Abstract: A method for raising, by an individual, a unitized foldable tent framework which has a perimetric interconnection of roof members that is formed to permit expansion and contraction of separation between lower ends of adjacent roof members, the perimetric interconnection being concentrically enclosed by sectioned tubular eave members. The raising is accomplished by placing the folded tent frame in a vertical position; extending outwards the lower ends of wall members; raising the pivotally connected upper ends of the roof members, past a location where the roof members are coplanar, to a proximate raised position; temporarily retaining the tent framework in that position by the perimetric interconnection; connecting the sectioned eave members between adjacent roof members, and, finally, locking the pivotal connection between roof, wall, and eave members.

Abstract: A drug delivery system for the topical administration of medication which utilizes a viscoelastic gel pad having a liquid fraction, wherein the medication is incorporated within the liquid fraction, the viscoelastic gel pad being partially encapsulated between two layers of liquid fraction impermeable material which are joined together to form a seal about the periphery of the gel pad so as to control migration of the pad, and the medicating skin contact of the pad is limited to a drug delivery aperture formed in the skin-contacting layer of liquid fraction impermeable material. The aperture-containing layer, which contacts a wearer's skin, may be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The invention is exemplified in a topical anesthetic delivery system wherein a viscoelastic gel pad, partially encapsulated by transparent alcohol and water impermeable layers, has an alcohol and water liquid fraction in which is dissolved lidocaine base.

Abstract: An adjustable hydraulic damper involves a piston member operating within a hydraulic cylinder where the hydraulic cylinder wall is adjustably deformed to vary the annular space between a piston head and the inside cylinder wall through which hydraulic fluid must pass. The wall of the cylinder is adjustably deformed through an annular ramp formed circumferentially about the outside of the cylinder and having an angled bearing surface. A compression nut, having an angled inside circumferential surface, threadingly engages the outside of the cylinder, wherein rotation of the compression nut causes its angled inside surface to bear on the ramp of the cylinder wall, thereby producing a local, uniform, annular deformation of the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The amount of deformation, and thus the flow of fluid through the annular space, is adjustable by rotation of the compression nut.

Abstract: A unitized foldable tent framework includes a plurality of elongated roof members pivotally connected at their upper ends to a central hub and at their lower ends to elongated wall members. Perimetric interconnection of the roof members, in the form of a line which may be elastic, extends around the pivotal connections between the roof and wall members to form a loop whose perimeter length increases and decreases so as to expand and contract the separation between the lower ends of adjacent roof members. Elongated tubular eave members, formed in connectable sections, concentrically enclose the perimetric interconnection between adjacent roof members, with the eave members also being pivotally connected to the pivotal connection between the roof and wall members. Wall members extending downward from adjacent pivotal connections are flexibly joined at their lower ends in pairs.

Abstract: A topical medicating device includes a transparent viscoelastic gel pad having one or more pharmacologically-active substances incorporated therein; a sheet of transparent, impermeable, and elastic material providing an occlusive layer adjacent to the upper surface of the viscoelastic gel pad; an elastic retaining ring perimetrically surrounding the viscoelastic gel pad to prevent migration due to external pressure; and a porous meshwork attached to the elastic retaining ring so as to additionally anchor the gel pad from migration. The porous meshwork member may be located at the surface of the viscoelastic gel pad opposite the aforementioned occlusive covering sheet, or may run through the viscoelastic gel pad in its anchoring function. The viscoelastic gel pad, occlusive covering sheet, and retaining ring with porous meshwork may be affixed to a target skin surface of the patient by an adhesive tape bandage with a visual access opening.

Abstract: An electric outlet safety plate incorporates sliding cover elements which, in various positions, cover the electric outlet when not in use, open for insertion of an electric plug, and grasp the plug to prevent removal. A plate member includes a groove extending outwardly to the side from each of the electric outlet openings. A pair of substantially identical sliding members engage the groove from opposing sides of the plate member. The sliding members include an outlet covering portion which is spaced from the outer surface of the electric outlet and has its inner edges toothed to enhance their grasp upon the electric plug. The sliding members are lockable against outward movement on the plate member. Teeth are formed upon the plate member so as to extend within the groove, and a second set of teeth are formed upon the sliding member so as to releasably engage the teeth of the plate member.

Abstract: A stroller wheel assembly is mounted on a bicycle trailer tongue to permit operation as either a trailer or a separate three-wheel stroller. A clamping member, attached to the tongue of the trailer, includes a boss which extends transversely outward. A mating socket is provided on a pivot member, the pivot member being attached to a fork which rotationally supports a wheel. The preferred shape of the boss and mating socket is an equilateral triangle. The triangular socket of the pivot member engages the triangular boss of the clamping member in two positions, one with the wheel in the down position for stroller use and the other with the wheel in a rearward position for bicycle trailer use. Centrally fixed to and extending outwardly from the triangular boss is a threaded member which acts as an axis for rotation of the pivot member between the two positions.

Abstract: A flotation barbell for water exercise which includes an elongated handle member to which are attached two identical homogenous buoyant triangular end sections, shaped in the form of a triangular prism having two triangular ends and three rectangular sides. The buoyant triangular end sections are attached to the ends of the handle member so that the triangular faces of the end sections are transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated handle member, and the corresponding sides of the two end sections are coplanar. The ends of the handle member are inserted into apertures centrally formed between the triangular end faces in each section. An end plate, preferably triangular in shape, includes a central protrusion which extends so as to affixedly engage an end of the handle member, with the end plate pressing against the outer end face of the end section.

