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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 1986)
Wednesday, April 16, 1986/The Battalion/Page 3 State and Local oA&M prof designs sit/stand chair [nventor predicts postures campus ■n the st may be bettered as result intinuclftM ' ^enpeactl lA&M; By ANALISA VINSON ft the intf Reporter cLnisf; j), j err y Congleton, an asso- ties l: j a te professor of industrial en- haven folneering at Texas A&M, has t sym; lesigned a sit/stand type of chair could If H ' ie sa Y s ma y revolutionize j Imptica’s sitting posture. fall tfiilM )n g let0n began desi g nin & louiuiotH c h a i r { or surgeons while 'CCt)." /orking on his doctorate at nee wiltlexas Tech University. [since t<pl_ n fN'nyKThere’s an opportunity to rave better posture with a sit/s- vnur'd type of chair,” Congleton •'* IKHclll ' office. Hongleton decided the chair nation a eeded to put the body in a posi- m of neutral posture. Neutral posture is the form istronauts take while sleeping in ior politu weightless enviroment. 1 1 0*7 i yie legs are in a 127-degree ngk to the torso and the arms Mout in front. ■tere’s no pressure on the j ^yt/ertebrae in this position, he I I'“In'space the body automat- ( py has this posture,” Congle- mlsays. “It is also the position fthedead man’s float.” IS so its [Congleton has begun to mar- ■is chairs with the help of the g to taltInstitute of Ventures in New payme;:: technology. INVENT was established by h I ^ J ffi bexas L e g‘ s * atu, 'e in 1983 to I' 1 ! 11 ' Irpm o t e research and over Iv htfepreneurship in Texas, eluded tkB dves.ltw IN VENT has invested im that : in Congleton Work ed Systems and owns 15 per- ptof the company. . HAjBie institute also helped Con- a . .won refine the original chair .s or catenaj^ipg some functional a have binges. The seat pan of the Pos-Chair is a combination of a tractor seat and an English saddle. It has contour for the buttocks and thighs and leg troughs to keep the person from sliding out. The seat pan comes in four sizes, two for men and two for women. Congleton says the differences between a man’s pelvis and a wom an’s pelvis makes different types of contours for the seat necessary. The seat pan also can be adjusted from a 90-degree angle, the normal sitting position, to an angle of 130 degrees. “This helps you find what angle is non-stressed for you,” Congleton says. In addition, the seat pan can be lifted from normal sitting to the height of a tall stool. The chair has a backrest which can be adjusted to the small of the back by being raised or lowered. It also has an inflatable airbag which, when pumped up, can give extra support to one’s back. INVENT also provided Congle ton with marketing and business plans for his company. Congleton Workplace Systems had its grand open house on last Wednesday and has sold 140 chairs to date. Congleton says he is the first fac ulty member and his is the second completed project to go through INVENT. The Pos-Chair won a prize as the most utilitarian invention at the 1985 Austin Computer Fair’s In ventor’s Showcase. In the past, he has designed chairs for bass boats and deer stands. Congleton now says he would like to develop an executive chair with a larger backrest and armrests. Hightower: Texas farm ‘endangered species’ Dr. Jerry Congleton, an associate professor of industrial engi neering, created a chair, which he says could improve posture. develop a wheelchair and introduce microscope and computer tables. He says he hopes to sell 3,000 chairs by the end of the company’s first year. The three main dealers will be computer stores, office supply stores, and stores that sell equip ment for people with bad backs, he says. Congleton also is looking into selling the chairs directly to major industries. He currently is lending out some of the chairs to companies and sur geons for evaluation. The Pos-Chair costs about $600, but the price varies with different options and upholstery. THEATHT GUIDE Plitt Information 846-6714 e suit as n : another | enof hat has eryonei ■ was ad iral areas w , as erything to the usit g. In run e. There,! now one asp* . annah and her sisters (PG-13) eck usual'® | y9:00 