Abstract: A device for illuminating a display surface. Light is introduced through an end surface of a transparent substrate having front and back plane parallel opposed surfaces and thereby directed into the interior of the substrate. The back surface is textured with a multiplicity of shallow depressions such as grooves or dimples which have shallow sloped sides. These sides are configured so that light is selectively directed from the interior of the substrate through a limited angle out of the substrate towards a display surface adjacent and coextensive with the back surface of the substrate and away from a viewer observing the display surface through the substrate. The device provides uniform, high contrast illumination of underlying large area graphic displays such as maps, photographs, charts, and the like.

Abstract: A box structure having a light source therein and a light transmission panel on the front thereof to receive X-ray films thereon for viewing with back-light illumination is provided with a horizontal cross bar detachably secured across the light transmission panel at a predetermined vertical position to divide the viewing screen into upper and lower viewing areas. The bottom of the cross bar is provided with a portion for detachably retaining a film edge for viewing of a film in the lower viewing area, and shades are horizontally secured at the top or bottom of the front of the box structure and are vertically drawable to cover at least an underlying portion of the light transmission panel to reduce glare.

Abstract: Apparatus for viewing a transparency includes a rechargeable battery and a telescoping lens housing which moves inwardly and outwardly with respect to a housing in which is disposed the rechargeable battery, a light source, and a solid diffuser/reflector block for diffusing and reflecting light from the light source over substantially the entire area of the transparency.

Abstract: According to this process, a plurality of translucent monochrome supports of different colors are prepared. Each support is constituted by a transparent film coated on one side with a coloring matter. Then an elementary pattern is made by a selective scraping with a tool. By superimposing the engraved monochrome supports a final image is obtained by transparency which is the synthesis of the elementary patterns. The process lends itself particularly well to three-color or four-color printing.

Abstract: A tensioning and attachment device comprises a bracket displaceably mounted in relation to a bar or a tube and a tensioning arm is pivotally connected to the bracket and comprises a handle portion and also two lugs, which act against the envelope surface of the bar or tube. These lugs are so shaped that upon actuation of the tensioning arm they firstly bring about displacement of the bracket in relation to the bar or tube, and in the end or final position they fix the bracket to the bar or tube. Preferably, the device is combined with a stand structure such as a display stand, and the foot or base of the stand may have resilient members in the shape of rubber blocks.

Abstract: The portable sign includes a display frame, a base having shafts for pivotably mounting the display frame on the base, first and second stops, one positioned on one side of the base, the other positioned diagonally across on the opposite side of the base. The spring structure has two springs, each engaging and winding only in one direction to prevent unwinding of the spring. Upon application of a force such as the wind to the display frame, the first spring engages the adjacent stop and tightens while the second spring disengages from the adjacent stop and rotates away from the stop. This allows deflection of the frame while protecting the spring from being unwound.A second embodiment of the portable sign includes a display frame, a base having shafts for pivotably mounting the display frame on the base, and a spring mechanism for biasing the display frame including a first bracket for retaining a spring, a spring, and a second bracket for slidably retaining a spring.

Abstract: A foldable viewer is disclosed herein for presenting a graphic scene, message or the like which includes a square blank sheet of pliable material having a viewing area defined on a selected one of its surface for carrying suitable graphic or display subject matter intended to be viewed by the user. In one form, the viewing area is defined by a pair of outlined bands arranged normal to each other having opposite ends of the bands terminating at the respective adjacent edges of the square blank sheet material. Construction of the viewer is accomplished by folding selected and predetermined portions of the blank sheet over upon itself to construct an enclosure with an opening at one end for viewing the interior thereof and for particularly viewing the graphic or message material carried on the interior viewing areas.

Abstract: A combination toy vehicle and book, which also serves as a container for the toy, is formed by imprinting a multiplicity of uniformly sized pages with scenes upon which a user may operate the toy vehicle. By cutting out an identical region of each page, and by binding the pages together along one side, a book is formed which contains a well in which the toy vehicle may be stored. The inventive device may also serve as a marketing package by inserting a toy vehicle in the well formed by the cut-out regions, and by covering at least the well formed by the cut-out regions of the book with a transparent sheet or bubble.

Abstract: A mobile is rotated by an energy storage device to which energy is periodically transferred by a motor which is in turn controlled by an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit simultaneously controls a loudspeaker to produce a wide variety of music with variations in tune, tonal quality, key, tempo, and loudness.

Abstract: The blade of a laryngoscope is elongated, extends from the handle and has disposed at its distal end a separate tip that is hingedly connected thereto and arranged to be selectively manually operated from the handle to be pivoted in a controlled and desired manner relative to the distal end of the blade to function as a depressor.

