Abstract: A golf club, especially a putter, has a grip portion with a shaft-receiving chamber having a cross-sectional dimension to enable the grip to be freely rotatable around the shaft. The grip is fastened to the shaft by means of an axial locking mechanism mounted at an upper portion of the grip and concealed by an end cap. The locking mechanism generally consists of a threaded member axially mounted through a transverse wall at an upper portion of the grip which engages a fastening lug attached to the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, locking of the grip to the club is effected by means of an expandable skirt or plug portion of the grip which inserts into the end of the club shaft, and which is compressed to laterally expand the plug to preclude relative movement of the grip and the shaft. Compression of the plug may be actuated by a nut and bolt or a lever-operated cam mechanism.

Abstract: A surfing video game in which a surfing figure on a monitor moves over simulated waves to gain playing rewards is controlled by a foot-actuated surfboard simulator. The simulator has a horizontally mounted elongate surfboard having a suspension system consisting of a fulcrum member adapted to support the board to permit tilting in all directions, and a biasing system mounted annularly to the fulcrum which tends to maintain the board in a horizontal position and to dampen tilting movement of the board. An attitude sensor and switch module is mounted on the controller and consists of a gravity-actuated closure member, such as a pendulum or ball bearing, having a common electrical contact and positioned to engage one or more of a plurality of equally spaced electrical contacts located around the periphery of the closure member.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser has a housing having flat side walls and a U-shaped front wall forming an interior roll containing chamber. Paper on the roll threads through an opening at the front of the housing. A spool which journals through the toilet paper roll is supported in the chamber on a pair of spaced parallel tracks which slope downwardly toward the front of the housing, thereby urging a roll of paper mounted on the spool toward the front of the housing.

Abstract: A portable bucket loader attachment can be operated by a conventional garden tractor or pickup truck. The loader has a wheel mounted frame having a forwardly extending boom carrying a bucket rotationally mounted at the end of the boom. A rotational control device mounted on the frame is operated by one or more cables which are operatively connected to a pair of electric winches. The rotational control device is connected to the bucket by connecting rods which control the rotational position of the bucket about the boom, thus controlling the "scoop" and "dump" functions of the bucket. Elevation of the bucket is controlled by a winch which retrieves and releases cable connected to the rotational control device, the cable also passing over a sheave mounted at an upper portion of the frame.

Abstract: A pressurized roller pen includes a thixotropic viscoelastic ink that is a gel at rest, but becomes a thin liquid under the shearing action of the pen's revolving ball-point. This ink includes a polyacrylic resin polymer, at least one highly polar solvent, at least one solvent of low or medium polarity, and colloidal silica, together with pigments, dyes, surfactants and/or pH modifiers.

Abstract: An improved process for treating aerobic or anaerobic sewage sludge comprises a two-stage treatment with sulfur dioxides. In the first stage, between 25 and 40 pounds of sulfur dioxide per ton of dry sludge solids as reacted to optimize solids separation while substantially reducing coliform counts to acceptable environmental protection limits. Solids are separated and water discharged. Recovered solids are then treated with between 300-500 pounds of sulfur dioxide per dry solids ton to solubilize heavy, toxic and noble metals which may be recovered from the liquor. Separated sludge solids form a desirable and hazardous metal-free fertilizer.

Abstract: A method of removing hazardous flammable hydrocarbons from soils comprises introducing the contaminated soil into a rotatable drum open at only one end, introducing flame and hot gases of combustion in the drum while rotating it to substantially expose the soil to the hot gases thereby heating the soil to a temperature sufficient to substantially vaporize all of the contaminant flammable hydrocarbons therein, and continuing to introduce the flame and hot gases whereby the vaporized hydrocarbon is burned in the drum with the exhaust gases of combustion then directed to atmosphere from the open port. The uncontaminated soil is then recovered from the drum.

Abstract: An improved cervical traction apparatus comprises a cradle including a bowl-shaped cranial cavity for supporting the head of a user and an occipital shelf support comprising a concave wall extending across the cradle. The cradle is secured on a base assembly which provides for movement of the cradle relative thereto to provide for both independent horizontal and vertical plane movements.