AUSTIN (AP) — Texas lost 173 farms and ranches a week during 1985, while one-sixth of the survi vors predict 1986 could be their last year on the land, a new study said Tuesday. “The personal effects of the fi nancial devastation have idled pro ductive farmland and left proud families in ruin,” said the report re leased by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower said the farm crisis that has spread from the Midwest to Texas rivals the oil price slump in economic devastation. “The commercial family farmer in Texas is an endangered species, hav ing survived the last four years on determination, grit and remarkable efficiency in the face of overwhelm ing economic obstacles,” Hightower said. “Texas farmers just finished their worst year since the Great Depres sion. ... By every indication, the farm crisis in Texas will be much worse in 1986. Action must be taken immediately if we hope the family farm will survive this decade.” Among the report’s findings: • Since 1981, 49,000 Texas farms have gone out of business. • Statewide, 17.7 percent of farmers said 1986 could be their last year. • After adjustment for inflation, farm income fell 35 percent from 1979 to 1984. Meanwhile, produc tion costs soared by more then $800 million. • Texas farm debt grew by $4 bil lion, with the current statewide farm debt surpassing $ 14 billion. • Regional farmland values have plummeted, with values in the High Plains dropping by as much as 25 percent and values on the Gulf Coast down by 21 percent. • Used equipment values have fallen by as much as 60 percent. The study said the damage being done extends far beyond the farm or ranch gates. Problems extend from farm sup ply companies saddled with high debt and dormant machinery to tea chers who have lost their jobs be cause many Texas farmers and ranchers, socked in with unyielding debts and dwindling hope, are delin quent in taxes that vitalize their cities and towns, the study says. Rep. Steve Carriker, D-Roby, a farmer and chairman of the task force, said rural banks also are suf fering as farmers find themselves unable to repay. “Texas farmers and ranchers have never expected to have a guar anteed profit from their work, but today’s farm programs have guar anteed them a loss,” Carriker said. He said the study found that High Plains farmers lose as much as 66 cents on each bushel of corn they grow; West Texas farmers lose 16 cents per pound of cotton; northeast Texas farmers lose 51 cents on a bushel of soybeans; and Gulf Coast farmers lose $6.62 per hundred weight of rice. “With losses like these, you can understand why so many farmers believe they will have reached the end of their rope before this year is out,” Carriker said. The study suggested several short-term and longer range actions, although it stopped short of recom mending a moratorium on farm foreclosures or establishment of state-subsidized loan programs. But Hightower said the key is con gressional legislation which allows family farmers to cover their pro duction costs and imposes a supply- management mechanism to adjust crop production to demand. The current federal farm bill must be changed this year, he said. “Political pressure is building up for Congress to do something sensi ble rather than something terminally dumb,” Hightower said. Over the long term, Hightower said, government credit demands brought on by high federal deficits must be reduced to bring down in terest rates, and farmers need to di versify into alternative cash crops. U.S. Treasury Bonds For each $1,000 you spend at Texas Coin Exchange on a loose diamond, Texas Coin Exchange will give you a $1,000 U.S. Trea sury bond. This offer does not apply on any other merchandise. Lay-a-way not included. This offer ends Saturday, April 19,1986! ROUND Bonds Our Price Compare at fritters (PG-13) i that pnX'® 0 9:20 y insurant! t e - ato® dienation he other n netted ft t —highei st. Juries vay. EW foiet Earth (R) ted from ':509:50 on, asi jnsiblitiy I Cinema III •» aggs Center 846-6714 Money Pit (PG) nightly )9:20 I of The Hand (R) >9:30 IT lln»n SCHULMAN THEATRES 2.50 ADMISSION Any show before 3PM the conseJ Tnishrooml s, oncent jlgce fikFTuesday - All Seats