as a boat hull, into an aqueous environment. The system employs an elastomeric seal which defines an aperture therewithin, and the seal is intended to be fitted around the rotatable shaft which it is intended to seal. Structure is provided to mount the seal at a location generally coaxial with the shaft and spaced from the wall on a side thereof opposite that of the fluid environment.

Abstract: A squeeze canteen for dispensing a potable liquid such as drinking water or fruit juice, the canteen including a container formed of resilient material for holding the liquid. The container is closed by a removable cap provided with a nozzle in the form of a normally upright, flexible tube mounted on a nipple and projecting from the cap, the inlet of the tube communicating with the container. When the canteen is in its drinking mode and the container is squeezed, the resultant internal pressure forces liquid from the container through the upright tube from which it is ejected. Associated with the cap is a crimping device constituted by a flexible lug one end of which is anchored on the cap. The lug being provided with an elongated slot through which the tube extends. The lug is manipulated by the user so that in the drinking mode it is folded over to permit the tube to assume its normal upright position.

Abstract: A leash controllable harness adapted to inhibit a dog wearing the harness from straining against the leash held by an individual walking the dog, the harness inducing the dog to come to a halt or to walk at a pace acceptable to the leash holder. The harness is composed of a pair of loops that depend from a leash-coupling junction at which the loops are joined, the loops being angled at the junction with respect to each other so that they cross over at a crossover site below the junction. When the harness is installed on the dog, the coupling junction to which a leash is connected then overlies the dog's shoulder intermediate the right and left forelegs, and the crossover site lies under the dog's chest, one loop running from the site through the crotch between the chest and the left foreleg and back to the junction, the other loop running from this site through the crotch between the chest and the right foreleg back to the junction.

Abstract: A handle for a grooming brush that makes it possible for a groomer to grip the handle in a manner effecting optimal control for a selected mode of brushing activity, such as vigorous, down-stroke brushing. The handle has an elongated body whose leading end section is attached to the rear of the brush at an angle thereto. The leading end section of the handle has an upper surface defining a center thumb rest and concave depression on either side defining left and right side thumb rests. The groomer who grips the body of the handle with his fingers may then press his thumb on the center thumb rest to carry out one mode of brushing activity, or press his thumb into one of the side thumb rests to carry out other modes of brushing activity.

Abstract: A leash-controllable dog harness adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against a leash held by an individual walking the dog, the harness inducing the dog to come to a halt or to walk at a pace acceptable to the leash holder. The harness is composed of a pair of loops and a shoulder junction having left and right openings, each loop being formed by a strap of adjustable length whose leading end is linked to the junction and whose trailing end slides through a respective opening and is coupled to the leash whereby when the leash is strained, both straps are then pulled. The loops are angled with respect to each other to interconnect at a crossover site. When the harness is installed on a dog, the shoulder junction then overlies the dog's shoulder intermediate the right and left forelegs, and the crossover site lies under the dog's chest, one strap running from the site through the right foreleg crotch, the other strap running from the site through the left foreleg crotch.

Abstract: A display case assembly adapted to store at least one bottle or other container and to protectively house this bottle within a display case formed by a tray and a cover therefor. The bottle is provided with a removable cap whose top end has a distinct geometric form and a base whose bottom end has a distinct geometric form. The top end of the bottle is nested within a similarly shaped socket formed on an upper retainer plate pressed against the upper wall of the tray. The bottom end of the bottle is nested within similarly-shaped socket formed in a lower retainer plate that rests on and compresses a resilient foam-plastic pad seated on the lower wall of the tray. The bottle is subjected to pressure by the compressed pad which holds it in place and acts as a shock mounting. The case may be made of transparent material so that the bottle housed therein is exhibited.

Abstract: A knock-down chair suitable for a child. The chair includes a rectangular seat having a slot adjacent its rear end to receive the base tongue of a back that is contoured to define a symbol such as a letter of the alphabet or a digit that identifies the chair and its occupant. Attachable to the underside of the seat adjacent each of its four corners is a leg coupling block having a cutout defining a socket to receive the head section of a respective chair leg.

Abstract: A probe assembly adapted to test an integrated circuit (IC) device whose contact pads are deployed in a predetermined pattern in a common plane. The assembly includes a film membrane having a planar dielectric contactor zone and an array of suspension wings radiating from this zone. The wings are clamped at their ends by a mounting ring surrounding a port in a printed circuit board which exposes the contactor zone suspended below the board to the IC device to be tested, the ring being secured to the board. Deployed in a matching pattern on the exposed face of the contactor zone and cantilevered therefrom to assume an angle with respect thereto are spring contact fingers that are extensions of traces running along the wings of the membrane to leads on the printed circuit board. These leads extend to respective test terminals on the board which are connectable to electronic instrumentation for conducting tests on the IC device.

Abstract: A ball and socket assembly adapted to engage the post of a rudder installed in the stern of a boat and to maintain it at a proper upright position regardless of the degree to which the post deviates from the vertical and is subjected to hydrodynamic forces which seek to displace the post. The assembly consists of a journal box fixedly mounted on a support and having a spheroidal cavity, and a bearing through which the rudder post extends. The bearing is constituted by a spheroidal section that nests within the cavity of the box and a cylindrical section projecting from the box and pinned to the post whereby the bearing is in alignment with the post and its spheroidal section is caused to rotate within the cavity in accordance with the rotation of the post as the boat is steered.

Abstract: A canteen for children whose structure incorporates a drinking straw that also functions as a stopper. The canteen includes a cylindrical container for the liquid to be dispensed and a removable cover which is screwed onto the rim of the container and is provided with an off-center coupler. One end of the coupler projects from the underside of the cover to form a lower nipple to which is attached a long dip tube that extends into the container. The other end of the coupler projects from the top side of the cover to form an upper nipple to which is attached a short, flexible mouth tube, which in combination with the dip tube functions as a drinking straw. Mounted over the cover is a dome having a slot therein, the dome being turnable with respect to the cover from a drinking mode position in which the mouth tube then projects upwardly through the slot, to a sealing mode position in which the mouth tube is bent under the dome and is pinched at the bend so that it now acts as a stopper to seal the container.

Abstract: An iron-free transformer in which electrical energy is transferred from a primary winding to a secondary winding without any electrical connection or inductive coupling therebetween. The transformer includes an iron-free conductive closed loop having input and output sections. Coiled about the input section to form the primary winding is a solenoidal flux tube whose ends are the input terminals of the transformer. Coiled about the output section is a solenoidal flux tube whose ends are the output terminals of the transformer. When the input terminals are connected to an alternating current source, the lines of flux in the electromagnetic field created by the primary flux tube winding do not intercept the secondary flux tube winding, but induce alternating current in the input section which is continuously circulated in the loop and flows through the output section thereof.