Abstract: An apparatus for displaying collections of photographs, art works in sheet or card form, and other display items of various sizes and shapes is comprised of a display panel of stiff or rigid transparent sheet material and one or more retainers affixed to the rear surface of the display panel. The apparatus can be made with wall mount slots or attachments or can be made with a base stand for free-standing configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for our artificial aquarium featuring artificial creatures, such as fish, behaving in a life-like manner. A tank is equipped with electromagnets which create magnetic fields which act on magnets within the artificial fishes' bodies, causing them to move. The tank's electromagnets are activated by a programmable logic controller (PLC). Input devices placed in the tank may send signals to the PLC, causing the activation or deactivation of certain electromagnets which affects the movements of the fish. Water flow from a water pump may also cause the artificial fishes to move.

Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sides defining the figuration of the letter of shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens may be retained by a plurality of retainers to a shoulder recessed within the walls of the enclosure. As a first alternative, the retainers may retain a lens without a shoulder where a sealing edging is fitted around the perimeter of the lens. As a second alternative a lens having dimensions greater than those of the enclosure may be retained across the forward end thereof.

Abstract: An identification device having a surface for the display of one's name, title, artwork, or other information which, after being positioned properly, gives the illusion of levitating without any visible supports. The device uses magnetic field repulsion to achieve this illusion with a simple, easy release mechanism for lateral stability.

Abstract: A sign system according to the invention includes an upper rail and a lower rail interconnecting two vertical uprights. The upper rail and the lower rail comprise confrontingly opposed longitudinal channels, each channel has a center section and two side sections on either side of the center section. A core plate having upper and lower edges is held between the upper rail and lower rail in the center section of the channels. The upper and lower edges are held in the center section of the channels by stops. Sign panels including the information to be displayed by the sign system are insertable into the side sections of the channels on one or both sides of the core plate.

Abstract: A picture frame for displaying a picture and shadowbox articles includes a preformed mat system having a frontal two-ply photomat with two bordered openings. One opening is covered with a desired picture and the other opening is aligned with a backing assembly carrying a shadowbox for displaying an associated solid object. The components may be packaged in kit form for use by individuals without special tools or prior framing experience.

Abstract: A one way free spinning hubcap assembly having a decorative hubcap and a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly is attached to a vehicular wheel and the hubcap is rotatably attached thereto. A bearing clutch present in the bracket assembly permits the hubcap to rotate independently from the wheel when the wheel is rotated in one direction, but forces the hubcap to rotate concurrently with the wheel when rotational force is applied in the opposite direction. In this way the hubcap may be permitted to continue rotating after the associated wheel has ceased rotating.

Abstract: A human baby identification system including identification bracelets for attachment to the wrist or ankle of a baby, each of the identification bracelets including a pocket portion for receipt of an identification card, an identification number imprinted on the bracelets, a flexible fastening strap connected to the pocket portion having a plurality of ratchet teeth thereon, and a hollow latch assembly for receiving and securing the flexible fastening strap around the wrist or ankle of the baby, the latch assembly having a locking cam which engages the ratchet teeth to enable the fastening strap to be moved in one direction only to tighten the fastening to prevent the fastening strap from being loosened on the baby.

Abstract: A slotted cylinder contains a pair of first and second rollers extending within the cylinder between opposing gears carried by associated sidepieces at the opposing ends of the cylinder. A scroll of reading paper connects between the rollers such that rotating a knob at one-end transfers the reading paper in a first direction between the rollers. Rotating a knob at the opposite end transfers the reading paper in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An emergency message sign device for vehicles for drawing attention to a disabled vehicle to receive assistance. The device includes a sign holder for supporting interchangeable signs. The sign holder comprises a front panel having upper and lower ends, and a rear panel having upper and lower ends. The upper ends of the panels are pivotally connected together for permitting pivot movement of the front panel with respect to the rear panel, so that the front and rear panels are pivotally movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The sign holder includes a pocket being formed on a front of the front panel. The pocket has a closed end positioned adjacent the lower end of the front panel and an opening located intermediate the upper and lower ends of the front panel. A plurality of signs is removably insertable into the pocket. Each of the signs has a front surface with indicia marked thereon.

Abstract: An improved attention getting inexpensive brandsign apparatus adapted to existing retail-store merchandise-isle shelf-face pricing-channer use, wherein a special transparent flexisle plastic envelope-pocket uniquely combines a tab like appendage for insertion into the vertical receiver-slot of a standard existing slider-clip. The new more durable, convenient, and attractive planar sign-holder generally momprises two-layers of vinyl-sheeting material fused-together about three perimeter-sides, thereby forming a readily accessible pocket;—facilitating quick and easy recurrent substitution of sales-information exhibited therewithin upon a double-faced paper placard.

