Abstract: A hydration system for backpackers or other athletes including a bladder, a filling opening, an enclosing cover and filling opening, a flexible line and a deformable valve to be held in the user's mouth. The cover is of smaller volume than the bladder to protect the bladder from bursting upon overfilling. The valve is operated by pressure in the mouth, usually by the user's jaw and teeth to open a slit and allow potable liquid to flow from the bladder through the line and into the flexible valve for the user's consumption. The slit is located in the side wall of a membrane having a reverse fold whereby pressure from the bladder, in the absence of user applied valve deforming pressure tends to close rather than open the slit. The line includes a quick disconnect fitting to allow the filing of the bladder from the line as well as from its own filler opening.

Abstract: A holster for a handgun having a trigger guard is formed of material such as leather or the like which is folded upon itself to make a pocket with an opening at the top. A pair of openings are located on opposite sides of the pocket adjacent the position of the trigger guard when the handgun is in the pocket. A retainer member of low friction material having resilient arms and clamp members with inwardly extending projections is fastened in the holster such that the arms and clamp members extend through the openings. When the handgun is placed in the holster, the trigger guard pushes past the projections on the clamp members which then latch around the trigger guard securing the handgun in the holster.

Abstract: A loading device primarily for injecting granular plastic material into molding or extrusion machines includes a tee chamber connected to a source of the material. A filter and screen are supported on a top plate interposed between the filter and the tee chamber. A baffle is located in the tee chamber to deflect the solid material to a sight glass assembly, while air and fines flow toward the screen and filter. A second or middle plate is inserted between the tee chamber and the sight glass assembly. A bottom plate supports the sight glass and is part of an end bell which includes a quick connect and disconnect sleeve for attachment to the associated machine. A plurality of support rods and threaded members secure the top plate to the middle or second plate, and the middle or second plate to the bottom plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the representation of the sound of the human voice as an image in which individual colors correspond to distinct loudness levels. Sound received by a transducer is converted into electric signals, amplified, processed and transmitted to light emitting diodes which are arrayed in groups according to the color of the light they are emitting. Different groups are programmed to emit light when they are energized by signals reflecting different loudness levels. The display in which the colors change as the loudness varies provides a continuous feedback in real time by showing a speaker instantaneously how loud he speaks.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for sensing selected conditions particularly for an unoccupied commercial business and taking the appropriate action. Corrective action may include shutting down a system, sending a signal to an occupied location for evaluation of the selected abnormal condition, making a record of the abnormal condition for rectification at a later time. The system includes one or more light level sensors directed to observe the light level at a selected location, a CPU or controller which stores data representing acceptable light levels and a schedule. If the light level at the selected area does not reach or maintain the desired light level, corrective action is taken. If the commercial establishment is a bank and the light level is at an ATM (automatic teller machine) the system may temporarily shut the ATM machine down and illuminate a sign to indicate that the ATM is not open.

Abstract: A rotatable brace for a prothesis includes a pair of straps, each one connected to one of two wrapping supports secured on opposite sides of an ankle or wrist joint, a pivot joint including a pivot pin connecting the straps, a washer of polytetrafluoroethylene material interposed between the straps and surrounding the pivot pin and having a plurality of ports positioned radially outwardly of the pivot pin, with one end of one strap being of reduced width and having a semicircular end, shoulders joining the portion of reduced width with the main part of the strap, a number of threaded ports in the other of the straps axially aligned with respect to the ports in the washer, and a pair of screws passing through selected ports in the washer and threadedly engaged with the aligned threaded ports such that the brace can be rotated only until the shoulders abut against the heads of the screws.

