Abstract: A book holder in the form of an elongate panel composed of a light, durable material, such as plastic, including a base portion and a U-shaped end at each of the opposite sides thereof. The U-shaped ends are dimensioned so as to provide an overhang for trapping the pages of a book between the overhang and the respective adjacent base portion. In a variation of the foregoing, an extensible book holder is disclosed in which the base portion now has a right base component and a left base component which are joined so as to permit a selectively extensible interaction therebetween for accommodating books of various widths with a single book holder. In operation, the user engages an open book with the book holder so that a portion of opposing sides of the book (that is, the left and right side of the book located at opposite sides of its spine) are captured by the U-shaped ends and the base portion.

Abstract: A two-speed drive utilizing an electromagnetically operated control system wired with respective drive motors, automatically braked in the event of a loss of power, provided with pre-assembled clutch and brake disc stacks, and provided with a manual over-ride. A primary drive motor is connected at one end to an external drive shaft and at an opposite end to a primary clutch drive shaft. The primary clutch drive shaft is connected with a first set of discs of an oil shear clutch disk stack. A secondary clutch drive shaft is connected with a second set of discs of the clutch disk stack. The clutch disc stack is biased by springs to be in a normally clamped mode which is released by a clutch electromagnetic coil assembly. The secondary clutch drive shaft is connected by a gear reducer to a shaft which is connected at one end to a secondary drive motor, and at the other end to a first set of discs of an oil shear brake disk stack. A second set of discs of the brake disk stack is connected to a housing component.

Abstract: A protector for ferrous metal sheet coils which protects the edge and exposed lap areas thereof from being damaged during manipulation and transportation. A first aspect of the invention is an outer lap protector composed of an outer lap cover portion curved to coincide with the curvature of the outer lap of the coil and an outer edge cover portion integrally connected with the outer lap cover portion and oriented at right angles thereto. A magnet is connected to the outer lap cover portion for magnetically attaching the outer lap protector to the outer lap of the coil. A second aspect of the invention is an inner lap protector composed of an inner lap cover portion curved to coincide with the curvature of the inner lap of the coil and an inner edge cover portion integrally connected with the inner lap cover portion and oriented at right angles thereto. A magnet is connected to the inner lap cover portion for magnetically attaching the inner lap protector to the inner lap of the coil.

Abstract: A concealable trash receptacle structured to be concealed within a cabinet when not in use, and out in the open for the deposit of trash thereinto by movement of a trash holder and a front panel connected therewith. The concealable trash receptacle is composed of a base for connecting to building cabinetry, a hinge connected to the base, a frame connected with the hinge, a trash holder connected with the frame, and a front panel connected with the frame. The hinge is structured to provide a large radial arcing movement of the frame, and is located relative to the frame so that a torque is created with respect to the center of gravity of the pivotable parts so that gravity biases the pivotable parts. The front panel is in a nominally vertical orientation with the trash holder concealed therebehind when the trash holder is not in use. When access to the trash holder is desired, the front panel is released and the biasing due to gravity causes the pivotable parts to rotate on the hinge.

Abstract: A crankshaft eccentrically mounted to the engine block bearings of an internal combustion engine for providing improved volumetric efficiency. A modified crankshaft journal and engine block bearing structure is provided at each crankshaft support location so that the connecting rod bearings rotate about an eccentric centerline (EC.sub.L). Eccentricity is achieved by off-setting the crankshaft journals a predetermined distance above the original true centerline (TC.sub.L) of the crankshaft, preferably on the order of about one-quarter to one-half inch. The top dead center (TDC) of each piston remains the same relative to its cylinder, but the bottom dead center (BDC) of each piston relative to its cylinder is lowered by the amount of the off-set because the engine block bearings are lowered with respect to the true centerline of the crankshaft by the amount of the off-set on the crankshaft journals.

