Abstract: A shoelace tying system, for use with shoelaces in sneakers or shoes having lace holes, including a pair of top lace holes. A first lace end and a second lace end extend from the top lace holes. The first lace end and second lace end are tied into a simple knot or a double simple knot. The first lace end and second lace end are then tied into a bow knot, forming a first loop and a second loop from the first lace end and second lace end, respectively. The first loop and second lace end are wrapped around the bow knot and pulled between the bow knot and simple knot. The first loop and second loop are grasped, and pulled tightly opposite each other to form a double bow knot. To untie the double bow knot, the first lace end and second lace end are grasped and pulled opposite each other.

Abstract: A combination of a shoe device (12, FIG. 4) and shoelace (14) for use by young children and the handicapped to learn to tie a shoelace bow, is of simple construction and provides simple guidance. The shoe device is in the form of a plate of cardboard or the like, with markings thereon that represent the shape and position of a shoelace loop, so a child can bend an end of the shoelace to correspond to the markings. A holdown is provided along the marking to hold the looped shoelace in position. The holdown can be formed by a cut in the plate which forms a tab with a free end. The plate has greater similarity to a shoe by forming the front portion of the plate with a perimeter that is cut out in the shape of the front half of a child's shoe, with a rounded front end and substantially parallel sides, and with the plate being decorated, or marked, to represent the front of a shoe.

Abstract: A videoendoscopic surgery training system (10) provides training in videoendoscopic surgery techniques. A base (14) supports a simulated anatomical structure (12). A shield (20) blocks a trainee's direct line-of-sight view of the simulated anatomical structure. A reflector assembly (24, 34) reflects an image of the simulated anatomical structure past the shield. A first mirror (24) reflects an image of the simulated anatomical structure that is oriented away from the trainee. A second mirror (34) optically communicates with the first mirror to reflect an image of the simulated anatomical structure that is oriented toward the trainee.

Abstract: A bi-colored teaching and fashion shoelace is provided for assisting children and handicapped persons with all the difficult tasks associated with the wearing of footwear having laces. The teaching shoelace is provided with opposite end sections which are fabricated from differently colored fabrics which can be readily distinguished by children and the handicapped. The opposite end sections of the shoelace are interconnected by various fastening memos to permit the interchange of any number of differently colored end sections. The use of contrasting bright colors or patterns enables the instructor to create simple instructions based upon the dissimilar color characteristics of the training shoelace. By repetition the child or student learns to recognize characteristic color patterns when the shoe is properly laced and subsequently when a bow knot is properly formed.

Abstract: A device to slip over any type of shoe or a bare foot that will allow the wearer the opportunity to practice tying shoe laces or any other kind of knot. The expandable sleeve (10A, 10B) is made to look very much like the middle section of a tie shoe, including eyelets (12) to lace through. The lace (14) adds to the teaching purpose since half of the lace is one color or design and the other half is a different color or design.

Abstract: A teaching aid to assist in teaching a young child or other person how to tie his or her own shoelaces by correlating the various steps of the shoelace-tying process to a story or other logical sequence of events that the child is familiar with or can quickly learn so that an adult can readily explain the steps of the process to the child and the child can more easily understand, learn and remember the process. A teaching aid according to the present invention is a special shoelace having distinguishable segments provided thereon which are arranged in a predetermined pattern and at predetermined positions on the shoelace so as to provide a guide for describing the manner in which the shoelace is to be manipulated during the tying process.