Abstract: A C-shaped door handle for replacing a conventional rotatable doorknob has mounting brackets at each end for attaching to a flat surface and a drive shaft adapted to engage a conventional latch-operating mechanism. The handle has an internal pivoted grip lever actuated by pulling the handle. Motion from the grip lever is transmitted to the rotary drive shaft by a rack and pinion transmission.

Abstract: A sports helmet has a resilient, cushioned lining in the interior having at least one pocket in a rear portion containing an air-activated heat-generating element. The helmet is fabricated with an adjustable interior lining having a plurality of pieces which fit into the interior of the helmet shell. A nose and mouth-covering portion of the lining is constructed from two separate lining members having a plurality of strategically located hook-and-listeners which enable the lining interior to be custom shaped to fit the face of each wearer. The lining members form a conduit to side vents in the helmet, thereby preventing exhalation from fogging the transparent face shield of the helmet.

Abstract: An eyelid splint is provided for comfortably immobilizing the lid of an injured or diseased eye. The splint consists of a soft, resilient pad, preferably of synthetic foam having a thickness of at least 7 mm, having a backing which is attached to two elastic straps. The straps have adjustable interengaging fasteners to permit adjustment of the pressure on the eyelid to be between 23 and 40 mm Hg.

Abstract: A camera mounting and steadying device for reducing or eliminating undesired movements of a hand-held camera consisting of a main support handle member with hand grips formed into each end of the frame. A camera mounting base is located at one end of the frame and is attached at 90.degree. to two parallel rails that are contained in and slide in channels on either side of the main frame, and is adjustable in multiple directions to enable eye alignment. A shoulder brace extends rearwardly from between the grips of the main frame and abuts either shoulder of the operator. The shoulder brace is both automatically adjustable at the shoulder and manually adjustable for the photographer's comfort. In addition, the shoulder brace may be configured as a tripod to provide stabilization to mount the unit on a flat surface.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens comprises a plurality of lens segments secured in a flexible and distortable frame member whereby the lens may be temporarily folded for insertion into the eye through a relatively small corneal incision. The preferred lens segments have a thickness of about 1.0 mm or less and comprise an optical material having an index of refraction of 1.5 or more.

Abstract: A solar heat exchange system is fabricated from a manifold and a plurality of elastomeric tubular elements which are longitudinally connected into a mat. A one-piece molded plastic manifold having at least six parallel aligned radially extending nipples is mounted on a cylindrical tubular header. The spacing of the nipples is designed to correspond to the spacing of the tubular elements in the mat. The unit is assembled by applying liquid adhesive to the exterior of the nipples, and sliding the tubular elements of the mat simultaneously over the nipples while the adhesive is still fluid, and allowing the adhesive to set.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens comprises a plurality of lens segments secured in a flexible and distortable frame member whereby the lens may be temporarily folded for insertion into the eye through a relatively small corneal incision. The preferred lens segments have a thickness of about 1.0 mm or less and comprise an optical material having an index of refraction of 1.5 or more.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a phonograph record comprises applying a very thin film thereto of a tallow-derived quaternary ammonium salt, especially a salt selected from the group consisting of trimethyltallow ammonium chloride, dimethylditallow ammonium chloride, dimethyldi (hydrogenated tallow)- ammonium chloride, and N,N,N.sup.1,N.sup.1,N.sup.1,-pentamethyl-N-tallow-1,3-diammonium dichloride, and mixtures thereof. The compound is applied by spraying small quantities of a solution containing a minor amount of the salt dissolved in a solvent on a soft applicator, and pressing the applicator against the record while the surface is moving relative to the applicator.

Abstract: A device for automatically dispensing animal food at predetermined times and in variable quantities comprises a hopper having a motorized feed auger that is actuated by a timer. The auger dispenses feed to a chute which terminates in a feed bin integral with the device. A water distributor also activated by the timer is used for wetting the food. A water drink-dispenser is also mounted above the feed bin.