Abstract: An elongate side port of small circumferential extent is formed in a hollow bore needle of the type used for marking the location of a lesion or a tumor in a breast or soft tissue. A wire carrier housing an elongate flexible marking wire is slideably received within the hollow bore. The needle, wire carrier and wire are inserted into a breast or soft tissue so that the side port is facing a lesion. After position adjustments have been made, if needed, the wire is advanced so that its distal end is deflected through the side port by a radius formed in the distal end of the wire carrier. When extended, it marks the location of the lesion and anchors the wire against migration. If the position of the needle is then understood to be unsatisfactory, the marking wire is withdrawn through the side port and back into the wire carrier and the needle is withdrawn and then re-positioned.

Abstract: A functional configuration for the bottom of containers and other objects needing the characteristic of being able to stand upright on a horizontal surface that facilitates their submersion into ice and other particles. This invention is comprised of a number of arc shaped arms (10) that start at the center of the bottom of a container or other object and extend outward to the edge. The arms (10) have a top surface that is parallel to a horizontal plane. There is a cutaway portion for particle dispersal (16) that is formed by the meeting of the surfaces that extend from the concave (12) and convex sides (14) of adjacent arms. The surface extending from the convex side of an arm (14) is set at an angle to the horizontal plane that is greater than the surface extending from the concave side (12) of the adjacent arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for practicing chip shots in the game of golf includes a base member that is secured to the ground by a stake. A pair of reels are rotatably mounted on the base member and an elongate flexible cord is wound about each reel. A preselected amount of each cord is unwound from its reel and extended at a preselected angle relative to the base member to a remote target area defined by an annular ring of predetermined diameter. A hook is secured to the free end of each cord, and the hook is detachably connected to an upright stake positioned within the preselected target area. Chip shots are practiced by hitting a special, light weight ball along a path of travel denoted by the cords. In a preferred method, the special ball is placed in the vicinity of a preselected target area and hit toward the base member along a first path of travel denoted by a cord means.

Abstract: A pair of paint rollers are respectively rotatably mounted to a pair of parallel, spaced apart axle members that form a part of a rigid frame. A rigid clip rod at the center of the frame is releasably engaged by a clip member that is pivotally secured to a handle-receiving socket member at the leading end of an elongate handle which is held by a painter when paint is applied to a preselected surface. The pivotal attachment allows pivotal movement between the clip member and hence the frame and the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle in a first plane. The clip rod is cylindrical and is captured by the clip member when the clip member is in a position of repose, but the cylindrical surface allows the frame member to pivot with respect to the clip member and hence the elongate handle in a second plane that is normal to the first plane. A lock member is slideably mounted on the leading end of the socket member.

Abstract: A method for translating sentences in a source language to sentences in a target language. A knowledge base includes a plurality of information patterns in the source language which represents substantially all possible information patterns of the source language. A corresponding plurality of information patterns in the target language are contained in the same knowledge base, and are associated with source language information patterns in accordance with a predetermined determination. To translate a source language sentence into a target language sentence, the source language sentence is analyzed and its constituent parts of speech are determined so that a specific information pattern is identified. The knowledge base is consulted, and the corresponding target language information pattern is identified. The source language words are then inserted into the target language information pattern to form a Linguistic Canonical Form which is translated.

Abstract: A pair of thin, flexible, plastic panels are secured to one another at preselected peripheral edges to define a plastic bag and an auxiliary panel having an aperture formed in it is attached at its peripheral edges to an exterior side of a preselected panel of the pair of panels to form an auxiliary chamber. An aperture is also formed in the preselected panel in substantial registration with the aperture formed in the auxiliary panel and a valve head of a valve member is disposed between the apertures. In its position of repose, the valve head overlies the aperture formed in the preselected panel and underlies the aperture formed in the auxiliary panel. A valve neck is formed integrally with the valve head and is secured to the exterior side of the preselected panel so that it allows air being forced out of the bag to lift the valve head from the aperture formed in the exterior side of the preselected panel.

