Abstract: An integral motor-brake incorporating an electrically actuated disc stack having minimized residual magnetism. A plurality of alignment pins are provided having abutments at each end therefor for trapping therebetween the discs of the disc stacks. Residual magnetism is minimized by the following features being provided, singly or in combination: 1) A non-magnetic material is located between an armature plate and an electromagnetic coil assembly, wherein the non-magnetic material serves as a spacer to add reluctance to the magnetic circuit and may be for example a wafer for instance composed of aluminum or stainless steel or may be a coating; and 2) A driver circuit for energizing the primary and secondary electromagnetic coils, wherein the self-induced EMF produced when current is shut-off is rapidly dissipated.

Abstract: A mooring line receptacle apparatus for a watercraft includes an elongated mooring line receptacle for each mooring line, wherein each mooring line receptacle is connected with the hull of the watercraft at the gunwale thereof; and further includes an abutment member connected with each mooring line at a distal end thereof. The mooring line receptacle has an interior hollow defined by a sidewall composed of a durable, resilient material having a slot therein along its entire length. The sidewall opposite the slot is attached to the hull of a selected watercraft via threaded fasteners. One mooring line receptacle is located at the port bow, another at the starboard bow, another at the port stern and another at the starboard stern. Preferably, each of the sets of port and starboard mooring line receptacles end near each other at a generally amidship location on the gunwale where the skipper and crew/passengers enter and leave the watercraft.

Abstract: A tie rack cabinet which includes a rectilinearly shaped cabinet member having a pheripheral edge wall having a height of at least about that of one-half the length of a standard tie, a back wall connected to and spanning the peripheral edge wall, a tie rack mounted to the peripheral edge wall adjacent the top edge wall thereof; and further includes means for slidingly connecting the cabinet member to a dresser. A tie restraint for preventing flapping of the ties as the tie rack cabinet is slid is provided for each tie at a location remotely spaced from the tie rack. Optionally, loose article receptacles may be connected with the peripheral edge wall for holding various articles such as jewelry, coins, knickknacks, etc. The sliding connection of the cabinet member to the dresser may be integral with the dresser, provided by an opening in a rear portion of a dresser into which the cabinet member is integrated.

Abstract: A martial arts training glove that provides protection of the trainee's hand from possible hurt during hand strike exercises, including a glove body, wherein the finger and thumb receptacles are truncated. The glove body is provided with one or more sealed compartments which are filled to more-or-less about 95% capacity with loose grains, preferably spherical and nondeformable grains such as steel shot. The compartments are located with respect to the glove body so that the grains within the compartments protect the trainee's hand from hand strikes, particularly the five common martial arts hand strikes enumerated hereinabove. The preferred compartment locations are (with respect to a hand fitted thereinside): the heel of the palm, the bottom of the hand, the front and back of the index and near index knuckles, and the index finger metacarpus bone.

Abstract: A gutter hanger composed of a bracket portion and an elbow portion. The bracket portion has a main body, a clip connected to a first end of the main body and a nose connected to a second end of the main body. The elbow portion has a resiliently flexible arch which is connected to the first end of the main body and terminates in a right angle flange; and has a relatively inflexible knee brace which is connected to the second end of the main body and is connected to a tangent of the arch. The right angle flange and the arch collectively form a corner which is dimensioned to abut the inside corner of the gutter where the rear wall meets the bottom wall. When installed on a gutter, the gutter hanger according to the present invention provides a secure fit with a gutter at the rear wall and the U-shaped member thereof, as would be the case with a conventional gutter bracket, but further adds bracing support via the elbow portion which fully stabilizes the gutter from wind induced wobbling.

Abstract: A diaper equipped with a view flap that allows a guardian to determine whether or not the diaper needs changing with a minimum of intrusion and bother, in that partial disrobing of the diaper is obviated. The view flap diaper according to the present invention is composed of a diaper member having an aperture and a view flap member wherein the view flap member is selectively openable and closable with respect to the aperture of the diaper member. A liquid absorbent inner layer bonded with a liquid impermeable outer layer is the preferred diaper structure. The inner layer may include a liquid permeable liner, and may not have areas of differing absorbency.

Abstract: A table top game apparatus includes a circular play area peripherally demarcated by an annular trough, a plurality of disk shaped game-pieces, a game-piece propelling mechanism which is located at, and movable along, the trough, and an annular confinement wall adjacent the trough opposite the play area. The game-piece propelling mechanism is pivotally mounted upon a base which is, in turn, slidably or rollably seated in the trough. The trough includes provision for selectively partitioning it to receive in selected partitions game-pieces which will land there during the course of play of a particular game. The annular confinement wall is preferably provided with selectively movable markers for providing location and play information juxtaposed a particular portion of the trough, such as at particular partitions. Various configurations of the table top game apparatus accommodate a range of percussion games involving sliding game-pieces and rolling game-pieces.

