Abstract: An applicator for dispensing tape, with the tape having an adhesive on at least one face. The applicator includes a shell with a pivotably attached door. A tape cartridge is received within the door. The cartridge supports a roll of the tape, and a leading edge of the tape extends outwardly from the roll. A partial cylindrical cover member is connected to the first end of the shell for pivotable movement thereabout along a predetermined path to cover the a first passageway. A slider having a first end which is pivotally connected to the cover member and having a button which extends through a first slot in the shell is movable between a first position, in which the cover member covers the first passageway, and a second position, in which the cover member is removed from the first passageway. A cutter actuator is located on the slider and is movable in response to inward pressure on the button when the slider is in the second position. A cutting tool is pivotally connected to the shell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module that serves as a shingle, tile or other building material that may be placed onto the exterior of a structure. The photovoltaic module generates a voltage when exposed to light and this voltage may be directed onto transmission lines of a power utility and/or into an external battery that may serve as a source of power for the building on which the photovoltaic shingles are laid. The practice of the present invention provides for a variety of mechanical and electrical connectors for securing together the photovoltaic modules and/or for connecting the photovoltaic modules to the exterior structure. Furthermore, the structure of the modules is such that the modules are automatically electrically connected together when laid on the building.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting documents is provided. A document transport on the apparatus conveys documents along a selected path of movement from an input bin to a series of output bins. An optical scanner, such as a video camera, is positioned along the selected path to capture images of the documents. The captured images are displayed on a display monitor to permit an operator to inspect portions of the documents for a desired characteristic. The operator activates a push button on a selector switch depending on the presence of the desired characteristic. Bins are provided for stacking and separating documents having the desired characteristic from those documents lacking the desired characteristic. Gates are provided for directing the documents to the appropriate output bin.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing tape is disclosed. The applicator comprises a shell and a cover that is used as a knob for moving an instrument of a cutting tool for cutting the tape. In operation, the cover is rotated and moved in a counterclockwise direction to cause one of its ends to find its way into a passageway allowing it to contact a lever member which, in turn, contacts an arm member of the cutting tool thereby causing the adhesive tape to be severed thereat. The applicator is shaped, contoured, and sized so as to be manipulated by a single hand of a user and the cover member is mechanized so that the applicator only exposes the tape to the outside environment during the usage of the tape and, thereby, retards the tape from being subjected to contaminants.

Abstract: A safety shield is provided for a medical implement having a needle cannula. The safety shield includes a guard that is slidably movable along the needle cannula from a proximal position where the tip of the needle cannula is exposed to a distal position where the tip of the needle cannula is safety shielded. A hinged arm connects the guard to a hub of the needle cannula or to the medical implement with which the needle cannula is used. The hinged arm can be collapsed upon itself, such that the guard is adjacent the hub of the needle cannula. Alternatively, the hinged arm can be extended to cause the guard to move distally along the needle cannula and into a position for shielding the tip of the needle cannula. A spring may be provided to assist movement of the guard toward the distal shielded position.

Abstract: An exercise step/bench for aerobic climbing and dance includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform having a downwardly and outwardly extending apron. A leg is reverseably mounted against the apron at each corner of the platform. The reverseable mounting of the legs permits height adjustment in accordance with the orientation of each leg.

Abstract: An exercise step/bench for aerobic climbing and dance includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform having a downwardly and outwardly extending apron. A leg is reverseably mounted against the apron at each corner of the platform. The reverseable mounting of the legs permits height adjustment in accordance with the orientation of each leg.

Abstract: An exercise step/bench for aerobic climbing and dance includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform having a downwardly and outwardly extending apron. A leg is reverseably mounted against the apron at each corner of the platform. The reverseable mounting of the legs permits height adjustment in accordance with the orientation of each leg.

Abstract: An exercise step/bench for aerobic climbing and dance includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform generally rectangularly shaped with a downwardly extending apron. Each corner of the platform is provided with a plurality of leg receiving openings. A leg is provided for each corner and is constructed so as to be reversibly mounted in its respective corner thus providing height adjustability in accordance with the orientation of the leg and the selection of the particular opening into which the leg is mounted.

Abstract: An emergency position indicating radio beacon is controlled by an annular switch ring which rotates to ON, OFF, SET, and TEST positions. In the SET position, the buoy transmitter automatically turns on in response to removal of the buoy from a mounting bracket. A light and an audible alarm on the buoy are activated during buoy transmission to alert an operator to the transmission in order to avoid false alarms. The mounting bracket automatically releases and ejects the buoy in an emergency situation in response to ambient water pressure, or the buoy may be manually removed from the bracket for deployment.

Abstract: A device for transporting ski equipment includes a frame adapted for collapsed and extended orientations and having an elongated direction in the extended orientation includes first and second frame members collapsably coupled together for providing the collapsed and extended orientations of the frame. A first bracket is provided on the first frame member extending transversely to an elongated direction of the frame in the extended orientation and is adapted for receiving ends of a pair of skis. A second bracket is provided on the second frame member extending transversely to the elongated direction and has an open side for receiving the pair of skis received in the first bracket. A latch is positionable across the open side of the second bracket for closing the bracket and securing the pair of skis received in both the first and second brackets to the frame. Wheels are provided at one end for rolling the device over a surface.