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Funny & Interesting Patents
US 3,937,939 - Single-hand digital calculator
Abstract
An electronic digital calculator, the calculator being in the form of an elongated tubular body having a size and shape similar to a pen or pencil and having a plurality of input valve setting keys and function keys carried on its surface as well as illuminable "read-out", or display, screen. The value setting keys and the function keys are arranged on the surface of the tubular body such that the calculator can be used while held in one hand of the user.
Claim 1
An electronic digital calculator comprising an elongated cylindrical tubular body; a plurality of input value setting keys mounted on and carried on the outer surface of said tubular body; a plurality of function keys mounted on and carried on the outer surface of said tubular body; a display readout screen mounted on said tubular body for visible scanning of the calculation being performed; an electronic chip housed within said tubular body and electrically connected to said value setting keys, said function keys, and said read-out screen; and, battery means housed within said tubular body for providing a source of electrical power to said electronic chip, said valve setting keys and said function keys being arranged on the outer surface of said tubular body such that they can be manually actuated by the fingers of one hand of a user while held in said hand.
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US 3,984,595 - Inflatable rug
Abstract
A rug which is convertible to an air mattress includes a rug member adhesively laminated on top of a flexible-walled backing member composed of a pair of stacked sheets sealably joined around their margins. A valve is provided through the backing member to enable the introduction of pressurized gas into a cavity defined between the sheets.
Claim 1
An inflatable rug comprising a rug member laminated on top of a generally planar flexible walled hollow backing member, the walls of said backing member enclosing a cavity in said member, and valve means carried by said member in communication with said cavity to enable the introduction of pressurized gas into said cavity.
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US 3,997,156 - Magic hat
Abstract
A magic hat for aiding a magician in performing magic tricks or illusions. The magic hat includes a generally cylindrical portion with a rim secured to one end and a closure plate covering the other end. A plurality of internal cavities are provided to facilitate performing various illusions. One cavity provides a fluid reservoir for storage of a fluid (i.e., water) which is poured directly into the hat and holding the fluid when the hat is inverted. A second cavity provides a concealed storage area for a set of playing cards and/or a flag or other suitable cloth. A third cavity longitudinally along the cylindrical wall of the hat provides a storage area for a magic wand and mounts a second, flexible, fluid reservoir. A pair of apertures are provided in the side walls of the cylindrical portion of the hat adjacent its rim to provide access to the magic wand and to permit squeezing of the flexible reservoir to expel a stream of water through the top of the hat. An elastic fabric band is mounted over the apertures to conceal and disguise their presence. An elastic string or wire is provided to perform illusory movements of the magic hat.
Claim 1
A hat, comprising: a generally cylindrical housing defining the main body of the hat and having an end wall closing one end of the cylindrical housing; means defining a hidden cavity extending longitudinally along a portion of the inside of said housing, said means including a longitudinally extending arcuate shell of a larger diameter than that of the cylindrical housing and spaced therefrom on the inside thereof so as to span a side portion thereof and another end wall between the shell and the adjacent cylindrical portion of the housing defining the hidden cavity therebehind; and means defining an inwardly movable wall portion of said shell defining a door to gain access to the cavity defined between the shell and the adjacent portion of the cylindrical housing.
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US 4,022,227 - Method of concealing partial baldness
Abstract
A method of styling hair to cover partial baldness using only the hair on a person's head. The hair styling requires dividing a person's hair into three sections and carefully folding one section over another.
Claim 1
A method for styling hair to cover bald areas using only the individual's own hair, comprising separating the hair on the head into several substantially equal sections, taking the hair on one section and placing it over the bald area, then taking the hair on another section and placing it over the first section, and finally taking the hair on the remaining sections and placing it over the other sections whereby the bald area will be completely covered.
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US 4,044,405 - Target in a bowl or urinal to attract the attention of urinating human males
Abstract
A target fixedly connected to a urinal or toilet to attract the attention of human males.
Claim 1
In a toilet bowl or urinal the combination comprising: A target means to attract the attention of urinating human males to be wholly disposed within the bowl or urinal and to be permanently connected to the bowl or urinal; said target means being flexible prior to being non-removedly connected; said target being disposed in said bowl or urinal such that no part of said target extends outside of the volume partially enclosed by said bowl or urinal; and said target being void of moving parts.
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US 4,150,505 - Bird trap and cat feeder
Abstract
A bird trap and cat feeder for catching birds and feeding the birds to a cat. The trap designed to catch birds the size of a sparrow while releasing smaller song birds, wrens, swallows, or the like. The feeder providing means for continuously supplying a cat or neighborhood cats with sparrows to eat.
Claim 1
A bird trap and cat feeder for catching a bird and in particular, a sparrow, and feeding the bird to a cat, the trap comprising: an enclosed bird housing having an upper portion, a tapered lower portion, a back, a front, a top, an open bottom, and sides; an entrance hole mounted in the side of the upper portion of said housing for receiving the bird therethrough; a glass window mounted in an opening in the tapered lower portion of the front of said housing; a balanced pivot tube pivotally mounted on a pivot pin inside said housing, a first end of said pivot tube is attached to a balance weight for balancing said tube in a horizontal position, a second end of said tube is disposed adjacent and below said entrance hole for receiving the bird thereon, the second end of said pivot tube with the bird thereon lowered downwardly, when the second end of said pivot tube is lowered downwardly the second end is disposed in the tapered lower portion of said housing and adjacent said glass window; and a wire mesh cage communicably connected to the open bottom of said housing for receiving the bird therein, said wire mesh cage dimensions so that the openings in the wire mesh are small enough to prevent the bird from escaping, the openings in the wire mesh are large enough for the bird to stick his head through the openings in the wire mesh so that the cat can quickly pull the bird out of said cage with his paw.
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US 4,151,431 - Permanent magnet motor
Abstract
The invention is directed to the method of utilizing the unpaired electron spins in ferro magnetic and other materials as a source of magnetic fields for producing power without any electron flow as occurs in normal conductors, and to permanent magnet motors for utilizing this method to produce a power source. In the practice of the invention the unpaired electron spins occurring within permanent magnets are utilized to produce a motive power source solely through the superconducting characteristics of a permanent magnet and the magnetic flux created by the magnets are controlled and concentrated to orient the magnetic forces generated in such a manner to do useful continuous work, such as the displacement of a rotor with respect to a stator. The timing and orientation of magnetic forces at the rotor and stator components produced by permanent magnets to produce a motor is accomplished with the proper geometrical relationship of these components.
Claim 1
A permanent magnet motor comprising, in combination, a stator track defining a track direction and having first and second sides and composed of a plurality of track permanent magnets each having first and second poles of opposite polarity, said magnets being disposed in side-by-side relationship having a spacing between adjacent magnets and like poles defining said track sides, an elongated armature permanent magnet located on one of said track sides for relative movement thereto and in spaced relationship to said track side wherein an air gap exists between said armature magnet and said track magnets, said armature magnet having first and second poles of opposite polarity located at the opposite ends of said armature magnet defining the length thereof, the length of said armature magnet being disposed in a direction in general alignment with the direction of said track, the spacing of said armature magnet poles from said track associated side and the length of said armature magnet as related to the width and spacing of said track magnets in the direction of said track being such as to impose a continuous force on said armature magnet in said general direction of said track.
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US 4,151,613 - Protective device for the buttocks and hips of a person for use in skateboarding
Abstract
This invention relates to a protective device adapted to protect the buttocks and hips of a person engaging in the sport of skateboarding. The device is constructed from a resilient material, such as plastic foam which may be covered with a tough, pliable plastic material or the like, and comprises a generally rectangular member having two cutout portions in the upper part and three arm members, through each of which a belt member is passed and the lower portion of the device comprises a pair of double stranded cord members. The device is secured around the waist by the belt member, and the cord members passing around the legs to retain the lower portion of the device on the wearer.
Claim 1
A flexible, unitarily molded, protective device for wearing on and protecting the buttocks and hips of a person engaging in the sport of skateboarding comprising: a. casing means having resilient means disposed therein and having a generally rectangular configuration adapted to be worn around a person's midsection and comprising cutout sections in the upper portion providing upwardly extending arm members; b. said arm members comprising slot means containing a belt member therethrough; c. said rectangular casing means including a lower main body portion comprising tongue means and annular slot means at each side; d. a pair of double stranded cord means secured to the lower central portion of said main body portion and to said annular slot means on each side of said lower body portion whereby said device is worn and secured around a person's waist by securing said belt member to the person's waist and securing each of said cord means around each of the person's legs.
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US 4,194,629 - Love box
Abstract
A box for use as a token between lovers for assuring their love to each other; the box including an instruction sheet that states the box is filled with love, and no matter how often it is opened, it can never be emptied; and to get a little love, the box should be opened for a short time, while to receive all the person's love it should be left open all the time; the box including a case and a removable cover.
Claim 1
A box for displaying a love message when closed or open, comprising a case having a bottom with an encompassing wall in combination with a cover pivoted at one end to said wall whereby said cover may be moved from a closed position abutting said wall to an open position providing access to said case, in combination with a love message and associated means for displaying said message in both closed and open positions, wherein said means comprise a flourescent substance deposited on the case bottom and including a card mounted in said case spaced from said material, said card having cut-out portions in the form of said message for display when the box is open and further cut-outs through said wall in the form of said message. Description This invention relates generally to tokens of love.
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US 4,233,942 - Animal ear protectors
Abstract
This invention provides a device for protecting the ears of animals, especially long-haired dogs, from becoming soiled by the animal's food while the animal is eating. The device provides a generally tubular shaped member for containing and protecting each ear of the animal, and a member to position the tubular member and animal ears away from the mouth and food of the animal while it is eating.
