Abstract: An oral device for holding the tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth, thereby promoting suction closing the lips and encouraging breathing through the nose. The device has a U-shaped channel for engaging the upper teeth of the user, the channel comprising a vertical wall. A platform protects horizontally and inwardly from the U-shaped channel. This platform is located at the level of the bottom surfaces of the upper teeth, and supports the tongue. The platform bears concave indentations molded to conform to individual teeth of the user. The platform has a nominally flat bottom surface, at least one drainage hole enabling saliva to pass to the bottom of the mouth, and a slot opening to the rear of the device.

Abstract: A remote control unit for remotely communicating at least one operator-selected command to a shuffling machine. The remote control unit includes a housing, a controller disposed within the housing, a display in electrical communication with the controller, and at least one user-operated key in electrical communication with the controller for electrically communicating a shuffle command to said shuffling machine. The controller includes circuitry that electrically communicates signals to the shuffling machine.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained pump having a battery carried on board. The pump includes a pumping device for forcing liquids to flow, such as those including impellers, plungers or reciprocating pistons, diaphragms, and others, a motor, the battery, electrical circuitry connecting the battery to the motor, and a housing enclosing the aforementioned components. A clip for suspending the pump from the belt of a user is fixed to the housing. The housing also includes an access panel affording access to the interior of the pumping device for service, such as clearing clogs, and a switch for controlling the motor. A threaded inlet nipple and a threaded outlet nipple project from the housing. Accessories for the pump include a stand, a plurality of auxiliary hoses or conduits enabling retrieval and directing discharge of liquids, and an auxiliary liquid receptacle for dispensing liquids from the novel pump. The auxiliary conduits are threaded for enabling connection to the inlet and outlet nipples.

Abstract: A pushing tool adapted to grip a joist and exert pushing force on a board located immediately above the joist. The tool comprises a block having a threaded bore, a screw which threads into the bore, and a clamp fixed to the block. Four arms forming dual parallelogram linkages are pivotally mounted to the block and to the jaws of the clamp such that when the block is drawn along the screw by screw action, the arms fold in the direction of parallel orientation relative to the screw. This draws the jaws of the clamp towards one another such that they engage and grip the joist. The jaws of the clamp have cleats preventing the jaws from slipping ineffectually along the joist. Continued rotation of the screw advances the screw against the board located above the joist. Pitch of the threading of the bore and the screw enable great pressure to be exerted on the board when the screw is turned by a wrench.

Abstract: A grip device to prevent eyeglasses having a bridge piece from slipping downwardly on the nose over time. The device comprises two mutually removable attachment components, one fixed to the rear surface of the bridge piece of the eyeglasses, and the other fixed to the bridge of the nose of a person. Each attachment component is preferably a flexible tape having exposed adhesive. The two attachment components mutually attach employing removable connector material. In alternative embodiments, this connector material is magnetic materials, or alternatively comprises hook and loop fastener. The two attachment components are small and inconspicuous. The attachment component which is adhered to the face is flesh colored.

Abstract: A book holder in which an open book may be placed and held in the cavity created by the positioning of an angled back piece, end pieces and front tabs joined to a solid bottom piece upon which the lower edge of the book rests with the open pages loosely secured under the inner edges of the front tabs. Said book holder can be hand held for reading or mounted to an optional swivel base by way of a protruding interlock key in the optional swivel base mating with a keyhole slot in the bottom of the book holder for desk top reading.

Abstract: An open end wrench having two heads each of which provides ratchet action, each of which accepts fasteners of different nominal sizes, and each of which imposes torque on the fastener only on flat facets and not at apices between adjacent facets. Each head has a first jaw bearing a convex interior surface facing the interior surface of a second jaw. The second jaw has plural pairs of intersecting facets where, in a first embodiment, the included angle formed between intersecting facets is greater than ninety degrees and less than one hundred twenty degrees. In another embodiment, the included angle is greater than seventy degrees and less than ninety degrees. Each pair of intersecting facets accommodates a polygonal fastener of one nominal size. The two embodiments are usable with hexagonal and square headed fasteners, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-compartmented storage and dispensing container is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the larger outer bottle surrounds and is attached to an inner compartment or chamber that, in the preferred embodiment, is a generally cylindrical enclosure having helically oriented scores or striations. This cylindrical inner enclosure is attached at its base to the outer bottle and is engaged and broken open by the closure assembly. The closure assembly consists of a threaded cap attached to an inner enclosure engagement arm. A removable security ring is initially located between the bottom of the threaded cap and the outer bottle shoulder. After this ring is removed, the user tightens the cap all the way down, bringing the inner enclosure engagement arm into contact with anchored cylindrical inner enclosure. As the cap is twisted, the inner enclosure breaks along the scored lines due to the torque, and the material contained within the inner enclosure is released into the outer bottle.

Abstract: A collection and disposal system for intercepting fuel vapor, liquid fuel, and water accumulating at the filler neck compartment of a motor vehicle. The system includes a suction fan, a plurality of conduits communicating between the filler neck compartment and the suction fan, a collector for liquids accumulating in the filler neck compartment, and an electrical control system. The control system includes a switch which operates the suction fan when the filler neck compartment door is open. The suction fan draws vapors from the filler neck compartment through the conduits for disposal. Vapors may be conducted to the emissions control system, in particular the charcoal canister for trapping vapors, a suitable point of the engine such as the intake manifold, carburetor, or throttle body, or may be vented to the open atmosphere. The collector of liquids has a flapper valve which discharges liquids when a predetermined volume is collected. A buzzer is arranged to annunciate operation of the suction fan.