Abstract: A hybrid binder-folder utilizing a foldable ring system for holding pages, which affords the advantage of easy page manipulation of ring binders with the advantage of flat folding of folders. The binder-folder has two side members which are mutually foldable along the centerline therebetween. Two, three or more foldable rings of flat, thin cross-section and of substantially semicircular shape are connected with the side members adjacent with and transverse to the centerline. When the two side members are mutually folded closed, the foldable rings fold along three folds: adjacent each connection with the two side members and at the ring apex. As a result of this foldability feature, the foldable rings are able to flatly fold, thereby permitting the binder-folder to be substantially flat when closed.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder composed of a pressure distributing back plate, a fishing rod handle receptacle mounted to a front side of the back plate, and a tackle box sidewall connection member connected with the back side of the back plate for securing the back plate to a sidewall of the tackle box, preferably an end sidewall thereof. The preferred structure of the connection member is either a plurality of fasteners that engage aligned holes in the tackle box sidewall and the back plate, or a double sided foam adhesive material which adhesively engages the tackle box sidewall and the back plate. In operation, the fisherman would connect the back plate of the fishing rod holder to one of the end sidewalls of his or her tackle box. Thereafter, whenever the fisherman needs to change lures or otherwise service his or her tackle, the handle of the fishing rod is placed into the fishing rod handle receptacle while the fisherman accesses his or her tackle box and effects service of his or her tackle.

Abstract: A blower system for a duct, locatable anywhere along the duct. The blower system is composed generally of a blower and a housing connected to the blower. The housing encloses the blower and has connected thereto an inlet port and an outlet port for being connected with a duct at any location along the duct. More particularly, the housing includes an internal baffle having a cut-out which interfaces with the outlet of the blower. Further, the housing is provided with an adapter that is tapered between the baffle and the outlet port for facilitating movement of air from the blower to the duct. A power cord emanates sealably from the housing for connecting the blower to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A specialty paint finish roller composed of a substantially conventional roller handle assembly having an axle, a roller tube, a pair of bushings for rotatably interfacing with the at least one axle of the roller handle assembly, and a disposable, generally cylindrically shaped rag component twisted around the roller tube, tucked into the axial cavity of the roller tube at either end thereof and secured thereto by a press fit of the bushings with respect to the axial cavity of the roller tube. The rag component is more or less twisted with respect to the roller tube. A specialty finish is provided by the specialty paint finish roller using either the positive application method or the negative application method. Rag components are easily replaceable during the job in order to achieve a maximally artistic result, as could formerly only be achievable using hands-on rag rolling techniques.

Abstract: A calendar date finder in the form of a circular slide rule composed of two interacting disks, rotation of one disk relative to the other selectively providing calendar date information from a first preselected year through a second preselected year, inclusive. An upper disk has a circular periphery with a notch along a portion thereof, and further has a cut-out spaced uniformly from the periphery and extending along a portion of the periphery. Numeric indicia are printed on the upper disk adjacent the notch. The numeric indicia are sequential numbers from 1 to 31 representing the thirty-one days of a calendar month. Month indicia are printed on the upper disk in a predetermined pattern adjacent the cut-out. A lower disk has week day indicia printed thereon uniformly spaced along the periphery thereof, in a sequential pattern. Spaced inwardly from the week day indicia is a predetermined pattern of year indicia indicating each year from the first through the second preselected years, inclusive.

Abstract: A multi-function cart which is readily adaptable to varying cargo transport conditions and a variety of uses. The multi-function cart is composed generally of a bed, a rail along the periphery of the upper side of the bed, two sets of wheels connected with the underside of the bed, and a width adjustment mechanism that permits a user to select a width of the bed with respect to the left and right sides of the cart. The cart further includes extensible handles and a user installable upper deck which removably interfaces with the upper side of the bed for substantially doubling the cargo bed area, a creeper top for converting the cart into a mechaninc's creeper, and a tray for converting the cart into a wheeled drip pan. Still further, the creeper top is convertible into a portable seat.

Abstract: A wild animal feeder which combines animal feeding with a decorative, fanciful shape and, further, is also animated by activity of the feeding animals, composed generally of a pair of fancifully shaped sidewalls, a feeder component situated between each of the sidewalls, a base, a pair of legs connected with the base, and a pivot structure for providing selected pivoting movement of the sidewalls and feeder component with respect to the legs. The pivot structure cooperates with an actuator which provides pivoting of the feeder component and the sidewalls whenever an animal comes to feed. In this regard, the feeder component includes a feed holder, an access door to the feed holder, a feed dispenser located adjacent the generally forward end of the sidewalls, and a dispensing opening in the feed holder for passing feed from the feed holder to the feed dispenser whenever the feeder component is pivoted.

