Abstract: Briefly, the invention is a vibrating, form fitting skull cap which is designed to snugly fit a user. The inner portion of the cap presents a smooth continuous surface to the head while at the same time providing the capability of complex and subtle vibration patterns which may vibrate different areas differently. Suitable attachment points are provided on the outer portion of the cap to mount individual forced vibration generator units. Each vibration generator unit is separately controlled as to amplitude and frequency. The user may choose one or many of numerous available attachment points for the generators. Electrical controls are provided to fine tune the individual units. Numerous electrical power input alternatives are provided for flexibility of use. Pneumatic powered units may also be used to eliminate magnetic fields if necessary.

Abstract: An in-line skate has a wheel mounted on a rocker arm so as to be pivotable toward and away from the main platform. The pivoting is restrained by a compression spring whose pre-load is adjustable with a screw arrangement. A fixed brake pad depends downwardly an adjustable distance from the main platform in the vicinity of the rocker arm mounted wheel. As the user tilts the platform the rocker arm and its associated wheel are pivoted toward the fixed brake pad. When the wheel contacts the brake pad, further tilting pressure arrests the wheel rotation and thus generates a frictional braking force between the wheel and the support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel portable lightweight boat ramp. The boat ramp is made up of two metal frame halves which open from the inside out, to form a V-shape angle matching the contour of a small boat approaching the beach area for landing. Each metal frame half is covered by a flat panel, made of strong and durable material, and each flat panel is covered in turn by a thin layer of frictionless material, so as to prevent the device from scratching the hull of the landing boat. In addition, four legs are hinged to the two metal frame halves, and are deployed to an obtuse angle with respect to the metal frame halves when the device is opened up for receiving an incoming boat for landing.

Abstract: A personal protective device especially suited for repelling a dog from attacking a pedestrian. The device comprises a tubular holder and an expansible guard stored inside the holder. A spring urges the guard from the holder, into the expanded state. A control button releases the guard to deploy on demand. When deployed, the guard opens into a generally conical configuration, which the user maneuvers over the snout of the animal. The protective device discourages the animal by intimidation, and does not injure the animal. The device further includes a flashlight, key storage, an audible alarm, and a holding ring.

Abstract: Briefly, the invention comprises an improved cooling fin arrangement for a triphasic bridge rectifier used in conjunction with a three phase alternator in an automotive vehicle. The heat transfer ability of a metallic air core heat sink and radiator is more than doubled by increasing its thickness (and thus its exposed surface area) and by providing a cutout groove allowing the air to flow in two directions thus reducing the air flow resistance. An improved cover plate cooperates with the newly provided air flow paths and also provides simplified connectors for the electrical elements.

Abstract: A general purpose laminated construction block element is constructed from discarded rubber-like material such as tire casings or belt conveyor straps. Tire casings are first cut open and laid flat to form flattened mats. The mats are then stacked and secured into blocks suitable for transport and storage. The blocks may be later disassembled and the individual mats spirally wound to form cylindrical posts. Alternately, the blocks may be used as formed for general purpose construction blocks. The properties of the laminated block can be adjusted by adjusting the properties of an adhesive which is applied to one surface of the mat prior to stacking. The laminated rubber blocks may be formed to predetermined sizes by appropriately preconfiguring the mat by juxtaposing or superposing multiple single tire mats. The laminated rubber-like blocks have excellent strength, impact and vibration absorbtion, and machinability.

Abstract: A portable continual mixer blends dry powdered material with an aggregate and a liquid. The ingredients may be cement, sand, and water. The batch mixer has two screw augers. The first auger feeds dry mix into an elongated mixing chamber, and has its own electric motor and speed control. The second auger mixes the dry and liquid mix constituents, and conducts blended mixture to a discharge port located at the end of the elongated mixing chamber. The blade of the second auger is formed in three sections. In respective order, these sections include a first section wherein the blade is configured as a screw auger; a second section wherein the blade has paddles pitched to urge the mixture onward to the third section; and a third section which, like the first section, includes a blade configured as a screw auger. The liquid is metered by a valve controlled in accordance with the feed rate of the solid constituents. A predetermined proportion of dry and liquid constituents is thus maintained.

