Abstract: A digital-video-disc vehicle television has a thin ceiling-mountable TV housing (1) having a front edge (2) from which a preferably flat TV screen (3) pivots adjustably downward from a stowage space (4) and having a rear edge (5) with a digital video disc (DVD) slot (6). The TV housing is preferably oval-shaped with a major length of about fifteen inches and a major width of about eight inches. Thickness is about one-to-three inches, depending on type and plurality of components it uses. Intermediate the stowage space and the DVD slot are dome lights (9) that preferably are adjustable for reading and a rearward-facing control panel (7) that preferably has pushbutton control and is backlit. Audiovisual signaling (18, 19) is received selectively from remote or in-vehicle broadcasting sources and from the DVD player (15) and transmitted to a speaker (14) and to the TV screen as controlled by a control unit (17).
Abstract: A cup-and-saucer hutch has a saucer case (1) with a case door (9) for containing a predetermined size and plurality of saucers (2) securely without falling when being carried from-place-to-place for use. A cup-rack post (5) with cup-handle hangers (6) for holding cup handles (7) of cups (8) is projected uprightly from a top of the saucer case. Optionally, a refreshment container (15) can be positioned above the cup-rack post for containing, sweetener, creamer, tea and coffee. The refreshment container can be positioned on a top of the cup-rack post or on pillars (16) extended uprightly from a case top (4).
Abstract: A concealed sock (1) for wearing with boat shoes (12) having a frontal section (2) and heel section (3) connected by an intermediate section (4 and 5). An elastomeric band runs around the top of the heel and intermediate sections to keep the sock concealed within the shoe. A second elastomeric band runs along the top front of the foot opening (13) in the intermediate section to keep the sock from rising up above the shoe. Pressure relief openings (9) on each end of the second elastomeric band further keep the sock concealed.
Abstract: A manure-grinding fertilizer spreader has a spiral-bladed cylinder (1) as a preferred progressively bladed cylinder (17) at a bottom of a funneled mobile hopper (11) with a grinder base (12) proximate a discharge aperture (13). In a small, few-animal embodiment, the mobile funneled hopper is hand-cart sized to be hand-pulled or small-tractor-pulled with the spiral-bladed cylinder being rotated by detachable engagement of wheels (15) with a cutter axle (10) on which the spiral-bladed cylinder is situated axially. In a powered embodiment for all sizes, the spiral-bladed cylinder is rotated by an engine (35) in close proximity to a grinder blade (22) on the grinder base to cut stable-bedding straw and hard manure for pulverized spreading. In large commercial sizes, the funneled hopper can be at an end of a container bed (27) from which manure is belt-conveyed to the mobile hopper for grinding and spreading.
Abstract: A water-well-head adaptor has an adaptor body (1) with matching plate-fastener orifices (7, 8, 9, 10) and matching pump-element apertures (14, 16, 18, 20). The plate-fastener orifices match well-plate fastener orifices (12, 13) in a predetermined class of well-head plates (4) on an adaptor-bottom surface (2) and match pump fastener orifices (11) in a predetermined class of well pumps (6) on an adaptor-top surface (3). The pump-element apertures match plate orifices in a predetermined class of well-head plates on the adaptor-bottom side and match pump-element apertures in bottoms of a predetermined class of well pumps on the adaptor-top surface. The adaptor-bottom surface and the adaptor-top surface are juxtaposed a predetermined distance apart.
Abstract: A lap-tray and picnic-supply case made of light material has a case receptacle (1) with a lap-tray lid (2) attached removably. The lap-tray lid has a lid-plate cradle (3) intermediate a bowl end with a lid-bowl cradle (4) and a cup end with a lid-cup cradle (5). Between the lid-bowl cradle and the lid-plate cradle is a first lid-utensil cradle (6) and between the lid-cup cradle and the lid-plate cradle is a second lid-utensil cradle (7). The lid-bowl cradle and the lid-cup cradle protrude downwardly to provide lap-side buttresses on outsides of legs (8) of a user. The first lid-utensil cradle and the second lid-utensil cradle have flat bottom surfaces for resting on the user's lap between opposite sides of an attachment rim (11) for fitting down over a top of a receptacle wall (10).
