Abstract: A system for detecting and removing metal objects from a continuously moving conveyor belt. The system includes mechanisms for lowering a scraper blade and for raising an assembly of horizontally disposed idlers mounted on a movable platform, which are activated simultaneously upon the approach of a metal object traveling on the belt. The idlers, when raised, cause a section of the belt, which is otherwise trough-like in shape, to flatten. The flattened section of the belt and the blade, in its lowered position, are disposed in close proximity to each other. The metal object and overburden moving with it on the flattened section of the belt are forced against the scraper blade. Set at an acute angle to the belt centerline, the blade deflects the metal object and overburden contaminated by it laterally, causing them to slide first onto an unsupported portion of the belt and then gently off of the belt itself.

Abstract: A mute for stringed instruments such as banjos, guitars, and the like which allows the volume of the sound generated by plucking the strings to be varied without changing the pitch of the instrument. This device comprises a small, elongated cloth bag filled with tiny metallic balls. The bag is sufficiently long that when it is properly mounted on the bridge of the instrument, the bag extends past the points where the two outermost strings cross the bridge, the two outermost strings being disposed proximate opposite ends of the bridge. In use, the beg is mounted partially on the upper edge of the bridge and partially on the strings. The degree of muting, as well as the duration of individual notes once played, varies with the position of the bag on the bridge. The pitch of the strings, however, does not vary.

Abstract: A carrier with a harness and a platform having a plurality of releasable fasteners. The harness includes at least three sets of straps extendable around a dog's torso, with one of these strap sets being disposed proximate with the dog's neck and another with its hindquarters. Each releasable fastener is attachable to one of the strap sets proximate with the dog's underside and is anchored to one of a plurality of connectors which are spaced apart from each other and slideably tethered to the platform. Mountable on a bicycle, the platform is rigidly secured to, and supported in part by, the bicycle handlebars or, alternately, the bicycle seat post. The platform is further supported by at least one pair of frame members rigidly affixed thereto. The frame members of each such pair extend downwardly, straddling one of the spoked wheels of the bicycle, and are releasably secured to the bicycle frame proximate with the hub of the wheel they straddle.

Abstract: A boxer-type swim suit for a water skier in which the suit has at least one rear panel, a liner attached thereto along a waistband, a band attached to the rear panel and an elongated strip having its upper edge joined to the rear panel and its lower edge joined to the liner. The elongated strip and band define opposing sides of a vent which extends across substantially the entire width of the rear portion of the swim suit. The vent allows first water and then air to escape which would otherwise be trapped below the waistband of a water skier's swim suit. Both the strip and band are disposed generally parallel to an edge of the waistband and proximate thereto and are joined to each other along a plurality of junctures situated between the ends of the band. Disposed generally perpendicularly to the waistband, contiguous pairs of these junctures are spaced sufficiently apart from each other to allow either water or air to flow substantially unimpeded through the vent.

Abstract: A pillow for increased comfort while sleeping which is stuffed with a fibrous filling in which are embedded capsules impregnated with a volatile substance. The volatile substance may be either a fragrance, a medicinal agent or a sanitizing agent. The capsules are held within the pillow in such a way as to prevent them from migrating through the filling. Devices for preventing such migration include strips of porous fabric with one or more compartments formed therein. The compartments retain individual groups of capsules in spaced apart relationship to each other within the pillow. Alternately, the fibers of the filling are pretreated with a volatile agent which is adsorbed on the fiber surfaces, preventing the agent from migrating within the filling. In pillows with a filling otherwise capable of releasing volatile agent(s) but having a non-breathable, air impermeable ticking of vinyl or the like, small vents are formed in each corner of the ticking to allow such agent(s) to escape.

Abstract: A paste-like composition for abrasively cleaning and polishing hard surfaces which comprises silica, stearic acid, mineral seal oil, and petroleum distillate. The composition can be applied with a cleaning cloth, buffing pad or the like which has been impregnated with it. When used to polish metals, wood, plastic, fiberglass, painted surfaces or the like, the composition gives a characteristically brilliant shine.

Abstract: A control device for an air inlet valve to a second stage regulator for an underwater breathing apparatus which allows a diver, while wearing the apparatus, to adjust the amount of suction pressure required to activate the air inlet to his mouthpiece. The device comprises a small cylindrical structure and a micrometer-type adjustment screw threadedly engageable with an interior wall of the structure. The structure fits on the air inlet to the second stage regulator and is fluidly connected thereto in such a way that any air entering the regulator must pass through a channel formed in the shaft of the screw. The manually adjustable, micrometer-type adjustment screw, when turned, resets biasing means on the normally closed air inlet valve, altering the suction pressure which the user must supply to open the valve. In addition, the air inlet for the control device, when it is fitted to the regulator, is disposed at a 90 degree angle to the air inlet for the regulator alone.

