Abstract: A horn based loudspeaker system provides control over peak to peak pressure of an acoustic signal across its frequency spectrum. Frequency spectrum matched acoustic energy added to the acoustic signal at diverse points distributed along the horn.

Abstract: A single folded, expanding horn loudspeaker reproduces low frequency audible sound at high power output levels. A compact enclosure houses a plurality of identical transducers, characterized by small vibrational surface areas. The throats for each transducer into the horn are acoustically differentially spaced from the mouth of the horn. Transducer drive circuitry adjusts a drive signal for the transducers to compensate for the different impedance and propagation time to the horn mouth at each throat.

Abstract: A decorative, imitation candle includes a simulated wick which generates the appearance of an open flame in a darkened environment. A light pipe is located at the expected location of the wick. The exposed end of the light pipe has a tip which produces a point like a light source with a glare effect to darkness accommodated eyes when the device is illuminated. The glare is interpreted as an open flame without the need for a flame shaped terminating structure which is visible when the imitation candle is unlit.

Abstract: A body structure for a customized van is enhanced by providing a roof support element which is light in weight, strong, and easily shaped to conform to curved roof lines. The body structure comprises a rafter having upper and lower extruded rails and a plurality of gussets connected between the rails to join the rails in a single member. The rails are T-shaped in cross section with the upright of the T providing a point for connection of the gussets.

Abstract: An imitation candle having an exterior wax shell and an interior illumination source is structured to reduce cracking of the exterior wax shell by incorporating a bonding layer into a central cavity in the shell between the interior illumination source and the wax shell. The bonding layer terminates well spaced from terminal edges of the shell to transfer stress between the illumination source and the shell caused by differing coefficients of thermal expansion to points removed from edges of the shell to retard crack genesis.

Abstract: A decorative lantern evocative of enclosing a candle or other open flame type light source includes an imitation candle and a super bright light emitting diode hidden with the lantern to illuminate the imitation candle from outside. A wick having a polished tip produces a hot spot of reflected light to heighten the illusion of an open flame being present.

Abstract: The patent illustrates an apparatus for radially expanding an elastic handgrip on its axis of elongation to allow easier introduction of a shaft to the elastic handgrip by an open end of the grip. The main body of the apparatus provides support for the shaft and fixes the position of grip end expansion wedge. A tail stock section provides a cup for receiving an end of the grip and positioning the grip to introduce a ventilation probe to the grip. An alignment laser is built into the tail stock for aligning a golf club shaft. The tail stock and main body are separable to allow different sizes of grips to be readily handled.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a system for supporting fixtures such as birdhouses, lanterns and feeders from differentiated supports. The apparatus includes a mounting board having front and back major surfaces. At least a first and preferably first and second horizontal rows of a plurality of slots pass through the backplane member from the back to the front major surfaces. A retainer strap is fitted through a pair of slots in each row and is closable to form a circuit, which may be sized to fit around a post, branch or trunk abutting the back major surface of the backplane. A support is pivotally attached to the front major surface and is positionable to provide a ledge.

Abstract: A patient self-assist transfer aid provides an open box frame having a base for fitting beneath a mattress of a bed, a riser section extending upwardly from the base for extending around an edge of the mattress and a positioning section for extending out over the mattress from the riser section. The open box frame may be positioned around the mattress end at the foot of the bed to leave the major sides of the bed open for ease of access. A linkage is fitted to the positioning section of the open box frame and may be extended therefrom to position a handle within easy grasp of a person laying in the bed. A spring system urges the linkage outwardly, but is balanced by a motor and pulley system. A handle is pivotally attached to the linkage and for grasping by a patient recumbent in the bed for raising himself with motor assistance or for lowering himself into bed.