Claim 1
A device for protecting animal ears comprising: a pair of generally tubular protectors each of which is formed of a sheet of self-biasing material which in their free state tend to form themselves into said generally tubular protectors; each of said protectors being longitudinally openable to allow easy insertion of one of said animal ears; and positioning means for flexibly joining one end of one protector in spaced apart relationship with one end of the other protector and for securing said device to the head of said animal such that the longitudinal axis of each protector and a portion of each ear of said animal, are held generally horizontally and approximately perpendicularly to the head of said animal whereby the ends of said animal ears are separated by a distance greater than the width of the head of said animal. Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The herein disclosed invention relates to devices for maintaining an animal's ears away from its mouth and food while it is eating.
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US 4,247,283 - Musical instrument adapted to emit a controlled flame
Abstract
A flaming trumpet or a musical instrument which emits a flame under the control of the musician playing the instrument. The intensity and duration of the flame are controlled by the musician activating a control valve which controls the amount of gas emanating from a cartridge mounted on the instrument. The gas is directed through tubing so that it emanates from the flared end of the instrument and is ignited by means of a spark mechanism which is operated by the musician.
Claim 1
A combination adapted for use with a wind instrument of the type having a flared bell section for emitting 2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said wind instrument is a trumpet.
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US 4,344,424 - Anti-eating face mask
Abstract
An anti-eating face mask which includes a cup-shaped member conforming to the shape of the mouth and chin area of the user, together with a hoop member and straps detachably engageable with a user's head for mounting the cup-shaped member in overlying relationship with the user's mouth and chin area under the nose thereby preventing the ingestion of food by the user.
Claim 1
A face mask for preventing the introduction of substances into the mouth of the wearer comprising in combination; a cup shaped member conforming generally to the shape of the mouth and chin area of the wearer's face below the nose, said cup shaped member formed of rigid material with openings to allow breathing therethrough, means for mounting said cup shaped member over the mouth including plural straps extending from said cup over the head of the wearer, one of said straps provided with a means for separation to allow for placement and removal of said face mask, and a lock at said separation means to prevent removal of said face mask, said mounting means further including a hoop member of rigid material adapted to extend over the user's head and chin and a flexible strap having end portions connected to said hoop member for extending around the back of the user's head and a strap member adapted to extend over the top of the user's head, said strap member being connected at opposite ends to said hoop member and to said strap intermediate the ends of said strap, said separation means including a staple adjacent one end portion of said strap, and an aperture in said strap one end portion in longitudinally spaced relationship with said staple, said strap one end portion arranged to be looped around said hoop member for insertion of said staple in said aperture and said lock engageable with said staple extending through said aperture for locking said strap one end portion to said hoop member, wherein said hoop member is attached to said cup shaped member by plural rods extending therebetween, two of said rods attached to opposed sides of said cup shaped member, a third said rod attached to a lowermost portion of said hoop member.
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US 4,353,225 - Jewelry for animals
Abstract
Decorative devices for pierced ears having two decorative sides and interchangable"add on" decorative parts is disclosed. The decorative ear devices "or earrings" of this invention are primarily for use for "show" animals such as dogs, cats and horses, but could also be used by humans. The "earrings" of this invention are for use for pierced ears and comprise a first decorative end having a permanently attached shaft. A first protective washer fits over the shaft and against the first decorative end. The shaft is made of a material suitable for passing through a pierced ear of an animal, such as for example, a poodle and preferably includes a male thread on the end thereof. A second protective washer is placed around the shaft after it is passed through the pierced ear. A second decorative end is secured to the end of the shaft, thereby also securing the earring to the pierced ear. For an earring having a threaded shaft, the second decorative end includes a snug fitting female thread. Either one or both of the two decorative ends further include means for attaching additional decorative parts such that the earrings may be selectively changed from a basic earring having two simple decorative ends for every day wear to an earring having elaborate decorative ends for an animal ready for a show.
Claim 1
An ear decoration suitable for use with pierced ears of a domestic animal and for providing protection against irritation due to scratching and rubbing comprising: a first member having a decorative portion; an elongated shaft of a selected diameter having a first and further end, said first end permanently attached to said first member; an extension member having a diameter substantially the same as said selected diameter and a receiving end and a projection end, said receiving end including a first elongated recess for receiving said further end of said elongated shaft; a second member having a decorative portion and including a second elongated recess for receiving said projection end of said extension member; and first and second protective means, each of said protective means defining an aperture having a diameter substantially the same size as said selected diameter, said first protective means for fitting snugly around said elongated shaft and between said decorative portion of said first member and said animal's ear, and said second protective means for fitting snugly around said extension member and between said animal's ear and said decorative portion of said second member such that when said elongated shaft and said extension member are passes through the pierced ear of said animal, said protective means provides protection against irritation of the animal's ear by scratching and rubbing.
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US 4,361,200 - Engine control system for a combination car system
Abstract
A combination car system is made up from a first car and a second car, both of which are capable of running independently. The first car includes a pair of front wheels by which it is driven, a pair of rear wheels, and an engine the output of which is controlled by a first engine output control element. The second car includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels by which it is driven, and an engine the output of which is controlled by a second engine output control element. When the cars are running independently, displacement of an accelerator pedal in the first car is transmitted by a first displacement transmission mechanism to the first engine output control element, and displacement of an accelerator pedal in the second car is transmitted by a second displacement transmission mechanism to the second engine output control element. The second displacement transmission mechanism includes: a connection unit; a first displacement transmission submechanism which is detachably coupled to, and which transmits displacement of the accelerator pedal of the second car to, this connection unit; and a second displacement transmission submechanism, which transmits displacement of this connection unit to the second engine output control element. The first car and the second car are couplable together into a combination car which runs on the front wheels of the first car and on the rear wheels of the second car, the rear wheels of the first car and the front wheels of the second car being at this time removed from road contact. At this time, the coupling of the first displacement transmission submechanism is removed from the connection unit, and a third displacement transmission mechanism is fitted to extend between and to transmit displacement between a part of the first displacement transmission mechanism in the first car and the connection unit. Thereby both the engines of the combination car may be controlled by using the accelerator pedal of the first car, and the accelerator pedal of the second car is at this time disenabled.
Claim 1
In a combination car system, comprising: (a) a first car, capable of running independently, comprising a first pair of front wheels by which said first car is driven, a first pair of rear wheels, a first engine, and a first engine output control element, displacement of which controls the engine output of said first engine; and (b) a second car, capable of running independently, comprising a second pair of front wheels, a second pair of rear wheels by which said second car is driven, a second engine, and a second output control element, displacement of which controls the engine output of said second engine; (c) said first car and said second car being couplable together into a coupled car which runs on said first pair of front wheels of said first car and said second pair of rear wheels of said second car, with said first pair of rear wheels of said first car and said second pair of front wheels of said second car being removed from road contact: an engine control system, comprising: (d) a first accelerator pedal attached to said first car; (e) a first displacement transmission mechanism, which transmits displacement of said first accelerator pedal to said first engine output control element; (f) a second accelerator pedal attached to said second car; (g) a second displacement transmission mechanism, which, when said second car is running independently, transmits displacement of said second accelerator pedal to said second engine output control element, comprising: (g1) a connection unit; (g2) a first displacement transmission submechanism, which is, when said second car is running independently, removably drivingly coupled to said connection unit, and which at this time transmits displacement of said second accelerator pedal to said connection unit; and (g3) a second displacement transmission submechanism, which trasmits displacement of said connection unit to said second engine output control element; (h) and a third displacement transmission mechanism which, when said first car and said second car are coupled together into said coupled car, extends from a part of said first displacement transmission mechanism to be removably drivingly coupled to said connection unit, said first displacement transmission submechanism being at this time uncoupled from said connection unit; (i) whereby, when said first car and said second car are coupled together into said coupled car, the operation of said first engine of said first car and the operation of said second engine of said second car are coupled together and are controlled from said first car by displacement of said first accelerator pedal, the controlling operation of said second accelerator pedal being at this time disenabled.
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US 4,429,685 - Surgical procedure
Abstract
This invention relates to a method of growing unicorns in a manner that enhances the overall development of the animal.
Claim 1
The method of forming a one-horned animal from an animal normally having a horn bud growing from a normal position on each side of the head, comprising the steps of: pedicling a first flap of skin on each side of the head with each flap including the adjacent horn bud at a time prior to attachment of the bud to the skull; pedicling a second skin flap on each side of the front of the head in alignment with the general area of the pineal gland; lifting the first flaps of skin away from the skull about the attached end; moving the second flaps of skin into the position vacated by the adjacent first flaps of skin; and moving the first flaps of skin into the position vacated by the second flaps with the horn buds being at a transposed position adjacent one another over the pineal gland.
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US 4,457,509 - Levitationarium for air flotation of humans
Abstract
An installation such as in the form of a building having a room or chamber in which an upward air flow is produced to levitate human beings. This installation, herein called a levitationarium, is constructed and arranged to be simple, safe and economic to operate in particular by comprising a blowing propeller that is shrouded and arranged to produce an induced suction flow in an annular air passage around it, under the action of the direct flow by the propeller inside the shroud; by having a toroidal air passage arranged for closed circuit streamline air flow serially through it and the levitation chamber; and by including a toroidal core portion interposed between the levitation chamber and the toroidal air passage and providing a spectator gallery and access to the levitation chamber.
Claim 1
A levitationarium for air flotation of humans comprising a housing having an inner wall defining a levitation chamber, said levitation chamber defining a central vertical axis and having an air inlet at the lower end thereof and an air outlet at the upper end thereof, shroud means supported within said housing proximate said lower end of said chamber with blower means arranged therein for propelling air upwardly through said shroud means and said chamber, said shroud means having an air inlet at the lower end thereof and an air outlet at the upper end thereof communicating with said air inlet of said chamber whereby said propelled air flow can be established, said shroud means being spaced from said inner wall an amount sufficient to cause a flow of air by the operation of said blower means resulting from both the blower means operation in driving air and an induced suction flow being produced in the space around said shroud whereby an enhanced air flow is generated in said chamber, flow directing means arranged in said shroud above said blower means for inwardly directing the flow produced by the driving of air by said blower means toward said axis of said chamber, grating means extending transversely across the lower end of said levitation chamber above said shroud means for simultaneously allowing upward air flow created by said blower means to pass therethrough and for supporting standing users of said levitationarium thereon, annular platform means extending peripherally around said inner wall of said levitation chamber and which is air impervious for permitting users to stand clear of said upward air flow and from which users can dive toward the center of said chamber for being lifted by said upward air flow, and deflector means arranged below said annular platform means and movable between an operating position and a non-operating position whereby when said blower means is in operation, said deflector means is forced into said operating position for deflecting air flow away from said platform means to prevent air turbulence in proximity thereto.
