Abstract: A mechanical lead pencil having the capability of feeding different diameter leads. A first collet is disposed in the pencil barrel for feeding the lead and a second collet is located at the barrel open end for retaining the lead during use of the pencil. An elastomeric disc is provided between the two collets, having a variable diameter opening at the center thereof for frictionally engaging the lead and preventing its release when the two collets are in the open position.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-inflating balloon unit comprising a closed, inflatable balloon, a cannister containing compressed gas, at least partly inside the balloon, and a device for releasing the compressed gas from the cannister into the balloon to inflate the balloon. The balloon comprises an inflatable body portion and a neck portion, and the cannister is located in the neck portion. The cannister is preferably slidably mounted in a sleeve in the neck portion of the balloon. The sleeve includes a pin for rupturing the cannister when the cannister is urged against it. A one-way valve allows the gas to inflate the body portion but prevents its escape.In some embodiments the unit also includes a tether which is connected at one end to the sleeve and at the other end to the cannister. After the balloon is inflated, the cannister can be removed from the sleeve, extending the tether. The empty cannister serves as a handle for the tether.

Abstract: A product sampler includes a body partly filled with a moldable product sample, and a cap removably mounted on the body. The cap has an internal mold cavity filled with, and shaping, a portion of the product sample. This portion is exposed upon cap removal. During cap removal, the exposed sample portion is kept inviolate.

Abstract: A coating dispensing cartridge and spout therefor, includes a device defining a guide surface co-planar with the exit end of the spout orifice, to enable the user to press the guide surface flat against the surface to be coated and to maintain it thereagainst, as the cartridge is moved therealong.

Abstract: This application relates to a means and method for cleaning diamonds and other gemstones to restore their shine. It is designed as a portable gemstone cleaning device to be carried by a person such that it would be usable at any time. The device comprises a container partially filled with a gem cleaning solution and having an applicator mounted in the container to apply the solution to a gemstone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for holding and stabilizing an implement for making marks on a substrate, said apparatus comprising an upstanding pedestal; a plurality of legs attached to said pedestal and extending in a substantially horizontal direction therefrom; and means, attached to said pedestal, for gripping an implement.

Abstract: An improved fountain toothbrush is provided that includes a toothpaste storage compartment in the handle and a rotary mechanism for enabling toothpaste in the toothpaste storage compartment to be urged through a conduit in a head directly to the bristles which is adapted to be disposable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stuffed toy configured generally in the shape of the "wishbone" of a bird. The toy includes stuffed flexible elongated legs with a face at the apex of the wishbone. The legs are curved in an arc with a convex lower side facing in a downward direction in side view so that the toy may be rocked back and forth on a support surface. The toy may be used in a variety of ways, such as a pillow or cushion wherein the legs wrap around the neck of a user. Also, the legs may be twisted pretzel-like to simulate a leg crossing position.

Abstract: A hub and tine assembly for a rotary debris remover is provided which comprises a hub which is rotatable about a shaft and a plurality of tine members which are arranged symmetrically around the rotation axis of the hub. The tine members are pivotally connected to the hub at locations which follow a circular rotation path around the rotation axis of the hub when the hub is rotated. Each tine member has at least one tine which projects from the hub. The tine member has a centre of gravity which is located so that the tine is offset from the radial direction when the hub is rotated and displaced in a direction which corresponds with the direction of rotation so that the tine can effect a "punching" effect on debris in its path.

Abstract: A writing utensil, in particular a fibre pen, marking pen or liner with two optionally usable, different writing tips is provided which are disposed at the same end of the writing utensil and nested into each other and can thus be jointly supplied by a writing material reservoir.

Abstract: An improved soil leveling apparatus (10) includes a frame (12), connecting hitch means (14), and adjustable lost motion linkage (48) secured to the top connection point (52) of the hitch, and an optional scarifier assembly (16) which is supported on a connector (66) pivoted between the legs (36, 40) of the hitch. The scraper member (18) of the frame (12) is of generally inverted J-shaped cross section, and tine subassemblies (90) can be substituted for the teeth (78) on the scarifier assembly (12).