Abstract: A system and components are provided for assembling at least two boards into a composite. A pair of bridging members may each be secured to an associated board and have a central surface portion spaced apart from the surface of the associated board. An elongate bar is provided having a length, width and thickness effective to permit the bar to be inserted between the central surface portion and board surface of two adjacent bridging members so that the bar tends to hold the two boards in a predetermined alignment.

Abstract: An animation device is provided in which a series of pictures are arranged on a translucent shell, which is mounted upon an inner frame. A periodic light emitter is mounted on the inner frame. A driver, such as an electric motor, moves the translucent shell relative to the inner frame to sequentially pass the series of pictures over the periodic light emitter, thus creating an animation effect for a viewer. The series of pictures is removable to permit replacement with an alternate series of pictures.

Abstract: A shape-shifting game can. The game can includes upper and lower cylindrical blocks superimposed on each other. Each of the cylindrical blocks are quartered to form a total of eight fan-shaped columns and each of the fan-shaped columns comprise upper and lower fan-shaped surfaces, a circumferential surface and a pair of square surfaces. The lower fan-shaped surfaces of the upper cylindrical block and the upper fan-shaped surfaces of the lower cylindrical block are connected with fan-shaped stickers. Pairs of the upper fan-shaped surfaces of the upper cylindrical block and pairs of the lower fan-shaped surfaces of the lower cylindrical block are connected with hemi-cycle patterned stickers. The square surfaces of the fan-shaped columns are connected with double-block stickers. The circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical blocks are connected with four fan-shaped column stickers and two hemi-cycle column stickers respectively.

Abstract: An information display system in retail stores is used to display, hold and protect product information display cards, and comprises a shelf contacting panel, a front presentation face, a pair of stiffening ribs, two side panels and at least one display pocket, all formed as an integral structure to which at least one display pocket is hingedly attached. The display pocket is openable so that an information display card may be inserted. Prospective customers may read the information contained on the front and back of the information display cards by simply turning the display pocket on its hinge. Retail store personnel may also easily replace or rearrange the information display cards within the information display system. When the information display system comprises at least two display pockets, they are arranged in such a manner that one display pocket overlies a substantial portion of another display pocket. Thus, more information can be displayed in a small area.

Abstract: A device for waving a banner which utilizes an electric motor mounted in a housing and having a simple attachment spring mechanism secured to an output shaft so that a flag staff or banner staff can be easily attached or detached therefrom. Accordingly when the flag is attached in this manner and the motor is energized the flag is rotated and appears to wave so that all may observe. A user accessible switch is provided so that the device can be easily activated and deactivated by the user.

Abstract: A hang tag for sockets. The hang tag includes a hanging card portion having a hanging hole. A neck portion is joined underneath the hanging card portion. A screw-joining portion is joined underneath the neck portion, which has a screw-thread structure screwed to the socket, resulting in the entire hang tag for sockets being able to be displayed and secured by the screw-thread structure of the screw-joining portion. The neck portion is able to be clamped onto by wrenches or other similar tools, and the sockets that can easily be joined onto and removed from the screw-thread socket.

Abstract: A manually adjustable display device for displaying information. The display device includes a frame containing a plurality of designated grooves; a plurality of side segments each including a display side and a non-display side disposed on an opposite side of the display side; a center segment including a display side and a non-display side disposed on an opposite side of the display side of the center segment; and a plurality of suspension members for suspending the side segments and the center segments in the designated grooves so that the side segments and the center segments can rotated within the designated grooves to display either the display or the non-display side of the segments.

Abstract: A medal mounting device is comprised of an elongated support bar with first and second recurved ends. First and second pins are respectively attached to the recurved ends. Spring clips are detachably attached to the pins. A first end of a springy, forwardly bowed clamping bar is hinged to the first recurved end and positioned behind the support bar. To use, the support bar is positioned through the looped ribbons of a plurality of medals. The clamping bar is pressed against the back of the ribbons, and its free second end tucked under the second recurved end of the support bar to clamp the ribbons in position. In another embodiment, the clamping bar is separate from the support bar. In yet another embodiment, the mounting device is comprised of a T-shaped pin inserted through the ribbon of a medal.

Abstract: A disposable evidence marker of paper, cardboard or like material. The marker is provided in flat, planar condition and is foldable into an inverted V-shape. An integral tongue and tab may be punched out and interlocked for stability. The investigator may mark the panel surfaces with a conventional marker or pen and discard the markers after use with no clean up necessary.