Abstract: A portable carrier for storing and displaying rolled blueprints and other construction documents (“Carrier”). The Carrier includes a compact storage case with an opening for the passage of flexible backing material and documents. A cylindrical roller, mounted inside of the compact storage case, rotates axially to allow unfurling and retracting of flexible backing material. Means for unfurling and retracting the flexible backing material are provided, utilizing a retracting handle and a manual retractor cap respectively. Means for attaching and detaching display documents are provided using Velcro® Brand material affixed to the top of the flexible backing material and mating document Velcro® Brand fastening strips attached to the backs of the display documents. Documents are held down during display using a document fastener assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed system uses seismic signaling to locate survivors in a mine collapse. A separate transmitter with a specific pre-selected frequency or frequencies is placed in pre-positioned safety zones of a mine. The system generates frequency-locked, unmodulated seismic energy, which allows rescuers to identify the safety zone where a transmitter is activated. The transmitter comprises an oscillator that generates the signal. The oscillator drives the transducer. The transducer causes the inertial mass to move. The movement of the inertial mass generates the seismic waves, which are conducted through the pressure plate to the earth. The seismic signal is detected then amplified, filtered, converted and then processed. The use of a continuous signal enables the processing unit to identify the frequency of the signal with a very low error rate, using frequency content identification. The disclosure also describes a method for transmitting seismic waves through the earth using the above described system.

Abstract: A window blind safety device that fully conceals the lift cords and continuously maintains tension on the lift cords located between the slats of the blind. The present invention comprises a back plate for mounting adjacent to a window; a slide movably attached to the back plate and fastened to the lift cords; a front cover attached to the back plate for concealing the lift cords, wherein the front cover comprises a longitudinal slot and a plurality of retaining notches, wherein the front cover is adapted for receiving the lift cords; a handle engaging the slide for adjusting the height of the blinds; and a shank fastener attached to the upper portion of the back plate.