Abstract: In-line roller skates capable of riding at high speed on a skating surface and of being braked by the skater without the need for braking pads or similar expedients for this purpose. Each skate is provided with a set of composite wheels supported for rotation in tandem on a frame secured to the underside of a boot. Each composite wheel includes a central section, a substantial portion of which is formed of a synthetic plastic material exhibiting a low coefficient of sliding friction having a slippery outer surface, the central section being flanked by side sections formed of a synthetic plastic material exhibiting a higher coefficient of sliding friction providing a slip-resistant outer surface.

Abstract: A color-changing, position-reversible hourglass assembly having two transparent bulbs one above the other and a storage compartment adjacent each bulb, the bulbs and compartments being joined together by a neck. Intercoupling the bulbs and the compartments is a crossover network which passes through the neck to couple each bulb to the compartment adjacent the other bulb. In operation, when one bulb and its adjacent compartment are in an up position and are respectively loaded with sand of different color, then sand of one color appears to trickle from the up bulb into the compartment in the down position while sand of another color appears to trickle from the up compartment into the down bulb. The resultant apparent flow of sand from a higher to a lower level creates the illusion that sand flowing out of the up bulb is undergoing a color transformation as it flows into the down bulb.

Abstract: A hand-held light projector adapted to create on a remote display screen a light show presenting Lissajous figures whose patterns depend on how the projector is shaken by the operator. The projector includes a light bulb whose rays are focused to form a light beam that is directed onto a first spring-mounted mirror that when the projector is shaken, then oscillates about a horizontal axis, the beam deflected by the first mirror being cast on a second spring-mounted mirror that oscillates about a vertical axis. The beam deflected by the second mirror is cast on and scans the remote screen to produce a light trace thereon whose path is the resultant of the concurrent oscillations of the two mirrors to create on the screen Lissajous figures whose patterns depend on the frequencies and amplitudes of the oscillations.

Abstract: A high-strength, breathable paper-plastic laminate sheeting useable as a protective barrier in the structures of homes and buildings, as well as for other applications in which use has heretofore been made of synthetic fiber, non-woven fabric sheeting. The laminate sheeting is composed of a paper ply cold-laminated by a water-based adhesive to a reinforcing ply formed by an oriented synthetic plastic film, such as polypropylene, that imparts exceptional tear and burst strength to the laminate sheeting, at least one surface of the film being corona-discharge treated to render it wettable and receptive to adhesives. The sheeting is foraminated throughout its entire surface to create a myriad of fine pores that render the sheeting permeable to moisture vapor, but effectively impermeable to liquids. For some applications, an additional paper ply, which may be a metalized paper, is cold-laminated to the other side of the film ply, and/or an additional film ply is cold-laminated to the other side of the paper ply.

Abstract: A modular stool capable of functioning in a kindergarten or similar facility as an individual seat or as a desk unit for a small child. When interlinked with like stools, one can then create a large ring of stools or a series of staggered stools for group seating, or just a pair of stools forming a love seat. The modular stool is formed from a single blank of plywood or other material that is cut and contoured to define a wedge-shaped seat section and left and right side sections outwardly inclined with respect to the seat section to form an arch. The side sections of each stool are adapted to be interlinked with the side sections of adjacent stools.

Abstract: A game for two players which makes use of three playing pieces and a board whose face presents an array of nine like squares, a scoring spot being contained in each of the three squares at one end of the array, the other six squares being blank. The three playing pieces are each in the form of a rectangular chip having a size corresponding to that of a pair of adjacent squares, so that in the course of play, each piece can be placed on the board to occupy any pair of adjacent square in the array in the X or Y direction. One piece is white and serves as a neutral piece, while the other two pieces have different colors, each player selecting for play a respective colored piece.

