Abstract: A body armor vest is anchored at the waist of a wearer by providing an elastic lower garment, preferably in the form of a legged brief type undergarment, that snugly fits the lower torso of the wearer. The lower garment anchors the vest in place by attaching along a strip across the front and back of the vest at the waist. The lower garment distributes an elastic force that horizontally and vertically returns the vest, when pulled out of position by the movement of the wearer, to its intended position, with the waist level thereof centered at the front and back of the wearer's waist. Detachable fasteners are provided to allow the easy putting on, adjustment and removal of the vest and lower garment combination. With the legged brief version of the lower garment, the fasteners preferably include strips of hook and loop material sets at the front and back of the waist on the vest shell and lower garment.

Abstract: A preferred version of the baseball glove 10 has a flexible hinge 38 which extends across the front panel 12, underneath the web 32, and part-way along the length of the back panel 14. The flexible hinge 38 includes first and second hinge edges 68, 70, 74, 76 connected to each other by a flexible spanning member 88. The glove 10 provides enhanced flexibility, which is particularly beneficial to ball players with developing hand-flex strength, and to ball players who do not want to insert the time, energy, and expense required to break in a conventional glove.

Abstract: An easy-on-and-off adjustable protective covering provides maximum protection from liquid and solid spills at the lowest possible cost. The maximum protection comes from: (1) the use of a liquid absorbent surface on the front side (2) the use of a liquid repellent surface on the back side (3) the ability to provide a custom fit for different neck sizes (4) the ability to adjust the tightness of fit around the neck to prevent liquid spills from running down the neck (5) an easy-on-easy-off attachment means that is convenient to use and eliminates the choking hazard of tied straps and (6) a protruding pocket at the bottom to catch and retain spills and runoff.

Abstract: The invention is a hunting vest that is comprised of a base fabric material. Flaps are provided on the front and on the back of the vest. The flaps have a camouflage color on one side, and a blaze orange color on the opposite side. The flaps are detachably attached to the vest so that either color is visible, dependent on the choice of the hunter. The front flap is designed to fold over pockets, designed to protect shotgun shells, in the front side of the vest. The vest can also be equipped with additional pockets and a game bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shirt with an incorporated necktie retainer. The cloth retainer is used to anchor two hanging termini of a necktie, so the ends don't encumber the wearer. The vertically directed retainer has a place for two button holes that slip onto the shirt buttons after passing through the longitudinal name tag on the back of the wider hanging portion of a necktie. The retainer has the same resemblance to the shirt in color, texture, material, design etc. because it is just the lower continuation of the button front. Namely the side with the holes where the bottom goes through, at the lowest portion of the shirt. The retainer extends two hole lengths below the end of the shirt front. There is an appropriate type of stitching that allows the retainer to be cut off and apart from the shirt without any loose frayed ends.

Abstract: A sports glove including a body portion designed to fit in the palm, a thumb engaging portion, a plurality of different finger engaging portions, and a flexible wrist band are affixed to the body portion. A ball holding suction cup defining a semi-spherical depression positioned to open outwardly from the palm is affixed to a centrally located opening in the body portion. The body portion, thumb engaging portion, plurality of finger engaging portions, and the wrist band cooperate to position the ball holding suction cup firmly in the palm so as to operate as a ball holding suction cup with the hand slightly closed and to release suction in the suction cup with the hand extended.

Abstract: Head covering with heat generating means comprised of an insulated adjustable head covering, a rigid cross brace attached to the upper inside surface of the head covering, a plurality of heat generating packets removably attached to the cross brace, the heat generating packets comprised of a combination of iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculite, and the heat generating packets packed in an air tight package and which activate when removed from the air tight package. A preferred embodiment includes wherein the heat generating packets produce heat of approximately 126 degrees farenheight lasting for up to three hours.

Abstract: A hat constructed of woven fabric capable of reflecting radiant energy from the exterior thereof and of releasing thermal energy from the interior thereof, the hat comprising a side band having a top panel and a double ply outer brim attached to the upper and lower peripheral portions thereof to shield the head, neck and face of the wearer from the elements and to allow heat to escape from the interior thereof.

Abstract: Reversible denim jacket and pants are disclosed, comprised of a pant and jacket combination, made from denim, and designed to be reversible and fashionable. Unique stitching and fastening means adds to the functionality and usability of the present invention.

