Abstract: A watthour meter testing device for testing watthour meters is provided that includes a measuring device, a switch, a transmitter and a receiver. The measuring device is in communication with the power measured by the watthour meter. The switch is operable to test electromechanical watthour meters in a first position and operable to test electronic watthour meters in a second position. The transmitter is operative to transmit a light signal to a consumption indicator on the watthour meter when the switch is in the first position for testing electromechanical watthour meter. The receiver is operative to detect the light signal transmitted from the transmitter and reflected from the consumption indicator on the watthour meter when the switch is in a first position. The receiver is further operative to detect a consumption light signal emanating from the electronic watthour meters when the switch is in a second position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing fast compression and decompression of seismic data. An adaptive transform (124) with selectable mathematical basis is applied to an initial data set to obtain a set of transformed coefficients, the transform factorizing an effective symmetric or non-symmetric biorthogonal filter of size (u, v) into a number m of elementary (3, 1) biorthogonal filters which are applied to the data set in selected directions without requiring transposition of the data set. The coefficients are encoded (126) using non-uniform scalar quantization and run-length coding followed by adaptive coding of resulting threshold coefficients. The transform and encoding steps are repeated (128) using a new mathematical basis for each iteration to obtain a compressed data set at a desired compression rate. Exact compression ratios can be obtained (158), allowing evaluation of the data in the compressed domain as well as transparent, on-the-fly decompression at computer network data transfer rates.

Abstract: An exemplary retractable awning and method are provided for mounting to virtually any structure, such as a house trailer, recreational vehicle, house, patio, deck, and the like, to provide shade and protection from the elements. The retractable awing includes a roller tube assembly, a covering, and support arms. The roller tube assembly includes a roller tube and at least one retractable rib. The roller tube has a first end, a second end, and a rib storage groove operable to receive and store the retractable rib so that the retractable rib may couple with the roller tube and extend from a retracted position, at least partially within the rib storage groove, to an extended position. The retractable rib may have an upward arch or bend when in its extended position. The covering couples between the structure and the roller tube assembly and may be supported by the retractable rib when open. The covering provides shade and protection from the elements when open.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide improved control over the activation and deactivation of a computer program. For example, the computer program may be a screen saver program and/or a password protection program. The computer program is prevented from being activated when the user has not recently provided input to a computer system via an input-output device, but the user is still in the vicinity of the computer system. When no person is detected in the vicinity, the present invention allows the computer program's activation to be controlled using standard known methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control without the need to modify existing computer hardware or software. Embodiments of modified computer hardware and software systems are also provided where it is desirable to integrate enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control into a hardware or software system.

Abstract: A portable hand-held traversable yarn end splicer adapted to be carried and operated by one hand of an operator while freeing the other hand to serve the splicer preparatory to, during, or after a splicing operation as conditions may require.The invention is characterized by the splicer of the class described provided with: a traverse mechanism responsive to the grip of the holding hand of the operator for axially reciprocating a tensioned segment of a pair of oppositely extending overlapped yarn ends, a wrap wheel responsive to said grip for consecutively winding one or more helical courses of wrap thread around said segment, a stationary cutter responsive to said grip for severing the tail of the yarn end near the beginning of the first course, and a second stationary cutter responsive to said grip for severing the tail of the other yarn end near the end of the first course.

Abstract: A portable bathroom accessory adapted to be detachably supported along the length of the lintel or head bar of a bath stall doorway while suspending many types of hygienic equipment such as syringe and stoma irrigation devices during use or for bathroom storage. Specifically, the invention is characterized by an inverted U-shaped hanger detachably and snugly mounted upon the head bar in a stable position, wherein one leg of the hanger serves the dual function of suspending a hygienic reservoir assembly in a partially stabilized position by limiting the swinging movement of the lower free end portion of the assembly backwardly in the direction of the other hanger leg.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing shop or screw machine part or workpiece. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a bushing with a hole therein for axially guiding the burred end of the part into engagement with a disintegrating mechanism such as a saw, grinder or abrader, in combination with a stop for arresting both the inward movement of the part and the resulting disintegration when the burr becomes disintegrated flush with said flat end.

Abstract: A unitary rectangular junction box module composed of a back rectangular base block molded from non-conductive material and having parallel bus bars laid edgewise in its front face and arranged lengthwise of its opposite side walls, the opposite ends of the bars terminating short of the outer surfaces of its end walls, in combination with a front rectangular block having a centrally disposed rectangular opening extending rearwardly therethrough, the marginal back face of the front block being laminated to the marginal borders of the front face of the back block to thereby lock the opposite ends of each bus bar between the block while leaving the intermediate bar segments accessible through said opening. The opening also may be used to telescopically receive selected unitary plug-in accessory modules for use with the junction box module.

Abstract: A pet feeding device composed of a horizontally upright serving container having an opening in its upper end and an inverted feed-supply container having an opening in its lower end, wherein the open ends are axially inserted in overlapped position and then attached to one another in response to relative movement between the containers transversely of the axes of insertion.A pair of tongue-and-groove assemblies or joints are employed to guide the containers during the relative transverse movement, the tongue component of each joint being integral with the overlapped end of one of the containers and the groove component integral with the proximate overlapped end of the other container. By moving the supply container transversely and rearwardly from its axially inserted position, the tongue components of the joints intermesh progressively mesh with the groove components until the supply container reaches its normal position of use at the rear portion of the serving container.

