Abstract: A ribbon guide used to install a thermal ribbon in a thermal printer, the ribbon guide having a bottle shaped profile and being formed of V-Max® brand synthetic paper. The ribbon guide has three integral portions, a first portion having a cross-shaped slit and a hole, a second portion that may be used for gripping by an operator, and a third portion for receiving printed advertising and/or other useful information. The cross-shaped slit receives the very thin thermal ribbon and allows the ribbon guide to connect and hold the thermal ribbon during installation of the thermal ribbon in the thermal printer. After loading a reel of thermal ribbon onto a supply spindle and connecting the thermal ribbon to the ribbon guide, an operator may grip the second portion of the ribbon guide, and thread the ribbon guide through the internal mechanisms of the thermal printer including passed a print head to a reel on a take-up spindle. Using the ribbon guide reduces thermal ribbon handling by an operator.

Abstract: A toy for launching two or more projectiles employing a central shaft cocking mechanism for rapid fire projectile launching through quick, simple and fun cocking and triggering mechanisms. The toy includes a housing assembly, a projectile device disposed about the housing with two or more projectiles, a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston is secured to the housing in a fixed position and the cylinder is slidably mounted on the piston, a cocking mechanism in mechanical communication with the piston and cylinder assembly including a shaft extending through the projectile device for engagement with the cylinder capable of moving the cylinder to a cocked position. A trigger mechanism is secured to the housing capable of advancing the projectile device to a firing position and capable of releasing the cylinder from a cocked position to advance the cylinder on the fixed piston and discharge a burst of compressed air launching a projectile.

Abstract: A toy projectile launcher for launching a projectile from a housing having a trigger mounted to the housing which can be depressed to actuate a motor. A mechanical linkage operatively interconnects the motor with an actuator which generates a source of pressurized air upon movement of the actuator from its cocked to its un-cocked position to effect automatic repeated movement of the actuator to its cocked position and release from its cocked position. Repeated intermittent sources of pressurized air are generated for sequential launching of projectiles. Disclosed embodiments also include a toy projectile launcher having an air passageway through which compressed air is passable to a plurality of sequential projectile holders holding respective projectiles to be launched. The projectile holders are advanced into operative launching engagement with the air passageway sequentially by an advancing mechanism.

Abstract: A modular and compact air conditioning system is designed to be conveyed by a ground support equipment cart and to occupy minimal space within the cart. The system is constructed within a rectangular frame supporting top, bottom, left side, right side, front side, and back side panels. The top and back side panels contain thin air conditioner condensers. One of the left and right side panels contain an air outlet, and the other contains an air inlet and a duct that may be connected to an airplane to provide cooling air to the airplane. A condenser fan is mounted within the rectangular frame and is arranged to draw outside air in through the condensers and to blow the air out through the air outlet.

Abstract: A game having a base structure including an array of lights with associated music. A player must respond to the illumination and music issued by the game by pressing a series of sensors located on the game at specific beats according to the rhythm and illumination of the game. A sequential linear illumination of the light displays can progress from the center outward to the sensor or progress from the sensor inward to the center.

Abstract: A toy employing a simple yet unique pivoting mechanism to provide back and forth and side to side pivoting movements and operable to wiggle, twist back and forth, and roll the toy over numerous times imitating a playing, cuddling and rolling over puppy or the like. The toy includes a body portion, a first pivoting portion, and a first linkage coupling the body portion to the first pivoting portion at an angled pivot point offset from a vertical axis intersecting the point at which the body and the first pivoting portions are coupled. An angled surface is included at the first pivoting portion and a gear mechanism is coupled to the body portion and operable to pivot the first pivoting portion with respect to the body portion driving the pivoting action at the angled surface of the first pivoting portion providing back and forth and side to side pivoting movements.

Abstract: A toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component through the same trigger mechanism providing for a fun and interesting toy with a variety of play modes. A holder assembly including a receiving compartment is capable of accepting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component. The electronic controller includes at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game, and the projectile launching component includes a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile. The trigger mechanism is in mechanical communication with the holder assembly for engagement with the human user interface input button for controlling the electronic game and the mechanical actuator for launching the projectile.

Abstract: Ground support equipment for servicing an airplane includes a ground support equipment cart upon which are mounted at least two equipment modules and a control module. A first equipment module mounted upon the cart contains ground support equipment for servicing an airplane and also has a network connection, and at least one additional equipment module mounted upon the cart contains additional ground support equipment and also has a network connection. The control module has a user display and user controls that are connected to a control processor which has a network connection. The user display and the user controls serve as a shared control panel for the ground support equipment contained in the modules mounted upon the cart. In response the control processor sends over the network to one or more of the other modules information defining what particular services the selected type or class of airplane requires of the modules.

Abstract: A ground support equipment cart contains one or more removable equipment modules. The cart contains a rectangular module containing airplane air conditioning components mounted upon the cart and extending the width of the cart but occupying substantially less than half of the cart's length. The cart also contains one or more rectangular equipment modules removably mounted upon the cart, one or two of the removable modules containing electrical power converting components. And the cart contains a rectangular module containing power generating components mounted upon the cart and occupying substantially the remainder of the cart. The cart separates into two parts, one part containing the module containing power generating components. The cart also contains a control module having a display and controls for, and that is networked to, the other modules. One or more of the removable modules slide out on a tray and may be locked in position.

Abstract: A ground support equipment air conditioning system detachably connects to a port on an airplane. An air conduit connects an air intake and filter to a coupling that is adapted to be connected to one end of an air duct or hose the other end of which is adapted to be connected to an airplane's port. A variable speed blower in the air conduit has its speed varied by a controller to regulate the pressure supplied to an airplane. This controller receives as inputs the pressure sensed by a pressure sensor connected to the air conduit adjacent the coupling to sense the pressure of air passing into the airplane and also a setpoint pressure which can be varied to match the requirements of different types or classes of airplane. First and second air conditioners each include a circular refrigerant conduit channeling refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.

Abstract: An airplane ground support system includes a multi-voltage power supply. This system includes an air conditioning module and a control module having a display and a processor, the display and processor presenting an airplane type or class selection menu to airplane support technicians and responding to the selection of a type or class of airplane by generating a power output selection signal designating the type of power needed by the selected type or class of airplane. The system also includes a power supply module which has an A.C. power input, at least one power output, and which receives the power output selection signal as an incoming signal. A power conversion system within the power supply module connects to the A.C. power input and supplies converted and voltage regulated power to the at least one power output. This power conversion system also receives the power conversion control signal as an input signal.

Abstract: A BOGGLE brand word game apparatus having a plurality of dice enclosed in an interior chamber formed in upper and lower container shells. The object of the game is for each player to find as many three and four letter words as possible formed by adjoining dice before three minutes expire. A point system determines the winner.

Abstract: A revised universal base structure which is adapted for use in manufacturing various different versions of an electromechanical game using the same base structure. The base structure provides a network or grid of recessed areas above which a ground plate may extend. The recessed areas are formed as small squares and various small playing pieces are receivable in the recesses so that they can be retrieved by players during the course of game play. However, the base structure can be used with various uniquely different ground plates and unique upper boards to form various different embodiments of the differing games.