Abstract: A method and apparatus for closed loop, automatic processing of typical financial transactions, including loans, setting up checking, savings and individual retirement accounts, obtaining cashier's checks, ordering additional checks, issuing credit and debit cards, wire transferring money, and so on. The transactions are provided from a kiosk and controlled by a computer controller interacting with the consumer. In the case of loans, a computer controller helps the consumer in the completion of the application, performs the underwriting, and transfers funds. The computer controller obtains the information needed to process the application, determines whether to approve the loan, effects electronic fund transfers to the applicant's deposit account and arranges for automatic withdrawals to repay the loan.

Abstract: A trailer of the type for securing to and following a bicycle. The trailer includes a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, and an extension member having first and second ends. The first end is hingedly connected to the frame such that the extension member is selectively positionable between an extended position wherein the extension member extends outwardly from the frame and a folded position wherein the extension member is disposed adjacent the frame for compactness of storage and transport.

Abstract: A system is described for discriminating between a transmitted signal and background noise comprising a transmitter adapted to transmit a signal including first and second pulses, separated by a predetermined time interval; and a receiver including a pulse detector to detect pulses received from the transmitter; a delay circuit adapted to delay transmission of the first pulse for a predetermined period of time in communication with the detector to receive a pulse therefrom; and an AND gate having an output, a first input in communication with the delay circuit and an second input in communication with the detector, the time of transmission between the pulses equaling the time delay of the delay circuit, whereby the AND gate allows transmission of a signal only when simultaneously receiving pulses from the detector and the delay circuit.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for producing a tubular knitted article having a closed end. The apparatus includes a circular knitting element for forming the tubular knitted article and a closure assembly located downstream of the circular knitting element for forming the closed end. An accumulator assembly is located between the circular knitting element and the closure assembly to provide tension to the tubular knitted article when the closure assembly is closed, thereby permitting the circular knitting element to continuously form the tubular knitted article during the operation of the closure assembly. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a cutting assembly is located between the accumulator assembly and the closure assembly, the cutting assembly being selectively operable to cut the tubular knitted article during the operation of the closure assembly.

Abstract: A golf cap or other headgear that includes a horizontal slit of a given width, and a first indicia with an upper segment on the headgear above the slit. A ball marker having a second indicia corresponding to at least a part of the upper segment of said first indicia is inserted into the slit, so that a complete indicia is visible, whether or not the ball marker is present.

Abstract: A compression tool for use in applying compression with a predetermined limited movement to a workpiece. The tool includes first and second lever arms with workpiece engaging surfaces and adjacent hinged ends. When compressing a workpiece, e.g., a nut, the hinged ends are urged apart, and a stop face is moved into the pathway of a stop edge on one of the lever arms to limit the movement of the arms toward each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screen printing a converted digitalized image onto a hard surface, such as glass or a mirror. The apparatus includes a source for providing a conventional digitalized image, such as a digital scanner, digital camera or CD-ROM. A computer-assisted enhancer is connected to the digitalized image source and adapted to select the size and shape of the halftones comprising the digitalized image as a function of a preselected screen size for screen printing and to provide a converted digitalized image. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio of the mesh size to screen frequency (lpi) is about 3. A dry film printer prints the converted digitalized image onto a transparent film which is used to prepare the screens for printing. In the preferred embodiment, the screen printing inks are selected from the group consisting of UV-cured, air-cured epoxy, and heat-cured lacquer for screen printing the converted digitalized image onto the hard surface.

Abstract: A crutch including an extendible, locking shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a handgrip positioned to the front of the crutch and joined to the upper end of the shaft by a connecting arm; and an underarm at a level below the level of the handgrip, whereby the user's hand is positioned above the level of the user's underarm when using the crutch, to thereby pull upward on the handgrip during forward movement, instead of a pressing downward on the handgrip and underarm support.

Abstract: Water is prevented from entering the wall interior of a building from in and around a wall component, such as a window, mounted in the building wall, by positioning a diverter directly beneath the wall component. The diverter includes an upper surface that slopes toward the wall exterior, a plurality of spaced, parallel ribs extending upwardly from the upper surface and beyond the exterior wall to form a plurality of downwardly sloping channels, a cover over the outer ends of the ribs to form drainage openings at the ends of the channels. A downwardly extending non-linear pathway from the drainage openings to the exterior of the diverter prevents water from entering the wall interior through the channels.

Abstract: A welding system for automatically welding two workpieces together at a joint. The system includes a welding box having an electrode for welding the workpieces together; a camera assembly for viewing selected regions of the workpieces including a first edge and a second edge of the joint; and a controller connected to the camera assembly and the welding box for receiving the location of the first edge and the second edge of the joint and calculating the centerline of the joint and providing an output signal representative of the difference of the relative position of the centerline of the joint and the centerline of the fusing element. In the preferred embodiment, a 2-axis light source illuminates the surface of the workpieces to better locate the centerline of the joint.

Abstract: A modular display apparatus for displaying indicia at a front thereof has an inner frame with horizontal support beams, the inner frame supporting a plurality of grid modules, at least one grid module being located above another. A plurality of pixels rotationally mounted to the grid modules each include first and second display faces joined along respective adjacent edges. The pixels have a center of gravity located on each pixel so as to interact with an external force applied to the pixel and provide a complete rotation, with a minimum of bounce, to display a desired display face. A triggering mechanism has a plurality of solenoids adapted for selective actuation to rotate selected ones of the pixels for changing the pattern of the desired display indicia controlled by an electronic signal transmitted from an electronics system.

Abstract: A plurality of paper sheets, such as children's artwork, is displayed and stored by providing a display surface including a display opening; exposing sections of an elongated web in the opening; attaching individual sheets to the exposed web section; winding the web sections and attached artwork around a storage roller while pulling another web section beneath the opening; and placing the storage roller, web and attached artwork into a storage container after all of the web has been wound onto the storage roller.

Abstract: A reclining seat includes a base for mounting on a floor, including left and right arms, left and right recliner mechanisms mounted between the left and right arms, a spring cushion secured between the left and right recliner mechanisms, the spring cushion including support for a plurality springs, a plurality of springs mounted on the support and twine tied in an eight-way, hand-tied pattern to the springs, to provide an eight-way hand-tied cushion for the reclining seat, and upholstery and padding covering the spring cushion.

Abstract: A sensor probe assembly. The sensor probe assembly includes a sensor probe body having a probe head and an elongated cylindrical probe shaft for housing a sensing element. An adapter attaches the probe body to a sensor location while allowing the sensor probe body to rotate with respect to the adapter. In the preferred embodiment, at least one resilient seal is located between the probe head and the adapter to prevent entry of dirt, oil and grease.

Abstract: A grapeseed oil composition for topical application to the skin comprising: a) about 1 to about 99% by weight of grapeseed oil; b) at least one hydrating agent; and c) water. Hydrating agents include vegetable glycerin, aloe-vera, and vegetable oils other than grapeseed oil, for example, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, flaxseed oil, primrose oil and any other botanical oil. The grapeseed oil composition may further include at least one amino acid, for example, lysine and tyrosine.

Abstract: An apparatus provides variable resistance to rotation and includes a housing having a shaft having a first portion that is rotatable in the housing and a second portion passing outwardly thereof adapted to receive the tire of a bicycle for stationary bicycle exercise. A first body in the housing is mechanically linked to the first portion of the shaft so as to be rotatable within the housing. A second body in the housing is slidably connected to the first portion of the shaft and has flat face opposed to the flat face of the first body. The second body is movable with respect to the first body to result in a variably-sized gap between the opposed faces. A spring located between the housing and the second body biases the second body toward the first body.