Abstract: Objects to be inventoried are positioned on a series of platforms for weighing. Each platform, which may be a storage shelf, is supported on a piston operating in a fluid pressure cylinder, either hydraulic or pneumatic. On signal from a computer-controller, fluid is pumped through a common conduit into all cylinders simultaneously, steadily increasing the pressure on each cylinder piston. When the pressure reaches the point of balancing the combined weight of any one platform and the objects resting thereon, a signal is generated to report that balancing pressure value to the computer, at the same time causing the corresponding cylinder to be deactivated. Pumping of fluid continues until all platforms in the system have registered balancing pressure values into the computer.

Abstract: A plurality of flexible expandable containers for storing articles of any shape is provided, each having an attachment portion for suspending the containers from two parallelly spaced horizontal members of a supporting frame. Suspended adjacent containers may be varied in length to save space so that more containers may be accommodated on each frame, and frames may be mounted in storage or file cabinet drawers. Mechanisms are provided for opening and closing storage drawers selectively; for lifting one or more containers at a time either selectively or progressively; for weighing each group of lifted containers at once but individually and separately; for calculating the number of alike articles stored in each container from the gross weight measured and the container tare weight previously obtained; and for processing, storing and delivering or displaying the inventory information thus acquired.

Abstract: A device for exercising abdominal muscles by intermittent stretching and relaxing, and for massaging internal organs in the abdominal and thoracic cavities functions by applying adjustable intermittent pressure inwardly and upwardly to the surface of an exerciser's abdomen. The exercise device comprises a body belt fastened around a user's waist and having an opening covered with an expandable inwardly-facing pocket positioned over the user's abdomen. An inflatable air-tight bag located within and attached to the pocket is connected to a hand-operated bellows-air pump, the pump being suspended from the body belt and resting on the user's thighs when in use. At rest, the air-tight bag is collapsed and lies flat within the pocket; hand pressure against the bellows-air pump forces air up into and inflates the bag so that it protrudes through the pocket opening and exerts pressure inwardly and upwardly against the abdomen and forces the abdominal muscles to be stretched into the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: Protective breathing apparatus comprises a power-driven air blower which draws contaminated ambient air through selectively appropriate filters and propels the resultant purified air in controlled flow through conduit means into a flexible transparent plastic breathing hood encompassing the wearer's head and releasably secured by a neck ban around the wearer's neck. The purified air introduced into the breathing hood is distributed and circulated through the hood's interior, the current of air holding the hood substantially out of contact with the wearer's head. After the purified air has been breathed and then exhaled, it is expelled through an exhaust port to the atmosphere. Optional provision is made for adjusting the temperature of incoming treated air for maximum user comfort, and for a plurality of breathing hoods to be supplied by a single purified air source.

Abstract: A thermal insulating shade is made up of a plurality of panels, spaced apart and defining a serpentine air flow path between them. A blower connected to the air flow path ventilates the shade to augment its insulating effect. As least one of the panels has a highly reflective surface to reflect heat. The shade is reversible and removable and useful for insulating building windows and vehicle windows and windshields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a mold having walls porous to gases by exposing external surfaces of the mold to a vacuum while filling the mold through an opening exposed to a higher pressure. The mold may be rotated at speeds sufficient for centrifugal forces to be produced to assist in filling cavities in the mold.

Abstract: A storage system comprises a building structure having an array of contiguous storage spaces on each of at least one level. A plurality of movable storage platforms, on which such cargo as automobiles, shipping containers and the like may be loaded, is available, each individual platform to be moved into, stored or moved out of any one of the storage spaces. Each storage space is provided with a first apparatus for supporting and moving one of the storage platforms in a longitudinal direction, and with a second apparatus for supporting and moving a storage platform in a transverse direction. The two supporting and moving apparatus in each space may be alternately or selectively placed in contact with, and actuated to move, the storage platform therein, thus shifting the platform with its cargo in the direction desired into or out of the storage space. Remote and automatic programmed control of storage and retrieval movements of the cargo being handled may be included.

Abstract: A shock and vibration resistant structure includes a frame having a plurality of substantially rectangular regions therein. A plurality of modular units are received in the regions. The units have a lower external surface, side external surfaces, and a top external surface. A plurality of shock and vibration isolators extending from portions of the frame toward at least two adjacent external surfaces of the units, isolate the units from shock and vibration. The units are removable and replaceable. An elevator is used to lift the units so that they may be transferred horizontally from the elevator to the frame. Stabilizing members disposed between the units and the frame fall away when the structure is subjected to shock and vibration.

Abstract: Garbage disposal apparatus of the type used in fast food restaurants for receiving refuse from food trays has a garbage-receiving cabinet with a vertically slidable door panel operated by a pedal-actuated mechanism, permitting two-handed handling of the food trays. The door panel is retracted by pedal action, leaving an unobstructed access opening available for assured, non-spilling sanitary dumping, as long as the pedal is depressed. The mechanism is supported protectedly and visibly in the space provided between two parallel vertical panels which together form the receiving cabinet front, the foremost of the two panels being transparent. Also positioned in the space between the two front panels is a sound-generating system, activated by the movement of either the door panel or the mechanism moving it.

Abstract: A nylon or metal filament carrying uniformly spaced light-distinguishable scale markings is moved, in taking a measurement, between a light source and a photosensor which reads the scale markings directly and emits a single electrical pulse for each passing scale marking. The extent of movement of the filament corresponds to the magnitude of the physical measurement being taken. Pulses from the photosensor are received by a memory-chip-containing electronic processing counter or calculator for counting, storage calculation, conversion to appropriate measurement units, etc. and a final reading of the measurement taken appears on a digital display. For length measurements, the apparatus is provided with a storage reel for the filament and a reversing switch for rewinding or for reversing the counting element.

