Abstract: An aromatic decorative figure or other object formed of foam plastic material having dispersed throughout its cellular structure a relatively large amount of a volatile liquid fragrance. When the figure is exposed to the atmosphere, it continuously exudes the fragrance for a prolonged period, in the course of which the figure proceeds to shrink as a result of liquid loss, thereby indicating the approaching exhaustion of the fragrance. In one embodiment, the figure is created in situ by injecting a charge of a foam-forming mixture having the liquid fragrance dispersed therein into the cavity of a blister pack whose transparent blister is configured to assume the contours of the desired figure. The injected mixture expands within the cavity to form a figure which conforms to the contours of the blister and is cured therein. The resultant foam-plastic figure is effectively sealed within the pack to prevent the escape of fragrance, the pack also serving to display and protect the figure.

Abstract: A power module which when plugged into an open compartment in the body of a motorless toy vehicle acts to motorize the vehicle, the compartment being disposed above a coupling gear which is operatively linked to a wheel or other means to propel the vehicle. Pivotally supported within the case of the module is a DC motor and a gear assembly having attached thereto a control lever. A battery supply housed in the case is connected to the motor through a normally open switch that closes to power the motor when the control lever which normally is in a neutral mode, is shifted either to a forward mode in which the assembly is then inclined to drive the vehicle in the forward direction, or to a reverse mode in which the assembly is then oppositely inclined to drive the vehicle in the reverse direction. The assembly includes a worm gear on the motor shaft and a pair of drive pinions engaging the worm gear on either side thereof whereby the pinions are caused to rotate concurrently in opposite directions.

Abstract: A laser welding technique for joining two parts together, the parts having contacting faces which define an interfacial region. One part is permeable to a laser beam directed toward and focused on the interfacial region, the face of the other part having light-disruptive characteristics whereby when the beam impinges thereon, multiple internal reflections are produced within the interfacial region which trap the energy of the beam to generate sufficient heat to cause the parts to superficially melt and fuse.

Abstract: A flashlight having a delayed action switch assembly which functions to connect a light bulb to a battery supply. Included in the assembly is a pivoted trigger lever mounted on the underside of the flashlight handle. The lever is biased by a leaf spring forming the first contact of a leaf spring switch having a second contact and an intermediate contact interposed between the first and second contacts, the contacts being normally disengaged from each other. The switch is closed only when the first and second contacts engage the intermediate contact. Also included in the flashlight is a slide actuator on the upper side of the handle which cooperates with the second contact, such that when the actuator is in its forward "on" position, the second contact is deflected to engage the intermediate contact, and when in its rear "off" position, the second contact is disengaged.

Abstract: Self-contained starboard and port light units that are receivable in the back-swept hollow arms of a bicycle handlebar to provide blinking light signals that are highly visible to drivers of vehicles to the rear of the bicyclist. Each unit includes a tubular battery case adapted to wedge into a handlebar arm. The open front end of the case projects from the arm and has an edge contact thereon that is connected to the base pole of the battery whose center pole is exposed at the front end of the case. Coupled to the front end of the case is a rotatable beacon assembly formed by a lens and a cylindrical mounting therefor within which is a light bulb whose center terminal engages the center pole of the battery and whose base terminal is connected to a movable switch contact that only engages the edge contact on the case when the rotatable assembly is caused to assume a particular angular position. The light bulb incorporates a thermostatic interrupter to effect intermittent energization thereof.

Abstract: A toy shooting gallery assembly having a raised platform behind whose rear end is an arcuate row of normally erect, pivotally-mounted targets. Each target is provided with a lug that depends from its lower end whereby when this lug is struck, it causes the target to fall down to register a hit. Pivoted at a point adjacent the front end of the platform is a hollow arm on whose front section is mounted a gun having a barrel which extends over the platform, the arm being swingable by the gun in an arc which scans the arcuate row of targets, whereby the barrel may be aimed at a selected target. The gun trigger is operatively coupled by a cable running through the hollow arm to a striker mechanism mounted on the rear section of the arm at a position underlying the target row.

