Abstract: A compact portable rowing machine features a hollow container that holds a supply of water. Pulling on a drive cord during a pulling segment of a stroke rotates a paddle or like mechanism located within the container to rotate the water to produce a monentum effect. Turbulence in the water provides fluid resistance to the rotation of the paddle. A drive cord is wrapped on a double spool mounted on a clutch to drive the paddle in one direction. The wrapping is such that changing the length of the drive cord between the spool and a handle gripped by a user changes the radius at which tangential force is applied by the cord to the spool to vary the resistance of the machine. In one form the drive cord also forms a portion of the recoil mechanism as a continuous closed loop strap secured at its ends to different spools of a double spool. A continuous portion of the drive cord located between the handle and one spool is to secured to the handle.

Abstract: There is described an exercise measuring device intended to be attached to a person's body or clothing to indicate that a predetermined level of activity is being maintained. In the form of the device shown a pendulum is mounted for movement between two adjustable stops so that movement of the person's body causes the pendulum to impact alternately on the stops. Electronic or electrical circuitry may be included to count the impacts on one or both stops, and audible or visible signals may be given when predetermined numbers of impacts have been registered.

Abstract: A home basic body exercise device having a clamp for engaging the walls of adjacent rooms above a doorway with a depending frame pivotally connected to the clamp at one end beneath the doorway and having a bar with a rotatable padded cover at the other end. High tension spring means connect the clamp to the frame intermediate its ends. The device is used to exercise all body areas from a basic standing position acting against the resistance of the spring.

Abstract: A power paint applicating unit includes a horizontal base having a paint pump, an upright member projecting from the base and having manually operable controls, and a horizontal top pivotally connected to the upright member and overlying a portion of the base unit so that standard paint cans fit therebetween. The hinged top member includes an intake dip tube for drawing paint from the paint can and feeding it through a variable pressure shut-off to a paint applicator unit, such as a roller. A rest is provided for the roller in the hinged top which is formed to provide a handle for lifting.

Abstract: A mechanical pencil has a body with a lead storage chamber defined therein for housing spare lengths of lead, and a tubular lead guide receiving a length of lead and coaxially mounted in the body so as to partly protrude outwardly from its writing end. During writing or marking, the lead guide gradually retracts into the body against the force of a return spring with the wear of the lead received therein and, when the pencil is moved off the writing surface, it is held in place by a locking mechanism until a preselected wear point is reached, then it is sprung back to its normal position. Disposed intermediate the lead storage chamber and the lead guide, a chuck coacts with an internally tapered socket for gripping the lead against displacement away from the writing end of the body.

Abstract: A primary exerciser and cooperating accessory for use by piano players. The primary execiser has an elongate base provided with an elbow stop designed to maintain the elbow of a user in position against rearward or significant sideways movement when the exerciser is in use, and a hand rest spaced ahead of the elbow stop along the elongate base. The hand rest is relatively thin and has a flat upper side sized to permit the forward part of the user's hand to rest on it palm down with the fingers stretched out ahead and the thumb tucked under its rear edge. This hand rest is mounted to slide back and forth from a rear stop position against the resistance of a spring that normally holds it at that position. It is also provided to rotate up and down around a transverse hinge axis near its front end. Additionally, the hand rest is mounted to permit swiveling movement to the right or left around a pivot point in its front portion.

Abstract: A cleaning device for paint brushes and rollers which employs a scrubbing action for lifting and separating bristles or mat for optimal cleaning and which allows the progress of the cleaning process to be continuously and conveniently monitored. The device comprises an annular spray ring having an exterior radially directed flange and a plurality of spray ports on the inside surface of the ring. The ports are aimed so that the individual water streams converge at a point exterior to the plane of the ring.

Abstract: In an applicator device for applying a material such as nail varnish, with a metering pump, provided separately from the feed duct through which the viscous material passes from the container therefor to an applicator member is a pressure compensating duct which can be communicated with a vent passage extending into the interior of the container, to compensate for variations in pressure within the container. A control valve controls both the communication of the interior of the container with the applicator member through the feed duct, and also the communication of the pressure compensating duct with the vent passage. The vent passage is adapted to be closed by a non-return valve opening towards the interior of the container.