million dtf Mon-Wed Local students rscan’twith current ID’s lawyers,; ice compa DENOTES DOLBY STEREO PLAZA 3 hwest Pky 693-2457 ETTY IN PINK PG-13 7:20»:40 rrowthcjjg qqlqr PURPLE PG-13 IS n profit if ith dnf 13,000 7,000 6,000 7,000 4,000 4,000 3,000 4,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 3,000 1,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 •1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 mer win ault. If 1 ******* MANOR EAST 3 N AND OUT IN :RLY HILLS R 7:25 9:45 BEAT PG 7:30 9:50 ■EEPING BEAUTY G 7:15 9:00 SCHULMAN 6 !D02E 29th OLICE ACADEMY 3 PG Mi Sfe the escape r. cahe CROSSROADS R TfiW’S — URPHY’S ROMANCE R UDCATSR n necessity ™ lei—— tognphr* 1 * PRIL FOOL’S DAY R it for Mi*.' 1 :/ year. ,n,rX7tH> iversity, ' 775-2463 7:20 9:40 7:30 9:55 13,350“ 7,980“ 6,650“ 7,950“ 4,985“ 4,575“ 3,875“ 4,395“ 3,575“ 3,475“ 3,495“ 2,875“ 2,195“ 2,095“ 1,985“ 1,675“ 2,825“ 2,825“ 2,395“ 2,795“ 1,875“ 1,875“ 3,235“ 1,850“ 2,695“ 1,950“ 1,950“ 2,095“ 2,075“ 1,950“ 1,520“ 1,975” 1,650“ 1,295“ 1,125“ 1,050“ 1,195“ 1,295“ 975“ 975“ 815“ 825“ 835” 825“ 975“ 775“ 975“ 975” 945“ 930“ 930“ 850” 895“ 945” 895” 895“ 685“ 865” 875“ 695“ 25,000°° 13,500°° 12,250°° 14,500“ 8,950“ 7,500“ 5,900“ 6,300“ 6,200“ 5,700“ 6,800“ 5,500“ 4,200“ 3,975“ 3,800“ 2,975“ 5,500“ 5,500“ 4,850“ 5,350“ 3,850“ 3,850“ 5,975“ 3,850“ 5,350“ 3,850“ 3,850“ 4,200“ 4,175“ 3,950“ 2,975“ 2,850“ 3,300“ 2,500“ 2,350“ 2,150“ 2,350“ 2,600“ 1,950“ 1,950“ 1,675“ 1,650“ 1,650“ 1,650“ 1,875“ 1,550“ 1,875“ 1,875“ 1,850“ 1,830“ 1,800“ 1,750“ 1,750“ 1,850“ 1,900“ 1,900“ 1,300“ 1,750“ 1,750“ 1,750“ ROUND 1 Our Price Compare at .53pts 845“ 1,650“ .53pts 495“ 995“ .52pts 830“ 1,650“ ,52pts 820“ 1,640“ .51pts 795“ 1,550“ ,50pts 750“ 1,500“ .49pts 770“ 1,650“ .50pts 750“ 1,550“ ,49pts 785“ 1,700“ .48pts 795“ 1,700“ .47pts 750” 1,700“ ,48pts 795“ 1,500“ .46pts 585” 1,150“ .46pts 585“ 1,150“ ,46pts 585” 1,150“ .49pts 785“ 1,500“ ,47pts 750“ 1,500“ ,46pts 595” 1,250“ ,45pts 535“ 1,100“ .42pts 660“ 1250“ ,45pts 695“ 1250“ .27pts 270“ 475“ ,27pts 270“ 475“ ,26pts 265“ 550“ ,26pts 250“ 475“ ,23.pts 235“ 475“ .21 pts 215“ 415“ .20pts 205“ 410“ .20pts 180“ 380“ ,20pts 165“ 350“ . 19pts 165“ 350“ ,18pts 155“ 295“ . 10pts 63“ 125“ ,08pts 41“ 85“ ,07pts 38“ 75“ ,06pts 33“ 65“ ,05pts 29* 45“ MARQUISE Bonds Our Price Compare at 1,52cts 2,000 $2,750“ $6,700“ 1,46cts 3,000 3,750“ 7,500“ 1.1 Gets 3,000 3,195“ 6,200“ ,73pts 1,000 1,295“ 2,500“ ,73pts 1,000 1,235“ 2,500“ .72pts 1,000 1,250“ 2,500“ .70pts 1,000 1,195“ 2,350“ .55pts 895“ 1,750“ .50pts 875“ 1,750“ ,37pts 450“ 9,00“ ,36pts 525“ 1,050“ .35pts 425“ 950“ .35pts 425“ 850“ ,33pts 395“ 750“ .30pts 365“ 750“ .30pts 365“ 750“ .27pts 325“ 675“ ,18pts 195“ 295“ OVAL Bonds Our Price Compare at 2.58cts 9,000 9,750“ $19,500“ 1.1 Sets 2,000 2,495“ 5,200“ 1.01 cts 2,000 2,475“ 4950“ 1 OOcts 3,000 3,300“ 6750“ .83pts 1,000 1,650“ 3,300“ .78pts. 1,000 1,650“ 3,300“ .71 pts 1,000 1,495“ 2,900“ ,63pts 895“ 1,750“ .44pts 335” 670“ ,38pts 285” 575“ .38pts 285“ 575“ .32pts 240“ 485“ .30pts 225” 430“ .27pts 200“ 295“ .25pts 195“ 295“ ,25pts 195“ 295“ MODIFIED RADIANT I Bonds Our Price Compare at 2.01 cts 4,000“ 4,350“ $6,900“ 1.03cts 2,000“ 2,600” 5,500“ .93pts 1,000“ 1,945“ 3,950“ ,42pts 750“ 1,550“ .35pts 635“ 1,350“ PEAR Bonds Our Price Compare at 1.59cts 3,000 3.175“ $6500“ 1.17cts 2,000 3250“ 4750“ .78pts 1,000 1750“ 3500“ .62pts 1,000 1395“ 2700“ .54pts 1,000 1195“ 2300“ .47pts 1,000 1050“ 2200“ .30pts 1,000 350“ 750“ EMERALD J Bonds Our Price Compare at 2.62cts. 6,000 6,485“ $13,500“ 2.55cts. 7,000 7,495“ 16,500“ 1.02ctS 2,000“ 2,495“ 4,900“ <3. 3. HEART Bonds Our Price .80pts .63pts 1,000 1,000 $1,650” 2,600“ Compare at $3,200“ 2,600“ 7:25 *45 7:20 9:45 7:15 9:50 Gold Coin Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, 14K Gold Chains, Silver Beads, Silver Chains. We also have Jewelry set with Opals, Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, Blue Topaz and Amethyst. “I. - ■ mm Bryan Store Hours: 7:35 9:55 Since 1958. One of Texas’ Oldest Rare Coin Dealers 881 Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5 Sat. 9:30-3 College Station Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 Sat. 9-3 Next to Cenare