Abstract: A tray assembly for wheel chairs incorporates a pair of trays, capable of relative planar movement, which are rotatingly mounted upon a horizontal support member which is, in turn, rotatable about the vertical axis of a vertical support member mounted upon the wheel chair. A tubular vertical mounting post may be fixed within a vertical wheel chair frame opening, utilizing a stem connecting member, or, alternatively, may be externally clamped to the frame of the wheel chair. A tubular vertical support member telescopically fits about and is releasably clamped to the mounting post, to permit both vertical adjustment and rotation about a vertical axis. A horizontal support member continues from the upper end of the vertical support member. A tray mounting plate is attached at the horizontal support member by a releasable clamping means, permitting rotation about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A spare tire mount for pickup trucks having a sidewall with an inner surface and an upper ledge which extends inward, turns downward as a flange, and then turns outward as a lip. A support member engages the outward facing lip of the sidewall with a horizontal flange formed to lay atop the lip, a vertical flange formed to lay horizontally adjacent to the lip. A horizontal threaded aperture is formed competely through the support member. An elongated threaded member engages through the threaded aperture of the support member to press against the inner surface of the sidewall when rotated at its outer end, thereby preliminarily propping the spare tire mount between the inner surface and the lip of the sidewall prior to and during the mounting of the spare tire.

Abstract: A chain linking device utilizes a rod of steel round stock, wherein one end of the rod is bent to form a hook while the remaining straight section is threaded. A sleeve and pin member includes a sleeve, with an inner diameter slightly larger than the round stock which fits over the threaded portion of the round stock. A straight pin is formed with or attached to the sleeve so as to protrude radially outward. A washer and a nut are located on the threaded round stock following the sleeve. In use, the hook on the end of the rod is inserted in a gap within the chain several links removed from a free end of the separated or broken chain. The pin on the sleeve and pin member then is inserted in a comparable location several links removed from the other free end of the separation.

Abstract: A drain plug remover for vehicle engine oil pans includes a drain plug holding socket, a shield member and a handle. The socket, made of a resilient material, is formed having an open end which is slightly smaller than the head of the drain plug and includes longitudinal slits in its side wall, wherein, when the socket is pressed upon the drain plug, the socket expands to grasp the plug. An alternative means of holding the drain plug is by use of a magnet located within the socket. A shield member extends outwardly from the base of the socket, preferably in the form of a plate having an outer lip which curves towards the open end of the socket, thereby forming a concave, saucer-like receptacle to initially catch and subsequently deflect the flow of dirty oil away from the hand of the user. Extending from the shield member, opposing the socket, is a handle which the user grasps during removal and replacement of the drain plug. The handle includes longitudinal ridges to aid grasping and rotation of the tool.

Abstract: A golf training device provides a stepped surface upon which the golfer places his rear foot and a wand which extends in proximity to the rear hip. The golf training device inlcudes a base member which is placed upon the floor or ground. The upper surface of the base member, at the location of the rear foot of the golfer, includes a single step with the lower level beneath the inside edge of the foot and the upper level beneath the outside edge of the foot, the step itself being located approximately along the longitudinal center-line of the foot's position. Extending upwardly from the surface of the base member, a wand, positioned to be proximate the rear hip of the golfer during the normal pre-swing stance, indicates substantial body sway during the backswing by contact with the hip. The base member may include an artificial grass-like upper surface.

Abstract: A medicating device for human nails and adjacent tissue which, in the preferred embodiment, includes a transparent viscoelastic gel pad having one or more pharmacologically-active substances incorporated therein; a sheet of transparent, impermeable, and elastic material providing an occlusive layer adjacent to the upper surface of the viscoelastic gel pad; an elastic retaining ring perimetrically surrounding the viscoelastic gel pad to prevent migration due to shoe pressure; and a porous meshwork attached to the elastic retaining ring so as to additionally anchor the gel pad from migration. The porous meshwork member may be located at the surface of the viscoelastic gel pad opposite the occlusive covering sheet, or may run through the viscoelastic gel pad in its anchoring function.

Abstract: The trailer hitch alignment device includes a base member upon which a convex mirror is fixed. Two side members are hingedly attached to opposing edges of the base member so as to fold in sequence across the mirror in the closed position or to expose the mirror in the open position. The side members each have an angled slot, formed in the edge opposing the hinged edge. With the side members in the opened position, the angled slots are aligned to readily engage the top edge of a closed towing vehicle tailgate so as to support the base member and mirror in a position enabling observation from the driver's position of the relative movement of the towing hitch to the coupling of the towed vehicle. In the open position, the side members will open through an obtuse angle to a position limited by a stop formed on the hinge edge of the side members.

Abstract: A shelter is formed of readily portable components. Wall members are attached by ear-like projections extending from edges thereof which penetrate slots formed in adjacent wall members. Perforations in the projections accept tapered pegs for securing wall members together. Elongated furniture members, including bed support beams and shelf and table members, extend between and provide structural support to opposing walls by projections extending from their ends which penetrate slots formed in the walls and which are secured in place by tapered pegs. The tapered pegs include a flattened side at their tapered ends which facilitates insertion and maintains the head of the peg away from the wall members.