Abstract: A valve system for fluid processing machines which provides fully dynamic control over aspiration events. In the case of an internal combustion engine application, the variable orbital aperture valve system includes a rotary valve in the form of an "orbiter" disc having primary intake and exhaust apertures provided therein for sealing with the head of the combustion chamber and periodically aligning with intake and exhaust ports therein to thereby periodically aspirate the combustion chamber. The orbiter is connected by a linkage to the crank shaft of the internal combustion engine, and turns at typically one-half the crank shaft speed. The variable orbital aperture valve system further includes at least one "floater" disc having a secondary aperture therein which, depending upon the selected placement of the secondary aperture with respect to the respective intake or exhaust port, the aforesaid alignment with the primary intake or exhaust aperture of the orbiter is thereby modified.

Abstract: A two flush modality toilet composed of a bowl, a tank connected with the bowl wherein the tank is connected to a water supply, a conventional flush modality for flushing solid waste from the bowl, and a urinal flush modality for flushing liquid only waste from the bowl, wherein the urinal flush modality includes: a bowl valve at the base of the bowl, a bowl valve control for selecting between open and closed states of the bowl valve, a conduit for directing liquid waste from the bowl into the sanitary drain, and an auxiliary flush control for supplying a limited quantity of flush water from the tank into the bowl to provide restoration of the trap water in the bowl after a urinal flush modality has occurred. A foot pedal selectively operates the bowl valve, wherein when in an open state all the liquid in the bowl is drained. Upon release of the foot pedal, the bowl valve is returned to the closed state. Flush water from the tank is then delivered to the bowl to restore the trap water.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrically actuated disc stack for drives, brakes and combinations thereof having minimized residual magnetism. Residual magnetism is minimized by the following features being provided, singly or in combination, in a drive, brake or combination thereof. 1) A non-magnetic material is located between the clutch armature plate and the clutch electromagnetic coil assembly, and a non-magnetic material is located between the brake armature plate and the brake electromagnetic coil assembly. The non-magnetic material serves as a spacer to add reluctance to the magnetic circuit and may be for example a wafer for instance composed of aluminum or stainless steel or may be a coating. 2) A driver circuit for energizing the primary and secondary electromagnetic coils, wherein the self-induced EMF produced when current is shut-off is rapidly dissipated. 3) Non-magnetic drive components are used in the path of the magnetic circuit of the clutch and brake electromagnetic coil assemblies.

Abstract: A method for imparting a fortune cookie appearance upon a T-shirt. The T-shirt has imprinted thereupon a "fortune" message, such as "Tomorrow will be your lucky day." The T-shirt is manipulated so that the finished look resembles as closely as possible the shape of a true fortune cookie as it is commonly seen and enjoyed in Chinese restaurants. There are two basic methods to take a T-shirt and make it look like a fortune cookie. A first method provides an appearance like that of a fortune cookie, wherein the clam-shell of the fortune cookie appears fully closed (whereupon the printed paper message "fortune" thereof is supposedly contained fully thereinside). A second method provides an appearance like that of a fortune cookie wherein end portions of the paper fortune is exposed, wherein the sleeves of the T-shirt seem to be like end portions of a printed paper "fortune" extending outwardly from the clam-shell of the fortune cookie.

Abstract: A ceiling fan blade slip cover composed of a fitted case which is dimensioned to generally conform to the shape of a ceiling fan blade, wherein the mouth of the fitted case is closable about the arm of the ceiling fan blade. The mouth is used to install and remove the ceiling fan blade slip cover with respect to its respective ceiling fan blade. In this regard, it is preferred for the mouth to be provided with an elastic gather, and/or be provided with a releasable fastener, such as for example a VELCRO (trademark of Velcro, U.S.A.) type hook and loop fastener. A preferred material for the fitted case is a fabric having a selected color, pattern or other indicia thereupon which harmoniously matches the decor of the room. Other materials may be used, such as for example a sheet plastic or leather material. In the event a nonventilative material is used for the fitted case, one or more longitudinal slits are provided at the top side and a lateral slit is provided at each outboard corner thereof.

