Abstract: A brake pedal immobilizing device has first and second shafts with crossheads mounted thereon for relative longitudinal sliding movement to clamp a brake pedal shaft between them. The second shaft carries a stand-off formed by a floor engaging foot extending longitudinally aligned below the crossheads, supporting the device on the vehicle floor during clamping adjustment. The second crosshead is formed with a hook and is rotatively mounted on one end of the first shaft while the other crosshead is mounted on the first shaft in a screw fit. An upper end of the first shaft is received in a sleeve with a shaft locking mechanism and terminates in a handle. A third crosshead carries a third shaft slidingly received in the first crosshead and having a lower end forming a locking/wedging pin for receipt in a bore in the second crosshead in the clamping position to complete enclosure of the brake pedal shaft. A barrier frame is attached to the first crosshead above a brake pedal to block forcing tool access.

Abstract: An operation tracking system has an operation device for repeating an operation for calculating a physical behavior, which corresponds to a certain change in a physical quantity of a predetermined model, for each predetermined unit of change in the physical quantity. A display shows, in response to the repeated operation by the operation device, the calculated physical behavior obtained by the operation device for each predetermined unit of change in the physical quantity. A temporary stop device temporarily stops the operation by the operation device. A condition altering device alters operation conditions in a temporarily stopped state effected by the temporary stop device. An operation restarting device restarts the operation by the operation device based on the operation conditions altered by the condition altering device after the operation is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop device.

Abstract: A spine stabilizing prosthesis has first and second hollow, cylindrical bearing members interconnected by a hollow, cylindrical jacking screw adjustable to expand the prosthesis within a cavity to bridge respective opposite axial ends of the bearing members into pressure engagement with opposing vertebral faces. Walls of the bearing members are perforated by a plurality of bone fragment admitting apertures and forming a bone fragment receptacle so that bone can grow and fuse completely through said bearing members when the prosthesis is installed in the cavity. Respective axial ends of the bearing members are formed with rings of vertebrae engaging teeth having ramp surfaces permitting sliding engagement when rotated in one direction and biting into the facing surfaces when rotated in the opposite direction resisting rotation to permit further expansion apart of the bearing members by rotation of the jacking screw.

Abstract: A massaging apparatus with a massaging mechanism comprises at least one pressing member for pressing against a specific location of a body portion, and an unit for moving the pressing member transversely across the specific location while the pressing member is pressed against the specific location. The massaging apparatus may further include a support body for pressing the body portion. At least one massaging opening is formed in the support body for alignment with the specific location of a body portion placed on the support body. The massaging mechanism is provided inside the support body so that an upper end of the pressing member is projecting outward through the massaging opening. When the body portion is placed on the support body, the specific location of the body portion is pressed and massaged by the pressing member while the pressing member is transversely moved.

Abstract: A restraining device for a loose leaf binder comprises restraining members each having a substantially rigid spacing portion with cover mounting and coupling portions at respective opposite ends. The cover mounting portions extend perpendicularly from respective spacing portions and comprise respective clips for gripping respective free edge portions of respective cover members releasably to mount the restraining members thereon with the respective spacing portions extending perpendicularly from their respective cover members across the binder towards each other. The coupling portions have complementary latching means inter-engageable with a snap action by closing movement of the cover members so that the restraining members bridge the free edges of the cover members maintaining them spaced apart in parallel relation irrespective of the height of papers stacked therebetween and are releasable by application of finger pressure.

Abstract: A train warning device has a ladder frame with barrier sign hingedly mounted for movement by an electric motor between positions folded against the frame between the tracks and upstanding transversely from the tracks. Releasable clamping arms are mounted at the top and bottom of ladder uprights for securement thereof to track ties and enabling passage of a train thereover when folded. A signal receiver/micro computer mounted on the ladder frame controls the motor operation in response to a signal received from a hand held remote controller. A battery mounted on the ladder frame supplies power to the electric motor, signal receiver and other devices such as lamps to ensure independent operation. The barrier sign is profiled as a flagman with a sprung warning arm carrying a stroboscopic lamp. The ladder frame can be used to access the track from an elevated platform.