Abstract: A necktie knot tying facilitator comprising an elongated member that is shaped so that a first open loop extending outwardly in a first direction and partially surrounding a first space is connected at its top end to a first end of a second open loop. The second open loop extends upward in a second direction, partially surrounding a second space. The second end of the second open loop is connected to a top end of a third open loop that extend outwardly in a third direction and partially surrounds a third space, the third open loop being symmetrical opposed to the first open loop. The bottom end of the third open loop is connected to the bottom arm of the first open loop, thus forming a horizontal base segment. A rectangularly shaped handle is attached to the horizontal base segment. The first, second, and third spaces combine to form an enclosed space at the center of the tie-tying facilitator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the testing and evaluating of a person's dexterity, range of motion, and dynamic lifting ability. The dexterity testing includes methods which can evaluate the wrist and hand range of motion by requiring the person to move his wrist through the normal range of motions, including flexion, extension, pronation, and supination. The person undergoes the same test and evaluation at each of three working heights: (1) elbow height, (2) overhead height, and (3) knee height, providing a functional assessment of dexterity and range of motion of the person's entire musculoskeletal system. The lifting ability testing includes both an upper body lifting evaluation (to shoulder height) and a lower body lifting evaluation (to carry height). Each of the two evaluations is tested independently.

Abstract: A combination shoelace and joining device is provided for use by young children or the handicapped, to aid in tying a bow in a shoelace that is mounted on a shoe. The joining device (16, FIG. 2 ) has a pair of permanently connected shoelace holding portions (40, 46), with a first portion (46) substantially permanently mounted on a shoelace part (32) and a second portion (40) which is child-mountable on a second shoelace part (34) to hold a shoelace end portion in a loop configuration which aids in tying a bow. Each shoelace holding portion forms a passage part (70, 72, FIG. 4 ) through which one of the shoelace parts extends. One joining device includes a pair of clamp parts (42, 44) that can be clamped around the second shoelace part, and that forms the second joining portion. The device includes a flexible strip (46) that holds the clamp parts together and that forms the first holding portion. A teaching kit (100, FIG.

Abstract: An orientation system for use with footwear. The orientation system comprises a first attachment member located on and substantially flush with the left side of the right shoe and a second attachment member located on and substantially flush with the right side of the left shoe. The first and second attachment members can be adhesively connected with the shoes or constructed integral with the shoes. When pressed together, the first attachment member engages the second attachment member and connect the left shoe and right shoe together in a proper orientation. The system allows a child to properly orient her shoes to allow her to put each shoe on its proper foot without adult supervision.

Abstract: A pair of educational footwear teaches children all of the skills attendant to wearing footwear, particularly footwear having laces. Indicia on the exterior of the footwear which face one another when the footwear is properly aligned for wearing teach children how to accomplish the task of putting the left item of footwear on the left foot and the right item of footwear on the right foot; a bi-colored lace cooperates with color-coded eyelets to teach children how to properly lace the footwear; and a retaining device holds one end of the lace in a looped configuration to make it much easier for a child to tie the lace with a bowknot. All of these features combine in an inconspicuous manner, and therefore may be incorporated in any type of footwear for daily wear.

Abstract: A sound producing workbench toy includes a molded plastic base supporting a molded plastic work surface. A work station formed of a molded plastic material defines a plurality of receptacles within which various tools and accessories such as simulated nails, screws or bolts may be received. Switch mechanisms within the receptacles are coupled to conventional sound producing circuits and are operative in response to the manipulation of inserted tools, screws, bolts or the like to energize the sound circuits at the appropriate time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the testing and evaluating of a person's dexterity, range of motion, and dynamic lifting ability. The dexterity testing includes methods which can evaluate the wrist and hand range of motion by requiring the person to move his wrist through the normal range of motions, including flexion, extension, pronation, and supination. The person undergoes the same test and evaluation at each of three working heights: (1) elbow height, (2) overhead height, and (3) knee height, providing a functional assessment of dexterity and range of motion of the person's entire musculoskeletal system. The lifting ability testing includes both an upper body lifting evaluation (to shoulder height) and a lower body lifting evaluation (to carry height). Each of the two evaluations is tested independently.

Abstract: A shoelace is described for use by young children or the handicapped, which facilitates tying of a bow by providing a moderately stiff end portion; the stiff end portion can retain a loop shape when a pair of spaced locations on the stiff end portion are temporarily fastened together as by a pair of Velcro retainers. The shoelace is formed of a flexible shoelace core with first and second opposite end portions, and with the first end portion penetrated by a solidified, originally-liquid stiffening material. The shoelace can be made only long enough to leave ends for bow tying, when it projects directly between the uppermost eyelets of a shoe, to train a child rather than to also lace his shoes. The length is small enough that the distance (B) between the middle of the shoelace and the closest Velcro retainer (26) is less than the distance (C) between two Velcro retainers.

