Abstract: An exercising apparatus adapted to simulate cross country skiing, comprising a pair of foot carrying platforms guided and constrained to roll in parallel, opposed reciprocatory motions. Simulated ski poles are guided at their bottom ends for back and forth strokes parallel to the foot platforms, resisted backwardly by elastic restraining cords. According to one aspect of the invention, a standard four legged walking aid may be utilized instead of the ski poles, for use of the apparatus by the infirm.

Abstract: A holder and dispenser for a bathroom tissue roll comprising a stationary, unrotatable spindle extending perpendicularly away from the bathroom wall. The spindle is not removed from the holder to install the roll. A retractable member is provided to retain the roll upon the spindle in freely rotatable relation thereto. The roll retainer is releasably attached to the end of the spindle as by Velcro patches, and may be rotated away from the spindle to allow unimpeded installation of the roll therearound. The holder and dispenser is advantageously constructed substantially of a monolithic plastic molding comprising the spindle and a plate adapted to be secured to the bathroom wall.

Abstract: A blowgun assembly and associated darts capable of long range accurate target application, comprising an elongate launching tube of exceptionally light weight, high rigidity, and dimensional stability along with an associated mouthpiece and a dart quiver affixed to the tube. The darts comprise a metallic wire shaft with an affixed bulbous member at the rear end which serves as an air piston for dart propulsion and also as a stabilizing member during flight of the dart. The blowgun is proportioned so that the dart is propelled by a brief comfortable puff of air into the mouthpiece by the user, without significant strain. Therefore the blowgun assembly is extremely comfortable to use and very accurate so that its sporting use in very enjoyable.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite structure comprising wire mesh and concrete. The longitudinal wires of a section of such wire mesh are formed together into a repeating sinuous pattern perpendicular to the transverse wires, so that the alternate transverse wires together comprise two groups each in one of two parallel spaced apart planes. A flat section of similar mesh is placed against each of these groups. Each of the flat sections of mesh and the juxtaposed group of transverse wires of the formed mesh are in turn placed together to be cured, into first and second layers of wet concrete mixes in suitable forms to produce the composite concrete-steel network structure. The relatively light weight structure may be utilized for floor, ceiling or roof slabs, and for column load bearing wall panels.

Abstract: An improvement for a steering differential for a tracked vehicle comprising a liquid cooled, hydraulically operated disc brake, two of which are normally used upon the differential to brake and steer the vehicle. A number of stationary discs are keyed internally to a brake body, with a number of rotating discs dispersed therebetween and splined to a braking axle of the differential, the rotating and stationary discs being hydraulically compressed together to apply braking torque to the braking axle. Oil or other suitable liquid is pumped through the brake body and radially through grooves on the faces of the discs to prevent excessive heating of the discs and the brake.

Abstract: A toy airplane adapted to be hand launched into free flight using an elastic band, the airplane being adapted to automatically perform a looping maneuver distantly from the launch point. A forward rigid wing section is provided, being integral with a rearward downwardly flexible wing section having an elevator section upturned along its trailing edge. The plane is adapted to initially dive shallowly after launch, and to thereafter turn upwardly into a complete looping maneuver, to glide thereafter in a nose-up attitude to a tail-down skidding landing. The remoteness of the maneuver from the operator is an important safety feature of the invention.

Abstract: A precast modular panel suitable for forming at least a portion of a wall or other part of a building, and associated methods of constructing said panel, the panel comprising lightweight, high strength, water resistant concrete achieved by a unique combination of lightweight aggregates and structural additives, said concrete therefore exhibiting high structural strength and high insulative properties. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the panel comprises a layer of lightweight high strength concrete possessing high insulative properties combined with a layer of lightweight concrete particularly selected to enhance the composite insulative properties of the panel. The panel may be constructed with a minimum of labor and with maximum utilization of available forms and the like and may carry provisions for its ready connection with other similar panels, and with other building structures.

Abstract: A vehicle drawn snow tiller for loosening, cutting, grinding, packing and leveling a wide path of snow for improved, more enjoyable skiing. The tiller comprises an elongate rotary snow cutter assembly with radially projecting snow cutting blades distributed over the length and about the circumference of a cutter tube directly powered by reversible hydraulic motors, one mounted upon each of its ends. The snow is cut, selectably, in or away from the direction of travel of the tiller over the snow. An elongate apron disposed over the cutter assembly collects and directs the loose cut snow onto the surface behind the cutter assembly, where it is compacted by the apron and finally leveled and smoothed by a horizontal grooming bar on the trailing edge of the apron. According to one aspect of the invention, an elongate snow splitting baffle may be disposed above the cutter to deflect a portion of the cut snow forward to fall again into the path of the reversely rotating cutter for additional cutting and grinding.

Abstract: A variable wing plow blade and mounting structure for attaching the plow blade to a tractor, snow grooming vehicle, and the like feature distribution of the load on the blade over a relatively wide area of the supporting structural members thereby to permit reduction in their size, weight and number and in their manufacturing and assembling costs while maintaining the essential structural strength, and are further characterized in the attainment of improved performance and utility in respect of independence of the plow blade height and pitch or roll, tilt and wing blade adjustments, and greater freedom of movement of the wing blades of the plow blade, both forwardly and rearwardly, from a position of alignment with the center section of the plow blade.

