Abstract: A tile-grout applicator for expeditiously applying grout to tile after it has been layed such as on a tile, marble and slate floor or the like, comprising a lightweight, rigid elongated blade mounting member, a somewhat flexible grout applicator blade removably connectable to said support member, and a handle connected at substantially a 35 degree angle to said blade support member such that when the support portion of the blade support member is parallel to the horizontal, the handle forms approximately a 35 degree angle. The support member includes a blade-retaining bar which projects at substantially a 90 degree angle to the support member along the midportion of the support member in a downward direction such that a groove disposed in the flexible applicator blade receives the protruding area on the support member to allow the resilient blade to become affixed to the support member.

Abstract: An improved tamborine which includes an arcuate frame having a plurality of jingle members affixed to the frame, the frame including a grasping portion disposed at or near the center of gravity of the rim such that the tamborine may be comfortably held for long periods of time. The handle may include a padded portion and may be disposed close to the geometrical center of the rim, as desired.

Abstract: A safety device for a crib which provides an indicating light or alarm to alert a person to the fact that the crib gate is in a down position, to prevent the leaving of a child in a crib with the gate down and to insure that the crib gate is up and locked whenever the supervising person leaves the area or room. The device includes an illumination element and/or audible beeper having a switch that engages a structural portion of the crib gate when the gate is in a down position. The device may be readily installed on a conventional crib and may also provide subdued background lighting to allow observation of a child in the crib without disturbing the infant in the crib.

Abstract: An undergarment for athletic activities such as bicycling, horseback riding, jogging, or the like which provides a thin padded area for protecting the crotch from discomfort, uplift support for the buttocks, and firming of the skin of the lower torso area. The undergarment is comprised of a flexible, stretchable fabric wall that conforms to the lower torso of a human being having elastic waist and leg bands joined together at the waist by adjustable fasteners, a thin ventilated, resilient pad disposed in the crotch area, and a "Y"-shaped support band extending in the rear panel of the garment from the back waistband vertically to the resilient pad. The stretchable material firms the skin in the area covered. The thin pad protects the crotch area from discomfort when sitting, without encumbering movement. The "Y"-shaped support band provides uplift support to the buttocks.

Abstract: A programmable switch in the form of an output display similar to those generally known in the art as a seven-segment display used for digital display of output. This programmable switch provides a plurality of segments that can operate as a switch to generate a numerical or alphabetical program for entry into an electronic program circuit. The plurality of segments are recessed into the face of the switch body so that a stylus instrument can be inserted into the recess of individual segments to generate in each switch body the desired number, letter or other symbol. A plurality of switch bodies may be positioned adjacent one another to increase the number of digits or indicia to be entered into an electronic program circuit. For all segments there is one conductive layer which acts as the "common" side of the electric circuit.

Abstract: A nail clipper for clipping the nails of an animal such as a dog, cat or the like which allows for the clipping of an individual nail at the desired length to prevent injury or improper length cutting for the animal. The device includes a hand-actuated clipping blade used in conjunction with an adjustable in size nail holder which allows the nail to be clipped to be firmly held at a particular position relative to the nail cutting blade. The nail holder and positioner includes a disc having a plurality of apertures of different diameters which is moveable to position a desired aperture of a particular size adjacent the cutting blade. With the varying diameter apertures, the animal nail may be inserted in each aperture until an aperture is found that permits the nail to penetrate a particular distance based on the diameter size of the nail, which is tapered. The proper aperture is determined which allows only penetration to the point equal to the desired length of the nail portion to be cut.

