Abstract: A portable and foldable teaching aid combines an abacus and an inclined writing surface. The abacus helps teach math skills and the inclined writing surface helps strengthen hand and wrist muscles that are used in writing. The abacus and writing board are positioned in physical proximity to one another to encourage children to write down math problems on the writing board, to solve them on the abacus, and to write down the answer on the writing board. The writing board may be of the dry erase type, the chalkboard type, or any other suitable, erasable writing surface. It may also be magnetized to hold letters, shapes, and the like. The writing board is releasably attached to support rods so that it can be separated from them when the device is folded for storage. When folded, it can be carried separately or placed into a child's backpack.

Abstract: A miniature radio and two speakers, one for each ear, are releasably attachable to a pair of spectacles. The speakers are remote from the radio and connected to it through speaker wires. In a first embodiment, a truncate primary tube releasably engages a trailing end of each spectacle ear piece, and the radio is clipped to one of the primary tubes. All but the opposite ends of the speaker wires are housed within an elongate, flexible tube that interconnects the respective free ends of each truncate primary tube to one another. The elongate, flexible tube has exit openings at its opposite ends, and the opposite ends of the speaker wires extend through the exit openings and through respective auxiliary tubes that are secured to the primary tubes that engage the respective ear pieces of the spectacles. In this way, the spectacle ear pieces do not contact the opposite ends of the speaker wires when the ear pieces are inserted into the truncate primary tubes.

Abstract: An ozone generator is formed by extending an elongate coil spring through an elongate cylindrical tube. Several return bends are formed in the coil spring to provide several continuous straight sections that extend the length of the tube. A conductive foil overlies the tube so that electrical discharges are created between radially outermost parts of the coil spring and an inner surface of the tube when a potential difference is established between the spring and foil. The tube is made of a dielectric material to prevent direct arcing between the spring parts and the foil. The device operates from household current and produces ozonated air when air is blown through the tube. In one application, a closed circuit is established that includes air conditioning ducts in series with the ozone generator and a blower so that dwelling occupants are protected from ozone inhalation as the ozone destroys respiratory problem-causing organisms living in the ducts.

Abstract: The constructability of a concrete structure is facilitated by providing pre-assembled, modular frame units formed of steel or concrete beams and columns. Reinforcing bars have their opposite ends embedded in the beams that form each frame unit, but in most embodiments they are unattached to the columns because they extend through tubular debonding sleeves embedded within the columns. An elongate post-tensioning duct extends through each frame unit and an elongate tendon having opposite ends that may be placed under tension extends through the duct so that it compresses the frame unit. When a lateral load impacts against the frame unit, the reinforcing members that extend through the tubular sleeves stretch within the sleeves but their resilience urges the vertical columns to regain their vertical disposition when the impact passes. The elongate tendon that extends through the post-tensioning duct similarly urges the frame unit to regain its position of repose.

Abstract: Preselected teeth of a gear tooth are truncated by removing their radially outermost ends. Thus, whenever teeth that should mesh become misaligned, the truncation allows the teeth to quickly return to their proper meshing. This reduces the sound generated by nonmeshing teeth. In a tape player using gears having preselected truncated teeth, an idler arm carries an idler gear at its free end and is pivotal into first, neutral, and second positions. At low speed operation, when a cassette is in the player, a pair of driving gears are not intermeshed, and the first position of the idler gear causes recording or playing back and the second position causes rewinding. At high speed operation, when no cassette is in the tape player, the driving gears are intermeshed, and the first and second positions of the idler arm cause fast forwarding and rewinding, respectively.

Abstract: A brush assembly includes a brush head that is releasably attached to a first elongate handle when a remote area is to be reached and which is releasably attached to a second palm-held handle when the elongate handle is not required. The assembly includes a ball and socket joint. The elongate handle is detachably secured within a blind bore formed in the ball. The socket is defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart curved retainers that are spaced apart from one another by a distance sufficient to receive the elongate handle when the handle is held at an angle relative to the brush head. Thus, the brush head does not rotate with respect to the handle when the brush is in use.

