Abstract: In a multi-piece rim arrangement having a tapered base member and an associated tire bead seat band, the bead seat band is constructed to prevent tire inflation if the rim is improperly assembled. Included is a portable puller tool, adaptable to existing rim assemblies, that functions to pull the bead seat band against the lock ring of the multi-piece rim arrangement with sufficient force to insure proper positioning of the various rim members and establish air tight integrity with a mounted tire.

Abstract: A plate-like corner bracket extends alongside end portions of adjacent horizontal and vertical panels which surround a fireplace outwardly of the opening therefor. Improved means secures the corner bracket to end portions of adjacent panels to connect adjacent panels to each other and adjustable retaining means on the corner bracket carries an adjustable projecting member which engages an inner portion of the fireplace opening.

Abstract: A combination sports helmet and face mask construction is disclosed in which a mask of grid-like configuration having a peripheral base portion is attached to the helmet in a novel manner. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment means includes a plurality of spaced blocks each including a forwardly directed undercut opening for receipt of the base portion of the mask. In another embodiment, the attachment means includes an element secured to the mask about the periphery of the frontal opening thereof such that the base portions of the mask may be disposed proximal thereto. In such latter embodiment, the attachment of the mask to the helmet is by means of a plurality of headed members received within recessed pockets. The pockets may be formed either in the base portion of the mask or in the peripheral element of the helmet. In all cases, the mask is received by the helmet in a snap frictional engagement such that the mask may be completely removed therefrom, i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bib made of sheet material such as paper and by which a substantially rectangular sheet is provided with a rupture line along a neckline cutout in order to allow the user of such a bib to remove the part of the sheet inside said rupture line in direct connection with the use of the bib and thereby having right at hand said removed part of the sheet which may be used as a handkerchief or for other appropriate purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protective device for the head which is particularly adapted for use in learning the art of self-defense and for training in the martial arts. The device is comprised of an inner transparent shell and a pair of flexible sheets of transparent material secured and disposed about the inner shell forming a transparent inflatable shock absorbing air chamber about the inner shell. When used in the martial arts, a plurality of pressure activated switches are provided in the inner shell at locations corresponding to vital target areas. When one of the switches is struck by a blow of sufficient force and at a given angle, the switch is closed and a light source carried by the shell is illuminated.

Abstract: A prosthetic element is securely joined to a natural element of the human body using a ductile metal alloy coupling member which has a transition-temperature range and which has been deformed from its original shape at a temperature below its transition-temperature. Heating the coupling member to a temperature above the transition temperature, as by passing electric current therethrough, causes the coupling to try to return to its original shape and effect a secure joinder.A prosthetic device for long-term implantation in the human body can be made by using such a coupling element to join a circumscribing member, e.g., a sewing cuff, to a generally tubular, rigid portion of a prosthetic device, e.g., a heart valve body.

Abstract: A bedpan guard adapted to lie across a portion of the bedpan opening and to be removably attached to the bedpan whereby the male patient's genitalia is supported by the guard and prevented from contacting waste material in the pan and contacting the bottom of the pan. The guard may have a cover attached thereto which can be pulled over the bedpan opening after use.

Abstract: A rest room module adapted for rapid, efficient and thorough manual or automatic cleaning is provided having a unitary floor, ceiling and four walls, an entrance in one of said walls, a sealable closure for said entrance, a drain opening in said floor, lighting means sealingly recessed in one of said walls and/or ceiling, a toilet fixture positioned between two of said walls and forming an integral part thereof, and a lavatory and counter fixture on at least one wall adjacent said toilet and forming an integral part of said wall, and one of a urinal fixture and counter on the other wall adjacent to said toilet and forming an integral part of said wall, said wall and fixtures being an integral unitary assembly with all intersecting surfaces being arcuately contoured.

Abstract: A height-adjustable washbasin is provided by the present invention. The basin is supported by at least one supporting arm which is pivotally mounted to a fixed surface at one end and received within the washbasin structure at the other end. An arresting element associated with the supporting arm is provided so that the supporting arm can be retained in a selected position, and a force reservoir such as a cylinder spring or gas pressure spring counter-balances the weight of the washbasin on the supporting arm. The height of the washbasin can be adjusted to the level desired by pivoting the supporting arm and securing it in place at the desired level.