Abstract: A chiropractic table comprising a cushioned platform upon which a patient is positioned pronely for treatment, a strip of sanitary paper in rolled supply and covering a portion of the face cushions transversely, and a manually releasable paper retainer clamping the full width of the free end of the rolled strip. The free end of the paper strip is clamped between an elongate, tubular clamping member normally urged by suitable springs towards bearing upon a matching elongate surface of a base member, which is secured to a side of the base of the face cushions opposite the paper supply roll. A handle is provided by which the springs are manually overridden to release the paper, to allow the used portion of the paper to be drawn through the retainer off the cushions to be replaced by a fresh portion, the handle then being released so that the paper is again clamped. The table may be of the tilting or stationary type.

Abstract: An endless crawler track for a tracked vehicle, having particular utility in applications where snow to be traversed by the vehicle is hard or icy, includes low disturbance track cleats that are spaced three to five inches apart and are bolted crosswise to the belting of the track. The cleats are characterized by having a generally triangular oval cross section so that as the belting travels upward from the rear wheel around the drive sprocket at the rear of the vehicle, each cleat emerges from the imprint made in the snow without chunking and flinging of snow. The track features a novel ice calk attached to every third or fourth track cleat for preventing sideways sliding of the vehicle on ice.

Abstract: A free standing yarn holder and dispenser comprising a floor contacting base, an upstanding stem supporting a capital with outstanding, spaced apart circumferential hooks, and one or more bags each adapted to contain a skein of yarn and to be held generally vertically by one of the hooks. The bags are each preferably proportioned to retain the skein with its longitudinal axis disposed generally vertically, so that the yarn strand may be withdrawn freely as required by the knitter through an upwardly disposed perforation provided through the wall of the bag. The dispenser relieves the knitter of vexatious tangling of the individual yarn strands and jumbling of the skeins.

Abstract: A plumb guide for facilitating the laying of end bricks or other masonry units of a tier successively in true vertical alignment without the use of spirit levels and the like. The guide is adapted to be removably attached at selectable points on the usual bricklayer's gage line. A flat surface of the guide is disposed perpendicularly to the gage line, serving as a reference for the placement of end units in successive layers about windows, fireplaces and the like.

Abstract: In an evaporation type air cooler, the improvement comprising a heat exchanger wherein circulating liquid is cooled by the evaporatively cooled air and subsequently used to air condition occupant space without humidity increase, and associated air ducting and flow controls. The improvement is also adapted to be used as a space heater utilizing hot water in the heat exchanger, and to utilize hot attic or external air to aid in heating water for occupant use.

Abstract: For a track laying vehicle, a convertible chassis comprising endless track driving sprocket wheels and track guide bogie wheel assemblies, both mountable upon the vehicle to accommodate wide or narrow endless tracks selectably, the sprocket wheels being reversibly mountable upon the sprocket drive shafts of the vehicle using flanges axially offset from the track engaging teeth of the sprocket wheel, and the bogie assemblies being mountable at selectable locations upon elongated cross-members secured to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A precast modular panel suitable for forming at least a portion of a wall or other part of a building comprising a layer of lightweight high strength concrete. The lightweight aggregates comprise scoria to impart strength to the concrete, in cooperation with especially selected pumice to provide water resistance and high insulative properties, along with chopped fiberglass to enhance the structural strength, so that the lightweight concrete possesses strengths fully comparable to those of many concretes for structural uses. The insulative properties of the lightweight concrete contrasts very favorably to those of other lightweight concretes, and with conventional structural concrete. The panel may be so constructed as to require no subsequent decorative finishing.

Abstract: A variable wing plow blade and mounting structure for attaching the plow blade to a tractor, snow grooming vehicle, and the like feature distribution of the load on the blade over a relatively wide area of the supporting structural members thereby to permit reduction in their size, weight and number and in their manufacturing and assembling costs while maintaining the essential structural strength, and are further characterized in the attainment of improved performance and utility in respect of independence of the plow blade height and pitch or roll, tilt and wing blade adjustments, and greater freedom of movement of the wing blades of the plow blade, both forwardly and rearwardly, from a position of alignment with the center section of the plow blade.

Abstract: An endless crawler track for a tracked vehicle, having particular utility in applications where snow to be traversed by the vehicle is hard or icy, includes low disturbance track cleats that are spaced three to five inches apart and are bolted crosswise to the belting of the track. The cleats are characterized by having a generally triangular oval cross section so that as the belting travels upward fron the rear wheel around the drive sprocket at the rear of the vehicle, each cleat emerges from the imprint made in the snow without chunking and flinging of snow. The track features a novel ice calk attached to every third or fourth track cleat for preventing sideways sliding of the vehicle on ice.

Abstract: An improved smoking water pipe or bong comprising a chamber containing water in its lower portion, its upper portion serving as a smoke collection reservoir; a bowl for combusting tobacco or medicinal herbs, the smoke directed through a tube to the water chamber below the water; a finger controllable orifice for admitting air through a tube to a point below the surface of the water; and a mouth piece for applying suction to the interior of the chamber to inhale the smoke. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a separate second chamber may be provided as the smoke reservoir, appropriate fluid communication tubes being provided between the chambers, and the smoke reservoir carrying the mouthpiece. The disclosed water pipe or bong permits the control of atmospheric air to function and a gas piston to move the smoke in the smoke reservoir uniformly and without dilution into the mouth of the smoker, and to provide a following draught of cooled and moistened air.