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US 4,463,021 - Pizza cone with filling
Abstract
A hand-held edible product in the form of an edible pizza cone having filling therein. The pizza cone filling may be any filling or topping used on conventional pizzas including but not limited to tomato, cheese, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, anchovies, olives and the like. The cone is edible and has dimensional characteristics enabling it to be conveniently handheld while the food product is being consumed with the cone having sufficient rigidity and structural characteristics enabling it to retain its structural integrity during the time period that the cone would normally be held while being consumed. An inverted cone-like structure is provided interiorly of the cone and internal ribs are formed on the inner surface of the cone to stabilize, grip and retain the pizza filling. Also, the upper end of the cone is provided with an outwardly extending flange or lip to further retain the pizza filling properly associated with the cone while being consumed. A protective cup of foam plastic material, such as "styrofoam", telescopes onto the lower end portion of the pizza cone to protect the hand of the person holding the cone from excessive transfer of heat from the pizza filling and cone and also serving to maintain the structural integrity of the cone and to collect and retain any leakage through the cone.
Claim 1
A handheld edible food product comprising an edible receptacle having an open upper end and a downwardly extending peripheral wall terminating in a closed lower end, said receptacle being unitarily constructed of edible material, and a pizza filling in the receptacle, extending at least to the open upper end thereof to enable the receptacle and the filling therein to be handheld and consumed, said wall tapering downwardly to form a pizza cone, and an insulating cup of foam plastic telescoped over and supported by the external surface of at least the lower portion of the pizza cone to protect the hand of the person holding the cone from discomfort or injury due to burning, to stabilize the structural integrity of the cone and to catch and retain any liquid leakage through the cone, said pizza cone including a plurality of radially extending ribs in the lower end portion to engage the pizza filling to stabilize it and tend to hold it away from the wall of the cone, said pizza cone including an internal, inverted inner cone having a downwardly and outwardly tapering wall supported from said pizza cone with the upper end of the inner cone having a closed end for supporting and stabilizing the pizza filling, the upper end of said inner cone including a concave top wall for receiving and positioning said filling, said pizza cone wall including an outwardly bellied upper end portion defining an inwardly facing concave surface for increasing the capacity of the cone and rigidifying the upper end thereof, the upper end of said inner cone being disposed above the lower end of the bellied upper end portion of the pizza cone, said insulating cup terminating at the juncture between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the pizza cone to enable consumption of the upper end portion of the cone and the pizza filling therein without interference, said ribs terminating at the juncture between the upper and lower end portions of the pizza cone for reinforcing the area of the pizza cone on which grasping forces are exerted when holding the cone.
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US 4,509,517 - Kidney stone instrument
Abstract
The present invention pertains to an instrument for insertion into the body which can grasp and crush or grasp and remove kidney stones, the jaws of this instrument being moved together or apart by means of a shape memory metal alloy.
Claim 1
An instrument for the removal of kidney stones that includes the combination of (a) a kidney stone grasping means comprising at least one pair of opposed jaw members that are mounted in a support which is mounted for axial movement in a tube, (b) means for alternately moving said jaw members toward each other and away from each other, said means including (1) a first resilient means for urging the toothed sections of said jaw members apart in an "open" position, (2) at least one length of Nitinol having one end attached to said axially movable jaw member support and the other end attached to a spaced apart fixed point on the tube in which said jaw members are mounted, (3) mechanical pressure means for maintaining sufficient pressure on said length of Nitinol when said length is below its critical temperature condition so that said length of Nitinol will be stretched in a lengthwise direction, but said sufficient pressure being inadequate to maintain said length of Nitinol in a stretched position when the Nitinol is heated above its critical temperature, and (4) means to control the temperature of said Nitinol, whereby said jaws will be maintained in an open position to receive kidney stones when said length of Nitinol is below said critical temperature and said jaws will move from an open to a closed position to grasp and/or crush kidney stones when said length of Nitinol is above said critical temperature.
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US 4,605,000 - Greenhouse helmet
Abstract
A greenhouse helmet is provided and consists of a dome containing plants secured within the dome worn completely over the head of a person so that the person can breathe in the oxygen given off by the plants.
Claim 1
A greenhouse helmet which comprises: (a) a transparent dome worn completely over the head of a person; (b) means for securing said dome to said person; (c) means for adequately filtering ambient air having carbon dioxide in and out of said dome to meet the needs of the person; (d) means for resting at least one plant within a pot placed in said dome so that carbon dioxide of said ambient air will mix with carbon dioxide breathed out by said person to be used by said plant to produce oxygen to be breathed in by said person in addition to the ambient air; and (e) means for securing said plant and pot upon said resting means within said dome.
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US 4,634,021 - Release mechanism
Abstract
A release mechanism is disclosed for releasing an object such as a ball from a body under the force of gravity. A bimetallic element obstructs or opens an opening in the body for retaining or releasing the object depending upon the temperature of the bimetallic element. The release mechanism may be incorporated into a novelty "brass monkey" for "emasculating" the monkey when the temperature decreases to a predetermined temperature at which the balls in the "brass monkey" are permitted to drop to a base which is designed to produce an audible sound when struck by the balls.
Claim 1
A release mechanism comprising means defining a passageway for movement of an object to be released and temperature responsive means at least partially obstructing said passageway to prevent movement of said object along said passageway past said temperature responsive means before the temperature of said temperature responsive means reaches a predetermined release temperature and said temperature responsive means moving to open said passageway to allow movement of said object along said passageway past said temperature responsive means when the temperature of said temperature responsive means reaches said predetermined release temperature, wherein said temperature responsive means is a bimetallic element, means being provided for fixedly supporting said bimetallic element at one portion thereof with a second portion of said bimetallic element being positioned for movement toward and away from said passageway for at least partially obstructing said passageway to prevent movement of said object along said passageway before the temperature of said bimetallic-element reaches the predetermined release temperature and for moving away from said passageway to open said passageway to allow movement of said object along said passageway when the temperature of said bimetallic element reaches said predetermined release temperature.
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US 4,656,917 - Musical instrument support
Abstract
A supporting device for stringed musical instruments, for example, guitars, banjos, mandolins and the like, is disclosed. The supporting device is constructed and arranged for supporting the musical instrument on the player to permit total freedom of the player's hands to play the instrument in a completely new way, thus allowing the player to create new techniques and sounds previously unknown to any player. The device, when in its operational position, has a plate which rests upon the player's leg leaving both hands free to explore the musical instrument as never before. Because the musical instrument is arranged perpendicular to the player's body, the player has maximum visibility of the instrument's entire playing surface.
Claim 1
A stringed musical instrument comprising an instrument body having front and rear surfaces, sound producing means extending over a portion of said front surface, and a device mounted onto said rear surface for positioning said instrument body at an angular orientation to a player's body, said device including attachment means movable between an inoperative position overlying said rear surface and an operative position at an angle to said rear surface, a pair of spaced-apart mounting blocks attached to said rear surface and support means coupled to said mounting blocks for rotationally supporting therebetween said attachment means, said attachment means engaging said player's body when in said operative position for maintaining said instrument body in said angular orientation and disengaging from said player's body when in said inoperative position for maintaining said instrument body in other than said angular orientation.
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US 4,666,425 - Device for perfusing an animal head
Abstract
This invention involves a device, referred to herein as a "cabinet," which provides physical and biochemical support for an animal's head which has been "discorporated" (i.e., severed from its body). This device can be used to supply a discorped head with oxygenated blood and nutrients, by means of tubes connected to arteries which pass through the neck. After circulating through the head, the deoxygenated blood returns to the cabinet by means of cannulae which are connected to veins that emerge from the neck. A series of processing components removes carbon dioxide and add oxygen to the blood. If desired, waste products and other metabolites may be removed from the blood, and nutrients, therapeutic or experimental drugs, anti-coagulants, and other substances may be added to the blood. The replenished blood is returned to the discorped head via cannulae attached to arteries. The cabinet provides physical support for the head, by means of a collar around the neck, pins attached to one or more vertebrae, or similar mechanical means.
Claim 1
A device for maintaining metabolic activity in a mammalian head which has been severed from its body at its neck, comprising the following components: a. veinous cannulae which are capable of being attached to veins which pass through the neck and receiving blood from the veins; b. arterial cannulae which are capable of being attached to arteries which pass through the neck and transporting blood into the arteries; c. an oxygenation device which is in fluid communication with the veinous and arterial cannulae, and which is capable of displacing carbon dioxide contained in the blood with oxygen; d. one or more pumps of a selected type which causes relatively low levels of damage to blood components; e. fluid conduits which are attached to each of the components listed above in a manner such that the components, when coupled to the veins and arteries of a severed head by means of the cannulae of parts (a) and (b), will form a system capable of circulating blood through the oxygenation device and through the head after the head has been severed from the body; and, f. means for securely mounting the head upon the device after the head has been severed from the body, in a position such that the veins and arteries which emerge from the head can be connected to the veinous and arterial cannulae.
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US 4,681,244 - Portable bar
Abstract
A portable mix bar comprising a hard hat having a plurality of drink containers and a pair of mixing chambers for mixing drinks mounted thereon wherein the flow of drinks to and from the mixing chambers is controlled by a plurality of valves. Also provided is a plurality of tubes for carrying drinks from the drink containers to the valves and mixing chambers and between valves and mixing chambers and from the mixing chambers to the mouth of a user.