Abstract: A connector is provided for structural framing members having T-slots running lengthwise along a major surface of the structural framing member. The connector includes a pair of guides, each guide being sized to fit within a T-slot of one of the framing members for linear movement. A strut diagonally connects the pair of guides holding the guides mutually perpendicular to one another. The connector further includes each of the pair of guides being elongated in the direction of linear movement within a T-slot. Each guide further has a cross sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation conforming to the interior shape of the T-slot. Each guide is also open at both ends in the direction of elongation allowing introduction of the guide to an open end of a T-slot of a structural framing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding an elastic handgrip on its axis of elongation to allow easier introduction of a shaft to the elastic handgrip by an open end of the shaft. The main body of apparatus provides a two section element which includes a cradle revealed by opening the element which is shaped to receive an elastic handgrip. A ventilation probe extends from the cradle to penetrate the elastic handgrip away from its open end upon positioning of the elastic handgrip in the cradle. The second section of the main body is a cradle closure. positionable on the cradle, for substantially enclosing an elastic handgrip disposed therein except in an area immediately surrounding the open end of the elastic handgrip. A muzzle fits around a shaft and is positionable over the cradle and cradle closure for stretching the handgrip adjacent the open end of the hand grip over a shaft.

Abstract: The removable pier support system of the present invention comprises a plurality of folding pier support posts. Each post has a platform section having a horizontal base plate for supporting the post on a bed of a body of water. The base plate has a lower surface which in use rests on the bed. An anchoring probe extends from the lower surface of the base plate, and a support arm section extends upwardly from the horizontal base plate. A folding arm section is coupled to the support arm section. The folding arm section is movable between a first position extending upwardly from the support arm section and a second lying adjacent the support arm section. A pivot mechanism couples the support arm section and the folding arm section to one another. The pivot mechanism comprises two sets of cooperating pins and slots with the pins disposed on one section and the slots positioned in the other. The pins are vertically aligned, and include a pivot pin and a locking pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering spills of volatile liquids overflowing from a mobile delivery tank is disclosed. The mobile delivery tank has an inlet to the top of the mobile delivery tank, a vapor return conduit in fluid communication with the inlet, and a drain from the vapor return conduit, an open end of which drain is accessible from outside the mobile delivery tank. An external recovery tank is provided to receive that portion of the overflowing fuel still in liquid form. An overhead vapor recovery line receives the vapor portion. A Y-connector attaches to the open end of the drain, the connector including a branched element where one branch is connected to the overhead vapor recovery line and a second branch is connected to the recovery tank.

Abstract: A tool suspension arm provides isolation to a user from torque produced by a hand tool while allowing substantial freedom in positioning the hand tool relative to a workpiece. The arm has a housing defining an axially extensive cavity open at one end. An axially extensive rod is received by the axially extensive cavity through the open end for longitudinal movement relative to the housing. The axially extensive rod is splined and is closed in the axially extensive cavity of the housing by a splined hub insert inserted over the axially extensive rod into the open end of the axially extensive cavity. Cooperation between the splined surfaces largely eliminates play between the rod and housing and rotationally locks rod and housing preventing reactive twisting movement of the tool in use.

Abstract: The tire shredder has a frame supporting two parallel, vertically spaced rails on which are mounted a wheeled carriage. A variable speed, bi-directional motor provides reciprocating movement of the wheeled carriage on the tracks. The wheeled carriage supports a cutting assembly which includes a drive motor, a shaft and a plurality of circular saws mounted on the shaft for rotation with the shaft. The shaft is mounted with its axis of rotation parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage. Tires are fed to the circular saws by a conveyer system. A bottom conveyer carries the tires substantially parallel to the floor. A top conveyor, is positioned above the first conveyer, slanting downwardly toward the bottom conveyor from the opening for the tires to the discharge point adjacent the saws. Both conveyers are driven by a variable speed motor.

Abstract: The exercise apparatus of the invention has a stirrup and an anklet. The stirrup has a lateral strap that extends laterally from the stirrup. The anklet has ankle straps that cross in back of the foot and removably attach in the front of the leg above the ankle. The apparatus has an elastic cord connected to the lateral strap and a handle. The handle can have a rotatable grip which allows the user to change hand positions and vary the type of exercise performed.

Abstract: A DC power supply for an electronic switching element connected in series with a load in an AC main has a rectifying element and a capacitor parallel to the electronic switching element. Charging of the capacitor is provided by opening the switching element and diverting current from the AC main through the rectifying element and capacitor. The voltage difference across the capacitor powers control circuitry for the electronic switching element. Hysteresis built into the control circuitry results in the electronic switching element opening at a lower voltage difference across the capacitor than the voltage difference required to close the electronic switching element.