Abstract: A spare tire assembly is provided which is securely mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The assembly includes a swing arm which is pivotally moveable between an open position extending laterally away from the vehicle and a closed position securely attached to the rear door of the vehicle. A latch mechanism allows for the detachable connection of the assembly to the rear door such that the assembly can be securely fastened to the rear door to prevent the movement of the spare tire assembly while the vehicle is in motion. The latch mechanism includes a spring biased handle which provides for the manual release of the swing arm and allows for the displacement of the swing arm away from the vehicle door.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier with a three point mounting arrangement for carrying bicycles on the rear of a motor vehicle. The carrier has a central upright member with a lower end structure for detachably securing the bicycle carrier to a conventional draw bar hitch which is attached to the motor vehicle. The base end portion of a rearward extending swing arm is pivotally attached to the upper end of the upright member and a short distance below the swing arm there is a lateral member which is centered and fixed to the lateral member. A pair of spaced apart hanger brackets extend longitudinally from attachments to the lateral member, to mount each bicycle at two points on the carrier. The swing arm is releasably rotatable about a transverse axis from a horizontal locked position adjacent to the hanger brackets to an upward position away from the hanger brackets.

Abstract: A clutch brake assembly which may be used for roll up awnings and the like which will allow the roller on which the awning is rolled to freely rotate in one direction and be locked against rotation in the other direction, the directions of freewheeling rotation and locking being selectable by manual rotation of the cover between either of two toggle positions. The assembly includes a nonrotatable shaft extending through the assembly and fastened by arms to the side of a recreational vehicle or the like. Mounted on the shaft is a rotatable drum on which the awning is to be rolled and unrolled, that drum having a clutch drum attached thereto. Mounted within the clutch drum and rotatable with an actuating cover is a pair of substantially radially movable clutch shoes, each positioned with respect to one cam surface of a double acting cam fastened to the shaft.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method and apparatus for constructing artificial islands in relatively shallow bodies of water such as lakes, seas and oceans for use in drilling oil and gas wells and installing storage and production platforms. The method of building an artificial island in a Water-bound area comprises converting a conventionally designed oil tanker, oil/bulk/ore, or oil/ore (O, O/B/O, O/O) hull so that it can be partially submerged by liquid or solid ballast; transporting the hull to the water-bound area where the artificial island is to be created; and partially submerging the hull with liquid or solid ballast so that the bottom of the hull is founded on the bottom of the water body, while a portion of the hull remains above the water level.

Abstract: An improved retractable awning for mobile dwellings and for other installation places, has an interior, partial length, centered, stiffener inserted into an awning roller tube to substantially eliminate any unreasonable sag across a long span of an awning, and also has simplified rafter bars, each with a more convenient automatic latch, which is easily released by pushing a button.

Abstract: A ball joint having a gland liner free to rotate with respect to both the gland and the ball is disclosed.

Abstract: A solar radiation absorbing panel including a flat base sheet of solar radiation absorptive material having a plurality of spaced sinuously shaped series of individual rectangular tab members extending away from the upper surface of the base sheet. Each of the tab members is formed by severing the sheet along a continuous line leaving a portion of the base sheet attached between the ends of the severed lines, and bending the tab member along the attached portion away from the surface of the panel, leaving an opening in the base sheet such that the spaces between the tab members form fluid passageways for directing fluid from the panel inlet to the panel outlet. The panel may also be provided with support sheet underlying the base sheet to block the openings to prevent fluid flow therethrough. The panel may be fabricated in a single stamping and bending operation, thereby eliminating separate fabrication steps associated with conventional solar radiation absorbing panels.

Abstract: A water and dust shield for protecting the interior of vehicle brake assemblies provides a resilient and flexible flanged disc which is centrally apertured and partially split transversely to provide for its installation on an axle to enclose a rotating brake drum on a wheel carried by the axle. A plurality of arms attached to the shield about the central aperture enable a clamping band to secure the shield to the axle in slightly spaced relation thereto.

Abstract: A portable unit useful as a household appliance for making plastic bags from multi-layered plastic films. The unit comprises a housing which includes a compartment for a roll of multi-layered plastic film, a lid for the housing which, when closed, defines an elongated slot with the housing for the withdrawal of the plastic film and a hinge means between the lid and the housing for closing and opening the lid. A wire element is mounted on the upper front edge of the housing and an electric circuit, including a switch, in said housing is used to energize said wire when the lid is firmly closed. A first insulating strip overlies the wire and a second insulating strip in the lid is adapted to firmly overlie said first insulating strip. The lid also includes a channel and a cutting means slidably mounted in said channel for severing the plastic bags, and a post for actuating the switch when the lid is closed.