Claim 1
A portable bar comprising a hat adapted to receive a plurality of drink containers and a plurality of valves detachably mounted thereon; a first drink container coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means and having provided thereon a cap adapted for closing the said container, the said container being adapted to receive a tube inserted therein; a second drink container coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means and having provided thereon a cap adapted for closing the said container, the said container being adapted to receive a tube inserted therein; a third drink container coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means and having provided thereon a cap adapted for closing the said container, the said cap being adapted to receive a tube inserted therethrough; a fourth drink container coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means and having provided thereon a cap adapted for closing the said container, the said cap being adapted to receive a tube inserted therethrough; a fifth drink container coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means and having provided thereon a cap adapted for closing the said container, the said cap being adapted to receive a tube inserted therethrough; a sixth drink container coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means and having provided thereon a cap adapted for closing the said container, the said cap being adapted to receive a tube inserted therethrough; a first gang valve coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means, the said gang valve having a first mixing chamber, the said first mixing chamber having extending therefrom a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port wherein the first port is provided with a first valve adapted to be controlled by a knob and the said second port is provided with a second valve adapted to be controlled by a knob and the said third port is provided with a third valve adapted to be controlled by a knob, and wherein each of the said ports communicates with the said first mixing chamber and is adapted to convey a drink into or out of the said first mixing chamber and wherein the said first, third and fourth ports is each adapted to receive a tube detachably coupled thereto, and wherein the said second port is adapted to vent the said first mixing chamber to the atmosphere; a second gang valve coupled to the hat by suitable attachment means, the said gang valve having a second mixing chamber, the said second mixing chamber having extending therefrom a fifth port, a sixth port, a seventh port, an eighth port, a ninth port and a tenth port wherein the said fifth port is provided with a fourth valve adapted to be controlled by a knob and the said sixth port is provided with a fifth valve adapted to be controlled by a knob and the said seventh port is provided with a sixth valve adapted to be controlled by a knob and the said eighth port is provided with a seventh valve adapted to be controlled by a knob and the said ninth port is provided with an eighth valve adapted to be controlled by a knob, and wherein each of the said ports communicates with the said second mixing chamber and is adapted to convey a drink into or out of the said second mixing chamber and wherein each of the said ports is adapted to receive a tube detachably coupled thereto; a first tube having two ends wherein the first end is inserted into the first drink container and wherein the second end is coupled to the first port; a second tube having two ends wherein the first end is inserted into the fourth drink container and wherein the second end is coupled to the third port; a third tube having two ends wherein the first end is coupled to the fourth port and wherein the second end of the third tube is coupled to the fifth port; a fourth tube having two ends wherein the first end is inserted into the third drink container and wherein the second end is coupled to the sixth port, the said tube being provided with a check valve inserted therein adapted to prevent drink from flowing into the third drink container; a fifth tube having two ends wherein the first end is inserted into the fourth drink container and wherein the second end of the fifth tube is coupled to the seventh port, the said tube being provided with a check valve inserted therein adapted to prevent drink from flowing into the fourth drink container; a sixth tube having two ends wherein the first end is inserted into the fifth drink container and wherein the second end of the sixth tube is coupled to the eighth port, the said tube being provided with a check valve inserted therein adapted to prevent drink from flowing into the fifth drink container; a seventh tube having two ends wherein the first end is inserted into the sixth drink container and wherein the second end of the seventh tube is coupled to the ninth port, the said tube being provided with a check valve inserted therein adapted to prevent drink from flowing into the sixth drink container; an eighth tube having two ends wherein the first end is coupled to the tenth port and wherein the said tube is routed to the front of the hat and is adapted to be supported by an articulated boom; and a bracket attached to and depending from the hat and having pivotally coupled thereto an articulated boom adapted to support the said eighth tube.
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US 4,690,279 - Birth control pill dispenser in the form of a hair brush
Abstract
A package for oral contraceptives that has the outward appearance of a hair brush. A first compartment serves as a pill storage compartment; it retains a three week supply of pills of the type that are individually packaged under a flexible bubble and collectively mounted on a frangible support surface. The floor of the first compartment is apertured and each aperture is pill-sized and positioned in registration with a pill under a bubble. A closure member such as a hinged lid masks the presence of the pill-storage compartment, but when the lid is open and a bubble is pressed against, the frangible support surface for the pill breaks and allows the pill to fall into a second compartment with an imperforate bottom. The second compartment is enclosed on three sides but open on a fourth so that a pill driven through its frangible support surface may be retrieved from such second compartment by tilting the brush.
Claim 1
A birth control pill dispenser, comprising: a hair brush member having a solid base within which is mounted a plurality of bristle members; a pill-discharging chamber surmounting said base; said pill-discharging chamber having an open end for allowing pills disposed therein to exit therefrom; said pill-discharging chamber having a top wall with a plurality of pill-sized openings formed therein; a pill storage chamber surmounting said pill-discharging chamber; said top wall of said pill-discharging chamber forming the bottom wall of said pill storage chamber; a supply of birth control pills positioned in said pill storage chamber; a frangible barrier means positioned in overlying relation to said bottom wall of said pill storage chamber; said barrier means including a plurality of deformable pill-containing compartments, each of said compartments being positioned in registration with an associated pill-sized opening formed in said pill storage chamber bottom wall; a pill positioned in each of said compartments; and masking means operable to close said pill storage chamber so that when said pill storage chamber is closed, said pill dispenser has the appearance of a hair brush; whereby a pill is dispensed from said dispenser by opening said masking means, pushing a preselected pill through its associated opening formed in said pill storage chamber bottom wall by deforming its compartment and breaking said frangible barrier means so that said pill falls through said opening into said pill-discharging chamber, and tilting said dispenser so that said pill slides out of said pill-discharging chamber through its open end.
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US 4,722,053 - Food service ordering terminal with video game capability
Abstract
A computer operated food servcie establishment has individual patron locations each provided with a game-playing terminal from which patrons can select games to be played from a listing thereof provided by the central computer unit. Each termainl also displays the food service items available and from the display, automatically, the patrons can select respective items and the selected items are displayed at a remote terminal, e.g. in the kitchen, to enable preparation of the food service items while game play continues at the terminals. Game play is automatically terminated upon the lapse of a selected time period subsequent to food service.
Claim 1
A food service installation comprising: a plurality of patron stations, each comprising a dining table and seating means at said table for accommodating a plurality of patrons; a computer facility at each of said stations, each computer facility comprising at least one video display terminal, and a plurality of game-playing implements adapted to enable patrons at said station to play a game displayed on said terminal; means connected to said terminals for displaying thereon food service items adapted to be selected by the patrons; a further terminal operatively connected to the terminals at said station for displaying food service items selected by the patrons at the respective stations to enable the preparation of said food items; means connected to said terminals at said stations for permitting the playing of selected games at each terminal before and after the display of food service items at least for a limited time; a central computer connected to said terminals and feeding information to and receiving information from said terminals, said central computer being programmed to terminate games played at the terminals of said station upon the lapse of a selected time period subsequent to food service, each of said stations being provided with a plurality of joysticks connected to the respective terminals for enabling the playing of the game thereon, said joysticks being connected to the respective terminals to enable the selection of games from a game menu and food service items from a food service menu displayed on the respective terminals by the respective joysticks; a printer connected to said further terminal for printing out a patron's bill, said printer being connected to print-out indicia relating to the games played by the respective patrons on the respective bills; and a central display common to all of said stations and means for activating said display upon the attainment of a high score in a game by one of said patrons.
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US 4,734,078 - Liquid brassiere
Abstract
A brassiere which maintains a liquid, such as water, in contact with or very close to the breast such that a bouyant force provides improved and independent support for each breast. The invisibly supported breast has a rounded, firm and youthful appearance. Methods are described for varying the shape and appearant size of the breast and for providing additional beauty and health benefits. A transparent version is provided to facilitate incorporating the breast's improved appearance into many forms of fashion statement.
Claim 1
A brassiere which comprises in combination: a liquid; and a means for maintaining said liquid in close proximity to a woman's breasts such that said liquid provides bouyancy and support to said breasts.
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US 4,756,555 - Wing apparatus for skiers
Abstract
Apparatus for creating aerodynamic lift to a downhill skier is shown as having a harness adapted to be worn by the skier, a left wing structure is operatively carried by the harness, a right wing structure is operatively carried by the harness, the left wing structure has a first longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of the skier, the right wing structure has a second longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of the skier, the left wing structure is selectively rotatable about the first longitudinal axis, the right wing structure is selectively rotatable about the second longitudinal axis, and the left and right wing structures are respectively rotatable about the first and second axes independently of each other by the skier to respective selected positions.
Claim 1
Apparatus for creating aerodynamic lift to a downhill skier, comprising harness means adapted to be worn by said skier, a left wing structure operatively carried by said harness means, a right wing structure operatively carried by said harness means, connecting means carried by said harness means for operatively connecting said left wing structure as to thereby have said left wing structure operatively carried by said harness means and for operatively connecting said right wing structure as to thereby have said right wing structure operatively carried by said harness means, said left wing structure having a first longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of said skier, said right wing structure having a second longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of said skier, wherein said connecting means enables said left wing structure to be selectively rotatable about said first longitudinal axis while operatively carried by said harness means, wherein said connecting means enables said right wing structure to be selectively rotatable about said second longitudinal axis while operatively carried by said harness means, wherein said connecting means enables said left and right wing structures to be respectively rotatable about said first and second axes independently of each other by said skier to respective selected positions while operatively carried by said harness means, wherein said connecting means is effective for establishing and maintaining a fixed relationship of said first longitudinal axis with respect to said harness means even during rotation of said left wing structure about said first longitudinal axis, and wherein said connecting means is effective for establishing and maintaining a fixed relationship of said second longitudinal axis with respect to said harness means even during rotation of said right wing structure about said second longitudinal axis.
