Abstract: A fidget toy includes a plurality of wedge-shaped segments having bosses which interconnect the segments. Bearings allow adjacent segments to rotate relative to each other. Exertion of pressure on the top and bottom surfaces with a wiggling between respective sets of fingers, induces a dancing movement of the fidget toy.

Abstract: A light-weight structural panel is formed by pultruding a closed-cell foam core embedded with high-strength reinforcing pins through a pair of heated platens along with upper and lower sheets of woven fiber glass wetted by a polymer resin. The lengths of the reinforcing pins exceeds the thickness of the core so the platens compress the skin sheets forming pockets which accumulate excess resin that, when it cures, forms a more stable panel.

Abstract: An adaptable 3-piece, light-weight, adaptable window system, which can be installed by do-it-yourselfers in multiple unit arrays in various geometric patterns, includes a first polymeric molded window element with an outwardly extending mounting flange having a geometric profile that permits adjacent window units of the array of window units to interdigitate, aligning the adjacent window units and allowing the outwardly extending flange of each said adjacent window unit to be secured to a common intervening stud. The second and third window elements include exterior and interior trim portions.

Abstract: A suspension system secures thin, light-weight, monolithic panels which appear as adjacent courses of brick to be suspended adjacent a substrate in a manner permitting sliding movement in the x-direction while inhibiting motion in the y- and z-directions, and, such that air can circulate behind the panel to prevent mold growth. The primary suspension hardware is an H-shaped channel with two vertically extending arms which secure the panels at the desired spaced position from the substrate.

Abstract: An impact resistant tilt window assembly includes a window frame with side jambs that have legs that extend in the direction of the exterior of the frame, an upper sash, a lower sash that moves vertically and tilts inwardly and tilt latch assemblies that are positioned on the lower sash, each tilt latch assembly includes a latch bolt with a nose end that includes a notch that is sized to engage the associated jamb leg when the lower sash is in a vertical orientation. The notch has an interior leg that moves along an interior side of the jamb leg and an exterior leg that extends behind an exterior side of the jamb leg and moves along the jamb leg when the sash moves vertically. The window assembly may further include U-shaped reinforcing inserts that are positioned within the jambs such that the tilt latch assemblies engage the inserts when the lower sash is in the closed position.

Abstract: An oral appliance (20) includes first and second mouthpiece elements (22,32) each equipped with adjustable ribs (30,40) on an anterior portion (24) and ramp surfaces (28,38) on each of its posterior arms (26). The ribs (22,32) slope upwardly, front to back at a steeper angle than the ramp surfaces. Preferably, the ribs (22,32) and the ramps (28,38) surfaces have maximum height which define a ratio in the range of between 2 and 2½ to mimic the differential in mouth opening between incisors and molars. The appliance has a plurality of laterally extending protrusions (42,44,46) that are engaged by elastic bands (48) to exert a force which simultaneously pulls the wear's mandible forward and biases the lower mouthpiece toward the upper mouthpiece. Adjustable ribs extend laterally to permit relative movement of the two mouthpiece elements to eliminate the buildup of tension in the wearer's jaw.

Abstract: A spring clip having integral, self-penetrating attachment tangs and an orientation tab can be manually installed in a window opening formed by a foam core sandwiched by a pair of OSBs. A first planar surface has a second planar surface attached along one lateral edge thereof and oriented at an angle in the range between 60° and 85°. This spring finger deflects out of the way permitting the window's insertion, snapping back to engage a vertically extending flange on the window to retain it in the opening. A modified spring clip for use with solid wood headers and sills utilized with multi-unit windows is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integral pump assembly may be used to power a toy vehicle. The pump pressurizes fluid stored within the pressure vessel. The pressurized fluid within the pressure vessel drives the engine that powers the toy vehicle until the stored pressurized fluid has been depleted. The pump may then repressurize the pressure vessel to again drive the pneumatic engine. The pump is substantially disposed within the body of the toy vehicle.

Abstract: Window components are made by a fluid-assist injection molding process to reduce manufacturing costs and provide additional flexibility in the configuration of the window. In addition to the inventive product-by-process, two window configurations, a casement window and a picture window, are taught. The casement window has a frame with installation flanges and the window sash has integral mounting posts for handle hardware. Both the window frame and sash have encapsulated insulative air pockets. An acrylic window pane is taught that mimics a glass block window.

Abstract: An oral appliance (20) includes first and second mouthpiece elements (22,32) each equipped with adjustable ribs (30,40) on an anterior portion (24) and ramp surfaces (28,38) on each of its posterior arms (26). The ribs (22,32) slope upwardly, front to back at a steeper angle than the ramp surfaces. Preferably, the ribs (22,32) and the ramps (28,38) surfaces have maximum height which define a ratio in the range of between 2 and 2½ to mimic the differential in mouth opening between incisors and molars. The appliance has a plurality of laterally extending protrusions (42,44,46) that are engaged by elastic bands (48) to exert a force which simultaneously pulls the wear's mandible forward and biases the lower mouthpiece toward the upper mouthpiece. Adjustable ribs extend laterally to permit relative movement of the two mouthpiece elements to eliminate the buildup of tension in the wearer's jaw.

