Abstract: To improve the sonority of a musical instrument which is made at least in part of wood, the wood before becoming a part of the instrument is subjected to sonic energy for causing surface erosion as a result of cavitation. The wood, usually a panel, preferably is treated when it is in its substantially final shape, but devoid of a surface coating. A liquid, such as water, comprises the coupling means between the source of sonic energy and the wood, and the frequency of the sonic energy, suitably, is in the range between 5 kHz and 100 kHz.

Abstract: A chair construction in which a rotating seat causes coordinated counterrotation of a mirror secured to an arm extending upwardly from a generally horizontally disposed beam underneath the seat. The chair construction includes a stationary center post protruding through the beam causing the beam to rotate about the center post. Linkage means couple the rotatably mounted mirror arm to the stationary center post of the chair to cause the face of the mirror during rotation of the seat to assume a positon substantially tangential to a circle having its center forward of the center of rotation to the seat. A skirt mounted to the beam rotates with the beam and covers the rotating mechanism.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes impact sensing means disposed in contact with the impact cushioning material disposed between the inner sole and the outer sole of the shoe. The impact sensing means comprises a rupturable material having encapsulated dye. If the impact pressure effective upon the medium exceeds a predetermined value, the medium ruptures, releasing the dye for providing a visual indication that the impact pressure exceeded a predetermined value. A plurality of strips of rupturable material can be provided, each rupturing at a different pressure and each having dye of a respectively different color.

Abstract: A cart with foldable side panels for transporting groceries and similar articles is shown. The cart includes a handle movable between a stowage position and an extended position for pulling the cart. A linkage couples the motion of the handle between its stowage position and its extended position to the side panels for causing the side panels to be in their folded position, resting upon the flatbed of the cart, when the handle is in its stowed position, and the side panels to be in their upstanding or erected position when the handle is in its extended position.

Abstract: A golf practice putting device comprises an elongated mat upon which a golf ball is propelled from one end to an opposite end exhibiting a ramp surface and an abutting elevated normally level surface provided by a frame supporting the mat at such opposite end. An aperture is provided at the elevated surface and a ball entering the aperture is guided to a first receptacle in the frame where the ball is retained. Balls rolling toward the aperture but missing the aperture drop into a second open top receptacle. The first receptacle is covered by a liftable portion of the mat. For retrieving balls from the first receptacle, the mat portion covering the first receptacle is manually lifted. Means are provided on that mat portion for causing the mat to remain flat above the first receptacle despite repeated lifting and bending for ball retrieval.

Abstract: A bandage useful, for instance, in medical applications includes a rupturable sheet or strip having encapsulated fluid (liquid or gas). The sheet or strip is disposed between the body portion to be bandaged and the outer surface of the bandage. The sheet or strip ruptues when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, thereby releasing the fluid for indicating that the bandage is applied too tightly. When the fluid is a liquid, such as a dye, the released liquid will stain the bandage. When the fluid is a gaseous substance, the release of the gas will be sensed. When a plurality of strips are used, one strip may contain a liquid and another one a gaseous substance, the strips rupturing at different predetermined pressures.

Abstract: A golf putting device having an inclined ramp and an abutting normally plane surface having a hole for receiving a golf ball stroked toward the hole and traversing the ramp and plane surface. Lifting rods are disposed for cooperating with the normally plane surface for distorting the normally plane surface. In a typical example, the mat covering the plane surface is slightly elevated at one location by one of the lifting rods disposed underneath the mat. A control handle and slide rod are coupled to the lifting rods to control the amount of elevation as well as the location in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a stationary support which supports a turntable platform for oscillating rotating motion. An arm exercising means in the form of a vertically disposed post is mounted forward of the perimeter of the platform. Responsive to oscillating rotating motion of the platform induced by a hip movement of the person standing on the platform, the post undergoes vertical reciprocating motion. Also, means are shown which, in addition to the motions described, cause the post to be driven in counter-rotation with the platform.

Abstract: A golf practice putting device comprises an elongated mat upon which a golf ball is propelled from one end to an opposite elevated end. A cup simulating aperture is provided at such opposite end, and a ball entering the aperture is conveyed to a first receptacle disposed behind the aperture where the ball is retained. Balls propelled beyond the aperture and missing the aperture, reach a trough shaped portion where the balls fall into a second receptacle also disposed behind the aperture and are retained therein. By comparing the quantity of balls in the respective receptacles, a player's score can be determined. Also counting means are disposed to automatically count the balls entering the aperture and received in one of said receptacles.

Abstract: A chair construction in which a rotating seat causes counter rotation of a mirror secured to an arm extending upwardly from underneath the seat. Cam means disposed in the rotating mechanism of the seat retain the face of the mirror during rotation of the seat tangential to a circle having its center forward of the center of rotation of the seat. The angular adjustment of the mirror face is transmitted from the cam means and a flexible shaft to a rotatably mounted post, forming a part of the upstanding arm, to which the mirror is secured.

Abstract: A golf putting aid comprises a plastic molded body exhibiting a set of spaced wheels and a sighting device in the form of a simulated golf ball mounted to and between the wheels. The spacing between the wheels is such that the wheels can be stroked simultaneously by a putter, in which case the aid is propelled along a straight path. If not addressed correctly, the aid is propelled along a curved path, the curvature being indicative of the degree of incorrect putting. Weight members in the form of metal washers are provided on each wheel in order to improve the rolling characteristic of the golf putting aid.

Abstract: In a check controlled postage meter a computer terminal is provided for receiving a partially coded check. The check is decoded and additional information, such as register settings and subscriber identification data, is supplied by a subscriber via manual input means at the computer terminal. Responsive to all of the data being suitably correlated as determined by the computing means, the computing means transmits validation data to the terminal for encoding the check, causing the check to be usable for operating the postage meter by permitting the recharging of its credit register.

Abstract: A golf putting device is described which comprises a golf ball, or a golf ball simulating device, disposed in a transparent cylindrical tubing which is provided with a set of rims for rolling contact with surface a along which the putting device is propelled.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a stationary support which mounts a platform for oscillating rotating motion. Arm exercising means are mounted forward of the platform and are coupled to the platform to oscillatingly move toward and away from the platform responsive to oscillating rotational motion of the platform.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a stationary support which mounts a platform for oscillating rotating motion. Arm exercising means are mounted forward of the platform and are coupled to the platform to oscillatingly move toward and away from the platform responsive to oscillating rotational motion of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the validity of an encoded check adapted to operate a metering device comprises means for accepting the encoded check. Decoding means decode the check and provide a check code responsive signal. Additionally, the apparatus includes subscriber operated code means to provide a subscriber identifying code signal. Computer means check for correlation of these signals and also are programmed to check credit data. If the computer means determines authenticity, a signal is provided to check storage and dispensing means for issuing a new check which in character and nature is substantially identical with the accepted check, except for encoding. Prior to rendering the check available to a subscriber, the new issued check is encoded for causing it to be operable with a predetermined metering device. In the alternative embodiment, the same check accepted is re-encoded and rendered available to the subscriber.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a stationary support which mounts a platform for reciprocating rotating motion. Arm exercising means are mounted forward of the platform and are coupled to the platform to reciprocatingly move toward and away from the platform responsive to reciprocating rotational motion of the platform.