Abstract: Apparatus for repairing broken stringers of wooden pallets and a method involving the use of the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of interconnected jaws having pads mounted on one end with magnets to secure studded repair plates to the pads. A broken stringer is inserted between the pads and the jaws are swung together to imbed the studs in the wood with the plate extending across the break effecting the repair. The pads are provided with limiting pivoting movement to insure proper alignment of the plates with respect to the stringer sides irrespective of the angle of the jaws when the studs contact the wood. A jack is used to adjust the vertical positions of the jaws for convenient use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bowling support device having hand, forearm and wrist portions for maintaining the hand and wrist in the proper position during the delivery swing. A fastening strap secures the support to the wrist of the bowler while allowing upward movement of the hand at the point of release. Angular orientation of the hand and forearm portions combine with a rubber pad located at the hand portion to place the hand and wrist in a cupped position. In another embodiment, the angular orientation of the hand and forearm portions may be varied.

Abstract: A system for storing and electronically monitoring the locations of keys and other articles, and providing a printed record of transactions involving the stored articles. The articles are held on digitally coded article holders which are stored on a storage panel and electronically scanned to determine the identity of the article at each storage location on the panel. When an authorized user of the system enters his user code and makes a request for one of the articles, an indication light is energized to indicate the location of the requested article. If the article is absent, the system displays the user code of the authorized user in possession of the missing article. A printer in the system operates to provide a printed record of which users removed and returned which articles at which times. An optional scale weighs articles such as pharmaceuticals to determine the weight of the contents that are removed.

Abstract: A device and method for removing closures from laboratory sample containers is the subject of the present invention. The device consists of a tubular member which is large enough to contain a laboratory sample container or vial. Integral with one end of the tubular member is a housing member which is large enough to contain the stopper or closure for the laboratory vial and is thus of a diameter larger than the tubular member. The end of the housing opposite the tubular member is closable with an irreversibly locking cap. A vial with a stopper to be removed is placed into the cap end of the housing member and is received by the tubular member unitl the stopper rests on the bottom surface of the housing member. The cap on the housing member is closed and a force is exerted on the vial to dislodge the stopper from it. The vial is pulled through the tubular member, leaving the stopper in the housing member.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder which mounts on the hinged lid of a tackle box and allows the lid to be opened and closed without disturbing the rod holder. A mounting base is bolted on top of the tackle box lid and receives one or more rod holding brackets which are latched to the base in a manner permitting them to turn to track a fish. Each bracket is a C-shaped device having a wire gate which closes its open side after the rod has been passed through it and into the bracket. The brackets can be removed from the base and stored in the tackle box when not in use.

Abstract: A plastic paddle is pivotally connected to the operating arm of a microswitch. The paddle is positioned in front of a boat's drain opening. The paddle can be swivelled to one side to allow removal of the boat's drain plug. When the plug is removed and the paddle lies in front of the drain opening, if the boat is launched without replacing the drain plug, the inrushing water will move the paddle so as to close the microswitch and actuate an alarm. Enough of the drain hole is left uncovered by the paddle to allow water to drain out of the boat.

Abstract: Reading glasses are specially constructed to permit them to assume a compact storage condition when not in use. Lightweight half lenses are pivoted to the lower ends of an arched nose bridge which functions as a spring to provide the sole force necessary to maintain the eyeglasses on the nose. The lenses may pivot about pivot pins on the nose bridge through pivot arcs of 90.degree. between the wearing and storage positions. The lenses occupy a common plane in all positions. Notches in the lens edges receive the legs of the nose piece to provide a detent for retaining the lenses in the wearing position.

Abstract: The stuffing machine has a casing brake ring which cooperates with the tip of the filling tube to exert a drag on the gathered casing drawn off the filling tube during filling of the casing. The brake ring is carried by a movable support which is mounted to the machine by a mechanism which includes a control linkage. The linkage includes a variable length link rod connecting the brake ring support with the machine. The length of the link which determines the operating position of the brake ring relative to the filling tube is controlled by a hand operated rotary adjusting device interposed in the link. The link is also connected with a crank arm which cooperates with the link through an overcenter arrangement to lock the brake ring support in the operating position for the brake ring. The crank arm and link can also be used to displace the brake ring support to a position remote from the filling tube to permit access to the tube for loading of fresh casing.

Abstract: A scroll saw blade clamp and blade alignment tool to facilitate blade changes while assuring proper positioning and alignment of the blade. The blade clamp is for the upper end of the blade and includes a pair of clamp bars, one of which is pivoted to the upper saw arm. A locking screw clamps the bars together for clamping of the blade, and a strategically located pin prevents relative rotation of the clamp bars and also serves as a blade guide to properly locate the blade while it is being clamped in place. The alignment device takes the form of a flat bar provided with a recess for holding the lower blade clamp. A groove in the bar is centered on the recess to properly align a saw blade received in the groove.

Abstract: A valve is coupled with a brake line of a vehicle for causing or maintaining vehicle brake application. A switch coupled with a vehicle door regulates operation of the valve. When the vehicle door is open, the switch signals the valve to cause or maintain brake application. A timer coupled with the valve maintains the valve in an applied condition for a predetermined period of time after the door has been closed to allow disembarking passengers adequate time to move away from the vehicle. A sensor may be coupled with the vehicle for determining vehicle speed and preventing operation of the valve when the vehicle is traveling above a predetermined speed.

Abstract: An arrow rest is attached to an archery bow by a rigid mounting bracket having a projecting pin on which the arrow rest is carried. The arrow rest includes a mounting base and two pivot blocks which pivot independently. Each pivot block has a separate spring which biases it in a direction to normally maintain the fingers in positions where an arrow can be held in a stable seat found between oppositely curved tips of the fingers. Each finger can deflect from its normal position independently of the other finger so that differential deflection of the fingers can take place when they are subjected to differential forces applied by the arrow.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle includes a main frame unit with front and back ends, both with wheels thereon, a steerable front wheel, an operator's seat and vehicle controls. A pair of spaced rear wheels are mounted at the back end of the vehicle and include moveably mounted axles supporting the rear wheels and connected to arms with mechanisms for selectively angularly moving the axles outwardly and inwardly of the main frame unit to vary wheel base and wheel track. A motor is connected to the wheel support structure for remotely varying the wheel base and wheel track. A separate drive motor is operatively connected to the wheels for movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for the control switches that control the height and angle of a vehicle mounted snowplow blade. A bracket on which the switches are mounted is attached to the gearshift lever of the vehicle so that the switches are conveniently accessible to the driver of the vehicle. The bracket has a main plate on which the switches are mounted and a flange which is connected to the shift lever by an angle member on the flange and an opposing U-bolt. By tightening nuts on the U-bolt legs, the bracket is rigidly clamped on the shift lever. The angle member resists twisting of the bracket.

Abstract: In a cartridge dispenser for dispensing mayonnaise-like food sauces in measured quantities, a laminated end disk which provides valving for the dispensed material. The end disk includes a paperboard layer for stiffness and rigidity, a polyethylene disk on the paperboard for shielding it from oils, a polyester disk beneath the paperboard for providing the valve, and an inner polyethylene disk allowing the composite disk to be secured on the end of the cartridge dispenser with a food grade adhesive. The polyester disk includes three equality spaced valves each formed by crosshair slits which provide vanes that open when material is being dispensed and quickly and cleanly close at the end of each dispensing stroke.

Abstract: A distributor for application of bituminous or other products to road surfaces. A spray bar, pump and hydraulic motor are mounted on a framework. The framework may be detachably coupled with a mounting frame on a trailer. A carriage is provided which will support the distributor during coupling with and removal from the trailer mounting frame.