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US 4,761,909 - Ice hole fishing plug
Abstract
A hollow, elongated tubular member, constructed of flexible resilient material and including an inlet-outlet for admitting and discharging fluid under pressure, is adapted to be disposed in a hole in a layer of ice so that the top and bottom ends extend upwardly and downwardly above and below the layer of ice such that, when inflated, the top and bottom ends expand to seal the hole and to retain the hollow tubular member as an easily removable plug to displace water within the hole and thereby prevent reformation of the ice therein. The method of temporarily plugging a hole in a layer of ice includes the steps of providing an elongated, resilient inflatable tube, inserting the tub partially through the ice hole and inflating the tube to expand the top and bottom so as to retain the tube in the hole.
Claim 1
An icehole plug, comprising, in combination: a hollow, longitudinally elongated member comprised of material exhibiting resiliency characteristics permitting the walls of said member to expand when unrestrained, said member further having an upper portion comprised of material exhibiting a lesser degree of resiliency than the material of the bottom portion and including means for receiving and discharging fluid under pressure to and from the interior thereof and adapted to be disposed in a hole to be plugged so that the top and bottom portions remain unrestrained when fluid under pressure is admitted to the interior thereof whereby the ends of said member will expand over the ends of a hole.
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US 4,764,111 - Reminder and enforcer apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for reminding a user of certain desired activity and for enforcing the performance of such activity. A clock generates clock pulses and a mechanism, such as a magnetic switch and magnet, is provided for detecting the performance of the desired activity and generating a detection signal when such activity is performed. A logic array is responsive to the clock pulses and the detection signal for selectively generating an electric alarm signal. In one form, the logic array is operable in response to the clock pulses to distinguish between at least two distinct time periods defined as an active time period and a dormant time period, and during the active time period, the logic array is operable to generate an electric alarm signal for a selected period of time in response to the absence of the detection signal. In the dormant period, the logic array will not generate the electric alarm signal regardless of the presence or absence of the detection signal. An alarm device, such as a beeper, is responsive to the alarm signal to generate an alarm that is perceivable by the user to indicate that the desired activity has not been performed. The alarm will continue for a sufficiently long period of time that it will irritate the user if he does not perform the activity that is desired. In one embodiment, the reminder is used to enforce the use of an orthodontic headgear. A magnet is mounted on the headgear and a magnetic switch is mounted in a mouthpiece which is fastened within the user's mouth. When the headgear is worn, the magnetic switch detects the presence of the magnet and will turn the alarm off during the active period.
Claim 1
An activity reminder and enforcer apparatus for reminding a user of certain desired activity and for enforcing the performance of such activity, comprising: a power source; clock means powered by said power source for generating clock pulses; first and second objects that must be brought into proximity during the desired activity; means for detecting the performance of the desired activity and for generating a detection signal when the activity is performed; said means for detecting having a sensor mechanism mounted in said first object and having a signal producing means mounted in said second object, said sensor mechanism being operable to sense the signal produced in said second object when said first and second objects are brought into proximity, one to the other, and to generate the detection signal when said proximity is sensed.
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US 4,773,863 - Amusement device for a toilet bowl or urinal
Abstract
An amusement device for a toilet bowl or a urinal comprising a urine detector for detecting a urine flow from a human and for providing an electrical signal for activating a sensory stimulus device. A control unit connected to the urine detector converts the electrical signal to a signal for activating the appropriate indicator. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of pressure and temperature sensors are imbedded in a plastic base which is disposed in close proximity to the urinal or toilet bowl drain. Disposed alongside each temperature and pressure sensor is an associated LED lamp or buzzer which is activated by that sensor. The device may be connected to a video screen or a speaker disposed above the urinal for providing additional audial and visual stimulation to the user. In another embodiment, a plastic base is disposed entirely within the toilet bowl or urinal in close proximity to the toilet or urinal drain. A plurality of supports extend upward from the base and terminate in a corresponding plurality of rotatable members horizontally connected to the supports for rotating in response to a urine flow from a human.
Claim 1
An amusement device for a toilet bowl or urinal comprising: a sensor disposed in the toilet bowl or urinal for detecting a flow for urine from a human, the sensor being located in the toilet bowl or urinal so that a urinating human may selectively direct a stream of urine against the sensor for selectively activating the sensor; and electrical signal means, responsive to the sensor, for providing an electrical signal when a flow of urine is detected by the sensor.
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US 4,805,654 - Sun shield for automobiles
Abstract
This invention provides a sun shield for automobiles. The sun shield has a collapsible framework for supporting a flexible cloth. The framework has at least three legs radially and isometrically extended from the framework. In the free end of each leg there is a sucker adapted to attach to the roof of an automobile. Therefore, the cloth can be easily mounted above an automobile to shade it from the unpleasant and damaging effects of the sun's rays, and it can also be easily detached from the roof of the automobile and folded into the trunk of the automobile.
Claim 1
A sun shield for automobiles comprising: a main rod, one end portion of which has a joint fixed thereon, the rod having three runners slidably sleeved thereon, said runners herein being referred to as first runner, second runner and third runner according to their position relative to the joint, between the joint and the second runner having locking means mounted on the rod for detachably locking the first runner; a plurality of main ribs radially extended from the axis of the main rod, each main rib being assembled from at least two sub-units which are slidably and stretchably telescoped on one another, one end of each main rib being hinged in said joint, the other end of the same herein being referred to as free end; a plurality of auxiliary ribs correspondingly mounted with the main ribs, one end of each auxiliary rib being hinged in said first runner, the other end of the same being hinged in a corresponding main rib; at least three legs isometrically extended from the axis of said main rod, one end of each leg being hinged in said second runner, the other end of the same having a sucker hinged thereon; at least three supporting ribs correspondingly mounted with the legs, one end of each supporting rib being hinged in said third runner, the other end of the same being hinged in the corresponding leg; and a flexible cloth disposed over the main ribs which is fixed at its periphery to the free ends of said main ribs, the size of said cloth being capable of entirely covering the main ribs while the main ribs are in a stretched state.
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US 4,809,435 - Eating utensil
Abstract
An eating utensil (10) which, when used, resembles chopsticks, but which does not require the skilled manipulation of chopsticks. The utensil (10) includes a pair of handles (12 and 14) resembling chopsticks that converge toward their distal ends (16 and 18), where they are secured to a food-engaging member (20), such as fork tines, a spoon, or other Western-style utensil. The food-engaging member (20) may be detachably secured to the handles (12 and 14), to allow replacement of the handles of the food-engaging member if any of such components should break, and to allow substitution of a variety of types of food-engaging members, such as forks or spoons, as desired.
Claim 1
An eating utensil comprising: a first chopstick, having distal and proximal ends; a second chopstick, having distal and proximal ends; a food-engaging member secured directly to the distal ends of the first and second chopsticks; and the handle members being spaced apart at their proximal ends and converging together at their juncture with the food-engaging member, to resemble chopsticks holding food wherein the first and second chopsticks include a gripping portion adjacent its distal end for hand manipulation.
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US 4,834,212 - Sound muffler for covering the mouth
Abstract
A human sound muffler and indicator for placement around the mouth of a user to absorb most of the sound emanating from the user's mouth including a microphone and associated electrical circuit for receiving unabsorbed sound and providing an indication of the intensity of the unabsorbed sound.
Claim 1
A human sound muffler and indicator comprising a unitary body adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user, at least one end of said body comprising a saddle shaped body of compliant sound absorbing foam material adapted to fit over the mouth of a user and engage the face around the mouth to form an effective sound seal to receive sound directly from the mouth and absorb substantially most of the sound in the foam material, a microphone for receiving unabsorbed sound disposed adjacent the bottom of said foam saddle and providing an output signal responsive to the unabsorbed sound, and means in said body for receiving said output signal and providing an indication on said body of the intensity of the unabsorbed sound.
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US 4,858,627 - Smoker's hat
Abstract
A portable hat system enables the smoking of tobacco type products without affecting the environment includes a hat for covering the head of the smoker, an integral fan for intaking ambient air (contaminated and non contaminated) into the hat with this intake ambient air flowing in front of the smoker's face, a filtration, purification and deionization system for removal of combustion products, such as smoke odors and positive ions from the intake ambient air, and an exhaust system for expelling the filtered deodorized, deionized and optionally scented air from the hat.
Claim 1
A portable hat system for enabling the smoking of tobacco-type products without affecting the environment comprising: hat means for covering the head of a smoker; means for intaking ambient air into the hat means, the intake ambient air flowing in front of the smoker's face when the hat is worn by the smoker; separate filter means for removing combustion products released by the smoker into the intake ambient air to produce filtered air; and means for exhausting the filtered air from the hat means.
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US 4,887,543 - Unforgettable umbrella method
Abstract
A method and a device to aid in recollecting to retrieve an umbrella left in a building including an eye device on the handle of the umbrella with a identification plastic panel attached with a spring clip through the eye. The identification device is unclipped from the umbrella when the umbrella is left behind upon entrance to the building and is immediately clipped onto a key ring on which automobile or residence door keys are clipped. If the umbrella is forgotten, the next use of the key ring will automatically remind the user that the umbrella has been left behind. After the umbrella has been retrieved, the identification device is unclipped from the key ring and reattached to the eye device on the umbrella for the next use.
Claim 1
A method to aid the memory in remembering to retrieve an umbrella upon leaving a building from a location where the umbrella was placed upon entrance to the building, the method comprising: (a) providing an eye means with an opening to receive a clip means, on a handle of the umbrella, (b) providing a member having a perceptible surface with a clip means to detachably attach onto the eye means, (c) providing identification means on the umbrella and on the member to visually indicate that umbrella and the member go together, (d) attaching the member to the eye means on the umbrella, (e) removing the member by detaching it from the umbrella upon entering a building, (f) placing the umbrella at the location where the umbrella is to be temporarily left in the building, and (g) attaching the member to a key ring on which automobile or residence door keys presently in use are attached, wherein the member is of sufficient size and shape that it will be readily noticeable when the keys are next used.
