Abstract: This invention pertains to a paint brush bristle clamp which can be removed after paint brush use, and facilitates cleaning of paint from the brush. A removable paint brush bristle clamp comprising: (a) a pair of opposed end walls; (b) a first side wall located between the pair of end walls and joined thereto; (c) a second side wall opposed to the first side wall, the second side wall being joined at one end to one of the end walls, the opposite end of the second side wall being free and having a first lip formed thereon; (d) a second lip formed on one end of one of the end walls, adjacent to the lip formed on one edge of the adjacent side wall, said second lip being adapted to mate with the first lip on the side wall to thereby provide an opening and closing action.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable back support comprising a base plate, cushion means attached to the base plate: the cushion means having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a pair of laterally spaced extremities, the base plate having an arcuate shape in transverse section thereby enabling the extremities to provide lateral support: the lower portion further comprising expansion means, the expansion means enabling the contour of the cushion to be varied.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrometallurgical process for the treatment of mercury contaminated muds. More particularly, this process pertains to a hydrometallurgical process for the treatment of Environmental Protection Agency designated K106 muds discharged from a mercury chlor-alkali plant.

Abstract: A ring blade for cutting or for defensive purposes comprises a ring with a top section and a movable crown member mounted in this top section. The ring is adapted for placement on a person's finger. The crown member has an elongate slot formed therein and a blade member is arranged in this slot. First and second pin members are provided to pivot the blade member from a retracted position where the blade is located in the slot to an extended position where the blade is exposed. The blade member is connected to the top section by one of the pin members and it is connected to the crown member by the other pin member. Movement of the crown member towards the top section causes the pin members to pivot the blade member to the extended position. Preferably the top section has a V-shaped cavity and the crown member is also V-shaped so as to fit inside this cavity.

Abstract: A security lock for a door used to open and close an opening defined by a door frame, the door having a reciprocable bolt movable into and out of a hole in the door frame. The lock comprises an elongate lock member having a flat end section with a central opening at one end of the lock member and a shank portion at the opposite end thereof. The flat end section is insertable between an edge of the door and the door frame. A hook element is connected to this end section and is located adjacent the central opening so as to project into the hole in the door frame during use of the lock. An integral tongue element has one end thereof connected to the shank portion and has a door engaging portion biased by spring action to move from a first position where the door can be opened or closed to a second position where the door is blocked and prevented from opening. Preferably the lock is made from spring steel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel finger toothbrush. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique toothbrush which can fit on a finger of a user for brushing the teeth of the user or the teeth of another human being or animal. The invention comprises a base portion with a plurality of bristles secured in and protruding from the base. A first curved finger gripping device extends from a first side of the base away from the bristles with a second curved finger gripping device extending from a second side of the base away from the bristles. Friction enhancing device are formed in the interior facing surfaces of the first and second finger gripping device.

Abstract: A mattress pad or cover is disclosed for a conventional inner-spring or foam type mattress. The mattress cover has a quilted cover portion and a downwardly depending peripheral skirt that wraps around the mattress to hold the cover portion in place. The skirt has elastic sewn around its lower peripheral edge to keep the skirt tucked under the mattress. The cover portion has a first thick layer of fiberfill and a second conterminous thin layer of fiberfill. A metalized film is needle-punched to the thin fiberfill layer and a fabric cover envelops a fiberfill and film layers.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor having base, emitter and undoped amorphous silicon collector regions formed on a crystalline silicon substrate. A p-n junction is formed in the substrate, beneath the collector region. A single such transistor may be configured as a static memory device which may be reversibly switched between stable first and second states by applying a voltage of about 8 to 10 volts to the collector and by selectively applying positive or negative pulses of about .+-.0.75 volts to the base.

Abstract: Current manual vacuum sanders do not adequately capture dust from around the edges of the sander. The present invention provides a back-up pad for a vacuum hand sanding device for sanding a working surface, where the device is of the type comprising a tailpiece for connecting a source of vacuum, a base for attaching a back-up pad and screw clamps for releasably attaching an abrasive, air-permeable sheet.

Abstract: An alignment mechanism for aligning a twin container spreader for simultaneous engagement with two containers positioned beneath the spreader. A frame is connected between the spreader's main beams to position two cross beams transversely across the main beams. Twist-lock devices are provided on each end of each cross beam and on each outer end of each main beam. First and second biasing mechanisms are respectively connected between the first and second cross beams and the frame, with a third biasing mechanism connected between the two cross beams. If either container is mis-aligned, the corresponding twist-locks on the cross beams will not be aligned over the corresponding corner fittings on the top inner ends of the containers. However, the biasing mechanisms compensate by permitting the cross-beams to shift in three dimensions, thus realigning the twist-locks as they penetrate the corner fittings.

Abstract: An improved cable splice of the type in which first and second ends of a casing taper conically toward the casing's longitudinal axis. First and second cable-receiving apertures are provided in the respective first and second ends of the casing. A first set of cable-gripping jaws is disposed within the first end of the casing; and, a second set of cable-gripping jaws is disposed within the second end of the casing. At least one spring is provided within the casing, between the jaws, to urge the first and second jaws toward the first and second apertures respectively. A first plug is positioned within the inner end of the first set of jaws to bias the first set of jaws against the spring by forcing the jaws radially outwardly. A second plug is positioned within the inner end of the second set of jaws to bias the second set of jaws against the spring by forcing the jaws radially outwardly. The plugs are free of connection to the jaws.

Abstract: A simple joint is disclosed for detachably connecting structural members. The connection is made with a resilient T-shaped tongue on a first member which can be engaged in a T-shaped slot on a second member. The tongue is engaged in the slot by rotating it about its axis. Rotation of the tongue causes the end of the tongue to be drawn into the slot by wedging action between the tongue and sloped inner surfaces of the slot. The first and second members are held tightly together by tension which is developed in the tongue as the tongue is drawn into the slot. The invention is well adapted for use in many fields which require parts to be detachably connected to one another such as constructing panel display systems, building modular cabinets or shelving units and building modular furniture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring towed vehicles, such as trailers and the like, which are not visible in a rear view mirror of a tow vehicle. The method consists of, firstly, attaching markers to a towed vehicle such that the markers are visible on each side of a towing vehicle to which the towed vehicle is coupled. Secondly, projections are attached to each side of the towing vehicle. The projections are positioned on each side of the towing vehicle so that the projections are in respective linear alignment with the markers when viewed from respective side mounted rear view mirrors of the towing vehicle. When the markers cease to be in linear alignment with the projections during driving, the driver of the towing vehicle is alerted that there has been an alteration in the positioning of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle, thereby indicating a problem requiring a stoppage of the vehicles.

Abstract: A security-printing device comprising: (i) a substrate; (ii) a toner image adhered to said substrate; and, (iii) a layer of an optically variable material adhered solely to said toner image, whereby said optically variable material is selected to provide a distinct visual appearance and is not readily reproducible or readily available in the general market-place.

Abstract: A cigarette holder for use on an ashtray is provided. Opposed cylinders rotate and move freely within opposite compartments to grip the cigarette, but are constrained to extend from opposite open ends of such compartments a distance which leaves a minimum separation between the cylinders which is less than the diameter of a cigarette.