Abstract: A remote control method of guidance for a work vehicle including a handheld control unit, an antenna/transponder placed on the periphery of the worksite, a controlling unit on the work vehicle itself. The control unit compares timing signals to subsequently control of the speed of independently powered wheels. There is a manual and automatic mode of control for the vehicle. The vehicle is positioned at a starting point by the user, and upon activation of the automatic mode, a timing pulse, either ultrasonic or electromagnetic is issued from the control unit on the vehicle. When the pulse is sensed by the transponder on the antenna, a responding pulse is transmitted. This is, in turn, received by the vehicle and thus a base time is set for the interval between the transmission of the pulse and the return signal from the transponder, the interval being indicative of the distance between them.

Abstract: A link for use between a needleless syringe and a liquid medicine vial may be used equally well with both Luer lock and slip tip syringes. An adapter flange forms both an anchor for a conventional Luer lock and a receiving receptacle for a conventional slip tip syringe. The bottom end of the receiving receptacle is capped with a cylindrical sieve providing multiple fluid flow paths. The vial end of the link is formed with a pocket for collecting fluid when the vial is inverted. Two separate versions are provided, with one having a flip-top cap flush with the top of the medicine vial and the other having a twist-off top extending above the top of the vial. An outer jacket, surrounding the vial top is an optional variation on either version and provides for resealing of multiple dose vials.

Abstract: An improved magazine construction for gas powered firearms or other single object dispensing unit is disclosed. The expanding gasses from the breech or barrel of the gun are directed into the bottom portion of the magazine where they are introduced into a chamber having varying capacity. The upper portion of the chamber is movable and forms the follower, which includes integral biasing means thereon to provide additional impetus for urging the cartridges upwards into the receiver. The body of the follower also includes spring loaded cammed pins that engage cooperating pin holes in the inner magazine wall to provide a ratcheting action as the follower advances. These pinholes also serve as a excess pressure relief, allowing the gasses to escape through a blow by rail located between the inner and outer magazine walls.

Abstract: A powered pusher vehicle for moving a train of nested shopping carts, the vehicle having a main body portion with a central drive wheel powered by an electric motor through a worm gear transmission. Caster wheels support one end of the vehicle for ease of steering and easy manipulation of the pusher vehicle when it is not connected to the carts. A pair of normally raised wheels, on each side of the drive wheel, may be lowered to raise the drive wheel from the ground. A remote control allows the operator to manually guide the lead cart while controlling speed of the pusher vehicle with the remote control. The vehicle includes a pair of latch members for automatically connecting the front of the vehicle to a rearmost one of the nested carts. The arrangement permits a single person to manipulate a long train of nested shopping carts with ease.

Abstract: An improved load carrying vehicle accessory is disclosed. Mounting tubes are fixed to the rear fenders of a vehicle, such as a lawn tractor. The load carrying portion of the device has mounted within its base, and protruding therefrom, a pair of support arms or tubes that are configured to cooperate with the mounting tubes, preferably with coaxial telescopic interengagement. The support arms or tubes are disposed in slots wider than themselves to allow for lateral movement and subsequent fixing in place, thus allowing the load carrying portion to be fitted to a variety of vehicles having different widths. Additionally, the load carrying portion has removable walls, to allow for bulkier items such as rakes, brooms, shovels and the like, to be secured thereto.

Abstract: An improved ratchet wrench is disclosed that minimizes the number of moving parts that are needed in the device to provide a low torque ratcheting action along with a non-ratcheting high torque mode of operation. Proximate each of the engaging faces of the wrench head, there is an irregular pyramidal cutout. The base of the cutout is a three sided polygon and forms a trailing engagement face when the wrench head is turned in the direction for providing torque to the nut. The apex of this cutout irregular pyramid is contiguous to, and provides a perpendicular junction between, the engaging face and the face of the wrench head. Thus, when the wrench direction is reversed, the wrench head rises up away from engagement with the nut and, upon the cooperating vertices of the nut reaching the next cutout, falls back into engagement with another set of trailing engagement edges. Ratcheting action for low torque applications is thus provided.

