Abstract: This invention is particularly suited to the aging population of baby boomers and patients who, having no control of bowel functions, are literally helpless in that regard and accordingly present a serious problem from the standpoint of cleanliness and nursing care. The structure contemplates a disposable diaper which comprises a topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core. The topsheet has an aperture which is secured to a flange of flexible material such as paper, plastic, soft foam, or textile, treated with a pressure sensitive adhesive so as to adhere to the buttocks of a patient. The flange is also affixed to a vented container and aligned with the alimentary canal of the patient in order to receive fecal material discharged by the patient.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship system, having a multitude of uses, with a primary purpose being the dispensing of water over a raging fire, where access by personnel and ground equipment is difficult. The airship system comprises an aerodynamically configured structure having a semi-rigid keel or skeleton, where lift is provided in part by helium, with the keel mounting a liquid management mechanism preferably consisting of a reservoir open to the outside for resupply of liquid or water, a conduit leading to a holding tank, and a piping distribution and nozzle assembly below the airship system to spray or dispense the liquid or water, like an artificial rain, over selected areas to control or extinguish the raging fire. Alternate systems are provided for replenishing or filling the holding tank from ground locations.

Abstract: A hot water tank monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the hot water tank and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the hot water tank in response to sensing of malfunction of one or more of a number of different sensed parameters. These parameters include a water leak detector located beneath the water tank, a water level float sensor, a temperature sensor to sense excess temperature, and a pressure sensor located in the line between the pressure relief valve and the blow-out outlet of the water tank. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to a LED status indicator, and also operates to provide alarm signals through a modem over telephone lines to remote locations and to operate an alarm.

Abstract: A biodegradable seed pouch having in a preferred embodiment the ability to partially penetrate the ground when delivered by a slow moving airborne system. The pouch is a small package which contains the tree seed or seeds, along with their soil and nutrients. These are contained in a biodegradable skin which is dropped from the slow flying airborne system from altitudes just high enough to avoid contact with the local terrain. The inside of the pouch skin may be coated with a mixture of ground cover seeds and nutrients immersed within a biodegradable adhesive. The pouch, spherical or conical in shape, includes a flared open end formed by constricting the skin. Additionally, contained within the pouch, in a first embodiment, is an elongated member vertically oriented therein, where the lower end is pointed to facilitate penetration of the ground. The upper end is flared essentially laterally to facilitate maintaining the member within said soil and to assist in releasing the skin at impact.

Abstract: A reforestation and nourishing practice by the use of a lighter-than-air airship system, for dispersing and planting tree saplings, primarily in remote regions which may have been devastated by fire, where access to such regions by personnel and ground equipment is difficult. The airship system comprises an aerodynamically configured structure having a semi-rigid keel or skeleton, where lift is provided by helium, with the keel mounting a liquid management mechanism consisting of a reservoir open to the outside for resupply of liquid or water, a conduit leading to a holding tank, and a piping distribution and nozzle assembly below the airship system to spray or dispense the liquid or water over selected areas to water or nourish the newly planted trees. The mechanism for temporarily storing and eventually dispensing the tree saplings is a rack mounting at least one cylindrical canister containing plural compartments.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship system, primarily for the purpose of dispensing water over a raging fire, where access by personnel and ground equipment is difficult. The airship system comprises an aerodynamically configured structure having a semi-rigid keel or skeleton, where lift is provided by helium, with the keel mounting a liquid management mechanism consisting of a reservoir open to the outside for resupply of liquid or water, a conduit leading to a holding tank, and a piping distribution and nozzle assembly below the airship system to spray or dispense the liquid or water, like an artificial rain, over selected areas to control or distinguish the raging fire.

Abstract: A reforestation and nourishing practice by the use of a lighter-than-air airship system, for dispersing and planting tree saplings, primarily in remote regions which may have been devastated by fire, where access to such regions by personnel and ground equipment is difficult. The airship system comprises an aerodynamically configured structure having a semi-rigid keel or skeleton, where lift is provided by helium, with the keel mounting a liquid management mechanism consisting of a reservoir open to the outside for resupply of liquid or water, a conduit leading to a holding tank, and a piping distribution and nozzle assembly below the airship system to spray or dispense the liquid or water over selected areas to water or nourish the newly planted trees. The mechanism for temporarily storing and eventually dispensing the tree saplings is a rack mounting at least one cylindrical canister containing plural compartments.

Abstract: A fishing lure containing one or more light sources includes a guideway along which an electrical contact moves back and forth in response to an oscillatory movement of the lure. A series of spaced-apart stationary electrical contacts are positioned along the guideway to be successively engaged by the movable contact to intermittently complete a circuit and energize the light sources. The light sources are internally mounted for protection by the body of the lure and the light is transmitted to exterior locations by optical conductors.

Abstract: A circuit mounted on a rotatable wheel of a vehicle varies its resonant frequency in accordance with tire pressure or another parameter measured on the wheel. The path traveled by the resonant circuit as the wheel turns extends along a coil mounted on the adjacent non-rotatable structure of the vehicle. A magnetic field is produced by the coil when excited by a cyclically varying interrogation signal and the force field interacts with the resonant circuit to the extent that its frequency matches that circuit's resonant frequency. The combined impedance of the coil and the resonant circuit thus vary with the frequency of the interrogation signal to indicate the inflation pressure. The coil may be a ring formed by a circular array of loops each wound about an axis that extends toward the path of the resonant circuit, by one or more elongated loops or a combination of coils that produce a similarly confined and directed field.

Abstract: A fishing lure containing one or more light sources includes a guideway along which a battery rolls back and forth in response to an oscillatory movement of the lure. A series of spaced-apart stationary electrical contacts are positioned along the guideway to be successively engaged by the moving battery to intermittently complete a circuit and energize the light sources. The light sources are internally mounted for protection by the body of the lure and the light is transmitted to exterior locations by optical conductors.

Abstract: A brake apparatus having a friction pad riveted to a brake shoe and an air conduit recessed within the pad and positioned within its working thickness. As the pad is gradually worn away, the conduit is interrupted by the formation of an opening therein before the rotor can be scored by the rivets. A remote indicator, which may be mounted on the instrument panel of a vehicle, is then responsive to a change in air pressure within the conduit to signal the need for pad replacement.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a remote battery connector at a location from which its battery terminals are not accessible. The connector includes a single terminal for connection to a jumper cable, the companion jumper cable being connected to the grounded body structure of the vehicle. The remote terminal is enclosed within a mounting box that includes a base and a hinged cover, the cover top being supported in its closed position by a pair of guide walls disposed on opposite sides of the terminal. Securement of the mounting box to the vehicle is by the terminal itself so that installation is quickly and easily accomplished.When the mounting box cover is opened, an illuminated indicia shows the location of the terminal and its proper polarity.

Abstract: A brake apparatus having a friction pad riveted to a brake shoe and a light conductor extending through the pad within its working thickness. As the pad is worn away, the light conductor is severed by the abrasive action of a rotatable member causing a remote indicator, responsive to the interruption of light transmission through the conduit, to signal the need to replace the pad. The configuration of the light conduit insures that the signal will be given at the appropriate time despite misalignment between the pad and the rotatable member.