Abstract: A multi-purpose baby wrap which converts to a blanket, a bunting, a pad or a carrier sling. The wrap comprises two major parts: a full sized baby blanket and a large, detachable, bifurcated pocket. The pocket covers the lower half of the blanket and is sized to fit children from birth to about two years, with the pocket covering the child's legs and torso up to the waist. A baby's diaper may be changed without removing the baby from the wrap by simply unfastening the bottom and sides of the pocket and lifting it to expose the lower half of the baby. For use of the wrap as a bunting, the baby is placed feet first in the pocket; the blanket is then rolled around the baby and secured snugly about his or her midriff with one or two short straps. With the blanket so secured, the apparatus in plan view presents the appearance of a rectangle. At each corner of this rectangle, a fastener is provided for attaching a pair of elongated straps to the wrap.

Abstract: A method of covering stress cracks in drywall, plaster or the like which comprises the step of spraying an aerosol composition which air dries to a film which has an elasticity of at least 100 percent elongation. The aerosol composition comprises a propellant, a solvent, and a concentrate including film-forming copolymers and resins. To prevent any apparent reoccurrence of the crack, the aerosol composition is pigmented. The pigmentation of the aerosol composition is such that, when the film is stretched, the outline of any reappearing stress crack will not become noticeably visible either through the film or because of marked differences between the coloration of the stretched film and of any topcoat of paint on adjacent surfaces.

Abstract: An intermediate support for a weaving heddle frame in which heddle carrying rods are affixed to the frame stave, the support transmitting both tensile and compressive forces between these rods. The support can be disengaged from the lower heddle carrying rod simply by loosening a fastener at the top of the support and can then be swung upwardly to clear the space between the two heddle carrying rods. The support comprises a flexible cable, partially surrounded by at least one rigid hollow segment. Tension forces in the cable and compressive forces in the rigid hollow member hold the upper and lower heddle carrying rods, as well as the upper and lower frame staves affixed thereto, in a predetermined parallel relationship.

Abstract: An array of low friction impact slides for supporting a moving conveyor belt beneath a generally crescent-shaped section of the belt opening outwardly to one side thereof and beneath portions of the belt disposed proximate to but beyond the distal ends of this section. Except for the slides, which have smooth, generally planar upper surfaces across the belt can be pulled, the crescent-shaped section is virtually unsupported. Both upstream and downstream of the crescent-shaped section, pairs of idlers slope downwardly toward each other. Where the belt is supported by two such pairs of idlers which are contiguous to each other, it assumes a trough-like configuration. Proximate the crescent-shaped section, on the other hand, the idlers are unpaired and disposed horizontally. These unpaired idlers are largely, if not entirely, disposed beneath the same side of this section.

Abstract: A loose-fitting boxer-type bathing suit having a pair of elongated, trapezoidally-shaped stays insertable into pockets stitched to the inside of the legs of the suit. Each pocket includes a short seam which juts inwardly, partially blocking the entrance to the pocket. The distance between this short seam and a bottom of the pocket is approximately equal to the overall length of the stay, so that a snug fit between it and the pocket is attained. Away from the short seams, the upper edges of both stays slope downwardly towards the wearer's crouch. The stays are positioned a sufficient distance below the waistband of the bathing suit that both upper edges lie generally parallel to and slightly below the two natural creases that form between the wearer's torso and his thighs when his body is bent forward at the hips. These natural creases tend to prevent the legs of the bathing suit, reinforced by the stays, from riding up. In the event the legs do ride up anyway, the stays make them pop back down.

Abstract: A disposable shield stretching from the top of a wearer's head to his neck and including a mouthpiece which can be sealed to the skin, with the seal being disposed proximate to and extending along the entire length of the outer edges of an individual's lips. The mouthpiece is adapted to allow both of the lips to protrude through an opening in the shield when a person is holding his mouth wide-open as is required of dental patients. The shield further includes at least one panel of an air permeable, absorbent material situated contiguous with a wearer's nostrils to allow ample ventilation while simultaneously preventing the passage and subsequent inhalation or deposition on the eyes, skin, or hair of sodium bicarbonate- and debris-laden mists which are routinely deflected from a patient's mouth during the course of dental procedures.

Abstract: A knee guard and brace having both lateral and medial side members in which a single, medial condyle support pad is affixed to a plate hingedly connected to the inner side of an upper longitudinal rib within the medial side member. A spacer mounted on the plate and rotatable about a pivot thereon determines the angle at which the longitudinal centerlines of the medial condyle support pad and of the upper rib are inclined with respect to each other when the pad is pressed as far as possible medially, that is, in a direction toward the median plane of the human body. The spacer includes an eccentric arm with a ramp which can be rotated about the pivot. The medial condyle support pad is readily positioned to accommodate a particular user without elaborate custom-fitting once the thigh and calf support pads in the lateral side member have been custom-fitted to his leg and strapped thereon.

Abstract: A flexible strap for bundling cables, electrical wires or the like comprising two elongated tape segments of differing lengths aligned parallel to each other which are joined together along a transverse seam and which have partially overlapping, releasably interlocking faces with VELCRO.RTM. or other hook and loop type attachment means. The free end of the shorter tape segment extends longitudinally past the edge of one end of the longer tape segment. The transverse seam divides the strap so that two separate closures can be formed simultaneously between the interlocking faces. The site for one of these possible closures is at an interface between portions of the interlocking faces on the free end and on a section of the longer tape segment distal the transverse seam. This closure is provided for bundling a cable or the like.