Abstract: The wipe-down knife herein is assembled upon an elongate handle, one end of which is fitted with a generally cylindrical blade-supporting head. The head has a collar and lever arm on one end for securely engaging the handle shaft, and a pair of closely opposed pads and a pivot pin on its other end for engaging a blade-supporting plate. A bracket which grasps the blade at its base is affixed to the blade-supporting plate. The blade is wide and flexible, projecting from the blade support at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the knife's handle. The blade curves away from the blade-supporting bracket at a right angle, such that the plane of the blade's working edge is parallel with the handle's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The spring-loaded camming nut of the invention includes first and second wedge-shaped chock portion. The first chock portion is wedge-shaped and larger than the second. The second chock portion is prism-shaped with a triangular cross-section. Means are provided for moving the first chock portion axially, lateral to the second chock portion. As the smaller second chock portion travels along the larger first chock portion, toward the crack's opening the first chock portion rotates on its horizontal axis, causing a tooth of the second chock portion to move horizontally and upwardly, into the rock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying and deagglomerating substances of finely-divided solids suspended in a fluid medium. The apparatus includes the basic components of a phenumatic friction dryer, a flash dryer and a ring dryer.

Abstract: The apparatus has an elongate, rigid, tubular body with a universal-type swivel coupling to a water hose at its proximal end, and a transverse head bar disposed at the distal end, the head bar having a scrubbing sponge and wiping blade projecting therefrom in opposite directions. A flexible, distally-projecting, selectively-directable, fluid-emitting nozzle is in fluid communication with the water hose and can be used for wetting a dirty window or for filling a radiator. The distal, fluid-emitting nozzle is constructed of multiple segments which can be swiveled and set in a stable position with respect to one another; a flexible, resilient sheath covers the segments. The scrubbing sponge is covered with a layer of slightly abrasive, foraminous material, and is impregnated with a concentrated, water-soluble, cleaning-enhancing compound.

Abstract: This is a personal earphone assembly comprised of a flexible, elongate tube having open ends and a central lumen therethrough. Earphones are disposed at each open end of the tube, each earphone having a neck projecting therefrom and a wire passing from the neck, through the lumen, to a central aperture in the tube. In a stereophonic embodiment, the earphone wires run parallel from the central lateral aperture to a plug adapted to engage a stereo jack on a signal source. In a monaural embodiment, the earphone wires join a single double-strand lead to a mono jack. Lateral slits are provided adjacent the open ends of the tube for receipt of the temple ends of a pair of eyeglasses. The portions of the tube between the lateral apertures and the open ends wrap over and around the forward portions of a user's ear, and the earphones lodge in the outer ear canal. The assembly may also be worn without eyeglasses.

Abstract: A hot wedge, automatic seam welder is disclosed. The welder is comprised of a chassis having a base plate, a motor housing and a support arm extending from the motor housing. An S-shaped guide for guiding opposing sheets of material is between the base plate and the motor housing. Disposed downstream from the motor housing, depending from the support arm, is vertically-movable suspension for a driven upper pressure roller which is occludable with a driven lower pressure roller on the base plate. Also depending from the support arm is vertically-movable and adjustable suspension for the hot wedge. A horn-shaped shroud for guiding material over and under the wedge, and for shrouding the wedge when in its disengaged mode, is disposed upstream from the wedge. Guides for performing lap welds, fin welds and hem welds, as well as many variations thereupon, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tethered ball-type batting practice apparatus comprised of a nonresilient first tether portion, a swivel, a linearly resilient second tether portion, a ball and a moderately flexible sleeve is disclosed. The hollow, lightweight ball cooperates with the resilient second tether portion to reduce the likelihood of the ball being torn from the tether, while giving a batter the authentic feel of having hit a standard ball. The moderately flexible sleeve prevents the tether from wrapping around the batter's bat. And, the resilient second tether portion permits the swivel to work more efficiently in preventing the tether's twisting.