Abstract: A lower torso shape enhancing garment for changing the appearance of a portion of the wearers body. The lower torso shape enhancing garment includes a short pant comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of leg portions extend downwardly from the front and rear portions. A crotch area is located between the leg portions. The short pant comprises an upper opening defined by a waistband. The short pant comprises a pair of lower leg openings. The short pant comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface. A pair of rear pockets are formed in the short pant. The pockets are formed at laterally spaced locations on the rear portion of the short pant to position each of the pockets over a buttock of the wearer. Each of the pockets comprises an upper entry slit, spaced side boundaries, and a lower boundary. The upper entry slit opens into the interior surface of the short pant just below the upper opening.

Abstract: A latching device eg for attaching a breathing mask to an aircrew helmet, has detents (20) on a receptacle portion (10), and teeth (32) on carriers (30,31) supported for arcuate movement in an insert portion (14) and supported (eg at 33) so that bending loads on the carriers are substantially avoided.

Abstract: A baseball chest protector comprises a pad body, a strap assembly, a neck-protecting cushion, a plurality of shock-absorbent pad blocks and a plurality of air vents, in which the pad blocks provide on the chest portion of the pad body are formed with inclined planes in such a shape that the thickness of the upper portion of each pad block is greater than that of the lower portion while the pad blocks provide on the stomach portion of the pad body are formed with curved surfaces; the neck-protecting cushion is a piece of curved plate body which flares out upwardly from the bottom and forms an inverted cone-shaped space. Further, the above-mentioned shock-absorbent pad blocks on the chest portion are formed as a laminate structure of materials with different characteristics.

Abstract: A neck protective gear for protecting the neck from injury caused as a result of head impacts especially by football players. The neck protective gear includes a helmet which has a bottom edge extending essentially below both ears and around the back of the user's head and which also has an extensible member which extends downwardly and along the bottom edge and is adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck region, and further includes a set of shoulder pads having an upwardly extending collar which is adapted to receive at least a portion of the extensible member. Any impact to the user's head is transferred from the helmet to the shoulder pads rather than to the user's neck thus reducing probability of serious injury.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically pivoting a first member relative to a second member comprises a housing connectable to the second member; a shaft connectable to the first member and juxtaposed to rotate about its axis within the housing between a rest position and an open position, the shaft having first and second rates of rotation in a closing direction from the open to the rest position; a torsion spring assembly connected between the housing and the shaft; a dampening assembly connected between the housing and the shaft for exerting a dampening torque upon the shaft during at least one direction of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing; a time delay assembly connected between the housing and the shaft for variably exerting a braking torque on the shaft; a shift assembly connected between the housing and the shaft and operable to enable and disable the time delay assembly; and, a clutch assembly for engaging the shaft with the dampening assembly and the time delay assembly when torque is applied to

Abstract: The flush-mounted flush tank has a tank body with a bottom wall, side walls with a front wall and a cover wall as well as an inspection opening. The front wall and the cover wall each have an inspection opening, which can be arranged optionally for actuation from the top or for actuation from the front at the time of mounting. The inspection opening not in use is covered with a closing plate. Only one tank body is needed for the two usual types of actuation, which substantially simplifies stock keeping and mounting.

Abstract: Hydrotherapy-tub multiple slot flow device includes slotted outlets on a body for discharge of fluids from a nozzle in a substantially coplanar flow and in a selected direction. The body is adapted for mounting on an inner surface of a hydrotherapy tub and attachable to first and second fluid supply conduits. Further, the body has a first inlet for flow of a fluid from the first fluid supply conduit and a second inlet for flow of a fluid from the second fluid supply conduit.

Abstract: A bathing transfer apparatus for transferring a person into and out of a bathing device. The bathing transfer apparatus includes a pair of supports. Each of the supports is generally U-shaped and has a two legs and base portion. A pair of rails is each elongate. Each of the rails is fixedly coupled to one of the base portions. The pair of rails define a track. A pair of securing means releasably secures the support portions to a bathing device. Each of the securing means is fixedly coupled to a bar extending between the pair of rails. A chair device includes a seat portion having a top side, a bottom side, a front edge and a back edge and a back support portion, which is fixedly coupled to the back edge of the seat portion. A plurality of wheel assemblies for rolling on the rails is fixedly coupled to the bottom side of the seat portion. The wheel assemblies are positioned such that the wheel assemblies are in communication with the rails.

Abstract: A sink with a basin which affords alternative side-to-side and front-to-back movement of a cutting board over the basin. The sink is preferably employed with a cooking chamber. Various types of cooking utensils can be employed in conjunction with the cutting board.

Abstract: A toilet fill valve includes an outlet pipe associated with a wash basin, an outlet tube associated with a wet-bowl configuration and an outlet assembly for filling the tank of the toilet. A blocking device includes a first plug for blocking the pipe in the absence of a wash basin, and a second plug for blocking the outlet tube in the absence of a wet-bowl configuration. An outlet assembly includes a deflector for directing water against a side wall of the tank, and an aerator for adding turbulence to the water in order to minimize noise associated with filling the tank with water.

