Abstract: A high speed machine that inserts about twelve thousand sheets or stacks of sheets of paper per hour into the same number of envelopes. A first table delivers an elongate horizontal queue of thousands of envelopes to an envelope hopper. A second table, parallel to the first table, includes a plurality of independently-controllable sheet feeders and delivers individual groups of stacked sheets to an envelope insertion station that is transversely spaced apart from the envelope hopper. A third table is disposed transversely to the first two tables and includes the envelope insertion station. Clamps carried by an elongate sprocket chain mounted in the third table sequentially remove envelopes from the bottom of the envelope hopper and pull them past an envelope flap-opening structure to the envelope insertion station where the envelopes are opened by a puff of air.

Abstract: A method for making a floor that slopes toward a drain includes the steps of enclosing a predetermined area of a flat support surface around the drain with upstanding border members, positioning an annular ring in closely spaced, concentric relation around the drain, arranging a plurality of straight form members in radial relation to the drain, connecting a radially innermost end of each form member to the annular ring so that the top edge of each form member is spaced downwardly from the plane of the drain by a distance equal to a tile thickness, and positioning an outermost end of each form member in abutting relation to the border member. Each form member has a height at its innermost end that is less than a height of its outermost end A cementitious material is poured into the predetermined area and the material is made flush with the respective top edges of the form members. An auxiliary form member is attachable to a trailing end of each form member to increase the versatility of the method.

Abstract: A device that enables a person positioned in a body of water to hold onto the exterior hull surface of a watercraft. A handle has a straight central part and a pair of parallel arms that are perpendicular to the central part and which extend from opposite ends of the central part in a common direction. Each of the parallel arms has a distal free end that engages a suction cup on its convex side. An O-ring is integrally formed with each suction cup on its concave side, and is positioned on the outermost peripheral edge of its associated suction cup. The O-ring increases the volumetric capacity of the suction cup and therefore increases the strength of the vacuum that holds the suction cup to the watercraft.

Abstract: A graphic image is applied to a candle by depositing paper having a preprinted image atop a pool of molten wax for a few moments so that air is driven from the paper. The air-free paper is then positioned inside a candle mold and molten wax is poured into the mold. When the wax has cooled and the candle is removed from the mold, the paper is air bubble-free and is therefor transparent and not visible. The image is as clear as if it had been printed onto the candle. In a second embodiment, the image-bearing paper, after having been deposited atop a pool of molten wax for a few moments, is rolled into a cylindrical shape and placed concentrically into a candle mold having an interior diameter greater than the external diameter of the cylinder. Molten wax is then poured into the mold and the candle is removed when the wax has cooled.

Abstract: A socket has a gelatinous core to provide an enhanced cushioning effect for a residual limb. The gelatinous material is covered by a flexible inner cover that shields the skin of the residual limb from the gel and by a flexible outer cover that shields the inner wall of a prosthetic frame from the gel. The inner cover prevents the gel from absorbing body oils and therefore eliminates odors associated with liners formed of gelatinous materials. A self-inflating foam pad is positioned between the inner and outer covers to adjust the fit as needed when the residual limb changes in volume. The pad initially has substantially no air in its interstitial spaces and air is admitted when the patient opens a valve. This prevents over-pressurization of the pad because the maximum pressure that can be exerted by the pad is determined by the prosthetist when the patient is fitted with a prosthesis.

Abstract: A bailer that is substantially leak-free includes an improved valve assembly at its lowermost end. In a first embodiment, a valve body in the form of a hemispherical ball is mounted at the lowermost end of a straight valve stem. The hemispherical ball seats in a valve seat that matches the contour of the hemispherical exterior surface of the ball. In a second embodiment, the valve body and the matching valve seat are both frusto-conical in configuration. In a third embodiment, the valve body and matching valve seat are tapered downwardly to form an elongate, narrow slot. In a variation of each embodiment, a particle-collecting groove is formed in the valve seat so that particulate debris collects in the groove and does not defeat the full seating of the valve body in the matching valve seat. A fourth embodiment adds a guide member to the third embodiment structure to ensure seating of the downwardly tapering valve body in its valve seat.

Abstract: A corner lock for a mitered corner of a hollow door or window frame includes a pair of braces positioned in the interior of the door or window frame at each corner. The braces are interlocked with one another and extend from an outward part to an inward part of each corner. The first brace is directly attached to interior walls of outward horizontal and vertical parts of a door or window frame. The second brace has an outward end attached to the first brace and an inward end that abuttingly engages the inward corner of the door or window frame. A central screw extends through the first brace and bears against the second brace when advanced. The first brace bends into a convexity and the second brace bends into a concavity when the central screw is advanced. A rigid leg that forms a part of the second brace includes a base that bears against an inward corner when the central screw is advanced so that the mitered corner is strenghthened and locked against movement.

