Abstract: A device for lowering a load along a metal band (2) comprises a brake housing (4) accommodating a brake mechanism with at least one brake shoe (14, 16, 34, 36, 54, 56 74, 76) which acts on the metal band (2). The brake shoe (14, 16, 34, 36, 54, 56, 74, 76) is pressed against the metal band (2) by a force which depends on the mass or load. The load is suspended from a load wedge (17, 37, 57, 77) which, in the brake mechanism converts a pull substantially in the longitudinal direction of the metal band (2) to a pressure acting on the metal band (2) through said brake shoe (14, 16, 34, 36, 54, 56, 74, 76).

Abstract: A cover for a rung of a ladder consisting of an elongate member (12) configured to spring clamp over the rung of the ladder and a layer (16) of anti-skid or anti-slip material removeably fastened to the external surface of the cover. The elongate member includes at least one aperture (13) at each terminal end to receive a bolt for fastening the elongate member to the rung of the ladder.

Abstract: A cable management device is disclosed for holding a plurality of cables including a cable holding main body having a plurality of juxtaposed compartments, and an arm for enclosing the compartments. The main body is preferably pleated having a series of adjoining V-shaped compartments for receiving the cables. Each compartment includes at least one side wall and an open side. The arm includes a pivot end, a terminating end, and at least one tab located near the terminating end. The pivot end is pivotably secured to a first compartment. A second, or preferably last, compartment includes an opening through one side wall of the last compartment for releasably receiving the tab, so that the arm may be easily secured and released. The cable management device preferably includes a first plurality of compartments open on a top of the main body, and a second plurality of compartments open on a bottom of the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for organizing articles of clothing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having first and second drums rotatably mounted thereto. A belt is engaged around the first and second drums that has a plurality of first hook members for hanging articles thereon. A drive system is used for rotating one of the first and second drums, and an automatic control system activates the drive system for a period of time approximately equal to a motor delay time period. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an electric motor and a pulley and gear system for rotating one of the first and second drums. An electric switch is mounted to the housing and coupled to the electric motor. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a light bulb mounted to the housing for illuminating articles hanging on the first hook members and an automatic lighting means for providing electricity to the light bulb for approximately a lamp delay time period.

Abstract: A dialyzer holder for quickly and securely fastening a variety of different dialyzers in position against a surface of a dialysis machine. The dialyzer holder includes an elongated arm pivotably attached to the dialysis machine. An attachment device for engaging a dialyzer is fixed to the free end of the pivotable elongated arm. The pivotable elongated arm is biased to direct the attachment device toward the dialysis machine, and the elongated arm is of sufficient length to position a dialyzer between the attachment device and the dialysis machine when an operator overcomes the bias force and pivots the arm away from the dialysis machine. The bias on the elongated arm is sufficiently strong to maintain the dialyzer suspended between the attachment device and the dialysis machine, even once the dialyzer is filled with blood and dialysate during patient treatment.

Abstract: A bag dryer including a plurality of elongated dowels with each dowel having an exterior end, an interior end and a hole radially positioned therethrough with a common distance from the interior end; a pair of generally rectangular base portions with each base having an interior edge with a plurality of holes therein, an exterior edge for placement upon a recipient surface, and a pair of short end walls and a pair of long side walls therebetween, each hole capable of being in receipt of the interior end of each dowel; and a plurality of rivets for positioning through each hole of each dowel joining the dowels forming dowel pairs, the dowel pairs being in an open position when each base portion being placed on the recipient surface and capable of receipt of a bag over each exterior end of each dowel of the dowel pairs.

Abstract: A hanging device for frames comprising a supporting assembly that is mounted to a vertical wall and a hanging assembly that is rigidly mounted to the back of a frame or other object to be hung. The hanging assembly has front and rear walls separated by an upper wall. The upper wall is removably mounted to the supporting assembly. The supporting assembly has a tubular shape with a rectangular cross-section. The supporting assembly includes a straight edge against which the straight upper wall of the hanging assembly rests ensuring that the frame will conform to the same orientation, typically horizontal, of the straight edge. A leveling device is mounted to the supporting assembly to facilitate the determination of the position of the latter.