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US 4,909,620 - Novelty sun glasses with information display members having the form of moose antlers
Abstract
This invention is a novelty head gear for wear by an individual and includes a pair of sunglasses having a novelty design of moose antlers attached to the sunglasses and extending sidewardly into opposite directions.
Claim 1
A novelty sunglasses and information displaying member assembly, comprising, in combination, a pair of sunglasses comprising an eyeglass frame, a pair of sunglass lenses in said frame, and a pair of temple bars pivotally attached to opposite ends of said frame, and a pair of information displaying members having the form of novelty moose antlers attached to said sunglasses, said information displaying members each being substantially flat, elongated in a horizontal direction, and having a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction less than the length of the temple bars, having a medial edge adjacent the glasses, an aperture formed through the thickness of said information displaying members adjacent said medial edge, said temple bars being fitted transversely through said apertures in said information displaying members, whereby said information displaying members project laterally outwardly from the temple bars in a direction perpendicular to the temple bars and in a direction substantially parallel to the lenses when the sunglasses are worn, and adjacent each other with the flat horizontal directions becoming abutting, when the sunglasses are folded up.
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US 4,949,439 - Drip pan for caskets
Abstract
A drip pan is at the bottom of the casket for trapping and collecting body liquids during decomposition.
Claim 1
A casket sealing system which comprises a casket for receiving a deceased and having a base section and substantially perpendicular sides and ends extending upwardly therefrom, support means for supporting the deceased above the base, a pan of resinous material inserted beneath the support means for trapping and collecting body liquids of decomposition, said pan being integrally molded in one piece, said pan having a bottom resting in the base section, and sides and ends extending upwardly therefrom in proximity of the sides and ends respectively of the casket and extending beyond the support means a sufficient distance to collect fluids of decomposition, the bottom of the pan being slightly smaller in lateral dimension than the casket base section to fit readily neatly in the casket, the upper edges of the side and ends of the pan being substantially contiguous to the sides and ends, respectively of the casket, said sides and ends of the pan are flared outwardly from the bottom and into firm sealing engagement with the sides and ends respectively of the casket to cooperate in preventing body liquids finding their way down to the base section of the casket.
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US 4,958,263 - Centralized lighting system employing a high brightness light source
Abstract
A centralized lighting system particularly suited for aerodynamically styled vehicles is disclosed. The centralized lighting system employes a pressurized lamp preferably of a metal halide having quartz light guides merged into portions of its outer surface. The portions of the metal halide lamp that are not merged with the light guides may be coated with a diffusive reflective coating that substantially prevents light from being transmitted through the coating so that all of the light generated by the metal halide lamp is directed into and transmittd by the light guides. The transmitted light of the light guide is distributed throughout vehicle to supply the forward, rearward, and interior illumination needs of the vehicle.
Claim 1
A light source for vehicles comprising; (a) an envelope formed of a light transmissive material and containing light generating means, and (b) light guide means formed of a light transmissive material and merged onto the outer surface of said envelope without substantially altering the shape of said envelope and without substantially extending into said envelope, said light guide means having parameters that are selected to provide forward, rearward or interior illumination for said vehicle developed by said light generating means.
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US 4,978,948 - Combined earthquake sensor and night light
Abstract
A combined earthquake sensor and night light having a base with a bottom portion resting on a support surface subject to vibrations. A top portion of the base is provided with a reflective surface and a centrally mounted lamp. A transparent cylinder is mounted on the base member to suspend a multifaceted spherical crystal above the light source by means of an elastic helical spring to enable the spherical crystal to move in all directions. Vibrations generated by an earthquake are transmitted to the base member causing movement of the crystal giving a visual indication of the vibrations by light reflection and diffractio. In the static mode the unit serves as a decorative lamp.
Claim 1
In a combined earthquake sensor and night light comprising a base member having a top and bottom, said bottom adapted to rest on a support surface, said top having a light reflective surface, a light source centrally mounted on said top reflective surface, a transparent cylinder mounted on said top base member in coaxial relationship with said light source, an elongated elastic member coaxially suspended at one end from a support means attached to a top portion of said transparent cylinder, and a light scattering means freely suspended from the other end of said elongated elastic member to lie above said light source whereby vibrations transmitted to said base member from said support surface cause relative movement of said light scattering means giving a visual indication of said vibrations.
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US 4,989,275 - Flushable vehicle spittoon
Abstract
An upwardly opening receptacle is provided including lower closure structure defining a central gravity flow outlet. A flexible drain tube includes an inlet end operatively associated with the outlet for receiving liquid therefrom and an outlet end. Structure is provided for removably mounting the receptacle in stationary position within a motor vehicle and the outlet end of the drain tube is routed through the vehicle body portion for discharging liquid drained from the receptacle onto the ground beneath the vehicle. A spray jet is operatively associated with the vehicle for discharging a spray discharge of flushing liquid into the receptacle and liquid delivery structure is operatively associated with the spray jet for supplying liquid thereto under pressure from a liquid reservoir supported from the vehicle. In a first form of the invention the liquid reservoir comprises a conventional windshield washing liquid reservoir and a second form of the invention incorporates a separate flushing liquid reservoir for the receptacle, only. In addition, the liquid delivery structure may incorporate either an electrically driven pump or a manually operable pump for pumping liquid from the associated reservoir to the receptacle.
Claim 1
In combination with a motor vehicle including a passenger compartment having a stationary component therein, a flushing liquid reservoir, a flushable spittoon, said spittoon including an upwardly opening receptacle incorporating a lower closure structure defining a gravity-type drain outlet opening therethrough toward which at least major portions of the upper surface of said lower closure structure are downwardly inclined, said receptacle and component including coacting support means supporting said receptacle in predetermined stationary position from said component within said compartment for ready manual release of said receptacle from said component and also subsequent ready re-support of said receptacle from said component through usage of single arms and hand movements independent of the use of tools, a flexible tubular drain line having one end operatively connected to said drain outlet for receiving liquid draining from said receptacle through said outlet, and flushing liquid delivery means operatively associated with said receptacle and reservoir for selectively pressure discharging flushing liquid from said reservoir into said receptacle, said coacting support means and flexible tubular drain line enabling single handed manual release of said receptacle from said component, manual displacement of the receptacle from an area adjacent said component to an area adjacent the head of the operator of the vehicle and subsequent manual return of the receptacle to said area adjacent said component and re-support of said receptacle from said component without requiring direct vision on the part of the operator of the vehicle.
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US 4,996,970 - Heated sleeping bag ground pad
Abstract
A backpack-transportable, heated sleeping bag ground pad is provided for the hiker/camper which is extremely compact, simple to use and which may incorporate a variety of conventional outdoor heat sources, such as a campfire or simple kerosene or alcohol lamp, for example. The system basically includes a heating reservoir and miniature, battery-operated pump system to circulate heated water through flexible plastic tubing embedded in a standard sleeping bag ground pad.
Claim 1
A back-pack transportable heated sleeping ground pad system comprising: (a) a sleeping ground pad; (b) a compact heating reservoir comprising: (i) a lower, thermally conductive, heat transfer surface adapted to receive heat from a variety of outdoor heating sources; (ii) an upper surface parallel to said heat transfer surface and including intergral side walls perpendicular to said upper and lower surfaces, said side walls and said lower surface including cooperative attachment means whereby said upper surface may be attached to said lower surface thereby defining a reservoir cavity for holding a heat transfer fluid therein, said upper surface adapted to receive an electric pump positioned within a pump cavity, said pump cavity and said electric pump communicating with said reservoir cavity; and (c) flexible, resilient, elongated tubing through which said heat transfer fluid may be circulated, said tubing having a fluid input end communicating with said pump cavity and a fluid output end communicating with said reservoir cavity, a substantial length of said tubing between said input and output ends strategically embedded within said ground pad for heating an optimal surface area thereof during operation of said system.
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US 5,021,019 - Novelty squirting straw
Abstract
A squirting straw device for playing a practical joke on a drinker or another nearby is described. The straw is constructed so as to direct pressurized liquid to strike the supposed drinker or another nearby in response to suction being applied at an opening of the straw.
Claim 1
A squirting straw device for playing a practical joke on a drinker or on another nearby, comprising: a cylindrical member having at least a first opening; means for directing pressurized liquid to strike said drinker or another nearby in response to suction applied at said first opening.
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US 5,031,161 - Life expectancy timepiece
Abstract
A timepiece for monitoring and displaying the approximate time remaining in a user's life. A microprocessor monitors the passage of time. A resettable memory is connected to the processor for storing data representative of years, days, hours, minutes and seconds. A display is connected to the microprocessor for displaying data stored in the memory. Buttons or switches are provided to enter and change the stored data so that the approximate time remaining in the user's life can be reset by the user.
Claim 1
A time monitoring apparatus for monitoring and displaying an approximate time remaining in a lifespan of an individual, said monitoring apparatus programmed to decrement time units from an actuarially determined lifespan and to shift a projected lifespan value as the individual grows older, said time monitoring apparatus comprising: (a) processing means for monitoring the passage of time, and programmed with an actuarial table algorithm for projecting a lifespan value for an individual, said program further shifting said lifespan value as the individual grows older and said time is monitored; (b) a resettable memory operatively connected to said processing means for storing data representative of years, days, hours, minutes, and seconds; (c) display means operatively connected to said processing means for displaying data stored in said resettable memory; and (d) means operatively connected to said processing means for entering and changing said stored data based upon characteristics specific to said individual, whereby an approximate time remaining in the lifespan of said individual can be reset by said individual.
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US 5,045,326 - Non-staling aerated bubble gum
Abstract
A non-staling, reduced density bubble gum composition is provided by a method wherein a bubble gum composition having a preselected bubble gum base composition is aerated with an inert gas in a pressurized environment. In a preferred embodiment, aeration of the bubble gum composition is achieved by the injection of nitrogen gas into the bubble gum composition during a pressurized extrusion of the gum.