Abstract: A composite stand and oven unit adapted to act both as a supporting stand for a cup of coffee or other hot beverage, and as a miniature oven to warm a bagel or other food product normally eaten while drinking the beverage. The unit is formed by a thermally-insulated cylindrical container having an access door in its side wall to receive the food product and a top wall of high thermal conductivity functioning as a heat sink. When a food product at room temperature is placed within the container and a cup of hot beverage, whose temperature is elevated, is seated on the heat sink, thermal energy from the beverage is absorbed by the sink and rapidly transferred to the food product. As a consequence, the temperature of the hot beverage is somewhat lowered to an acceptable drinking level while that of the food product is raised to render the product more palatable.

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, the front portion of which is joined to the rear of the brush at its center. The body of the handle is contoured to define in the front portion thereof a raised center thumb rest and depression on either side thereof forming left and right side thumb rests. The groomer who grips the body of the handle with his fingers may then press his thumb onto the center thumb rest to carry out one mode of brushing activity, or onto either of the side thumb rests to carry out other modes of brushing activity.

Abstract: A sealing system for a drive shaft extending through the hull of a vessel, the outboard end of the shaft being coupled to a propeller and the inboard end to the transmission of a marine engine turning the propeller. The system includes a bearing surrounding the shaft and an elastomeric lip seal coaxial with the shaft mounted adjacent one end of the bearing to prevent water from leaking into the vessel. The system is installed by passing the inboard end of the shaft through the bearing and the seal. Prior to such installation a protector sleeve is telescoped into the lip seal to shield its inner surface and thereby prevent damage thereto by sharp edges on the inboard end of the shaft, the sleeve having a brim which then rests against the end of the bearing. Upon completion of the installation, the sleeve is pulled by its brim out of the seal and is then ripped off the shaft.

Abstract: A baking utensil adapted to operate in a microwave oven to convert microwave energy to which the utensil is exposed into thermal energy for cooking food contained therein. The utensil is composed of complementary, thermally-conductive upper and lower sections, each having bonded to its outer surface an epoxy matrix layer. Dispersed throughout the matrix layer are ferrite particles which absorb microwave energy to produce thermal energy that is conducted by the sections of the utensil to the food enveloped thereby. The Curie point of the ferrite particles is such as to arrest their absorption of microwave energy when the utensil temperature approaches a level which is excessive for the food product being cooked or baked.

Abstract: A toy hoop that in a relatively small diameter is useable as a flying ring which when launched by a player then spins in the air, and in a larger diameter as a Hula-Hoop which whirls about the player's body. The hoop is composed of a planar annulus of non-stretchable, non-woven plastic sheeting having circular inner and outer peripheries, and a spring metal ring concentric with and joined to the outer periphery of the annulus whose inner periphery is free. In the flying toy mode of the hoop, the annulus functions as an air foil to impart aerodynamic properties to the toy. In the Hula-Hoop mode, the annulus functions as a protective soft inner liner. To reduce the hoop to a compact state, the ring is twisted 360 degrees to create an endless coil having three intermeshing convolutions whose diameter is about one third that of the untwisted ring.

Abstract: A commuter mug and holder assembly connectable onto the door of an automobile to supply a hot beverage to the driver or an occupant of the vehicle in the course of travel. The mug is formed by a container for the beverage and a removable lid therefor, the lid being divided into front and rear semi-circular sections each having an arcuate wall, below which is a flexible shutter disc hinged to the rear section thereof to normally seal the container whereby when the disc is deflected it then creates an outlet for the beverage in the front section whose arcuate wall is curved toward the outlet to define a drinking spoon. Pivoted on the wall of the rear section is actuator having lugs projecting therefrom to engage the disc whereby when the actuator is depressed by a user holding the mug, the disc is deflected so that the user may then drink from the drinking spoon the beverage flowing out of the outlet.

Abstract: A protector adapted to accommodate a transparency to maintain it in a clean, dust-free and dry condition so that it may be used with an overhead optical projector to cast the image carried by the transparency onto a viewing screen. The protector is constituted by an open-ended rectangular sleeve whose dimensions are appropriate to those of the transparency, the sleeve including a front panel formed of transparent, acetate film that is breathable to permit a transparency inserted in the sleeve in a wet state to dry out. Also included is a rear panel formed of a transparent, synthetic plastic film of high strength having the same length as the front panel and joined thereto at one side edge to form a folder to receive the transparency so that it is then sandwiched between the panels.

