Abstract: A convertible work station composed of chair and desk sections which are separated from each other in an active mode of the station and are combined in a storage mode to form a compact cube having square faces. The chair section is defined by a seat mounted between parallel front and rear side panels bridged by a square end panel to form an alcove, the rear side panel also being square and the front side panel being half square. The desk section is defined by a square desk top mounted on an L-shaped base formed by a square rear side panel hinged to the square rear panel of the chair section, and a half-square end panel.

Abstract: A pneumatic bop bag which rests on the ground and simulates a humanoid figure having a head, the bag being normally erect. When a player punches the head, the bag is caused to swing to a degree that depend on the force of the punch, the bag then swinging back to resume its erect position. The bag is formed by a collapsible fabric casing having an upper head zone, an intermediate torso zone and a base zone that rests on the ground. The head and torso zones are occupied by an inflated balloon which conforms to the contours of these zones to cause the bag to assume a three-dimensional shape. Confined within the base zone is a weighted convex dish whose center pole which engages the ground is normally aligned with a vertical axis. When the bag is punched and swings away from this vertical axis, the gravitational force imposed on the dish causes the bag to return to its normal position whereby it is again erect.

Abstract: A package housing a humanoid or animal-like figure, or other shaped object such as a miniature automobile, formed of porous, compressible material which when compressed to expel the air therefrom then assumes a shrunken state. The shrunken object is stuffed into the cavity of a small container having a form thematically related to the object stuffed therein. When the container is opened and the object released therefrom, the object inhales air to assume its normal full scale size and shape. Embedded in the object is a sound-producing electronic unit which when the object is agitated, then generates audible sounds appropriate to the object.

Abstract: A generally rectangular metal cooking pan and skirt assembly in which the pan is mounted above the skirt and is joined thereto. Disposed within the skirt is a gas or electric heating unit which generates heat that is applied to the pan to cook meat or other food placed therein. Because of thermal stresses created in the pan by the applied heat in the course of a cooking operation, the pan is susceptible to warpage and possible damage. To constrain such warpage there is provided a reinforcing bar extending diagonally across the rectangular skirt and being welded at its end to opposing diagonal corners of the skirt. The diagonal bar defines a constraining bridge that maintains the geometry of the assembly in the course of a cooking operation to prevent it from exceeding its elastic limit and permanently deforming the assembly.

Abstract: An enhanced strength screw-type, self-tapping masonry anchor for fastening a fixture or other attachment to masonry in which a hole is drilled to receive the anchor. The anchor is provided with a shank having a root section surrounded by at least one helical male cutting thread whose crest diameter exceeds the diameter of the hole whereby when the anchor is screwed into the hole, the cutting thread then cuts a female thread in the bank of the hole to mechanically retain the anchor therein to impart to the anchor a holding power that resists axial pull-out forces. Formed on the root in the helical land between successive convolutions of the thread is a ridge that is raised above the root to define a compacting zone between the ridge and the bank of the hole. Particulate debris produced by the cutting action is discharged into the land and forced into the compacting zone to create a dense mass that wedges the anchor in the hole and thereby enhances the holding power of the anchor.

Abstract: A non-invasive therapeutic technique for treating neuro-cerebral disorders that are characterized by internal lesions, such as multiple sclerosis. In this technique, directed toward an external site on the body of the subject to be treated adjacent the internal lesions is a pulsatory corona discharge beam which scans the site and bombards the lesions with ions for a period sufficient to alleviate the disorder. The beam is produced by an energy-generating unit in which a radio-frequency carrier is modulated by an audio frequency signal that is cyclically chopped into pulses which in the course of each cycle having a one minute duration, the pulses have a progressively stepped up repetition rate, resulting in corresponding bursts of radio-frequency energy. The bursts of energy yielded by the unit are applied to the discharge electrode of an applicator from which the corona discharge beam is projected.

Abstract: A greeting card on which is printed a message addressed to its recipient by an established character, such as a well-known cartoon figure. The card includes a detachable decal section having printed thereon an image of the character. The decal section is printed with a transferable ink, the remainder of the card being printed with a non-transferable ink. The decal section constitutes a gift from this character to the recipient who can detach this section and transfer the image thereon to a surface receptive to a transferable ink which may be of the heat or water tranferable type.