Claim 1
A non-staling, reduced density bubble gum composition having a density of about 1.07 to about 1.12, said bubble gum composition including a bubble gum base composition that is stable in the presence of an inert gas, said bubble gum base composition comprising in weight percent: (a) about 0.5% to about 30% non-SBR elastomer selected from the group consisting of synthetic gums, synthetic elastomers, natural gums, natural elastomers and mixtures thereof, (b) an effective amount of a combination of two polyvinyl acetate polymeric materials selected from: (1) not more than 14% of a polyvinyl acetate having a lower molecular weight of about 12,000 to about 16,000; and (2) not more than 35% of a polyvinyl acetate having a medium molecular weight of about 35,000 to 55,000; wherein the polyvinyl acetate polymeric materials are present in a mole ratio of 1:2 to 1:45 based on the low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate to the medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate; and (c) about 5% to about 12% acetylated monoglyceride having a saponification value above about 400.
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US 5,076,029 - Helium-filled sun shades
Abstract
A sun shade is formed from two sheets of a tough, yet flexible material which have been cut to an appropriate shape and size, and sealed together at the edges to form a flat, balloon-like structure. A plurality of interconnecting flow channels or buoyant cells are stitched into the sheets to enable the structure to retain its shape without bulging. A conventional fill valve is provided for filling the space between the sheets with helium or another suitable gas. The shade is anchored above a selected surface using cables or other flexible connectors.
Claim 1
A body-carried sun shade for protecting a person comprising: a) an inflatable canopy including i) a first sheet of flexible material having a plurality of edges, said sheet having a predetermined width ii) a second sheet of flexible material having a plurality of edges secured to said edges of said first sheet and having a width approximately equal to the width of said first sheet, with a portion of said second sheet being spaced from said first sheet to define an enclosed hollow area, and iii) a fill valve communicating with said hollow area for filling said hollow area with helium; said valve controls the flow of helium into and out of said hollow area; and b) a plurality of flexible connectors secured to said canopy for suspending said canopy over the head of said person and attaching said canopy to the body of said person such that said canopy is movable with said person.
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US 5,104,608 - Programmable Christmas tree
Abstract
An artificial Christmas tree including a tree trunk extending from an aperture in an upper wall of a hollow tree base and having a plurality of optical fibers extending internally from the aperture in the base to light emitting points within simulated tree branches attached to the tree trunk by hinged tubular branch connectors. The base includes a light source and a removable cartridge-like disc holding tray for holding and rotating an infinite number of different selected user programmable colored discs between the light source and the optical fibers to create an infinite number of user created light displays within the tree.
Claim 1
An artificial Christmas tree comprising: a base including a compartment having an aperture in an upper wall opening into said compartment; a tree trunk including at least one internal passage and a plurality of holes disposed along its length opening into said at least one internal passage, said tree trunk mounted to said base with said at least one internal passage opening into said aperture in the upper wall of said base; a light source mounted in said compartment of the base; a plurality of tree branches mounted to said tree trunk at said openings in said tree trunk; a plurality of optical fibers in said at least one internal passage in said tree trunk each having one end opening to said aperture in said upper wall of the base, at least one optical fiber extending through each opening in said trunk along each branch and including at least one light emitting point on said branch; a replacable light transparent selected colored disc having a color pattern, said disc selected from a plurality of programmable colored discs each being colored in a desired pattern to produce a desired light emitting display at said light emitting points; and disc drive means for holding and rotating said selected colored disc between said light source and said aperture in said upper wall of the base said disc drive means including a drive motor mounted in said compartment of the base and a disc holding member including a cartridge or tray removably mounted in said compartment of the base adapted to removably hold said replacable selected colored disc and wherein said drive means includes means in said cartridge or tray to be rotatably driven by said drive motor when mounted in said compartment of the base.
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US 5,109,421 - Fetal speaker system and support belt for maternal wear
Abstract
A fetal speaker system and support belt of the present invention includes a belt like housing, a pair of low volume speakers mounted spaced apart, and a casing with a resilient padding material therein. The belt fastens around the abdomen and adjusts accordingly to the growing belly. A radio or other audio transmitting device is maintained in position by a sturdy sleeve on the side of the belt. The electrical conductor connecting the plug to the speakers is mounted within the casing such that the wires do not interfere with the belt wearer. The belt offers sturdy yet stain resistant material for the exterior and a comfortable soft cloth on the interior side to be worn on bare skin if desired. The material is available in a wide variety of fashionable colors and can be designed according to the individual's specifications.
Claim 1
A fetal speaker system and support belt for maternal wear comprising the combination of: an elongated support belt having opposite ends detachably connected by an adjustable fastener; said support belt being of a sturdy flexible material casing having a pair of pockets and including resilient padding material enclosed therein; said support belt housing a pair of transducers being speakers mounted in said pockets attached to the inside of said support belt adapted to contain said transducers in position on said support belt; electrical circuitry operably connected to said transducers mounted within said support belt and extending within said padding to terminate at a predetermined location on said support belt; an electronic signal generating device; an electrical connector mounted on the end of said electrical circuitry and extending outwardly through said support belt casing for connection to said electronic signal generating device such that energy signals will be generated to said transducers when connected to said connector means; means for removably mounting said signal generating device on said support belt located on said belt casing adjacent to said electrical connector means; said means for removably mounting said signal generating device includes a sleeve-like housing adapter to receive and contain said signal generating device in position on said belt when fastened thereto; said support belt having opposite ends securely fastened and adjusted to properly fit and extra support for lower back area; and said support belt including said resilient padding providing insulation to protect against sounds emitting from the exterior side of said belt casing to be heard by anyone other than the intended fetus.
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US 5,131,832 - Heated ice cream scoop apparatus
Abstract
An ice cream scoop including a ladle formed with an interior wall and exterior wall defining a heating chamber therebetween. The heating chamber including a vent directed through the exterior wall diametrically opposed to an elongate handle, wherein the handle includes a heating assembly mounting a heating cartridge directing heated air supply between the interior and exterior walls of the scoop.
Claim 1
A heated ice cream scoop apparatus, comprising, a concave ladle head, the ladle head including an interior wall spaced from and coextensive with an exterior wall defining a ladle head cavity therebetween, and the ladle head including a handle member radially directed into and secured to the concave ladle head, and the ladle head further including a ladle head vent opening directed through the exterior wall in communication with the ladle head cavity, and the handle including a handle shaft conduit, heating means for effecting selective projection of heat within the handle member conduit, the handle shaft conduit positioned adjacent and above said heating means, and the handle shaft includes a handle cavity slot, the handle cavity slot coaxially aligned with the handle shaft conduit, and the handle shaft slot including a selectively removable butane lighter member, the butane lighter member including a butane reservoir supply in cooperation with a flame outlet nozzle, and a striker wheel and valve plate mounted to the butane lighter member to effect selective actuation of the butane lighter member to direct a flame from the outlet nozzle, and the outlet nozzle positioned below the handle shaft conduit.
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US 5,157,793 - Ergonomically engineered underwear
Abstract
A man's undergarment ergodynamically designed to have the combined quality and characteristics of a brief and an athletic supporter and which is of scant dimensions and fits snugly about a man's body with leg openings of such size as to provide additional comfort to the wearer. The system comprises four major parts, a waistband, a front panel, a back panel, and a 3-dimensional raised insert stitched in an oval shaped cutout in the front panel to act as a cradle and provide support without crush. Elastic edges are provided on the leg openings. Each of the parts are designed so that when sewn together, they provide a perfect fit for each size.
Claim 1
A personal suspension system ergonomically sized for proper fit and comfort comprising: an elastic waistband, a back panel of stretch fabric stitched at a first end said waistband, said back panel having elastic seams formed along opposite side edges extending from said first end to a second end, a front panel of stretch fabric stitched at a first end to said waistband at a position opposite said back panel, and a second end stitched to said second end of said back panel, said front panel having an oval shaped cutout located in a central position, said front panel having elastic seams formed along opposite side edges extending from said first end to said second end, said elastic seams of said front and back panels together forming elastic edged leg openings said leg openings extending from said waist band to said second edges and thereby providing an outside fly, and insert means, forming a double-layered, three-dimensional, raised, receptacle, stitched within said front panel oval shaped cutout for creating a cradle or hammock effect for gently supporting a man's genitals.
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US 5,163,447 - Force-sensitive, sound-playing condom
Abstract
A force-sensitive sound-playing condom comprising: a condom body (10) having a distal end and a proximal end, and a miniature force-sensitive sound-playing unit (14) attached to the condom at its proximal end. The proximal end of the condom is made in the form of a semirigid rim (12) having a lower part with an opening (16) coinciding with the cavity of the condom, and an upper part extending radially upwardly from the body of the condom and supporting the sound-playing unit (14). The latter contains a chip-controlled piezoelectric sound transducer which plays a melody or voiced message when during intercouse the contacts (28 and 30) of the sound-playing unit (14) are closed and the transducer is activated.
Claim 1
A force-sensitive sound-playing condom, comprising: a condom body, and force-sensitive sound-playing means for emitting a predetermined sound, said force-sensitive sound-playing means being attached to said condom body, said condom being donnable upon an erect penis without activating said force-sensitive sound-playing means, said force-sensitive sound-playing means being designed to emit said predetermined sound in response to a predetermined external force created during the act of sexual intercourse.
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US 5,186,675 - Air vent toy
Abstract
An inflatable vent toy for an exhaust vent air outlet comprising: an inflatable balloon made of a flexible material patterned and shaped to suit the preference of a user having a base defining an air inlet with surrounding attachment structure to secure the base over the exhaust vent air outlet such that the air inlet is in communication with the vent air outlet to enable in-coming air from the vent to enter the base air inlet and fill the balloon in a first mode, and to escape and collapse in a second mode when the in-coming air from the vent stops.
