Abstract: A water ski rack for attachment to a boat is disclosed. The rack provides at least two spaced frame units with mounting brackets, and a plurality of obliquely slanted upwardly projecting ski holding elements slidably mounted upon the frame units, and adapted to support the skis. The slidable ski holding elements include a removable protective sheath and are adjustable along the length of the frame unit to accommodate a variety of skis. The frame units and mounting brackets are adjustable to allow attachment to different boats.

Abstract: A window-mount ski rack comprising a frame having spaced pairs of threaded rods mounted thereon, the inboard ends of the rods carrying suction cups which bear against the window, and the outboard portions of the rods carrying plastic sleeves upon which the skis rest. Flexible rubber ties bind the skis to the rods. Flat metal hangers extend from the frame to and over the top of the window to hold the rack in place. The rack fits any side or rear window and is quickly and easily mounted and demounted.

Abstract: A bracelet for connection to a watch casing, having a lug with a retaining boss, includes a band with a hollow housing across one end. The hollow housing has a wide opening for receiving the lug. A captive resilient element in the housing is deflectable therein to pass the lug and is releasable to a lug retaining position for engagement with the boss.

Abstract: A motorcycle carrier having the main components of which suitable for a large number of different makes and models of motorcycles. A parcel support frame and side supports cooperate with a stabilizing arm and inwardly extending bracket so that the carrier can be tailor-made for each variety of motorcycle. The various parts interlock to reduce concentration of forces on parts of the frame enabling efficient and most economical manufacture and assembly.

Abstract: Insulated baby bottle carrier employing conforming cavity or cavities for one or more bottles.

Abstract: A tool kit and protective cushion which can be connected to the saddle bar of a bicycle. The device is comprised of relatively soft material with recesses formed therein in which tools can be received. The material surrounds the saddle bar. This protects the thighs of the rider as the bike is being peddled. Additionally, should the rider slip off the seat, the groin area is also protected.

Abstract: An inexpensive rack which is mounted on the roof of an automobile. Other objects are then mounted on the rack for transport with the automobile. The rack is an elongate lamination including a pair of opposed soft foamed outer layers, and an inner reinforcing layer therebetween. The reinforcing layer extends outwardly of the soft layers defining end tabular portions which are sandwiched between the car roof and the opposing doors to secure the rack to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of racks are mounted in spaced relation across the automobile roof. An object positioned thereon is secured to the automobile by conventional means of rope, straps, or the like.

Abstract: A keyholder adapted for use as an addition to a garment has a body formed from a backing plate with a retainer plate attached at an acute angle to form a V-shaped trough. Key loop openings in the retainer plate have a trapezoidal slot opening at its longer base to the free edge of the retainer plate, and the short base opens to a circular aperture. The backing plate is provided with a cavity or hole positioned to cooperate with the circular aperture in retaining a spherical key loop therebetween. The sphere is relatively large, such as one-quarter inch or more, so that it provides a caming surface that allows removal or insertion of the sphere in the keyholder body with moderate forces.

Abstract: An arrangement for the accommodation of winter sport equipment items, such as skis and accessories, e.g., ski poles and ski boots, on carriers secured to the roof of a motor vehicle. Two luggage-like containers disposed adjacent one another are thereby arranged on the carriers, of which one is provided on the inside with mounting supports for skis and is open toward the rear while the other is constructed for receiving ski poles and ski boots.

Abstract: A luggage rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle. The luggage rack is mounted on the trunk lid of the vehicle and comprises a pair of spaced, multi-sided, load carrying cross rails and a pair of side rails and a plurality of center rails therebetween extending front to rear between the cross rails. Locking members located at the opposite ends of the side and center rails are cooperably connected to the cross rails and are engaged by a cover member slidably carried by the side rails so as to secure the side and center rails to the cross rails. The luggage rack includes a plurality of stanchion members for supporting each end of the cross rails. Each stanchion member has a lower end portion adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a spare wheel is provided for use in the bed portion of a pick-up truck. A baseplate is secured to one of the vertical sidewalls of the truck bed. A first member has a first end removably secured to the baseplate and extends therefrom. A second member is fixedly secured to the first member and extends substantially parallel with the first member. The first member is of sufficient construction to extend through a hub hole of an associated spare wheel. The second member is of sufficient construction to extend through a lug hole of the spare. The spare is retained on the second end of the first member.