Abstract: A postage meter whose postage supply is a reel of adhesive tape on which is pre-printed a continuous incremental bar code. The amount of postage required for a given piece to be mailed is expressed on a postage label derived from the tape and attachable to the piece in multiple increments whereby the greater the postage amount, the longer the label. Also included in the postage meter is a second reel of blank adhesive tape from which is derived a data label to be applied to the piece on which is meter-printed data appropriate to the mailing, such as the identity the post office from which the piece is mailed and the date of mailing.

Abstract: A holder for a paper towel roll in which wound about a tubular core is a band of absorbent paper sheeting divided by perforation lines into a series of interconnected towel sections. The roll is rotatably supported by the holder to permit a user to unwind the leading towel section from the roll and tear it off. To facilitate extraction of a single towel section from the roll without causing it to further unwind, a stop element is provided. The element is formed by a cap and a plug projecting therefrom, the plug being received in one end of the tubular core whereby the cap then abuts an end of the roll. In operation, as the user with one hand tears off the unwound leading section of the roll, with his other hand presses the cap of the stop element to arrest rotation of the roll and further unwinding thereof.

Abstract: A leash-controllable, collarless dog harness adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against the leash. The harness is formed from a cable having a pair of branches which are joined together at their opposing ends to form a continuous loop, a coupling ring encircling one end. The other end of the branches extends through a buckle to create an eyelet through which the ring passes. Slidable along the branches to clamp them together is a lockable clamp, and also slidable thereon to space the branches apart is a spacer element. When the harness is installed, the clamp is then positioned to overlie the shoulder of the dog and the buckle is positioned to overlie the body of the dog, the spacer element then being placed adjacent the dog's chest, whereby the branches of the cable run from the ring through the eyelet to the clamp at the shoulder of the dog, and from there down opposite sides of the dog to pass through the left and right foreleg crotches and then up the body of the dog to terminate at the eyelet.

Abstract: A squeezable ball-like toy having an outer spheroidal casing molded of resilient synthetic plastic material whose exposed surface is contoured to render the casing suggestive of an organic object, such as a humanoid head or human organ. Distributed about the casing are ports creating orifices of varying size and shape. Enclosed within the casing is a core of elastomer material having a distinctive color, the core normally blocking the ports. When the ball-like toy is squeezed and deformed by a player, streams of elastomer integral with the core are then extruded from the orifices to simulate discharges from the organic object. When the toy is released to resume its normal shape, the streams are retracted into the core whereby the toy is then throwable.

Abstract: A technique for producing an animated film whose cartoon characters and their movements are impersonated by living actors. The scenes of the film are shot by a blue-screen matte cinemaphotography system adapted to exclude blue surfaces from the camera filming the cartoon character. The cartoon character seen by this camera is created by a living actor enveloped head-to-toe in a blue-dyed body suit that renders the actor invisible to the camera. Painted on the front and rear surfaces of the body suit in colors other than blue is a drawing of the cartoon character, animation being imparted thereto in real time by the actor's movements.

Abstract: A dynamic system adapted to test a human subject to determine the degree to which his physical stability is impaired without regard to the cause of impairment. The system includes an unsteady platform on which the subject to be tested stands, the platform being supported at a raised position above ground to normally lie in a horizontal plane having an X axis which extends through the center of the platform and a Y axis which is normal to the X axis and extends through the center. The platform is tiltable by the subject standing thereon about the X and Y axes to thereby change the orientation of the platform, the tiltability being is restrained so that the standing subject is not rendered insecure. Electronic sensors are mounted on the platform yield signals which depend on the deviation of the platform from the X and Y axes.

