Abstract: A handgun holster with an auxiliary or supplementary latching device is disclosed. The holster includes a body which defines a pouch for holding a handgun and includes a strap which extends over or around a portion of the handgun to hold it in place in the holster when the free end of the retention strap is secured to the holster as by a snap fastener. In the preferred embodiment the holster includes a thumbreak which is used to allow the wearer to separate the snap fastener by downward movement of the wearer's thumb to separate the snap fastener parts and allow the handgun to be withdrawn. A supplementary latching device is present which is movable from a latching to an unlatching position. Several different embodiments of the invention are illustrated including a molded plastic latch which encircles a holster thumbreak and is slidable longitudinally along the thumbreak.

Abstract: A portable battery powered signal light includes a battery housing and batteries, a generally cylindrical lens having threads and a lamp in the lens, a flasher positioned between the lamp and the battery housing including electrical contacts, a day-night sensor connected to the flasher to permit operation of the flasher only when it senses darkness and a locking ring having threads mating with the threads on the lens and an internal flange overlapping flange on the battery housing so that when threads on the locking ring are tightened on the threads of the lens, the battery housing, flasher and lens are secured together and electrical connections are made across the flasher, the day-night sensor and the lamp.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a lighting fixture on a tree includes a mounting plate having a flat mounting surface and angled flanges on opposite sides of said surface with slots in the flanges. A metal strap is secured to one of said flanges, passed through a clutch in two layers leaving a take-up loop on the opposite side of the clutch from the mounting plate. The free end of the strap is wrapped around the tree and passed through a slot on the opposite flange, being doubled over upon itself and clamped down with a screw and locking plate. The free end of the strap is then secured to the adjacent band with a clamp. The clutch consists of a housing carrying a pair of blocks between which two layers of the strap are passed to provide a take-up loop.

Abstract: A sanitary protector for telephone handsets includes a sheet of paper or tissue like material which includes a handle covering portion which allows the user to shield the handset while still on the switch hook of a pay telephone, and remove it following which the mouthpiece and earpiece covering portions are moved to cover the earpiece and mouthpiece for use without any user contact with the telephone handset. The handset may be replaced without direct contact by the user and the protector removed and disposed of. The protector may include small areas of light adhesive on the handle covering portion as well as the earpiece and mouthpiece covering portions.

Abstract: A tool for wire termination is disclosed in which the tool is fabricated from a pair of stamped tool ends, each with a working end and a tongue at the opposite end. The tongues are shaped with non circular, e.g., semi octagonal cross sections such that when the tongues are overlaid, they present a generally non circular, e.g., octagonal cross section region between the two working ends of the tool. A series of washers each with corresponding non circular shaped bores are strung on the tongues before the two tongues are overlaid. The assembly is then staked or otherwise secured together into a rigid structure. The method for producing the double ended tool as described above is also disclosed. The tool is to be secured in a bore of a handle by bayonet fastening using grooves in the washer stack. The tool is double ended for reversibility. The staking step may include use of a punch press die to upset the ends of the tongues to secure the washers.

Abstract: Illuminated instruments in aircraft cockpits often create reflections from the canopy which interfere with the pilots vision. A wedge of optical material positioned adjacent the instrument retracts the light rays such that the canopy reflections are deflected away from the eyes of the pilot.

Abstract: A surgical power tool is disclosed including a power console and a handheld motor unit. The power console provides controlled power and to the handheld motor unit. Pressure sensitive switching elements on the handheld unit provide signals to the power console which are transformed into operating power to the motor unit including variable speed, speed range, forward/reverse, and safety. The handheld motor unit includes a chuck or tool receptacle and a Hall effect or other radiation field detector which response to the presence of a magnet or other radiation device as a part of the surgical tool, to identify the tool installed and provide a control signal to the motor, e.g., speed range limitation. The handheld motor unit housing is sealed and autoclavable.

Abstract: An interactive game is disclosed which may take the form of a board game, a hand held game or a yard game. It includes a series of printed circuits or devices which may be concealed within a playing surface and an electronic detector for the circuits. Easily as many as 8 or 16 different discrete device may be detected and distinguished. Stored messages associated with each device or combinations of devices is displayed or audibly reproduce the messages.

Abstract: A collet for holding a rotatable tool such as a bur or drill bit having a stepped shaft including a drive shaft having a stepped internal diameter mating with the external diameter of the bur or drill shaft, a plurality of hardened balls mounted in openings in the sleeve, a locking sleeve having a tapered surface movable with the force of a spring against the balls to force the balls against the shaft to lock the shaft in the sleeve. A rotatable locking collar is movable to release the spring force to release the shaft for removal and replacement of the tool.

Abstract: A gauge is disclosed to grid in the location of sprinkler lines above grid type suspended ceilings. The gauge is used after the grid is installed but before the overhead sprinkler system is completed and before the ceiling tiles are installed. The gauge includes a plurality of arms, preferably three which have lengths approximating 1/2 of the grid opening dimension and are all pivotal and extendable, if necessary to engage the grid system and locate a central body to which the arms are secured. When extended, the arms define the center of the grid opening. An extendable arm is secured to the central body and may be manually extended upward to locate the center of the grid opening at the structural support for the sprinkler distribution system. A drop branch line from the distribution system at the location identified by the gauge is installed and a sprinkler head attached to the drop branch line.

Abstract: A system for expanding the operation and play of gaming devices such as slot machines is disclosed. It employs an enhanced gaming device including an audio and a video channel between the gaming device and a central location manned by one or more concierges who can communicate with the player, answer questions, make reservations and, in general, attend to the requests of the player. Selected video displays under the control of the concierge are substituted for the normal video display such as a pay table at the gaming device. Communication is initiated by the player by lifting a handset, operating a call button or by inserting a club card into a card slot. Any of these actions will place the call in a queue for answering. If a club card was inserted, player data is displayed before a concierge and the player views an image of the concierge. Player requests may then be addressed. Other calls are likewise addressed. Machine malfunction, jackpot win and coin in/coin out data also trigger concierge response.

Abstract: The stirrup pad of the present invention includes a ramp or inclined footrest designed to support a foot resting thereupon in an angled orientation characterized by the toes being above the heel. The top surface of the ramp or inclined footrest includes a friction surface to grip a foot resting thereupon. The bottom portion of the stirrup pad is adapted for removable engagement with a stirrup. The use of the present invention allows a saddle occupant, while riding, to maintain an angled foot orientation with the heel angled downwardly, thus achieving a safer, more comfortable, and more stylish riding form.

Abstract: An improved pillow having a head supporting portion and a neck supporting portion. The neck supporting portion having a firmness greater than the head supporting portion. The neck supporting portion is of lesser transverse dimension than the head supporting portion to allow freedom from interference of the pillow with the sleeper's jaw and mouth. In an alternate version, the pillow includes two reversible neck supporting portions of different firmness.

Abstract: An ultrasonic, transcutaneous blood flow detector. A protective mounting cup is positionable against the skin of a patient for the transfer of ultrasonic energy into and out of the patient's body. The detector utilizes only a single piezoelectric transducer with a first face in juxtaposition with an interior face of the cup. A film of viscous semifluid material is positioned between the transducer first face and the cup's interior face to couple ultrasonic energy between the transducer and the cup. A resilient spring or foam member resiliently biases the transducer first face into engagement with the cup's interior face with the semifluid material therebetween, thus permitting substantially uninhibited deformation of the transducer in response to a drive signal.