Abstract: A mounting fixture for a hand-held electric hair dryer comprising a base with a support surface and a hollow collar extending perpendicularly therefrom; an elongate rod supported within the hollow collar; and clamping elements on the upper end of the rod. The clamping elements include two planar clamp pads mounted in two dish-like members. The clamping elements are spring biased to accommodate the hair dryer therebetween. The spring bias is achieved either by a yoke formed of spring steel or by two pivotally secured flat members having a compression spring located between adjacent ends of the flat members. The direction of the barrel of the dryer and accordingly the direction of the column of warm air exiting from the barrel can be easily adjusted horizontally and vertically over a wide angular range allowing a user of this type of hair dryer free use of both hands while drying hair.

Abstract: A flexible hose storage board comprising a collecting board having an ornamental article attached therewith is removably fixed to a wall onto which a flexible hose is wound in order around for storage. The hose collecting board has a plurality of spaced parallel grooves so as to permit an elongated hose to be wound in circles therein for storage. The hose collecting board is mounted to a wall near a faucet so that a hose having one end attached to a faucet and the other end having a nozzle being retained in place in the horizontal positioning hole after the hose is fully wound around the board.

Abstract: An archery bow holder for holding an archery bow in a desired position and orientation by supporting an archery bow counterweight from a surface. The archery bow holder comprises a bow counterweight support and a threaded shaft extending therefrom. The threaded shaft is twisted into the surface; and the bow counterweight is inserted into the bow counterweight support, thereby supporting the archery bow from the surface.

Abstract: An ornament hanger comprising an elongated loop shaped structure having an arcuate ornament supporting portion at one end and an attachment portion at the other end. A bendable closure member cooperates with the supporting portion to inhibit ornaments from disengaging from the ornament hanger. A part of the arcuate ornament supporting portion has an enlarged cross section with respect to other parts of the arcuate ornament supporting portion to provide strengthening of the supporting portion permitting heavy ornaments to be supported by the ornament hanger. The enlarged cross-sectional portion is dumbbell shaped. A part of the dumb bell shaped enlarged portion being asymmetrical such that one end of the enlarged portion in cross section is larger than the other end.

Abstract: A fixing device for securing an elongate article such as a conduit to a support structure such as a wall of a cableway or cable riser, includes a housing provided with opposed hooks for securing the housing to the support structure by relative movement and then locking in place of the hooks. After the housing is mounted, the elongate article can be received in a U-shaped jaw provided on the housing, and a ratchet arm pivoted and latched to the housing, around the elongate article, trapping the elongate article in the jaw. Freeing the elongate article and dismounting the fixing device involve a reversal of these steps.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for use in vehicles having a support bracket which provides an adjustment mechanism to position the mirror under a substantially constant clamping pressure over a wide range of ambient temperature conditions. The support bracket includes a generally spherical socket which receives a polymeric ball cup substantially enclosing a ball member extending from the mirror. A spring forces the cup and ball member into the socket and causes the polymeric cup to compress about the ball member. The bracket may be used on both header- and windshield-mounted mirror assemblies.

Abstract: A tripod apparatus 10 having a generally triangular base 11, three upright members 13, 14, 15, each pivotally connected at one end to the base 10 proximate the respective corners of the base 10 and extending upwards to a support member 19 which, in use, provides a support point for raising or lowering an object such as a rescue basket along a cliff or building face. One of the uprights 15 is articulated so that the user may selectively move the support member 19 between a retracted position rearward of a forward side edge 17 of the base 11, and an extended position forward of the forward side edge 17. Preferably, the upright 15 is in the form of a bar linkage having a first elongate member 21 which is pivotally connected at its upper end to the support member 19 and at its other end to an intermediate position of a second elongate member 22.