Abstract: A tire mounting bracket for vehicles includes an elongated frame having upstanding side members on the forward end thereof which are pivotally connected to the underside of a vehicle for up and down pivotal movement of the rearward end of the frame between a generally horizontal transport position and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined service position. Collapsible tension members limit downward pivotal movement of the rearward end of the frame to the service position therefor. A second tension member is detachably connected to the rearward end of the frame to secure the frame in the transport position. The spare tire is retained on the frame between the second tension member and upstanding side members. A bracket on the underside of the frame cooperates with the rearward end of the frame to receive one end of a lever for pivotally raising and lowering the frame with a spare tire supported thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a spare wheel on a tongue of a trailer including a wheel supporting hub, a first shaft extending from the rear of the wheel supporting hub, the shaft being rotatably carried within a first shaft supporting sleeve, a retainer for retaining the first shaft within the first sleeve, an arm extending from the first sleeve substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft disposed within the first sleeve, the end of the arm remote from the first sleeve being affixed to one end of a second shaft, the second shaft being disposed substantially parallel to the first shaft and extending from the arm in a direction opposite to that from which the wheel supporting hub extends from the first shaft, the second shaft being rotatably carried by a second sleeve, biasing means associated with the second shaft urging the arm toward the second sleeve, locking devices for fixing the arm with respect to the adjacent second sleeve in more than one position, and a mounting assembly associated with the

Abstract: The novel weight-balancing device of the present invention is adapted for use in the improved backpack of the present invention. The device comprises a set of two elongated tubes, disposed in telescoping relation to each other with a spring-loaded push button carried by the inner tube adjustably releasably locking the tubes together so that they can have various desired combined lengths. One of the tubes has a slip resistant backpack shoulder strap connector attached at its front end and the other of the tubes has a backpack rear frame connector pivotally secured to its rear end.The improved backpack utilizes a pair of the described novel devices, connected to opposite sides of the backpack rear frame and projecting forwardly to engage the two backpack shoulder straps. Thus, the two devices are disposed on opposite sides of the backpacker.

Abstract: This invention relates to a skicase for transportation on the top or roof carrier of an automobile and comprises two separate parts, a top part and a bottom part, both with side walls and end walls. The top part surrounds with a rim overlapping and tightly fitted against the upper edge of the walls of the bottom part and has a front end with a nose for selflockingly engagement with the corresponding end of the bottom part, whereas the back end is provided with a lock for securing the two parts to each other. There is alos provided fastening means for securing the bottom part to the top carrier.

Abstract: A keeper for detachably securing load carrying means to service belts such s those worn by the military. The keeper is constructed entirely of metallic wire of suitable diameter and strength, which is bent to form two substantially parallel loops having extensions thereof in the form of substantially parallel arms which along with the loops fit around a service belt, the free ends of the metallic wire being formed into ears which can pass between one pair of parallel arms and snap back behind these arms to lock the keeper. A latch, also made of the same type of wire as the keeper, slides along the arms to latch and unlatch the arms, as desired by the wearer, for maintaining the keeper in its locked condition or for permitting it to be readily unlocked when the wearer desires.

Abstract: A tool mounting assembly for removably mounting and positioning a tool such as a flashlight which includes a base member with a raised shoulder thereon formed generally concentrically around a hole therethrough, a tool clip member for removably mounting the tool which also includes a raised shoulder thereon generally concentrically of a hole therethrough with the base member and the tool clip member positioned so that the holes are coaxially aligned and the raised shoulders are facing each other, a compression coil spring positioned between the two members and maintained generally concentrically of the holes by the raised shoulders, and a fastener rotatably extending through the holes and engaging both of the members so that the fastener limits the movement of the members away from each other at a distance which is less than the uncompressed length of the coil spring so that the coil spring resiliently forces the two members into frictional engagement with the fastener whereby the relative rotational position

Abstract: An improved rack for holding a plurality of balls in a compact array comprises a plurality of planar support members. These support members are carried on two elongated vertical rods for movement as a unit. The support members have a plurality of ball receiving recesses and can be spaced apart with the balls being received in aligned recesses on adjacent support members. Springs surrounding the rods bear against the support members to force them together to firmly retain the balls in place. However, the support members can be moved against the force of the springs to allow the balls to be placed in or removed from the rack.

Abstract: An illuminated wheel cover includes a light-penetrable member having indicia thereon. The member may be mounted on an exposed spare wheel of a vehicle. Light passed through the member enhances the indicia. The wheel is protected by the cover and the light-penetrable member aesthetically provides an added lighting feature for nighttime operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-purpose carrier for external attachment to a land vehicle, said carrier conceived for carrying objects which are too large or cumbersome to carry inside the vehicle. The carrier comprises a retractable platform which holds the objects, wherein the platform is rotatably pivotable through two separate movements; one such rotational movement being about an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal front-to-rear central axis of the land vehicle, and by this latter rotational movement the carrying platform is lowered at an angle with one end juxtaposed adjacent the ground near the vehicle so that an inclined plane is formed to facilitate the loading movement of the object onto the platform from the ground, and from this latter inclined position the carrying platform is then rotated upwardly to a level position for the carrying position. The other rotational movement of the carrying platform is about a transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal front-to-rear central axis of the vehicle.