Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for an outboard motor which utilizes a shifting mechanism for selective movement between idle and forward and reverse modes. In a conventional construction, a drive shaft pinion rotates constantly and drives a pair of opposed bevel gears freely rotatable on the propeller shaft. An element of the shifting mechanism called a shifter is splined to the propeller shaft between the bevel gears and has a pair of integral dogs positioned at diametrically opposite locations on its opposed faces which are engageable, respectively, with cooperating lands integral with the bevel gears. Unlike the conventional construction in which the mating surfaces of the dogs on the shifter and the lands on the bevel gears lie in planes generally parallel to the axis of the propeller shaft, the dogs and the lands in the present invention have been formed such that their mating surfaces all lie generally in planes which form an acute angle relative to an axis of the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A golf putter including a shaft and an integral ball striking head so configured that a player utilizing the putter is automatically caused to place his hands on the handle of the shaft in a region forward of the ball about to be struck. For this purpose, the ball striking head is provided with a pair of parallel lower base elements transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, one adjacent to a forward face of the club head, and one adjacent to the rearward face of the club head. When the shaft is in an upright position and the rearward lower base element engages the ground, the forward lower base element is spaced from the ground. In this situation, gravity tends to cause the shaft to rotate forwardly and downwardly about the rearward lower base element resulting in simultaneous movement of the foward lower base element toward engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A body transfer device comprises front and rear inflatable support members which can be selectively joined to completely envelop a person's body. When the support members are inflated, the body is rendered substantially immobile. Openings are provided to accommodate the person's face and to enable access to vital portions of the body, if needed. A reinforcing board can be releasably attached to the rear support member to aid in transporting the person when the device is fully inflated.

Abstract: Apparatus for propelling a ball in an underhand manner utilizing a ramp to impart a desired trajectory and direction to the ball. Upon rotation of a cam, an associated follower moves a pitching arm to a cocked position against the bias of a spring.When the follower falls off an extreme portion of the cam upon continued rotation of the cam, the arm is rapidly released and swings through an arc in the course of which it propels the ball along the upper surfaces of the ramp toward a distant location. A supply hopper may be employed adjacent to the propelling apparatus together with an escapement feed mechanism activated by the pitching arm to deliver balls to the ramp one at a time at a location adjacent to the pitching arm in its cocked position.

Abstract: An illuminated weather vane assembly in which the socket for an electrical lamp is centrally mounted on a base. An ornamental translucent globe supported on the base and surrounding the lamp socket for its protection is held in place by a plurality of support bars which also mount a support member for a wind direction vane positioned above the globe. The vane is responsive to light wind changes and indicates wind direction in conjunction with cardinal point letters mounted to the ends of support fingers which radiate outwardly from the base. As desired for aesthetic reasons and for variety, the pointer and tailpiece of the vane, the globe, and the cardinal point letters are all removable and replaceable.

Abstract: A receptacle for collecting oil drippings from the underside of an inboard engine of a boat. A rectangular sheet of semirigid plastic material has a plurality of hinge lines formed by scoring to provide an integral receptacle defined by a base, sidewalls, and corner members. The sidewalls and corner members are folded flat against the base for insertion beneath the engine. When fully inserted the sidewalls are erected to a substantially vertical position. Retention members are employed adjacent the corners of the receptacle for maintaining the sidewalls in their erected positions and for holding the corner members in place against the outer surface of a respective sidewall. With the receptacle in position, straps integral with the sidewalls are attached to the engine supporting structure for suspension of the receptacle beneath the engine.

Abstract: A smoker's appliance capable of producing aircooled smoke in a sanitary and ashless manner for the pleasure of the user. The appliance is generally shaped like a gun having a cylindrical body with a threaded head at one end. A tube extends through an aperture formed in a cap which is threadedly engageable with the head. With the cap tightened onto the body, the tube permits communication between the chamber and the surrounding air. A flexible bulb is attached to the body at a location near an end opposite the head. By the use of appropriate check valves, the bulb, when squeezed, forces air into the chamber within the body without permitting its escape. When a lighted cigarette is inserted into a free end of the tube within the chamber, operation of the bulb causes a unitary direction of air flow through the appliance which assures long life for the cigarette. Cigarette smoke thus passes through the cigarette itself and exits from the tube, being preferably directed into the mouth of the user.

Abstract: A solar heating system for a structure in which a matrix of beverage containers of the convenient opening variety is mounted on a generally flat support member. The beverage containers extend through holes in the support member formed from alternating polygons of a generally checkerboard surface design. A resilient plug seals the opening at one end of each container and a pair of collector tubes extend through the plug into the interior of each container. The collector tubes of adjacent containers are connected together such that all containers are connected in a series relationship. Those surface areas of the support member not occupied by the containers are contoured and have an outer surface appropriate to reflect heat and light toward the containers which themselves have a coating of a heat and light conductive substance. Fluid is pumped from a reservoir and through the containers under sunny conditions or may be diverted from the matrix during cloudy conditions or at night.

