Abstract: CLAIMThe ornamental design for a compact case, as shown and described.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Zoysia japonica turfgrass, called `SS-500`, is characterized by its color, long and wide leaf blades, large stolons, an open growth habit, and rapid establishment rate.

Abstract: The new cultivar maintains a controlled growth habit allowing for tight growing. It is very tolerant to heat at low humidity and to cool temperatures at high humidity. The bloom color is a bright intense red on a dark green foliage.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named `Baby Red`, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly arching and very freely clumping growth habit; strong rooting system; small dark green leaves that are ovate in shape; numerous inflorescences that are positioned upright and above the foliage on strong and erect scapes; durable red spathes; year-round continuous flowering; and good post-production longevity.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named `Baby Pink`, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly arching and very freely clumping growth habit; dark green leaves that are ovate to sagittate in shape; strong vigorous roots; numerous inflorescences that are positioned above the foliage on strong and erect scapes; durable soft pink spathes; year-round continuous flowering; and good post-production longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Astrantia plant named `Roma`, characterized by its upright growth habit; numerous reddish purple flowers with white to light pink horizontal involucral bracts; early flowering; continuous flowering without shearing; and excellent cut flower and garden performance.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named `Claudiarijn`, characterized by its upright, outwardly arching and very freely clumping growth habit; durable dark green leaves that are ovate in shape; numerous inflorescences that are positioned upright and above the foliage on strong and erect scapes; durable red spathes; year-round continuous flowering; and good post-production longevity.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named `Empire Sapphire`, characterized by its outwardly spreading and freely branching habit; formal decorative-type inflorescences that are about 3.75 to 4.25 cm in diameter; numerous attractive red purple ray florets; compact cushion habit; numerous inflorescences per plant; early flowering response; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: In order to provide a vacuum degreasing-drying method by which extremely small, precision metal products can be degreased and dried quickly and completely without using organic solvents, according to the present invention, an object 112 to be rinsed is put in a vacuum drier 110 after being rinsed with a hydrocarbon cleaning agent and then the air in the vacuum drier 110 is evacuated so as to degrease and dry the object thus rinsed.

Abstract: A hand tool has an elongated shank with a handle at one end and a bit holder at the other end, the bit holder including a cylindrical body having a distal end surface and an axis, the body having an axial bore formed in the end surface of non-circular transverse cross section and terminating at an inner end surface. A neodymium permanent magnet is freely received in the bore and retained against the inner end surface by a thin circular retainer, formed of metal or plastic, which is interference-fitted in the bore. Both flat, disk-like and concave, bowl-shaped retainers are disclosed. A shock-absorbing cushion may be disposed between the magnet and the inner end surface of the bore. A bit formed of magnetizable material is mateably received in a socket portion of the bore and retained in place by the magnet. The portion of the bore receiving the magnet may have a different cross section from the socket portion. The magnet may be disposed in an encapsulation which interference fits in the bore.

Abstract: The instant invention concerns a wood preservative composition comprising a synergistically effective amount of (a) a cuprammonium compound and (b) tebuconazole to preserve wood.

Abstract: A projection optical apparatus comprising a projection optical system for projectively focusing a pattern image of a mask under illumination by light of first wavelength onto a sensitive substrate, a stage holding the sensitive substrate, a fiducial plate disposed on the stage, a first mark detector for illuminating light of second wavelength different from the first wavelength, through a first mark area formed on the mask and the projection optical system, onto .[.the sensitive substrate or.]. a second mark area formed on the fiducial plate, then detecting optical information produced from the second mark area, a fourth mark area formed on .[.the sensitive substrate or.].

Abstract: A coupling for releasably mounting a boot with boot binding to a turntable which is adjustably secured to a snowboard. The boot binding includes a plurality of extending lock pins each with a shoe releasably locking into arcuate slots in the turntable. The boot binding is quickly directed to the coupling with a set of guide pins protruding from the boot binding, which pods also serve as improved traction devices when the boot binding is disengaged from the turntable. Also extending from the boot binding plate is a latch pin held under spring bias which when aligned in a hold position, fits into one of several latch pin holes in the turntable. To release the plates from hold position, the latch pin is pulled from the latch pin hole by a flexible hand extension release device hand operated from a standing position and the plates are rotated to disengage the shoes from the arcuate slots.

