Abstract: For baby strollers, particularly umbrella strollers, a device to prevent tipping comprising a pair of rearward extension bars. Each bar is adapted to extend rearwardly over or nearly over one of the rear wheels of the stroller. Each curves downwards so as to clear the wheel over or near which it extends and then curves to present a distal end section at least approximately parallel to the surface on which the stroller sits. Each bar is provided with a clamp by which it may be attached to the stroller. The clamp is adjustable to optimize tip prevention and loosenable so that the extension may be folded transversely for storage or transport.

Abstract: A flexible adaptable hand tool to facilitate access in constricted areas. It includes a working tool element engaging the bolt or other device to be manipulated, and a varying set of extension bar elements adapted to be removably affixed to the working tool element and to each other, providing a choice of lengths and angles between the hand of the user and the device to be manipulated. Adapters enabling the removable affixation of elements to each other are provided.

Abstract: A flip-up-wringer sponge mop a wringer system in which the expelling of dirty water from the mop is effective in minimizing unwanted recycling of the water back into the sponge. The mop has a mop head comprising a generally planar mop sponge backed by a head plate. It has roller means to move against the sponge and squeeze out water. It has means to allow the handle to pivot with respect to the head so that the mop head can flip back over the handle or the handle can have its angle to the head reduced so as to permit the mop head to reach under low furniture and the like.

Abstract: An open mesh is adapted for use as the upper portion of a cubicle curtain. The open mesh has a major portion with openings, and a narrow and a wide selvedge. The open mesh major portion has said integral narrow knitted selvedge on an edge opposed to said integral wide knitted selvedge. The selvedges have a substantially finer mesh than the open mesh major portion. The open mesh is knitted in multiple adjoining panels. Adjoining panels are connected with in order a first narrow selvedge, an intermediate strip comprising a tear thread, a waste strip and an open mesh relief band, and a second narrow selvedge. The selvedges are thus made integral with the major open cell portion and are ready without further manufacturing steps (except for separating from a roll and for sizing) for the insertion of grommets in the wide selvedge and the sewing to a vision-resistant fabric at the narrow selvedge with the narrow selvedge retaining a straight outer edge due to use of the relief band during sizing on a pin frame.

Abstract: A baby carriage or stroller is provided with a built-in illumination electrical system, powered by a replaceable or rechargeable battery or by a solar panel. A headlamp or headlamps at the front illuminate the intended pathway of the carriage. Side lamps and a rear or tail lamp or lamps may be provided. The side and rear lamps are typically red as warnings. An interior or baby-illuminating lamp may be provided. One switch controls the interior light and another switch controls the other lights.

Abstract: Headgear including a light-filtering visor. The headgear may be of any applicable type, including caps, hats, and headbands. The light-filtering visor may be flipped downward to an operative position and upwards to an inoperative position. In the operative position, the filter is positioned generally vertically in front of the eyes of the user. In the inoperative position the visor extends generally upwardly and within the headgear. Means are provided to restrain the folding or flipping action of the visor so that it extends downwardly rather than horizontally in the downwardly-flipped operative position. The visor has two stable positions, upwardly and downwardly.

Abstract: A chewable animal toy comprising principally an ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, ionically cross-linked ionomer resin. The metal component in this polymer is sodium. The hardness of the toy on a "D" scale is 65-99 with a preferred range of 75-85. A starch-based flavoring additive is dispersed throughout the body of the animal toy. In the process of making the animal toy, the flavoring additive is dry mixed with pellets of the ionomer resin before melting and die injection molding the toy. The product is an ingestion safe toy that resists puncturing, cracking, splintering, or shattering, but shaves off to provide a roughening and bristling finish which is desirable for the satisfaction and hygiene of the animal.

Abstract: A field conversion means to convert a knob-handle cylindrical lockset either with or without a key cylinder, installed in a door, to a lever-handle cylindrical lockset without changing any existing original key cylinder. The conversion means comprises an inside and an outside means, each including a lever-handle, a drive cartridge adaptor cylinder and a rosette or escutcheon containing a helical spring and a positive stop disk. The spring is biased to oppose droop of said lever-handle from a normal horizontal position and to oppose downward operating force, applied to said lever-handle and is increasingly biased when the lever is operated to oppose downward rotation of the lever. Stop means are provided in the rosette or escutcheon to limit the angular rotational travel of said lever-handle. Differently sized adapters are provided to permit the conversion of different sized cylindrical locks.

Abstract: Repetitive data and non-repetitive data, including periods of no information, is encoded prior to transmission or storage in digital form to minimize the memory space required for storage or the time required to transmission. Repetition, partial repetition, and near repetition is encoded in a form indicating the occurrence of repetition, its characteristics and its duration. The existence and size of repeated patterns in the data is dynamically determined. When repetition is detected, non-repetitive data is inserted into the datastream and repeated data is removed from the datastream. To this non-repeated data in the datastream are added a coded repeated pattern sample, an identification preamble signal, an instruction signal for decoding purposes, a period count signal, a mask signal, and a repeat count signal. All necessary data elements are combined and assembled to produce compressed data. A receiver utilizes these coded and uncoded data elements to regenerate complete original data.