Abstract: A double valve construction selectively provides a full flush or a partial flush from the tank of a toilet. The apparatus, which may be utilized to modify existing toilet water closets, includes a hollow cylinder with a first valve on its lower end engageable with a first valve seat on an upper end of an outlet from the tank. The upper end of the cylinder defines a second valve seat and a second valve is engageable with the second valve seat. As an operating handle is selectively moved through a first range of travel, it disengages the second valve from the second valve seat for a partial flush and as the operating handle is moved through a second range of travel, it disengages the first valve from the first valve seat for a full flush. The volume of water utilized in a full flush is adjustable, and a mechanism is provided for holding the first valve in its open position until a full flush has been achieved.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser for mounting on a wall such that a roll of toilet paper is rotatably mounted on a spindle which extends generally perpendicular from a support plate mounted flush with the wall. In one embodiment, an outer plate may be removably mounted at an outer end of the spindle and a locking mechanism associated with the outer plate and with the spindle serves to releasably secure the outer plate to the spindle thereby retaining the roll in position. In other embodiments, a removable cover including sidewalls may be used in place of the outer plate to substantially envelop an unused roll of toilet paper. A locking device on the cover is operable to prevent undesired removal of the roll from the spindle, and a viewing slot can provide a visual determination of the amount of paper remaining on the roll. Alternatively, the cover can be fabricated so as to envelop only the upper portions of a roll, leaving the lower portions exposed.

Abstract: A double valve construction selectively provides a full flush or a partial flush from the tank of a toilet. The apparatus, which may be utilized to modify existing toilet water closets, includes a manifold mounted on the tank in communication with an outlet for draining water from the tank. The manifold includes a pair of valve seats, one located proximate to the bottom of the tank and one located distant from the bottom of the tank. An actuating mechanism selectively operates a pair of valves associated with the valve seats and is so arranged that when an operating handle is turned in one direction, it disengages the upper valve from the upper valve seat for a partial flush and when the operating handle is moved in the opposite direction, it disengages the lower valve from the lower valve seat for a full flush.

Abstract: A ski brake mounted on a ski and retained normally in a retracted position. When the skier's boot becomes separated from the binding on the ski in a casual manner, such as during ascent on a chairlift, a strap joining the skier's boot and the ski brake permits the ski to remain connected to the skier, although in a dangling condition. However, should the skier's boot become separated from the binding in an abrupt manner, as when skiing, the strap releases a retention mechanism holding the brake in a first or retracted position. Thereupon, the strap is completely separated from the brake and the brake is rapidly moved by a spring into a second position such that a brake shoe extends below a lower surface of the ski for engaging ice, snow, and the like. The brake shoe has a roughened outer surface as a further aid in impeding advancement of the runaway ski. Whenever convenient to the skier, a release mechanism on the strap can be operated to disconnect the strap from the boot.

Abstract: A hand tool for inserting intramedulary pins in fractured bones of humans and animals. The tool includes an outer sleeve, a hollow shaft coaxially aligned within the sleeve having a continuous spiral groove in its outer surface, a cam follower on the outer sleeve slideably engaged with the spiral groove, a chuck mounted on one end of the shaft adapted to releasably grip an intramedulary pin, and a spring extended between the opposite end of the shaft and a flange integral with the hollow shaft. The tool is constructed to receive intramedulary pins of a variety of diameters and lengths. Additionally, it can be readily disassembled for its sterilization and for interchangeability of springs having different spring rates. As a person using the tool applies force to the sleeve to advance the pin longitudinally, the chuck is rotated and, with it, the pin which aids the insertion procedure.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for propelling a person floating in water. A person floating naturally face-up in the water can position herself over a floatable support member positioned in such a manner that a mast mounted on the support member extends upwardly between her legs. To provide propulsion, a sail is attached to the mast such that its position in azimuth can be controlled by the person. Whenever desired, the sail can be removed, the mast telescoped to a shortened length, and the support member folded enabling the apparatus to be easily transportable.

Abstract: A sphygpressure graph of the aneroid gauge type including a housing, connected with a sphygmocuff, supporting a series of telescoping tubes, connected in right angular relation, and a stylus, mounted on the endmost tube, movable over a chart to scribe the blood pressures. A ratchet and pawl arrangement engaging the telescoping tubes prevents reciprocating action of pulse pressure moving the stylus in a to and fro movement transversely over a graph paper but records the pulse by longitudinally scribing a graph paper during release of pressure from the sphygmocuff.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for underwater mining by inducing upwelling of water and entrained minerals or other materials through a conduit from an intake which may move within the body of water by unbalanced forces developed therein by such upwelling to a recovery field which may comprise a vessel floating on the water and which may also be moved by the upwelling water. The outlet of the conduit to the recovery field is positioned below sea level and the velocity of the upwelled water in the recovery field is gradually reduced to induce selective separation of the entrained minerals or other materials.