Abstract: A deck of cards having front faces carrying indicia of playing values to and identical back faces each having a first end portion marked with a first image and a second, opposite end portion marked with a second image which is complementary to the first image and inverted relative to the first image so that so that the first and second images of overlying first and second end portions of different cards are aligned in the deck to provide an animated or kinematic effect when the deck is flipped. Front faces of each cards can also have first end and second end portions marked with complementary first and second images, respectively, to provide a kinematic image effect when the cards are flipped. At least three different, complementary images can be provided on respective front faces of different cards to form sequences of reciprocal actions so that exposure in any order when the cards are flipped provides a kinematic effect.

Abstract: A device for positioning and blocking soles of footwear includes a table (26, 32) with an area for resting the sole, members (28, 29, 39, 40) for centering the sole disposed at least at opposite ends of the rest area and a vacuum operated device (44, 45) which suction the sole against the table to maintain it in the position imposed by the centering members. The adaptability of the work surface and the positioning members, together with the replaceability of the suction fixtures (46, 47) disposed on the work surface enable the correct positioning and blockage of soles of various shapes. A machine (53) incorporating the device can thus operate on a sole quickly and efficiently, for example to spread glue on its surface to be stuck onto a corresponding shoe.

Abstract: An electrical connector 1 comprises a mediate circuit board assembly 4, a housing 2, and a plurality of contacts 3. The mediate circuit board assembly 4 has a plurality of signal paths, to which signal cables 5 are connected, and the housing 2 houses this mediate circuit board assembly 4. The contacts 3 are retained in the housing 2 and connected to the signal paths of the mediate circuit board assembly 4, which is housed in the housing 2. Two double-sided circuit boards, each having at least the signal paths formed on the front face and a grounding path formed on the rear face, constitute the mediate circuit board assembly 4 when these two double-sided circuit boards are abutted with each other, connecting the grounding paths of their rear faces.

Abstract: An aiming device for track lighting includes an elbow member rotatively mounting a lamp housing to a vertical extension tube. The elbow member has an upper end connected to a lower end of the extension tube for rotation in a horizontal plane through 355 and a lower, transverse end formed with an annulus of locking teeth and an internal rotation limiting rib. The lamp housing has a lateral mounting plate with a connecting turret with a rim of locking teeth, a hub formed with a screw socket and a pair of radially extending rotation preventing members enclosing between them a lead receiving aperture within the turret. A clamping screw can be manually adjusted between a locking position clamping the mounting plate immovably to the elbow by locking engagement of respective teeth and a release position permitting vertical rotation of the lamp housing limited by engagement of the rotation limiting rib and rotation preventing members.

Abstract: A rigid security bar is telescopically mounted in a tubular spoke of a steering wheel for movement between retracted and extended positions concealed within the spoke and protruding radially beyond the wheel rim to prevent effective wheel movement by obstruction with a vehicle windshield. A locking mechanism secures the security bar in either position and a biassing spring is mounted in the spoke in engagement with an inner end of the security bar pushing the security bar to be extended for a short distance exposing an end for pulling out by the driver to the fully extended position. A plurality of tubular spokes with associated security bars can extend chordal fashion between opposite sides of the rim. An anchoring chain can be attached to an inner end of the security bar extending around an air bag housing mounted centrally of the wheel.

Abstract: A wrist restraining glove(110) comprises a hand receiving portion(111) for receiving a hand(H), a wrist band(113) integrally joined to the hand receiving portion(111), and a tension member(115) integrally joined on the palmar surface of at least the hand receiving portion(111). When the glove is worn on the hand, the wrist band(113) is wrapped around a wrist. The tension member(115) exerts a tensile force when pulled longitudinally, thereby an outward pivotal movement of the hand about the wrist can be suppressed.