Abstract: This invention is to a writing tool such as mechanical pencil or a ballpoint pen in which a writing shaft having a head member is inserted in an outer sleeve in such a manner that the head member projects from the outer sleeve. A stair or step and a spiral groove are provided on the forward inner surface and the rearward inner surface of a tubular cap, respectively, with an inside diameter of the rear part of the spiral groove being larger. A bearing part is brought into contact with a lead tank provided inside a forward art of the tubular part so that the forward part of the outer sleeve is movable in the axial direction and is locked in the turning direction against a rearward inner surface of the outer sleeve. The rearward part of the tubular body is provided with a slit, holding pieces of a stick-shaped object holder slidably inserted in said slit. A stick-shaped object is held by the holding pieces, and the projection is provided on each holder engaged with the spiral groove of the tubular cap.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a retractable writing tip and hollow pliable seal with a closure pinched by a metal spring clip to seal the instrument's writing tip from contact with open air. The instrument may use writing tips, such as roller ball, fountain and felt tips, which employ volatile inks.

Abstract: A device having a removable insert such as a brush, massage element or pad for applying lotions, medicines, and the like to human body. The device includes an elongated handle having a receptacle end provided with opposed inwardly facing grooves. The removable inserts are generally rectangular in shape and include integral spring biased tabs at the sides thereof. Each tab is provided with a locking stud that is received in a correspondingly shaped recess in the grooves. Each insert may include a brush, massage element, or disposable pad.

Abstract: A toy glider has an elongated fuselage including a nose section and a tail empennage section, an elongated, recessed wing mounting channel on each side of the flight axis including a female, V-shaped bottom for receiving a pair of wings. Each wing has a wing root in the form of an elongated polygon having male corners matching the V-bottom channel of the fuselage. A tension means, such as an elastic band, urges each wing root into a mating engagement with the wing root channel of the fuselage, whereby the tension means may be manually overcome to disengage wing root and permit movement of either wing in a vertical direction from the horizontal plane. In a preferred embodiment one male corner of the wing root as an upstanding rib matching an elongated groove in the V-bottom of the fuselage channel, providing a positive position for the wing in a flight configuration.

Abstract: A writing instrument wherein a rear cap is rotatably connected through a connector to a rear end of an outer tube into which a core pipe is axially slidably inserted, a guide member for an eraser is axially slidably inserted into the rear cap for axial engagement, a spiral member is spirally connected to an eraser receiving member which supports an eraser axially slidably inserted into a spiral member for axial engagement, the spiral member having a front end axially slidably connected to the connector for axial engagement, and the eraser guide member is urged in a withdrawing direction by means of an elastic body so that the guide member is held at a fixed projected position during non-knocking.

Abstract: A dispenser comprises a hollow base member, and a hollow nose member, the inner wall of which is non-circular in cross-sectional shape. The nose member and base member snap fit together. A base insert fits into the base member. The base insert is sized to be retained in the base member between a shoulder on the inner wall of the base member and the lower end of the nose member when the nose member and base member are secured together. The base insert is internally screw threaded. An elevator having a screw threaded stem adapted to screw together with the base insert has an axially movable platform which is operated by rotation of the base member relative to the nose member to dispense a stick product contained in the nose member.

Abstract: An applicator device (1) for a preferably cosmetic liquid, includes a dispensing head (5) comprising a dispensing dome (6) of a porous material, an obturator (7) fixed on the neck (3) of the bottle (2) and provided with at least one opening (22) capable of communicating the bottle (2) with the dome (6), and a cap (8) comprising means (24, 29) for supporting the dome (6). The cap (8) is mechanically joined to the obturator (7) and is manually actuable in translation between a closed position, wherein a closing element (26) of the cap (8) cooperates with a stopper element (20) of the obturator (7) to prevent any communication between the inside of the bottle (2) and the dome (6), and an open position in which that communication is obtained. The porous material of the dispensing dome (6) is rigid and the neck of the bottle comprises a flexible zone, constituted by, for example, a bellows (9).

Abstract: A portable pool cleaning system for cleaning the surfaces of swimming pools and surrounding decks without draining the pool water. The system includes a cart for containing an electrically powered pump, a line to an external source of muriatic acid or another suitable swimming pool cleaning agent and a line to a clean water source. The system also includes a cleaning wand having a cleaning head for engagement with the pool walls and floor. A valving system is used to regulate the flow of a cleaning agent through the system, to dilute the muriatic acid with water from the clean water source, and to recirculate through the system any unused portion of muriatic acid which is prevented from flowing to the cleaning wand. The valving system further allows the operator to flush the system with clean water before withdrawing the cleaning wand from the pool water.

Abstract: To overcome problems concerning storage of entombment caskets in crypts or mausoleums, particularly garden crypts, there is provided an air-tight end-capped casket-enclosing article made of suitable material, such as rotation-molded polyethylene or other suitable synthetic resinous (plastic) material, alone or reinforced with suitable other fibrous material, such as fiberglass. .Iadd.A check valve vents the air-tight space enclosed by the casket-enclosing article.Iaddend..