Abstract: A high-security brief case book in which a case is integrated with a loose-leaf binder whose loose-leaf sheets are he pages of the book. The case is defined by front and rear covers of flexible material such as leather, whose inner edges are hinged to opposing edges of a flat spine. Mounted on the spine is a holder having a series of rings adapted to engage the loose-leaf sheets. The upper end of the holder is spaced from the corresponding end of the spine to provide a site on which is anchored a key-operated locking mechanism whose keyhole lies in a plane normal to the plane of the flat spine whereby only the keyhole is exposed when the book is closed. The lower end of the holder is spaced from the corresponding end of the spine to provide a site on which is secured the leading end of a slide fastener whose trailing end is adjacent the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a rotary drive shaft that extends through the hull of a boat, the outboard end of the shaft being coupled to a propeller and the inboard end to a marine engine for rotating the propeller. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing joined by a flexible hose to a tube in the stern of the boat through which the shaft passes. Received within the housing is an annular bearing whose bore diameter depends on the size of the shaft whereby the bearing installed in the housing has an internal diameter appropriate to the size of the shaft being sealed by the assembly. Coupled to one end of the housing is an annular cap having an elastomeric lip seal therein that frictionally engages the shaft to prevent sea water from leaking into the boat. A reservoir defined by an annular space within the housing between the lip seal and the bearing is continuously fed with water to cool and lubricate the lip seal.

Abstract: A blister package for storing an array of oral hygiene applicators, each formed from a circular base having bristles anchored thereon which are impregnated with a dentifrice. The underside of the base is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive whereby when the applicator is adhered to a fingertip of a user, it then functions as a toothbrush. The package includes a card of synthetic plastic film material molded to define an array of blisters. Sealed to the card is a backing sheet having an array of applicators releasably adhered thereto, each applicator being nested in a respective blister in the card. The package is divided by lines of perforation into separable cells, each enclosing an applicator. In use, a cell is separated from the package, its backing sheet is peeled off to expose the applicator, and the applicator is then detached from the sheet and applied to a finger tip of the user.

Abstract: A protective cap and mirror unit for a cosmetic pencil having a sharpened tip. The unit is molded of plastic to define a small rectangular frame whose rear face is integral with a tubular cap, the entry of which is at the lower end of the frame, a mirror being mounted on the front face of the frame. In the storage mode of the unit, the tip end of the cosmetic pencil is snugly telescoped in the cap. In an active mode, a user holding the pencil in one hand and grasping the unit with the other hand, withdraws the unit from the pencil and then defines with the cosmetic pencil her lips or eyes as she observes at close range her face in the mirror.

Abstract: A note paper sheet dispenser adapted to supply a user with a note paper sheet whose dimensions are determined by the user. The dispenser includes a rectangular base above whose rear end is mounted for rotation a strip paper roll in which the underside of the paper strip is coated with a longitudinal band of low-tack pressure-sensitive adhesive. Mounted above the base is an endless conveyer belt which runs between a motor-driven roller adjacent the paper roll and an idler roller adjacent the front end of the base. When the motor is energized, the belt then draws paper strip from the roll along the belt to a length depending on the time period during which the motor is energized. A tear-off blade above the belt and adjacent the roll permits the length of paper strip lying in the belt to be torn off to provide a note paper sheet of the desired length that can be written on and then temporarily adhered to a document or other object.

Abstract: A system adapted to dry microelectronic, optical or other critical parts which in the course of their processing are rendered wet and become contaminated unless fully dried. The system includes an upright drying chamber having an inlet at its lower end and an outlet at its upper end, the parts to be dried being supported in a work zone between the inlet and outlet. Coupled to the inlet of the drying chamber is an input chamber having a blower therein which blows heated gas into the drying chamber through a filter unit covering the inlet thereto The blower creates a negative pressure in the input chamber and a positive pressure in the drying chamber in which the filtered heated gas acts to evaporate moisture from the parts in the work zone.

Abstract: An electronic telephone directory-dialer module which makes it possible for a user to automatically dial any party listed in the directory by using a dial tone telephone set for this purpose, without having to manually dial the telephone number code on the keyboard of this set. Included in the module is a data base and a keyboard by which one enters into the base the names, addresses and telephone number codes of all parties of interest to users of the directory. Operatively coupled to the electronic directory is a dialer constituted by a tone generator adapted to convert the telephone number code of any selected party into corresponding dial tones and to reproduce those tones in a loud speaker. The base of the telephone set is provided with a slot for receiving the module, the slot incorporating a microphone which registers with the loud speaker of the socketed module and is coupled to the telephone line.