Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for preparing a surface that includes an elongated handle and a head portion removably securable to the elongated handle via a pivot joint, the head portion being adapted to receive a surface preparation material and being capable of pivotal movement relative to the elongated handle. The apparatus is configured to allow the elongated handle to remain substantially perpendicular to the head portion without any external support.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for preparing a surface that includes an elongated handle and a head portion removably securable to the elongated handle via a pivot joint, the head portion being adapted to receive a surface preparation material and being capable of pivotal movement relative to the elongated handle. The apparatus is configured to allow the elongated handle to remain substantially perpendicular to the head portion without any external support.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for preparing a surface that includes an elongated handle and a head portion removably securable to the elongated handle via a pivot joint, the head portion being adapted to receive a surface preparation material. The apparatus is configured to allow a user prepare a surface by grasping the elongated handle when it is attached and to prepare a surface by grasping an ergonomic portion of the pivot joint when the elongated handle detached from the head portion.

Abstract: A portable voting booth for a user to erect at a voting place when needed and disassemble thereafter for transportation and storage includes a base portion and a plurality of legs for assemble onto the base portion. The base portion defines a plurality of leg-receiving bores for receiving hollow tubular end portions of the plurality of legs. The base portion also includes leg-gripping components within the bores for gripping the tubular end portions in order to restrain the legs from falling out of the leg-receiving bores under influence of gravity. The leg-gripping components of one embodiment include four resiliently deformable, axially extending fingers within each of four leg-receiving bores, the fingers resiliently deforming so that they fit axially into the tubular end portions to bear radially outward against the inwardly facing inner walls of the tubular end portions for leg-restraining purposes.

Abstract: A data recorder includes a unitary housing such as comprised of a molded plastic having an open upper portion, a removable lower cover, and a data card receiving arrangement at one end thereof. The data card receiving arrangement includes a narrow slot of precisely fixed dimensions for preventing the insertion of more than one data card at a time. Disposed within the housing are various flat template members arranged in a layered array, with each template having a plurality of spaced apertures therein. Upon full insertion of a data card in the data recorder, the leading edge of the card urges a forward-biased mask member to the full aft position for aligning the apertures of the various layered members allowing the tip of a stylus to be inserted through aligned apertures in the mask and template members to permit severing of chips or punch portions from the data card, which may be either scored or unscored.

Abstract: A portable voting booth/lectern having a generally horizontal support panel mounted on a plurality of detachable legs and to an upper surface of which may be attached a multi-section enclosure panel is disclosed. The enclosure panel is securely mounted to an upper surface of the support panel by inserting each of its foldably attached sections into a respective groove on an upper surface of the support panel. Four apertures on a lower surface of the support panel are adapted to receive a respective support leg, each of which is angled outwardly to provide a wide base for increased structural stability. The lower surface of the support panel includes a plurality of grooves, or recessed portions, into which the detached legs of two support panels may be positioned. With two support panels positioned adjacent one another and in alignment, the support legs of both panels may be positioned within the adjacent grooves of the two support panels.

Abstract: A data registering apparatus includes a housing, a base member mounted to the housing and a resilient mat member mounted to the base member and having openings superimposed on the openings defined by the base member. The registering apparatus includes also a lower anvil having openings mounted to the base member, an intermediate template member having openings spaced apart from and fixedly mounted to the base member, and an upper mask member having openings and movable from a first, at rest position wherein the upper mask means blocks the openings in the intermediate template member and the anvil to a second position wherein the openings in the upper mask member are in alignment with the openings in the intermediate template member and the anvil, when an unscored data processable card is inserted into the apparatus.

Abstract: A stylus for entering perforations in a prescored card for the recording of data thereon is disclosed. The perforating end of the stylus includes a conically-shaped center portion positioned within and projecting from a concave-shaped end surface having a sharp edge around the periphery thereof. The scored portion of a card is initially engaged by the sharp cone-shaped tip of the stylus and partially displaced thereby. Continued displacement of the stylus causes the sharp peripheral edge thereof to engage and sever a portion of the card defined by the stylus tip cross section. The sequential and complementary action of the pointed center tip and the sharp-edged periphery of the stylus in engaging the prescored portion of a data card causes the thus engaged portion to be completely severed and displaced from the card in eliminating the need to subsequently wipe the card to remove partially severed chips, or punched portions, therefrom.

Abstract: A combination voting booth/speaker's lectern which is disposable, yet reusable is disclosed. The voting booth/lectern includes an upper shelf member and a lower support member both preferably comprised of cardboard, or other commonly used, semi-rigid, lightweight and inexpensive material. The lower support member is foldable into three sections which are generally vertically oriented, the top portions of which are insertable into a series of slots on the lower side of the upper shelf member. The upper shelf member includes four foldable sections, one of which is positioned upon and engaged by the lower support section by means of the aforementioned slots. The remaining three sections of the upper shelf member may be folded upon one another in forming a speaker's lectern or may be extended to a generally vertical orientation so as to form a semi-enclosed area providing the privacy required when the present invention is used as a voting booth.