Abstract: A humidity moisture exchanger (HME) for trapping heat and/or moisture normally lost during mechanical ventilation and the like. This HME includes a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber includes a pair of fluid ports connectable, in series, to a fluid flow tube extending from the patient. Inside the housing is a filter or an absorbent heat and moisture collecting material. To permit the uninhibited passage of fluid through the housing, the absorbent material is removed from the second chamber area and temporarily stored within the first chamber area.

Abstract: A clip preferably monolithically formed of a single piece of resilient and pliable material (e.g., plastic), provides for the securing together of individual units of stocking, socks, and hose and the like, into their proper pairs for ease of sorting for laundry and storage. The clip provides a gripping force biasing the jaws shut, by means of a spring action in the handle portion or by alternative latching means between the two handle portions, while the jaws are relatively wide to distribute the clamping or gripping forces so as to preclude crushing of the fabric or other pliable material gripped therein. The clip may be provided in a variety of colors, in order that they and any articles gripped therein may be recognized readily, and a storage container which is easily attachable in the laundry area (e.g., to the side of a laundry hamper) may be provided for the storage of the clips when they are not in use.

Abstract: Plastic materials are collected from discarded articles or manufacturing stock, reduced to particles, and mixed with feedstock for manufacturing building materials, such as concrete. Particle maximum dimensions are preferably in the range of five to ten millimeters. The recycled plastic includes up to twenty-five per cent, by volume, of the building material. This provides economical and ecologically sound disposal of otherwise waste plastic, and improves the building material into which it has been incorporated. Cost of the building material is reduced. A cementitious concrete made from recycled plastics, portland cement, and sand/gravel fillers performs to standards of concretes made without plastics. Heterogeneous plastic materials may be used in this concrete, removing the previously time and resource intensive step of sorting and melting down constituent plastics from each other in the waste stream.

Abstract: The present invention includes an arrow guide and bow sight adaptable to right-handed or left-handed archery bows. The arrow guide including a vertical support wheel with a V-shaped groove running along its circumference in which an arrow may rest when shooting. This wheel is designed to spin freely on a support rod, reducing friction imparted to the arrow shaft, thus increasing the accuracy, speed, and power of the archer's shot. For lateral support, two horizontal wheels are positioned to either side of the vertical support wheel to prevent the arrow from falling off of the vertical support wheel when the bow is jarred or when the bow string is quickly drawn back. Also connected to the arrow guide device is a sighting device comprising a multiplicity of sight pins and a vertical cross-hair. The sight pins are vertically adjustable to be calibrated to assorted ranges, and both the pins and the cross-hair are horizontally adjustable to account for windage.

Abstract: Digital signal cross connect communication systems include a plurality of tracer circuits within a particular shelf, a plurality of shelves within a particular rack, a plurality of racks within a particular row, and, generally, a plurality of rows within the office in which the circuitry of the digital signal cross connect communication system is located. In order to facilitate a technician in determining the specific location of an engaged tracer circuit, row indicator lamps may be provided to indicate the particular row the engaged tracer circuit is located in. Also, rack lamp indicators located above each rack and shelf lamp indicators located within each shelf may also be provided to indicate the particular rack and shelf an engaged tracer circuit is located.

Abstract: Board games of global conquest include lighted and unlighted circular game boards having geopolitical maps of the globe thereon. Playing pieces of different types are provided for each player, with each type of playing piece having a different move pattern and limitations of moves on the board. At least one type of piece is never placed upon the board, but its position is known only to the player holding that piece. The object of the game is to form patterns of squares about various areas or nations of the board with the playing pieces, with a player successfully forming such a square being considered the conqueror of that nation or region. The conquering player must be able to identify the nation or region, and may receive simulated currency for correctly identifying the capitol and correctly answering other questions about the area.

Abstract: A variable motion device displaying interactive rocking and rotating motion and having a geometrically eccentric center of mass, The device is supported upon a teetering surface bearing against a corresponding counterteetering surface, At least one of these surfaces is curved, so that the device wobbles. These features, which are concealed from an observer, cause compound or unpredictable precession in response to the device being rocked or similarly moved by a rider. Further ride altering effects are produced by powered pushing or pulling devices. In another alternative embodiment, initial Potation is produced by a powered source. The device, which finds its best application as an amusement ride, accommodates one or more riders.

