Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 4498880 | Hurlable water rescue aid Hurlable, water rescue aid 10 comprising an initially collapsed, gas-inflatable buoyancy element 12, a ball-shaped bracket 24 supporting the buoyancy element in collapsed condition generally within the locus of the bracket, a compressed gas supply 32 with... | 02/12/1985 |
| 4498343 | Method and apparatus for two-axis screening vibration Two axis shaker vibration of a slip plate is achieved by use of angularly disposed shakers of novel design, each being provided with an armature cantilevered from the slip plate and free to laterally translate at the same time they drive the slip plate. P... | 02/12/1985 |
| 4493389 | Speaker assembly An acoustic assembly adapted to receive a loudspeaker comprising an enclosed housing having an area defining a loudspeaker port and an area defining at least one sound port, the loudspeaker port being adapted to mount the loudspeaker substantially outside... | 01/15/1985 |
| 4489235 | Hydrocolloid conditioner apparatus A microprocessor controlled hydrocolloid conditioner comprising a frame, a bath tank separably supported by said frame for containing water heated to a pre-determined temperature useful in the conditioning of hydrocolloid material, heating means comprisin... | 12/18/1984 |
| 4489220 | Test set A test set designed for testing meter reading units as well as telephone line connections for automatic utility meter reading systems. The test set is capable of simulating the meter reading apparatus when testing the telephone line and of simulating the ... | 12/18/1984 |
| 4487443 | Tote for easy carrying of bulky, heavy or odd-shaped loads A tote 10 comprises a rack 12 and a strap assembly 14. The rack 12 has a generally rectangular wall portion 32 and a foot 50 projecting outwardly therefrom to support a load held to the rack wall portion by the several webs 16 and plates 18, 20 of the str... | 12/11/1984 |
| 4483233 | Combined guitar and bass guitar having eight strings A combined guitar and bass guitar employing a common body, neck and finger board and more significantly employing two common strings to provide both instruments employing a total of eight strings.... | 11/20/1984 |
| 4479599 | Positioning and firing device for explosive-actuated tools Ceiling hanger clip 20 installation is facilitated by carrying a standard clip fastener firing gun 16 on an extended handle 12 having means 86, 98, for tripping the gun trigger 28 responsive to thrusting thereof against the ceiling.... | 10/30/1984 |
| 4470999 | High speed, high volume coffee making apparatus and method Apparatus and method for the high speed, high volume making of coffee by preheating then superheating water, mixing with a liquid coffee concentrate and balancing heat demands throughout the apparatus to enable preheating of the receiving urn, storing of ... | 09/11/1984 |
| 4466131 | Automatic separation system The present invention is a method and apparatus for separating a plurality of radio frequency signals, comprising N number of signal collectors, each signal collector receiving the plurality of signals from a location different than the other signal colle... | 08/14/1984 |
| 4457052 | Buckle for child's car seat harness An improved buckle for a child's safety car seat in which a release plate normally bears against a center plate, within an enclosing housing, to receive in locking relation hasp tips having opening cooperating with bosses on the release plate. The housing... | 07/03/1984 |
| 4454877 | Portable nebulizer or mist producing device A nebulizer comprising of an elongated body including a nebulized fluid emission opening at one end with a nebulizer fluid reservoir communicating with the opening and a fluid barrier means adjacent to the opening. A wick extends between the reservoir and... | 06/19/1984 |
| 4450784 | Hand-carryable flying sailboat A hand-carryable flying sailboat for kite and water sports in which a lightweight rigid frame supports an airfoil-defining fabric stretched over the frame for flying and a sail assembly is carried dorsally by the frame and enables sail propulsion of the c... | 05/29/1984 |
| 4444701 | Mold release agent composition and improved molding method An improvement in methods and compositions for molding plastics in which the waxy release agent is treated with an indicator dye invisible under normal light but visible under UV illumination, so that completeness and adequacy of the initial application a... | 04/24/1984 |
| 4442558 | Bed covering having an overall pattern and a pocket integrated therein This invention involves a bed covering incorporating a pouch for a child in which the pouch is part of a fun scene on the bed cover and the child becomes part of the scene while taking a nap. The pouch is of sufficient size to allow free movement of the c... | 04/17/1984 |
| 4440026 | Vibration apparatus with flexure means A torsionally stiff flexure support for the slip plate in a vibration apparatus is provided permitting predetermined linear motion along the axis of vibration by longitudinal bending of the flexure, but by virtue of its torsional stiffness blocking pivoti... | 04/03/1984 |
| 4439470 | Method for forming ternary alloys using precious metals and interdispersed phase Method is provided for improving performance alloy structures improved in corrosion and erosion and wear resistance characteristics by the incorporation of an interdispersed phase and a ternary or quaternhary alloy of platinum, rhodium or palladium, the a... | 03/27/1984 |
| 4436400 | Apparatus for positive vignetting The apparatus of the present invention is for use with a subject and a camera, including a lens and a shutter, for positive vignetting comprising a means adjacent the camera lens for at least partially obstructing subject light received by the camera lens... | 03/13/1984 |
| 4433070 | Cultured onyx products and methods therefor Cultured onyx, cultured marble, and like mineral-appearing products are provided, as well as intermediates and components and methods therefor through the combination of a locally discontinuous phase comprising a synthetic organic resin portion hardened t... | 02/21/1984 |
| 4414951 | Vehicle fuel conditioning apparatus Vehicle fuel conditioning apparatus is provided for improved combustion of hydrocarbon fuel tending to acquire an electrostatic charge during vehicle tank storage which charge inhibits full atomization of the fuel when mixed with air for combustion, the a... | 11/15/1983 |