Abstract: An educational device is disclosed which includes a wooden block having an artistic image thereon, generally in the form of an animal to which the child can relate. The image is divided into left and right portions, and a differently colored lace is attached to each of the portions. The left portion of the image has a positioning indicia of a color matching the color of the right lace and the right portion of the image has a positioning indicia of a color matching the color of the left lace. The left portion of the image also has a loop defining indicia of a color matching the color of the right lace and the right portion of the image has a loop defining indicia of a color matching the color of the left lace. The child positions the laces by matching the coloring of the laces with the respective color coded indicia of the image in a manner to teach a child to tie a bow.

Abstract: An educational play structure adapted for mounting on a card table so as to form a play enclosure for young children. The structure comprises a flexible panel which has four side panels which are releasably connectable to form the enclosure. Access to the interior of the enclosure can be obtained only by unzipping a pair of flaps. The play structure is adapted for mounting various play objects and educational materials such as letters, numerals and shapes.

Abstract: A method providing for independent garment buttoning by fine motor impaired individuals involving an elongated and pointed button. This button is made of malleable plastic and its shape and length are altered to match the buttoning skill of the subject.

Abstract: A training aid for shoelace tying includes an expandable generally cylindrical sleeve having a center passage adapted to be received upon a variety of shoes and alternatively to be placed upon a human hand. A plurality of eyelets are supported upon the sleeve and arranged generally in an equally spaced array of two rows. A flexible shoelace is secured to the sleeve through the eyelets such that the end portions of the shoelace emerge from the sleeve interior and extend outwardly therefrom. In an alternate embodiment, the sleeve is formed largely of a nonelastic material and includes an elastic panel which provides expansion of the sleeve to accommodate different attachments.

Abstract: A personalized insole self made by a patient for relief of foot discomfort and which includes a plurality of corrective components each having a shape formed for a specific correction, an insole which has a surface that contains a plurality of shapes, each disposed for a specific correction and each shape of the plurality of shapes that are contained on the surface of the insole are substantially equivalent to a respective shape of a corrective component of the plurality of corrective components, hooks and loops for affixing the plurality of corrective components to the surface of the insole so as to allow the patient to modify the insole by affixing a corrective component for the specific correction of the plurality of corrective components to a substantially equivalent shape of the plurality of shapes that are contained on the surface of the insole so that a personalized insole can be self made by the patient for the relief of foot discomfort.

Abstract: A shoelace is described for use by young children or the handicapped, which facilitates tying of a bow. The shoelace has opposite end portions which are just stiff enough to substantially retain the shape to which they are bent while permitting children to easily bend them during the tying of a bow. This enables a child or handicapped person to bend the end portion to the shape required for one step of tying, and to "freeze" the shoelace in that position while he manipulates the other end portion or decides what is the next step to be done.

Abstract: A teaching device for pre-school aged children and method of using the same whereby each such child is provided with and thereafter repetitiously drilled with the hand-eye mechanics for tying a bow knot in a string or lace. Each device comprises an elongated body portion having first and second end portions which are readily distinguished from each other by color or feel and an intermediate portion interconnecting the end portion.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus (10) for children comprising: a housing unit (11); simulated (12) reduced size (13) and actual size (14) components adapted to be connected to the housing unit (11) wherein the components (12)(13)(14) are representative of common objects found in many households; and, an electrical circuit means (15) connected to selected components, and provided with an electrical battery (80) and switch elements (70) to activate the selected components; whereby a child will learn to safely operate the common objects upon which the components (12)(13) and (14) are based.

