Abstract: An improved hi-hat percussion instrument has a treadle stand with a central support shaft with a lower rod therein, the rod and support shaft being connected to a foot pedal. A hi-hat cymbal assembly has a lower fixed cymbal and a movable upper cymbal located above the central shaft. A bias spring is between the cymbals urging the upper movable cymbal away from the lower fixed cymbal. A flexible member is connected to the lower rod and the movable top cymbal which will then bring the two cymbals together by action of the foot pedal. A pivoting knuckle also permits the hi-hat cymbal assembly to assume varied angles.

Abstract: A cleaning cartridge for cleaning the read/write head of a tape drive having at least one stationary cleaning element with filaments or strands positioned to loosen and remove debris from the air bleed slots of the read/write head. The cleaning cartridge cleans the air bleed slots at the same time as cleaning the tape contact surface of the read/write head.

Abstract: A rotatably mounted tool for surface working of construction blocks, e.g. concrete or granite blocks, as well as roadways, incorporates a plurality of flat, planar surfaces which are circumferentially spaced apart around the outer, peripheral surface of the generally cylindrical tool drum. A plurality of abrasive mounting shoes are removably secured to the flat drum surfaces, with flat surfaces on the shoes evenly seated in conforming relation to the flat drum surfaces. Abrasive segments are selectively affixed to each mounting shoe in a desired number, size, and spacing to carry out the desired surface working operation, i.e., cutting grooves in road surfaces or smooth finishing concrete blocks. The arrangement and orientation of the abrasive mounting shoes on the tool drum may also be varied in order to achieve full work surface coverage for particular applications.

Abstract: The multiple compartment laundry sorter of the present invention provides easy access to several storage areas, and the ability to position the unit in several locations. It preferably includes walls and dividers made of a material having an open mesh pattern to permit air circulation through the stored laundry items. The material is suspended from or attached to a frame that may be hung from a ceiling or wall. Alternatively, rollers or wheels may be attached to the frame for portable floor mounting.

Abstract: A compost retention unit is provided. The compost retention unit includes mesh retention material secured to a plurality of pivotally interconnected frame structures such that the mesh retention material and the plurality of frame structures can cooperate to retain compost within the unit when the unit is fully assembled upon a generally flat surface. In preferred embodiments, a first frame structure can pivot 180 degrees with respect to a second frame structure when the unit is being assembled. The most preferred retention unit includes three rectangular frame structures, preferably made of four lengths of wooden "two-by-four" or "two-by-six" framing materials, and the mesh retention material is preferably a wire mesh material.

Abstract: A video game glove offers protection for the thumb and forefinger of the game player. The glove extends over these two digits, and includes reinforced areas on the front of the tip of the two digits. The remaining fingers of the hand are fully exposed, and the glove is attached with a VELCRO.RTM. or similar fastener for a secure fit. The glove is preferably made of LYCRA.RTM. or a related material. The protective forefinger pad and thumb pad are preferably made of ULTRASUEDE.RTM. or a similar material.

Abstract: A bag filling machine of the type having a discharge spout with clamps to hold a bag mouth on the spout is disclosed as incorporating gusset pleat gripping assemblies on opposite sides of the spout. Each of those assemblies has a pair of cooperatively actuable gusset gripping members operable between open and closed positions to selectively and independently grip each of the two gusset pleats on opposite sides of a gusseted bag and to pull those pleats apart to fully open positions. This increases the effective, material-receiving area of the bag mouth as it is opened with the opening of the spout to dispense granular material into the bag. A gusset tucker is also utilized on each side of the discharge spout in cooperative juxtaposition to the gusset pleat gripping assemblies. The gusset tuckers are moved inwardly towards each other and towards the bag to engage in the fold between the two gusset pleats on each side of the bag as the bag top is flattened to a closed position after being filled on a spout.

Abstract: A cleaning tape for cleaning a magnetic tape head and tape path, having a non-abrasive cleaning surface with abrasive segments applied on the non-abrasive surface to form an alternating pattern. The abrasive segments may be angled across the surface of the non-abrasive cleaning surface. The abrasive segments loosen adhered debris and the non-abrasive segments carry the loose and loosened debris away from the head and the tape path.

Abstract: A leave-on oxidizing solution useful for permanent waving of hair containing water, an oxidant which is capable of being left on the hair and dried on the hair without damage to the hair, and an acidic agent to provide the solution with a pH value of less than about 7. The use of the leave-on oxidizing solution decreases the amount of time required for carrying out a permanent waving of hair process.

Abstract: The soft bottom track assembly of the present invention includes inner pad assemblies, side plate assemblies, and link and cross bolt assemblies. An inner pad assembly includes a multiplicity of longitudinally arranged pads, hingedly attached one to the next, each having an upper iron casting with a rubber/urethane material bonded thereto. The pads are arranged in rows, with each row staggered from each adjacent row so that there are always pads in contact with the surface on which the track is riding. A raised area on the cast iron backing provides traction between the tire and the track assembly. Each pad includes holes for hinged attachment to adjacent pads, also permitting adjustment of the size of the track length, depending on the hole arrangement selected during track assembly installation.

