Abstract: An articulated skateboard having two or three separate platform sections connected end-to-end with conventional skate wheel trucks under the end platform sections. The articulation structure between platform sections comprises a combination of pivoting and resilient spring members enabling universal angular flexing which absorb and return heavy vertical forces during jumping skateboard maneuvers and provide relatively lighter resilient flexibility to permit relative horizontal angular movement between platform sections to facilitate steering maneuvers in response to foot actuation of the platform sections. Pivoting action in the articulation structure is about a pivot axis at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal and in a vertical plane containing the front-to-rear direction of the skateboard.

Abstract: A group of several identical interconnected but separable key ring support members arranged as a composite structure. Each of the support members has a respective attached key ring. Each support member has two separate attachment parts at different locations on said member for directly connecting it to one or more members of said group by manually pressing the several members together. Manually releasable interlocking attachment parts enable one or more of the key ring support members to be selectively separated from the composite structure.

Abstract: A breathable protective filtering boot structure for a telescoping bicycle fork suspension comprises a generally cylindrical bellows-like rubber-like boot for each of a pair of fork legs which telescope along parallel vertical axes. Each boot is secured at its upper end to a male leg member and depends to form a variable volume boot chamber around the telescoping junction of the male and female leg members. The lower end of the boot has a flat annular shoulder spaced axially from and facing the top end of the female member with a cylindrical skirt depending from the boot shoulder for securing the boot to the upper end of the female leg member. A short portion of the skirt, with vent apertures between the shoulder and the female member facing away from the wheel space of the fork, encircles a small filter confining cavity at the lower end of the boot chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiming a tree to be felled including a tool for precisely marking a face notch to be cut into a tree trunk, said tool comprising a main body, an aiming rod on the main body, and two pivoting tree-engaging marking arms mounted pivotably together on the main body for partially encircling the tree trunk and identifying the upper and lower cuts of a generally horizontal portion of a hinging notch when the aiming rod is aimed in the direction of fall. The tool includes angular adjustments to allow marking an aiming notch which compensates for the lean of a tree and/or for trees with trunks of irregular cross section.

Abstract: A collapsible crabpot structure having four generally rectangular side frames, with a V-shaped reinforcing structure extending across each side frame. Hinge structures at each of eight corners of the crabpot structure, each hinge structure having an outwardly located protective structure to prevent impact damage thereon from external impact forces, as well as preventing excess torsional or bending stress on the hinge members of an erect crabpot structure during use. The protective structures are formed at least in part by extensions of primary frame members.

Abstract: A system for measuring and recording DC electric field data at multiple locations using field mill sensors having periodically exposed sensing electrodes to provide cyclic signals, relating to the field amplitude and polarity, which are demodulated by phase synchronous detection to provide measurement of the field at an indicator which is calibrated and checked by intermittently applying to a rotor electrode a DC voltage determine calibration data for sensor indicators. Phase and frequency adjusting circuits control sensor motor/rotor speed and the signals generated for optimum polarity and amplitude measurement. Motor speed is controlled to minimize effects of external noise. Contamination degradation of sense electrode insulators is measured by comparing output signals as the rotor is changed between rotating and stopped conditions. Metal modulator parts are finished with extremely smooth polished surfaces.

Abstract: A structure and method for repairing a damaged section in a sheetrock wall or ceiling comprising removal of the damaged section by cutting out a specifically-sized section of the wall surrounding the damaged section, providing a like-size, tight-fitting replacement section in the cutout area, providing a combination of fabric strips impregnated with an unactivated fast-setting plaster or cementitious material, providing a water-based glue, coating the edges of the replacement section and the cutout area with the water-based glue, activating the cementitious material, positioning fabric strips on the back side of the replacement patch with ends of the strips extending beyond each edge of the replacement patch, inserting the replacement section of sheetrock into the cutout area and manipulating it into flush alignment with the wall surface by manually gripping the patch assembly using the extended portions of the plaster impregnated strips, flattening the extended portions of the strips against the wall surface

Abstract: A key holder comprising two identically shaped parts each having a retainer for a plurality of apertured keys, the holder having at least one pair of mating latching structures holding the parts together when engaged and permitting the parts to be separated by only manually pulling the parts apart. Each latching structure includes a combination of a protuberance on one part and a cooperating protuberance-retaining recess on the other part. Each part has at least three distinct layers with first and second of the layers being thin flat and parallel and defining a space therebetween and a third layer offset with respect to the first and second layers. The third layer of each part lies parallel to and between the first and second layers of the other part with each third layer having a protuberance on one or both of its opposite faces, which protuberances are received in and retained by respective recesses in opposing faces of the first and second layers of the other part.

Abstract: A saddle assembly for use in canoes or similar craft comprising a hollow, watertight rotationally molded structure with a sealable accessible interior compartment, secured to the craft at or near the base surface of the saddle by use of a plurality of anchors adhered to the canoe hull or by use of flexible spring strips which are capable of conforming to the cross sectional shape of virtually any hull and which provide easy removal and installation of the saddle in different positions. The saddle is provided with thigh straps, to help secure the paddler into the craft, which pass over the paddlers thighs, one end of which is attached to the saddle and the other is attached to the hull of the craft. Footbraces which are adjustable longitudinally are affixed along a lower edge of the saddle. The exterior of the saddle is provided with recesses molded in place to hold various common accessories including water bottles, dry storage boxes, and rescue lines so that they are available to the paddler.

