Abstract: Upright sidewall and end panels are bolted to a unitary base component having a treadmill so as to form a composite exercise tank. One end panel has a door of transparent sheet material with specialized hinges and locking mechanism to assure a leakproof fit. Water can be introduced into the tank to a desired level from a storage container, whereupon the treadmill is actuated for exercise or therapy. During use, water in the tank is recirculated through heating, cleaning and sanitizing equipment. After use, the water in the tank is emptied to the storage container and the user exits through the door.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus enables a person to perform extended push-ups with a variable and adjustable weight on his back. The apparatus includes a frame with elevated longitudinal members carrying handles near their forward ends. A weight platform is pivotally supported near the rear end of the frame. A locking arrangement manipulated by the feet of the user selectively locks or unlocks the weight platform against downward movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying a synthetic lenticule to the cornea of a human eye is disclosed, the process also contemplating selective reprofiling of the lenticule while it is in place over the cornea. The process invlolves ablating a shallow peripheral groove in the cornea to receive the peripheral edge of the lenticule which is then secured therein with an adhesive, thus leaving the visual axis of the eye undisturbed. The lenticule is placed over the cornea with a unique micromanipulation apparatus and normally under vacuum conditions. A laser delivery system is used to reprofile the lenticule if necessary for refining the refractive power of the lenticule.

Abstract: A jump rope which produces bubbles as it is rotated. A hollow liquid containing handle is located at each end of the jump rope. A bubble diffusor is positioned near each handle. A flexible liquid transporting tube connects each handle with its bubble diffusor. Each bubble diffusor includes coaxial tubes having an annular space between the tubes. Aligned openings are formed in the inner and outer coaxial tubes. The liquid bubble producing solution moves from the handles to the annular space between the tubes of the diffusor as the rope is rotated during jumping. The liquid bubble producing liquid spreads across the openings. Air passing through the openings in the coaxial tubes produces bubbles.

Abstract: A cleaning device having a pad having a scrubber layer of porous material, a liquid impervious sheet or surface substantially covering a rear surface of the scrubber layer, a blotter layer of absorptive material extending over the sheet or surface on a side opposite the scrubber layer, and a rupturable packet containing a liquid active material associated with the scrubber layer. The device has an instrument having a head attached to an elongated handle, and a device for releasably attaching the head to the scrubber layer and blotter layer.

Abstract: A system is shown for providing a course layout to simulate rock climbing comprising metal tracking and hand and foot holds, with means for securing the holds to the tracking. The tracking may be arranged in various directions and orientations and may be secured to both walls and ceilings. Three different types of holds are disclosed: the sliding plate hold, the hinge hold and the jam hold. Each is designed to provide a means for grasping, supporting or gaining leverage by a climber as he proceeds along the course layout. Further, each type of hold has means for attaching an artificial rock outcropping which additionally simulates conditions encountered in rock climbing. Thus, the invention helps to create certain physical characteristics of rock formations that one may encouter while rock climbing.

Abstract: A foldable exercise device including a board member having a planar top surface for supporting the user in any of several exercising positions; first and second rollers for runningly ridably supporting the board member in a horizontal disposition; structure for dividing and separating the board member into first and second end members; and hinge structure for hingably joining the first and second end members of the board member together and for allowing the board member to be folded between an opened position and a closed position.

Abstract: A weight belt comprises a sheet of flexible material having two strips of material over one face and joined by stitching seams to form a number of pockets side-by-side, the pockets containing plates of lead, and being closed by further folding of the sheet to bring the pockets face to face, where they are retained by touch-and-hold material. They can be lifted away for adding or reducing the number of lead plates. Access to some of the plates can be provided to allow removal or replacement without necessarily removing the belt.

Abstract: A writing instrument cap having a tubular lower section suitable to embrace a cylindrical body of a writing instrument. An upper section of the cap is formed by a central tubular core and is closed on its top. The upper section receives a writing point of the writing instrument to make an airtight seal. The outer surface of the central tubular core has a plurality of outwardly projecting radial fins whose outer edges define a prolongation of an outer wall of the lower tubular section. The circumference of those fins accounts for less than one-half of the circumference of this prolongation of the outer wall. A plurality of clearances permit the rectilinear flow of air through the cap. Channels are formed between adjoining radial fins, and the cross-sectional area of the clearances is in excess of one-half of the total cross-sectional area between the outer surface of the central tubular core and the prolongation of the outer wall.

Abstract: A treadmill is disclosed having a belt system carried by a platform structure. The platform structure is pivotally mounted at its rear end to a base structure. The platform is supported at its forward end by a spring and a shock absorber which provides a damped resilient response of the belt and platform when a runner's foot lands during running or walking. The shock absorber is of the type which resists movement when the platform is moving in the downward direction, but offers relatively little resistance to upward movement of the platform when the spring returns the platform to a rest position during the time the runner is above the platform and is not forcing the platform down. An auxiliary shock absorber is mounted to damp the response of the platform over a short distance as the platform returns to its rest position.

