Abstract: A method for making a pontoon for a pontoon boat and the pontoon made from the method. The method having an initial step of providing a sheet metal strip that has a width and a length. The strip is then formed longitudinally through successive rollers to provide a central portion having a closed cross section in which the lateral edges of the strip meet. After this stage of the process, end caps are formed at each end of the central portion. Typically, one of the end caps is a nose cone that is pointed and cuts the water as the boat moves forward. The end caps may be formed independently and separately of the strip or may be formed from material at the end of the formed strip.

Abstract: A hitch coupling assembly attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle including a hitch plate that has an upper surface and an open end for receiving a king pin. The coupling assembly has an arm with opposite ends. A skid plate is attached to one end of the arm and the skid plate has a perimeter defined by sides. The king pin extends from a surface of the skid plate. A journal pin is attached to the opposite end of the arm and is rotatable relative to the arm. The journal pin is optionally lockable or the arm relative to the hitch is optionally lockable.

Abstract: An improved lever assembly for uncoupling railroad cars having a coupler that includes a lock lifter. The lever assembly has a handle on one end that is pivotally connected to the railcar and a hook located at the other end of the lever assembly that is connected to the lock lifter. The assembly has levers that slide relative to each other. The levers are held adjacent to each other by enclosures through which the levers slide. The enclosures contain U-shaped glides held stationary relative to the enclosures. Typically made of plastic, the glides provide low friction sliding contact with levers sliding through them. The glides are longitudinally shorter than their containing enclosures providing protection from ultraviolet light.

Abstract: This invention relates to a harness for securing a person to a supporting structure. The harness includes a pair of straps each having a first and second end, a back portion, a front portion, and a chest portion. The first end is looped over the front portion of each strap and attached to the front portion to form a first loop. The first loop is attached near each second end of both straps. A coupler is near the second end and spaced from where the coupler is attached to the straps. The coupler is separable and may be separated to allow said straps to be separated at the chest portion. The harness goes over both shoulders of a toddler, behind the back and the coupler fastens across the toddler's chest. This prevents a toddler from standing up when wearing the harness.

Abstract: A safety latch is mounted in the keyhole of a fifth wheel coupling for joining the sections of an articulated vehicle. The safety latch is movable from an inactive position permitting the kingpin to move through the slot and into the aperture to an active position blocking the keyhole slot thereby preventing movement of the kingpin through the keyhole slot when the sections are coupled together.

Abstract: A wheelchair lamp that is primarily for making a wheelchair more visible. The wheelchair lamp includes a housing that is mounted to the wheelchair. An extendable member having a light on top extends from the housing. The extendable member may be extended and retracted. A motor is contained within the housing to extend and retract the extendable member. An electrical conductor is longitudinally disposed with the extendable member. The electrical conductor electrically connects the light and the power source. A switch is used to selectively connect the motor to the power source causing the motor to operate so that the motor may extend or retract the extendable member. The light is extended and lit when a wheelchair user is near traffic or potentially at risk for a collision and is typically retracted when the user is indoors.

Abstract: This invention relates to an expandable motor home. The motor home of this invention has a lower body portion having a first floor, a front wall, a back wall and a pair of opposite side walls. The motor home also has an upper body portion having a movable upper segment and a lower segment that is connected to the lower body portion. The lower segment has a front wall, a back wall and a pair of opposite side walls. The upper segment has a front wall, a back wall, a pair of opposite side walls, and a roof. The upper segment is movable relative to the lower segment such that the upper segment has a raised and lowered position relative to the lower body portion. The motor home may have extendable rooms in the upper segment and lower segment defining separate living areas.

Abstract: A rodent trap for use with a vessel suitable for containing a rodent is disclosed. The rodent trap includes a bait holder assembly for bridging the top opening of the vessel. The bait holder assembly includes an inner cylinder with an outer diameter, a pair of outer cylinders positioned in telescoping fashion on opposite ends of the inner cylinder, and a rotating cylinder. Each of the outer cylinders has an outer diameter. The outer, the inner and the rotating cylinders share an axis, and the rotating cylinder has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the outer cylinders so that the rotating cylinder is freely rotatable on the outer cylinders on the axis. Paddles for treating with rodent bait are secured for rotation to the rotating cylinder.

Abstract: The post bracket of this invention is for use in constructing post frame buildings. The post bracket has a first side plate, a second side plate, a back plate, and may have a front catch plate. The catch plate is located between the first and second side plates. The bracket fits over a subgrade post to form a subgrade post assembly. The subgrade post assemblies extend into the ground and are initially supported upon and attached to skirt boards which outline the foot print for the building. The subgrade posts are anchored in the ground. After the posts are anchored in the ground, upper posts are placed in and pivotally engaged in the post brackets. Adjacent posts are attached to each other to form a wall section. The wall section is then pivoted upward by pivoting the upper posts in the brackets.

Abstract: The present invention is a door chime. The door chime has a decorative cover connected to a sound module including sound controls. The decorative cover is shiftable relative to the sound module from a first position in which the decorative chime will be displayed during normal use, to a second position to allow access to the sound controls in the second position. The connection between the sound module and the decorative cover allows for either a sliding connection or a rotating connection depending on the desired configuration. The power module for the door chime is interchangeable between a battery powered and hard wired module.

Abstract: A seal assembly for mobile living quarters seals around a slide-out room, includes a pair of attaching members extending along the inside and outside surfaces of the main living area wall at an aperture through which the slide-out room moves, and further includes a connecting member extending between the attaching members and along the edge of the wall defining the aperture. A wiper seal extends from the connecting member to flex against the walls of the slide-out room, and the connecting member further includes an accordion pleat for adjusting the distance between the attaching members to thereby accommodate walls of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A resilient seal for mobile living quarters seals around a slide-out room includes a pair of attaching members extending along the inside and outside surfaces of the main living area wall at an aperture through which the slide-out room moves and further includes a connecting member extending between the attaching members and along the edge of the wall defining the aperture. A wiper seal extends from the connecting member to flex against the walls of the slide-out room, and the connecting member further includes an accordion pleat for adjusting the distance between the attaching members to thereby accommodate walls of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A drive mechanism having a first and second side plate opposite each other that rotatably hold an engagement shaft and a gear shaft. A rack passes between the gear shaft and engagement shaft. The first and second side plates are allowed to float vertically in a frame. The gear is maintained in constant contact with the rack when the rack is moved vertically within the frame.