Abstract: A collapsible canteen formed by a collapsible carton having nested therein a collapsible pouch whose open mouth is in alignment with a neck projecting from the carton. The collapsible canteen which has a charge of powder deposited in the pouch is adapted to produce, in situ, a beverage when a hot or cold liquid is poured through the neck of the canteen into the pouch to dissolve the powder the nature of which determines that of the beverage.

Abstract: A craft kit for children having minimal craft skills, making it possible for a child to create a toy figure, such as a miniature dinosaur, and to decorate this figure. Included in the kit is a collapsible cloth casing which when erected then assumes the shape of the desired figure, and a rubber balloon which is inserted in a deflated state into the casing through an opening therein. The cloth casing is impregnated with a curable resin and the balloon inflated to erect the casing so that it assumes the shape of the figure whereby when the resin cures, the casing is then rigidified to create the toy figure. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn from the figure which may then be painted or otherwise decorated by the child.

Abstract: A pneumatic playball which emits a series of strobe-like light flashes each time the ball is bounced by a player. The playball includes a spherical casing formed of flexible, translucent plastic material having internal plugs at the opposing poles of the sphere. Suspended between the polar plugs along the diametrical axis of the spherical casing is a light-flashing unit. The unit includes at least one light-emitting diode (LED) connected to a battery through an electronic blinker which each time it is activated, yields a series of voltage pulses which is applied to the LED to produce a series of light flashes. Activation of the blinker is effected by a motion sensing switch which closes to activate the blinker only when the ball is bounced or otherwise undergoes an abrupt change in velocity.

Abstract: An orthotic leg elevator for elevating the leg of a subject during a post-operative period or in other situations in which it is necessary to avoid direct contact between the leg and a bed or other surface, or to raise the leg with respect to a surface. The leg elevator includes a rectangular block whose top side has formed therein a concave trough extending the length of the block to cradle the leg of the subject so that his foot is then adjacent the front end of the trough. Nested in the trough at its rear end is a knee-supporting piece which underlies and conforms to the knee joint. Secured to the block are three detachable straps adapted to engage the cradled leg at spaced positions. The first strap engages the leg above the ankle; the second at an intermediate position between the ankle and the knee, and the third just above the knee, thereby immobilizing the leg.

Abstract: A structural laminate in which an end-grain balsa core panel is sandwiched between and adhered to facing skins that cover the edges of the panel as well as its opposing faces. To make it possible for facing skins that cannot be sharply bent to conform to edges of the panel, these edges are bevelled to impart a gentle slope thereto. Bevelling is effected by means of a high-pressure die whose angled face has a staircase formation defined by a series of right-angle microsteps. When the die is forced against a right angle edge of the core panel to be bevelled with a pressure exceeding the compressive strength of the balsa, each microstep then impose pressure in a direction parallel to the axes of the cluster of internal balsa cells engaged by the microstep to more or less collapse this cluster to an extent depending on the staircase position of the microstep, thereby densifying the internal structure of the balsa at the edge of the panel without disintegrating this structure.

Abstract: A doll having the figure of a girl or other human being, adapted to function as a carrier for a plurality of miniature toy animals, which may be kittens or puppies. The doll includes a pair of bendable and stretchable arms extending from the shoulders and terminating in hands. Each hand has a projecting thumb and fingers partially clenched over the palm to define a hook. The hands are positioned in opposing relation so that the hook of one hand can be intermeshed with the hook of the other to cause the hands to be clasped together to create in conjunction with the arms a cradle that is stretchable to embrace several toy animals. The doll wears a removable garment provided on either side thereof with deep pockets that lie below the cradle and accommodate additional toy animals. And a back pack strapped on the shoulders of the doll serves as a carrier for more toy animals. Thus the loaded doll presents the figure of a caring girl burdened front and back with toy animals which she has rescued.

Abstract: A geometric construction toy set composed of triangular modules having different geometrical forms and sizes, the modules being interlinkable to create a planar mosaic that is transformable by a player into three-dimensional abstract or figurative structures. Each module is constituted by a triangular plate having slotted edges that define three side tines, each extending from a respective vertex. Interhinging of adjacent modules is effected by a coupling sleeve fitting over abutting tines of the modules whereby the modules can then be angled with respect to each other. Two adjacent modules may also be interconnected by intermeshing the abutting side tines of these modules.

