Abstract: A decorative liquid globe is provided with an electric motor and pump unit for recirculating liquid within the globe. The unit can be located entirely below the liquid chamber and have only an inlet tube or passage and an outlet tube or passage interconnecting the unit with the liquid chamber. Alternatively, providing that the unit can be properly housed in a self-contained combination motor and pump unit, it may be completely immersed in liquid and the pump inlet and outlet effect the recirculation. In this latter construction, electrical wires can pass through and be effectively permanently sealed with a wall of the chamber in a manner that avoids the potential of electrical shorting. In neither instance is there any requirement of moving parts such as shafts passing through a wall of the chamber, and the leakage potential of the prior art globes is eliminated.

Abstract: A tamper proof livestock ear tag device including a male component and a female component. The male component includes a panel portion with a surface to carry indicia for identifying livestock, and a stem having a tip. The panel portion and the stem are made integrally of a same material, while the tip is made of a first plastic material and the stem is made of a second plastic material such that the tip is harder than the stem. The male component includes a predefined weakest point in which the male component will tear when a pulling force exceeding a predetermined value is exerted between the tip and the panel portion. The weakest point is at an interface between the stem and the tip. The female component includes an eye portion that is equipped with a retaining ring. The eye portion is made of a third plastic material and the retaining ring is made of a fourth plastic material such that the retaining ring is harder than said eye portion.

Abstract: Two plastic film transparencies are rotatably attached side-by-side by engagement of film portions on one transparency with at least one incision on the other. There are images on each transparency and the rotatable attachment allows relative rotation of the transparencies to overlay the images on the transparencies. The images are cooperative so that overlaid images provide cooperative images. The rotatable attachment is accomplished by film portions on one transparency engaging an incision or incisions on the other. In some embodiments of the subject invention at least one of the transparencies is essentially circular. In all embodiments of the invention the relative rotation of the transparencies is in a range of 10° to 360°.

Abstract: A device is provided for enhancing the realistic appearance of flames produced by a simulated fireplace (gas or electric) by providing additional ambient lighting effects in response to sensed light intensity within the fireplace. The device includes a photosensor, a control circuit, and display lighting. The photosensor senses the level of light intensity produced by a simulated flame source and changes its resistive value accordingly. The control circuit has circuit parameters which uses the resistive value of the photosensor to determine whether to apply operational power to the display lighting. The display lighting consists of at least one lamp positioned above the simulated fuel bed. When simulated fireplace is operational, the display lighting of the device produces a “flickering” effect that is synchronized with the changes in light intensity occurring within the fireplace.

Abstract: A calendar is provided that includes a plurality of spherical objects mounted in a case that correspond to the days of the month. The spherical objects are preferably golf balls that include numerical indicia thereon for indicating the particular day of the month. The spherical objects can also include additional indicia thereon for indicating a particular holiday.

Abstract: A holder that mounts to a surface and interchangeably displays a sheet of material. The holder includes a back plate that is vertically mounted to the surface and holds the sheet of material and a front plate that is replaceably mounted to the back plate and sandwiches the sheet of material therebetween. The back plate has a border element that is substantially U-shaped and has vertical portions with channels therein that hold the front plate and the sheet of material, and a slot that is substantially U-shaped and prevents distortion during molding thereof. The front plate is transparent so as to allow the sheet of material to be visible therethrough and has a pair of vertical edges with shoulders thereon that engage in the channels in the back plate, respectively. The sheet of material is slid into the back plate and the front plate is slid into the back plate, by virtue of the shoulders of the front plate sliding in the channels in the back plate, and captures the sheet of material therebetween.

Abstract: A banner stand for displaying an advertising sign, the banner stand being adjustable to multiple shapes and sizes. A four-sided, rectangular stand frame has at least two telescoping members so as to provide the stand with various sizes. A swivel connector is positioned at an end of each telescoping member so as to compensate for any misalignment produced by the telescoping feature of the members.

Abstract: A sign frame assembly for supporting a flexible fascia. In one embodiment, a frame member extends in a first direction and has first and second bracket-mounting sections spaced apart from each other in the first direction. First and second brackets have inner and outer opposite ends. The inner end of the first bracket is attached to the first bracket-mounting section of the first frame member. The inner end of the second bracket are pivotally mounted to the second bracket-mounting section of the frame member. First and second elongated fascia attachment members are affixed respectively to the outer ends of the first and second brackets. A flexible fascia having oppositely disposed edges is connected to the first and second elongated members.

Abstract: A burial crypt arrangement comprises precast concrete cells (1) arranged in rows, with the cells (1) in each row being spaced apart and staggered relative to the cells (1) in adjacent rows. The corners (3) of cells (1) in a row are juxtaposed with the diagonally opposite corners of cells in adjacent rows. In this manner, both the spaces within cells, and the spaces between cells, can be used as burial chambers. Each cell (1) is formed by a continuous wall (2) of rectangular shape. Cells may be stacked vertically. The thickness of the wall (2) is tapered, being thicker at the top than the bottom, so that a ledge (9) is formed at the junction of stacked cells. An intermediate lid (10) can be supported in each burial chamber by the ledges (9). Each burial chamber is closed by a top lid (12). A trailer (17) can be used to raise and transport the lids (12).

