Abstract: A multi-purpose tool for both pulling vehicle steering wheels and compressing lock plates of steering columns has a generally H-shaped main frame with two pairs of opposed and substantially parallel sides. A first threaded opening passes entirely through the approximate center of the frame and through a first pair of opposed sides of the frame. A second opening also passes entirely through the approximate center of the frame and through the second pair of opposed sides, this second opening being positioned in the frame at an angle of about 90.degree. to the first threaded opening. Positioned on both sides of the first opening of the frame is a channel which extends through the frame and runs generally parallel to the first threaded opening. On one of the sides of the frame through which the second opening passes, at least one threaded opening is provided on both sides of the second opening.

Abstract: The accessories of a prime mover (such as an engine) are automatically maintained at a more constant speed with varying prime mover speed using a flat belt driving a variable diameter pulley wherein a fixed diameter pulley attached to the variable diameter pulley is used to drive another belt coupled to the accessories.The variable diameter pulley assembly includes a shaft and a pair of pulley sheaves each having a pair of relatively movably guideway disks with belt engaging elements extending between the pulley sheaves. Mutual angular changes between the guideway disks causes a corresponding change in the effective diameter of the pulley assembly. A speed responsive actuator assembly is employed and includes a housing with at least a pair of springs. The actuator assembly is positioned by a balance of forces including the centrifugal force of the belt drive elements, the compression force of the actuator springs, and the forces due to the belt.

Abstract: An instrument for removing tissue samples from a tissue mass which automatically penetrates, severs, and removes a tissue portion for examination. The instrument is motor powered, preferably by self-contained rechargeable batteries, and employs electrically actuated stops to control the action of penetration into and retraction from the tissue mass. The tissue penetrating means and severing means includes an inner stylet which penetrates the tissue mass and a hollow outer tube or cannula which surrounds the stylet and serves to sever a sample of tissue. In a preferred form the tissue penetrating end of the stylet is notched so that when the stylet penetrates the tissue mass, a portion of the tissue relaxes in the notched area. After tissue penetration by the stylet, the cannula, having a cutting surface at its distal end, penetrates the tissue and cuts off the tissue portion residing in the notched area of the stylet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dispenser for dispensing viscous liquids, such as liquid soap, disinfectants and similar products, comprising a reservoir forming a reservoir for the liquid having an obliquely extending outlet which is provided with a self closing venting valve. A wall mounting assembly in which the dispenser is mounted, is provided with a protruding member, against which the reservoir is compressed to dispense liquid contained in the reservoir. The reservoir can be arranged in two different configurations, so that the dispenser can be mounted to both vertical and horizontal walls and the outlet assembly extends vertically downward.

Abstract: Compositions capable of providing effective softness and antistatic properties to fabrics laundered therewith when such compositions are added to the wash cycle along with built anionic based detergents. The compositions include a combination of ethoxylated and/or propoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds, a mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound and in a preferred form sodium citrate and/or boric acid. The compositions can be formulated in granular or liquid form.

Abstract: A continuous, high speed process for making translucent soap bars which, optionally are provided with a striated pattern. The process uses a mixture of tallow and coconut fatty acids saponified with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. To the neat soap is added a superfatting agent and glycerin and the resulting neat soap is dried to a moisture level of from about 14% to about 18%. The dried soap is thereafter subject to amalgamation where a slurry containing additional glycerin and a polyethylene glycol of molecular weight of about 600 is added to and mixed with said soap. Following amalgamation, the soap is refined and thereafter compacted and extruded into a continuous log which may be cut and stamped into bars.

Abstract: A golf putter has a substantially cylindrical club head made from a tough, resilient, non-metallic plastic material such as acetal polymer (e.g., Delrin or Celcon); has weight-receiving receptacles recessed in each of the heel and toe ends; and weight inserts within the weight-receiving receptacles. The diameter of the cylindrical club head, e.g., one and one-quarter inches, is smaller than the diameter of a ball to be played. A visual alignment mark extends circumferentially partially around the cylindrical body at a position equidistant between the heel and toe ends and thus, just toward the toe end from the position at which a conventional shaft is coupled to the club head.

Abstract: Vehicle finish protection apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for temporary installation on a vehicle when the vehicle is parked closely adjacent another vehicle and is therefore susceptible to finish damage as a result of the edge of a door of the adjacent vehicle impacting against the side of the vehicle to be protected. The vehicle finish protection apparatus includes unitary first and second elongated sections, triangular in cross sections joined by a living hinge such that the first and second elongated sections are normally aligned in an operational configuration, but may be folded together at the hinge to effect a compact storage configuration. The means for securing a hinge are on separate faces of the sections so that one section can be swung up and away and back on itself with one hand for easy use in tight spaces.

Abstract: An awning assembly including two elongated roller memers on which awning fabric is mounted. A first roller member is mounted to the side of a vehicle or building and the second roller member is pivotally mounted to the side of the vehicle or building and can be extended therefrom or retracted therto. The second roller member is provided with a cover which is generally U-shaped in cross section and strengthened in a special manner.

Abstract: A hair curler system is disclosed which includes a selected length of flexible tubing used in conjuction with one or more flare members and a male coupling member to obtain a configurable assembly for rolling and looping a curl having different incremental diameters along its length. A first flare member is adapted to be partially inserted into one end of the tubing and has an outside diameter which tapers outwardly toward the flare member free end to obtain a graduated diameter along its length. The male coupling member is partially inserted into the opposite end of the tubing and terminates in a bulbous coupling element which is dimensioned and configured to be manually snapped through a reduced diameter neck region within the hollow interior of the first flare member such that, once a curl has been rolled onto the assembly, the assembly may be looped by snapping the coupling element through the reduced diameter neck region for retention during the perming process.

