Abstract: A tool (10) for assisting an optician in removing lenses (42) from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames (44) includes an elongated block of substantially rigid material (12) having a forward working end (14) and a rearward free end (16) opposite the working end, the portion between the free end and the working end functioning as a handle to be grasped by a person's hand. A first recess (24) is formed in the bottom surface (22) of the block along with a first curved surface (26) and a first hook (28). The first curved surface includes a rearward facing pointed edge (27). Similarly, a second recess (36) is formed in the top surface (20) of the block along with a second curved surface (38) and a second hook (40). The hooks (28, 40) are adapted to rest against the edge (46) of the frame (44) as the pointed edge (27) or the second curved surface (38) presses the lens (42) out of or into the frame (44) as the free end (16) of the tool is rotated.

Abstract: A hand held tool (10, 60, 70) for use by an optician in bending the temples (120) of a pair of eyeglasses includes an elongated handle portion (12, 62, 72) capable of being held in the palm of the optician's hand. A mandrel including a convexly formed anvil (14, 64, 74) with a nonslip upper surface (67, 77a) extends from a first end of the handle portion. A concavely formed thumb recess (16, 66, 76) is located adjacent the first end of the handle portion and is located opposite the anvil (14, 64, 74). The optician's thumb (100) fits within the recess when the handle portion is being held. The free end (110) of an eyeglass temple is placed over the mandrel (14, 64, 74) and is bent over the mandrel by the optician.

Abstract: A tool (10) far assisting an optician in removing lenses (42) from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames (44) includes an elongated block of substantially rigid material (12) having a forward working end (14) and a rearward free end (16) Opposite the working end the portion between the free end and the working end functioning as a handle to be grasped by a person's hand. A first recess (24) is formed in the bottom surface (22) of the block along with a first curved surface (26) and a first hook (28). The first curved surface includes a rearward lacing pointed edge (27). Similarly, a second recess (36) is formed in the top surface (20) of The block along with a second curved surface (38) and a second hook (40). The hooks (28, 40) are adapted to rest against the edge (46) of the frame (44) as the pointed edge (27) or the second curved surface (38) presses the lens (42) out of or into the frame (44) as the free end (16) of the tool is rotated.

Abstract: A hand held tool (10, 60, 70) for use by an optician in bending the temples (120) of a pair of eyeglasses includes an elongated handle portion (12, 62, 72) capable of being held in the palm of the optician's hand. A mandrel including a convexly formed anvil (14, 64, 74) with a nonslip upper surface (67, 77a) extends from a first end of the handle portion. A concavely formed thumb recess (16, 66, 76) is located adjacent the first end of the handle portion and is located opposite the anvil (14, 64, 74). The optician's thumb (100) fits within the recess when the handle portion is being held. The free end (110) of an eyeglass temple is placed over the mandrel (14, 64, 74) and is bent over the mandrel by the optician.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting mucus secretion in an individual that includes administering an effective amount of a composition which comprises guaifenesin.

Abstract: A squirrel deterrent support for a bird feeder includes an elongated rigid substantially straight pole of at least five feet in length. A hook at the upper end supports a bird feeder and a bracket at the lower end supports the pole on a fixed surface so that it extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle of about 60°. A plurality of elongated tubes surround the pole and include bearings at each end so as to rotate around the pole. Each tube carries a barrier in the form of fan blades that extend radially outwardly and rotate with the tube. A circular baffle in the form of an inverted bowl is carried by the pole above the barriers.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting mucus secretion in an individual that includes administering an effective amount of a composition which comprises guaifenesin.