Abstract: An artist portfolio that is worn as a backpack that includes a first storage compartment of rectilinear shape whose long axis is in the vertical plane. A plurality of webbing structures are affixed about the first compartment producing webbing loops for securing articles to the exterior of the compartment. A closure mechanism, such as a zipper, partially detaches the top lid of the first compartment permitting unobstructed access to the interior. The first compartment further includes a plurality of shoulder, anchor and waist straps for securing the portfolio to the upper body of the wearer. A second storage compartment of a predetermined shape is provided for housing additional articles. A plurality of upper cord lengths, locks, sleeves and eyelets are affixed at points as to allow the second compartment to be expanded and compressed about a predetermined volume. A plurality of closure mechanisms, such as zippers, permit unobstructed access to the interior of the second compartment.

Abstract: A trolley and bag assembly adapted to transport hanger-hung garments on overhead rails from an initial point to other points, the bag protectively shrouding the transported garments. The trolley includes a pair of rolling sheaves that ride on the rails and a spaced pair of side arms depending from the sheaves to support a horizontal load bar onto which is hooked a set of hanger-hung garments. Bridging the side arms is a retractable hold-down bar which when raised above the load bar then permits the hangers to be hooked onto the load bar, and when lowered then clamps the hooks of the hangers so that the garments cannot be dislodged from the trolley.

Abstract: A fail-safe anchor bolt assembly installable in a pre-drilled hole in masonry to fasten a fixture or other object thereto, the assembly remaining securely anchored even should the hole later be enlarged as a result of a crack developed in the masonry. The assembly includes a bolt having a head engageable by a torque tool to turn the bolt and a shank extending from the head loosely encircled by an expansible shell whose normal outer diameter is close to that of the drilled hole. Threadably received on the end of the shank adjacent the shell is a wedge nut having a generally conical frustrum shape defining a leading end followed by a leading portion which merges with a compressible trailing portion terminating in a trailing end, the leading portion having a maximum diameter close to the diameter of the drilled hole and the compressible trailing portion having a normal maximum diameter greater than the diameter of the drilled hole.

Abstract: A tamper-proof security ballot pouch adapted to store ballots deposited therein and to prevent their unauthorized removal. The pouch includes a fabric bag in whose upper section is sewn a pair of parallel rods defining an entry slot to admit one ballot at a time. Depending from the upper section is a fabric chute creating a narrow open channel between the entry slot and the bag interior whereby a ballot inserted in the entry slot must pass through the channel before being deposited in the bag. Because the chute is flexible, when a ballot is inserted in the entry slot and advances into the narrow channel of the chute it then straightens out the chute, so that the channel is then in axial alignment with the entry slot. But once the ballot is deposited in the bag, its unauthorized exit through the entry slot is prevented by the chute, for regardless of how the pouch is manipulated, the deposited ballot cannot back track through the channel.

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 corona discharge beam therapy system adapted to project the beam onto the skin surface of a living body overlying a problem region, the beam serving to relieve pain and to obtain other beneficial effects. The system includes an energy-generating unit in which a radio-frequency carrier is overmodulated by a sonic signal to produce periodic bursts of radio-frequency energy whose repetition rate corresponds to the frequency of the signal. The output of the unit is fed to a tank circuit tuned to the carrier frequency and housed within the barrel of a portable applicator gun. Supported within the barrel and coupled to the tank circuit is a discharge electrode whose tip is adjacent the mouth of the barrel whereby a corona discharge beam is projected from the tip. The tank circuit which includes a tank coil and an output coil coupled to the tank coil is formed by a series of Pie sections in spaced relation mounted on an insulating tube having ventilating slots in the spaces between the sections.

Abstract: A leash-controllable dog harness and leash assembly adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against a leash held by an individual walking the dog. The harness includes a shoulder junction having a pair of slide openings therein overlying the dog's shoulder intermediate its left and right forelegs, each having a crotch leading to a sensitive pit, a chest junction lying adjacent the dog's chest intermediate its left and right forelegs, and a pair of harness straps extending between the shoulder and chest junctions on opposite sides of the dog to conform the harness to the body of the dog. Left and right restraint straps extending from the chest junction pass through the corresponding foreleg crotches and then through the opening in the shoulder junctions to terminate in a link coupling the harness to the leash.

