Abstract: An interconnecting sound attenuating enclosure (20) that incorporates a detachable structural frame (22) made of thermoplastic pipe (34) with slip-in fittings (36), thus providing joints that are dissembled for transportation and storage. A set of walls, doors and a top consisting of individual panels (48) covered with fabric bags (58) are attached to the outside of the structural frame (22) to form the enclosure (20). The sound produced within the enclosure (20) is attenuated to a sufficient degree to be acceptable by others nearby.

Abstract: A snap-on automotive grille overlay (10) that is formed with a thin-walled overlay body (20) configured to duplicate an existing automotive grille when nested thereupon. The overlay body (20) includes an essentially rectangular peripheral border (22) that incorporates a rim (24) extending inward from the border periphery. One or more horizontal slats (28) and vertical bars (26) are formed within the border rim to form an ornamental design that mates with a vehicle existing grille. A plurality of inward-protruding clips (32) are integrally formed within the slats and bars for connecting the grille to the vehicle. The clips are beveled (34) on an interior surface (36) and yield sufficiently to permit deflection over a vehicle grille, thus allowing the grille overlay to be snapped into place.

Abstract: A swimmers paddle wheel (10) that utilizes a crankshaft (20) with a pair of ends (22,24) containing crank arms (28). Each crank arm (28) is out of angular alignment relative to each other, and each crank arm includes a handle grip (46) with a rotating cylinder (48) and a resilient hand grip (50) such that a swimmer may grasp a handle grip (46) with each hand and rotate the crankshaft (20). Floats (52,54) are disposed on each end (22,24) of the crankshaft (20), with the floats (52,54) having a plurality of paddle blades (56) extending outward to provide propulsion when manually rotated within a body of water. A removable swimmer seat (64) is attached to the crankshaft (20) and is used to support a swimmer when stationary in the water or when the paddle blades (56) are rotated.

Abstract: An intake or exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine has a rocker arm with a pivot between its ends, one end of which is engaged by the pushrod, and the other end engages the valve stem. An adjustable stop has two positions for the rocker arm pivot; a rest position where there is no movement of the pivot, and an upper lock position where the pivot moves in response to the pushrod, and there is a reduction in the opening of the valve. A progressive rate spring compresses as the pivot moves towards the upper lock position, thereby modulating valve opening for relatively slow start (or stop) of valve stroke with accelerating (or decelerating stroke), as the progressive rate spring compresses (or expands). Relatively thinner and thicker Belleville springs are used in series to produce a progressive rate spring. The lock position of the pivot elevated above the rest position is determined by a hydraulic block trapping oil in a closed chamber.

Abstract: A portable modular safety rail (20) is taught for protecting workers during building construction and remodeling. The invention in the preferred embodiment consists of two upright stanchions (22) having a flat mounting plate (36) on the bottom which is removably attached with fasteners onto a building. A number of connection members, in the form of round rings (46), protrude from the sides of each stanchion. Two adjustable length rails (56) that are rigid and telescope together engage the connection members on each end with pivotal attachment means consisting of safety snap pins (68) that fasten the rails with the assembly forming the safety rail module. The safety rail module may be horizontal when the stanchions are attached to a level surface or may be angled to accommodate stairs. A second embodiment substitutes chains (64) instead of the adjustable telescoping rails.

Abstract: A co-generation turbocharged turbine system that utilizes a gas turbine (10) connecting the exhaust to a turbocharger (24) to introduce pressurized air into the inlet of the turbine for improving power and efficiency. A second embodiment places a work load (22) on an extension of the same power shaft (30), thereby connecting both the turbocharger driven rotor and drive rotor together in the form of an extended power shaft (30?). The turbocharger is in fluid communication from the gas turbine exhaust and is connected to the gas turbine air intake from the drive rotor of the turbocharger. A third embodiment consists of the same elements as the second embodiment except the work load (34) is driven by a turbocharger double-extended power shaft (30?) which extends from a vapor generating sub-system that has been added to the invention.

Abstract: An embellished vehicle trailer hitch-ball assembly (10) that is comprised of an upper ball receptor (12) having an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16) that is integrally molded to a frame attachment platform (18) from where extends a threaded mounting rod (20). The mounting rod (20) is inserted into a frame bore (28) located on a rear vehicle frame (26) and tightened by a mounting nut (22). On the upper surface (14) of the upper ball receptor (12) is located an embellishment element consisting of at least one LED that is illuminated by a source of electrical power supplied by a vehicle electrical circuit (44). The power applied to the at least one LED is controlled by either a manually operated power switch (64) or when the vehicle's brake pedal is depressed.

Abstract: An adjustable receiver hitch (20) for receiving a hitch ball mounted, trailer ball mount that is attached onto the frame of a motor vehicle for pulling a trailer. A pair of frame mounting brackets (22) are configured for attachment onto the frame of the motor vehicle, with each mounting bracket further having flanges (24), lightening holes (28), and a plurality of bracket thru-holes (26). A pair of hitch mounting arms (30) are connected to the frame mounting brackets and interface with a selected set of the holes (28) for height adjustment of the receiver hitch relative to the motor vehicle frame. A box hitch (44) is adjustably attached onto each mounting arm by inserting the arms into a tubular sleeve (50) or (52) which is a connecting element of the box hitch. A receiver box (48) is connected on the lower surface of the tubular sleeve for receiving the hitch ball mounted on the trailer ball mount.