Abstract: A broadcast recording and playback device employing a "circular buffer" which constantly records one or more incoming audio or video program signals and a microprocessor for accessing the memory to read a playback signal from the circular buffer to display programming material delayed from its receipt by a selectable delay interval. The circular buffer is implemented by a digital memory. Subsystem comprising the combination of a semiconductor RAM memory and a disk memory operated under the control of a microprocessor such that incoming signals are constantly recorded as received while, at the same time, delayed signals are being read from the memory subsystem at a different memory location selected by a microprocessor to provide a user-selected time delay.

Abstract: An AlGaInP/GaAs laser diode is disclosed in which the active region is made up of quantum wells that are sufficiently thin (less than 5 nm thick) that the transition energy increase due to quantum confinement of the carriers becomes significant. This allows the quantum well material composition to be selected for compressive strain so that the laser operates in the TE polarization mode, while still obtaining a transition energy of from 1.9-2.0 eV for 620-650 nm laser emission. Quantum barriers have sufficient thickness to confine carriers to the quantum wells. Self-pulsation may be obtained in a heterostructure that also includes a saturable absorption layer proximate to the active region and a ridge structure transversely confining absorption produced carriers in the central section of the absorber layer, while allowing lateral carrier diffusion to side regions where carriers are allowed to leave the absorber layer.

Abstract: .[.A bit clock reproducing circuit produces an output bit clock signal in response to an input clock signal but without reproducing jitter present in the input signal. A counter is supplied with a reference clock signal as a counting input, and the counter is periodically loaded, at a fixed time during each cycle of the input clock signal, with data which is a predetermined function of the state of the counter at such times..]. .Iadd.A bit clock reproducing circuit incorporates a counter for counting pulses of a clock pulse source after the arrival of an edge of a data pulse, at which time the counter is loaded with one of a number of preset values stored in a read-only memory, the contents of which are addressed by the counter output. Input data pulses are gated to an output terminal when the counter arrives at a predetermined state.

Abstract: There is provided a bearing sealing device capable of substantially completely preventing a leak of grease. A taper end portion of an axial extension of the bearing sealing device has an opposite surface and a rake face that forms a specified rake angle with the opposite surface. The opposite surface forms a narrow passage between the opposite surface and an outer peripheral surface of an inner ring. The narrow passage allows air to pass easily, but it allows grease to hardly pass therethrough. Further, the axial extension includes part of a core metal that extends axially and has its foremost end located axially inside an axial outermost end of the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring. Grease moving axially outwardly on the outer peripheral surface is moved along the rake face of the taper end portion and then guided along a cover portion of the bearing sealing device to an outer ring. The part of the core metal prevents the axial extension from being bent radially outwardly by a centrifugal force.

Abstract: A linkage assembly (20) for use with a platform or step lift (22) for transmitting force from a linear actuator (228) to a ramp (40) pivotally attached to the outer edge of the platform (26) of the lift so as to cause the ramp to travel through a rotational path of at least 180 degrees. The linkage assembly is designed so that no portion thereof extends more than about 0.25 inch above the upper surface (28) of the ramp and the top surface (48) of the platform, and so that the ramp is driven downwardly toward the extended position with a force insufficient to cause serious injury to a person's feet positioned in the path of travel of the ramp. Additionally, a hinge structure (700) is provided for use with a step lift for coupling the platform with its vertical extensions (66, 68) so as to permit the latter to pivot relative to the platform as the extensions move up and down within the vertical guides (80, 82) in which the vertical extensions are slidably received.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for internally damping a rotatable storage article which is subject to resonant vibrations. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of improving the damping properties of a rotatable storage article by introducing a viscoelastic material as an inner layer(s) of the rotatable storage article. The invention also provides the damped rotatable storage articles themselves.

