Abstract: The present invention, a digital instant schedule computer or DISC, computes and displays symmetric schedules for assigning to stations the participants in an experiment or tournament. There is a master board and a plurality of slides, each of which can be inserted in said master board in several ways. Each insertion of a slide gives a juxtaposition of two scales: a scale on the slide which gives the indicia of the participants to be scheduled and a scale on the master board which gives indicia referring to the stations. Each admissible setting of a slide in the master board gives a subschedule which assigns each participant to the station opposite his indicium. The participant indicia and station indicia are displayed so that each participant can read off his station assignment.

Abstract: A display holder for a decorative article such as a plate. A frame is provided having front and rear walls between which the plate is inserted and positioned against the inner side of the front wall. The front wall is apertured to permit viewing of the plate therethrough and means on the rear wall is provided for supporting the plate in a vertical position at three points. The frame is preferably formed of transparent plastic to enhance the appearance and utility of the same and to permit ready assembly by adhesives or sealants. In the preferred form of the invention the means for holding the plate are adjustable to permit use with plates of different sizes and different contours.

Abstract: A weatherproof display device for changeable display signs to be mounted on a gasoline dispensing pump comprising a transparent weatherproof cover for holding changeable printed display cards depicting the prices and taxes applicable to the gasoline being dispensed. The device includes a thin rectangular box assembly formed by interlocking front and back panels made of a transparent material having a base assembly forming a mounting pedestal and a secured cap forming its top edge and serving as its cover. Insertion and withdrawal of the price display cards is accomplished by lifting the thin rectangular box assembly from its mounting pedestal base assembly, each of which is printed permanently with a specific set of price and tax conditions. The dimensions of each display card conform substantially to the height and width of the transparent panels, and are duplicated so as to be visible from each side.

Abstract: A traffic sign selectively displays and obscures information arranged permanently on the outer surface of a rear plate of a pair of rigid, transparent plates defining a closed cavity therebetween by displacing out of and into the cavity an opaque liquid contained in a closed reservoir which has an air-filled space over the liquid. A closed fluid conduit system connects the cavity with the reservoir and includes a first valved conduit connecting the air-filled space to the cavity, a second valved conduit connecting the liquid to the reservoir, a pressure release valve in the first conduit, and a control for selectively delivering liquid from the reservoir into the cavity through the second conduit while concomitantly withdrawing air from the cavity through the first conduit, and vice versa, whereby the cavity is rapidly and completely filled with the liquid to obscure the information and emptied of the liquid to display the information. The information is illuminated from the rear.

Abstract: An improved permanent calendar assembly adapted and structured to display any month of any year. As in known calendars of this type, the construction features a flat main body with forwardly protruding tracks for removable mating with date columns. For flexibility of display blocks or end pieces carrying dates "29", "30" and "31" are rotatably or removably mounted onto the date columns. The date mounting structure allows both sides of the blocks to be shown, one side carrying a date and the reverse side being blank.

Abstract: A self-locking baggage tag assembly formed from a single continuous sheet of material including a portion printed for entry of passenger identification information. The assembly is constructed such that the tag may be inserted through a handle of a piece of baggage, folded over the handle and mechanically interlocked such that the passenger identification information is concealed from plain view. The tag assembly includes a detachable claim check. Printed on the exterior portions of the tag assembly are airline, flight and destination information.

Abstract: A low energy sign contruction is illustrated for illumination of signs of the type having translucent illuminated faces. An opaque sign border is bridged by a reflector extending generally parallel to the illuminated face and having a truncated sawtooth profile. For single sided signs, one set of sawtooth points is truncated; for dual sided signs, both set of sawtooth points are truncated.Bayonet mounted lighting sockets are mounted at apertures in the respective truncations and utilize the metallic reflective surface as one side of a low voltage (10.5-volt) AC circuit. The reflector forms a cooled heat sink mounting the bulbs as well as a supporting matrix. The lamps, as mounted to this supporting matrix, are typically spaced at distances which do not exceed twice the distance of the lamp filament to the translucent face. By the expedient of using 14-volt lamps, prolonged lamp life with low energy illumination results.

Abstract: A display device which imparts to the observer an illusion of depth. The device includes a partially silvered front mirror, illuminating means disposed behind this front mirror, and a fully silvered rear mirror positioned behind the illuminating means such that its reflective surface is parallel to and facing the partially silvered front mirror. The illusion of depth results from the successive reflections of the light from the illuminating means between the two mirrors, establishing a series of virtual images which appear to extend back into the device.

Abstract: A sign letter structure for use in an illuminated sign and a composite extruded thermoplastic strip conforming to the periphery of a generally flat letter-form making up the sign, the extruded strip having parallel longitudinally extending spaced opaque sections with a transparent thermoplastic section therebetween, the perimetrical edging of the strip extending inwardly of the frame with the front surface of the edge in contact with the front surface of the letter-form, the transparent section having a convex outer surface and a ridged inner surface for picking up light rays and for diffusing such light rays after they have passed through the transparent section.