Abstract: An underground below-building bunker has bunker quarters (1) positioned under ground (2) below a dwelling-related structure (3), such as a garage, a room or a hallway of a dwelling (4). A floor-entry door (5) such as a trapdoor, horizontal slide door or other through-floor entry leads to a vertical passageway (6) where a bunker door (7) provides entrance to a stairway (8) or ladder (9) to a bunker floor (10). A buffer zone of protection is provided in the vertical passageway intermediate the floor-entry door and the bunker door, which in combination provide a predetermined level of protection against foreseeable hazards. The ground below the dwelling-related structure has a depth at which enclosure structure (12) of the bunker quarters can provide protection against predetermined hazards. Air vents (15, 17) into separate portions of the bunker quarters provide safety redundance of air from safe-air sources (19).
Abstract: An electric-cable-grounding piercer has a piercer blade (1) with a trunk end attached to a double-acting hydraulic piston (2) in a double-acting hydraulic cylinder (3) from which a blade housing (4) is extended from a blade end. An insertion-pressure tube (7) is positional in fluid communication intermediate an insertion-pressure end of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder and a pump-outlet conveyance (36) from a hydraulic pump (9). A withdrawal-pressure tube (10) is positional in fluid communication intermediate a withdrawal-pressure end of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder and the outlet conveyance from the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump has a control valve (35) for directing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the insertion-pressure end and to the withdrawal-pressure end of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder selectively.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2001
Inventors:
Wayne Ray, Walter M. Herod, Charles E. Webb
Abstract: A wand light has a base tube (1) with a light-tube end in which a base end of a light tube (9) is pivotal concentrically with pivotal-light-switch attachment of the light tube to the base tube. The base tube contains a stored-energy unit (2) in addition to being a handle and a daytime signaler. The light tube contains a light emitter which can include a flashlight bulb (35) or a plurality of light-emitting diode units (18) on a circuit board (14). The light tube is twisted in the base tube for selective switching of current for the light emitter. Moisture-proof pivotal attachment of the light tube to the base tube, moisture-proof construction of the light tube and moisture-proof construction of the base tube render the entire wand light moisture-proof. Predetermined ruggedness, diameter, length, diameter per length and length of the light tube per length of the base tube render it adaptable to a wide variety of uses. Accidental and unintentional switching are prevented with twist switching.
Abstract: A citrus-juice extractor has two squeeze belts (1, 2) with vertical squeeze surfaces (4) on opposite sides of a progressively narrowed squeeze channel (3). A fruit-half feeder (10) at a wide end of the squeeze channel halves uncut fruit (37) and positions it cut-face-down on a horizontal conveyor (7) intermediate the fruit-half cutter and entrapment positioning between the vertical squeeze surfaces for progressively squeezing conveyance between the vertical squeeze surfaces while the fruit halves are in transit to a narrow exit end (6). Clean-water sprayers (13) and/or other conveyor washers spray-clean the squeeze belts of oil and other contaminants continuously intermediate return belt travel from exit end to the wide end of the squeeze channel. Width of the squeeze channel is pressure-controlled to accommodate widths and consistencies of fruit halves without rupturing the fruit peel.
Abstract: A holder (4) for retaining an aerator conduit (5) for placement on the bottom (6) of an aquarium tank (1). The holder has a trough with at least one side wall (11a,b) and a retaining means, such as channel (12), in the trough. The holder may be supported in an upright position on the bottom of the aquarium tank by sand and gravel pressing against the outside surface of its side walls. Side walls further keep sand and gravel from covering the aerator conduit. A stabilizer base (14) may be provided on the bottom of the holder. The aerator holder provides for more evenly distributed air bubbles (2) in the aquarium and thus better oxygenation of the water for the fish contained therein. Preferably the holder is made of clear plastic so that it is virtually invisible to an observer, thereby providing an overall more aesthetic appearance for the aquarium.
Abstract: A storm-panel attachment system has at least one storm-panel bracket (1) with an attachment tongue (2) that fits slidably in at least one attachment housing (3) mounted proximate an edge (4) of a building aperture (5) to be storm-paneled. Oppositely disposed proximate a second edge of the building aperture, at least one additional storm-panel bracket has an attachment tongue that fits slidably in at least one other attachment housing. The storm-panel brackets each have at least one brace-attachment appendage (7) to which at least one panel-supportive brace (8) or other panel bracing is fastened. The brace-attachment appendages are sized and shaped for attachment of braces such as two-by-four boards or other structural members to which storm paneling (6) such as plywood sheets, fibrous sheets or aluminum sheets can be nailed, screwed or otherwise affixed.