Abstract: A cascade heat exchange system in which the heat given off in condensing a superheated vaporized refrigerant is used to vaporize carbon dioxide and to add sensible heat to a water system. The superheated discharge vapor of a refrigeration system is pumped into the shell side of a heat exchange vessel, where evaporative tube bundles absorb heat from the refrigerant. In one tube bundle, liquid carbon dioxide flowing through the tubes is vaporized. Another tube bundle receiving heat from the refrigerant is used to heat water for industrial use. The vaporized refrigerant leaving the heat exchange vessel shell having become desuperheated and de-oiled since giving off heat to the tube bundles is then condensed for continued use in the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A molded storage receptable that is disposed in the ground having a sealed, removeable cover that provides for a variety of uses including subterranean water or article storage or a mechanic's working pit. The device includes a molded fiberglass shell having a plurality of integrally molded, lateral reinforcing ribs disposed along the vertical sides and bottom of the fiberglass shell, and at least one molded stairwell disposed at one end of said shell which includes a plurality of molded stairs to allow ingress or egress into or out of the storage receptacle. The shell is premolded and shipped to a site in which the earth is removed and the shell disposed within the hole in the earth. Integrally molded upper laterial flanges can be used to tie down the receptacle to prevent pop up in the event of total water levels. The cover may include rollers for opening or closing movement relative to the receptacle or hinges at one end used in conjunction with a hydraulic piston to raise or lower the cover.

Abstract: A foldable, collapsible sawhorse that includes a rigid beam horizontally supported near its end by pairs of legs moveably connected to a rigid plate that is hinged to the beam. Each plate includes first and second areas that are angularly disposed relative to each other, with the first area having mounted thereupon a beam-receiving channel. The second area of the plate includes a circular aperture and an arcuate slot which are vertically aligned that receive fasteners for each support leg connected thereto. The legs are thus pivotal relative to the plate which allow them to be spread apart or placed in parallel by loosening of a single fastener for each leg. The beam channel includes apertures for fasteners which allow the beam to be hingeably moved relative to the beam-receiving channel on the plate. Thus, the sawhorse may be collapsed by moving the pairs of end legs to a central parallel position in the plane of the beam and then moving each set of legs substantially parallel to the beam.

Abstract: A pair of temporary hand grips for engaging the lateral sides of a fibrous box, such as cardboard, that includes a plurality of pointed projections oriented in a forty-five degree angle from a flat planar wall that engage opposite vertical, lateral sides of a container. Each improved grip includes a resilient strap connected across the hand engaging side of the grip. The lower portion of the body of the grip includes a curved surface for engagement of the fingers and spacing from the pointed projection wall to allow the fingers sufficient space between curved portion and the carton wall. The point projections are sized and angled so as to not puncture the container being gripped.

Abstract: A guard strip disposed on each lateral side of a vehicle for protecting doors, fenders, or the like which is moveably extendable from a first position, in which the strip has the aesthetic appearance of a conventional, decorative (usually chrome) strip found on a vehicle, to a second position away from the lateral surface of the vehicle extending outwardly to establish a spaced guard strip whenever the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A passive circuit for protecting an AC driven load controlled by a solid state device such as a triac or the like. The circuit is coupled to the load and the solid state controller element and effects shutdown of the AC power to the load and the load control element whenever an asymmetrical AC power input measured over a predetermined number of cycles is received by the load from the controller element. The device includes an inductor having a thermal link coupled thereto, the inductor being connected in parallel to the AC load which is being controlled by a triac or other similar device. Should asymmetrical input power be received from the controller, which could be occasioned by failure of the controller element itself, the inductor across the load will become heated by asymmetrical input power, causing heating of the thermal link. At a predetermined temperature, the thermal link will open, which removes AC input power to both the load and the controller element.

Abstract: A metering device to provide just the amount of water necessary to insure proper filling of a flush toilet bowl and trap. The metering device operates by means of gravity feed rather than pressure that is presently used which may vary the amount of water going to the trap as supply pressures increase or decrease. The metering device eliminates certain wasted water normally present during flushing and filling of the flush tank. The device in one embodiment includes a metering tank having an inlet connected to the exit sides of flush tank outlet valve. The flush tank outlet valve is connected at the upper side of the metering tank. The metering tank is in fluid communication between the flush tank and the toilet bowl and trap. The metering tank may be located in a plurality of lower positions. When the outlet valve is opened, the metering tank is also opened and filled during the flushing cycle.