Abstract: An exercise device having a first base member with foot platforms mounted thereon for rotating a person's lower body and a second base member including at least one handle to be grasped by a person for rotating a person's upper body. The first and second base members are mounted so as to be capable of rotating about the same vertical axis. Resistance means and/or weights may be used to increase the force needed to rotate the base members. Either base member may also be fixed so as not to rotate. Similarly, the foot platforms may rotate on the first base member independently of the first base member or can be fixed thereto so as to remain stationary in relation to the first base member. The second base member may be mounted adjacent the first base member and concentric therewith the handle extending upwardly.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious airway diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: An exercise device having a first base member with foot disks mounted thereon for rotating a person's lower body and a second base member including handles to be grasped by a person for rotating a person's upper body. The first and second base members are mounted so as to be capable of rotating about the same vertical axis. The first and second base members may be mechanically interconnected so as to be forced to rotate together but in opposite directions. Alternatively, the first and second base members may be disconnect from each other so that they can rotate independently. Either may also be fixed so as not to rotate. Similarly, the foot disks may rotate on the first base member independently of the first base member or can be fixed thereto so as to remain stationary in relation to the first base member. The second base member may be mounted overhead with the handles extending downwardly or it may be mounted adjacent the first base member and concentric therewith with the handles extending upwardly.

Abstract: An improved ocular device used to illustrate common ocular disorders such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. The device includes a light source that forms an optical axis across the length of the device and is subjected to a slide holder and a focusing mechanism. The slide holder exposes an inverted image to the light source, which is then exposed to a corneal lens and vernier lens. Both the slide holder and focusing mechanism can be moved in different positions along the optical axis to focus and clarify the image exposed to the light that is shown on the retinal screen of the device. A vernier lens is also included as part of the focusing mechanism to simulate accommodation as needed. The device can also be used to simulate ocular pathology.

Abstract: An electronically and physically improved craps game table designed to provoke and stimulate the interest of novice, occasional, and veteran craps game player is disclosed. The craps game table comprises: a dice rolling area; event registration means for registering a combination rolled; an electronic recent event display; and, a computer programmed to display historical and recent events. A preferred aspect of this invention provides for a craps game table as above wherein the computer is additionally programmed to summarize the most recent events, and wherein the computer is programmed to display the last nine events. The craps game table may additionally be marked to allow game players to wager on events sequentially occurring in two and more moves; and the computer may be programmed to display payoffs for those sequentially occurring events. The most preferred embodiment additionally provides for multiple individual bet placement layouts around the periphery of the table.

Abstract: An electronically and physically improved roulette game table designed to provoke and stimulate the interest of novice, occasional, and veteran roulette game player is disclosed. The roulette game table comprises: a playing table; a rotably mounted wheel having a plurality of ball receiving sector compartments; event registration means for registering the sector compartment in which a ball might come to rest; and, a computer programmed to display historical and recent events. A preferred aspect of this invention provides for a roulette game table as above wherein the computer is additionally programmed to summarize the most recent events, and wherein the computer is programmed to display the last ten events. The roulette game table is additionally marked to allow game players to wager on events sequentially occurring in two and more moves and the computer is programmed to display payoffs for those sequentially occurring events.

Abstract: An optician's ruler having a generally elongated body having at least first and second principal surfaces, a first end, a second, opposing end, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge is provided. An interpupillary distance scale is located on one of the at least first and second principal surfaces of the body. The interpupillary distance scale has indicia at regularly spaced intervals coinciding with standard units of measure to permit measurement of the distance between the pupils of a subject. A segment height scale is also located on one of the at least first and second principal surfaces of the body. The segment height scale has indicia at regularly spaced intervals coinciding with standard units of measure oriented generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge of the body. The optician's ruler may also be provided with a cross member for alignment of the segment height scale with the relevant reference point.

Abstract: A finger ring structure, particularly for rings having precious stones set therein, which has improved placement and removal characteristics and with a more comfortable fit even when sized in accordance with measurements as used in the prior art. The ring comprises a standard section of a cylinder, with an inner surface and an outer surface, and is modified such that the circumferential edges of the inner surface are inwardly rounded and wherein the rounded edges of the inner surface, adjacent a setting or ornamental section are provided with a bomb e configuration, i.e., an extended curved section, with a substantially arced inner surface configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for modifying the brightness levels of three color digital images to make them compatible with an output display device which has a fewer number of available brightness levels for each color than the color digital images. Color histograms are produced for each color digital image. Each histogram is used for producing a transform function which operates on one of the color digital images to perform the following modification: a predetermined number of the digital pixels having the darkest brightness levels are assigned to the darkest brightness level of the output display device and a predetermined number of the digital pixels having the brightest brightness levels are assigned to the brightest level of the output device. The remaining pixels of the color digital image are assigned to their corresponding remaining output levels of the display device.