Abstract: A device comprising several highly elastic objects is presented whose purpose is to demonstrate an unobvious consequence of fundamental laws of physics--the acceleration of an object to high speed by multiple collisions among a series of heavier objects moving at slower speed. The objects, each of different mass, are arrayed in close proximity in order of decreasing mass with their centers lying along a straight line. This arrangement of the assembly of objects is maintained by a constraining element which permits the assembly axis to be oriented in any desired direction and permits the assembly to be moved or manipulated as a unit in any desired way without destroying the arrangement of objects. In the preferred embodiment the elastic objects are polybutadiene balls (12), the constraining element is an interior guide-pin (10) fastened in the largest ball and extending radially therefrom, on which the remaining balls can slide freely because of diametrical holes formed in them.

Abstract: An introducer device for receiving a generally bullet-shaped obturator and for facilitating the insertion of an examination instrument into an orifice or body cavity of a patient has first and second hingeably connected half-sections. Each half-section includes a handle, a flange connected to the handle and a nose portion extending continuously from the flange. A connector secures the half-sections together to form a cylindrical hollow nose portion sized to receive and hold the obturator. The generally cylindrical hollow nose portion is large enough in diameter to receive the examination instrument when the obturator is removed.

Abstract: An assembly for filling and emptying a liquid reservoir inside a doll, the assembly includes a valve for installation in an opening in the doll body that communicates with the reservoir, and a funnel adapted to cooperate with the valve member to allow liquid to be introduced into or removed from the reservoir. The the valve has a valve body with first and second ends, adapted to be installed in an opening in the doll body with the first end of the valve body extending into the reservoir. A valve passage extends through the valve body between the first and second ends. A valve member at the first end of the valve body is biased to close the valve passage. The funnel has a spout adapted to seat in the valve passage. The end of the spout is adapted to displace the valve member when the spout is seated in the valve passage to allow liquid to pass through the valve passage.

Abstract: A stereo imaging and viewing system for a borescope or endoscope employs a miniature camera assembly in which are disposed a CCD imager or equivalent imager, a wide-angle focusing lens assembly with an effective aperture on the order of about f/2 or wider, and an aperture plate interposed in the optical path of the camera and adjacent the lens assembly. The aperture plate has left and right pupils therein situated on opposite sides of the optic axis of the lens assembly. The pupils are separated from one another by a predetermined pupil distance that is somewhat smaller than the lens diameter. The left image passes through the left pupil and is focused through a corresponding portion of the lens assembly onto the image plane of the imager and a right image passes through the right pupil and is focused by a corresponding portion of the lens assembly onto the image plane of the imager.

Abstract: A surgical and operating endoscope adapted for use in ophthalmological surgery has an intraocular probe. The probe has first and second cylindrical portions. The first portion contains an image guide composed of a large number of optical fiber elements. The image guide is surrounded by an annulus of illuminating optical fiber elements. Adjacent to and parallel to the imaging and illuminating portion is the second cylindrical portion which is an aspirating cannula. The distal end of the aspirating cannula extends distally two millimeters past the distal end of the imaging and illuminating portion in order to hold tissue that is being pulled toward the aspirating port away from the image plane of the image guide.

Abstract: A liquid non-poisonous, non-metallic, edible, water soluble coloring fluid fills a felt-tipped marker. A plastic box houses the marker or a plurality of the markers. A surface on the box receives the marks from the felt-tipped marker. In one embodiment, the box is in the form of a toy vehicle. In other embodiments, there may be a plurality of stencils which can be arranged in a scene or a scroll which may be rolled to display a selected scene. Then a tracing of the scene may be made on an overlaying sheet of transparent plastic. An eraser in the form of a sponge with a plastic handle may be made wet to wash away the marks.

Abstract: A shoelace is described for use by young children or the handicapped, which facilitates tying of a bow by providing a moderately stiff end portion; the stiff end portion can retain a loop shape when a pair of spaced locations on the stiff end portion are temporarily fastened together as by a pair of Velcro retainers. The shoelace is formed of a flexible shoelace core with first and second opposite end portions, and with the first end portion penetrated by a solidified, originally-liquid stiffening material. The shoelace can be made only long enough to leave ends for bow tying, when it projects directly between the uppermost eyelets of a shoe, to train a child rather than to also lace his shoes. The length is small enough that the distance (B) between the middle of the shoelace and the closest Velcro retainer (26) is less than the distance (C) between two Velcro retainers.

Abstract: A method of teaching pill swallowing by initially administering very small, usually hollow, pills and increasing the pill size gradually during the learning period. The learning period is ordinarily a period of days. Such a method is effective as a result of success-oriented positive reinforcement. A teaching kit for facilitated learning is also disclosed.