Abstract: A decorative visor assembly to be worn in shading relation on a user's forehead, the visor assembly including a first and a second, generally planar material panels, and a seal assembly structured to selectively and precisely couple the first material panel to the second material panel. The seal assembly itself includes a perimeter seal structured to define a primary chamber between the first and the second material panels, and which is substantially fluid impervious so as to contain a quantity of a fluid within the primary chamber for selective introduction and removal so as to define an inflated orientation and a deflated orientation of the primary chamber.

Abstract: Deflector - Arm Protector provides protection to athletes participating in sports such as but not limited to baseball or softball. This arm protector wraps around the entire arm from the hand to the shoulder and is secured by velcro straps. This concept can be adapted to protect any vulnerable portion of the human body. It is comprised of padded material covered by a flexible plastic insert with varying geometric profiles fitted within a sleeve of elastic cloth type material of varying shapes depended on the required protective coverage for the arm. The impact force on the athlete's arm is greatly reduced due to the design profile (insert/pad assembly) load distribution, thus making it less painful when hit by the pitched baseball or softball.

Abstract: A partial covering is provided to be received within and protect a collar of an outer garment, as well as then cover the shoulder and back portions thereof, from stains and like damage during hair treatments at beauty salons. Consisting of a triangular piece of fabric, when the central point is inserted within the collar of the outer garment, the edges defining the opposed triangular sides extend across the shoulder, each terminating at an outer triangular point. The triangular base then extends across the back of the outer garment. A rectangular fabric extension is preferably provided and is centrally attached to the triangular base, extending therefrom to provide further protection to the central back portion of the outer garment.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article of clothing or device which is worn on the body, and specifically to a hydrodynamically shaped device which fits over the lower extremity to diminish noise, sound waves, or pressure waves caused by walking within a body of water. The device will also protect the submerged body part from contact or penetration by underwater plants, animals, or objects.

Abstract: A necktie knot cover and retaining device is disclosed that functions as a decorative knot cover or as a knot simulator. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet affords a variety of uses. The knot cover consists of a one-piece continuous body having a pair of slots for receiving portions of the necktie. The knot cover is generally shaped similar to the knot to which it is covered. The device can be used with other knots and clothing, and is not limited to neckties.

Abstract: A device for protecting a decorative ring or band worn on the finger includes a wristband, a retaining member worn on a finger beyond the ring or band, and means for connecting the retaining member to the wristband.

Abstract: The present invention provides a puncture-resistant glove for protecting a hand comprising a palmar side and a dorsal side. The glove comprises a palmar portion designed to fit over the palmar side of the hand, the palmar portion being made of a puncture-resistant material comprising a plurality of layers of tightly woven base fabric having a density in excess of 80 threads per inch in at least the warp and fill directions and having warp yarn cover of at least 100% at the fill pick. The glove also comprises a dorsal portion designed to fit over at least part of the dorsal side of the hand, the dorsal portion being sewn to the palmar portion along seams located on a dorsal side of the glove.

Abstract: A head wear system including a sizing band and a hat. The sizing band is distinct from the hat. The hat comprises a bill and a cap having an opening at the back as well as a headband. The head wear system also includes a first and second adjustment means for selectively nondestructively attaching each end of the sizing band to the hat in a longitudinal relationship therebetween selected by the wearer. When the sizing band is attached to the hat by the first and second adjusting means, the sizing band extends across the opening of the cap. The head wear system also comprises an ornament, a cover means for accessorizing the hat, and an attachment means for selectively nondestructively connecting the cover means and ornament to the crown of the cap. One embodiment of the sizing band functions as a skin stencil and comprises a substrate transparent to ultraviolet radiation and a design opaque to ultraviolet radiation that is attached to the substrate.

Abstract: A heat sink structure of a safety helmet includes an inner helmet provided inside the helmet shell; a lining provided inside said inner helmet with the top of said lining indicating an opening; and a resilient provided between said inner helmet and said lining, with an air circulation space formed between the resilient mesh and the inner helmet; said resilient mesh holds against the top of the rider's head and contacts the rider's forehead allowing the cooler, ambient air(wind) enter into said air circulation space through the gap between the rider's forehead and the mesh to form a free circulation of air, resulting in good air ventilation and heat dissipation, so that the rider feels easy and comfortable wearing the safety helmet.