Abstract: A carpet laying device comprises an anchor unit, a mobile unit and a drive system. The mobile unit and the anchor unit are secured to the carpet by suction provided by electrically driven exhaust fans. In use, the mobile unit is driven by the drive system away from the anchor unit to smooth out or stretch the carpet, the friction between the carpet and the mobile unit being weaker than that between the carpet and the anchor unit. In an alternative device, the anchor unit is a cushioned pad for abutment with a wall.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a first connector half having two rows of first contacts in an insulative housing and a second connector half having two rows of second contacts in an insulative housing. When the second connector half is fitted with the first connector half, the second contacts mate with the first contacts. In addition to these contacts, a plurality of third contacts are provided with a predetermined pitch extending between the first contacts in the first connector half, and a plurality of fourth contacts are provided with the same pitch extending between the second contacts in the second connector half. The fourth contacts are positioned in such a way that when the first connector half and the second connector half are fitted together, the fourth contacts will be offset in the direction of their alignment with respect to the third contacts by a distance of half the pitch.

Abstract: A gameboard has a crossword grid with bonus spaces of different values marked in different color indicia indicated on an adjacent key. A chip set includes basic chips having a single letter and corresponding numerical value marked thereon and enhanced chips each having a plurality of regions with respective different letters and corresponding numerical values in respective regions marked thereon for alternative selection to complete words on the grid. The bodies of the chips are transparent so that underlying indicia can be seen therethrough. In an alternative, the chip bodies are colored so that the scoring color seen through the chip will be changed to a third color when a chip of a first color overlies a space of a second color. The colors of different regions of an enhanced chip can also be different providing different scoring values according to the letter selected.

Abstract: A students portfolio type organizer is convertable to form a seat cushion, a lap desk or a rain hat and includes a hinged cover having inner and outer layers of waterproof sheet material defining between them first and second pockets joined by an elongate gusset hinge. Board members and pads of cushioning are retained in respective pockets providing a firm, outer writing supporting surface and a soft, inner cushioning surface. Inside compartments or pockets are provided for the receipt of writing materials. A strap member can be releasably attached at alternative locations as a carrying strap or as a chin strap retaining the cover in partly open position with the inner, cushioned layer engaging a top of a user's head.

Abstract: A lock (19) which by physical or logical means controls human access to an objective (29) such as a restricted area or a computer system is controlled by a data processing system (10) which has access to a store of authorised users (14) and a store of complex images (15), specifically images of human faces. Each authorised user knows certain ones of the complex images, and these key images are linked to an identity statement unique to that user. On receipt of an identity statement signifying an authorised user, a matrix of images including the key images is presented to the user on a display (12), and by means of a suitable input device (20) the user must identify which images are his key images in order to confirm authorisation and be permitted access. The user and image stores (18) may be carried in credit card form as a section of an optical disk.

Abstract: A magician's guillotine has generally transparent stocks providing a primary, central neck receiving aperture and surrounding upper, lower and lateral demonstration apertures for demo articles to be severed. Opposite edges of the stocks are mounted in frame uprights having first and second vertical tracks for receiving an upper blade assembly which is switched to descend in a first track to extend across and sever demo articles in upper, lateral and primary apertures and in a second track to extend across and sever only articles in the upper and lateral demonstration apertures. When the blade assembly descends in the second track a lower blade rises from a concealed position inside the frame to sever a demo article in the lower aperture. The upper blade assembly has a first blade of inverted U-shape concealed within a second, rectangular tubular blade when in the first track and sliding therefrom when in the second track to sever only demo articles in the upper and lateral apertures.

Abstract: A file cover restraining device includes a strut-like restraining member for bridging the inside surfaces of the file cover members and constructed from first and second elongate strut members interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement thereby to adjust a length of the restraining member to match the separation of the cover members and retained in a selected position by manually operable latches. The first strut member has a hook on an end thereof remote from the second strut member, a first cover mounting portion being pivotally connected to an end of the second strut member remote from the first strut member and having adhesive for attachment to an inside surface of one cover member and, a second cover mounting portion has adhesive for attachment to an inside surface of the other cover member and is formed with an eye. The hook and eye are releasably engaged by pivotal movement of the restraining member toward the spine.