Abstract: A calendar having a plate-like support adapted to be mounted in an upright or flat position. The support has a number of first strips having spaced, vertically aligned numerals thereon which indicate certain days of a month. The support has mounting means for removably positioning the strips in generally upright positions so that, when the strips are properly arranged on the support, the numerals on the strips will be in the proper positions to indicate the days of a particular month. A group of second strips with the months of the year printed thereon are used one at a time to indicate a particular month. Mounting portions on the support removably positions each of the second strips on the support. In one embodiment of the calendar, the support has a recess for storing the second strips which are not being used. In the first embodiment, the mounting portions are pegs which extend laterally from the flat front face of the support and are received in holes in the first strips.

Abstract: A picture frame for photographic snapshots having a rotatable easel of thin, lightweight construction mounted to the back side of the picture frame. The easel has a substantially trapezoidal shape when folded and has rectangular front and back panels having a common top edge and collapsible, triangular side panels interconnecting the front and back panels. The side panels may be folded, collapsing the easel into a flat structure for easy packaging and shipment. The side panels when unfolded form an easel for holding the picture frame in a stable, secure, upright position on a tabletop. The easel design of the invention produces an unusually stable structure for its weight. It does not collapse upon moving the picture frame in any direction on the table surface. The easel may be rotated to permit display of snapshots in either a horizontal or vertical orientation.

Abstract: An optical filter transforms defined color light images from television sets, projectors, and the like, into an endless variety of color abstracts. A plurality of light-collector channels conduct light from a color image to a translucent display screen, each channel diffusing and averaging light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A modular sign support is particularly adapted for supporting a real estate sign in the front yard area of a structure, as well as for supporting a name plate, electric lamp, mail box or the like in front of a private residence, business office or the like. The modular sign support includes a main vertical post or standard with a pointed bottom spike portion which is formed as a plurality of plastic modules, formed with socket and tenon connection, a top cross arm is similarly connected to the top of the post and includes at least one elongated arm portion with a pair of downwardly extending spaced apart tabs with holes therethrough to receive connector means to a display panel or sign.

Abstract: A card holder for housing, for example, plastic patient identification cards which have on them vital patient information and tabbys, i.e., tabs which have on them room or bed numbers and which normally are adhesively affixed to the card holder is fabricated of metal, preferably stainless steel, and is of a size substantially corresponding to the size of the identification card to be removably supported by it. Being of metal, the useful life of the card holder is far greater than those of plastic. The card holder has parallel side edges, each of which has at least one and preferably two upstanding stops integrally formed therewith, which stops have a height substantially corresponding to the thickness of the identification card. These upstanding stops prevent lateral movement of the identification card with respect to the card holder.

Abstract: A rotatable note holder for use in conjunction with grocery carts. The rotatable note holder is rotatably attached to either the handle bar of the cart or one of the outer rods of a panel of the grocery cart. The rotatable note holder back panel can be rotated either to a holding position where the user can easily see and reach the clipped coupons or can be rotated parallel to one of the sides of the cart and thereby out of the way.

Abstract: Frame means for releasably retaining and exhibiting objects upon a display surface, with the frame means including angularly disposed edge members releasably secured together with corner members and with mounting brackets releasably secured to the edge members for temporarily mounting the frame means upon a display surface. The edge members include a generally "E" shaped member having a back with three fingers extending therefrom including inner, outer and intermediate fingers, and with the outer and intermediate fingers forming a partially enclosed channel therebetween. The corner members include a central arcuate segment with interlocking tabs extending from each end of the arcuate segment. The tabs include a segment of reduced thickness for engagement with the edge members in the partially enclosed channel. The mounting brackets are in the form of a generally open bilateral triangle with two elongated legs joined together at the apex.

Abstract: A method for making an irregularly configured endless metal frame and fixedly attaching a sheet of flexible material thereto.

Abstract: A modular orthodontics appliance in the form of either an arch wire or a sectional is provided which makes it possible to provide the whole spectrum of three dimensional appliance functions which are geometrically predictable, have positive directional or vector control, and are specifically designed to control the counter-movements in treatment. These modules are designed to be used as coordinates with light wire, edge wire, straight wire and twin wire appliances. Also, they may be used singly or in combination.

Abstract: A liquid crystal calendar display device presents a full month of dates in a large-sized format. Sunday is always located in the left column or in the alternative in the right column of the calendar display regardless of the day which is the first date in the presented month. Only 16 electrode patterns are used to form all dates, and months of twenty-eight to thirty-one days are accommodated. Display elements are driven by a V-2V AC amplitude selective multiplexed system.