Abstract: A metal-reinforced, molded-plastic composite structure having an end use such as an automobile bumper, the reinforcement being constituted by a sheet of ductile metal having an array of holes punched therein, each bordered by a metal projection. In forming the composite structure, the metal sheet is supported within the cavity of a mold whose shape is appropriate to the end use. Molten plastic injected into the mold is caused to flow through the holes and to envelop the projections therefrom whereby when the plastic solidifies, the metal sheet is then fully integrated with the resultant plastic body and serves to enhance the resistance of the body to impact and other forces which in the absence of the reinforcing sheet would fracture the body.

Abstract: A water-pistol and animal figure assembly in which a pistol whose operating mechanism is concealed in the figure causes water to spit out of the mouth of the figure when the pistol is operated. The pistol includes a stock from which depends a hand grip provided with a trigger, a water reservoir in the form of a cylindrical tank mounted above the stock and an internal pump which draws water from the tank and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose nozzle the water is ejected when the trigger is pulled. The animal figure includes a head having an open mouth and a body having an internal cavity which communicates with the head, and is open at its rear end. The pistol is received within the cavity with its barrel socketed in the head of the figure and its nozzle aligned with the open mouth, the water tank being exposed outside of the body.

Abstract: A two-stage toy rocket and spring-loaded launcher assembly which when fired, propels the first stage into space. The first stage of the rocket is a missile molded of resilient plastic material having a solid disc mounted on its rear end encircled by a coupling collar. The second stage is formed by an externally-threaded sleeve whose upper end is received in the rear end collar of the first stage, and is releasable therefrom by a release button which, when actuated, then decouples the first stage from the second stage. The launcher is formed by a platform on which is anchored an internally-threaded shell whose diameter is such that it is threadably receivable in the sleeve of the second stage, a spring being nested in the shell and projecting thereabove.

Abstract: Protective sleeves for a leash-controllable dog harness provided with a pair of restraint cables that pass through the respective foreleg crotches of the dog and are coupled to the leash, whereby when the leash is strained, the cables then ride up the crotches to engage the sensitive foreleg pits and impose pressure thereon inducing the dog to release the strain in order to avoid the resultant discomfort. The sleeves which are mounted on the cables and conform thereto serve to prevent the cables from chafing or irritating the dog. Each sleeve is formed by a smooth inner liner through which the cable is slidable, and a soft, outer coat anchored on the liner, both the inner liner and the coat being fabricated of synthetic plastic materials which are inhospitable to fleas and other vermin so that vermin troublesome to dogs cannot breed or nest on the sleeve.

Abstract: A clip-on shoehorn making it possible for an individual to slip his foot into a shoe despite a physical disability which impairs his ability to do so with the assistance of a conventional shoehorn. The clip-on shoehorn is provided with a U-curved blade of flexible material whose opposing flanks engage and spread out the sides of the shoe when the blade is inserted therein whereby the blade enlarges the entry to the shoe and serves as a chute for the entering foot. Extending upwardly from the blade is an elongated handle, permitting the individual who grasps the handle to insert the blade into the shoe without having to bend down. Joined to the rear of the blade adjacent its upper end is a clip formed by a pair of superposed flexible strips which when the blade is inserted in the shoe then clamp onto the counter of the shoe to hold the blade in place.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing system to protect sensitive equipment housed in a rack from shock forces emanating from the structure or foundation on which the rack is placed. The system includes a chassis restable on the foundation having an array of four vertical shafts anchored thereon. These shafts extend through bearings fitted in vertical ducts incorporated in the four corners of the rack whereby the rack is slidable on the shafts. Springs interposed between the base of the rack and the chassis or between the top of each shaft and the upper end of the duct in which the shaft is received, act to resiliently support the rack on the chassis and thereby attenuate the shock forces. Secured to the underside of the rack to raise it above the foundation are isolators whose stiffness characteristics are such as to resist rotational motion and to permit lateral motion.