Abstract: A field postage stamp cancellation apparatus composed of a pre-inked cancellation ink stamp which is resident in a specially structured lidded box. The lidded box is composed of a box and a lid hingably connected thereto. A bottom wall of the box is attached to the letter carrier's postal satchel. The hinge for the lid which is oriented more-or-less horizontally when the postal satchel is carried via its carrying strap in a normal manner, and is located at the lowermost location of the lidded box, whereby when the lid is opened, gravity naturally tends to continue swinging of the lid about the hinge until the lid depends downwardly therefrom and the lidded box is now open. A box wall extends from the bottom wall to a periphery, wherein the apex of each of the ridges of the cancellation ink stamp extend thereabove. The lid has a frictional fit and/or a snap fit with respect to the box wall. A touch tab is provided on the lid opposite the hinge to facilitate one handed opening of the lid.

Abstract: An archery apparatus for propelling an arrow includes a rigid main frame having a guide sheave situated at each of the opposing tips thereof. A main sheave is rotatably connected with a lower portion of the main frame. A bowstring extends between the guide sheaves, wherein each end thereof wraps around a respective periphery of mutually opposing perpheries of the main sheave and terminates connectably thereto. The actuation system of the archery apparatus includes a pair of tensioning mechanisms located on each side of the lower portion of the main frame. Each tensioning mechanism includes a coil spring, wherein a first end thereof connects to the lower portion of the main frame adjacent the guide sheave thereof and the second end of the coil spring connects to a tensioning cable. Each tensioning mechanism further includes a cam sheave connected with the lower portion of the main frame in spaced relation from both the axis of rotation of the main sheave and the second end of its respective spring.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a steering wheel which utilizes a non-wear electrical interconnection characterized by terminals of a base terminal bus and terminals of a rotor terminal bus being physically separated yet mutually electrically connected via contact with an electrically conductive liquid situated in one or more annular chambers located between outer faces of a rotor plate and a base plate. The rotor terminal bus is connected with the rotor plate and the base terminal bus is connected with the base plate. The base and rotor plates are connected together in a manner that permits relative rotation therebetween. The electrically conductive liquid is provided in each of the annular chambers by being preferably injected through a hollow capillary of at least one of the rotor and base terminals of each annular chamber, and then sealed, such as by solder. Preferred electrically conductive liquids include mercury or silicone.

Abstract: A feed water steam nozzle erosion detector composed of an erosion detection pipe alongside and immediately adjoining the feed water steam nozzle, and at least one sensor connected with the erosion detection pipe to detect that the erosion of the feed water steam nozzle has proceeded to the point of eroding into the erosion detection pipe. It is preferred that three sensor modalities be provided. A temperature sensor detects a rise in temperature occasioned because of steam entry into the erosion detection pipe. A metal fragment sensor detects the presence of metal fragments associated with the erosion of the erosion detection pipe and the feed water steam nozzle. A steam pressure sensor detects a build-up of steam pressure in the erosion detection pipe and further serves as a steam discharger with built-in pressure relief. Each of the sensors is associated with an electrical circuit which provides one or more signals to the boiler operator when erosion has been detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A shower curtain which is slidable in relation to a suspension rod, and yet the lower portion thereof is selectively raisable for cleaning operations in and about the bathtub, as well as for other reasons such as for example aesthetic reasons. The selectively raisable shower curtain is composed of a flexible sheet of shower curtain material to which is affixed a plurality of rows of releasable fastener components. Each row is provided with a plurality of releasable fastener components, a predetermined spacing therebetween being provided. Accordingly, the shower curtain material may be raised to selected levels by being progressively folded horizontally and corresponding first and second components of the releasable fastener will hold the shower curtain in the at each raised level until the releasable fastener is released by a user. A shower curtain liner having the selectively raisable lower portion feature may be included.

Abstract: A foot sponge for providing cleansing of the feet includes a sponge member which provides a foot receptacle thereinside. The foot receptacle is characterized by an insole upon which a user's foot rests, a fore-foot receptacle into which the fore-foot of the user's foot is received, and preferably a heel receptacle for receiving the heel and ankle area of the user's foot. Preferably, the nose of the forefoot cavity is pre-soaped with a viscous liquid soap. The underside of the sponge member is flat and is connected with a base member having a plurality of uniformly distributed suction cups facing outwardly therefrom. In the preferred form of the foot sponge according to the present invention, the sponge member is composed of two parts, an outer component of a "dry" or "open cell" sponge material which provides the general shape and structural integrity to the foot sponge and an inner component of a "wet" or "closed cell" sponge material which provides a washing interface with the user's skin.