Abstract: A pet privy which separates coagulated granular absorbent litter material and feces from uncoagulated granular absorbent litter material, composed generally of a litter box component pivotally connected with respect to a support frame. The litter box component, in turn, is composed generally of a tray for holding granular absorbent litter material, a hood member connected with the tray having a pet access port at a frontwall thereof and a discharge chute at a rearwall thereof, a retention chamber adjacent the rearwall of the hood member, a filter grid overlying the retention chamber, a discharge funnel overlying the retention chamber and adjacent the filter grid, and a disposal bag removably connected with the discharge chute. In operation, when the granular absorbent litter material requires servicing, the user simply pivots the litter box component on the support frame, thereby causing the granular absorbent litter material to slide toward the rearwall.

Abstract: A fastener system for precision mounting of body parts to a frame in spite of unavoidable manufacturing variations, composed of an anchor hole in a frame and an axially adjustable screw anchor seated stationarily into the anchor hole. The axially adjustable screw anchor includes a base for seating into the anchor hole in the frame, an axial sleeve provided in the base, a plunger slidably mounted within the axial sleeve, and a gap connected with the plunger for providing a mounting surface for the body part being mounted to the frame. the plunger and the cap are each provided with an axial hole for a common self-tapping screw-type fastener. In operation, when a tool brings the body part into a predetermined precise relationship with respect to the frame, the body part engages the mounting surface of the cap and causes the plunger to slide into the axial sleeve exactly the right amount so that the mounting surface of the cap is located precisely where the body part is to be mounted for a precise fit.

Abstract: A selectively illuminated jar which truly exemplifies the happy mood associated with sunshine by operation of an illumination system within the jar. A clear plastic jar is connected at its top with screw-on cap. An illumination system located at the top of the jar includes a substantially semicircular lens which simulates a sun-like surface. Within the lens is a light bulb, a battery and a switch which selectively electrically connects the battery with the light bulb as the cap is screwed on with respect to the jar. Optionally, the bottom of the jar may have a reflective surface to increment the lighting effect of the jar. Further, the bottom portion of the jar may include a cup upon which selected writing may be placed, such as "Sunshine in a Jar". Alternatively, the writing may be placed directly upon the jar itself.

Abstract: A fishing rod having provision for elimination of eyelet guide icing. The fishing rod is composed of an elongate fishing pole member, a handle member connected with the fishing pole member, a plurality of eyelets connected with the fishing pole member, a heating element associated with at least one of the eyelet guides, particularly the tip eyelet guide, and an electrical power source located within the handle member for selectably actuating the heating element.

Abstract: An electrical actuation system for a drive utilizing one or more disc stacks having annular discs alternately connected with two or more drive components. A disc stack is directly selectively clamped by an armature of an armature assembly being magnetically attracted to an electromagnetic coil of an electromagnetic coil assembly upon energization of an excitation current in the electromagnetic coil. The armature has a zero air gap with respect to the electromagnetic coil when the disc stack is clamped. A plurality of armature springs are carried with the armature assembly and are compressed when the armature assembly biases against the disc stack, thereby accommodating wear of the discs. Clamping of the disc stack results in the two drive components connected therewith being interconnected. Upon the excitation current being switched off, the disc stack is no longer clamped and the two drive components are now unconnected.

Abstract: A portable shelter which is very easily carried, unfolded, assembled, disassembled and folded, and which, in the unfolded configuration, forms a sled for transporting items. The shelter is composed of a lower wall component and an upper wall component, each of which being constructed of a light, rigid material such as corrugated plastic or paper. The lower wall component is nested within the upper wall component, and both wall components have a plurality of fold locations so that they are mutually foldable into a rectangular shape suitable for use as a sled. A lid component is also foldable so as to be placeable within the folds of the two wall components. In operation, a user simultaneously unfolds the upper and lower wall components so as to provide an area for occupation therewithin. Then the user grabs the upper wall component and raises it in relation to the lower wall component until tabs on the bottom edge of the upper wall component interlock onto the top edge of the lower wall component.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly apparatus and method for performing tire soaping, tire mounting and tire inflating operations, all of which being integrated at a single station positioned at one location in the apparatus. A conveyance system transfers a wheel to a transfer pallet located at a marry station whereat a tire is married to the wheel by dropping thereonto from a chute. The transfer pallet is transferred to an integrated tire mounting and inflating station, whereupon the tire and the wheel are soaped. Next, the tire is adjusted into a predetermined position relative to the wheel by stuffers. Then, the tire is mounted to the wheel utilizing one of a number of preferred mounting and inflating heads which cause the tire beads to slip over the upper rim of the wheel. Once mounted, the tire is inflated utilizing the same mounting and inflating head. The completed pneumatic vehicle wheel may now be transferred to other stations for further processing.