Abstract: An ultrasonic, echo-ranging instrument for measuring liquid level, the instrument including a transducer dispoed at a fixed position directly above the liquid surface. The transducer is excited to emit periodic pulses which are intercepted by the liquid surface as well as by a reference point a fixed distance from the transducer to produce both reference and liquid echo pulses that are returned to the transducer and detected thereby. The respective transit times of the reference echo and the liquid echo pulses are determined, and the ratio between these transit times is computed to provide an output representing the level of liquid. To ensure accurate readings, the reference echo and liquid echo pulses from the transducer are fed to a single automatic gain control circuit whose operation is time shared.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe provided with a safety hypodermic needle and shield assembly to obviate the danger of a handler thereof being accidentally pricked by the point of the needle after it has been injected in a patient and then withdrawn, the withdrawn needle possibly being contaminated with infectious microorganisms. The assembly includes a needle-supporting hub receivable in a socket formed at the front end of a fluid chamber having a projecting nozzle which is inserted in the hub to communicate with the needle. Integral with the hub is a cup-like pedestal on which is anchored a compressible helical spring that surrounds the needle and terminates in a shield having a bore therein to permit the needle to pass therethrough, the normal length of the spring being such as to place the shield just above the point of the needle.

Abstract: A rotary offset press in which an inked image carried by a plate cylinder is transferred to a blanket cylinder from which the image is offset to a paper sheet fed into the nip between the blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder. The opposite ends of the impression cylinder axle are received in bearings which fit into the bores of a pair of like cylindrical bushings supported on the frame of the press. Each bore is eccentric with respect to the outer circumference of the bushing. The bushings are coupled to a pair of ganged crank mechanisms which function to concurrently adjust the rotary angle of the bushings and thereby the size of the nip between the impression cylinder and the blanket cylinder to provide a printing pressure appropriate to the paper to be fed into the nip.

Abstract: A fragrance emitting unit which when hand actuated expels into the atmosphere a pulse of fragrance. Included in the unit is an air-filled container provided with a small jet opening, the container having a flexible wall which when depressed subjects the air in the container to pressure to cause a pulse of air to be expelled through the opening. Interposed between the jet opening and the interior of the container is an air-permeable, porous member impregnated with liquid fragrance whereby when the unit is first actuated, a pulse of air is forced through the member to extract fragrance therefrom to produce a fragrance mist that is discharged through the opening. When the wall is then released and seeks to resume its normal state, the resultant vacuum created within the container causes air to be drawn into the jet opening and to be forced through the member into the interior so that the charge of air in the container is now laden with fragrance.

Abstract: A drawing device adapted to produce line drawings or sketches on a transparent screen on top of a rectangular box-like case partly filled with a powder that adheres slightly to the undersurface of the screen to render it opaque. Disposed within the case is a stylus supported for sliding movement at the intersection of shiftable transverse and longitudinal rods. The extremities of the transverse rods are fastened to a set of parallel branches of a string loop operated by a control knob which when turned causes this rod and the stylus born thereby to move toward either end of the case, depending on the direction of knob rotation. The extremities of the longitudinal rod are fastened to a set of parallel branches of a second string loop operated by a second control knob when turned causes this rod and the stylus born thereby to move toward either side of the box, depending on the direction of knob rotation.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis-type having a primary wherein fluid being metered is conducted through a flow tube in the form of a double loop whose loops are excited by a driver to vibrate in phase opposition at the resonance frequency of the tuning fork. Because fluid passing through the flow tube is subjected to Coriolis forces, the vibrating loops are caused to torsionally oscillate in accordance with the mass flow of the fluid. A pair of sensors mounted on the respective loops sensor signals which are applied to a differential amplifier in a signal recovery system forming the secondary of the meter to produce an output voltage that is a function of mass flow. This output voltage is applied to the input of a microcontroller coupled to an indicator providing a reading of mass flow. The meter is calibrated so that at the resonance frequency under normal operating conditions it produces a reading proportional to mass flow.