Abstract: A modular rotary wing aircraft includes a modular cockpit, central frame section, tailboom assembly, landing gear, flight control components and other modular parts so that those parts can be interchanged and interconnected to form differing helicopters to accommodate the requirement of differing tasks. A drive train platform is releasably mounted atop the fuselage formed by the interconnection of the cockpit, central frame section, and tailboom assembly. Modular hydraulic servos, a transmission and rotary propulsion unit, a gas turbine engine, and an engine oil cooling system are releasably mounted to the drive train platform. The drive train platform and all components mounted on it are removable as a unit from the fuselage so that inspection, repair, and maintenance can be performed at bench top level in a controlled environment.

Abstract: A chair for use by computer users includes a first platform for supporting a computer keyboard and a second platform for supporting a computer mouse. Both platforms are connected to a preselected armrest of the chair. The first platform is pivotally mounted in a horizontal plane so that it can be swung out of position to enable a user to get out of the chair and so that it can be swung back into its operable position when the user has reentered the chair. The first platform is also tiltable about a horizontal axis to enable the user to adjust its orientation to a comfortable position. The second platform is mounted to a left armrest to comfortably position the mouse for left-handed users and to a right armrest for right-handed users.

Abstract: A warmer for treatment of the feet, neck, and lower back area includes a frame for holding a bladder. An open-cell foam-filled cushion is disposed within the bladder and a cover having opposite ends secured to the frame overlies the bladder so that the bladder holds its shape regardless of its orientation. An opening in a top wall of the bladder allows the charging of water into the bladder. The water fills the bladder and occupies the interstitial spaces of the cushion. The frame includes a flat base that is inclined slightly relative to a horizontal support surface and that flat base supports the bladder. The foam-filled bladder conforms to the soles of feet when the warmer is used as a foot rest. When used as a pillow, the bladder conforms to a person's head and neck, and it conforms to the lower back region when the warmer is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A decorative cover for a convertible top is clipped onto an existing convertible top to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a convertible top automobile. The leading edge of the decorative cover member is secured to a molded boot that frictionally engages the leading end of the existing convertible top. The molded boot is one continuous part to prevent air from getting into a space between the existing convertible top and the decorative cover member. A plurality of side clips are used to clip the sides of the decorative cover member to the sides of the existing convertible top. The decorative cover member is sewn or adhered to a preselected surface of each of the side clips. The trailing edge of the decorative cover member is clipped to the storage well or other available part of the automobile.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purifier system uses municipal line water pressure to separate pure water molecules from dissolved and undissolved matter. The system makes and stores product water in a sanitary enclosed pressure vessel in the absence of back pressure. A small water cell tank and a hydraulically powered control valve enable delivery at a fast flow rate near line pressure flow rate. The control valve is a combination sensing and multiple valving device that automatically turns on product water when it is called for by a user or an ice-maker. It automatically replaces water that is drawn, then turns itself off when its tank is full. It fast flushes the dirty side of its R.O. membrane while fast flow water is being drawn, and it slow flushes the same side of the membrane while the system is making product water. These alternating slow and fast flushes whisk away residue from a built-in brine restricter. All flushes sweep debris down the drain.

Abstract: A side-loading and discharging rack for use with vehicles includes a base that is permanently secured to a conventional luggage rack. A pivot interface member is pivotally secured to an outboard end of the base, a transversely disposed elongate slide member is slideably engaged by the pivot interface member, and a handle is attached to the outboard end of the elongate slide member. The elongate slide member has a storage position where its inboard end is retained by a bracket mounted on an inboard end of the base. When in the storage position, a first bias member urges the elongate slide member to slide in an inboard-to-outboard direction, but that sliding motion is prevented by a lock member having an outboard end that abuts against an inboard end of a stop member. A second bias member urges the stop member into blocking relation to the lock member when the elongate slide member is in its storage position.

Abstract: A substrate upon which an advertising message may be printed is releasably attachable to the side of a truck in a way that prevents the substrate from flapping when the truck is moving at high speeds. The upper edge of the substrate is retained within a rigid frame mounted in a recess formed in the side wall of the truck, and is quickly insertable into or removable from such rigid frame. The forward edge of the substrate is wrapped around the forward corner of the truck so that wind cannot get under the substrate, and a plurality of front-mounted winches pull the forward edge toward them so that slack is removed from the substrate. The rearward edge of the substrate is wrapped around a rear corner of the truck so that the effective width of the truck is not increased by attachment hardware.