Abstract: An ornamental coating and process for applying the coating to a substrate includes mixing a first batch of liquid mortar composed of sand, cement and an aqueous solution of acrylic resin, and trowelling or spraying a first layer of the liquid mortar onto the substrate and allowing the liquid mortar to cure. A second batch of liquid mortar is mixed which is the same as the first except that it contains a color pigment contrasting with the color of the first batch. A template defining a pattern of grout lines is placed over the cured first batch and the second batch of liquid mortar is trowelled or sprayed over the first batch and the template as a second layer and allowed to cure only to the extent that the second layer is firm, but not hard. The template is then removed, removing any part of the second layer immediately above the template thus exposing lines of the cured first batch which then appear as grout lines between areas of colored mortar which appear as bricks, flagstone or tiles etc.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for capturing, editing, storing, and reproducing multiple graphic image components for the production of personalized printing materials. From data entered in the computer, personal characteristics of the customer are selected and the image of the customer is integrated into a pre-printed background. Both method and apparatus allow for controlled additive coloration to a basic background to incorporate shading, contour, fine detail, and variation in skin tone and hair color in the finished drawing of the customer.

Abstract: An improved hockey puck particularly for street or court play has a cylindrical body and includes on each of its pair of planar faces three or more pistons or deflectable members attached to the puck body and extending above the face surfaces and acting as the sliding surfaces for the puck. Vertical forces applied to this puck are absorbed by springs or other resilient members supporting the pistons allowing the puck to slide with a minimized tendency to roll. In another embodiment, a plurality of resiliently mounted balls absorb vertical forces.

Abstract: An adjustable angle lamp fixture is disclosed including a housing with a pair of annular oppositely disposed surfaces with a wireway therethrough. A pair of hat shaped members each face a respective annular surface on the housing. A pair of arms bias the hat shaped members against the annular surface on the housing. The housing may rotate about an axis defined by the hat shaped members with the wires for a lamp contained within the housing extending from a base to the housing without restriction within the range of angular rotation.

Abstract: An attachment to a vehicle sunshade/visor, used to provide additional eye protection to the driver and/or front seat passenger from the sun and glare and the skin from ultra violet rays. The attachment extends below the existing visor and/or the side to protect the area between the existing visor and the rear view mirror. The attachment may also provide additional protection to the side of the vehicle, below and to the rear to cover the area not protected by the existing visor. The attachment is easily manipulated by one hand and folds up behind the existing visor when not required.

Abstract: A gate assembly for tensioned fences, particularly those which encircle home swimming pools and are removable for swimming pool use. The gate in its preferred form is "U" shaped with no rigid bar at the top and has the space between the bars of the gate filled with tensioned mesh fabric similar to the tensioned fence. The gate is supported by poles on each edge which provides spring closed hinging on one edge and an automatic latch at the opposite edge. The poles are in fact pairs of poles at each side which together react to the tension of the fence without transferring the fence tension to the gate. In one form, the two poles at each edge are rigidly connected by bars which define a truss. The gate supporting poles are secured to the pole decking as by insertion in drilled holes which are at cant angles in the order of 5.degree. away from the direction of the fence tension. A process for installing the fence and gate is described.

Abstract: A holster is disclosed employing a formed composite of fabric-foam and fabric in which the outer face is formed to match the contour of a hand gun to carried in the holster while the inner face is generally flat. A belt loop assembly is secured to the inner face including a generally "Y" shape with an opening between the arms of the "Y". Hook or pile fastener fabric is located within the belt loop assembly. A thumb break or strap includes an end which extends through the opening into the belt loop and is held in place by contact with the hook and pile fastener. The thumb break is angularly adjustable within the belt loop and securable at various angles by the hook and pile fastener. The belt loop assembly, most importantly defines a belt loop and the thumb break and the hook and pile fastener cooperate to restrict the size of the belt loop and provide restriction against unwanted movement of the holster on a belt.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is disclosed having a pleated filter element, hollow perforated core, a lower annular end cap sealed to the bottom ends of the core and filter element and an upper circular end cap sealed to the top ends of the filter element and core. A hollow threaded nipple open at both ends extends coaxially downwardly from the annular end cap, the hollow interior of the nipple being continuous with the hollow interior of the core. A handle extends upwardly from the circular end cap.