Abstract: A four position gate latch (20) that is used to fasten and lock a gate. The gate latch includes a self fastening gravity gate latch (22) that is fastened to one face of the gate. A gate latch bracket (28) is fastened to the gate on an opposed face, mating with said gate latch. A latch striker bar slideably extends from the bracket such that the striker bar interfaces with the gate latch and links the gate portions together. A locking bolt (60) slideably extends though the bracket, allowing it to interface with the gate latch and provide positive locking capabilities. The gate latch is capable of being placed in a self fastening gravity gate latch conventional position, a locked position with the locking bolt penetrating a padlock hole, an unlatched position that permits the gate to swing inward on the gate latch side without interference, and a free-swinging position that permits the gate to pivot in both directions.

Abstract: A spoked wheel spinner (20) that is used on an automotive wheel (22) that includes an adapter plate (24) that is mounted onto the automotive wheel (22) with a spinner bearing (26) retained within the adapter plate. A spinner shaft (30) is positioned onto the bearing with a bladed spinner (38) attached onto the spinner shaft. This arrangement permits the bladed spinner (38) to freely rotate independent of the automotive wheel. A cap bearing (50) is located on the spinner shaft (30) with a non-rotating cap (52) interfacing with the cap bearing. The non-rotating cap (52) includes a counter-weight (60) on the bottom edge so that when the automotive wheel (22) is rotating, the cap remains in a relatively fixed position without rotating. A cover (64) having indicia is attached to the cap permitting writing, symbols, designs and the like to be displayed.

Abstract: A spring-loaded compression cable grab (20) that is used for cinching and attaching a wire rope cable to a fixed object. The cable grab consists of a hollow cylindrical chuck (26) having a tapered socket (32) and a pair of bifurcated arms (40) attached to the sides. A collet (46) is disposed within the tapered socket that includes a bore (48) within, having an inside diameter compatible with a wire rope cable. A hollow chuck cap (54) is attached to the chuck with a compression spring (60) disposed within the chuck between the collet and the chuck cap, which urges the collet into the tapered socket. The grab functions such that after a cable has been inserted into the chuck first end and is manually cinched tightly, the collet firmly grips a wire rope cable on the bore in the collet when a cable is pulled in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A rotary motion powered system for energizing light emitting diodes is taught that utilizes a permanent magnet generator (20) located within a vehicle wheel (64) for producing the requisite electric power. The generator consists of two main elements: a rotating portion (26) and a stationary portion (28). The rotating portion utilizes a base (30) that is attached directly to an adapter base (72) attached to the vehicle wheel, and the stationary portion includes a counter weight (62), thus permitting this portion to remain horizontal when the wheel is rotating. An ac/dc bridge rectifier (22) is in electrical communication with the generator output to change the alternating current produced by the permanent magnet generator to direct current. A number of light emitting diodes are disposed within a vehicle wheel member and are powered by the direct current power, thereby producing an unusual and unique visual effect when the wheel is rotating.

Abstract: A collapsible cross-arm dolly for conveyance of weighted articles. The dolly consists of an upper arm (20) and a lower arm (24) of square metallic tubing, with each formed with a horizontal offset center portion (22) and (26) and with a pair of casters (30) that are attached at each end of both arm's lower surface. The horizontal offset center portion (22) is formed in opposite hand or mirror image of each other, thus permitting them to nest together and are both oppositely flattened to allow nesting on the same horizontal plane. A pivot junction (32) is mutually disposed between the arms, thereby permitting the dolly to form a pivotal right angle cross position (36), or alternatively, a pivotal parallel arm collapsed position (38). A gravity-actuated restraint (50) locks and disengages the connection of the upper arm to the lower arm, which permits changing orientation from the right angle cross position (36) to the parallel arm collapsed position (36).

Abstract: A handlebar shock and vibration damper triple clamp (20) for a motorcycle or a bicycle is taught which comprises a handlebar triple clamp body (22) with a pair of clamps that holds the handlebar in isolation from the body. The body has a pair of integral front fork mounting rings (24) positioned on opposite ends, and a pair of upright cradles (26) adjacent to the rings. A lower handlebar clamp (44) is positioned within each cradle such that the clamp is completely segregated from the triple clamp body. Resilient isolation strips (50) and cylinders (52) engage the upright cradles and lower handlebar clamps, thereby providing a pliant interface therebetween. An upper handlebar bridge clamp (60) is disposed above each lower handlebar clamp such that a handlebar may be inserted and compressably retained therebetween, thus decreasing vibration and shock impulses upon the handlebar during operation of the cycle due to the elastic nature of the interface.

Abstract: A portable lower back support (10) having a center section (12), a right articulated section (28) and a left articulated section (44). Both the right (28) and the left (44) articulated sections are attached to each respective side of the center section (12) by an attachment means (66,70) that typically comprises a utility hinge (74). Extending across the front of the right articulated section (28), the center section (12) and the left articulated section (44) is a horizontal front support (82). Extending from the top to the bottom of the center section (12) is a vertical front support (98). Both the horizontal and the vertical front supports (82,98) provide the necessary support for a person's lower back while using the back support (10).