Abstract: A rearview mirror for vehicles or the like, comprising in a unitary structure a substantially flat reflecting central surface that at each end of the flat central surface progresses gradually into a series of convex, spherical reflective surfaces having progressively smaller spherical radii progressing from the flat central surface, thereby eliminating deadspots in the drivers view toward the rear and the sides of of the vehicle. This invention provides exact and undistorted view to the rear of the vehicle, permitting accurate judgement of distances to articles and other vehicles behind the driver, and gradually reducing images to the sides of the vehicle in a panoramic view without distorting them, so the driver at all times has recogniseable views behind and to the sides of the vehicle. This particularly facilitates changing lanes and the like without incurring accidents.

Abstract: An improvement in an ARMCHAIR WITH SEATLIFT, as patented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,655 designed for a disabled person, or a person with weak legs, the armchair having a seat able to move vertically up and down in the frame of the armchair from a normal seating position to a position flat on the ground, the improvement being: making the armchair automatically mobile and automatically immobile when desired, by attaching wheels to the armchair in such a manner that the armchair automatically becomes mobile by making the wheels automatically become in contact with the ground when the seat moves to it's upper position, and automatically making the seat become in full frictional contact with the ground when the seat is in it's lower position, thereby facillitating the transfer of a person, fallen on the ground, safely onto the seat, without the seat tending to move away from the person during the transfer.

Abstract: A liftchair for a disabled person, or a person with weak legs. It has a seat adapted selectively to move vertically down from a normal sitting-height and to a position close to and directly above the floor, and again up to the normal sitting height. A drive mechanism to move the seat up and down includes a reversible electric motor and reversible control switch to selectively move the seat up or down in the liftchair. A brake is included to automatically lock the seat in any vertical position upon the motor being de-activated.

Abstract: A switching mechanism actuated into first and second positions by application of current through appropriate respective electromagnets includes a switch structure which insures that current is cut off to the actuating electromagnet upon switching having taken place to a chosen state.

Abstract: A drafting device (10) is provided for drawing parallel lines as well as true perspective lines, comprising carriage means (11) movable over a drafting surface (12) on wheel assembly means (20) and (21). A ruler (124) is located on carriage means (11) and has an unobstructed drafting edge (125) constantly co-linear with a true radial line to a chosen vanishing point. Selectively variable ratio transmission means (31), between wheel assembly means (20) and (21), permit ruler (124) to move over drafting surface (12) in a parallel or an arcuate manner about a preset vanishing point on or outside drafting surface (12). Magnet means are included for maintaining wheel assemblies (20) and (21) in frictional contact with drafting surface (12) and brake means are included to lock carriage (11) on drafting surface (12) in selected positions. Presetable stop means are provided to preset a plurality of vanishing points.

Abstract: A spiral meat slicer is provided particularly for slicing ham, wherein a ham is mounted vertically on a slowly rotating spiked platform. A rotating, substantially horizontal disk blade is pivotally mounted on the meat slicer to permit the blade to be biased by spring means toward and into the ham to spirally cut the ham to the bone. A non-rotating arm is carried in bearings below the spiked platform, this arm reaching up above the ham and containing a spiked, rotatable top support that is pressed into the top portion of the ham to steady the ham against pressure of the cutting blade. The spiked platform is mounted on a vertical lead screw, that causes the ham to be lowered steadily as the ham rotates to produce a spiral cut around the ham bone. The weight of the ham aids in moving the ham down steadily, permitting the ham to be automatically sliced substantially from one end to the other, including around the aitch bone without requiring manual manipulation.

Abstract: A drafting device (10) is provided for drawing parallel lines as well as true perspective lines, comprising carriage means (11) movable over a drafting surface (12) on wheel assembly means (20) and (21). A ruler (124) is located on carriage means (11) and has an unobstructed drafting edge (125) constantly co-linear with a true radial line to a chosen vanishing point. Selectively variable ratio transmission means (31), between wheel assembly means (20) and (21), permit ruler (124) to move over drafting surface (12) in a parallel or an arcuate manner about a preset vanishing point on or outside drafting surface (12). Magnet means are included for maintaining wheel assemblies (20) and (21) in frictional contact with drafting surface (12) and brake means are included to lock carriage (11) on drafting surface (12) in selected positions. Presetable stop means are provided to preset a plurality of vanishing points.