Abstract: A lead cartridge opening and closing unit wherein outward engaging piece portions are provided on a chuck type opening and closing mechanism which is divided into sections in the diametrical direction and has inward elastic force and which is further disposed on the lead cartridge; the outward engaging piece portions moving inwardly against the inward elastic force along the diametrical direction thereof thereby to open lead conducting holes in case of forcible insertion into and engagement with a lead guide, while the outward engaging piece portions being restored by means of the inward elastic force to move outwardly along the diametrical direction thereof thereby to close the lead conducting holes in case of release for the forcible insertion and engagement; whereby when the outward engaging piece portions of the chuck type opening and closing mechanism are forcibly fitted in the lead guide, the outward engaging piece portions move inwardly along the diametrical direction thereof to be resiliently fitted t

Abstract: An exercise machine comprising a base, a horizontal turntable mounted on the base to rotate about a vertical axis, and two hydraulic assemblies each connecting the turntable to the base. The outboard portions of the hydraulic assemblies are mounted on upstanding base studs affixed to and spaced 2" inwardly from the rim of the base, using adjustable sleeves threadably engaging the outboard distal ends of the pistons of the hydraulic assemblies. The base studs are angled 721/2.degree. to either side of the support affixed to the base. The inboard ends of the hydraulic assemblies are affixed to studs depending from the turntable about 5" radially outwardly from the turntable's rotational axis. The turntable studs are positioned angularly 120.degree. to either side of the center line of the turntable. The resistance against rotation of the turntable increases sinusoidally when the turntable's center line is 471/2.degree.

Abstract: An exercise method and device which provides increased heart rates and respiration while introducing variable resistance to the exercise through a combination of muscular resistance aided by mechanical force transference. The invention uses a force transfer member attached to a pivot assembly and cross members adjustably attached to the force transfer member to transfer the force resulting from the extension or flexion of one muscle to a force resisting the extension or flexion of another muscle.

Abstract: An upper-extremity foreleg-emulating exerciser comprising an elongate strut with a handle affixed on its exterior housing and containing a reciprocative compression-expansion mechanism coupled to an armpit-engaging crosspiece. The crosspiece is fitted into the armpit of the user who must then grasp the handle and repeatedly pull the strut toward the armpit and relax it so as to gain the benefit of compressing and releasing the mechanism, to adequately exercise the upper extremity and upper torso of his or her body. Contemporaneous use of a pair of this invention allows the user to perform a plurality of exercises emulating the gait of a four-legged animal and thus, in conjunction with normal walking or rapid pacing, exercise the upper, lower and back portions of his or her body. Alternative in-place exercises may be used to develop pectoral and abdominal muscles as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise device including a compression member having a pair of opposed bearing surfaces. A pair of elastic, elongated tension members are connected to opposed surfaces of the compression member, and a pair of strap members are connected to one another by the pair of tension members. The strap members loop over the bearing surfaces so that a pair of opposed limbs of the user can be inserted within the strap members and against the bearing surfaces. When the user's limbs exert inwardly directed compressive forces against the bearing surfaces, the compression member produces outwardly directed resistive forces in reaction to the inwardly directed forces exerted by the limbs. When the user's limbs exert outwardly directed forces on the strap members, the tension members stretch and in turn produce inwardly directed resistive forces in reaction to the outwardly directed forces exerted by the limbs.

Abstract: A multi-tipped pen and a pen/pen holder combination are disclosed. The multi-tipped pen has an even number of pen tips spaced at a set distance to enable to user to draw simultaneously parallel lines. The pen is used by layout artists to indicate the placing and size of printed material that will appear in the final version of an advertisement. The distance between the pen tips indicates the size of type to be used. The pen may be located within a pen holder that prevents the pen tips from drying out.