Abstract: An optical chassis utilizes optical couplers to convert the radial optical distribution of tube-shaped lamps into a more uniform optical distribution on planar illuminated surfaces. An optical chassis designed as an illumination source for emergency exit signs has two lamps and two optical couplers spaced apart on the optical chassis with a voltage converter disposed between the optical couplers. Illumination efficiency and uniformity is improved so that the optical chassis satisfies Underwriter's Laboratory standards for emergency exit sign retrofit kits.

Abstract: An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. In one aspect, the flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for reflecting light to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having reflective strips for reflecting light from the light source for subsequent reflection by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing member is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing member. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image. An alternate screen is provided having a non-planar diffusing member which causes the image of moving flames to appear to emanate from behind the reflected image the fuel bed.

Abstract: A device for displaying multiple images in an animation-like manner is provided. The device includes an outer shell having a pair of opposed transparent lenticular surfaces and a pair of opposed side walls extending between opposed outer edges of the lenticular surfaces thereby forming a hollow rectangular cavity. The device also includes a generally rectangular slide insertable through an opening in the first end of the cavity. Interleaved images are positioned on the opposed faces of the slide. The device further includes a part for reciprocating the slide in the cavity thereby altering the appearance of the displayed image. The reciprocating part includes a detent slot formed in an interior region of each of the side walls of the outer shell and a corresponding pair of spring bar mounted detent tabs for engaging the detent slots. A spring bar is positioned generally parallel to the second end of the slide and dihedral spring leaves are positioned in a center of the spring bar.

Abstract: Spoked wheel rim having a predetermined number of borings distributed on its periphery provided to hook spokes, wherein a label is applied to a surface of the rim. The label has a tongue of a length at least equal to the distance between two successive borings on the rim. The tongue has a first marker centered on a first boring of the rim and a scale of, one of, markers or identifying indices indicating the number of borings on the rim. The scale is located near a boring adjacent to the first boring. The boring adjacent to the first boring is located opposite a marker or identifying index of the scale to indicate the number of borings on the rim.

Abstract: A sign board for displaying an image so that the image can be viewed from various viewing angles without appearing distorted is disclosed. The sign board includes a first layer of material having light transmitting portions and light blocking portions arranged over a second layer of material bearing multiple distorted copies of the image. The copies are distorted by being compressed near their edges. The first layer is arranged over the second layer so that the image is visible to a viewer through the light transmitting portions substantially idependently of the angle at which the sign board is viewed.

Abstract: A mounting assembly includes an elongated mounting bracket and an elongated retention bracket. The mounting and retention brackets are configured for ridged attachment to the side of a structure, such as by bolts. A coupling channel extends along the length of the mounting bracket and communicates with the exterior through a narrow mouth. The coupling channel is configured to slidably receive and retain the top edge of a display sheet. The retention bracket has a plurality of spaced apart holes transversely extending therethrough. Each hole is configured to receive a corresponding spring. Each spring has a first end configured for attachment to the bottom edge of the display sheet. Once the spring is attached to the display sheet, the second end of the spring is passed through the corresponding hole on the retention bracket. A pin is then secured to the second end of the spring, thereby securing the display sheet between the mounting bracket and the retention bracket under the biased tension of the springs.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional array of picture frames is arranged in a plurality of parallel planes. The picture frames are interconnected by perpendicularly extending pegs frictionally received in blind bores in the front of the rearward frame and in the back of the forward frame. Replaceable decorative sleeves surround the pegs.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a kit for creating messages 18 for road signs 14. Included is a road sign blank 20 having a plurality of ferrous-like strips 22 mounted thereon, wherein the strips are sized to receive properly sized magnetic letters 24 which will form the words 36 of the message on the sign. A template 26 is provided having perpendicular alignment projections 28 thereon wherein the projections 28 are selectively placed in order to properly position the template 26 in relation to the sign 20 so that the magnetic letters 24 can be properly placed on the sign 20 by placing the letters 24 in cooperation with a plurality of numbers 30 and tic marks 32 selectively visibly placed on the template 26.

Abstract: An advertisement display apparatus which is completely portable, self-contained, requires no installation tools, and is most efficient for display of signs.

Abstract: A promotional product including a figurine capable of balancing on a food container or a beverage drinking vessel adjacent a top thereof, the figurine being custom made to balance on each different type of a food container or a beverage drinking vessel and being a representation of one of a group including a person, an animal, an object and a cartoon character.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a tag to a pair of eyeglasses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tag having a body and at least one prong extending longitudinally across the body so as to define an aperture between the body and the at least one prong and a tube constructed from a material which shrinks when subjected to heat. The prong and the temple piece are disposed within the tube and the tube is subjected to heat, thereby shrinking the tube to secure the prong to the temple piece of the eyeglasses.