Abstract: A rope controller constructed without a spring or any other resilient means for controlling movement of a rope having a standing end and a free end. The rope controller is cam actuated and includes a housed cam which is journaled for movement toward and away from a clamping portion of the housing and is responsive to movement of a rope in either direction. The cam is activated to prevent movement of the standing end of the rope by tensioning the standing end of the rope. The cam is deactivated to permit movement of the free end of the rope by tensioning the free end of the rope. The cam is deactivated to permit movement of the rope in either direction by manually depressing an extension of the cam.

Abstract: A ball valve is provided with an internal check valve which is of modular construction and with an external valve casing that includes a lateral extension defining an access port. The modular check valve assembly is threadably connected to the ball and the lateral extension is closed with a threadable closure. The threadable closure for the lateral extension and the threadable check valve assembly both have sockets to receive access tools and both sockets preferably have the same unique tamper proof configuration to receive the same access tool.

Abstract: Heptane has been found to be an effective and efficient solvent for pressure sensitive adhesives, and to be useful with an applicator for removing stickers, labels, tags, decals, etc. from substrates of paper, plastic, tile, leather, etc. applicator is used with a container holding a supply of solvent, preferably but not necessarily heptane, integrated with a spatulate-like tool extending from the applicator and beneath and beyond an opening in the container for receiving solvent from the container and applying the solvent to adhesive beneath a sticker to neutralize the adhesive preparatory to the tool being moved beneath the loosened sticker to remove it from the substrate.

Abstract: Model terrain accessories that are positioned for use on the surface of a miniature landscape are fabricated from a permanently flexible material, preferably polyvinyl chloride. These flexible accessories are realistically contoured models representing roads, streams, stream banks, earthworks, and walls, or segments thereof. These flexible accessories will conform to changes in surface elevation on any miniature landscape on which they are assembled. The flexible accessories fit together easily in an infinite variety of individual and group configurations, and can be easily removed from the landscape surface and reused when desired.

Abstract: The prior art packaging of microelectric wires that have had insulation stripped from at least one end to permit the wires to be used in an electric circuit has applied adhesive to the backs of the paddleboards to which the microelectric wires are connected for testing. The adhesive is objectionable because residues of adhesive remain on the paddleboards and interferes with subsequent operations. The package of this invention eliminates adhesive on the paddleboards by forming the bottom layer of the paddleboards with frangible ligaments that are connected to a transversely extending spine. A base supports the paddleboards and spine, and it is the spine, not the paddleboards, that is connected to the underlying base. Each paddleboard can be removed from the spine and from the package by breaking the frangible ligament connecting that paddleboard to the spine.

Abstract: The golf practice kit of this invention utilizes a canvas ramp including a curved upper portion and an inclined target portion that slopes upwardly and away from the tee where the user stands. The kit is designed for practice with all of the golf clubs except the putter. For this purpose, the inclined target portion has a lower target area for the use of woods, a mid target area for practice with the long irons (2-6), and an upper target area for practice with the short irons (7-9).Above the upper target area, the curved upper portion of the ramp curves inwardly on itself to define an arc of more than 360.degree. and terminates in a laterally sloping trough.

Abstract: Adhesive-coated wrapping paper is provided wherein one surface of the paper, to be positioned against a box or article to be wrapped, is provided with a continuous coating of adhesive, preferably at the time of manufacture, to facilitate the forming of a package by wrapping the paper around the box or article. The adhesive is preferably of the type having a relatively small amount of adhesion, such as the type commonly known as artist's adhesive.

Abstract: This invention provides a graphing system that enables an average person interested in reproducing a colored design by needlework, for which there is no existing graph, to quickly and easily graph the colored design for reproduction by such needlework as cross stitch, needlepoint, quilting, smocking, duplicate stitch, or knitting.

Abstract: An insect repellent fabric has a coating containing permethrin and a plasticizer, and a barrier covers the coating to protect the permethrin from degradation by ultraviolet light and oxygen. The barrier may be an acrylic coating or film, aluminum foil, a urethane coating or film, or an outer fabric barrier such as an awning or a tent fly.

Abstract: According to this invention, backlash is eliminated through the use of a split-worm that is preloaded by having a first part of the worm fixed in a stationary position on an input shaft and the second part of the split-worm mounted for limited axial movement along the input shaft relative to the stationary part of the split-worm. Both parts of the split-worm rotate with the input shaft, unlike the prior art. The ball gear uses recirculating balls instead of gear teeth to transmit the tangential load from one gear member to the other. The balls roll through ground grooves in the worm halves and thus drive the ball gear. The balls recirculate through an internal passage extending through the two parts of the split-worm. The ends of the internal passage communicate with the grooves on the exterior of the split-worm.

Abstract: A two-piece fishing lure has a shouldered core that releasably supports one or more ring skirts which encircle the core in use and are covered by a shell that is latched to the core. The shell and the ring skirts may be quickly removed from the core and changed by disengaging the latch and pulling the shell and the ring skirts from the core. The ring skirt is molded from a flexible material to define a monolithic structure with a flexible ring portion and a plurality of filaments extending from the ring portion.

Abstract: A tent fabric with a water repellent and flame retardant coating that includes the insecticide permethrin with an effective life of more than six months.

Abstract: A needlepoint graph has adjoining rows of ellipses to be marked as a pattern for the designation of traditional continental needlepoint stitches required in a needlepoint canvas to reproduce the pattern on the graph.

Abstract: A clay throat with a smooth inner surface is provided for a brick fireplace, and a template and process are described for cutting clay flue liners into selected portions for assembly and joining into the configuration of the clay fireplace throat at the site of the fireplace.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a plurality of fishing rods to be selectively used while fishing from a boat in different locations, as in tournament fishing. The apparatus has a rod holding plate, a support arm pivotally interconnected with the rod holding plate and the rod holding plate having a series of longitudinally spaced slots extending transversely of the rod holding plate. A tongue extends from the support arm and penetrates a selected slot to support the rod holding plate at a selected angle, and a keeper engages the tongue to keep the tongue in the selected slot. The fishing rods are releasably held on said rod holding plate.

Abstract: A segmental fish lure has a core and a shell with at least one skirt assembly clamped between the core and the shell. The shell and the skirt assembly have passages large enough to pass over the loop of a leader to permit replacement of the shell and skirt assemblies without disturbing the leader.