Abstract: A soccer training device for training soccer players to direct their shots on goal to selected target areas within the goal opening. The device is adapted for use in connection with a conventional soccer goal having first and second vertical uprights and a horizontal cross member connecting the uprights for cooperating with a base surface beneath the goal to define a substantially rectangular goal opening. The device includes a flexible frame member for being attached to the first and second uprights and the cross member to circumscribe the perimeter of the goal opening and a relatively flat member coupled to the frame member. The flat member has a central portion extending along a minor axis of the goal opening from the base surface to the cross member and first and second wing portions extending outwardly along a major axis of the goal opening from the central portion to the respective first and second uprights when the device is attached to the soccer goal.

Abstract: A hanger device for connecting a first wood member, such as a wood joist, to a second wood member, such as a roof or floor truss of a building structure, such that the first wood member is oriented substantially perpendicualar to the second wood member. The device is comprised of a relatively flat central member having first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite sides; a relatively flat base member extending perpendicularly outward from the central member adjacent to the first end thereof; a relatively flat flange member extending perpendicularly outward from the central member in an opposite direction from which the base member extends; and first and second walls protruding from the central member and base member in substantially the same direction as the base member. The first and second walls cooperate with the base member and central member to define a recessed region for receiving a portion of the first wood member.

Abstract: A modular space framed structure is constructed using uniform components to provide the desired geometry of the modular structure. The structure is comprised of a plurality of rigid Y-shaped joints, each of which has three branches which are disposed at respective predetermined space angles with respect to one another, and a plurality of panels spanning the spaces between the joints. In one embodiment the space angle between first and second branches are approximately 120.degree. and the respective space angles between a third branch and each of the first and second branches are approximately 90.degree. so that the interconnection of first and second branches of adjacent devices defines a hexagonal frame at each level in the structure and the interconnection of aligned ones of the third branches defines vertical legs of the structure. A plurality of such structures may be arranged to form a honeycomb shaped building construction with common vertical legs between adjacent structures.

Abstract: A device for securing a combination dial lock is comprised of a base member, a bridge member, which is pivotally mounted on the base member, and a cover member which substantially envelopes both the base member and the bridge member. The bridge member includes a pin member projecting from a tip thereof for being inserted in a complementary opening in the combination dial to secure the dial against rotation. Tamper alarm circuitry is provided to generate a tamper alarm signal if an attempt is made to tamper with the combination dial or to damage the device. An alarm will also be generated if the lock remains in an unsecure state for more than a predetermined time interval, which is deemed adequate for an authorized user to conduct legitimate business in the compartment which is being protected by the combination dial lock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for oscillating the ink form rollers and dampening form roller in a lithographic printing press to apply a smooth, relatively uniform coating of ink to the ink-receptive areas of the lithographic printing plate and to prevent ink from being transferred from the dampening form roller to the ink-rejecting areas of the printing plate. The ink form rollers and the dampening form roller are each mounted on a shaft rotatable about its own axis. The shaft has at least one shaft key for mating with a complementary keyway in a bushing which is inserted at least partially into the central opening of the corresponding roller. The engagement between the shaft key and the bushing keyway allows the roller and bushing to engage the shaft for common rotation while permitting the roller and bushing to slide axially with resepct to the shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and distributing the entertainment signals from a plurality of electronic entertainment devices to a plurality of remote locations within a building; A host controller combines the respective entertainment signals from a plurality of sources, such as a satellite receiver unit, a video cassette recorder and a rooftop antenna, to provide a mixed output signal at a relatively constant impedance. The mixed output signal is transmitted along a single coaxial cable to a plurality of remote locations distributed along the cable. Each remote location includes an infrared detector for receiving infrared control signals from a remote control transmitter for controlling the corresponding entertainment device. The infrared detector converts the infrared control signals into corresponding electrical control signals and transmits the electrical control signals back to the host controller on a second conductor which is also included within the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A combined children's amusement device and transport and storage pack is constructed of first and second substantially rectangular members having a central portion disposed therebetween for joining the first and second members together. Each member has opposite inner and outer major surfaces. A three dimensional object, such as a stuffed toy, is substantially permanently attached to an outer major surface of one of the members and a children's story imprinted on a fabric material is attached on the inside of the device so that the fabric material is sandwiched between the first and second members when the first and second members are folded together. The fabric material containing the children's story is preferably removably attached to the central portion between the first and second members so that the fabric material is detachable by means of moderate force exerted thereon by a user.

Abstract: A tray for storing and transporting a plurality of cylindrically-shaped articles, such as beverage containers, in a stable, upright position is provided. The tray is comprised of a bottom member and four walls extending upwardly therefrom and interconnected to form an enclosure for receiving the articles. A plurality of rib members are disposed on respective inner surfaces of the walls of the tray. Selected ones are arranged in cooperating pairs to define respective recessed regions therebetween. Each of the cooperating pairs of rib members contacts a corresponding one of the articles at respective positions on the curved surfaces thereof so that a predetermined portion of each article is received within the corresponding recessed region and at least a portion of the curved surface of the article is in contact with the corresponding wall within the recessed region, thereby retaining the articles in a substantially upright position within the tray.

Abstract: A device for attaching a retaining string to headwear is comprised of first, second and third relatively flat tab members, which are substantially co-planar. The first and second tab members are oriented along a common axis, while the third tab member is oriented along an axis which is substantially orthogonal with respect to the common axis of the first and second tab members to define a substantially T-shaped device. The transition between the third tab member and each of the first and second tab members defines a corresponding curved edge. To attach the retaining string, the third tab member is inserted between the crown portion of the headwear and the flexible band on the inside of the crown portion and down through the stitches which attach the band to the crown portion. The first and second tab members engage the stitches to retain the device in position behind the band. The distal portion of the third tab member extends below the band and is adapted to be attached to one end of the retaining string.