Abstract: A spa construction for use by humans comprising a shell for containing water and having a well for receiving the feet of the user. A seat is provided adjacent the well upon which the user can sit. A side wall is provided against which the user can rest his back. A first pump is provided having an inlet coupled into the bottom portion of the shell for withdrawing water from within the shell and an outlet coupled to the shell above the seat for introducing jets of water into the shell. An air inlet is provided for mixing air into the jets of water introduced into the shell. A filter and heater housing is carried by the shell and has disposed therein filter and heater elements. An additional pump is provided having an inlet coupled to the shell for drawing water from the shell into the filter and heater housing and discharging the same through an outlet coupled to the shell.

Abstract: An improved flexible, removable cover for swimming or other pools, which reduces contamination of water in the pool and is easy to maintain, has one or more discharge openings 13 covered by a further sheet 14 secured to the cover round its periphery and provided with an opening 18 through which a filter pad 19 can be introduced into the envelope or pocket formed between the further sheet and the cover proper. The cover and further sheet may be of thermoplastic material and secured to one another by welding.

Abstract: A semi-squat toilet seat: The toilet seat has enlarged inward sloping opposite middle portions for the supportive engagement of the user's thighs and an opening including enlarged front and rear portions and a relatively narrow middle portion. The lack of any support areas in the front and rear portions of the toilet seat in combination with the inwardly sloped configuration of the enlarged opposite middle portions positions the user into a semi-squat position, thighs and buttocks spread apart, legs angled upwardly, body bent forward at the waist, over the middle portion of a toilet bowl. The enlarged front and rear portions of the opening allow the insertion of the hand for blotting and wiping and prevent soiling.

Abstract: A protective cover or cap for connection to a toilet mounting flange installed on a drain or discharge pipe is described. The cover protects the stems of bolts for connecting the flange to the toilet by means of at least two tubular extensions on the cover which surround the bolts and by means of nuts over washers on the bolt stems when the cover is installed on the flange. The cover makes it much easier to align the flange visually with the surrounding walls by means of the tubular extensions for the bolts. In addition, the cover is adapted for hydrostatic testing of the drainage system, prevents any foreign material from entering the discharge pipe and protects the slots and holes in the flange from becoming clogged or filled.

Abstract: A pressure flush tank assembly for toilets which includes a combination of a flush valve coordinated with an air induction valve and refill valve to insure successful repetitive operation, together with a construction which prevents back-flow in the event of a negative line pressure and an initial outflow control to reduce noise and eliminate back bounce from the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A portable security wall incorporating a first section, insertable beneath a chair cushion, couch cushion, mattress, or the like, on which an infant may be placed, and a second section, angularly disposed with respect thereto, to serve as a backstop to prevent the infant from falling.

Abstract: A ventilated body positioner device and the like is formed from a block of polyurethane foam having resilient characteristics capable of deformation of the type having a length substantially greater than its width so that the block may be rotated on one of a plurality of major surfaces to provide an adjustable positioning support surface for a major portion of a patient's body while lying upon a table or bed surface wherein various cut-outs and air circulation channels enhance the ventilation capabilities of the device while positioning a patient.

Abstract: A napped bedding blanket having an enhanced hand and a more uniform surface appearance and which substantially avoids the problem of shedding and pilling without chemical treatment or mechanical locking and thereby is able to substantially maintain its initial surface appearance during normal usage and after laundering. The blanket has a nap of uniformly distributed raised fibers on at least one side of a fibrous substrate, with the fibers extending generally outwardly from the substrate a uniform distance to provide a planar surface on the nap. The blanket is produced by subjecting a nappable substrate to a napping operation to raise fibers from the substrate and form a nap, and thereafter shearing the nap to a level such that substantially all of the raised fibers are sheared.