Abstract: A passive restraining apparatus for use in the administration to small animals of anaesthetics, intravenous fluids, and the like consisting of a housing for loosely confining the animal's body. The housing is provided with a front wall which has (1) an upper opening therein for releasably holding the animal's neck in substantially immobilized position while its head projects forwardly from the wall, and (2) at least one lower opening through which the animal's forelegs are adapted to project forwardly of the wall, the wrist portions of the forelegs being releasably held in immobilized positions by anchoring devices. A shield or platform vertically supports the projecting head for relatively free sidewise movement about the immobilized neck and in proximate spaced relation above the forelegs, thereby preventing access by the animal's head to its forelegs and providing a safety zone in which attendants may examine and treat the forelegs.

Abstract: A weightlifter's protective gear adapted to releasably support a barbell assembly behind the neck and adjacently above the shoulders during exercises. Specifically, the gear comprises a pair of cushion-lined shield straddling the neck and fitting snugly against the shoulders and the upper front and back body areas of the subject, in combination with an upwardly extending notched projection or projections on the shoulder portions of the shield for supporting the barbell shaft, whereby the entire weight of the assembly is uniformly distributed over the shoulders.

Abstract: A combination match retainer and igniter provided with an elongated striking chamber which is laterally expanded to receive an unlighted match in response to relative sliding movement in one direction between the retainer and its cover, and which is laterally contracted in response to said relative sliding movement in the opposite direction to grip the match preparatory to withdrawal and ignition thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting cantilevered mailboxes from damage caused by collision with passing vehicles, maintenance equipment and other objects thrown by the plows against the boxes while clearing the roadways. More specifically, the apparatus includes a vertically disposed column anchored in the ground and a laterally projecting arm hingedly secured to the upper portion of the column for swingably supporting the mailbox. A shear pin normally locks the hinge and associated arm and box against rotation. The pin is designed to shear in response to a predetermined torsional stress upon the hinge which stress is produced by the impact of a vehicle or other object striking the box or arm thereby permitting the box and arm to swing to non-obstructing position as the object passes.

Abstract: A mechanism for remotely manipulating a rotary adjustable choke device on the muzzle of a shotgun barrel. Specifically, the mechanism consists of a reciprocatory operating arm positioned intermediate the choke device and the breech end of the barrel, in combination with a connection between the arm and device for converting the reciprocatory motion of the former into oscillatory motion of the latter, thereby varying the muzzle constriction and shot pattern. The arm is positioned so that it may be manually reciprocated by the shooter to selected releasable positions corresponding to the desired choke settings and while the gun is held in firing position.

Abstract: A nut assembly for threaded shafts capable of being quickly released from threaded engagement with a shaft, and then moved longitudinally to a selected position on and re-engaged with the shaft. The assembly is characterized by a pair of collar members respectively mounted for relative rotation about fixed parallel axes so as to provide an opening between opposing peripheral segments thereof for receiving the shaft. The inner periphery of one of the members is threaded at the opening and the inner periphery of the other member is provided with a cam surface responsive to said relative rotation for laterally pressing the shaft into threaded engagement with the opposing collar member.

Abstract: A bathroom stall having a doorway and a catch basin or bath tub with a wall thereof lying substantially in the plane of the doorway, in combination with a U-shaped cantilevered rod for suspending the intermediate portion of the curtain over the doorway while the laterally disposed end portions of the curtain project inwardly of the stall in parallel adjacent positons relative to the opposed doorway jambs, respectively. The legs of the U-shaped rod are telescopically mounted and horizontally adjustable in sleeved wall brackets to thereby permit the suspended curtain to assume successive parallel positions as it is moved back and forth through the doorway. Thus, the curtain may be positioned within the stall during a bath to prevent escape of water, and at other times positioned outside for drying and full display.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing illuminated columns or signals for use as first down lines of demarcation on football fields. The signs may comprise: (1) a single laser light beam having a luminous horizontal segment directed across the field and serving as an overhead line of demarcation, in combination with a relatively lower parallel luminous segment of the same beam, reflected reversely across the field and serving as a ground line of demarcation, or (2) two oppositely travelling light beams having a pair horizontal luminous segments serving as a composite overhead line of demarcation, in combination with a second pair of horizontal relatively lower luminous segments of the same beams serving as the ground line of demarcation, or (3) either the overhead or the ground line of demarcation of the last-named combination.

Abstract: A flying insect deterring screen composed of flexible tapes or strips suspended over an entry to a closed environment, wherein fluctuation throughout the length of the tapes is initiated by a prime mover acting at the points of suspension thereof. The prime mover initiates various types of fluctuating movement at the suspension points such as reciprocatory, oscillatory, circular and swirling motion, which motion is transmitted in waves to the lower end portions of the tapes.

Abstract: A unitary golf bag head for arranging a set of golf clubs in a series of downwardly and forwardly pitched tiers, and for releasably securing and/or resiliently clamping the heads of the clubs in fixed staggered positions relative to one another.