Abstract: A diesel engine injection pump timing tool having two components, a first tubular cylindrical component (1) being internally threaded on one half for attachment to the fuel injection pump and externally threaded on the other half with a square drive wrench hole (8) in the end. A second cylindrical component (2) larger than the first component which contains internal threads on one end for rotatable attachment to the threads (4) of the first component (1). The second component (2) also contains a socket wrench attachment on the outer distal end for rotating the tool onto the first component (1) and also for turning the fuel injection pump to the proper position. The second component (2) may have a knurled grip (5) on a portion of the extended surface for better hand gripping purposes. A method of use is also disclosed.
Abstract: An adjustable-length closet fastener (1) has a fastener shank (2, 32) with an anchor-ridge head (3, 33) which is sized and shaped for positioning side walls of the anchor-ridge head against walls (5) of a predetermined retainer cavity (6) to arrest rotation of the fastener shank and which is sized and shaped for positioning a fastener shank-side surface (9) of the anchor-ridge head against a ceiling (10) of the predetermined retainer cavity at opposite sides of a shaft orifice in the predetermined retainer cavity to prevent exit of the adjustable-length closet fastener from the predetermined retainer cavity. A length-adjustment sleeve (11) with internal machine threads (12) is attached to the fastener shank for extension a predetermined distance towards a predetermined fastening position (13). A length-adjustment bolt (16) with external machine threads (17) that match the internal machine threads of the length-adjustment sleeve is screwed a desired length-adjustment distance into the length-adjustment sleeve.
Abstract: A pull-down engine starter has a pull-down line (1) that is attachable to a takeoff line (15) or directly to a rewind-starter wheel (14) and pulley-routed to a suspension pulley wheel (6, 25) from which a handle end of the pull-down line is suspended to conveniently grasping proximity to a user position such as a driver seat (8). For go-carts (4) and other rider-operated vehicles (12) with engines (3) having rewind starters (2), the user position is a driver's seat or a machine-operator position on the vehicles. For walk-behind machines (23) and other non-ride machines such as a generator set (24) with rewind-starter engines, the user position is generally lateral to the engine. Singular-suspension pulley wheels (25) are provided for singular-wheel pull-start lines (22) on head-high pull-down anchors (26) and waist-high pull-down anchors (27).
Abstract: An air-circulator room deodorizer has a permeable container (1) that is positioned with an air-circulator attachment (8, 10, 12, 14) in airflow from a room air circulator such as a room fan (3, 5) or vent (4, 6) and has a deodorant pack (18) that releases fragrance selectively into the airflow.
Abstract: A solar-plasma meter has a plasma compass (1) and a plasma scale (8, 9) in a meter housing (6, 10) having atmospherically controlled enclosure that is permeable to solar plasma. The plasma compass has a plasma sail (2) having direction-responsive surface and force-responsive surface attached to a force-measurement member (3) suspended from a universally rotational housing mount (7) that is vertically above a force-indication point (4). The plasma scale has a plasma plate (13, 14) oriented horizontally and suspended vertically for measuring solar plasmatic mass encountering the plasma plate. The solar plasma meter can be selectively portable or stationary with concentric or separate construction of the plasma compass and the plasma scale.
Abstract: An attachment device (1) secures an enclosure to the roof frame (2) of a golf cart has a sleeve portion which wraps around the frame (2) and is secured by zipper teeth (9). An optional flap (14) extending from the sleeve portion has attachment means to secure an enclosure. Opening slots (13) in the flap allow windshield opening release brackets (7) to be inserted therethrough.
Abstract: An area-rug cleaning method has steps of air spray (1) for removing dry-extractible dirt with angularly directed air pressure; immersion shampoo (9) for removing immersion-extractible dirt with immersion-shampooing that does not molest rug fibers; scrub wash (16) for removing adhered dirt such as stains, odors and urine with rotational scrub washing; vacuum extract (18) for removing wash fluid with dry vacuum extraction; water rinse (20); cool dry (23); dry clean (24) for removing wash-resistant dirt; acid condition (25) for neutralizing base cleaning agents with an acid-based catalyst; and pad rub (26) for rubbing nap of the area rugs with a cloth pad to provide a shine finish.