Abstract: A quilting frame apparatus which can be adjusted to a wide range of quilt sizes and easily disassembled to store or carry. Elongate frame side members are slotted to be fastened together at selected locations to a set of legs, to make frames of selected sizes and shapes. Another slot carries spaced apart spikes, by which the quilt sheets are quickly fastened and detached from the frame.

Abstract: A rotation actuated internal lever braking system for bicycles. Braking is applied by rotation of a handle bar grip through a lever system to pull flexible cables operating friction brakes at one or both wheels. A pair of cable pulling units may be provided, each individually controlling a brake on the front or rear wheel. If desired, cables to both wheel brakes may be actuated by a single unit. The units may be designed for selective self locking or self releasing when placed in braking position.

Abstract: A finger ring retainer for safe storage of such rings when temporarily removed from the finger for bathing, dishwashing or the like. The device comprises a base mounted stem with retractable reeds which retain the ring in safe storage position about the stem, a spring loaded plunger being depressed to retract the reeds as the ring is slipped from the finger onto the stem and vice versa.

Abstract: A visual aid device for positioning of a towing vehicle for hitching to a trailer. A vehicle-attachable sighting rod assembly co-operates with a trailer sighting target assembly to guide the vehicle rearwardly into hitching position. Sighting and target rods are so placed as to come together when the vehicle reaches the hitching position. The sighting rod may be attached to be visible along the side of the vehicle, so that an unobstructed rear window is not needed. The target rod is then placed upon the ground to the side of the trailer coupling the same distance that the vehicle sighting rod is from the vehicle coupling. The target assembly may also have another sighting rod, which with the target rod is useful for vehicle direction control, if needed. The assemblies may also be used with the rear window, if it is not visually obstructed. In this case, the target assembly then being attached to the trailer tongue with the target rod rising vertically directly from the coupling to be seen through the window.

Abstract: A drive shaft torque enhancer for internal combustion engines acting through drive shafts, including engine exhaust gas ducting directing the exhaust to impinge upon blades secured radially outstanding from the drive shaft, to impart torque thereto, said enhancer preferably including a housing about the exhaust impingement blades. The torque enhancer is equally applicable to power systems of moving vehicles and stationary power applications. For vehicles, provisions are made for diverting the exhaust gases into the engine's regular exhaust system, triggered by the action of the operator's foot upon the vehicle brake pedal.

Abstract: For a row of bowling type games, a ball return device which assures the return of the proper number of balls to each individual game regardless of where in the row the balls are rolled. A ball collection trough delivers the thrown balls to a ball lift serving a ball return rail with a gate at each individual game. Each gate is controlled by a counting circuit to allow only the correct number of balls to return, through a chute, to each individual game.

Abstract: A face and nose wiper holder for skiers, adapted for attachment to the lower arm of the skier and having a retractable cover exposing the wiper for use by the skier without removal from the holder. The holder is adapted for use of facial tissue sheet wipers or of pre-packaged absorbent pad wipers. According to another aspect of the invention, the wiper holder may be adapted for use upon the wrist of one of the skier's gloves.

Abstract: A wild bee nesting domicile comprising a strip assembly of a flexible backing sheet to which is secured a matching pleated strip, the strip assembly being rolled or wrapped about itself so that the tips of the pleats are in contact with the backing sheet to form closely spaced bee nesting bores. A backing member is secured to the roll to close one end of the nesting bores as preferred by the wild bees. The domicile may be rolled into circular or oblong form, or may comprise a stack of such strips.

Abstract: A golf putter or driver of improved accuracy, having a retractable spike member adapted to be inserted into the sod of the green or fairway to hold the club temporarily unattended in upright position next to the ball to be struck. The golfer may then visually check the club alignment from a vantage point and correct it by rotating the club. The spike is then manually withdrawn from the sod without moving the club and the putt or drive then made. The spike is housed within the hollow shaft of the club and passes through an aligned bore provided through the club head. At the upper end of the elongate spike, a knob or the like is provided for extending and retracting the spike. According to one aspect of the invention, a spring may be incorporated inside the stem to aid in withdrawing the spike from the sod.

Abstract: An electronic human body temperture indicator comprising a thermocouple, the hot junction of which is housed within a tube through which the patient's breath is exhaled. The cold junction is positioned in contact with the ambient air, and an adjacent ambient temperature air sensor is provided. An appropriate electronic package processes thermocouple and air temperature sensor output to provide a display of the patient's peak breath temperature. A breath outlet check valve prevents cross contamination by blocking inhalation through the indicator. A disposable breath inlet tube makes sterilization unnecessary between uses from patient to patient. According to one aspect of the invention, the indicator may be adapted for anesthesiology use, the hot junction then being located in an elbow connecting the gas supply tube and the disposable treachea tube.

Abstract: A passive solar system for temperature control of the air inside homes and other buildings, comprising a pool of water to receive, store and dispense energy from direct sunlight passing through a glass wall, to strike the surface of the water in the pool. The pool has open connecting passage under its bottom and vertically along one of its sides, to form a convective conduit in which cold air is heated by the stored heat of the pool. Adjustable passages are placed through interior walls for convective flow of the pool-heated air into all desired parts of the building. The glass wall is advantageously placed for maximum incidence of heating sunlight upon the pool in winter, and maximum shading of the pool in the summer. A retractable eave may be provided to enhance these effects. During summer days, the pool serves as a heat sink, cooling the interior air.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for conditioning or reconditioning oil well drilling mud, comprising multiple hoppers for holding dry additive. Each hopper has a mechanism permitting the additive to be fed into an entrainment chamber at controlled, pre-selected rates. The additives are thus mixed at controlled rates with a free jet of mud forced across the entrainment chamber, to quickly achieve the desired density, viscosity and other properties of the mud. An augur is used to force the dry additive through an adjustable gate valve to control the additive flow rate. Or, the augur may be rotated at selected rates, and a fixed area additive flow passage employed between the hopper and the entrainment chamber.

Abstract: An open ended ratchet wrench comprising a wrenching disc having a radially disposed open ended nut recess, carrying pivoting tongue ratchet pawls, the disc held between two jaws with ratchet teeth engaged by the pawls. One of the jaws is pivotally retractable for installation and removal of the interchangeable wrenching disc. The handle carrying the jaws may be installed upon or removed from the disc regardless of the position of the nut recess and either laterally or longitudinally in respect to the nut. According to one aspect of the invention, a retractable jaw is pivotally connected to the handle and retained by matching notches in the jaw and the handle. The jaw pivot pin carries an eccentric cam which acts against an appropriately shaped perforation in the retractable jaw to disengage the notches.