Abstract: A fish tank cleaning system comprising a water pump, a hose connected to the water pump, a stone cleaning tool comprising a housing, the lower end of the housing being open to engage rocks on the bottom of an aquarium, a stirring rod moveably extending through the housing for stirring the rocks, the other end of the hose being connected to an outlet of said housing disposed above the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A device for use in cleaning the wheels of golf buggies. The device comprises driven rollers which are arranged to support the vehicle's wheels and to induce rotation of the wheels by peripheral engagement. A brush is located between the rollers for contacting and wiping the wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is mounted to the rollers, the brush being driven to rotate with a peripheral velocity different from that which is imparted to the vehicle wheels by the driven rollers. Subsidiary driven brushes are mounted to the device for use in cleaning golfing accessories, such as golfclubs, and golfer's shoes.

Abstract: A device adapted to permit the cleaning of the dipstick employed to measure the oil level in engines, includes a support preferably of a metallic material adapted to hold and contain a pad of rubber, foam rubber, or other suitable materials, the oil-dipstick being within the pad.

Abstract: A paint metering tray for use with conventional paint applicator rollers. The tray has a paint distribution roller spanning the width thereof, the bottom portion of which will be immersed in the paint in the tray. A paint metering bar is engaged against the length of the distribution roller to remove excess paint therefrom as the distribution roller is axially rotated. The paint is evenly and consistently applied to the applicator roller from the even distribution on the distribution roller surface.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in an apparatus of the type employed for cleaning textile coverings, especially rugs and carpeting where the apparatus is provided with at least one spray jet connected to a supply of cleaning fluid and a suction jet is connected to a dirt-laden fluid receptacle. Apparatuses of this type have at least one suction turbine connected to and actuated by a motor where the suction turbine has a suction pipe in fluid communication with a receptacle for dirt-laden fluid typically dirty water. According to the invention, the receptacle for the dirt-laden fluid is divided into a plurality of interconnecting vacuum chambers by use of vertically disposed partitions, each of which vacuum chambers is in fluid communication with a common sump disposed therebeneath. The partitions extend vertically over most of the height of the chambers. Each of the vacuum chambers is in fluid communication with its own suction turbine via a suction pipe entering the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus cleans footwear with a closed system utilizing brushes and with recirculating compressed air. The apparatus has a housing and a cover containing a grill mounted to the housing by springs. Beneath the grill are a pair of cylindrical brushes which are rotated by electric motors in a direction toward the center of the grill. A combined vacuum cleaner and air compressor beneath the grill provides both a source of compressed air to help clean the shoes and suction to collect the dirt and any other debris dislodged by the apparatus. The brushes clean the bottoms of the shoes and direct any dislodged dirt and other debris toward the center area of the grill. A pair of air tubes disposed along the edges of the grill direct the compressed air over the shoes and toward the center of the grill, along with any debris dislodged thereby. Beneath the center of the grill is a removable collection tank having a slot facing the grill and having an open end connected by a filter to the intake of the air compressor.

Abstract: A self-closing hinging apparatus includes an upper hinge, a lower hinge and a reinforcing bar welded to both the upper hinge and the lower hinge to maintain them in proper alignment. The leaves of the lower hinge are longer than the leaves of the upper hinge so that the unhinged end of a gate to which the self-closing hinging apparatus is attached is higher when the gate is open than when the gate is closed. The action of gravity on the weight of the gate therefore causes the gate to self-close.

Abstract: A link cutter apparatus for separating stuffed product casing links interconnected by twisted casing sections includes a conveyor having a plurality of hooks extended therefrom at spaced-apart positions thereon. A cutting member is positioned on the support structure of the apparatus with the conveyor being operative to advance each hook from a loading position, where it receives and supports a twisted casing section between a pair of links, to a cutting position, wherein the twisted casing section is moved into cutting engagement with the cutting member so as to be severed thereby. Each hook may be bifurcated to include a pair of legs defining an open ended slot for receipt of the cutting member therebetween at the cutting position for the hook. A guide structure may be provided in advance of the cutting position to properly align the hooks for receiving the cutting member and a pan may be positioned relative to the cutting member for receiving the severed links.