Abstract: The invention relates to a dock pole bumper assembly for securing a boat to mooring piling. The assembly has a stationary portion which is secured to the piling and forms a track along which the movable portion glides. A movable portion has a rigid part and a flexible deformable part. The rigid part is provided with a guide channel for engaging the stationary portion during use of the bumper assembly. The resilient deformable portion has an impact-receiving contact surface and non-contacting opposing side walls. Mooring cleats are mounted on the side walls of the rigid member to allow a mooring line of a boat to be secured thereto. An insert of a friction-resistant material is fitted in the guide channel to facilitate movement of the movable portion along the stationary track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a garment pressing machine for ironing shirts, blouses and similar articles of clothing. The machine is provided with a dressing station, a pressing station, and a mannequin movable between the dressing station and the pressing station. The mannequin has an inflatable body which is inflated while the mannequin is still at the dressing station to allow an operator to remove creases from a garment draped over the mannequin before the mannequin is moved into the pressing station, where the garment is contacted by heated pressing plates to facilitate ironing of the garment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for applying mortar to a row of masonry units and provides for the use of a pair of supporting structures between which a straight beam extends. The straight beam allows to build consecutive rows of masonry units along a vertical plane. A mortar dispensing container is supported by rollers which move along a top surface of a masonry unit, the container being provided with a pair of elongated slots, through which mortar is dispensed in uniform ribbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal-sub packer assembly which is formed by a two-mandrel packer and a setting tool which positions the packer within the casing. A lower mandrel of the packer is provided with internal threads for engagement with the setting tool, thereby preventing premature setting of the packer. The exterior surface of the lower mandrel carries one or more sealing members which are compressed and forced to expand horizontally when the upper mandrel slides downwardly, shearing shear screws in response to a downward force acting on the setting tool. In an alternative embodiment, a liner hanger is secured to the lower mandrel, the liner hanger carrying an annular band with an inverted J-shaped slot through which a pin extends. When the body of the packer assembly is rotated in a predetermined direction, the guide pin extending through the J-slot resists premature setting of the packer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beach towel which can be converted into a bag for carrying various accessories. The towel is formed by an elongated sheet, to an upper central part of which a pillow assembly is secured. A pocket is formed between the flexible sheet and the pillow assembly to retain a folded towel after the pocket has been turned inside out. Secured between the elongated sheet and the pillow assembly are a pair of handles which become exposed on the outside after the pocket has been turned inside out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting assembly for retaining a length of flexible tubing in ready communication with a source of liquid. The assembly provides for the use of a reel portion which retains the flexible tubing and a mounting portion which supports the wheel portion above the ground. The reel portion is rotationally detachably connected to a tubing which, in turn, is fluidly connected to either an underground source or to a conventional municipal water supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for allowing securing of a collision guard to a side of a vessel. A vertically oriented post is fixedly attached to and extends upwardly from the collision guard and has an upper part which is received in a gap formed between a pair of vertically spaced-apart horizontally extending retainer plates. An enclosure formed between the retainer plates surrounds the posts on those sides which do not face the hull of the vessel. Adjustable screw jacks extend through the openings formed in the enclosure side walls to selectively adjustably contact the side walls of the post to thereby secure the retainer plates to the post. An attachment bolster mounted on a top deck of the vessel allows fixed attachment of the retainer plates to the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a work stand for supporting a variety of hair styling instruments in an organized manner. The work stand is formed by a base and a U-shaped supporting plate which is detachably carried by the base. The supporting plate has a plurality of cutouts extending from an outer edge inwardly to retain various hair styling instruments. Cylindrical holders for heated instruments, such as curling irons, are carried by the supporting plate, the cylindrical holders secured within apertures formed in the supporting plate. The supporting plate is provided with a pair of legs which are bent to extend under the bottom of the supporting plate and detachably slidably engage within respective bands secured to the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for confirming bite registration for dental implants. The device has an elongated plate having one or more openings formed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the plate. A hollow post has an exterior wall corresponding in size and shape to the openings in the plate so as to fittingly slide through a selected plate opening. An inner aperture in the post is suitable for engaging with a portion of the dental implant that extends above the healed gumline of a patient. When the post is engaged with the implant, and the plate is placed over the post, an outer surface of the plate is oriented in a substantially parallel relationship to an occlusal plane. The post and the plate are secured together to register orientation of the dental implant in relation to the occlusal plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coloring a crystalline material, such as sodium chloride, and a product resulting therefrom. The method provides for a step of exposing a mixture of crystalline product and liquid coloring agent to microwave energy for a time sufficient to cause drying of the mixture. When mixed with table salt and other crystallized materials, a liquid food dye containing propylene glycol can be used in the concentration of between 0.1 and 2% by total weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a construction module which is designed to interconnect with similarly constructed modules to form a structure, such as, a wall or a fence. The construction module is formed by a continuous sheet of extrudable material which is bent at different angles, so as to define a three-portion module. The first, open-end portion is formed by a pair of plates having converging extensions which define a passageway leading into the space between the plates. The second portion has a substantially reduced width suitable for fitting into the passageway of an abutting module. The third, closed end portion is smaller in width than the space between the plates allowing the third portion to fit into the space between the plates of the abutting module and receive upwardly extending tips of the converging extensions in corresponding grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to baseball equipment, and more particularly to a baseball bat and a baseball which are provided with an audible signal generating element. A hollow tube is positioned in the baseball bat and in the baseball, the hollow tube receiving a sliding element which moves between opposite ends of the tube as the baseball bat and baseball move through the air. A spring mounted in each of the opposite ends of the tube facilitates movement of the sliding element inside the tube as it bounces off the springs. When air is admitted into the hollow tube through a fittingly engaged plug, the audible signal is enhanced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile pipe testing system. The system carries its own supply of a test fluid and an independent power source. During operation, a pipe is lifted by an inbound conveyor and is delivered to a pre-test station, from which it is lifted by the arm and deposited into a testing cradle. The ends of the pipe are sealed by test plugs which are moved into engagement with the pipe ends, and a pressure is applied to the interior of the pipe to test the pipe for possible leakage. Once the test is complete, the test plugs are moved away from engagement with the pipe, and the lifting arm moves the pipe segment into a holding station, wherein the pipe is allowed to drain, while the fluid is filtered, collected and recycled back into a fluid container. The lifting arm then transports the pipe to the outbound conveyor which off loads the pipe.

Abstract: A reflective shadow sensor is disclosed for use in detecting the position of a moving object by directing a flow of light towards that object and detecting the amount of light reflected by a surface of the moving object.