Abstract: Items of furniture having interlocking parts formed of basic shapes include a chair formed of a circular back-support part, square legs, and a triangular seat. In a second embodiment, the back-support part of the chair is of octagonal form. In a third embodiment, a companion table has a circular tabletop and legs formed of squares with material-saving cut-outs formed in them. In all embodiments, the parts are slotted to receive slots of equal depth formed in mating parts so that the assembled furniture item is strong and stable. The furniture items have aesthetic appeal and teach children about basic shapes, the art of design, and the art of construction.

Abstract: An improvement in cast nets includes a first ring to which a throw rope is releasably attached and a second ring that is interconnected to the first ring by a housing that allows the rings to swivel independently with respect to one another. The second ring is releasably attached to a semicircular handle that is attached to an apertured flat disc. Each brail has an uppermost end that extends through an aperture in the disc and which is knotted so that it cannot fall back through the aperture. An annular ring is releasably attached to the flat disc and overlies the knots to prevent axial travel of the brails. The rotational connection between the rings facilitates throwing the net, and the connection of the top end of the brails to the apertured disc inhibits tangling of the brails with one another and facilitates replacement of broken brails.

Abstract: A wheel protector has utility in protecting a wheel when a chemical solution is applied to a tire which is mounted upon the wheel where the solution lengthens the lifetime and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the tire. The wheel protector includes a flat, rectangular shield formed of a flexible material that partially surrounds the wheel during the application of the chemical solution to the tire. The shield is moved as needed to complete an application. The shield is formed of a resilient material and is curved to match the radius of the wheel when in us. A shape retainer, preferably formed of aluminum, is secured to the shield during use to prevent the shield from flattening out. The shield is secured to the shape retainer by a strip of hook and loop fastening material secured to the shield that mates with a complementary strip of hook and loop fastening material that is secured to the shape retainer.

Abstract: A device that prevents birds from landing atop a masthead of a boat or wind indicating devices mounted on the masthead includes an upstanding post having an upper end positioned above the top of the mast and any wind indicating devices. A plurality of rods radiate outwardly from the upper end in interfering relation to the landing area atop the masthead or wind indicating devices to foil landing attempts. The post is attached to a halyard and the device is raised in an inverted configuration when the halyard is raised. The device is also attached to a downhaul line so that when the device reaches the top of the mast, pulling on the downhaul line inverts the device and deploys it into its operative configuration. The radially disposed rods positioned in the landing area deprive birds of the clearance space they need when landing.

Abstract: A multiple speed bicycle of the coaster brake type has a single drive sprocket and a drive chain in longitudinal alignment with one another. A sun gear is keyed to the main drive axle of the bicycle and rotates with the main drive axle. The sun gear engages a drive gear mounted on a planet gear axle and a planet gear is mounted on the same planet gear axle. Driving and driven satellite gears are mounted on satellite gear axles that are pivotally mounted on a nonrotatable ring concentric with the main drive axle. The satellite gears have differing diameters and differing numbers of teeth, one for each GEAR of the bicycle, and are positioned radially outwardly of the planet gear, in circumferentially spaced relation to one another. The planet gear orbits the main drive axle in incremental degrees of angular rotation when the bicycle operator manipulates a remote control member on the handlebar of the bicycle to change from one preselected gear to another preselected gear.

Abstract: A device for making food items from puff pastry includes an external, peripheral cutting blade having a structure like that of ordinary cookie cutters so that the shape of the external blade determines the shape of a section of dough that is separated from a larger section of dough in the well-known way. A pair of internal blades are spaced inwardly of the external blade, and are mounted to the external blade by a plurality of spacers. The internal blades are spaced from one another to define a pair of uncut gaps in the dough that is cut by them. In a second embodiment, a continuous internal blade is connected to the external blade by spacers, but is recessed with respect to the external blade so that it cuts through a top layer only of a puff pastry made from two layers of dough.

Abstract: A closure for a container having an open top surrounded by a container wall. The closure includes a top wall from which a hollow insert depends for reception within the opening of the container and further includes an outer skirt that depends from the top wall for releasably engaging an outer face of the container wall. The insert has a first seal and a second seal for sealingly engaging the inner face of the container wall. The second seal is formed upwardly of the first seal, and a channel is formed between the seals to prevent leakage through capillary action.