| 4414617 | Track lighting system A track lighting system comprising an elongated track member including an upstanding web adapted to act as a support point for the system and to provide stiffness thereto. The track member defines a longitudinally extending recess having a throat portion ... | 11/08/1983 |
| 4414198 | Rapidly disintegrable tablet composition and method Rapidly water-disintegrable tablet is provided comprising an active ingredient such as a foodstuff or medicament, and distributed therewithin a small but effective amount of a tablet disintegrable system comprising an unreacted, intimate mixture of algini... | 11/08/1983 |
| 4413660 | Apparatus for twist-tying ceiling hangers from joists Apparatus for the rapid twist-tying of a wire ceiling hanger onto a ceiling joist, comprising easily bendable wire of U-shape with a relatively longer leg and a relatively shorter leg having their respective axes in a common plane and radially spaced for ... | 11/08/1983 |
| 4413069 | Composition with selectively active modifier and method Method for in situ release into a matrix of modifying reagent by exposure of selectively responsive means to electromagnetic radiation using a composition comprising a modifiable matrix and means selectively releasing aliquot portions of modifier distribu... | 11/01/1983 |
| 4411187 | Composite marimba bars This invention relates to improved percussion musical bars for xylophones, marimbas, bar bells, orchestra bells, vibraphones etc. Traditionally, music played on a marimba, for example, is of one type in the lower octaves denoted by a longer sustained soun... | 10/25/1983 |
| 4408595 | Turret mounted solar concentrator with boom mounted secondary mirror or collector A solar energy concentrator/collector assembly employing an altitude-azimuth dual axis scanning mounting assembly including a base with a circular track for mounting the assembly for rotation about a vertical axis. The assembly includes a turret defining ... | 10/11/1983 |
| 4402764 | Method for producing abrasion and erosion resistant articles Erosion and abrasion resistant refractory metal carbide articles are provided having multiphase alloy of borides including titanium boride, binder metal boride, and titanium-binder metal-refractory metal borides by diffusion of titanium initially to conve... | 09/06/1983 |
| 4401312 | Automated trash collection receptacle Machine dumpable, self-closing trash receptacle comprising an axially elongated, upwardly open, trash receiving body having an outwardly projecting flange at its upper rim, and a body cover, the body and cover being connected in hinged relation by coopera... | 08/30/1983 |
| 4400028 | Remote driving tool with tubular lock feature Hand held, remote driving tool for driving a rotatable working head such as a lag bolt and hanger wire insertion head, at a distance otherwise beyond the reach of the tool operator, the tool comprising a rigid axially elongated tubular driver member adapt... | 08/23/1983 |
| 4396800 | Microphone switching device Apparatus allowing a performer on stage using a microphone to communicate privately backstage during a performance with minimum or unobservable interruption to the audience. A miniature switch on an attachment to the microphone handle when actuated via th... | 08/02/1983 |
| 4392381 | Driver bar assembly Driver bar assembly for vibration test apparatus, comprising a bar element and a retainer element separably connected thereto; the bar element having a normally vertically disposed base attachable to a pivotally mounted shaker head and a normally horizont... | 07/12/1983 |
| 4389439 | Erosion resistant tubular apparatus for handling slurries Tubing, pump cylinders and tank vessels, and similar tubular apparatus for containing and conveying from a supply thereof a highly erosive composition slurry comprising fine particulates in a liquid medium and free of gross particulates along a predetermi... | 06/21/1983 |
| 4388820 | Camber correction tool Camber corrective adjustment tool having a rigid bar and opposed arms, one of which is fixed relative to the bar, and the other pivoted thereto in a manner to act as a fulcrum relative to the wheel mounting plate, for cooperation with a power unit to flex... | 06/21/1983 |
| 4383524 | Method and apparatus for aiding in cervical spine radiographic production A traction aid for lowering the shoulders during lateral cervical spine radiographic procedures. The device employs a pair of wrist cuffs joined by an adjustable loop which extends around the underside of the feet of a supine patient. Straightening the kn... | 05/17/1983 |
| 4381016 | Cleaning fluid distribution head A cleaning head for cleaning elongated tubes having multiple separate paths for different cleaning fluids to be supplied in sequence, and an impeller adapted to throw a first portion of the cleaning fluid centrifugally onto the tube inner wall, and to pas... | 04/26/1983 |
| 4378883 | Bicycle carrying case An improved bicycle transport container comprising a pair of hinged sides including an interior configured to hold a bicycle with minimum of unused interior which is space. The hinged sides contain matching openings therethrough which coincide with the po... | 04/05/1983 |
| 4374515 | Fireplace air distribution system A combustion air system for fireplaces capable of introducing outside air to the firebox of a fireplace in a position for efficient distribution within the firebox. The system includes both manual and thermostatic operation for controlling the quantity of... | 02/22/1983 |
| 4364600 | Safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus Passenger safety in vehicles equipped with sun roof accessory is enhanced by provision of a safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus for vehicle sun roof panels movably mounted in a vehicle roof opening circumscribed by a fixed flange. The appar... | 12/21/1982 |
| 4363625 | Dental technicians tool and tool retainer Dental technician's tool and retainer combination adapted for the rapid and accurate positioning of a tooth model die repetitively on a model base support, the tool comprising an axially elongated member having an upwardly extended head portion engageable... | 12/14/1982 |
| 4363476 | Hand tool actuator A hand tool adapter for bench operation comprising a frame including a cradle adapted to receive one handle of a two-handle hand operated tool. The adapter includes apparatus for securing the handle in place in relatively fixed relationship with the base.... | 12/14/1982 |