Claim 1
An inflatable vent toy covering an exhaust vent air outlet of a forced air heating or cooling system leading into a room enclosure, the flow of which is responsive to the temperature within said room enclosure comprising: an inflatable balloon made of a flexible material patterned and shaped to suit the preference of a user having a base defining an air inlet with surrounding attachment structure means releasalely securing the base over an exhaust vent air outlet such that when the air inlet is in communication with a vent air outlet to direct in-coming air from a vent to enter the base air inlet and fill the balloon in a first mode while allowing vented air to also enter the room, and when the in-coming air from a vent stops, the balloon collapses in a second mode.
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US 5,188,107 - Bi-digital O-ring test for imaging and diagnosis of internal organs of a patient
Abstract
A method of imaging an internal organ of a patient for purposes of medical diagnosis, where a patient forms an O-ring shape with one of hands by placing the fingertips of his thumb and one of his remaining fingers together and a sample of tissue of an internal organ is placed on the patient's other hand, and the patient's internal organ is non-invasively externally probed with a probing instrument. The internal organ is the same type of organ as that of the sample. Simultaneously a tester attempts to pull apart the O-ring shape by means of the tester placing his thumb and one of the remaining fingers of each of his hands within the O-ring shape of the patient to form interlocking O-rings and pulling the thumb and the finger of the patient apart due to an electromagnetic field of the tissue of the sample interacting with an electromagnetic field of the internal organ being probed and this interaction is detected by the ability to pull apart the O-ring shape thereby permitting imaging of the boundaries of the internal organ being probed.
Claim 1
A method of imaging an internal organ of a patient for purposes of medical diagnosis, comprising the steps of: having the patient form an O-Ring shape with one of his hands by placing the fingertips of his thumb and one of his remaining fingers together; placing a sample of tissue of an internal organ on or about the close vicinity of the patient's other hand; and non-invasive external probing of the patient with probing means, the internal organ being the same type of organ as that of the sample and simultaneously attempting to pull apart the O-Ring shape by means of a tester placing his thumb and one of his remaining fingers of each of his hands within the O-Ring shape of the patient to form interlocking O-Rings to form interlocking O-Rings and pulling the thumb and the finger of the patient apart whereby an electromagnetic field of the tissue of the sample interacts with an electromagnetic field of the internal organ being probed and this interaction is detected by the ability to pull apart the O-Ring shape by the tester's O-Rings of compatible strength thereby permitting imaging of the boundaries of the internal organ being probed.
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US 5,195,917 - Tear-apart stress relief doll and method
Abstract
A method for relieving tension, and a stress-relief doll figure for practicing the method. A doll is provided representing a source of stress, such as a television sports referee. The doll has a torso, legs, arms and a head each removably attached by means of Velcro such that the limbs and head can be selectively torn off in repsonse to an action of the source of stress, such as a "bad call", and subsequently replaced. A method and means for relieving tension in a satisfying manner are thus provided.
Claim 1
A method for relieving tension, comprising: providing a stuffed doll simulating a sports referee with indicia simulating a referee uniform, the doll representing an actual sports referee whose actions can constitute a source of tension-inducing stress, the doll having a torso portion; and leg elements, arm elements, said arm elements mounting a releasable attachment means and terminating in a simulated hand and said leg elements comprising a fabric casing, the fabric extended into an integral flap which mounts a releasable attachment means, a flag attached to one of said hands and a head element with releasable attachments, at least some of the elements being removably attached to the torso portion by said attachment means, said elements selectively torn off the torso portion in response to an action of the actual sports referee, such as in the event of a bad call, and the removably-attached elements subsequently replaced after user tension has been relieved.
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US 5,197,216 - Combined camouflage and decoy device
Abstract
A combined camouflage and decoy device which includes a suspension mechanism such as a cap wearable on the head of a hunter. A cape is suspended from and hangs freely from the suspension mechanism. A decoy extends outward from the suspension mechanism. The hunter will be allowed to impart movement to the decoy to attract animals.
Claim 1
A combined camouflage and decoy device which comprises: suspension means receivable on the head of a hunter, said suspension means including a cap having a flexible top; a cape suspended from and hanging freely from said suspension means; a decoy extending outward from said suspension means, said decoy including a flexible outer shell and loose packed stuffing within said shell, wherein said stuffing is in communication with said flexible top; whereby the movement of said hunter imparts movement to said decoy, and wherein flexing of said top inwardly will allow partial displacement of said stuffing from said shell for packing or storage of said device.
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US 5,205,055 - Pneumatic shoe lacing apparatus
Abstract
A shoe member includes a plurality of securement webs directed about a lacing gap within the shoe upper, wherein the webs are each mounted slidably within associated cavities, with tether lines mounted to the webs operative above a crank pulley, with the crank pulley in operative engagement with a slidable actuator rod to effect projection of the securement webs forcibly within each respective cavity, wherein a gas cylinder is operative to effect rotation of the crank pulley by use of an associated slide rod within a guide cylinder to effect winding of each associated tether line relative to each associated securement web.
Claim 1
A pneumatic shoe lacing apparatus, comprising, a shoe assembly, including a shoe sole, the shoe sole including a shoe sole side wall, and a shoe upper mounted to the shoe sole extending upwardly thereof, the shoe upper including an upper top wall, and the top wall including an elongate lacing gap, the lacing gap including a tongue positioned below the lacing gap coextensively thereof, and a plurality of securement webs mounted above the lacing gap, with the securement webs including at least a first web and a second web, and the first web and the second web mounted to a first side of the lacing gap, and the first web and the second web mounted to a second side of the lacing gap, and the first web and the second web slidably directed through a respective first slot and second slot through the second side of the lacing gap into the shoe upper, and the first web and the second web including a respective first cavity and second cavity receiving the first web and the second web, and a first tether line mounted to the first web, with the first tether line directed through the first cavity, and a second tether line mounted to the second web when the second tether line is directed through the second cavity, and a crank pulley rotatably mounted within the shoe upper above the side wall, with the crank pulley including said first tether line and said second tether line mounted thereto, and drive means arranged for rotation of the crank pulley, with the drive means mounted within the shoe sole effecting selective rotation of the crank pulley and winding of the first tether line and the second tether line about the crank pulley.
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US 5,213,428 - Biodegradable toothbrush
Abstract
A disposable toothbrush formed of a biodegradable material such as biodegradable plastic. The toothbrush would fit, preferably, over the index finger of a user. By using the index finger, it is easy to reach any part of the teeth by locating the toothbrush so as to apply a brushing action to the upper and lower teeth, with the toothbrush located on the outside or inside of the index finger. A toothbrush cap provides an opening for receipt of an index finger of a user. On a flattened portion of the toothbrush cap, are defined two to four rows of short bristles, preferably 3/16 inches in height. These bristles may be formed integrally with the toothbrush cap or include bristles imbedded in the cap. These bristles are impregnated with dehydrated toothpaste which bonds with the bristles to form a defined layer on top of the bristles. Upon contact with water, the impregnated toothpaste would hydrolyze to aid in brushing of the teeth for a single use. Upon completion of brushing, the toothbrush would be disposed of in its entirety.
Claim 1
A disposable toothbrush comprising: a cap including an opening for receipt of a fingertip, a flat surface located on one side of said cap having bristles projecting therefrom for brushing of teeth, a layer of dehydrated toothpaste being located on said bristles, and at least one dental hygiene accessory located on a side of said cap opposite to said one side, said at least one dental hygiene accessory being located within a capsule slidably mounted on said cap.
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US 5,255,452 - Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion
Abstract
A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member.
Claim 1
A system for engaging shoes with a hitch mans to permit a person standing on a stage surface to lean forwardly beyond his or her center of gravity, comprising: at least one shoe having a heel with a first engagement means, said first engagement means comprising a recess formed in a heel of said shoe covered with a heel slot plane located at a bottom region of said heel, said heel slot plate having a slot formed therein with a relatively wide opening at a leading edge of said heel and a narrower terminal end rearward of said leading edge, said recess being larger in size above said terminal end of said slot than is said terminal end of said slot; and a second engagement means, detachably engageable with said first engagement means, comprising a hitch member having an enlarged head portion connected by a narrower shank portion to a means for raising and lowering said head of said hitch member above and substantially level with or below said stage surface, said head portion being larger in size than said terminal end of said slot and said shank portion being narrower than said terminal end of said slot, wherein said hitch member can be moved through apertures in said stage surface between a projecting position raised above said stage surface and a retracted position at or below the stage surface, and when said head portion of said hitch member is raised above said stage surface, said first engagement means can be detachably engaged with said projecting hitch member, thereby allowing a person wearing the shoes to lean forwardly with his or her normal center of gravity beyond a front region of said shoes, and maintain said forward lean.
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US 5,301,996 - Method and apparatus for directing a stream of pressurized fluid at a location forward of a wheel to improve the traction of the same
Abstract
Apparatus and method for reducing the air pressure ahead of the contact patch of a rotating wheel by directing an air jet substantially at right angles or forwardly of right angle to the plane of the wheel to increase, improve traction and the heating characteristics. In an embodiment the air is heated so as to further improve the traction and other characteristics.
Claim 1
In a device having a rotating wheel which rotates about a spin axis and is adapted to contact a surface at the contact patch such that the wheel at the contact patch and the surface at the contact patch have the same velocity, means for supplying a gas jet in a direction that is essentially parallel with the spin axis at a location which is ahead of the contact patch.
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US 5,307,162 - Cloaking system using optoelectronically controlled camouflage
Abstract
The Cloaking System is designed to operate in the visible light spectrum, utilizes optoelectronics and/or photonic components to conceal an object within it, and employs analog or digital control feedback resulting in camouflage adaptable to a changing background. The system effectively conceals either a still or moving object from view by the interposing of a shield between an observer and the object and recreating a full color synthetic image of the background on the shield for viewing by observer, thus creating the illusion of transparency of both the object and t