Abstract: A transportable playing court, having non-ball-confining boundaries. A target ball and a plurality of server player balls and non-server player balls are provided. During play, the players attempt to throw the balls onto the court, within the boundaries thereof, such that the closest ball to the target ball, within a playing zone, scores points. A ball distance measuring device is provided for indicating the distance between a player ball and the target ball. The measuring device includes indicia for permitting a quick determination of the distance between the two balls, according to the rules of the game. According to a handicapping method, a more skilled player can be held to a higher standard of performance than a less skilled opponent, so that the opponent may score even if his or her ball is not literally closer to the target ball.

Abstract: A wireless optical short-range communication system adapted for use as an intercom system. The system can be used in fast food restaurants and similar commercial institutions. The communication system includes a base station to interconnect via optical communication a group of substantially similar physically spaced-apart, remote units. Each one of the remote units and the base units includes an optical emitter to transmit an optical message-carrying beam to the base station, and an optical receptor to receive an optical message-carrying beam from the base station. The base station includes a receptor for receiving the optical beam transmitted by the optical emitters of all of the remote units, and an optical emitter to relay the received optical beam to the optical receptors of all the remote units.

Abstract: Soil conditioning and method for desalination and reclamation of irrigated soil.

Abstract: The security apparatus and kit, as well as the method of using them, includes a security device or cradle for receiving and restraining equipment, to be protected. Adhesive material extends along and is affixed to a substantial portion of the underside of the device, and forms a bond to the upper surface of a supporting surface. A restraining arrangement of the device surrounds a portion of the portable equipment to be secured, which includes a lockable arm which moves between an opened and a closed position to permit the equipment to be received and retained lockably within the device, and yet be readily unlocked and opened by authorized personnel. In order to remove the security cradle from a supporting surface once it has been bonded adhesively thereto, a dispenser of releasing agent cools the adhesive material to disable temporarily its adhesive bond, and permit the apparatus to be bonded subsequently to another surface.

Abstract: A method for processing semiconductor material for annealing or circuitizing purposes, includes establishing a high intensity light which is controlled at a high repetition rate, and exposing it toward the surface of the semiconductor material to process it in an improved manner. The high speed light is directed transversely to the surface of the material to be processed, only to a shallow depth.

Abstract: An adjustable rear gun sight includes a rear sight fixed base for rigid attachment to a gun, and an elongated rear sight movable base disposed in longitudinal alignment with the fixed base. The movable base has a rearwardly disposed sight blade for helping to sight the weapon. A cam device, having a manually rotatable member, is mounted on the fixed base for retaining releasably the bases in a given longitudinal alignment relative to one another. The fixed base is journalled for enabling the manually rotatable member to rotate about a fixed axis of rotation. The cam device has an eccentrically located member which engages the movable base to drive the movable base in a reciprocative path of travel relative to a fixed axis of rotation so that the bases can be moved relative to one another into an adjusted position, and maintained releasably thereat.

Abstract: An image is projected in gray scale on a large screen without any flicker, the different colors or shades being indicated on the screen by individual shades of gray. The image is defined by a plurality of pixels which are raster scanned. At each pixel position, a plurality of first digital signals are generated each representing an individual primary color (e.g. red, green and blue) or shade in the image at the position. Second digital signals individually representing such different colors or shades are also produced on a pseudo-random basis -e.g. by producing video clocked signals not only at the pixel positions but also during the horizontal and vertical retraces. The second signals are repetitively counted to a particular value to correspond to successive frames in the video image. In each successive frame, the first signals are compared in value with the second signals at each individual pixel position.

Abstract: A customized document vending system includes an input device for receiving and storing customized input information for producing and vending customized documents for the customer. In response to the receipt of the customized input information, a device generates and supplies cost information to the customer. Responsive to signals indicative of the correct payment corresponding to the cost information being received, a device produces the customized documents.

Abstract: A customized document vending system includes an input device for receiving and storing customized input information for producing and vending customized documents for the customer. In response to the receipt of the customized input information, a device generates and supplies cost information to the customer. Responsive to signals indicative of the correct payment corresponding to the cost information being received, a device produces the customized documents.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting loosening of an implant imbedded in a bone of a limb of a patient, includes a vibrator is pressed into engagement with the limb to impart vibratory motion to the bone. The vibrator is controlled to cause the vibratory motion to have a predetermined recurring pattern. A pickup device is pressed into engagement with the limb spaced from the vibrator over the same bone near the implant, for detecting the vibratory motion transmitted through the bone implant composite to generate an output signal. Implant loosening is determined when the recurring pattern of the output signal transmitted through the bone implant composite demonstrates sustained superimposition on the oscilloscope and/or significant secondary harmonics on the spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: A camera construction includes a front primary lens to focus a primary image of an object to be photographed, onto a film frame of a photosensitive film. A rear secondary lens and a reversely bent light path arrangement focuses an image of the user onto a portion of the same film frame of the film. A rear external mirror enables the photographer to align properly his or her image relative to the rear secondary lens.In use, the photographer focuses on the primary object of the picture, and then positions the camera at approximately arm's length, while maintaining the primary object in focus. The photographer then aligns his or her face relative to the rear mirror so that when the user sees his or her image in the rear mirror, the user's image is properly aligned with the rear lens. Upon obtaining this orientation, the shutter release of the camera construction is activated to expose both of the front and rear images simultaneously to the same film frame.