Abstract: A toy vehicle in which a flywheel motor assembly is operatively coupled to one set of wheels such that when the motor is revved up and the vehicle is released, it then advances on the ground in the forward direction. A settable distance counter assembly is operatively coupled to the other set of wheels to count the number of feet or other increment of distance travelled by the vehicle. Also included is a braking mechanism provided with a normally-retracted brake shoe whose position is off center with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a normally-retracted brake clutch adapted to engage a braking wheel in the flywheel motor assembly. The braking mechanism is responsive to the distance counter such that when a pre-set distance is travelled by the vehicle, the brake shoe is projected below the chassis to engage the ground and the brake clutch is then caused to engage the braking wheel to arrest the motor.

Abstract: An optical personal inspection instrument enabling an individual, without any assistance, to examine a body orifice or any other body site otherwise not visually accessible. The instrument is provided with a hand-held platform on which a flashlight unit is hingedly supported by an adjustable beam whereby the unit may be more or less raised with respect to the platform and angled to assume an orientation at which a light beam projected from the unit is directed to illuminate the site of interest. Supported behind and above the unit at the upper end of a telescoping arm of adjustable length is a concave mirror, the lower end of the arm being hingedly attached to the adjustable beam at a point thereon adjacent its lower end.

Abstract: A double-faced blister pack and frame assembly for packaging and displaying an article of merchandise. The article is sandwiched between a pair of superposed, transparent plastic sheets whose central regions are molded to generally conform to the opposite faces of the article, the four superposed margins of the sheets each defining a flange. The frame is formed of a cardboard strip that is so die-cut and folded as to create a chain of four interhinged branches each having a triangular truss cross section whose base chord is the outer wall of the frame and whose central strut is constituted by parallel walls extending from the apex of the triangle to the base chord to form a narrow slot. Socketed in the slot of each branch is the corresponding flange of the pack whereby the pack is supported by the frame, and the opposite faces of the article which lie within the frame are both exposed to a prospective purchaser who is able to fully examine the article without having to break open the package to do so.

Abstract: A grafting technique entailing the transplantation of chondrocytes for promoting the healing of lesions in articular cartilage, use being made for this purpose of in vitro autologous cultured chondrocytes prior to transplantation. The chondrocytes are preferably seeded in a three-dimensional collagen matrix which serves as the graft material. In order to internally fix the graft during the healing process, use is made of a periosteal flap which is sutured to the cartilage after the graft material is implanted therein.

Abstract: Collagen-based compositions for augmenting soft tissue, wound dressings, implants, injectable formulations or other drug delivery systems, comprising resorbable collagen matrix beads, the beads having an average pore size of from 50 to 350 microns, and the collagen comprising from 1 to 30% by volume of the beads, the collagen matrix being sufficiently open to stimulate cellular ingrowth therethrough and yet sufficiently stiff and non-compressible to fill and protect a wound, and the formulation being sufficiently moisture and gas permeable to prevent liquid pooling on a wound and to permit sufficient oxygen diffusion for promoting wound healing.

Abstract: A cassette player and slide assembly adapted to play back a pre-recorded magnetic tape cassette having a voice recording of a performer whose facial image appears on a transparency slide receivable in a holder attached to the player and provided with a window so that as one hears the performance, one also sees the performer. The player includes an audio amplifier whose output is applied both to a sound reproducer and to a light bulb producing light pulses in synchronism with the reproduced sounds. The slide holder includes a ground glass screen that supports the inserted slide and is back illuminated by the light bulb. The rear surface of the slide is masked to expose only the eyes and mouth of the image whereby only these are intermittently illuminated by the light pulses to impart realistic animation to the performer's image in the course of the played-back performance.

Abstract: A child's play ball constituted by an outer casing and an inner inflatable bladder. The outer casing is formed by contoured segments of high strength, non-stretchable fabric material stitched together to define, when the casing is fully expanded, a play ball of the desired shape and size, such as a football or soccer ball. The inner bladder is a conventional rubber balloon whose stem initially projects through an opening in the casing which is provided with a closure. The stem, after the balloon is inflated with air so that it conforms to the casing, is then tied to retain the air, the tied stem being concealed within the casing by the closure. The maximum safe diameter of the inflated balloon which is well below the diameter at which the balloon is close to its bursting point, is approximately equal to the maximum dimension of the expanded casing whereby the encased balloon has exceptional strength and the play ball may be subjected to rough handling.