Abstract: A cover assembly is attached to a shaft extending upward from a handle. The cover assembly includes a plurality of cross guards that cross in front of and behind the fan blade to prevent injury. A pair of supports hold the cover assembly in an open position, and automatically shut the fan off if the fan is closed.

Abstract: A drill bit (10) for drilling geophysical exploratory holes using a non-rotating dill approach is disclosed. The bit (10) comprises a tubular body (12) threaded at one end for engagement with a pipe stem. The elements (16a-b) of a divided conical tip (14) are hinged to a second end (20) of the bit body (12). The wall thickness of the bit body (12) gradually increases from the first end (18) to the second end (20) to create, when the divided elements (16a-b) of the tip are closed, a generally diamond-shaped cross section facilitating burrowing when forced in to the soil. An O-ring (36) installed in a groove (34) about the outer circumference of the tip (14) biases divided elements (16a-b) closed until a selected tool is loaded through the interior of the bit body (12), whereupon the divided elements (16a-b) are forced to rotate radially outward. The bit (10) can then be raised and removed from the borehole as desired.

Abstract: An improved venetian blind for controlling the amount of light which passes through an opening. The venetian blind of the present invention includes a control housing mounted substantially adjacent to an opening, means for selectively limiting the amount of fight passing through a first region of the opening, and means for selectively limiting the amount of light passing through a second region of the opening. Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Abstract: A design for a circular, piece-matching math educational aid is disclosed. It contains a holding plate and various fraction pieces. The circular holding plate has a clockwise spiral bottom, designed in such a way that a sloped cliff is formed at the joint of the starting and ending point. The edge of the cliff is lined up with a guiding mark "0" on a fraction scale marked on an elevated wall on the outer circumference of the holding plate. The fraction pieces contain numerous pie-shaped segments. Any of the segments can precisely depict a fraction, based on the ratio of its center angle to the circle, 360 degrees. The pieces can be made with any center angles, such as 5, 7.5, 10, 30, 45, 60, 90, 180 degrees, etc.

Abstract: A vertical panel is mounted in a cabinet for movement into and out of the cabinet. A plurality of removable accessory holders are attached to the panel for holding accessories. A drawer front is attached to the panel for closing the cabinet when the panel is in the cabinet. The drawer front is attached to the panel along a line that is offset from the midline of the drawer front, to provide more room on one side of the panel for larger accessories. In some embodiments, the panel is a pegboard. The accessories holders include racks for shoes, pegs on which accessories can be hung, or trays for holding rings, earrings, and similar items.

Abstract: A cover plate with a center cap is placed over a wheel installed on a truck trailer. A tang on the cover plate, located on the side facing the wheel, passes through a slot in the wheel. The plate is then rotated until the tang touches a wheel spoke, and a projection on the tang extends under the wheel spoke holding the tang to the wheel. A slot on the opposite side of the cover plate overlaps another slot in the wheel. A flange attached to a chain is passed up through the wheel slot and the slot in the cover plate. The chain flange is then secured in place by a padlock attached through an eyehole in the chain flange. An identical installation is made on the tandem wheel using another cover plate and the flange on the other end of the chain.

Abstract: The waste stream is mixed with a solvent that absorbs the oily material without dissolving in the water phase. The remaining water/solids mixture is then separated by vibratory screening, and the solids are again contacted with solvent to remove the bulk of the remaining oily material. The remaining mostly solid material is screened again and then dried to remove any remaining solvent. The solvent is processed to remove the dissolved oily material, which is then sold or discarded. The water from the screening and drying steps is processed to remove any solvent entrained with the water, and the resulting solvent, solids and oil-free water is discharged.

Abstract: A method of forming a raised image of preselected pattern onto the surface of a fabric material by first laminating a thin film of vinyl onto the surface of the fabric and underlying the fabric with a thin layer of vinyl. A heated die of the image to be formed is then caused to be impressed in a highly forced engagement against the laminated film, while RF energy is applied to the die platen for a controlled time period. The die and image are permitted to cool in place after which the die is removed and any extraneous vinyl particles permeated during the heated engagement can be easily brushed from the fabric surface while the image pattern remains.

Abstract: A fishing lure retriever for use in freeing a fishing lure caught on an underwater obstruction has a weighted body connected to a cable which is attached to a reel driven by gears and electric motor. The reel, gears and motor are enclosed in a housing equipped with a cleat for securing the cable. The enclosure also has a hand grip surface for a secure grip. The weighted body is attached to the fishing line, and can slide freely along the line to the lure. The weighted body has short chains attached to it. The reel unwinds the cable to lower the weighted body to the lure. The weighted body strikes the lure, dislodging it from the underwater obstruction, or the chains are made to catch on the hooks attached to the lure. The cable is then secured to the cleat on the enclosure; the combination is then manually pulled to tear the lure loose by brute force.

Abstract: A new and improved quick opening and self closing container made of a resilient rubber-like material for removably receiving large coins, keys or pieces of candy the size and shape of the well known cylindrically shaped bubble gum or of the common chocolate HERSHEY'S.RTM. KISSES.TM., coins, or the like. Said container is shaped in the form of a face with lips along the edges of its opening, giving it the appearance of a person opening its mouth when the container is opened for receiving or retrieving an object. The present invention is designed for the amusement of children and adults, and may be formed for attachment to a key chain, as a head of a doll or may be formed as a complete doll.

Abstract: Biological tissue of a living subject is irradiated with optical energy at a wavelength and at a power dissipation level to cause the amount of optical energy absorbed and converted to heat in the tissue to be within a range bounded by a minimum absorption rate sufficient to elevate the average temperature of the irradiated tissue to a level above the basal body temperature, but which is less than the absorption rate at which tissue is converted into a collagenous substance. According to this method, a therapeutic, warming effect is produced within the irradiated tissue, but without causing tissue damage by thermal overheating.

Abstract: A first box and a second box are connected to a base member. The base member may be attached to the back of a vehicle seat with a mounting harness. The second box and the first box can be moved to an open position, away from the seat back. The tops of the boxes can then be opened, or folded up to form an easel for holding a book. A handle is provided for using the invention apart from a vehicle.

Abstract: A sight unit comprising a pin and holder for an archery bow adaptable for mounting onto a sight assembly of the bow and including an elongated length of a light gathering fluorescent fiber defining a lens at its distal end to which gathered ambient light becomes focused to serve as an aiming indicia. A holder adapted for secured mounting onto the sight assembly includes a transverse bore through which the fiber is received while an adjustment screw enables clamping or loose positioning of the fiber in the bore for adjustment setting of the lens position.