Abstract: A shoelace is described for use by young children or the handicapped, which facilitates tying of a bow. The shoelace has opposite end portions which are just stiff enough to substantially retain the shape to which they are bent while permitting children to easily bend them during the tying of a bow. This enables a child or handicapped person to bend the end portion to the shape required for one step of tying, and to "freeze" the shoelace in that position while he manipulates the other end portion or decides what is the next step to be done.

Abstract: A toy power driven reciprocating saw workshop is disclosed for simulating the sawing action of a real power driven reciprocating saw cutting a groove through a board. The power driven reciprocating saw workshop having an elongated board having an elongated slot extending therethrough within which an elongated bar is supported adjacent a row of saw teeth on a side of the slot. The saw teeth and one end of the bar form an escapement adapted when one end of the bar is reciprocated and pressed forwardly along the slot by a reciprocating member to intermittently move the bar along the slot one tooth at a time, simulating the sawing action of a real reciprocating saw cutting a groove through a board.

Abstract: A sleeveless, preferably lined, apron of jacket length sewn together at the shoulders having a back panel of about the same length as the front panel with detachable multicolored two-dimensional cut out toys provided on the front so that the mother or babysitter can observe or actively participate in the baby's play involving detaching or reattaching these toys to the front of the apron. Exemplary multicolored toys in the form of two-dimensional detachable appliques are a butterfly, a kitten, a lion, a Noah's Ark, and the letters A, B & C. A toy may include a sounding device, such as a bell which is attached to the butterfly and cannot be detached by the infant. The Noah's Ark is attached by buttons fitting into buttonholes and these are manipulated by the child. The Letters A, B & C each differently colored, match outlines on the apron in the corresponding color, (blue for A, green for B, red for C) to attach by means of VELCRO fasteners (VELCRO is a hook and pile type fastener).

Abstract: A toy simulated power drill workshop is disclosed for simulating the drilling action of a real power drill in the process of drilling a hole through a board or the like. The toy simulated power drill-workshop having a base member having a first opening extending therethrough, and a plate movably mounted on the base member for covering the first opening. The plate has a second opening alignable with the first opening upon movement of the plate for uncovering the first opening. A driven gear is mounted on the plate with the teeth thereof extending into the first opening. A toy power drill having a rotatably driven cylindrical post with a drive gear on the end thereof is adapted when inserted and pressed into the first opening into engagement with the teeth to rotate the plate until the first and second openings are moved into alignment. During the rotation of the plate, the non-movement of the drill simulates the imperceptible movement of a real drill as it is drilling a hole into a board or the like.

Abstract: This educational device provides a three-dimensional, box-like structure and includes a plurality of side portions and a plurality of cross members selectively connectible to the side portions. A variety of threaded fasteners and tools are utilized for assembly of the educational device, which provides both an educational function in the use of different tools and threaded fasteners, as well as a toy providing a puzzle challenge by requiring a particular orientation of parts and threaded fasteners for complete assembly.

Abstract: A device specially adapted to occupy the attention of a child during travel in a vehicle having a passenger seat includes a soft body having at least one child amusement or educational item and intended upper and lower ends, the device also having means at the upper and lower ends for removably and adjustably securing the body in the vehicle in the intended upper-end-up position and in a manner to prevent rotation of the body so that the child can manipulate the item with both hands.

Abstract: A doll, preferably of fabric material, and generally polygonal in configuration whereby to present a body having a front, a back, a top, a bottom and opposed sides, there being hair on the top of the body and a face on the front of the body. The body is provided with a receptacle in the form of a pocket carried by the body and accessible to a user of the doll, the pocket being located on the body in the position of an ear and simulating an ear of the doll whereby the pocket is normally covered by the hair on the top of the body. The pocket includes a sack portion and a cover flap for the sack portion, the cover flap being swingable to cover and uncover the sack portion whereby items, such as for instance notes, can be placed in the pocket to entrust the contents of the pocket to the doll.

