Abstract: A self-tapping, screw-type anchor capable of being turned into a hole drilled in masonry whose hardness renders the wall of the hole highly resistant to a tapping action. The anchor includes a thread forming a helical ridge on the root of the anchor, the thread having a profile defining a pair of opposing curvilinear flanks rising above the root and converging toward a crest. The curvature of the flanks which is preferably hyperbolic, creates a crest having a small included angle adapted to penetrate the wall of the hole, the crest being supported on a relatively broad base that merges with the root to firmly secure the thread thereto and thereby prevent deformation or mutilation of the thread as the anchor is being turned into the hole.

Abstract: A playing card game whose winner gains free phone calling time for a period that depends on the value of playing-phone cards he has won. The game uses two decks of playing cards, one being a standard deck of 52 cards divided into four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades), each suit having king, queen and jack cards and ten numeric cards (Ace to 10). The other deck is a hybrid standard deck in which each of the cards is integrated with a prepaid phone card having a specified money value which depends on the rank of the card and fixes the free phone calling time accorded to its holder, whereby each hybrid card is a playing-phone card. The game is played with the standard deck, some of whose cards are replaced by corresponding playing-phone cards taken from the hybrid deck. After a game is played, the winner keeps the playing-phone cards included in his winning hand and is thereby rewarded for having won.

Abstract: A foam-plastic core for a structural laminate produced by converting standard, rectangular slabs of closed-cell, rigid foam plastic stock in which the density of each slab varies from the inner to the outer regions thereof into relatively thin panels useable as the core of a structural laminate in which the core is sandwiched between facing sheets. To produce these cores, several standard slabs are stacked and bonded together by parallel lines of adhesive compatible with the foam plastic material to create a large multi-slab block. The block is then sliced transversely in parallel planes normal to the lines of adhesive to yield a plurality of panels. Each panel is composed of a series of interconnected foam-plastic sections derived from respective slabs of the block whereby the density of the sections is evenly distributed throughout the panel and the mechanical properites of the panel are therefore predictable and satisfy structural laminate criteria.

Abstract: A disposable oral hygiene applicator attachable to the ball of a user's fingertip whose finger then functions as an articulated handle by which the applicator may be inserted in the oral cavity and applied omnidirectionally to the teeth and gingival tissues to sweep and clean the teeth and to massage the gums. The applicator includes a circular flexible base dimensioned to cover mainly the round ball of the fingertip, the underside of the base having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon. Anchored on the base and projecting upwardly therefrom is a dense array of multi-strand filamentary loops that form the bristles of a miniature brush, a charge of viscous dentifrice being entrapped in the loops. In one preferred embodiment of the applicator, adhering to the layer on the underside of the base is a removable carrier disc whose diameter exceeds that of the base to define a peripheral flange to facilitate removal of the disc so that the applicator may then be adhered to the fingertip.

Abstract: A centering sleeve and overflow ring assembly adapted to facilitate proper installation in a hole drilled in masonry of a stud for fastening a fixture or other object to the masonry. Deposited in the hole is a charge of a flowable bonding agent which when cured then anchors in place the stud inserted in the hole. The ring is preferably formed of a flat, tearable material and is seated on the masonry in registration with the hole. The sleeve which is snugly nested in the upper end of the hole includes inwardly-directed centering means that engage the stud inserted in the hole to maintain the stud centered therein while providing a flow passage between the stud and the sleeve. When the inserted stud plunges into the charge of bonding agent, the agent then rises in the hole and passes through the flow passage in the sleeve to overflow onto the ring. After the overflow accumulated on the ring cures and hardens, it can then be discarded by tearing off the ring.

Abstract: An electronic stimulation system for treating a patient suffering from a tinnitus disorder in which the patient hears ringing or other sounds originating in the ear. The system includes an electronically actuated probe to which is applied a complex signal in the auditory range to cause the probe to vibrate in accordance with the signal. The probe is placed at a site on the patient in proximity to the cochlea of the inner ear whereby the probe vibrations are transmitted to the cochlea to stimulate this organ and thereby alleviate the tinnitus disorder. In this system, use is made of two adjustable audio-frequency oscillators, one operating in a low frequency range whose upper limit is about 400 Hz, the other operating in a high-frequency whose upper limit is about 1000 Hz. The outputs of these oscillators are combined and amplified to produce the complex signal applied to the probe.