Abstract: A compact extra-length tape measuring device with capacity for four hundred foot measurement, sized so that no dimesion exceeds six inches, uses a narrow thin tape suitably marked with measuring indicia and held to be unwound and rewound on a space-saving offset storage spool. Rotation of the spool during tape withdrawal tightens a coiled flat spring through a gear reduction drive; the tape, when released, is automatically rewound on the spool by action of the unwinding spring. A lock-release mechanism and a tape-viewing magnifying window also may be provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion propulsion engine comprises a spherical engine body having radially projecting exhaust nozzle extending from its surface. The spherical engine body is adjustably supported in a complementarily mating socket for unrestricted positioning of the body, for selectively directing the flow of combustion gases emanating from the exhaust nozzle and thus channeling the direction of thrust generated thereby as required. A convergently conical valve member is mounted on the rod of a piston cylinder coaxially with the corresponding divergently conical opening of the exhaust nozzle, the valve member being positioned adjustably projecting into the outlet end of the complementarily mating exhaust opening in direct confrontation with the combustion gases flowing therefrom. Means for positioning the valve member to regulate the distance between valve member and exhaust opening walls are provided to adjust selectively the rate of exhaust flow and thus the magnitude of thrust force developed.

Abstract: Portable power supply carrier comprises an internally wired belt to be worn around a user's waist, the belt having pairs of electrical connectors spaced along its length for operatively engaging a plurality of battery holders which are removably supported on the belt. In its simplest form, the power supply carrier uses conventional batteries to provide a single preselected DC voltage through the belt's wiring to a power output jack; other more complex forms of the carrier may include a converter to supply a choice of DC and AC voltages either to multiple power outlets or to a voltage selector switch controlling a single output jack. An input terminal for reenergizing rechargeable batteries while connected to the power belt carrier also may be included.

Abstract: A recovery apparatus in the form of a net that normally rests on a swimming pool bottom and automatically draws a swimmer in distress out of the pool water by rising to the top of the pool.

Abstract: Carbon paper duplicating sheets, such as those used in credit-card transaction forms, are made easily destroyable after authorized use without hand-soiling by incorporating, into the tissue paper base of the carbon paper sheets, filament strands arranged in repetitively alternating angular relationship to the edges of, and throughout, the carbon paper sheets. Duplicating-ink-free areas are provided at opposite edges of each sheet so that it may be grasped between the thumb and fingers of each hand to render the used carbon paper shredded, uncopyable and therefore safely disposable. The addition of perforations in the paper base in selected areas may be made to enhance the easy destructibility of the duplicating sheets.

Abstract: A rolling contact suction system for vehicle braking and adhesion, in one embodiment comprising a suction cylinder adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for rolling contact with the surface upon which the vehicle moves; a plurality of suction disks contained in a surface layer of, and positioned within the profile of, the suction cylinder, the surface layer being made of a resilient material; and passageway within the suction cylinder for allowing the passage way of air from inside each suction disk, operable only when the internal volume of the suction disk is decreased.

Abstract: The window escape descent control device for emergency use from upper windows of tall buildings comprises a body harness supported on the end of a rope wound around a flanged spool. The spool, when turned by the unwinding rope pulled by the weight of an escaper in the body harness, turns the shaft and an electrical generator operatively mounted thereon. The shaft also carries, and is controlled by, an electromagnetic brake and a speed control governor, which may be either centrifugally or optically operated and which, when a predetermined rate of shaft rotation is reached, causes energy to be released from the generator to actuate and apply the brake to the shaft; thus the rate off all of the escaper cannot exceed a pre-selected maximum.The mechanism is mounted on a frame support structure straddling and depending from the escape window ledge. The frame strucutre provides hand and foot support to aid the escaper in climbing out the window and in getting into position for descent.

Abstract: A display frame assembly for mounting, framing and hanging objects of visual interest such as paintings, prints and especially phonograph record album covers, includes a frame element, the outer surrounding walls of which not only define the centrally disposed display opening but also carry frame-reinforcing ribs projecting rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly from their rear surfaces. The reinforcing ribs are positioned and extend to form, together with the rear surface lip of the frame between the display opening and the ribs, a nest into which the object to be framed may be fittingly inserted. A plurality of spring retaining clips are provided which are to be mounted adjustably and tensionedly on the reinforcing ribs of the frame; a portion of each clip, when mounted, extends inwardly across a portion of the framed object, which is thus held firmly against the rear surface lip of the frame.

Abstract: A fingernail refinishing product and method for dissolving and removing old lacquer nail polish, for softening and conditioning fingernails, cuticles and surrounding skin, and for depositing a clear nail-strengthening priming coat, all simultaneously, in preparation for the application of fresh nail polish. The product comprises a spill-proof applicator in the form of a reclosable container filled with a slitted sponge saturated with a water-miscible liquid composition which contains solvents, film-forming and nail-strengthening ingredients, and substantial amounts (up to 25% by weight) of an emollient-emulsifier-cleaner formed by the sulfonation reaction of the ricinoleic acid in castor oil. The three-function fingertip treatment--polish removal, conditioning, and nail prime-coating--takes place inside the applicator and is accomplished by the insertion of each fingertip, at least one at a time, into contact with the liquid saturated sponge.

Abstract: A protective boot for pet animals has a sole member and a flexible upper attached together around their corresponding front and side edges, with the back of the boot left open for direct easy paw insertion. The upper is designed to be folded over on itself, or pleated, longitudinally to bring it into close-fitting conformity with the pet's paw, and adjustable fastening means are provided to hold the pleated upper in place. A securing strap encircles the boot around the instep and back of the heel; a second securing strap near the rear of the boot closes its open end around the lower portion of the pet animal's leg.