Abstract: A shield mounting plate is formed to accent and mount an official shield, of the type worn by a police officer, fireman or the like person; and to facilitate attachment of the shield to such person. The upper edge of the mounting plate is further formed to mate with and mount an award designation mounting strip upon which a bar type symbol designating an award, as for bravery, markmanship, or the like may be secured. Each award designation mounting strip is formed to mate and be mounted to the shield mount, or to another award designation mounting strip and also to mate with and mount another award designation mounting strip such that a unitary device may be formed to mount not only the shield but also a selected number of award designations.

Abstract: A perpetual monthly calendar for showing the numerical days of any month related to the proper days of the week comprising a rigid planar surface having a plurality of pegs spaced apart in a horizontal line disposed near the upper edge of the surface and a plurality of vertically positionable rigid strips bearing columnized numerical indicia indicative of particular numerical days, each strip removeably coupled to a different peg. Displayed on the planar surface adjacent each peg are indicia correlating a particular peg to a particular day of the week. The numerical indicia on each strip is displayed in column form, displaying the appropriate numbered sequence one week apart. Each strip has a pair of vertically disposed apertures (except the strip having the first day of the month, which has a single aperture), each of which may receive a peg to mount the strips vertically on the board. A particular monthly numeral-day array is achieved by positioning the strips relative to the pegs.

Abstract: An overhead sign having polyhedral sections tapered vertically in opposite directions, the lower section comprising downwardly converging translucent panels having picture transparencies backlighted by concentrated light from overhead fluorescent room lights while upwardly converging decorative opaque panels overhang the upper edges of the translucent panels to minimize front lighting and perceptively brighten the pictures viewed by customers as well as minimizing shadows on the display counters below the sign.

Abstract: A readout cassette comprises a preferably two-part plastic casing in which two coil shafts are rotatably mounted. The coil shafts serve to receive a thin paper web or the like printed on at least one side. The web is unwrappable manually by means of a rotary knob or through the intermediary of an electric drive from one coil shaft to the other and vice versa in opposite directions behind two readout panels. The readout panels consist of a highly transparent plastic material and cover viewing apertures provided on the front and rear sides of the casing.

Abstract: A Ticketing arrangement particularly for food products is designed to avoid penetration of such products.The arrangement includes a ticket bearing member rotatably movable within a socket which is connectable to a support which in turn can be affixed to the food products without sticking into such products.

Abstract: A sign structure having a copy board which is movable across the face of the structure and which releasably mounts display symbols such as numeric and alphabetic charactrers. The copy board comprises a frame which is mounted to the sign structure via rollers and may be positioned at will along the length of the sign structure adjacent to, overlapping, or removed from a vignette, etc., displayed on the sign face. Retainer bars extend between opposite sides of the copy board frame and are adapted for releasably mounting symbols by engaging slots formed in the symbols. Great flexibility is provided in positioning the symbols, for the copy board frame can be positioned at will along the sign, the retainer bars can be positioned substantially anywhere along the copy board frame in the direction perpendicular to their length, and the symbols can be positioned at will along the length of the retainer bars.

Abstract: A sign member bearing alternate messages such as "DIRTY DISHES" and "CLEAN DISHES" is affixed to a support rod removably seated in the bore of a support member affixed to the rack of a dishwasher. The sign member indicates the status of the items in the dishwasher.

Abstract: A spice rack calendar, enhanced by its devised compatibility with a conception to provide calendar visualization and innovative spice storage features; calendar indicia canisters with assured freshness capability; improved dispensing methods to simplify usage; flexibility to allow for convenience proximity; feasibility of use as a menu planner and general consumer appeal in the commercial market as an esthetic, practical, useful and functional product.

Abstract: A device to animate clothing and other merchandise for sale in a store window includes a crankshaft with a plurality of cranks. One of the cranks is connected by a pitman to a pivoted rocker arm. Strings extend from the rocking arm or the cranks either directly to portions of articles of clothing or by pulleys to articles of clothing which may be placed remote from the animation device.

Abstract: A skywriting apparatus produces visible vapor in a predetermined pattern to write messages in the sky and has a plurality of vapor generators attached to an airplane and spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each vapor generator has a burner which continuously burns, once ignited, until extinguished, and an oil injector which injects oil responsive to a remote control unit. The vapor generators are attached in a spaced relationship from a cable supported from a winch in the airplane and includes a second cable for spacing the generators as they are lowered from the plane.

Abstract: Linkage for supporting a mower beneath a tractor, having first and second pairs of interconnected links and with the first pair pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the front axle of tractor and rockable about a fore and aft horizontally disposed axis. The second pair of links is connected to the frame of the tractor. Foot pedal means connected to the linkage adjusts height of mower in opposition to force of spring means attached to linkage and frame which tends to urge linkage into folded condition beneath tractor frame. Rocking action of front axle through linkage causes mower to follow ground contour to provide an even cut.