Abstract: A portable computer has a computer body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a keyboard build into the upper surface. The computer further has a panel with a viewing screen on one surface which is joined to the computer body. The connection of the viewing screen to the computer body includes a first hinge which allows movement of the viewing screen between a travel position where the viewing screen is folded against the keyboard, and an operating position in which the screen is angled relative to the keyboard so as to be visible to one using the keyboard. The connection further includes a second hinge or a slide which enables the viewing screen to be folded with the back thereof against the computer body.

Abstract: A tool body is cold formed by inserting a blank into a die which defines a portion of the outer surface of the tool body after which a punch applies an impact to the blank causing the outer surface of the blank to conform to the contour defined by the die. The tool body has a tapered forward end, a central radial flange and a rearward cylindrical shank. To cold forge a fixed diameter in the central flange of the tool the forging die has a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter equal to the desired diameter of the flange, the die having an end to allow overfill to be released forward of the fixed diameter portion. Also, a shoulder is formed between the cylindrical shank and a frustoconical portion between the shank and rear surface of the flange. Finally, the shank has an elongate cylindrical hub to facilitate alignment of the tool.

Abstract: A machine for printing a plurality of colored patterns on the surface of a contact lens has a plurality of parallel oriented print stations each of which has an image die and an ink cup for applying ink into the image in the die. A slide is moveable between the plurality of the print stations such that a contact lens on the slide can receive printing at each of the stations. The slide also carries a vertically moveable print pad for applying printing to a lens and an indexing cleaning tape for cleaning the print pad. Each of the print stations has a separate control for independently setting a dwell time for the print pad before applying ink to the contact lens.

Abstract: A tubular part is brazed into coaxial relationship with the bore in a metal body part having a counterbore for receiving the tubular part. In a first embodiment a tubular sleeve is fitted within the bores of the metal body and the tubular part. The parts are then heated and vibrated while the braze material is melted. In a second embodiment a frustoconical plug is inserted into the coaxial bores of the parts and the parts are again heated and vibrated. The parts are allowed to cool until the braze material hardens, after which the vibration is terminated. The remaining sleeve or plug is then machined out of the two bores leaving the tubular part brazed to the metal body.

Abstract: To retain a decorative tubular cover over the distal end of the axle of a wheel, a strap having a plurality of retainers thereon is tightened around the circumference of the axle. A tubular flexible member is fitted in the retainers and around the strap, after which the outer surface of the flexible member is compressed and forced into the open end of the tubular cover.

Abstract: A computer dock for use in a vehicle has a retainer body suitable for mounting in the vehicle. A moveable member is moveable with respect to the body from a retracted position within the body to an extended position, and a mounting on the moveable members retains a notebook computer. The dock has a plurality of cables for connecting power from the vehicle and for connecting a cell phone and other facilities in the vehicle to the computer.

Abstract: A resistor card for a potentiometer to measure the fuel in a fuel tank consists of a non-conductive substrate with a plurality of elongate conductive contacts deposited thereon. The contacts have an elevation above the surface of the substrate and the contacts are oriented in parallel relationship to each other to form a wiper track across which a wiper is moveable. To reduce the rate at which the upper surfaces of the contacts are worn away by movement of the wiper, an insulating or highly resistive filler material is deposited between the conductive materials which form the lands.

Abstract: A tape measure usable for positioning and repositioning an object on a vertical surface comprises a housing having a planar forward surface, a rearward surface spaced from the forward surface, and a cavity having an aperture therein. A flexible, retractable, coiled tape measure is mounted in the housing the working end of which extends through the aperture in the housing. A pin is provided at the distal end of the tape for marking a point on a surface. The housing has a second pin thereon which is axially moveable from an extended position to a retracted position such that it is useable as a marker when the pin is in the extended position. The rearward surface of the housing has a 360° angle measuring device for measuring the angle at which the housing is oriented with respect to an edge defined by the intersection of a side panel and the forward surface of the housing.

Abstract: A tool mounting block for a cutting machine has a forward surface and an aperture in the forward surface for receiving the cylindrical mounting portion of a tool. The forward surface has a plurality of radial grooves therein extending to the outer surface of the tool mounting block. To extend the useful life of the mounting block, an annular insert is fitted around the aperture such that the forward surface of the insert provides a bearing surface to facilitate rotation of the tool within the mounting block.

Abstract: A device is provided for unlatching a door which is latched into a door frame where the door latch assembly includes an elongate lever arm rotatable about an axis from a first latched orientation to second unlatched orientation. The device includes a cable having a first end attachable to the distal end of the lever arm and a second end attached to a take up spool. The take up spool is rotated by a motor in a first direction to take up the cable and thereby draw the lever arm from the first latched orientation to the second unlatched orientation and thereafter rotate in the second direction to release the cable and allow the lever arm to return from the second unlatched orientation to the first latched orientation.