Abstract: A novel buckle for fastening together strap ends, comprising two identical or identically shaped mating members, each member comprising two hook portions in spaced parallel planes, such hook portions straddling a center web portion, and incorporating a latching structure independent of and of lesser strength than the hook portions to prevent inadvertent unfastening of the buckle. The center web portions and outside surfaces of the hook portions and the base portions of the hooks are shaped to provide surfaces to accurately guide the members together or apart to facilitate fastening and unfastening the buckle. The engaged hooks form large surface areas of the front and back outer surfaces of the buckle. The buckle members are fastened and unfastened by essentially relative translational movement.

Abstract: A collapsible crab pot structure comprising a crap pot frame with a removable unitary bag-like net therein secured to the frame by a rope framework within the bag-like net. The bag-like net can be made from a single piece of netting fabric according to a prescribed pattern. The frame has square parallel vertically-spaced similarly oriented congruent relatively-movable rigid top and bottom horizontally extending frame portions. The four respective corners of the top and bottom frame portions are interconnected by, and pivotably connected to, four post structures to form an essentially parallelpiped frame structure. A netting-covered door in a vertical front side of the frame structure is hinged along the front side of the top frame portion for swinging movement from a closed vertical position to a position atop the top frame portion. Convergent tunnel portions of the trap net enter the trap from opposite vertical sides which are perpendicular to the door side of the frame structure.

Abstract: A decontamination system for rinsing hazardous materials from victims or suited emergency personnel using hand held thin flat octagonal rings of square aluminum tubing having a plurality of radially inwardly directed nozzles for simultaneously spraying water inwardly toward all sides of the part of a person at the center of the ring in a pattern from each nozzle which is wide but confined to about the thickness of the ring. Each ring has two external diametrically opposed sockets for receiving telescoping handles for spraying movement by one or two assisting persons, or it may be manipulated by a user for self-spraying by being hand held or by being pulled down around the user from an elevated horizontal position in which it is supported by elastic cords within a tent frame structure.

Abstract: A simple trailer frame is provided which may be included within a structure and which allows the frame or the structure to be easily and quickly converted into a mobile trailer on retractable wheel assemblies. When the frame is used within a structure, once the structure is at its use site it need show very little evidence that it was a trailer. Also included in the frame is a towing member receiving member for quick and easy attachment and detachment of a towing member to the frame. A mechanical linkage is provided within the frame so that proper connection of the towing member to the frame locks the extended wheel assemblies in place. Towing is only possible when wheels are properly extended and locked. As a safety precaution, the design may also include a provision so that the locking mechanism cannot be deactivated unless the weight of the frame has been removed from the wheel assemblies.

Abstract: An expandable drill bit for cleaning solidified cement from a well casing used in oil drilling operations. The bit has an initial diameter which allows it to be passed through a permanent restriction in a well casing and thereafter expanded to clean out the casing below the restriction. The bit has three uniformly spaced cutting elements which may be fully retracted within the diameter of the cylindrical outline of the body of the bit and are located at the forwardmost end in a strengthened portion of the body. The cutting elements have projections which are engaged by the forward end of a piston sliding along the axis of the drill body within a cylinder bore and are actuated thereby to their cutting positions, with their cutting edges generally radially extending but slightly forwardly divergent, by the hydraulic pressure on the piston of a fluid forced down through the drilling string which carries the bit.

Abstract: A large flat exhibition platform of stair-step height (71/2 inches) and convertible to a highway trailer has jacking apparatus, wheels, wheel suspension apparatus and a trailer towing member retractably concealed therein and includes an energy source, hydraulic or pneumatic motor devices and motor controls, also concealed within the platform, to provide jacking to raise and lower the platform relative to a ground surface and to move the wheel suspension apparatus between roadable and retracted wheel positions without the need for any extra tools or equipment. Safety interlocks warn the operator or prevent trailering operation when the wheels are not fully extended to their roadable positions or when the towing member is not fully extended to its towing position. A fully sealed deep-cycle battery provides power for motor-driven hydraulic pumps for hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A tool head is separably attached to the end of a hollow well drilling string for cutting operations within a well and for detachment of the cutting head from the string without removing the string from the well. The head is attached by a ball clutch structure having a pressure responsive release mechanism responsive to an actuating pressure on the release mechanism to release the cuttiong head and the release mechanism from the string, the release mechanism having an upwardly open passage and a downward flow permitting check valve for passing cutting fluid from the string through the passage to the cutting head. Release is effected by dropping a sealing member down the drill string to close the passage and by an increase in fluid pressure above the sealing member and the release mechanism.

Abstract: A device for use by weightlifters for supporting a substantial weight, specifically a barbell, across the shoulders of an individual wherein the majority of the weight is transferred to the individual's hips and legs to avoid any strain on the back. The supporting device comprises a waist or hip belt, tubular support members extending generally vertically from pivotable mounting points at either side of the belt and shaped to curve around the user's back, a transverse channel cradle member with upwardly open U-shaped cross section extending between the upper ends of the support members to form an adjustably shaped frame. The tubular members are adjustable to vary their length and the distance between their lower ends to fit the user.

Abstract: A construction of book or game board with an open and a closed configuration, made of individual leaves in which the leaves have substantial thickness and in which the outline shape of any individual leaf is defined in essentially two dimensions. The two dimensional shape or size of the leaves varies from one leaf to another so that the closed book is in the form of a distinct three-dimensional sculpture with a recognizable shape. The leaves may be foldably connected so that in the open configuration of the structure, the leaves are capable of lying in a single plane.