Abstract: A device that produces toroidal bubbles of gaseous fluid when operated in immersed relation to a body of liquid fluid. A first embodiment is operated by a person who blows into a first end of the device with a short burst of air, and a second embodiment is operated by a pneumatic pump that delivers a short burst of air to the first end. A normally closed valve such as a poppet valve is positioned on a second end of the device. The valve opens and closes very rapidly in response to the burst of air. Air escaping around the peripheral border of the valve creates a toroidal bubble that expands in volume as it approaches the surface of the liquid fluid; the effect is visually pleasing. The valve of the device may also be held in the mouth, eliminating the conduit. In additional embodiments, the source of gaseous fluid is any pneumatically-charged device.

Abstract: A mailbox clip is releasably attachable to a mailbox and enables a user to display signs indicating club affiliations, sports team loyalties, hobbies, and the like. The clip has an arch-shaped top part that overlies an arch-shaped top wall of a conventional mailbox. A pair of arm members having a common length are integrally formed with and extend from opposite ends of the top part in transversely opposed relation to one another. The arm members are slightly convergent relative to one another to enhance their grip on opposing side walls of the mailbox. Each arm member terminates in a return bend, and a straight mounting member extends from each return bend in generally parallel relation to its associated arm member. A panel is releasably attachable to each straight mounting member, and a preselected indicia is imprinted upon a first or outward side of each panel.

Abstract: A three phase facial toning system includes an applicator having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode that are electrically separated from one another by an insulated base. When the applicator is used, the user's hand is in contact with the ground electrode so that the ground electrode is grounded when in use. In the first phase, a cleanser is applied to facial skin, a first switch actuator is pressed, and the applicator electrode is placed into contact with the skin in a prescribed way. Pressing the first switch actuator places the applicator electrode in communication with a positive voltage so that electrons flow from the user's skin to the applicator electrode to help the cleansing action of the cleanser. In the second phase, a vitalizing gel is applied to the face and a second switch actuator is actuated.

Abstract: A card game that may be played at home or in a casino includes a game board having a plurality of card positions imprinted upon it. The actual card positions may vary, but in a preferred embodiment there are two positions representing Joker cards, thirteen positions representing cards of value Ace through King of any suit, four positions representing the four suites of cards of any value, one position representing a predefined "high" card of any suit, one position representing a predefined "low" card of any suit, and fifty two cards representing all of the cards of a deck of cards. The players cover as many positions as they wish with markers, and a card is selected at random from a shuffled deck of cards. All markers that cover positions that match the randomly selected card are winning markers, and all markers that do not are losing chips. The odds for the Joker position may differ from the odds for the Ace through King positions, and so on.

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: An improved energy-storing artificial foot, connectable onto a lower end of an artificial leg worn by a leg amputee, includes a ball of foot part, a main foot part, and an ankle part. The artificial foot includes first and second transversely positioned pivotal axes that are spaced longitudinally from one another. The first axis, carried in the ankle part, is positioned in vertical alignment with a longitudinal axis of an artificial leg, is about four times higher from a ground surface than is the second axis, and is positioned 78% of the length of the artificial foot as measured from the forward end of the foot. The second axis is positioned in the ball of the foot region of the artificial foot, which is about a third of the length of the foot as measured from a forward end of the foot. A pair of vertically disposed compression springs flank the first axis to simulate muscles that support an ankle.

Abstract: A post and beam construction includes opaque cover members that hide from view fastening members and other utilitarian structural features of the construction for aesthetic purposes. An upper bracket is slideably received in each post at its upper end and a lower bracket is slideably received in each post at its lower end. Each bracket has screw-receiving members formed in it and each post has screw-receiving openings pre-drilled into it in registration with the screw-receiving members to facilitate assembly. The upper bracket slidingly engages a bottom wall of the beam and therefor may be placed at any location along the length of the beam. Self-tapping screws are used to lock the upper bracket and hence the post into a preselected position.