Abstract: A horizontally adjustable microphone support, including: a vertical support; a generally horizontal cross member attached to the vertical support; a microphone and a counterweight attached to the horizontal cross member on opposite sides of the vertical support; and apparatus to simultaneously move the microphone and the counterweight selectively inwardly toward or outwardly away from the vertical support so as to prevent the microphone support from tipping over. The horizontal cross member includes first and second telescoping tube pairs. The proximal ends of the inner tubes of the telescoping tube pairs are attached to the electric motor that is mounted in a housing on the distal end of the vertical support. Extending from opposite ends of the electric motor are right-hand and left-hand threaded double-ended shaft sections. Thread followers are attached to inner walls of the inner tube of the telescoping tube pairs surrounding the threaded shaft sections.

Abstract: A holder for supporting an umbrella relative to a golf cart. The inventive device includes a mounting assembly for securing to a golf cart. The mounting assembly includes an elongated base member with a hook at one end to engage a wire basket of the golf cart; and a channel receiver on the lower surface of the base member to accept the seat supporting rail of the golf cart when the holder is pivoted to a horizontal position. An adjustable support assembly is pivotally mounted to the bifurcated second end of the mounting assembly for engaging a center pole of an umbrella to support the umbrella relative to the golf cart. The support assembly includes an elongated support stanchion; a mounting post coupled to the support stanchion; at least one strap secured to the mounting post, the distal ends of the straps having fasteners to fasten about the umbrella. The support assembly is angularly adjustable using a fastener and wing nut directed through the furcations of the base member.

Abstract: A paper holder includes a generally rectangular holder plate, a clip member mounted on the holder plate and adapted to clamp a sheet of paper which lies on a front side surface of the holder plate, and a support plate. The holder plate has a rear side surface opposite to the front side surface and a horizontal row of interconnected abutting blocks which are fixed on the rear side surface thereof and which are different in thickness so as to define a stepped surface thereon. The support plate is attached pivotally and inclinedly to the holder plate and has a horizontally movable sliding unit thereon to contact the stepped surface in such a manner that the sliding unit abuts against a selected one of the blocks of the holder plate so as to form a predetermined angle between the holder plate and the support plate.

Abstract: An anti-theft device made of welded steel material attached to the tail section of a snowmobile includes a U-shaped frame attached to the tail section of the snowmobile and includes a hollow sleeve extending vertically from the U-shaped frame. Spaced vertically above the U-shaped frame, attached to the hollow member, is a latch, an attachment bracket and an attachment plate. The pivotally mounted latch is biased to extend over one end of the hollow member for holding the lift bar in the hollow member. The attachment bracket is used to attach the device to a rear bumper of the snowmobile and the horizontally extending attachment plate is secured to the tail section of the snowmobile. A vertically extending lift bar is slidably mounted in the hollow member. The lift bar includes a groove defined in one side which is alignable with opposed openings in the hollow member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel chair and a cup holder which is adapted to be secured to the vertical tubular support member of the wheelchair for supporting various sizes beverage containers. The holder comprises a base for supporting a small container, e.g., coffee cups, a flat ring mounted on the base for supporting a large container. The ring having a substantial inner surface height to support the sidewall of the small container. The base can be provided with an opening for liquid drainage. Mounted to the ring is a continuous circular wall having a substantial height for supporting the sidewall of a large container. The wall can be notched for the protrusion of coffee cup handles. Projecting outwardly the wall and integral therewith a first attachment arm having an inner surface. A second attachment arm having an inner surface is provided. The first and second attachment arms each have curved portions and a centrally disposed arcuate portion on their respective inner surface.

Abstract: A rail-mountable support assembly includes a universal positioning arm for holding a surgical instrument such as an endoscope or retractor during a surgical procedure. Coarse adjustment of instrument X-Y position across the sterile field above an operating table is provided by an articulated arm which is rotatably coupled to an upright support shaft. Fine adjustment of surgical instrument elevation above the operating table is provided by a reversible drive motor which extends and retracts the instrument along the longitudinal axis of the support arm. The insertion orientation of the instrument is adjustable by a rotatable coupling. Release of the articulated arm for coarse positioning can be performed manually by actuation of an arm-mounted switch, and fine positioning can be performed manually by arm-mounted switches or by foot pressure applied to floor switches by the surgeon.