Abstract: A door control apparatus useable in buildings or other facilities having many locked doors or rooms and requiring controlled access to the rooms, utilizes paging transmitters and paging receivers to transmit information from a central control system to individual door control units located at each controlled door. The door control unit may include a card reader for reading an entry card. Card identification information is transmitted wirelessly from a main paging transmitter connected with the control system and is received by the door control units at selected doors to define the card or cards which are to be accepted at each door control unit to open a controlled door. The invention also allows all or selected doors to be unlocked by a transmitted command from the control system to allow fast entry through such doors to fire crews or other emergency personnel. The door control unit may also transmit data to the control system using paging technology.

Abstract: A topical composition for healing treatment of burns and wounds and scarring therefrom has as the active ingredient cereal-derived (1-3) (1-4) .beta.-D-glucan at about 0.5-15 w/w percent. The composition may be formulated in various forms with creams and gels being preferred for application to the skin.

Abstract: A device for topping-off a substantially filled bag with a final charge of particulate material to provide a predetermined final charge weight in the bag is herein disclosed. The device comprises a lower frame supported upon a plurality of load cells and an upper frame supported above the lower frame also upon a plurality of load cells. The upper frame has rotatably suspended therefrom a pair of carriage assemblies which support respective housings. Each of the housings has disposed therein a belt capable of linear motion. The belts are exposed on an inner face of each of the housings such that when the carriage assemblies are rotated toward one another, the respective belts meet one another and are able to engage the opposed faces of a bag. A plurality of bag grasping means are mounted upon the respective housings so as to be able to grasp and hold the opposed faces of the bag received between the belts to open the bag as the housings are rotated away from one another.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously mounting a plurality of accessories such as panniers, baskets, trailer hitch and trailer, luggage carrier, wheel fender, etc. to a bicycle frame includes an upper mounting block rigidly attachable to the frame below the bicycle seat, and two lower stirrup members rigidly attachable to the frame adjacent the wheel axle on either side of the wheel. The upper mounting block has a socket for holding a tow bar and slots for mounting a luggage carrier, both of which have legs which are lockably inserted into receiving slots in the stirrup members. A key lock locks the mounting block to the bicycle frame and the accessories to the mounting block. Accessories may be locked to the carrier.

Abstract: A mounting bar for spacing apart indicator lights used in electronic equipment has a channel bar with a base and a top edge from which spaced apart mounting fingers cantileverly extend. The channel bar, base, and fingers form a cavity within which indicator light modules are frictionally held. The indicator light modules may have extending protrusions which engage the gaps between the mounting fingers. The protrusions may be of the same width between the mounting fingers, or may be wider than the gaps between the mounting fingers for increased frictional retention of the indicator lights within the mounting bar.

Abstract: An improvement in electrical elements for a water heater includes a mass attached to the element for reducing the deposition of hard water scale on element surfaces, particularly in the return bend areas. In one embodiment, a flow accelerator tube encloses the element. The flow accelerator tube has an inlet at one end and an outlet at a higher elevation at the opposite end. Water is induced to flow through the tube because of temperature change. In another embodiment, a solid mass with high surface area encloses the return bend areas to increase heat transfer at a lower temperature to reduce scaling and increase element life.

Abstract: A structure for making a sealed electrical connection through a barrier is disclosed. The structure comprises a feed-through board that is sealed in an aperture in the barrier. A conductive rod is disposed within a bore formed in the board. Inner and outer conductors are electrically connected to the conductive rod by means of connecting structures formed in the respective ends thereof. A plurality of layers of insulative materials are formed about the inner and outer conductors and the conductive rod so as to electrically insulate the conductors and the conductive rod, to form a structurally sound point of connection through the barrier, and to seal the bore through which the conductive rod is passed. A method for making a sealed electrical connection through a barrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive-through window station of a restaurant has a food preparation area adjacent a food preparation viewing window. A driveway exterior the window positions a customer in a vehicle at an enhanced elevation whereby the customer may look inward and downward to view and direct the food selection, preparation and packaging by continuous communication using one or more spaced two-way speaker-microphones units. A canopy over the driveway enables proper lighting to view the interior food preparation. Sensor activated lighting increases the interior and/or exterior illumination when a vehicle enters the driveway, and decreases the interior and/or exterior illumination when a vehicle exits the driveway.

Abstract: A lighted slipbobber receives the fishing line along its vertical central axis to maximize stability and includes a blinking LED protectively encapsulated within the bobber body and laterally offset from the central axis. A light pipe extends from the offset LED to the top of the bobber and terminates in a lens on the vertical central axis. The LED is energized by an improved capacitive energy storage circuit within the bobber, and the circuit significantly increases operating time between recharging of the circuit. No batteries are carried by the bobber.