Abstract: A headboard for a bed provided with cleats is removably mounting the headboard on a wall above the bed. The headboard has a frame receiving a paneling with a cane cushion, over which a fabric can be drawn and held in place by adhesive strips on the back of the panel. Swivels can lock the panel in place.

Abstract: A playpen includes a looped upper frame disposed above and spaced apart from a looped lower frame in a vertical direction. A plurality of vertical post units bridge the upper and lower frames. A cot has a bottom wall and a surrounding wall that is connected to a periphery of the bottom wall and that extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The surrounding wall has a length in the vertical direction which is shorter than a distance between the upper and lower frames in the vertical direction. The surrounding wall further has a distal top portion formed with a plurality of outwardly folded sections that engage removably the upper frame for suspending the cot thereon such that the bottom wall is disposed above the lower frame.

Abstract: A beach towel-pillow apparatus allowing a user to rest comfortably on a beach towel while his or her head is supported by a cylindrically-shaped pillow, permanently affixed to one end of the towel portion of the apparatus. One or more elastic securing straps are affixed to one end of the apparatus and are used to secure the towel portion when it is wrapped around the pillow thereby allowing for easy storage and transporting of the apparatus. An adjustable carrying strap, much like a belt, is affixed to one end of the pillow allowing for a user to sling the carrying strap over his or her shoulder for easy carrying of the apparatus once the towel has been secured around the pillow by the securing straps. A pillow covering with a zipper hidden from view by a portion of the covering encloses the pillow, allowing for easy insertion and removal of the pillow.

Abstract: A chair bed for supporting a person is provided, the chair bed having a head end, a foot end, and opposing sides. The chair bed includes a frame and a deck supported on the frame. The deck includes head, seat, and foot sections. A mattress is mounted on the deck and has an upwardly-facing patient surface. The mattress also has head, seat, and foot portions corresponding, respectively, to the head, seat, and foot sections of the deck. The head section of the deck and the mattress portion thereon is pivotable from a generally horizontal down position through various positions upwardly to a back-support position. A pair of side rails is mounted on each side of the chair bed. Each pair of side rails includes a body section side rail mounted to move with the deck seat section and extending laterally adjacent the deck head and seat sections and a head section side rail mounted to move with the deck head section relative to the body section side rail and extending adjacent only the deck head section.

Abstract: An assembly of two therapeutic support pillows is provided: one pillow for placement between the thighs and another pillow for placement between the calves of a person resting on his or her side. The shapes of the pillows are carefully designed to closely conform to the shape of the human legs. Means are provided, which do not come between the knees, for connecting the two pillows together. Means are also provided for attaching the pillows to the user's legs.

Abstract: An orthopedic pillow that comprises several components of varying densities, which in combination provide improved and more immediate comfortable support for the head and neck region, while enhancing the multi-alignment features for the spine, head, and neck of a user in back-lying and side-lying body positions, and do not require the user to endure a break-in period to allow the pillow to conform to the shape of the user's head. The pillow comprises a firm core comprising a first and second lengthwise edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a recess located on the top surface of the core; a layer of soft, viscoelastic foam located within the recess; a layer of soft, Dacron fiber located along a top surface of the layer of foam; and a soft, C-shaped layer of viscoelastic foam wrapped around the core, whereby the C-shaped layer of foam covers the first lengthwise edge of the core, the bottom surface of the core, and the second lengthwise edge of the core.

Abstract: A therapeutic head cradle apparatus has a pair of lateral side support members positioned to support the back, front or side of the head. Weight of the head will apply acupressure and shiatsu pressure to various pressure points located in the head area. Elastomeric cushion layers of different densities allow Chinese self-massage while the head is rolled side to side. A means to adjust the distance between the lateral support members is provided. Magnetic therapy and a sound system may also be part of the head cradle apparatus.

Abstract: A stress reducing orthopedic pillow having a low density polyurethane foam outer region, a high density polyurethane foam middle region that are provided in both a unitary embodiment and in an embodiment that includes removably attachable layers, so that the size of the device may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and preferences of individual users. The pillow advantageously includes leg clasps for securely engaging the inner thighs of an individual in a side lying position, the clasps including a stem and a pair of crescent shaped buttresses. The buttresses resist rotation to the prone and supine lying positions. The foam within the stem separates the knees to reduce spinal stress. Advantageously, a supine sleeping position is accommodated by positioning said pillow under the legs to flatten out the spine while supporting the legs at the thigh and calf regions.