Abstract: A dual-footboard scooter in a tricycle format, the front wheel of the scooter being coupled to a steering post passing through a steering column to join a steering handle provided with a hand brake operatively coupled to the front wheel. A pair of parallel footboards are attached at their front ends to a bifurcated frame extending rearwardly from the steering column. Secured to the underside of each footboard is a rear end wheel behind which is a skid brake adapted to engage the ground only when the footboard is upwardly tilted. In operating the scooter, the rider grasps the steering handle, one foot then resting on either one of the footboards, the other foot extending through the space between the footboards to make pushing contact with the ground to propel the scooter forward.

Abstract: A soft hood and module assembly adapted to convert an open baker's rack loaded with pieces of yeast dough into a proofing chamber where the pieces are subjected to a hot humid air environment acting to raise these pieces prior to their baking. The module for generating hot humid air is placed in the base of the rack with its air inlet adjacent the front end of the rack and its outlet adjacent the rear end. The soft hood which is fabricated of flexible plastic sheeting encloses the rack to form a chamber having a feed duct parallel to the rear end of the rack which communicates with the module outlet, and a return duct parallel to the front end of the rack which communicates with the module inlet. In operation, hot, humid air blown out of the module outlet into the feed duct is distributed thereby to pass across the dough pieces supported by the rack into the return duct from which the air flows back into the inlet of the module for recirculation in the chamber to uniformly proof the pieces.

Abstract: A mirror and light box assembly installable in a crib or other enclosure occupied by an infant. The assembly which is interactive with the infant includes a light box on whose front face is mounted a semi-reflective mirror behind which is a film transparency having a photographic image of the infant's mother. When an electric light bulb in the box is energized to illuminate the transparency, the image of the mother becomes visible to the infant through the then effectively transparent mirror. Associated with the light box is a sound-activated switching device connected between the bulb and a power source. The switching device, when activated by crying sounds emanating from the infant, remains activated for a predetermined period to energize the bulb and illuminate the transparency. Also associated with the light box is a record playback unit having stored therein a voice message recorded by the mother addressed to her infant, the unit being rendered operative only when the bulb is energized.

Abstract: A squeezable toy plaything which simulates an organic object, such as a human organ, a body part, or a humanoid figure, which plaything when squeezed and released then generates a gurgling sound. The plaything includes a generally spherical outer shell formed of flexible transparent plastic film encasing a hollow inner core. The core is molded of resilient plastic material whose outer surface is contoured to simulate the appearance of the object, the core being provided with an orifice which renders the hollow core collapsible. Injected into the core through the orifice is a charge of oil or other viscous liquid. When the ball is squeezed and deformed, oil and air are discharged from the orifice into the confined spaces between the core and shell, and when the ball is then released to recover its normal shape, oil and air are then sucked back into the shell, these actions producing a gurgling sound.

Abstract: A computerized merchandising system useable by a corporation associated with a group of stores selling goods, the system acting not only to induce a consumer to purchase these goods, but also to induce this consumer to buy shares of stock issued by the corporation, for either choice is to his possible advantage. On the site of each store is a satellite computer which prints out and supplies a certificate to a buyer who pays its face value. The certificate is redeemable within a specified period, and when redeemed then entitles the buyer either to acquire from any one of the stores, goods whose total sales price is equal to the face value of the certificate, or to acquire shares of stock in the corporation whose market value at the time the certificate was purchased was then equal to its face value. If therefore the market value of the shares at the time of redemption has appreciated above the face value of the certificate, the buyer stands to gain by acquiring the shares.

Abstract: An electronic music system adapted to generate tone waves of different pitch, amplitude and duration which, when reproduced, create musical tones whose expressive qualities emulate the expressive quality of natural tones producible by acoustic instruments or the human voice. The system includes a tone wave generator, the carrier of which is frequency modulated by an asymmetrical wave whose major component is a sinusoidal wave and whose minor component superimposed on the sinusoidal wave is the second harmonic of that wave. The frequency of the sinusoidal wave is such that as the carrier is frequency-modulated, its frequency is periodically varied above and below its normal value so that the resultant tone exhibits a vibrato effect. And the carrier is at the same time amplitude modulated so that it is periodically varied in amplitude to impart to the resultant tone a tremolo effect whereby the tone yielded by the system emulates a natural tone.

Abstract: A molded fiberglass-reinforced resin boat hull provided with in situ holes to accommodate through-hull fittings, such as a fitting adapted to receive a rudder post. The boat hull is molded on a female mold having locating holes drilled therein in registration with the holes to be formed in the hull. Anchored by a bolt locked in each locating hole is a plug of non-stick material which projects above the mold and has a configuration defining the hole to be formed in situ in the hull. Laid down on the female mold and surrounding the projecting plugs are the reinforcing fiberglass materials and flowable uncured resin for creating the hull. When the resin is cured, it is not bonded to the plugs and the plugs and their anchoring bolts are removed to expose the in situ holes. The finished hull is then withdrawn from the female mold.

