Abstract: A modular closure unit is described which has three walls, two of which are side walls each connected to the opposite vertical edges of the third or back wall. A top member is also integrally attached to the top edges of all three walls. Two discrete attachment means detachably attach the unit to the doorframe of an existing doorway in a wall to thereby close the doorway and prevent the unilateral removal of the unit by persons having access to only one side of the unit. The unit permits operable retention of the previously mounted door when desired.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic valve, igniter and combustion preheater for hybrid rocket motors is described. Particularly, the present invention comprises a ported connection means in which is mounted a solid charge of pyrotechnic material which provides a barrier to and obstructs the flow ports of the connection means to maintain the physical separation of the fluid propellant from the solid propellant. In operation, the solid charge is ignited and burns which burning consumes the charge and thereby removes the barrier to fluid propellant flow. The preferred pyrotechnic charge also ignites the solid propellant and thereby initiates combustion. The ported connection means may also include a preheater chamber in which is disposed a hollow or slotted cylinder of solid fuel which when burned, reacts with and heats the fluid oxidizer as it flows to the main combustion chamber to increase the ignitability and combustion efficiency of the solid fuel grain disposed therewithin.

Abstract: A retractable folding hanger device for attachment to a flat surface having a base member, an extension arm pivotally attached at the first end thereof to the base member, and a retention arm pivotally attached to the second end of the extension arm. Each of the frame members is preferably channel-shaped and dimensioned so that the retention arm is foldable into and nestable within the extension arm and the nested extension arm and retention arm are likewise foldable into and nestable within the base member. Suitable hinge pins provide the pivotal attachments to the device and solid-body or spring-biased stops hold the device in its open or deployed position. A magnet or a clasp is provided to secure the device in its closed or retracted position.

Abstract: An improved particulate separator is made from a strainer mandrel disposed in a velocity tube. The velocity tube and strainer mandrel are hollow and tubularly shaped and positioned concentrically such that a small radial distance is left open between the interior of the velocity tube and the exterior of the strainer mandrel to create an annular, vertical fluid flow region. The velocity tube and the strainer mandrel are attached to each other at their respective top ends by a solid plug means that prohibits fluid flow into or out of the top end of the annular fluid flow region. The bottom end of the strainer mandrel is plugged while the bottom end of the annular fluid flow region is left open to create the main fluid flow inlet to the particulate separator. The preferred velocity tube is a unitary hollow cylinder with a substantially solid wall while the strainer mandrel is preferably a helical tension spring.

Abstract: An elastic resistance exercise device is described which comprises an elongated elastic member having a handle attached at each end by friction-lock components. A disassemblable bar member is used coactively with the elastic member or with the handles by sliding the bar in and through hollow cylinders operatively attached to the handles. The handles provide adjustable detachability of the elastic member by the coaction of receptacles defined therein through which the elastic member is slidably fit and frictionally retained. In one handle, a solid plug is frictionally inserted in the elastic member and at the other handle, an adjustable member attached to a pull handle frictionally bears upon the elastic member and secures it in the handle. The device can be assembled into a small compact mass to facilitate transport in a briefcase or the like when traveling.

Abstract: A housing and cap assembly for insulating and making watertight the electrical connection between a neon tube electrode and its associated power cable in an inert gas or neon sign system having a housing member with cylinders for containing a power cable and a neon electrode integrally formed in a parallel, double back configuration within a unified structure and having an cap member through which the cable and electrode are inserted which is also coactive with the housing member to form a weatherproof, watertight seal about the electrical power cable, electrode connection.

Abstract: An alarm system for notifying necessary medical and hospital personnel that a patient or the patient's life support equipment require immediate response without providing the alarm signal to the monitored patient or surrounding patients, to prevent patient trauma which may otherwise result from the sound of the alarm. The system includes an alarm signal generator that provides a coded pulse indication of the patient and equipment type. The coded signal is sent to a master control unit preferably located at a nurses' station. The master control unit then transmits the coded alarm signal simultaneously to the appropriate group of pagers having vibrational annunciators and a visual display that describes the patient location and equipment type. The patients monitor and equipment at bedside and the pagers have no audio alarm signals. The alarm signal can only be terminated manually by an interrupt switch at the bedside.