Abstract: A thermal flowmeter to measure the rate of flow of a fluid in a conduit is provided. An important characteristic of the flowmeter is that it includes two radial junction thermocouples, one of them a downstream radial junction thermocouple and the other an upstream radial junction thermocouple. A heat source to supply heat to the conduit and fluid is provided. The heat source supplies heat preferentially to one of the radial junction thermocouples, preferably to the downstream one. The differential output of the two radial junction thermocouples is measured and is an index of the rate of flow of the fluid. Compensating temperature sensing means is provided to measure the base or process temperature of the fluid before it is affected by the heat source, to provide a base for the differential output. The flowmeter can be constructed in many different embodiments. A method of measuring flow, mass flow and viscosity using radial junction thermocouples is provided.

Abstract: Granule cleaner and method comprises a hollow elutriation column into which dust- and debris-adulterated pellets are blasted on a high velocity air stream through an upwardly inclined injection tube to form a floating suspension in said column. Suction withdraws the lighter suspended material from the top while the heavier particles fall to the bottom. A.C. electrostatic dischargers diametrically disposed opposite conductive portions of the injection tube which may be ground-isolated (and also opposite ground-isolated conductive portions of the column below the injection level of the granules therein) to neutralize both the entering contaminated granules and the falling cleansed pellets, the conductive ground-isolated portions defining reference electrodes for balancing ion emission.

Abstract: An hermaphroditic connection comprising two identical mating connectors. Each connector has at least one axially extending finger and at least one space. The spaces and fingers are sized and configured so that a finger of one connector is firmly insertable into the space of the other connector. For electrical connections, each connector may be provided with one or more conductors. The conductors may be simple conductors or co-axial conductors. Each conductor is split equally longitudinally along the length of the finger through which is passes. When a connector is mated with another connector to make a connection with a wiping insertion action, the split conductors are mated along a relatively large interface area. Electrical connections having very good resistance and impedance characteristics and very good connection and disconnection physical characteristics are attained.

Abstract: An advanced automated vessel cargo transfer system for loading and unloading of ships and lighters. It includes an articulated manipulator arm mounted on a frame. The arm is provided with a spreader bar at the distal end thereof. The spreader bar is provided with facilities for grasping cargo. Sensors track the movement of the vessel, and automatically responsive controllers adjust the motion and position of the spreader bar to follow the motion of the vessel. Berthing modules are provided to aid in controlling the motion of the vessel. In a major embodiment, the manipulator arm is mounted on a transverse frame that bridges spaced-apart floating barges, and provisions are made for serving vessels both on the outboard and inboard sides of the barges. In another embodiment, the manipulator arm is shore-based.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible beach shade for providing protection from the sun, wind, or observation, to a user. The beach shade, when developed, has a plurality of ribs pivoted around a common point at one end. The ribs are covered with flexible sheeting. The fan-like structure is mounted at the top of a pole, adapted to be implanted in the sand or other ground. The user may adjust the position of the planar fan-like structure in several degrees of freedom. The device retains a high degree of stability even when subjected to high and shifting winds under recreational conditions.

Abstract: A toy building block and a interactive set of said toy building blocks. Each side of each block is provided with a shape, either raised or recessed. There are three such shapes. Each block has at least one face with each of said shapes. There is only one raised shape portion on each block. The raised portions have a removable snap fit to matching recessed portions on other blocks.A plurality of said blocks, comprising a set, may be assembled by a child to form three dimensional structures. The half portion of each block opposing that side having the raised shape portion is identical to the opposing one half portion of every other block of the set.

Abstract: A ride-on convertible robot toy. The toy is large enough to serve as a child's riding car. It has articulated arms and hands that may be operated to grasp objects. The toy is convertible from the ride-on configuration to an erect robot-like configuration, in which it also may be rolled. The toy latches into either configuration and may be unlatched for conversion by pressing down on a knob protruding from the top of the head. In the ride-on configuration, the toy may be steered. The arm wheels are concealed within the body when the toy is in the upright configuration.

Abstract: A cap intended for cold or cool weather use, particularly useful in sports such as skiing, but not limited thereto. The cap is provided with integral ear flaps. A particular characteristic is that the ear flaps are self-stowing in the interior of the cap; that is, they tend to retract into the cap and out of the way without intevention. When in the downward operational position, the ear flaps tend to fit snugly around the ears of the wearer without the necessity of additional ties. An elongated securing of one edge of the ear flaps and the provision of a stiffener layer in the ear flaps combine to produce the spring-like lever-like action resulting in these advantages.