Abstract: A 3-layer venting mattress structure comprised of a steel fiber layer sandwiched by net layers sewn on its periphery. Both upper and lower net layers are made of fiber or non-woven with interlaced mesh for venting purposes. The steel layer between the fiber layers is made of high-strength steel yarn lop-sided woven in a spiral and continuous fashion to provide a mattress that allows excellent air permeability and tensile strength with sufficient capability to withstand local area loads. Therefore, the present invention solves the poor ventilation problem of the prior art, achieves the evenly distributed load susceptibility of the mattress, and provides an innovative type of space arrangement.

Abstract: A surface pad apparatus for a surgical table includes a body pad section positioned to lie beneath at least the torso and the thighs of the patient. The body pad section includes an upwardly-facing top surface and spaced-apart, elongated first and second sides. The apparatus also includes longitudinally extending first and second arm pad sections positioned to lie adjacent to the first and second sides of the body pad section and positioned to lie beneath the arms of the patient. Each arm pad section includes a top surface that is generally coplanar with the top surface of the body pad section.

Abstract: A scraper having a blade with a scraping end and a connecting end with two orifices, a plastic handle having two orifices corresponding to those orifices on the connecting end of the blade, a slot for mounting the connecting end of the blade, and two inserting grooves, and a hammering head with two flat pins having orifices corresponding to the orifice in the handle. The combined members are fastened by inserting two screws in the two orifices. The screw inserted into the orifice near the hammering head may be a hollow screw which can be used as a hanging hole. A screwing tip may be positioned on the hammering head.

Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning system including a storage tank containing a liquified gas derived from a liquifiable gas, a pressure vessel for containing a liquid bath derived from the liquifiable gas, and a circulating system for transporting the liquified gas between the storage tank and the pressurized vessel. The pressurized vessel includes a compressor mounted in a wall structure of the vessel for use in evacuating a gaseous form of the liquifiable gas released from the liquid bath during a cleaning cycle. Positioning of the compressor in this manner allows heat generated during each compression stroke of the compressor to be directed to the interior of pressure vessel to minimize the effects of a temperature decrease incident to the gaseous evacuation.

Abstract: In the case of an arrangement on which it is possible to walk and/or drive and which is intended for bridging over and/or under, for example, roads, comprising a bottom member (1) which is connected, via cross-struts (2), to handrails (10) and/or a top flange (3), the intention is for a cross-strut (2) to comprise, at least in part, a box profile.

Abstract: A hand held video display screen cleaning tool has a body with a bottom cleaning portion secured to a top gripping portion. A cleaning element is secured to the bottom portion for dusting and removing static charge from a video display screen by pressing elongated bristles on the cleaning element against and dragging the elongated bristles a multiple of times across the video display screen.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle provided with a rigid curve wire axle at one end. A hollow shank and toothbrush head rotatable and snugly fit to the axle. In the configuration shown bristles on the head are concave. The bristle formation can be made convex by rotating the shank on the axle by 180°.

Abstract: A rotary brush including an elongated handle and brush head and a rotary swivel joint between the handle and brush head allowing the brush to rotate to reach hard to access places when used for cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel porous polymeric device (101) (103) (105) (107) (109) (111) (113), e.g., an ultraclean brush. The device includes an elongated foam member (101, 103), which has an outer surface for removing residual particles from a surface of a substrate. Among other features, the elongated foam member includes a polyvinyl alcohol bearing compound, where the elongated foam member has a calcium ion impurity concentration of less than about 1 part per million. Accordingly, the present device is much cleaner than conventional devices.

Abstract: A device for removing peened material from within a groove on the face of a golf club and for restoring the groove to a desired shape is disclosed. The groove cleaning device includes a handle and a blade. The blade includes a body mounted to the handle and further includes a protruding portion terminating in a tip. A portion of the tip defines a cutting portion having a cross-section generally conforming to the desired groove shape. Accordingly, in response to movement of the blade along the groove, the cutting portion removes the peened material from the groove and thereby restores the groove to the desired shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a chamber is disclosed. Scraping blades are rotatably mounted within a chamber and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chamber. The scraping blades are rotated circumferentially within the chamber, scraping the inner surface of the chamber to prevent the buildup of particulate matter. An annular gear assembly provides mounting support for the scraping blades. A pneumatically operated pushrod assembly rotates the scraping blades circumferentially within the chamber. The annular gear assembly and pushrod assembly do not obstruct a direct path through the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for a home workshop to collect wood dust from a plurality of locations and deposit the dust in a central container. The apparatus consists of a tubing manifold, running along the wall of the workshop, with multiple connection points for tools. The manifold contains a vacuum tee fitting that allows the vacuum source to be connected in the middle of the manifold, rather than at one of the ends, without sacrificing collection efficiency. This reduces the average length of the suction path to the tools, further enhancing collection efficiency, and allows location of the vacuum source where convenient.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing and dispensing a vacuum hose of a central vacuum system. The apparatus comprises a base frame, a basket pivotally mounted on a thrust bearing affixed to the base frame, and a conduit rigidly held above the basket relative to the base frame and extending along the pivotal axis of the basket. When a vacuum hose is inserted downward inside the conduit and into the basket, the weight and resiliency of the hose causes the basket to rotate for coiling the hose therein without twisting it. The hose is thereby neatly stowable between uses. In another aspect, the base frame and the basket are installed beneath the floor of a house and the conduit extends upwardly into a wall cabinet above the main floor of the house and near a vacuum inlet socket of the central vacuum system.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning system in which an extraction blower is driven by a hydraulic circuit including a pump driven by the engine of the transport vehicle and a motor connected to the blower. The improvement comprises a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the hydraulic circuit to liquid extracted by the vacuum created by the blower.