Abstract: A disc assembly for a vehicle disc brake has a rotor with a pair of opposite faces from which are mounted annular braking discs. Each disc is mounted for limited radial movement on a carrier device by fasteners located outside the braking area of the disc; and the disc and the carrier device have complementary radial abutment faces, the carrier device being mounted on the rotor by connectors. The brake torque is transmitted from the discs to the carrier device by the abutment faces and then to the rotor by the connectors. This provides a simple construction which reduces stress on the discs and permits and guides radial expansion of the discs during braking.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to a human esterases and in particular to the human esterase D enzyme and identification of its amino acid sequence, to a human esterase D cDNA and identification of its nucleotide sequence, to localization of the human esterase D gene and identification of its sequence, to specific human esterase D antibodies and to a method of purifying esterase D. The present invention also relates to using the cloned human esterase D cDNA as a genetic marker and a diagnostic tool for retinoblastoma, Wilson's disease and other hereditary or acquired diseases controlled by genes located at the 13 chromosome 13q14 region. The invention further relates to an esterase D cDNA probe for cloning the retinoblastoma gene and to the use of the cloned human esterase cDNA as a prognostic tool for determination of genetic predisposition to retinoblastoma or Wilson's disease and for population screening.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus includes a holding device, which is composed of a ceramic material and fits over and covers partially, a thermod having an electrically grounded conductor portion to distribute heat uniformly to a soldering surface. The soldering apparatus is moved so that the thermod engages the surface to be soldered. Thermal energies are then uniformly transferred by the thermod to heat the connecting joint to soldering temperature and for heating a solder bead for soldering purposes. After soldering, the apparatus is retracted, or the current is turned off, to permit the surface to cool.

Abstract: A variable air volume ventilating system includes a fan volume modulator, for controlling a series terminal fan. A controller determines the proper fan motor speed, and generates a control signal which is transmitted to the fan modulator for varying the volume of the fan to be at least equal to the volume of the primary air available.

Abstract: A plasma pinch system includes a fluid-jet pinch device for establishing a plasma source composed of a tenuous vapor preconditioning cloud surrounding a central narrow flowing fine stream of fluid under pressure. A discharge device is connected electrically to the fluid-jet pinch device for supplying an electrical flow through a portion of the fluid stream for establishing an incoherent light emitting plasma therealong. A method of using the plasma pinch system for manufacturing semiconductors, includes exposing a semiconductor wafer to the incoherent light emitted by the plasma for either annealing or etching purposes.

Abstract: A communication system includes a filter device for passing only a desired carrier frequency, and a circuit for splitting the passed carrier frequency into a pair of signals. A circuit for feeding back one of the signals to the filter device for causing an oscillation to occur at the desired carrier frequency for direct broadcast purposes.

Abstract: A urine-collecting apparatus for a wheel-chair is detachably incorporated in a wheel-chair or special-purpose chair at a portion under a seat part thereof. The central portion of the front part of a seat of the wheel-chair or special-purpose chair is cut in a U shape. A tube is passed through the cut part in the seat. The tube provides a communication between a urine-receiving part previously attached to the genital part of special-purpose underpants or drawers worn by a user of the wheel-chair or special-purpose chair and a urinal-tank. Moreover, a urinal-case is installed on the underside of a seat-plate at the cut part. Thus, the user can readily urinate while taking a seated posture.

Abstract: A venting type container to relieve pressurized carbonated liquids and the like without discharging the liquid therefrom while equalizing the interior container pressure with atmospheric pressure including a combination a flexible wall container for receiving the liquid and adapted to operatively receive a removable dispensing cap assembly which when brought into full threaded engagement with said dispensing cap assembly redefines the opening to said container; and a depressurization sealing unit which is operatively received on the dispensing cap assembly in sealing engagement to seal and contain the liquid within the container and define an interior cavity oriented between the dispensing cap assembly and the depressurization sealing unit.