Abstract: The apparatus is for engaging a generally cylindrical borehole, and includes first and second chock portions, the first chock portion being generally spherical, the second being a trough-shaped wedge. The wedge-shaped second chock portion has a thinner end and a thicker end, and first and second primary surfaces. The first primary surface is cylindrically convex and dimensioned to seat flush against the wall of the borehole. The second primary surface is shaped as a concave, inclined trough dimensioned to permit the spherical first chock portion to slide freely therewithin. A primary tether affixed to the first chock portion is used to position the apparatus in the borehole, and includes a loop from which a user's body weight or gear may be suspended. A chock control cable operable with a finger pull bar is affixed to and operable to move the second chock portion in the borehole, lateral to the first chock portion. Sheaths protect and separate the primary tether and the chock control cable from one another.

Abstract: A knee brace for a kayak includes a structural backbone constructed of a rigid plate bent at an angle, the inside surface of the plate's curved form is lined with a resilient foam pad. The crease where the plate is bent divides it roughly into first and second portions, the first portion having a series of apertures for mounting the brace to the underside of the rearward portion of the foredeck, the second portion of the plate depending generally perpendicularly when mounted and being adapted to receive force from the inner face of the knee and lower thigh portions of a kayaker' leg. The series of apertures in the first portion of the plate is linearly arranged, but offset from the crease by 20 degrees, or so. A channel is cut out in the foam beneath the series of apertures.

Abstract: A supercharger for a V-twin motorcycle engine comprised of a transmission portion and a blower portion is disclosed. A first embodiment includes a power take-off coupling having a drive gear rotationally engaged with a vertical drive shaft wherein the drive shaft is coupled to the blower's input drive via a pair of output drive ration selection gears. A second embodiment includes an alternative transmission structure wherein rotational transmission passes through a series of spur gears and a set of bevel gears. A set of quick-change gears to alter the gear ratio of the second embodiment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hot beverage brewing kit comprised of a double-walled cup and a cylindrical filter support stowable between the cup's walls is disclosed. A retaining ring secures a cone-shaped textile fabric filter to the filter support. The filter stows in a space between the bottom of the cup's fluid containing cavity and the cup's lower end cover. An upper end cover engages the cup's single-walled upper rim, and has a drinking aperture therein. An alternative embodiment of the kit includes a modified cup which has its outer bottom wall and outer side wall formed as an integral structure. A threaded joint toward the upper end of the outer side wall joins the integral outer bottom and side walls to the upper and inner portions of the modified cup.

Abstract: A wallet card comprised of front and back transparent exterior surface panels, front and back core panels, and an elongate internal sleeve is disclosed. The outward-facing surfaces of the core panels bear personal medical information, and a flexible strip thermometer is stowed within the sleeve. Registering apertures are provided in the core panels, these being sized to accommodate a plurality of microfilm chips bearing further personal medical information. Thus, a display window is defined in the wallet card wherethrough the microfilm chips may be read.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a trestle-type, dual-frame sawhorse including first and second generally rectangular, identical frame members, hinged together along their horizontal top beams, each having depending legs with horizontal leg braces parallel to the top beams. Each leg has a longitudinal slot with a transverse pin which passes through a bound space defined within a rigid, rectangular-framed strut. Each strut has a pair of longer side members and a pair of shorter side members, and is bound by the pins into the slots of both legs of a leg pair. The strut can be moved to a vertical position whereby the legs of the sawhorse are held together, or the strut can be allowed to drop into a horizontal position where it keeps the legs from splaying farther when the sawhorse is under load. Detent notches in the inner surfaces of the strut permit the sawhorse to resist being collapsed back into its folded orientation.