Abstract: A roller tool for forming an outwardly projecting ridge in a pipe, which tool is usable with the chuck or power head of a conventional pipe working machine, and a carriage suitable for mounting the roller tool and other tools on the pipe working machine. The roller tool has a female roller rotatably supported on a movable frame. The frame is fixed to the carriage, which in turn is pivotally mountable on the carriage supporting rails of the pipe working machine. One rail is fully encircled by a closed socket formed in the carriage, so that the roller tool cannot spontaneously disengage from the host pipe working machine. The other rail is partially encircled by an open socket formed in the carriage. The roller tool can pivot about the closed socket between an operational position and a standby position enabling the grooving machine to be utilized for grooving with the roller tool still attached.

Abstract: A hand truck having ground engaging members which tilt the hand truck under conditions of greater leverage than that available by grasping the frame of the hand truck. The ground engaging members are journaled to the frame of the hand truck. In one embodiment, the ground engaging members assume the entire weight of the loaded hand truck. In another embodiment, the ground engaging members push the front end of the hand truck upwardly, employing the wheels as a fulcrum. In the second embodiment, the wheels remain in contact with the ground. In the first embodiment, the ground engaging members serve also as a fulcrum, allowing the wheels to be elevated off the ground. In both embodiments, the ground engaging members are powered either by a foot operated lever or a hand operated lever. In the first embodiment, the foot or hand operated lever is rigidly fixed to the ground engaging members. In the second embodiment, the foot or hand operated lever is a separate part which moves flippers by a multipart linkage.

Abstract: A combined vacuum relief and pressure containing valve assembly for relieving vacuum developing within an associated vessel and for containing elevated pressures developing within the vessel. The valve assembly has a housing having two communicating passageways demarcated by a valve seat. The first passageway communicates to the open atmosphere and also with the valve from below the valve seat. The valve is a ball constrained to move only vertically above its seat. The second passageway communicates with the valve from above the valve seat. The second passageway extends below the valve so that when the valve assembly is connected to the associated vessel, pressures prevailing within the vessel act on the valve from above. Therefore, vacuum prevailing within the vessel, acting in concert with relatively higher ambient temperatures, will draw the valve into the open position. At zero pressure differential, gravity urges the valve into the closed position and maintains a seal.

Abstract: A plastic wedge shaped shim for leveling which is prescored to enable protruding section to be broken off. Parallel, straight, scores are formed at regular intervals on the top surface of the shim. These scores form teeth enabling stacked shims to interengage one another when one is placed inverted on another. The underside of the shim has recesses configured such that there exists a zone of constituent material which has equal localized thickness measurements along that portion of the length of the shim wherein scores and the recess formed in the underside of the shim are in overlying relationship. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the recesses form cleats for resisting sliding or other displacement of the shim.

Abstract: A combined work-belt with detachable pouches for holding small tools and supplies, and an organizing pouch storage unit. The work-belt is made from strong, flexible material and includes a plurality of apertures with grommets extending along its length. Each of the pouches has two heavy duty metal hooks for supporting the pouch on two of the apertures. The organizing pouch storage unit also contains a plurality of apertures for accepting the hooks of the pouches. Each of the pouches has a storage location on the unit with indicia provided to indicate the contents of the pouch normally stored at that location. The pouches are provided in various shapes and sizes for holding hardware, tools or supplies and include two apertures along their bottom edge, for consecutively attaching another pouch to the bottom of the first pouch. This consecutive attachment can be repeated several times such that a plurality of pouches is suspended from a single pouch location on either the storage unit or the work-belt.

Abstract: A coin operated machine having a removably insertable coin box for receiving and storing coins inserted into the coin operated machine. The coin operated machine includes a coin accepting apparatus, a first memory device and first circuitry for transmitting communication signals from the first memory device and receiving structure for removably receiving a coin box within the coin operated machine. The coin box has a receptacle partially defined by opposed side walls for receiving and storing coins inserted into the coin operated machine and guiding structure for guiding the coin box into a predetermined position within the receiving structure of the coin operated machine. The coin box also includes a second memory device and second circuitry for transmitting communication signals between the second memory device and the first circuitry.

Abstract: A faucet splash guard and storage unit comprising a rear wall. A right side wall is affixed to and extends at a right angle outwardly from a first side edge of the rear wall. A left side wall is affixed to and extends at a right angle outwardly from a second side edge of the rear wall. A top wall is affixed to and extends between top edges of the rear wall, the right side wall, and the left side wall. A fastener disposed to encircle the faucet is mounted to the rear wall. The faucet splash guard and storage unit will stand and extend over a faucet and bowl of a kitchen sink, to protect surrounding areas about the faucet and the bowl from splash water and keep the areas clean and dry. The top wall provides extra shelf room for other articles needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for monitoring the usage of individual vehicular seat belts. Each belt is equipped with a local indicator which is adapted to indicate when a seatbelt is not properly fastened. A second display, preferable near the vehicle's dashboard and readily visible to the driver shows the status of each of the vehicle's seatbelts. Finally, a third display located near the rear the rear window of the vehicle displays the status of all vehicle seatbelts in a fashion readily observable by a following motorist such as a law enforcement official. An optional seat occupancy sensor may also be used to render the system more intelligent and minimize indications of unbuckled seatbelts for unoccupied seats.

Abstract: A multi-purpose measuring tool has an elongate base and arm pivotally connected at rounded ends thereof in an angularly variable relation to perform multiple functions, including measuring inclines, measuring corner angles, measuring distances, use as a square, use as a bevel gauge and use as a torpedo level. A retractable measuring tape housed within the arm has a terminal finger gripping end adapted to be pulled away from the arm and removably attached to a distal end of the base. The measuring tape is dual purpose in that one side of the tape is used for determining the angle of the arm relative to the base to perform some of the above functions, and the other side of the tape is used for traditional linear distance measurements. The tool's base includes a “vertical” bubble level and the arm includes a “horizontal” bubble level to perform some of the above functions.