Abstract: Compositions capable of providing effective softness and antistatic properties to fabrics laundered therewith even when such compositions are added to the wash cycle along with built anionic based detergents. The compositions include a combination of ethoxylated or propoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds, a mono-higher alkyl quaternary ammonium compound and powdered nylon and can be formulated in granular or liquid form.

Abstract: A speaker transducer assembly is disclosed which includes first and second speaker diaphragms supported on a frame in over and under juxtaposition. Each of the speaker diaphragms has a central opening defining an inner periphery which is attached to a voice coil form for coaxial movement therewith and in unison. An intermediate baffle is coaxially positioned between the speaker diaphragms to define upper and lower, separately vented chambers. The upper chamber is vented through an outlet in the region of the outer peripheries of the first speaker diaphragm and the intermediate baffle; similarly, the lower chamber is vented through an outlet situated in the region of the outer peripheries of the second speaker diaphragm and the intermediate baffle. Preferably, the two vent systems have different vent exhaust areas to obtain stagger tuning and thus achieve a split of the deepest frequency load.

Abstract: A self-adjusting climbing chock is disclosed which includes a main cable structure having a looped end and first and second cable end sections. A fixed wedge element is joined to the cable end sections, and one of the fixed wedge element faces is provided with a tapered depression. A translating wedge element, having a bearing surface which is complementary to the sliding surface of the depression, may be manually retracted against a compression spring between a first position at which the combined thickness of the fixed and translating wedge elements exceeds the maximum thickness of the fixed wedge element and a second position in which the combined thickness does not exceed the maximum thickness of the fixed wedge element.

Abstract: A junction box readily adapted for installation to an electric power cable made up of a pair of identical interlocking sections which are joined together over the cable at any appropriate point on the cable. In one embodiment the box is employed as a "stringer" box where a series of the boxes are installed on a single power cable. In such embodiment, hollow projections are provided at each end of the box for entry and exit of the power cable, the projections being formed by the pairing of clamping members in the end walls of the interlocking sections. Through the use of special reinforcing, the junction box is light in weight but can withstand heavy abuse.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle in which the lift platform serves as part of the floor of the vehicle, and does not need to be extended outwardly of the vehicle to load or unload a wheelchair passenger. The lift operates within a shaft extending between the floor and the undercarriage of the vehicle, and sliding pulley panels are provided at two opposing sides of the shaft below the floor of the vehicle. Pulleys are mounted adjacent the top edges of the pulley panels, and chains are passed over the pulleys, and attached at one end to a fixed point on the vehicle at or below the midpoint between the floor of the vehicle and ground level, and attached at the other end to a lift platform. Other chains are attached at one end to the pulley panels and at the opposite end to a hydraulic cylinder, such that the pulley panels are lowered or raised as the hydraulic cylinder is retracted or extended, in turn causing the lift platform to traverse between the floor of the vehicle and ground level within the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dispenser for dispensing viscous liquids, such as liquid soap, disinfectants and similar products, comprising a reservoir forming a reservoir for the liquid having an obliquely extending outlet which is provided with a self closing venting valve. A wall mounting assembly in which the dispenser is mounted, is provided with a protruding member, against which the reservoir is compressed to dispense liquid contained in the reservoir. The reservoir can be arranged in two different configurations, so that the dispenser can be mounted to both vertical and horizontal walls and the outlet assembly extends vertically downward.

Abstract: A food flavoring composition in aerosol form comprising a major amount of concentrate and a minor amount of a suitable propellant. The concentrate contains from 50 to 75% food grade oil, from 5-50% undissolved solids, an emulsifier with a HLB value of from 7 to 12 and substantially no moisture. The flavored product can be sprayed onto various foods such as popcorn for the needed flavor enhancement.

Abstract: A foldable mirror structure for providing self-observation reflective images from any desired position about a user. The mirror structure includes a main frame with a primary reflector mounted centrally thereon for pivotable movement between forwardly facing, right angular facing and left angular facing attitudes. Right and left hand secondary reflectors are coupled to the opposite sides of the frame by coupling frames and are pivotably movable between folded and extended positions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of soap and soap/synthetic detergent products from raw materials normally employed in the manufacture of such products including fatty acids, triglycerides and caustic by subjecting such raw materials to intensive countercurrent mixing whereby saponification takes place in a relatively short time, and whereby cooling and moisture removal of the soap mass is accomplished by making the mixing vessel substantially air tight and applying a vacuum to the soap mass within the vessel to yield a product, preferably in granular form, which requires no further drying for most uses. The resulting product can, if desired, can then be subjected to plodding, extrusion and stamping to form soap in bar form. The starting material can also be a mixture of such raw materials where neutralization has already proceed to some degree, preferably to the neat soap stage.

Abstract: A high solids slurry of surfactant, inorganic builders and filler salts, which may be spray dried to produce a granular laundry detergent, is prepared by contacting mixed organic and inorganic acids, such as produced in the first stage of the oleum sulfonation of detergent alkylates, with a dry alkali metal carbonate and then with water while subjecting the ingredients and reaction mixture to a controlled mulling/smearing action.