Abstract: An air conducting convertor for a powered string trimmer is disclosed, wherein the trimmer to be converted has a power shaft with opposing proximal and distal ends, a power-providing unit disposed upon the proximal end thereof, and a string head coupling disposed on the distal end thereof. The converting apparatus includes a collar bracket adjacent the distal end of the trimmer, and struts projecting from the collar bracket and supporting a surrounding fan shroud. A fan having blades pitched to move air distally through the shroud is coupled with the trimmer's standard trimmer head coupling. A curved, rotatable air duct with interior baffle plates is engaged with the shroud and projects distally therefrom. A debris bag is suspended from the trimmer's shaft has a collector portion which is engaged with the proximal rim of the fan shroud, so when a fan pitched to move air proximally is mounted on the trimmer, the apparatus is able to act as a vacuum.

Abstract: A hot wedge, automatic seam welder is disclosed. The welder is comprised of a chassis having a base plate, a motor housing and a support arm extending from the motor housing. An S-shaped guide for guiding opposing sheets of material is between the base plate and the motor housing. Disposed downstream from the motor housing, depending from the support arm, is vertically-movable suspension for a driven upper pressure roller which is occludable with a driven lower pressure roller on the base plate. Also depending from the support arm is vertically-movable and adjustable suspension for the hot wedge. A horn-shaped shroud for guiding material over and under the wedge, and for shrouding the wedge when in its disengaged mode, is disposed upstream from the wedge. Guides for performing lap welds, fin welds and hem welds, as well as many variations thereupon, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of peeling tomatoes with the disclosed machine includes passing tomatoes through the steam chamber and maintaining a steam-controlled temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F. and a pressure of 12-30 psi. The level of condensate is controlled for dragout by adding water and the concentration of naphthalene sulfonate is monitored and maintained at approximately 1000-2000 ppm. Residence time in the steam chamber is 8-35 seconds, while residence time in the vacuum chamber is 5-10 seconds while maintaining a vacuum of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.

Abstract: Game apparatus for tossing and catching a ball includes a sling having a generally rectangular web suspended between a pair of rigid handles. A cord loop runs slidingly through each tubular handle such that when the handles are parallel and drawn apart from one another to the maximum distance the cord loop's length will allow, parallel, first and second taut cord portions run between the first ends of the handles and between the second ends of the handles, respectively. The web is constructed of either foraminous or nonforaminous fabric, and includes hemmed, parallel side edges constructed as tubes through which the parallel cord portions easily slide. A ball approximately the same size and weight as a regulation baseball is used with the embodiment having the nonforaminous web, and a lower-density, sponge rubber ball is used with the foraminous web. The elements described are also presented as a kit for selective use of either web with its respective preferred ball.

Abstract: A tomato peeling machine is disclosed which includes an inclined, cylindrical steam chamber having star valves at its input and output ends. A feed screw is concentrically mounted therewithin and drives tomatoes through a biphasic environment comprised of an aqueous condensate solution of naphthalene sulfonate and steam vapor. A fluid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the steam chamber is connected to a water source as well as to a chemical reservoir containing concentrated solution of naphthalene sulfonate. The fluid delivery conduit includes flow-regulating apparatus and the steam chamber includes condensate level-controlling apparatus. A vacuum chamber is provided downstream of the steam chamber, and a vacuum pump draws vapors out of the vacuum chamber into a condensing chamber. A method of peeling tomatoes with the disclosed machine includes passing tomatoes through the steam chamber and maintaining a steam-controlled temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F.

Abstract: An accessory for enabling an adjustable wrench to function as a measuring device is disclosed, the accessory comprising a planar, flexible, durable, adhesive-backed, L-shaped member having a short base leg and an integral elongate measuring leg bearing length-indicating indicia. The L-shaped member is adapted to be disposed upon an adjustable wrench such that the base leg is affixed to a side face of the wrench's fixed jaw and the measuring leg is affixed to the track in which the wrench's movable jaw travels. A supplemental reference member including a reference mark is disposed upon the movable jaw. A kit comprised of an L-shaped member and a reference member or, alternatively, a pair of mirror-image L-shaped members marked with different dimensional units, along with a pair of supplemental reference members, is also disclosed.