Abstract: Disclosed is a doll which is useful as a child's plaything, useful for teaching the child to count from 1 through 10, useful for teaching the child to identify colors, and useful to familiarize the child with various wearing apparel fasteners. The doll includes at least 10 groups of distinctive features with each group being made up of a predetermined number of similar features, the predetermined number being one of the numbers from 1 to 10, so that each number from 1 to 10 is represented by at least one such group. The doll further includes a number of distinctly colored areas and a number of different wearing apparel fasteners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rehabilitation of damaged limbs for use in the operation of a tool wherein accessories with handles corresponding to the handles of familiar tools are attached to a shaft in a manner such that the movements of the handle corresponding to the normal operation of the tool product rotation of a shaft. A preselected resistance is applied to the rotation of the shaft by electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical means, and the resistance and the accessory attached can be varied in accordance with the capability of the damaged limb.

Abstract: An educational toy having a substantially rectangular and planar base, a plurality of locks attached to a common side of the base and capable of adjustment to a locked or to an unlocked configuration, a plurality of fasteners adjustably mounted on the base, a tool for adjusting the fasteners, a knob threaded onto a bolt attached to the base, a pair of doors pivotally attached to the base and to at least one of the lock members such that the attached lock member can be adjusted to lock the doors in a closed configuration, and an image mounted on the base and positioned such that it is covered by the doors when in the closed configuration. The tool and all of the lock and fastener components are either attached to or tethered to the base so that the components cannot be lost.

Abstract: A device is provided which can be used as an educational means for teaching young children how to tie a double bow knot, particularly in their shoe laces, or as an aid to the handicapped child lacking sufficient manual dexterity in tying such a knot. Basically the device is a planar body member in which is provided two pairs of spaced-apart openings in alignment with one another, the two intermediate openings being connected by a narrow opening or slit. The device allows "bunny ear" loops to be formed in the intermediate spaced-apart openings and to form the double bow knot by making a simple overhand knot with the two "bunny ear" loops.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rehabilitation of damaged limbs for use in the operation of a tool wherein accessories with handles corresponding to the handles of familiar tools are attached to a shaft in a manner such that the movements of the handle corresponding to the normal operatin of the tool product rotation of a shaft. A preselected resistance is applied to the rotation of the shaft by electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical means, and the resistance and the accessory attached can be varied in accordance with the capability of the damaged limb.

Abstract: A method of teaching comprises successively presenting to a child a series of bags of different sizes, shapes, colors, materials, textures and fasteners for visual inspection and feeling. The fasteners of each bag are different and include grippers, snaps, clips, buckles, hooks and eyes, zippers, shoestring laces, buttons and loops, drawstring, button and button hole and Velcro. The bags are all made of different materials, including cotton cloth, flannel, plastics, abrasives, sponge rubber, elastic and others. Each bag has a panel of a shape, color and material different from the basic color and material of the bag. And each bag has applied to its back panel ornaments in groups from 1 to 10 of different shapes, sizes, color and material, and wherein the ornaments of each group are of uniform size, shape, color and material.

Abstract: A training toy for helping children learn how to lace their shoes and also to enhance or improve their fine motor skill (eye/hand coordination). The shoe-configured toy includes a series of adjustable diameter eyelets disposed upon the forward slope of the toy and an open or hollowed out central area for storage and ease in use. The toy is mounted on wheels, and the training shoe string can also be used to pull the toy about on its wheels. The diameter adjustment system for the eyelets includes a set of longitudinally slidable plates with different diameter eyelet openings which can be moved into the eyelet areas to alter the effective diameter of the eyelets. An alternate system (FIG. 5) includes a coiled spring element whose outer end is moved in and out to change its effective diameter.

Abstract: An indication assembly of the type used to facilitate the teaching of relatively young children and persons of limited learning ability to dress themselves with limited instruction comprising the use of wearing apparel or garments which include a plurality of indication elements affixed thereto. Each of said indication elements is disposed on an exposed surface portion of the garment and being structured to include visual indicia arranged in predetermined sequence so as to accomplish presentation of visual cues for proper sequence of holding the particular garment for placing the garment on the body.