Abstract: A modular return apparatus for reflecting back an object such as a puck or ball when struck by the puck or ball traveling on a playing surface, for use in returning the puck or ball to the player for another shot and in training the player to shoot the puck or ball accurately and anticipate the angle of reflection and velocity of the puck or ball comprises an elongated reflecting bumper, a pair of supports for the reflecting bumper, and a rod for connecting the supports to each other and preventing their relative motion. A net may be attached to the return apparatus to catch the puck.

Abstract: A display push switch has a switch housing having an open upper end and an open lower end. A key top member made of substantially transparent material is disposed within the open upper end of the switch housing. The key top member is operable by an operator to be pushed into the switch housing. An image transmission member is disposed within the switch housing. A lower end surface of the image transmission member confronts a surface structure of a display device through the open lower end of the switch housing. An upper end surface confronts the key top member and is spaced from the switch housing to permit a stroke movement of the key top member when the key top member is pushed by the operator. The image transmission member includes a plurality of image transmission elements each having a longitudinal axis in a vertical direction. The image transmission elements are arranged in juxtaposed relationship with each other.

Abstract: A newspaper conveyor has an endless conveyor chain (1) running along a conveyor (3) with a plurality of newspaper grips (7) in rows. Their movable clamp (11) may be set in two opening positions, a first one in which the movable clamp (11) is held open against the closing force of a spring (20) by a cam control curve (28) and a second in which the movable clamp (11) is self-lockingly held open by friction by the leaf spring (20).

Abstract: A visco-elastic polymer liner and sleeve for prosthetic devices utilize the liner for donning over a residual limb and fitting within the socket of an artificial limb. The sleeve is rolled on over the top of the artificial limb and onto the amputee's remaining stump. The liner is shaped to have its cavity formed with a volume and shape less than a volume and shape of the residual limb for both tension and tissue configuration relief while the liner has an outer surface formed with a volume and shape greater than the volume and shape of the artificial limb socket for relief of certain tissue configurations and to create weight bearing, relief and compression areas on and in the liner to absorb and dissipate shock, shear and mechanical forces through the liner otherwise transmitted to the residual limb. The sleeve is shaped like a tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceiling light fixture suitable for conventional fluorescent lamps. The fixture has an elongate shroud with a modified elliptical cross-section having an inverted apical crease and a downwardly facing specular reflective surface. A rigid raceway extends lengthwise within the shroud and is secured to two rigid opposing end panels which support the shroud. The raceway is substantially at the ceiling level, encloses the ballast, and provides an infrastructure for the fixture.

Abstract: A fluid filter which comprises a canister having an open end and a closed end, the canister sealing to an adapter body to prevent leakage between the canister and the adapter body, the adapter body having a plurality of angled fluid inlet ports extending through the adapter assembly body into the cavity formed by the canister and the adapter body assembly, a threaded fluid outlet port extending through the adapter body, a threaded ring adapter for adapting the outlet port to a variety of filter receptacles, a multistage wire mesh filter element having a weave which is designed to prevent fluid contaminants from passing through the filter element while inhibiting the contaminant particles from becoming lodged in the filter mesh, the fluid inlet ports in the adapter body being formed at an angle to create a tornado type turbine fluid motion within the canister to suspend contaminants which are blocked from passage through the screen in the fluid and allow such contaminants to settle in the canister out of the f

Abstract: A spherical grid for constructing geodesic spheres and portions of spheres. The grid includes a plurality of links interconnecting with a plurality of hubs arranged in a geodesic configuration. The hubs have a cylindrical shape with top and bottom planar surfaces and five or six attachment positions equally spaced around the hub. Each attachment position has radially-extending holes equally spaced around the hub. The links have square recessed ends which engage with the hubs at each attachment position. An insert member affixed inside each end cooperates with a screw extending from inside the hub, through the hub into the recessed end to connect each end to the respective attachment position on the hub. Each recessed end of the links having an upper wall with an interior surface, a lower wall with an interior surface and sidewalls with vertical edges.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide a method for thawing frozen ground for laying concrete primarily at a construction site by use of a continuous length of circulating hose placed on the frozen ground inside and/or adjacent a concrete form where the concrete will be laid, covering the circulating hose with a layer of aggregate material for insulation from cold air caving the ends of the circulating hose protruding from the aggregate connecting the ends of the hose to a source of heated liquid to circulate warm liquid through the circulating hose to thaw the frozen ground, laying the concrete in the concrete form while continuing to circulate heated liquid in the circulating hose to prevent the concrete from freezing, leaving the portion of the hose in the form under the concrete by cutting the ends protruding from the aggregate, removing the remaining portions of the hose.

