Abstract: Individually deflectable, segmented, vortex flaps are provided on the leading edges of a delta wing supersonic aircraft to permit selective lateral and directional control moments to be created on the aircraft at high angles of attack, where conventional elevons and rudders have become ineffective. By selectively deflecting the segmented vortex flaps simultaneously in the same direction or differentially, the lateral and directional control of high-swept, thin wing, supersonic speed aircraft, at high angles of attack, is improved.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for accurately measuring the position of a moored container ship relative to a fixed pier after loading or unloading each container on the ship and including a processor mechanism employed to combine the measured relative position with previously acquired data indicating the ship position prior to the loading or unloading of the previous container, and utilizing the combined data to facilitate automatic control of placing or removing a subsequent container on the ship by a crane structure. The system is applicable for measuring six degrees of freedom of movement of any large object.

Abstract: An economical, disposable, container serving as an indoor toilet facility for household cats and formed of bio-degradable and/or recyclable components is disclosed. The foldable paper container has an internal, moisture impervious, coating and includes an open end, a closed end wall, a top and a bottom wall, and a pair of sidewalls connected to the top, bottom and closed end wall. A barrier wall, integral with the bottom wall, is spaced from the ends of the top and sidewalls and closes a fractional portion of the open end to form an open top compartment within the container. A quantity of granular, absorbent litter material is disposed within the open top compartment. When ready for use the container is unfolded or expanded with end portions of the top and sidewalls being folded back over themselves to assist in maintaining the container in the open position.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum having padded surfaces on the patient contacting area of the blades thereof serving to minimize patient discomfort and shock immediately prior to and during gynecological examination and/or treatment. A smooth and essentially silent, cam action, mechanism is also provided for opening and locking the instrument in open position.

Abstract: A spark plug starter tool is provided and consists of a spark plug engaging member attached to distal end of an elongated flexible shaft affixed onto a dowel pin extending from a handle whereby turning of the handle will install and remove a spark plug with respect to a cylinder head of an engine thus eliminating cross-threading. In a modification an adjustable chuck head is on distal end of a rigid shaft so that the chuck head can grasp and release the spark plug.

Abstract: An electronic socket attachment and identification system utilizes a first identification label on the top surface of an individual integrated circuit and a second identification label dimensioned to fit between the pins of the integrated circuit is adhered to the underside or bottom of the circuit board. The second identification label is a mirror image of the first label and each label is provided with color coding and numerical indicia thereon to identify the pin number, pin location, circuit orientation, etc. A socket sticker in the form of a double-backed adhesive tape is employed between the circuit socket and circuit board to secure the integrated circuit socket to the electronic circuit board. The individual top and bottom identification stickers, as well as the double-backed adhesive socket stickers, are packaged in color coded identifying dispensers and diespensed as a group from a common, releasable paper, carrier tape.

Abstract: A weighted anchor having a vertically extending bracket is employed to anchor one or more inflated balloons utilized as a balloon bouquet on festive occasions. The weighted anchor may be color coded for the occasion and may include suitable identifying indicia thereon. The vertically extending bracket includes a peripheral rim and one or more appendages vertically extending from the anchor. The peripheral rim and appendage(s) serve to receive attached tethers for the inflated balloon(s) and may also receive and frictionally retain an announcement card therebetween.

Abstract: A molded plastics taxidermy manikin receives an animal head skin stretched over and glued thereto with the aft open end of the head skin overlapping a peripheral extension of the manikin and being stapled to a wooden recessed insert provided therein. A center vertical groove is provided on the recessed insert and an elongated protuberance attached to the face of a mounting decorative wall plaque matingly engages the vertical groove. The protuberance-groove mating surfaces prevent relative horizontal and rotative movement between the plaque and the skin coated manikin while permitting relative vertical movement therebetween resulting in easy centering of the skin coated manikin on the plaque. A plurality of wood screws are positioned through predrilled holes in the plaque to engage the recessed wooden insert and attach the plaque to the skin coated manikin while the parts are maintained in relative centered position.

Abstract: A dual purpose waste receptacle including a trash container having an open and a closed end and provided with a removable top, having a pair of oppositely disposed swinging doors, releasably covering the open end. The top open end of the container has a transverse divider disposed therein and provided with a pair of spaced vertically extending edges defining an elongated open channel extending the length thereof and facing the open top end of the trash container. The vertically extending divider edges receive a portion of the top of each of two trash can liners in overlapping relationship thereon and frictionally receive a crossbar carried by the removable top to assist in retaining the top and the trash can liners in position. A pair of diametrically disposed handles are carried by the removable top and engage under the overhanging lip exterior surface of the can top.

Abstract: A board game for simulating a white-water rafting course wherein two or more players attempt to be the first to reach the finish line. A game board is utilized that depicts a white water stream divided into a plurality of spaces with game pieces in the form of rafts being moved along the spaces according to the roll of a single die. Various spaces on the course have instructions for further action by the player and include picking a card from a deck of pick cards with additional instructions. A three-dimensional HO scale railroad segment and flat car serve as the launch mechanism for each game piece. Each player selects a flag representing the nation of his choice for the race and installs this flag on his raft game piece prior to launch thereof. Hazards on the white-water cource include a three-dimensional drawbridge that must be manually opened by each player and a three-dimensional portage route that may be traversed, depending upon the roll of the die.