Abstract: A body stretching and exercising device which is characterized by a frame fitted with upward-standing hand rails, a stationary foot support mounted on one end of the frame and a carriage having one end pivotally attached to the frame and slidably receiving a foot trolley. The carriage can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal position within the frame to an acute angle with respect to the frame, in order to facilitate placing one foot on the stationary foot support and the other foot on the foot trolley and stretching leg and groin muscles at various selected angles with respect to the horizontal. In a most preferred embodiment, a pair of slotted plates are disposed in spaced, parallel relationship on the frame and are provided with slots to receive one end of a carriage support which is pivoted to the carriage, in order to elevate the carriage and foot trolley to a selected stretching angle with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: A paint valve for use with an automatic roller apparatus comprises a valve body connected at one end to the roller to provide paint thereto and at the other end to a paint reservoir in the handle. A valve stem is mounted within a cavity in a portion projecting outwardly at an angle from the body. The valve stem is designed to engage a fill tube mounted on a paint can. Pushing down on the fill tube forces the stem upwardly opening the valve cavity and paint reservoir tube and closing the cavity to the roller head. A pump shaft creates a suction drawing paint through the fill tube, valve stem and out two holes in the stem into a paint reservoir. When the valve body is removed from the end of the fill tube, the valve closes off the intake and opens the cavity leading to the roller head.

Abstract: This invention provides a plastic disposable nozzle tube for a dispensing cartridge, itself disposable, so that the cartridge and nozzle tube can be disposed of after use. The cartridge contains crease setting composition which is dispensed through the nozzle tube and into a crease in a garment which is to be permanently set by the composition. The nozzle tube is pushed into a transverse bore in the cartridge and comprises a tube portion received in the bore and a shoe portion which is push fitted onto one end of the tube portion in a unique position of alignment and is connected thereto. The other end of the tube portion is closed by a plug pushed into the tube portion and connected thereto. Also provided is a nib portion having a rearwardly extending fin having a portion which engages a guide plate attached to the cartridge.

Abstract: A head for the application of a fluid such as paint to a surface is shown in the most preferred form as a tee fitting which is pivotally mounted to a pad assembly. First and second hoses extend from nipples formed on the manifold base of the pad assembly to tee stems of a tee fitting for providing the dual functions of providing fluid communication therebetween and for placing a torsional spring action between the pad assembly and the applicator pole for placing uniform pressure on the pad to flatly contact the surface. The nipples are in fluid communication with a trough formed in the manifold base corresponding to a removed portion in the fluid impervious backing of the pad. The foam layer of the pad is free of direct fluid communication paths to the flocking such that fluid must flow into and through the foam for even distribution to the flocking in a wicking distribution by capillary action.

Abstract: A splatter shield is provided for a conventional paint roller having an offset roller arm integrally connected to a roller shaft, comprising an inner end wall; an outer end wall; and two side walls, all connected so as to have substantially parallel lower edges which define a first plane; a top wall connected to the upper edges of the end walls and side walls so as to define a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, the inner end wall having an opening therein, the opening communicating with the lower edge of the inner end wall by a cut between the opening and the lower edge of the inner wall, the outer end wall having an aperture for receiving the end of the roller shaft; and an annular shoulder member, fixedly attached to the inner end wall and concentric with the opening, the shoulder member having a plurality of raised ridges, radially spaced about the shoulder member, forming corresponding indentations approximately equal in width to the diameter of the roller arm.

Abstract: An ink pen, particularly a roller type marker, includes a pen body provided with a fibrous body ink reservoir for holding ink, and a pen tip is provided on the pen body for drawing ink from the ink reservoir. The fibrous body ink reservoir is composed of a gathered bundle of unbonded continuous false twist stretch yarn fibers having twist and curl which are oriented generally parallel to one another and which entangle one another and are sufficiently randomly oriented with one another so as to form a strong tangled fibrous mass having high capillarity for good ink-holding properties while preventing leakage. The ink reservoir can be used with a film overwrap or extruded coating layer.