Abstract: A diagnostic device in the form of a blood glucose monitoring strip of the dip-and-read variety, and which has a first, outer test area which is chemically identical with a second, interior test area. A blood sample is tested in the first area. The first area is torn off and discarded. Then, another, similar test is conducted employing the remaining, second, interior test area. A line of perforation divides the first and second areas. Notches may be defined in the outer ends of both test areas to facilitate reading of the blood impregnated samples with the use of a suitable photometric machine, for example.

Abstract: A form of eye protection intended for use in protecting the eyes of a dental patient against foreign particles and contaminants basically includes a frame, a shield supported by the frame, and a strap for securing the frame in a desired position on a wearer's head. The eye protection device is structured and configured to conform to the contours of the wearer's nose and cheeks so as to form a contact seal between the eye protection device and the wearer's face. The eye protection device is further structured and configured to be angularly positionable relative to the wearer's face so as to remain spaced from the wearer's forehead and thus, preclude foreign particles and contaminants from entering the wearer's eyes.

Abstract: An electrical connector, such as a domestic supply plug, utilizes a cartridge fuse (60) clamped within a receptacle or cage comprising two parts (61, 62) which snap engage together in a permanent fashion. The cage part (61 or 62) or both have spline or key formations (63) on an outer surface while the plug body (64) has a cavity (65) extending from an outer surface and includes channels or keyways (66) complementary to the spline or key (63) on the cage. The fuse and cage assembly may thus be pressed into the body of the plug with the spline forming the key such that only the correct fuse assembly may fit the chosen plug.

Abstract: A wallet security device detects when a wallet has been lifted from a user's pocket or purse. If the device is enabled, the device sounds an alarm after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the wallet was removed from the pocket or purse of the user if a disarm code is not entered onto a keypad located within the wallet within that predetermined period of time. A photodetector located on the outside of the wallet is used to detect when the wallet is removed from the pocket or purse of the user. If the photodetector detects light, the device assumes that the wallet has been removed and, if the disarm code is not entered within the predetermined period of time or if a code is entered onto the keypad that the device does not recognize as a valid disarm code, the alarm is activated. Once the disarm code is entered, the alarm device is deactivated until the arm code is entered again.

Abstract: An automatic fishing device which includes a base member, a coiled spring in a vertical plane attached to the base, and a trip mechanism attached to an opposite end of the base. With a fishing rod secured within the coiled spring, the coiled spring is cocked and subsequently sprung by the action of a fish taking bait to hook the fish.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for use in supporting a semitrailer basically includes a main body and a leg axially extensible from the main body. An expansible membrane disposed within the main body is provided for displacing the leg to an extended position. A restrictive passage through the main body limits the travel of the leg through the main body. Upon compressing the expansible membrane, a biasing element disposed within the main body is provided for urging the leg back to a retracted position. The leg may be releasably secured in either an extended or retracted position.

Abstract: A new kind of rotary piston machine with sealed work chambers and a wear resistant driving mechanism. Pivotal pistons move within respective cylinders and both the pistons and the cylinders revolve about circular orbits which are relative to one another. Both pistons and cylinders are included in a single piece rotor of unitary construction and can have either an axial or a radial configuration. Single-cylinder or multi-cylinder engines are included. This invention eliminates the necessity of piston bearings and thus, provides a wear-resistant, oil-free, driving mechanism. This invention further unites the sealing performance of the classical piston machine with the kinematic qualities of the rotary system.

Abstract: An accessory serving as an aid for saving the life of an "ice" fisherman, snow mobile operator, or other recreation or sports minded person who ventures onto an ice covered lake, pond or other body of water and breaks through the ice. The accessory includes two ice picks connected together by a floatable cord. Each ice pick includes a casing forming a handle having elongated external recesses helpful for hand gripping, and a pair of notches or grooves to facilitate gripping by the thumb and index finger. Each casing has an internal bore configured to receive an ice pick, a spring biased sheath, and a molded floatation plug, enabling the accessory to float when dropped into a body of water. The floatation plug may be formed of a closed cell, foamed plastic. The floatation plug has circumferentially spaced slots which engage fins connecting a central pick holder to an inner surface of a bore within the handle.