Abstract: A pendulum level which is a combination pendulum and level. It includes a rectangular frame with no back and front panels and two spaced cross bars, a pendulum that is pivotally secured to one of the cross bars and detachably secured to the other cross bar, and a level which is adjustably secured to the side of the frame. The location of the pivot point of the pendulum and the use of a longer and heavier pendulum allows the pendulum to swing freely yet quickly settle to the truly vertical. The pendulum type operation depends only on gravity for accuracy and will not get out adjustment as presently made levels do. A long vial is used in the level because it is more accurate, easier to see and use. The mounting system of the vial allows for the adjustment of the vial when it is not true. The vial is exposed for easy cleaning.

Abstract: An aid for opening and reopening of rectangular, frozen dessert boxes. The aid is a cut tab which is located in the outer edge portion of the innermost lid of the box. The cut tab includes a curved cut and a scoreline. The curved cut has a circumference of approximately 2/3 of a circle and has its ends connected to the scoreline. The scoreline is inclined at a predetermined angle with the side edge of the lid. The cut tab is located a predetermined distance from a corner and has an area which provides ample finger room for a finger opening. Opening instructions are printed in cut tab area. Another cut tab may be located near the opposite corner of the lid with its scoreline similarly inclined as the other cut tab. To break the bond between the frozen dessert and the lid, one depresses the cut tab inwardly with his finger to create a finger opening and then lifts upwardly with the finger. To reopen a partially emptied box, one places a finger within the finger opening and then lifts upwardly with the finger.

Abstract: A garbage can mat which encloses a garbage can or cans and acts as a barrier for dogs to prevent them from knocking over the garbage can or cans. The mat includes modules which are snap-fastened together at their adjoining end portions to form an enclosure. Each module has a male end portion, a middle portion, and a female end portion. The male end portion has a L-shaped recess and at least two spaced pins projecting downwardly from a ledge. The middle portion has spaced rounded spikes projecting upward. The female end portion has a L-shaped recess and at least two spaced holes in a ledge. The pins of the male end portion are designed to be snap-fitted into corresponding holes in the ledge of a female end portion of an adjoining module to provide a positive connection and yet to disconnected conveniently when desired. A curved section module and a straight section module are used. The curved section module has a 90.degree. arc. For a round configuration four curved section modules are snap-fastened together.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel saving device for internal combustion engines. The device includes two electromagnetic assemblies and two connectors. Each electromagnetic assembly includes a coil, a spool, an insulating tape, a casing, a core, two studs, and two terminals. The coil is wound around the spool and is covered by the insulating tape. The casing encloses the coil, the spool, and the insulating tape. The core is pivotally mounted within the spool cylinder and extends on either side of the spool. A stud is connected to each end portion of the core. The terminals are connected to the coil and are adapted to be used to operatively connect the coil to a battery. Two electromagnetic assemblies are installed on a fuel line in opposing relationship by aligning them so that they contact the periphery of the fuel line, by connecting them with the two connectors, and by operatively connecting them in parallel to a 12 volt direct current circuit. When so installed, there is a gap between the opposing studs.

Abstract: A frying pan with a removable grease catcher which will prevent the accumulation of hot cooking oil or grease and which can be used to fry various types of food without washing the frying pan. The frying pan includes a base with a frying surface, a flared side wall, a bottom annular flange, a handle, a handle brace which is secured to the flared side wall, a flanged lip, and a grease catcher. The grease catcher is removably secured to the bottom annular flange by the interaction of two spaced screws secured to the bottom annular flange and two keyhole openings in flanges located on each side of the container of the grease catcher. The keyhole openings face in the same direction and are spaced so that its wide portion is in registry with the two screws. The flanged lip extends from the bottom of the grease opening into the grease catcher. The grease opening and the grease catcher are centrally located with respect to the handle.

Abstract: A jousting game which includes a number of ring support assemblies, a corresponding number of rings, and a jousting arm assembly. Jousting arm assembly includes a saddle clamp, a pivot mounting clamp, a jousting arm collar, a control lever, and a L-shaped jousting arm. Jousting arm collar is rotatably mounted at its central portion to the pivot mounting clamp. One end of the control lever is threadedly mounted to the top periphery of the jousting arm collar. One end of the L-shaped jousting arm is threadedly mounted to the periphery of the jousting arm collar at a predetermined distance from the top periphery. The jousting arm assembly is releasably mounted on the handle bar of a bicycle. The jousting arm of the jousting arm assembly may be elevated or depressed by a player by moving a control lever left or right, respectively. Each ring support assembly frictionally holds a ring and may be adjusted to change the height of the ring.

Abstract: Self-feeding tongs for use by most handicapped persons. The tongs include a pair of arms integrally joined to a hinge. Each arm has a rounded tip end, a gripping surface, a flat surface, and a loop. The loop is located on the outside of the arm adjacent the hinge and is adapted to accommodate the thumb or at least two fingers of a user. Each loop is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which it is attached. The hinge has a positive pressure which spread the tip ends apart, allows a handicapped person by pressure of the thumb and fingers to bring the tip ends together so that a piece of food can be grasped, and forces the tip ends open so that the grasped food may be released and eaten. The tongs are held in the palm of a hand in a relaxed pen grasp. The thumb and fingers are squeezed together to move the tip ends towards one another to grip and pick up pieces of food.

Abstract: A solar heating apparatus that uses a Fresnel lens to concentrate solar radiation onto the top surface of a heat conductor for the purpose of heating a transient fluid or gas. The apparatus includes a conductor, a frame, and a Fresnel lens. The conductor and Fresnel lens are secured to the frame so that the conductor is within the optimum focal position of the Fresnel lens. A helical conduit around the periphery of the core of the conductor with a larger diameter than the diameter of the inlet and outlet conduits of the conductor provides additional residence time for the fluid or gas. A number of apparatus may be joined together in a series of rows so that the fluid or gas may be heated to an extremely high temperature. The heated fluid or gas may be used to power a turbine for the generation of electrical power or to supply process heat for commericial or industrial use.

Abstract: An exothermic injector adapter that allows a light weight gasoline engine to operate with the efficiency of a diesel engine. The adapter includes a body, a ceramic sleeve, a retainer, ground wires, power supply wires and a catalytic deflector. The adapter is used with any type of diesel fuel injector to replace the spark plug. It utilizes a heated catalytic deflector in close proximity to the outlet of a fuel injector to ignite the fuel charge efficiently. The catalyst used is exothermic or heat producing under certain conditions and has the ability to fracture the heavy and complex hydrocarbon molecules found in most automotive and diesel fuels. The catalyst is plated to the deflector in a porous configuration so that it has colloidal sized crystals. The catalytic deflector is electrically preheated to its level of exothermic activity.

Abstract: A flute accessory that provides a protective shield around the embouchure hole area of a flute to enable a flutist to produce normal tones regardless of adverse outdoor conditions. Wind shield includes a top member, a front member, a bottom member, a left plate, and a right plate. Wind shield is attached to the barrel of a flute so that the left and right plates are equally spaced from the sides of the embouchure hole plate. Top member is joined by a bend to the front member. Front member is joined by a bend to the bottom member. Left and right plates are secured to the sides of the top and front members. The left and right plates each have a facing edge and a holding portion. The facing edges of the left and right plates and the free end of the top member are shaped to provide a comfortable fit when the device is placed against the face of a flutist.