Abstract: A method for assembling an apparatus that removes solid waste material from a stream of water. The apparatus sits in a channel within which the water containing waste material flows. A plurality of vertically oriented, laterally spaced apart, rotating screens are driven by sprocket segments and provide a filtering function. The screens are formed by plural loops of articulated links. Each link includes a horizontally-extending part that lifts solid matter from the stream as the screens rotate. The assembly method includes placing the links on shafts in a predetermined pattern that creates a frusto-conical space bordered by links. The frusto-conical space provides ample clearance space for each sprocket segment and ensures that the sprocket segments will not rub against the links which in turn prevents the parts of the apparatus from becoming misaligned with respect to one another so that the apparatus may operate for extended periods of time without requiring adjustment.

Abstract: A table for use in a spray booth is foldable against a support wall when not in use. Telescoping arms engage opposite ends of the table and are pivotally mounted to the support wall so that the table is easily foldable against that wall when the telescoping arms are fully retracted. The table may be positioned in differing spatial relationships from the support wall when deployed into its operative configuration due to the telescoping arms. The table is supported by foldable legs that are foldable under the table, and the legs are interlocked to one another so that folding or unfolding one leg accomplishes folding or unfolding of the other legs as well. A pair of handles facilitates folding and unfolding of the table and a step facilitates climbing onto and descending from the table. A worker standing on the platform may walk along its length and reach any part of a vehicle parked in the spray booth due to the elevation provided by the table.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plant activator, a mycelial fertilizer, and a method of producing the fertilizer. The essential component of the activator and the fertilizer is purified pyrolignous acid. The plant activator includes 80-97 parts by weight of purified pyrolignous acid and 3-20 parts by weight of saccharide containing glucose. The mycelial fertilizer having purified pyrolignous acid includes predominant thermoactinomyces as mycelium. The mycelium is obtained by incubation and fermentation on a porous carrier while a pH of 7.5-9.5 is maintained. The plant activator revives plants weakened by stress. The mycelial fertilizer and method of producing that fertilizer includes predominant thermoactinomyces which beneficially affect farm products.

Abstract: A galvanic current is applied to acupuncture points of a human face by electrodes that are mounted in a predetermined array on a mask-like device that overlies the face. Each electrode is movable along its longitudinal axis so that its leading end is positionable into abutting relation to the face of the wearer of the mask. A low voltage is applied to each electrode and facial tissue is stimulated by a galvanic current that flows between the electrode and a remote ground. An electronic circuit controls activation of each electrode in accordance with a predetermined pattern to provide an optimal, systematic treatment, but the circuit may be overridden in favor of a manual activation of the electrodes so that the treatment may be provided in accordance with any pattern. A rubber sheath overlies the leading end of each electrode and has an enlarged, disc-shaped leading end to ensure treatment of all areas of the face that require stimulation.

Abstract: An exercise device includes an elongate padded base upon which an exerciser reclines on his or her side to perform leg lifts. An "L"-shaped resistance bar is pivotally mounted to a side edge of the base, and includes a cross bar part that extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base. The cross bar is positioned in longitudinally spaced apart relation to a foot end of the base so that the exerciser performs leg lifts by placing an ankle beneath the cross bar and alternately raising and lowering the cross bar against a resistance. The resistance may be set at differing levels by setting a pair of handles in a number of differing combinations of settings. Each handle is independently connected to a coiled spring and each handle has a plurality of resistance settings. The exerciser can therefore set the resistance at different levels by selecting unique handle positions.