Abstract: A substrate upon which an advertising message may be imprinted is secured in overlying relation to an overhead-opening type of truck or trailer rear door by an assembly that includes an elongate coil spring positioned on an interior side of the overhead door. The lowermost end of the spring is secured to the interior side of the door and the uppermost end of the coil spring is connected to a lower end of a winch by a nonstretchable strap. The upper end of the winch is connected by a nonstretchable strap to a rigid rod to which the upper end of the substrate is attached. Tightening the winch increases the tautness of the substrate and loosening the winch decreases the tautness. When properly adjusted, the substrate is taut throughout the entire door-raising and lowering procedure, even though the substrate is substantially nonstretchable and even though the opening of the door requires the substrate to extend a greater distance than when the door is closed.

Abstract: A method for making a floor that slopes toward a drain includes the steps of enclosing a predetermined area of a flat support surface around the drain with upstanding border members, positioning an annular ring in closely spaced, concentric relation around the drain, arranging a plurality of straight form members in radial relation to the drain, connecting a radially innermost end of each form member to the annular ring so that the top edge of each form member is spaced downwardly from the plane of the drain by a distance equal to a tile thickness, and positioning an outermost end of each form member in abutting relation to the border member. Each form member has a height at its innermost end that is less than a height of its outermost end. A cementitious material is poured into the predetermined area and the material is made flush with the respective top edges of the form members. An auxiliary form member is attachable to a trailing end of each form member to increase the versatility of the method.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for grooming animals, particularly for the removal of loose hair and hair that is soon to become loose. In a first embodiment, a base has one or more slots that slideably receive a corresponding number of comb extensions. The comb extensions are transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the base, are longitudinally spaced apart from one another, and are oriented at a common angle relative to the base. In a second embodiment, plural rows of transversely disposed tines are integrally formed with the base. In a third embodiment, the base and comb extensions are integrally formed with one another and the base is snap-fittingly engaged to a clip member having a handle that is integrally formed with it. Further embodiments include plural base sections that interlock with one another or which are interlocked together by a separate locking member to collectively form a base, wherein each base section carries a row of tines.

Abstract: A root feeding stake includes a funnel having a downspout that surmounts a first end of an elongate hollow tube. A second end of the elongate hollow tube is connected to a truncate hollow tube and a second end of the truncate hollow tube is connected to a leading section having a pointed end to facilitate its entry into soil. When installed, the leading section and the truncate hollow tube are below a ground surface and the funnel and elongate hollow tube are above the ground. Perforations are formed in the truncate hollow tube and a barrier is provided between the truncate hollow tube and the leading section so that water and liquid nutrients poured into the funnel flow through the downspout, the elongate hollow tube, and into the ground through the perforations. The perforations are formed in a predetermined sector of the truncate hollow tube to aim the water and liquid nutrients at the roots of a plant near which the stake is positioned.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and assembling a computer system from modular parts that are vertically stacked relative to one another. Each module has a predetermined geometrical configuration and interlocks only with other modules of the same geometrical configuration. Computer components are housed within modules of predetermined geometrical configuration so that a consumer purchasing a computer system by purchasing modules need only match module shapes to ensure component compatibility. A consumer may purchase a first module containing a computer component of the consumer's choice and complete a computer system of compatible components by purchasing additional modules having the same shape as the first module. In a preferred embodiment, each component is operated by a dedicated processing unit ("DPU") and operating system dedicated to it to avoid the limitations of computer systems that rely upon general purpose operating systems.

Abstract: A method of cleaning the transmission system of a vehicle includes the steps of starting an engine of the vehicle and bringing it to normal operating temperature. A predetermined amount of a transmission cleaner is charged into the transmission and the vehicle is driven for a predetermined distance. The gears are changed at preselected times while driving so that all gears of the transmission are used equally. The engine is then shut down and transmission fluid is purged from the transmission fluid pan by submerging a trailing end of a first hose into the transmission fluid. A leading end of the first hose is connected into fluid communication with an inlet of a remote charging tank and an outlet of the remote charging tank is connected through a switch to a source of negative pressure. The switch is set to cause the transmission fluid to flow into a transmission fluid waste tank disposed between the outlet and the source of negative pressure.