Abstract: A leash-controllable dog harness is 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 self-drilling anchor installable in a wall by means of a screwdriver, the anchor being adapted to receive a threaded fastener serving to hold a fixture against the wall. The anchor includes an externally-threaded shank section having a head engageable by the screwdriver and a longitudinal bore threadably to receive the fastener. Integral with the shank section and extending axially therefrom is a drill section having at least one cutting member and guide means therefor, whereby as the anchor is turned in to the wall by a screwdriver, the cutting member then bores a round hole therein whose bank is engaged by the guide means to ensure circularity of the hole. And as the anchor continues to turn, the shank section enters and taps the hole until its head engages the outer surface of the wall to complete the anchor installation.

Abstract: A trainer tee and guide assembly that creates a target zone leading a bat swung by a player toward a ball placed at a fixed elevated position above ground. The acceptance angle of the target zone is adjustable to accommodate different angles of swing as the player gains greater skill in the course of training. The assembly includes a U-shaped frame having upper and lower horizontal branches whose free ends terminate in vertically-separated blocks between which the ball is placed, the frame being raised to place the ball at a level appropriate to the height of the player. Pivoted on the blocks are upper and lower guide arms which extend laterally to the left or right of the blocks to define a target zone whose angle of acceptance depends on the angular orientation of the arms.

Abstract: A urine collecting assembly installable on an incontinent male, the assembly including a normally-flat urostomy pouch having a lateral inlet adjacent its upper end bordered by a circular belt-adapter flange, whereby the pouch may be strapped onto the hips or waist of an incontinent male whose penis then projects toward the inlet. The pouch is combined with a complementary circular fixture which is fitted over the penis and then snapped onto the flange of the pouch. Mounted on the fixture is an open-ended short condom, the rear end of which is stretched and attached to the fixture, the open front end of the condom then snugly engaging the shaft of the penis from whose head urine is discharged into the pouch through its inlet. The condom functions as a sealing membrane to prevent urine backup so that the incontinent male is not soiled by his own urine.

Abstract: A leash-controllable dog harness adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against a leash held by an individual walking the dog and inducing the dog to come to a halt or to walk at a pace acceptable to the leash holder includes a shoulder junction provided with an openable loop which overlies the dog's shoulder intermediate its right and left forelegs, and a chest junction which lies adjacent the dog's chest intermediate the foreleg crotches. Extending between the shoulder and chest junctions on opposite sides of the dog are a pair of straps whose lengths are adjustable to accommodate the harness to the dog. Extending from the chest junction are a pair of restraint cables, one passing through the right foreleg crotch and then through the loop of the shoulder junction to terminate in a first ring, the other passing through the left foreleg crotch and then through the same loop to terminate in a second ring.

Abstract: A disposable paper pouch enclosing a food product, the pouch being both biodegradable and recyclable. The pouch is made up of two superposed paper plies which are rendered liquid impervious by water-based acrylic layers coated on the inner and outer faces of the plies, the acrylic inner layer having a low melting temperature and the acrylic outer layer having a high melting temperature. The superposed plies are subjected to heat and pressure by standard sealing bars that have no effect on the outer layers but cause the inner layers which face each other to fuse together in a predetermined sealing pattern to define an inner pocket that is fillable with the food product.

Abstract: A variable-weight playball whose outer casing is formed of liquid-impervious, flexible material, having a closable port therein. Confined within the casing is a compressible body having the same configuration which depends on whether the ball is spherical or in some other shape. The body is formed of low-density, open-cell, flexible foam plastic material having sponge-like properties. To impart heft to the ball, water is introduced through the port into the body and absorbed thereby, the port then being closed to retain the water. To thereafter lighten the ball, the port is opened and the ball is squeezed to discharge water through the port until the ball has the desired reduced weight, after which the port is closed. The casing may be contoured, printed or otherwise arranged so that the ball simulates the head of a humanoid or animal-like character having a mouth.