Abstract: A method of sectioning an antennae reflector without distorting the shape of the reflector surface. The reflector is supported in a substantially relaxed state so that only its internal residual stresses determine its shape. A plurality of beam pairs are attached to the outer surface of the reflector and are used to mark the corresponding curves along which the reflector is to be sectioned. When the cut lines have been marked so as to be visible on the inner surface of the reflector, the reflector is then cut along the cut lines marked on the inner surface thereof to section the antennae for transport and storage.

Abstract: A wall fastener comprising a hollow conical member, a cylindrical sleeve member disposed substantially within the conical member, an anchoring member attached to the sleeve member for engaging the inner surface of a hollow wall and a rotatable threaded member extending through aligned openings in the conical member, sleeve member and anchoring member for tightly securing the fastener to the wall. The anchoring member is comprised of a central housing and a plurality of resilient curved feet flared outwardly from the housing. The feet are bendable toward the axis of the threaded member to allow the anchoring member to be inserted through a hole in the wall. When the anchoring member has cleaned the hole, the feet are spring-biased to return to the outwardly flared position to engage the inner surface of the wall.

Abstract: A tray for storing and transporting a plurality of cylindrically-shaped articles, such as beverage containers, in a stable, upright position is provided. The tray is comprised of a bottom member and four walls extending upwardly therefrom and interconnected to form an enclosure for receiving the articles. Each of the four walls has cooperating pairs of structural members extending inwardly therefrom to define respective recessed regions therebetween. Each of the cooperating pairs of structural members contacts a corresponding one of the articles at respective positions on the curved surfaces thereof so that a predetermined portion of each article is received within the corresponding recessed region and a portion of the curved surface of the article is in contact with the corresponding wall within the recessed region.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting a flexible hose to a fluid source, such as a gasoline fuel pump, comprised of a stem member on one end of the coupling for being inserted into the inlet end of the hose, an annular collar member for limiting the depth of insertion of the stem member into the hose and a male threaded member on the opposite end of the coupling for engaging complementary female threads to attach the hose and coupling to the fluid source. A recessed portion is defined between the collar member and male threaded member. The recessed portion has a plurality of relatively flat outer surfaces around the perimeter thereof, which are interconnected to define a square with rounded corners. A cylindrical sleeve member is concentrically disposed on the hose adjacent to the inlet end thereof so that the sleeve member slightly overlaps the inlet end.

Abstract: A modular spaced framed structure is constructed using uniform components to provide the desired geometry of the modular structure. The structure is comprised of a plurality of rigid Y-shaped devices, each of which has three tubular branches which are disposed at respective predetermined space angles with respect to one another, and a plurality of panels spanning the spaces between the devices. Linear coupling members are also provided for interconnecting abutting branches of adjacent devices. In the preferred embodiment the three branches of each device are oriented at respective space angles of 108.degree., 108.degree. and 108.degree. so that a tower structure having a pentagonal horizontal cross-section is formed. Each successive level of the tower below the apex has a substantially greater area than the level above it so that the legs of the tower are inclined to provide greater resistance to earthquake forces.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimal path for an aircraft to fly from a first position to a second position so that the aircraft heading at the second position is within preselected minimum and maximum heading limits. A two-dimensional reference grid is constructed so that the first position is in the center cell of the first rank of the grid and the second position is adjacent to the center cell of the last rank thereof. Dynamic programming techniques are used to determine the possible flight paths between the first and second positions and to select the path of minimum cost as the optimal path. The possible flight paths are constructed by identifying the possible connections between the last rank and the second postion and then between each pair of adjacent ranks, working backward from the last rank to the first position, which is located in the first rank. A possible connection is deemed to exist when the aircraft can fly from one point to a target point (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for oscillating the dampening form roller in a lithographic printing press to provide a substantially uniform application of dampening fluid on the printing plate. The form roller is comprised of a rotatable shaft and a cylindrical roller concentrically disposed on the shaft. A double-ribbed barrel cam is coupled to the roller so as to be rotatable therewith and first and second cylindrical cam followers are disposed a predetermined distance apart on the shaft for receiving the cam therebetween so that a first major surface of the cam is in contact with the first cam follower and a second major surface of the cam is in contact with the second cam follower. The "rise and fall" of the cam as the cam rotates relative to the cam followers imparts an oscillating motion to the roller. The rate of oscillation is substantially the same as the rate of rotation of the cam relative to the cam followers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for oscillating the ink form rollers and dampening form roller in a lithographic printing press to apply a smooth, relatively uniform coating of ink to the ink-receptive areas of a lithographic printing plate and to prevent ink from being transferred from the dampening form roller to the ink-rejecting areas of the printing plate. The ink form rollers and the dampening form roller are each comprised of a hollow cylindrical metal core surrounded by a rubber covering. First and second bronze bushings are partially inserted into the hollow core at respective opposite ends of the roller. Each roller is mounted on a shaft rotatable about its own axis. The shaft has first and second shaft keys for mating with complementary first and second keyways formed in the respective first and second bushings to allow the bushings to engage the shaft for common rotation while allowing the roller and bushings to slide axially with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device is comprised of a plurality of adjustable straps attached at respective first ends thereof to a lower major surface of a flotation device which is in contact with the water. A suction device is attached at a second end of each strap opposite from the first end thereof, for securing the corresponding strap to a stationary object, such as the side of a swimming pool. By attaching selected ones of the straps to a stationary object and adjusting the respective lengths of the selected straps, the flotation device can be anchored in a substantially fixed position and desired orientation with respect to the statonary object. Thus, a sunbather can position the flotation device as desired with respect to the location of the sun to take full advantage thereof. The anchoring apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for attachment to flotation devices of various types and materials.