Abstract: An adjustable pillow that supports the head and neck of a user when laying on his/her side or in face downward position is described. This pillow has a central base portion and one or more lateral protrusions, particularly including upper lateral protrusions, all of which are integrally connected to said central base portion. Means are provided for securing one or more lift pads beneath the pillow to vary the height of the pillow surface relative to the plane upon which the pillow and its user are supported.

Abstract: An unobtrusive carrier for self-protective devices is disclosed. Such a carrier has a body portion to which is connected a carrying strap. The body portion has a special secret compartment which is solely accessible by a spring-biased opening at one end of the body portion. The spring-biased opening comprises a frame assembly having two frame members pivotally connected to each other such that they can alternately be held in closed position against the spring-biasing or snapped to open position by the spring arms when a catch is released. A holster is provided within the secret compartment.

Abstract: An all-weather canopy assembly for a mobile child carrier comprising a frame assembly including at least two flexible, elongated tubular side members connected to a cross member. The frame assembly is detachably secured to a child carrier by pliable retention structure and is covered with an adjustable nylon or other cloth fabric cover which is attached to the frame assembly with hook-and-loop fasteners and which is slidable thereupon to provide selective protection for a child seated in the carrier.

Abstract: A filtration system for cleaning contaminated fluids having input means disposed tangentially of a cylindrical filter surface and simultaneously sweeping said surface and providing a fluid flow therethrough and backwash means having one or more nozzle bearing standpipes adapted to simultaneously rotate within and axially reciprocate spray nozzles relative to a cylindrical filter assembly to dislodge particulates therefrom either concurrently or independently of the flow of contaminated fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A solar energy collector expansion assembly including means for reducing having axial thermal expansion in the riser tube is described in which each riser tube has a pair of solar collecting panels attached thereto by a removable elongated "C"-shaped connection member. The "C"-shaped connection member is deliberately made from a material having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than does the material from which the solar collecting panel and the riser tube are formed thereby influencing the dimensional thermal expansion of the riser tube-connection member assembly into a radial rather than axial direction thereby reducing the weakening and failure of the bonds which join the riser tube to adjoining members. Each riser tube-connection member assembly is curved slightly from linear into a cambered shape to further influence the path of thermal expansion of the assembly from a direction other than axial.

Abstract: A self-contained comfort device having a generally rectangular body portion and two pocket members disposed one on each surface of the body portion for containing the device when the device is folded and the pocket member is inverted thereabout. A generally rectangular resilient pad is incorporated within one of the pocket members. Preferably, the device is made with fleece on one surface and water-resistant material on the other. Customized logos may also be imprinted or embroidered on either surface.

Abstract: A collapsible stringed instrument which is integrated into a compact carrying case with a portable sound studio. This instrument is collapsible by sliding the fretboard along channels in the body of the instrument inwardly or toward the rearward face of the case to retract or collapse the instrument for carrying. This instrument is extendible by following the reverse process. A novel, removable multiple coil pickup is included which plays at a normal electric tone or pitch, or at a combined, different tone or pitch by alternately lifting open or lowering to close the hinged top portion thereof. Said portable sound studio has a compact disc (CD) player, cassette tape player/recorder, and a special effects circuitry board for amplifying, mixing and altering sounds. An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a "Hummingbird" fretboard having frets with ridges cut therein and which ridges generally decrease in size and shape in direct correspondence to guitar string size and shape.

Abstract: An insertable baffle device for use in beverage containers to prevent spillage therefrom. The new and unique baffle device has a plurality of substantially vertical, foraminous wing assemblies attached to and extending radially from a foraminous, columnar central member, and an annular member operatively attached substantially near the upper perimeter of the wing assemblies, all of which coact to reduce wave action created by movement of the container and thereby substantially reduce spillage therefrom. The wing assemblies further comprise flanges attached vertically along the outer edges thereof to frictionally engage any of a plurality of beverage containers regardless of their diametric variations.