Abstract: A portable air blower includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan rotatably mounted in the housing, a gear train attached to the housing to rotate the fan, a drive shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the gear train to operate the gear train, and a crank arm secured to the second end of the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft manually.

Abstract: A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member is provided. The hinge comprises a hinge housing connected to one of the first and second members. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, with the shaft being connected to the other of the first and second members. A cam is located on the shaft. A rotatable roller is located in the housing adjacent to the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller. Contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft. A portable computer is also provided having a self-latching hinge located between the display housing and the processor housing.

Abstract: The invention is a box hinge comprising a pair of identical hinge members pivotably secured by a sequestered pin captured within a bore in each hinge member. The identical hinge members are cylindrical with a rounded end from which a spherical quadrant has been removed and which has been partially and centrally bored. Each bore extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge member and perpendicular to the plane defined by the flat surface of the remaining spherical quadrant. The pin box hinge is formed by inserting one half of the sequestered pin in the bore of each hinge member such that the flat surfaces of both spherical quadrants are coplanar. In an alternative embodiment, the pin sequestration bores are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the hinge members, which rotate about that longitudinal axis. Jigs for preparing boxes and lids to receive the hinges, and methods of installation, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of forming discrete length fibers, a first engagement member is moved in orbit relative to a second engagement member. A continuous fiber is positioned between the first and second engagement members. The fiber is engaged between the first and second engagement members to cut it into discrete length fibers.

Abstract: The spinning cylinder for drafting systems comprises a cylindrical roll body (1) forming a sliding bearing together with a sliding bearing bush (3) which is slid on and axially fixed. The sliding bearing bush (3) includes a cylindrical socket (4) made of tubular plastic material or plastic compound onto which an elastomeric covering (5) has been extruded.

Abstract: An end fastener for attaching the end of an eyeglass holder cord to a temple leg of eyeglasses, said end fastener comprising a body of elastomeric material having an elongated tubular shape and a hollow core, including a base and at least one open end, and having a long axis defined through said base and said open end, said axis running through the center of said hollow core, said open end being adapted to receive a temple leg of eyeglasses, said base having means for connecting said body at said base to said end of a holder cord, said means for connecting comprising a hole extending completely through said body substantially orthogonally to said axis in the region of said base.

Abstract: A clothing protective device which is particularly adapted to be worn by a person, such as a man, woman or child, and which in particular will assist in the protection of clothing while dining. In essence, the device is essentially in the form of a so-called napkin holder which can be readily transported in a clothing pocket or a purse and which is imparted a large number of uses in addition to being merely a clothing protective device.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener includes manually separable male and female assemblies, the female assembly including a movable lock member freely slidably positioned thereon and a lock release button movably mounted thereto. The fastener also includes a male assembly including a magnetic member, the male assembly being engageable with the lock release button. The movable lock member has an opening formed therein within which a portion of the male assembly is positionable such that, in a locked position, the movable member is shiftable to a position in proximity with the magnetic member and, upon engagement of the release button with the male assembly, the movable member is shiftable to a position spaced from the magnetic member. A method of fastening the fastener is also described. The location of the magnetic member and movable metal lock member are capable of being switched such that the magnetic member is slidable in a direction towards the metal lock member which is fixed in position within the male assembly.

Abstract: A zipper assembly is provided having a first profile and a second profile having interlocking members facing each other. Each of the profiles has an extension on a surface directed toward the other profile and disposed between its interlocking member and a lower distal end from which the zipper may be sealed to a bag. A slider may be disposed about the zipper assembly for engaging and disengaging the profiles.