Abstract: A cap for writing implements comprises a hollow lower body jointed at one end to a hollow upper body, ending on top with a closed end having a smaller section; openings for the communication of the lower inner hollow body with the outside are obtained in correspondence with the jointed length; said openings alternate to sides extending from said jointed length, which are substantially parallel to the hollow upper body to form ducts stretching out towards said closed end where further communication openings are realized between the inner lower hollow body and the outside.

Abstract: A writing instrument cap which can provide a substantially air-tight seal about a point or nib carried by the barrel of a writing instrument and which also includes passageways which permit air to flow through internal regions of the cap.

Abstract: A portable multi-surface track (10) comprises a plurality of sections (12) which may be arranged to form a track for use with hospital patients and rearranged for compact storage. Casters (32) allow easy transport of the multi-surface track (12).

Abstract: A removable cap attached to a writing instrument in an insertion manner for preventing ink from evaporating from the writing instrument, includes: a hollow cylindrical cap main body provided with a trunk portion in which at least one ventilating hole is provided and a hollow cylindrical inner cap fixedly mounted in the cap main body. The cap having been detached from the writing instrument permits open air to axially flow through the interior space of the cap through a front axial opening of the cap ventilating holes in the inner cap a space defined between the inner cap and the cap main body and a ventilating hole formed in the peripheral wall of the cap main body at a position under the pocket clip of the marking pen.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying a treatment solution to selected strands of hair includes a reservoir and a dispensing nozzle. The nozzle is an elongate, preferably conical member, having one or more slots extending from and dividing the tip into tines. The side walls of the slot converge inwardly from one side of the nozzle, a through bore extends from the base of the slot to the base of the nozzle, and at least one of the tines is shorter than the other. The reservoir may be a squeezable bottle or, in the preferred embodiment, an open top container having a handle projecting from one side with a lever arm pivotally connected to the outer end of the arm and mounting a plate-like piston slidably received in the container.

Abstract: A protective cap for a writing, drawing or applicator element comprises an outer casing portion and within same a closure cap portion which has a cover portion for sealingly covering over the applicator member of the implement. The cap portion is connected to the casing portion by means of ribs which define between them through openings through which the interior of the cap is in fluid communication with the exterior thereof. The through openings are of an overall cross-section of at least 5 mm.sup.2 in order at least to reduce the risk of asphyxiation if the cap is unintentionally swallowed. The ribs are disposed in the region of the cover portion of the cap portion and are extended in the axial direction of the cap over the cover portion, whereby the through openings are oriented in particular in a radial direction.

Abstract: A simulated sparring partner apparatus and method for the training and exercising of a boxer, including a track, a target article such as a punching bag suspended from the track, a drive for moving the punching bag along the track, and control apparatus for controlling the speed and direction of movement of the carriage along the track. The drive may move the punching bag at various speeds and in either direction. Also, the drive may be programmable such that the punching bag follows a predetermined path at predetermined speeds. Alternatively, motion of the punching bag may be manual so as to allow a coach or trainer to control the motion of the bag.

Abstract: A variable weight exercise machine is expressly engineered for exercising the gripping muscles of the hand. The machine includes a movable carriage mounted for vertical reciprocating motion by riding on a pair of vertical guide bars. The guide bars are rigidly mounted on a support frame along with a fixed handle bar. A movable handle bar is mounted on the carriage. A weight bearing bar is affixed to the carriage. The weight bearing bar passes through a stack of the weights. A series of transverse holes in the weight bearing bar are in registry with transverse holes in the weights. A locking pin is passed through a transverse hole in a selected weight and through the corresponding hole in the weight bearing bar to lock the selected weight and all those above it to the carriage. Bringing the movable handle bar to the fixed handle bar by hand gripping action lifts the carriage and the selected weights.

Abstract: In the subject apparatus the user lies, back down, on a shuttle platform which is mounted on parallel tracks and movable from end to end of the tracks. The shuttle is biased toward a position between the ends by primary and secondary energy storage and release apparatuses.The engagement of the shuttle and track assembly by the primary energy storage and release apparatus is constant. The secondary energy storage and release apparatus is constantly engaged with the shuttle and intermittently engaged with the track assembly. Both apparatuses are adjustable in terms of the at rest position of the shuttle on the track assembly and the forces in the apparatuses when at rest and in operation.Hand grips are attached to the track assembly by cables and are used by the user for setting the platform into oscillating motion on the track.

Abstract: A container for photographs includes a container housing having walls defining a chamber, and a separating member subdividing the chamber into a main chamber for receiving a number of photographs and a sub-chamber for receiving negative strips for photographs. The photographs include a number of photograph prints arranged in edge-to-edge relationship, and a number of adhesive strips, one of each respectively being attached to the neighboring edges of such photograph prints to join the photograph prints into an elongated chain form.