Abstract: Window components are made by a fluid-assist injection molding process to reduce manufacturing costs and provide additional flexibility in the configuration of the window. In addition to the inventive product-by-process, two window configurations, a casement window and a picture window, are taught. The casement window has a frame with installation flanges and the window sash has integral mounting posts for handle hardware. Both the window frame and sash have encapsulated insulative air pockets. An acrylic window pane is taught that mimics a glass block window.

Abstract: An integral pump assembly may be used to power a toy vehicle. The pump pressurizes fluid stored within the pressure vessel. The pressurized fluid within the pressure vessel drives the engine that powers the toy vehicle until the stored pressurized fluid has been depleted. The pump may then repressurize the pressure vessel to again drive the pneumatic engine. The pump is substantially disposed within the body of the toy vehicle.

Abstract: Window components are made by a fluid-assist injection molding process to reduce manufacturing costs and provide additional flexibility in the configuration of the window. In addition to the inventive product-by-process, two window configurations, a casement window and a picture window, are taught. The casement window has a frame with installation flanges and the window sash has integral mounting posts for handle hardware. Both the window frame and sash have encapsulated insulative air pockets. An acrylic window pane is taught that mimics a glass block window.

Abstract: A molded plastic container with a living hinge has a first flat round side and a second domed round side which fold together to form a container having a maximum edge dimension that is less than one-half its maximum center dimension. A thumb tab facilitates opening of the container to access the articles or material contained therein. The domed side fits comfortably in the user's hand and in her/his hip pocket.

Abstract: A video cassette includes a skeletal structure with a polymeric sheet material stretched over its transverse faces and weighs less than 1 oz. to reduce shipping costs on high volume mailings. The polymeric sheeting material which may, for example, be vinyl or mylar with pre-printed graphics is attached using a heat staking process or an adhesive.

Abstract: A ground-engaging toy vehicle powered by water flowing from a garden hose. The hose is connected to a stationary portion of a stake that serves as a center of revolution for the tethered vehicle. The water leaves the stationary portion of the stake into a rotary portion, traversing through a plastic tube that serves as a tether into an impeller housing. The impeller is attached to the drive shaft that is, in turn, attached through a reduction gear box and a series of pulleys and drive belt to the four wheels of the vehicle. After the water stream of the hose has partially exhausted its energy driving the wheels, it is discharged from the impeller housing to a plurality of fluid exhaust ports to provide one or more water sprays for kids to run through. In the preferred embodiment, the toy vehicle is configured as a fire truck.

Abstract: A toy projectile launching assembly for safely permitting the projectile to be launched only in predetermined directions and only under at predetermined pressure levels through the use of redundant safety mechanisms and pressure relief systems. The launching assembly has a fluid system enabling multiple launches without the need for replacing a fluid such as water in the launch assembly. The launch assembly provides water and pressurized air for a projectile such as a rocket to launch from a self-contained, portable launching assembly, which is easy to operate.

Abstract: Within a piston cylinder of a pneumatic engine, the system includes a piston proportioned for complemental travel within a piston cylinder, the piston having a radial compression surface and elements for effecting the axial reciprocation of the piston within the piston housing. The system further includes a piston seal including an element for securement to the compression surface of the piston and an integrally dependent resilient annular skirt normally biased inwardly toward a longitudinal system axis, the skirt, in combination with the securement elements, defining a radius of less than that from the system axis to interior walls of the cylinder during low pressure (return stroke) phases of a work cycle of the pneumatic engine and, during high pressure/compression stroke phases, defining a radius greater than that from the system axis to the inner wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: A rigid bar of material is fastened to a circuit board to increase its stiffness. The bar is preferably a high modulus plastic such as liquid crystal polymer. Flexible fingers which surround a central opening are formed integrally with the bar and pop into throughbores in the circuit board. Each finger has at least one arcuate protrusion and, preferably several, which can engage the bottom of the circuit board. A rigid pin which may be made of steel is slid into the central opening and has an interference fit therewith to hold it in place to prevent flexible fingers from moving inwardly so the stiffener is held fast to the circuit board. In one embodiment, the stiffener has an I-beam cross section and arches enhancing the resistance to bending.

Abstract: Within a piston cylinder of a pneumatic engine, the system includes a piston proportioned for complemental travel within a piston cylinder, the piston having a radial compression surface and elements for effecting the axial reciprocation of the piston within the piston housing. The system further includes a piston seal including an element for securement to the compression surface of the piston and an integrally dependent resilient annular skirt normally biased inwardly toward a longitudinal system axis, the skirt, in combination with the securement elements, defining a radius of less than that from the system axis to interior walls of the cylinder during low pressure (return stroke) phases of a work cycle of the pneumatic engine and, during high pressure/compression stroke phases, defining a radius greater than that from the system axis to the inner wall of the cylinder.