Abstract: An adjustable stand anchored on a base to support an electrically-powered applicator so that it may be brought by an operator to a properly oriented position adjacent a selected site on the body of a subject to be treated and maintained at its set position. The stand is composed of series of interconnected arms, at least two adjacent arms being formed by pipes having a right angle bend and articulated by a knuckle formed by a four-sided rectangular block. The block has a first bore extending between one pair of opposing sides and a second bore extending between the other pair, an end of one arm being socketed in the first bore and the adjacent end of the other arm being socketed in the second bore whereby the arms articulated by the knuckle are swingable about axes at right angles to each other to afford a wide range of angular adjustment.

Abstract: A therapeutic exercise program for treating a patient whose abnormal condition, regardless of its nature and origin, is indicated by a resting heart pulse rate that deviates from the normal resting rate and a maximum heart pulse rate obtainable by physical exertion that deviates from the normal maximum rate, i.e., compromised range and flexibility. At the outset of the program, the patient is tested to determine his initial heart pulse range extending between his resting and maximum heart pulse rates to provide a base line for the program. In the course of the program, the patient whose heart beat is continuously monitored while exercising, undergoes a series of exercise-relaxation cycles. During each cycle, the exercising patient expends a surge of energy giving rise to a high pulse peak rate, the patient then relaxing to complete the cycle.

Abstract: A Tangram puzzle game assembly in which the game is played with a set of geometric pieces formed of plastic material having magnetized particles dispersed therein. Also provided is a ferromagnetic playboard on which the pieces are placed by a player and interfitted to create a Tangram figure whose shape depends on how the pieces are interfitted, the pieces being magnetically attracted to the board to maintain their respective positions. The pieces are stored in a tray having a side wall provided with an elongated slot to socket the lower end of the playboard to support the board at a tilted upright position, thereby facilitating placement of the pieces on the board as the player observes a Tangram puzzle to be solved printed on the face of a playing card.

Abstract: A protective package in an album format for a compact disc having a recording on one side thereof, the other side being unrecorded. The album is defined by interhinged rectangular front and rear cover panels of cardboard or other flexible material. Secured to the inner surface of the rear panel is a face panel having a circular opening die cut therein which is backed by the rear panel to create a well in which the compact disc is nested, with its recorded side lying against the rear panel, the unrecorded side being flush with the exposed surface of the face panel. When the front cover panel is folded over to close the album, the compact disc is then surrounded by the face panel and is sandwiched between the front and rear cover panel and is thereby fully protected. To remove the compact disc from the album, the front cover panel is unfolded and the rear cover panel is flexed to pop out the disc.

Abstract: An aircraft surveillance and recording system adapted to monitor conditions prevailing in the course of a flight and provided for this purpose with video cameras placed at different sites on the plane. The output signals yielded by the video cameras are fed to an on-board radio-frequency transmitter to modulate a radio-frequency carrier that is radiated from the plane and intercepted by an active communication satellite. The satellite relays the signals to a ground recording station whose stored recording of the real time images from the cameras is available to investigators should an accident or other incident occur in the course of the flight. The system includes at least four video cameras, the first of which has an audio function and is trained on the flight crew in the cockpit of the plane. The second video camera is focused on the instrument panel and controls in the cockpit.

Abstract: A hybrid electronic and acoustic musical instrument whose main section has an animal-like form, such as that of a cat or dog. Extending from the rear of the main section is a hollow tail section terminating in a mouthpiece and provided with a series of finger holes whereby the tail section functions as a recorder instrument. A series of push-button switches mounted on the animal-like body of the main section is connected to a Read-Only-Memory (ROM) housed in this body. Digitally stored in the ROM is a series of different recorded sounds similar to those which the animal represented by the main section is capable of producing, such as barks or meows but in quasi-musical form. When a particular push-button switch is depressed, the related digitally-stored sounds are read out of the ROM and converted to an analog signal which is amplified and reproduced.

Abstract: A self-contained observatory making it possible for a child or other observer to view in an enlarged scale a farm of tiny insects confined within a transparent cartridge. The housing of the observatory includes an inlet to receive the cartridge which is illuminated by a light source mounted within the housing. Also mounted within the housing is a concave mirror and a lens adapted to project a real image of the illuminated farm onto the contoured surface of the mirror. The placement of the concave mirror and its radius of curvature are such as to project onto a free space in advance of the contoured surface an upright and magnified three-dimensional virtual image of the farm of living insects whereby the observer is then better able to see the physical form of each insect and to observe its activities.