Abstract: A trigger shield sandwiches the trigger guard and trigger of a weapon between a base plate and a cover plate to prevent accidental discharge of the weapon. The base plate is slotted and a slide plate is slideably mounted in the slot. A pair of upstanding posts are mounted to the slide plate. A trigger guard is positioned between the upstanding posts when the device is in use. The slideability of the posts enables the structure to accommodate trigger guards of many differing sizes and shapes. A locking device has a ratchet mechanism that enables quick attachment of the cover plate to the base plate, and a safety device prevents inadvertant or accidental release of the locking device. A quick release device enables quick separation of the cover and base plates when access to the trigger of the weapon is required, but the operation of the quick release device is not obvious to a child or other individual unfamiliar with such operation.

Abstract: An in-ground light, motion detector, or other active element is housed in a telescopically mounted housing so that it can be retracted to ground level when not in use and positioned above the ground when in use. A motor that extends and retracts the telescopically mounted housing relative to a main housing is rotatably mounted in a nonrotatable motor housing that adjoins the main housing. A plate having electrical contacts is mounted to the motor so that the contacts rotate when the motor rotates. A second plate having electrical contacts is nonrotatably secured to the motor housing so that relative rotation of the two plates activates and deactivates the motor. Relative rotation of the plates occurs when the telescopically mounted housing is fully extended or fully retracted because the rotational energy of the motor's output shaft is transferred to the motor when full extension or retraction has been achieved.

Abstract: A light-in-weight locking device laminated within a hard prosthesis socket includes a plastic base molded in gripping relation to a metallic pyramid so that the locking device is a one piece, integrally formed unit. A flange of the pyramid is embedded within the base to prevent separation of the base and pyramid. One or more recesses are formed in a central part of the pyramid and plastic positioned in those recesses prevents relative rotation between the base and the pyramid. Circumferentially extending cavities formed in the base receive parts of the prosthesis socket to prevent relative rotation between the base and the socket. The unit has a truncate longitudinal extent so that it easily fits within the socket.

Abstract: At least one transmitting coil 1 and at least one receiving coil 2 are disposed along the bore axis 18 of a borehole 7 such that these coils are inclined and face each other, thus causing these coils to have directivity for examining electric characteristics of a formation around the borehole. More specifically, a method of and an apparatus for directional induction logging are provided, which permit measurement of the electric conductivity distribution of a formation in the circumferential direction in a range of several meters around the borehole and also imaging reflecting the electric conductivity.

Abstract: A clear liquid silicone rubber is modified by the addition of an elongation enhancer. The resulting silicone compound is molded into a form that overlies the residual limb of an amputee and provides an interface member between the residual limb and a prosthesis. A nonsilicone substrate is partially embedded in the bottom of the interface member and a nonembedded part of the substrate provides a connection to the prosthesis. Electrons are stripped from the surface of the substrate, an adhesion promoter is applied, and the clear silicone polymer is vulcanized onto the substrate so that it bonds to the silicone portion of the adhesion promoter.

Abstract: A prosthetic casting machine receives an amputated stump while a patient is standing so that a hard socket can be made based upon the shape of the stump when it is under load. The machine includes a brim for accommodating an above-the-knee stump or a retaining disc for below-the-knee stumps. A telescoping leg enables precise adjustment of the height of the machine to accommodate patients of differing heights. The patient's stump is inserted into a liner and the liner is coated with plaster before the stump is inserted into the machine. After insertion, while the patient is standing, compressed air is introduced into a space between a transparent flexible bladder and a transparent rigid cylinder so that a uniform pressure is applied to the plaster by the bladder. The transparent parts enable a prosthetist to observe the results of the pressurization so that corrective steps may be taken if the plaster is not evenly compressed.

Abstract: Modular panels having foam cores covered by metal skins are interlocked to one another by complementally formed bends in the metal skins. A flat is formed in one of the metal skins to introduce flexibility and play into the interlocking mechanism, and both interlocking skins have a transversely extending bend formed in them that makes a line of contact with the mating interlocking skin to reduce the friction between them and to allow lateral movement of the interlocked panels. The play and flexibility introduced by the flat enable adjacent panels to be interlocked to one another by a straight-in movement and by an angular movement known as a rock and lock.