Abstract: A shield is provided to protect the outer portions of the cornea and the under surface of a cap of the cornea during LASIK surgery comprising an annular body with a concave lower surface and a central opening, The central opening is sized to be a little smaller than the outer diameter of the cut made to form the cap. The shield is positioned on the upper surface of the cornea and the folded cap to protect the outer edges thereof from exposure to the ray of the laser.

Abstract: An assist for use with a motorized door operating device to assist in the opening of a door during its movement from the closed position to an ajar position, and to assist in the closing of the door during its movement from the ajar position to the closed position. The device includes a connector mounted on one of the door and the wall and a motorized catch on the other of the door and wall for engaging and releasing the connector. During a door closing cycle, the assist remains inactive until the catch engages the connector, after which the motorized catch is moved in a first direction to move the door from the ajar position to the closed position. Upon the commencement of a door opening cycle, and upon completion of any unlatching cycle whereby any door latch retaining the door is released, the catch is moved in a second direction for moving the door from the closed position to the ajar position.

Abstract: A mounting for retaining a light fixture to a suspended ceiling has a body sized to fit within the frame member of a suspended ceiling. The body has connector holes for receiving a light fixture and an electrical box for connecting the fixture to the electrical system of a room.

Abstract: An articulating arm for moving a first member with respect to a second member while maintaining the first member in the desired orientation with respect to the second member has first and second connectors and first and second arm members. The first arm member is tubular in shape with rectangular cross section, and the second arm member moves within the central opening of the first arm member. The ends of the first arm member are pivotally connected by pins to the first and second connectors and the ends of the second arm member are similarly connected by pins to the first and second connectors with the pins defining a parallelogram for maintaining the orientation of the second member with respect to the first. The first arm member has arcuate slots at the ends thereof to accommodate the pins which extend through the first and second connector members and the second arm member such that the second arm member can move with respect to the first arm member.

Abstract: To provide a universal progressive game, incorporating a number of types of games at a casino, all the gaming tables which participate in the progressive game have the same number of play stations with each play station usable by one player. Each play station has an identifying number or symbol. For each type of game being played on the tables there is a winning combination entitling a player to win in the progressive jack pot where the winning combination includes the identification number, or symbol which identifies the player's play station with respect to the table. The invention includes a proxy progressive game in which a player can wager that the progressive game will be won by a player at a play station bearing identification number which is different from his own.

Abstract: A contact lens is retained on the end of a generally cylindrical mounting member having a hemispherical upper surface shaped to receive the contact lens. The mounting member has a central opening and a plurality of small capillaries extending to the hemispherical upper surface. A vacuum is drawn through the central opening and the capillaries to retain a contact lens to the upper surface of the mounting member.

Abstract: A computer dock is mounted within the armrest of an automobile between the driver and passenger seat thereof. The armrest includes an enclosure having a forward opening, a rearward opening, and a passage therethrough. A tray for retaining a computer is mounted on a slide structure slideably moveable to any of three positions. In the first position, the tray is positioned forward of the forward opening. In the second position, the tray is positioned rearward of the rearward opening. In the third position, the tray is positioned within the enclosure of the armrest. The computer dock is built into the tray and includes all the functions needed to support the computer and has attachments for attaching the computer thereto.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus and method allow unskilled users to create attractive and intricate hairstyles easily and quickly. The apparatus is generally cylindrical in shape, is hollow, and has open ends. The apparatus is provided with a longitudinal split, allowing the cylinder to be opened and placed about the base of a pony tail. In use, the apparatus surrounds the pony tail adjacent to the wearer's scalp, and the pony tail extends completely through its interior, generally in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The inner surface of the apparatus is provided with a plurality of radically extending tines. The tines extend into the pony tail to provide a means for retaining the apparatus adjacent to the scalp. The apparatus is further provided with a plurality of holes within the wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: A tubular part is brazed into coaxial relationship with the bore of a second part having a counter bore for receiving the tubular part by providing a tubular sleeve within the bores of the two parts prior to brazing. After the braze material has cooled the tubular sleeve and any braze material around it is machined out of the bores. In a second embodiment a tubular part is brazed into a recess of the second part before a bore is drilled therein. After the parts are brazed together the bore is drilled through both the tubular part and the second part.

Abstract: A fixturing tool has an elongate body with a polygon cross section so as to define a plurality of sides. At least one annular groove extends around the circumference of the body thereby dividing each of the sides into a plurality of segments. At least one longitudinal groove extends across the plurality of segments which comprise one of the sides of the fixturing tool for retaining a work piece therein.