Abstract: A wedge tool includes an elongated body having a cavity disposed within its proximal portion, the body having two vertical sides intersecting two force-applying surfaces with a tapered, curved profile to define a blade at a distal end of the body. At least one a light emitter within the body emits light from the distal portion. A power source is disposed within the cavity for providing power to the light emitter.

Abstract: A wedge tool includes an elongated body having a cavity disposed within its proximal portion, the body having two vertical sides intersecting two force-applying surfaces with a tapered, curved profile to define a blade at a distal end of the body. At least one a light emitter within the body emits light from the distal portion. A power source is disposed within the cavity for providing power to the light emitter.

Abstract: A punch tool includes a body having a contoured profile configured for holding in a user's hand. The body includes at least one opening for receiving a user's digits and the contoured profile has at least one extension configured for contact with another of the user's digits. A strike portion for applying an external force is located at an upper portion of the body centered on a force line extending through the body. An impact portion is located at a lower portion of the body concentric with the force line and has an end tip configured to focus at least a portion of the external force to a work surface.

Abstract: A vessel for containing water includes a bladder body formed from flexible substantially waterproof membrane sheets sealed at least partially around the sheet edges to define a bottom portion, a top opening, a handle portion and a spout. A support ring is sealed to the top opening to define a fill mouth for introducing water into the bladder body. The bladder body is configured to be folded into and retained within an interior of the support ring for storage.

Abstract: A vessel for containing water includes a bladder body formed from flexible substantially waterproof membrane sheets sealed at least partially around the sheet edges to define a bottom portion, a top opening, a handle portion and a spout. A support ring is sealed to the top opening to define a fill mouth for introducing water into the bladder body. The bladder body is configured to be folded into and retained within an interior of the support ring for storage.

Abstract: A punch tool includes a body having a contoured profile configured for holding in a user's hand. The body includes at least one opening for receiving a user's digits and the contoured profile has at least one extension configured for contact with another of the user's digits. A strike portion for applying an external force is located at an upper portion of the body centered on a force line extending through the body. An impact portion is located at a lower portion of the body concentric with the force line and has an end tip configured to focus at least a portion of the external force to a work surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for providing quick and easy release of a mated plug in the event of unintentional physical interference with the plug and/or connector. The quick release safety connector is made of a resilient material for providing a secure yet flexible grip on the plug sufficient to maintain an electrical connection, while at the same time facilitating immediate and reliable release between connected devices in the event of accidental interference with the connecting cord and/or either of the connected devices.

Abstract: A collapsible data entry panel comprises, an upper layer of flexible sheet material having formed keys on its outer surface and conductive areas or contacts on its inner surface, a lower layer of flexible sheet material having conductive circuits or traces on its inner surface, and resilient, flexible frame around the peripheral margins of the sheet material layers that pulls the layers taut so that they are parallel to and spaced apart from one another. Depression of a formed key will cause a corresponding, underlying contact to connect with the conductive trace carried by the lower layer, and thereby complete a circuit representative of the depressed key. The data entry panel of the invention is collapsible to a surface area less than ½ of its extended configuration by twisting the respective ends of the panel in opposite directions, while applying a slight inward pressure. In its collapsed configuration, the panel can readily fit into a shirt pocket or purse.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for providing quick and easy release of a mated plug in the event of unintentional physical interference with the plug and/or connector. The quick release safety connector is made of a resilient material for providing a secure yet flexible grip on the plug sufficient to maintain an electrical connection, while at the same time facilitating immediate and reliable release between connected devices in the event of accidental interference with the connecting cord and/or either of the connected devices.

Abstract: A collapsible data entry panel comprises, an upper layer of flexible sheet material having formed keys on its outer surface and conductive areas or contacts on its inner surface, a lower layer of flexible sheet material having conductive circuits or traces on its inner surface, and resilient, flexible frame around the peripheral margins of the sheet material layers that pulls the layers taut so that they are parallel to and spaced apart from one another. Depression of a formed key will cause a corresponding, underlying contact to connect with the conductive trace carried by the lower layer, and thereby complete a circuit representative of the depressed key. The data entry panel of the invention is collapsible to a surface area less than ½ of its extended configuration by twisting the respective ends of the panel in opposite directions, while applying a slight inward pressure. In its collapsed configuration, the panel can readily fit into a shirt pocket or purse.

Abstract: A joystick controller is characterized by a control shaft that has toward its lower end a hemispherical-shaped member having a spherical surface. The control shaft extends upwardly through an opening in a top wall of a housing, and a circumference of the opening defines a beating for the spherical surface of the control shaft hemispherical member while a bottom of the control shaft is pivotally supported on a fulcrum within the housing. An upper end of the control shaft is manually movable to pivot the control shaft, with the spherical surface then moving in the bearing. The control shaft is coupled to x-y movement indicators comprising linearly movable variable impedance devices, which generate signals in accordance with the amount and direction of pivotal movement of the control shaft.

Abstract: A joystick controller for generating analog signals representative of coordinate positions is characterized by a pair of members movable in orthogonal directions by a handle. Each member carries at least one wiper contact adapted to slide linearly along an associated linearly extending resistor carried on a circuit board to generate the signals representative of coordinate positions. The use of linearly extending resistors for generating the signals, as compared with rotary potentiometers, provides for a reduction in size of the joystick controller, economies in its manufacture, and a high degree of linearity between handle positions and the signals generated.

Abstract: A lock for a VHS video cassette is characterized by an insert extendible into and latchable within a sensor LED transmission receptacle of a housing for the cassette. The insert cannot be removed from the receptacle without a special key, and while in the receptacle presents a physical obstruction to the cassette being inserted into a video cassette recorder. The lock thus provides a convenient means to prevent unauthorized playing of a video cassette.

Abstract: A video tape cassette rapid rewinding/fast forwarding is characterized by a housing on a surface of which are drive and idler sprockets. To rapidly advance or rewind a cassette, the cassette is placed on the surface to extend the sprockets into its tape reels, with winding or rewinding being determined by the orientation of the cassette and therefore the particular one of its reels engaged with the drive sprocket. A selected one of a pair of microswitches is actuated by the cassette in accordance with its orientation, and controls energization of an electric motor to rotate the drive sprocket in the appropriate direction. Releasable clips hold the cassette on the sprockets and the drive sprocket has tapered teeth, so that upon completion of forwarding or rewinding and termination of rotation of the reels, the cassette is forced off of the drive sprocket and away from the clips to deactuate the microswitch and deenergize the motor.

Abstract: A joy stick assembly is characterized by a joy stick resiliently mounted in an aperture through a hand holdable housing and normally biased to a neutral position. The joy stick is manually pivotable at one of its ends in any one of a plurality of directions through a 360.degree. arc, and has a conductive sphere at its opposite end. Four contacts are positioned at 90.degree. increments around the sphere and out of contact therewith when the sphere is in its neutral position, and the joy stick is manipulatable to establish electrical connections between the sphere and individual ones or adjacent pairs of the contacts to provide a signal from the sphere to the contact or contacts.