Abstract: A flywheel with electric batteries mounted thereon is provided for an electrical vehicle. The flywheel incorporates the weight of the batteries to store kinetic energy. The flywheel is suspended by magnetic force and is rotated about a central flywheel shaft. The flywheel shaft is fitted with an electric drive motor, a hydraulic pump and a generator. The electric vehicle utilizes the energy stored in the spinning flywheel to supply peak electrical demand during the acceleration of the vehicle. When the vehicle stops the flywheel energy recharges the electrical batteries. The flywheel is driven by the electric drive motor. The hydraulic pump is used to drive a hydraulic motor which in turn drives the vehicle wheels. When the hydraulic motor brakes the wheels, kinetic energy is stored into the flywheel. The generator supplies supplemental vehicle power.

Abstract: A measuring device having two measuring tapes held on separate reels in a housing. The housing has two windows for displaying measurement indicia appearing on each tape. The tapes are spring biased toward the fully wound condition. Each tape has a button controlled clutch locking each respective tape in an extended condition. In a preferred application, a user draws a first tape around her torso just below the breasts, connects the tape to the end of the second tape at the housing, and locks this tape when taut. The device is moved upwardly, now encircling the breasts also, and the second tape is extended to accommodate the additional girth. The second clutch locks the second tape in position. The device is removed from the user's body, and sizes displayed in the windows are read. The first tape measures and indicates rib cage girth, and the second tape converts the additional measurement to cup sizes.

Abstract: A device for reducing the diameter and increasing the visibility of a conventional golf hole is disclosed. The unit is generally circular, with an outer diameter being the same as that of a regulation golf hole: four and one quarter inches. Depending downwardly and tapering inwards from the periphery of the device is a tapered flange to allow it to be inserted into the hole without distorting or otherwise damaging the hole. The central aperture or opening measures two and one half inches across, thus being of sufficient size to allow a golf ball to pass therethrough, and also providing for a flat annular surface thereabout, for the placement of indicia or the like. The unit is preferably manufactured from a brightly colored plastic, thus increasing the visibility of the hole. Diametrically opposed bulges in the outer periphery provide a snug fit in oversize golf holes.

Abstract: A flip-up leveling device is designed to be easily attached to an existing hand-held firearm. The purpose of the device is to eliminate sideways tilting or canting of the firearm during aiming. The device can be attached directly to the firearm or to a telescopic sight which is mounted to the firearm. A bubble spirit level is mounted on a pivoted carrying arm so it can be pivoted upward to an easily visible use position or downwardly to a protected storage and transport position. The device does not interfere with the field of view of the existing sight system it supplements. The device does not require any modification of the existing sight system.

Abstract: A manually set bar code generating device is easily attachable to a mail container such as an envelope. A housing rotatably mounts a series of concentric circular rings which are imprinted with bar code characters on one side and with alphanumeric characters on a diametrically opposite side. The housing includes diametrically opposed windows that expose a bar code character on one side while exposing its alphanumeric counterpart on the other side. Each single ring thus sets up a single character of a bar code sequence. The series of rings sets up the desired sequence of bar code characters in one window as the desired sequence of alphanumeric characters is dialed into place in the opposite window. The side-by-side rings are independently rotatable about a central axis of the housing. Rotation of the individual rings is accomplished by inserting a pointed instrument into one of a series of depressions in the ring.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of converting power conveyors for improving the efficiency and usage factor of machines located along a line fed by such conveyors. In some systems such as assembling and forming signatures for binding into magazines, all the machines along the line are not required for all the jobs. Efficiency and equipment utilization is improved by transforming the existing power conveyer into two power conveyers, going in opposite directions and simultaneously feeding a portion of the machines for each of two jobs not requiring all the machines on the line.

Abstract: A two part ventilated seat cover for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat portion cushion and a seat back cushion. The two cushions are separated and mutually attached by a bulkhead. The bulkhead prevents air flow between the respective cushions. The cushions are equally sized to help equalize air flow thereto and therefrom. Elastic straps are provided to each cushion to facilitate attachment to the vehicle seat. Air is drawn into the system through an air pick up, then passes through a flexible conduit which branches into two secondary conduits. Each secondary conduit is preferably of equal cross section, each supplying one cushion with equal air flow. Each cushion is perforated only at a respective surface contacting the user, and air is discharged therethrough. Adequate supply of air to each respective cushion is assured by the branched supply conduit, and by separation of air flow within the respective cushions, as effected by the bulkhead.