Abstract: A kennel accessory formed of PVC tubing and having a peripheral rail portion for releasable attachment to the inside surface of a portable dog kennel base portion and having legs thereon maintaining the rail elevated from the kennel floor. The rail provides an adequate escape area for newborn pups to prevent the mother dog from laying down on and crushing, or smothering, the pups. The legs of the accessory also permit releasable fixing of a rug type kennel bedding to the kennel floor to prevent the mother dog from digging up the bedding with the subsequent danger of smothering the pups by the bedding.

Abstract: A mechanical loin knife for removing a pork loin from the belly, ribs and fatback portion of a pork carcass is disclosed. A sustantially U-shaped knife blade 28 is supported within an elongated track 26 and adapted to pull or separate the pork loin therefrom. A pair of handles 25,27 are disposed one on each end and in a 90.degree. relationship with respect to elongated blade track 26. Blade 28 undergoes oscillating movement in response to an oscillating bar 49 connected thereto. Oscillating bar 49 is actuated by an oscillator cam 53 driven by a reduction gear output 48 leading from an overhead suspended electric motor 11. An overhead, house pressure, 180.degree. F. water supply 32 is connected through conduit 29 to blade track 26 and distributes sanitizing water via a manifold 68 housed therein to the base of blade 28. The 180.degree. F. water supply serves to maintain blade 28 clean and at an elevated temperature during use thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rider responsive boot binder attachment mechanism that enhances the maneuverability and responsiveness of a snowboard to rider movements. A pair of first plate members 15 are secured in spaced relationship to a snowboard, a pair of second plate members 20 are rotatably secured, one each, to the first pair of plate members and boot binder mechanism 14 attached to each of the second plate members at the desired angulation therewith. Elastomeric structure in the form of elongated spiral springs 24,26,28 and 30 are disposed between each connected first and second plate to limit relative rotation therebetween and to exert a force on the plates to effect return to an original preset position after the plates have been rotated relative to each other by rider applied torque action.

Abstract: This invention relates to a regenerating power unit employing a flowable medium to drive a rotatable wheel and attached axle with various attachments being utilized on the rotating axle for educational and/or amusement purposes. The power unit 10 is provided with a front and back wall 17,18 either or both of which may be transparent, and a pair of flowable medium reservoirs in fluid communication with a chambered wheel 22. A suitable adjustment valve 48 (FIG. 7) and 50 (FIG. 8) controls the rate of flow of flowable medium 39. When one medium reservoir is emptied, the power unit is rotated 180.degree. and the power unit may resume operation. A support stand 34 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) is employed when it is desired to permit rotation of power unit 10 without lifting thereof. Various educational and/or amusement accessories for power unit 10 are illustrated in FIGS. 9-18.

Abstract: A clothes hanger assembly is disclosed and includes a clothes hanger support bar 12 having a top surface 16, a bottom surface 15 and first and second side surfaces 11 and 21 respectively. The top surface is disposed in abutting relationship and attached at each end to a closet shelf 14 via bolts 17 and nuts 18. A plurality of elongated concave grooves 20 are disposed at spaced equal intervals along a first side surface 11 of support bar 12 and stop short of the top surface 16 thereof. Each groove 20 merges with a slightly tapered bore 22 extending angularly downward through hanger support bar 12, emerging on the second side surface and, short of the bottom surface thereof. Each tapered bore 22 is adapted to receive a clothes hanger 24 therein. Each hanger 24 includes a conventional transverse bar, or other conventional hanging structure, (not shown) for supporting trousers etc., and a pair of arms 25, 25a angularly extending from the transverse bar to merge with a vertical section 26.

Abstract: A portable electric water heater for supplying a continuous flow of hot water for outdoor home use includes an impact resistant waterproof housing having a coiled water conducting cooper tube disposed therein and wrapped with an electrical resistance heating element. A manually operated rheostat adjusts the heating current received through a power cord from a standard 110 Volt current source. The tube has a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet adapted to fit standard garden hoses and faucets. Wheels and legs support the housing and a handle facilitates movement thereof. Alternate smaller versions employ skid runners or caster wheels for portability and may have conducting tube sections positioned in a horizontal plane adjacent a respective heating element.Each embodiment utilizes an on/off toggle switch and a flow responsive pressure switch in series with the rheostat. A pop-off valve is also provided.

Abstract: A compact portable entertainment center 10 is disclosed and includes a stereo component 30 supported on a speaker cabinet 13 and supported by and attached to a tubular frame 11. A seat member 28 and a serving tray 31 are attached to frame 11 in spaced relationship to each other and to the stereo component. An umbrella 49 is releasably attached to bent ends of the tubular frame and spans the folding tray, seat, stereo and speaker cabinet structure. Upon removal of the umbrella unit, the bent ends of the tubular frame are rotated 180.degree. and serve as handles, which coupled with a pair of wheels 20,21 permit the frame to serve as a dolly for manual movement of the entertainment center for the selective indoor/outdoor use.