Abstract: A heated animal scent lure dispenser includes a container with an interior, exterior, threaded neck and opening at the neck. A cap is threadable onto the neck for at least partially closing the opening. A heating element or chemical charge is locatable within the container which will in turn heat the container. A wick suitably made from a knit fabric substantially covers the container with a large surface area upon which the liquid scent lure may be placed and from which the liquid scent lure may be dispersed under the influence of the heated container. The wick may also have insulation qualities and a suitable plastic bag or the like may be used to seal the dispenser within the bag and to starve the dispenser from oxygen.

Abstract: An improved welding assembly for metal inert gas welding wherein the welding assembly includes a continuous filler metal wire electrode, which is electrically charged and passed through a contact tip generally of a cylindrical shape with a central aperture or tunnel therethrough while the work piece is oppositely charged. The improvement is in the composition of the contact tip in that the tip is made of copper and carbon.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring volume flow through a gear-type flowmeter, having a magnetic sensor affixed to the flowmeter to detect incremental movement of the flowmeter teeth. The sensor is connected to an analog-to-digital converter and computer processor, which receives and stores samples of the sensor signals. The samples are compared with subsequently received samples to derive relative gear positions and to calculate volume flow based on the relative gear positions. The samples may also be analyzed and compared with previous samples to detect flowmeter wear and wobble conditions.

Abstract: An infant support seat and cushion having an inner support structure including a backrest and seat and base support member and having a removable cushion assembly. The cushion assembly has a back cushion section, a seat cushion section and a pair of side support sections. An outer cover is attached to the cushion assembly and has a release mechanism to permit the insertion and removal of the inner support structure relative to the cushion assembly. A crotch support strap and detachable belt sections hold the infant in the cushion assembly in use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of adjustable operational parameters of a hearing aid by the movement of an external magnetic actuator into and out of proximity with the hearing aid. The hearing aid has a microphone, hearing aid circuitry, an output transducer, and a magnetic switch, such as a reed switch, connected to the hearing aid circuitry. The hearing aid circuitry has a plurality of adjustable operational parameters and includes control processing circuity for switching between and controlling the adjustable operational parameters. The magnetic source is moved into and out of proximity with the hearing aid a selected number of times activating the magnetic switch each time.

Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees comprises an outer socket, a flexible, compressible inner socket within the outer socket with a cavity for receiving the residual limb, a space between the inner socket and the outer socket, a vacuum source connected to the cavity, a positive pressure source connected to the space, a regulator for controlling the vacuum source and positive pressure source, and a seal for making an airtight seal between the residual limb and the socket. Another embodiment includes a semi-compressible molding material in the space to mold to the contours of the residual limb under the influence of vacuum and/or positive pressure.

Abstract: A manhole debris catcher having a flat mat with open tubular pockets spaced radially about a center point at approximate equal angle, with a center support base and straps threaded through the pockets and through openings through the center support base, and a ring lifting assembly attached via lines to the ends of each of the straps; side braces may be inserted into each of the pockets to assist in maintaining the mat in flat form.

Abstract: A printer for printing graphic and alphanumeric information on plastic disks utilizing a printhead having a line array of print pixels. The printhead is pivotally mounted and has an adjustable force mechanism to urge the line array of print pixels into contact with a plastic disk; the plastic disk is mounted on a movable carriage which linearly passes beneath the printhead and the adjustable force mechanism exerts a variable force which is a function of the position of the disk beneath the printhead.