Abstract: A hand-held, hand-operable, abrasive tool (10) comprising: i) a handle (11) having a trapezoidally shaped insert mounting slot or aperture (12); ii) a rigid replaceable insert (14, 14', 14") having a work engaging face (18, 18',18") of desired shape and size and a trapezoidally shaped mounting pedestal (19) adapted to be snugly received within, and frictionally retained by, the trapezoidally shaped slot or aperture (12) in handle (11); and iii), a multi-pack (15, 15', 15") of adhesively edge-bonded abrasive sheets (16) which can be adhesively affixed to the work engaging face (18, 18', 18") of the rigid replaceable insert (14, 14', 14") in conforming face-to-face relation; and, wherein an expended abrasive sheet (16) can be discarded merely by peeling that sheet off the multi-pack (15, 15', 15") to expose the fresh, unused, underlying abrasive sheet (16), and inserts (14, 14', 14") can be easily replaced by merely applying pressure to the dome-shaped crown (20) on the pedestal (19) mounted in the handle (11)

Abstract: A safety cap (10) having a sleeve (12) with a screen mesh (14) for slidable engagement with a gun barrel (16) to fragment an unintentionally discharged jelled paint pellet. The sleeve (12) has a longitudinal axially bore (22) sized and shaped to be slidably received over the gun barrel (16) with a tight fit. The plurality of filaments (34) on the screen mesh (14) form openings (36) that are sized and shaped to fragment the jelled paint pellet and permit all of the fragments of the jelled paint pellet to exit the gun barrel (16) to avoid plugging of the bore (18). A threadable fastener (52) can be used to secure the attachment of the safety cap (42) to the gun barrel (50).

Abstract: A flying balloon toy (10) having an inflatable balloon (14) frictionally engaged with an aerodynamic body (12) formed of lightweight material that gives additional drag without increasing the weight to yield increased flight time while being safe for use indoors. The body (12) has a disk-shaped portion (22) with a central opening (26) formed therein that is aligned with the rotational axis (36). The collar portion (24) includes concave sides (34) to frictionally engage the side wall (16) of the balloon (14).

Abstract: Target bubble generating and target shooting systems (50, 50A, 50B, 50C) are disclosed employing a target bubble generator housing (59), a pair of left and right actuating handles (51, 55) pivotally coupled at their front ends of the left and right vertical edges of the housing (59), and a bellows assembly (116) positioned intermediate the left and right handles (51, 55) and coupled to the latter at the approximate midpoints thereof. The target bubble generating housing (59) includes a torus-shaped reservoir (81) and a vertically reciprocable bubble wand (98) having a film-forming elliptical ring structure (101) including upper and lower serrated arcuate edges (102, 104) of truncated triangular cross section to minmize disturbance of the soapy fluid in the reservoir (81) as the bubble wand (98) exits the fluid.

Abstract: A balloon sculpturing system comprising a sculpturing stand (12) formed of an upright support port (14) and base (16) having a sculpturing ring (18) mounted thereon for holding a plurality of balloons (20) in a decorative arrangement. The sculpturing ring (18) comprises a cylindrical sidewall (40) having an open first end (44) and an open second end (46) communicating through a longitudinal axial bore (42) that is sized to permit mounting of the ring (18) over the support post (14). A plurality of slots (48) are formed in the cylindrical wall (40) to hold the constricted neck portion (22) of each balloon (20) such that the neck portions (22) are stretched across the bore (42) and frictionally engage the upright support post (14) to hold the sculpturing ring (18) in position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods of using a light sensitive switch, such as a photo-electric or photo-resistive cell, to actuate a battery powered electric motor which rotates a fan blade located within a housing near a facial area of a welding helmet. When exposed to a high intensity light, such as the light emitted during a welding process, the photoconductive cell actuates the battery powered motor. When activated, the motor rotates the fan blade which draws air away from the face of a wearer and passes such air through a filter into an air flow chamber, thereby, filtering the drawn air. The rotation of the fan blade then forces the filtered air toward the facial area of the wearer. A smoke block, which restricts the entrance of smoke or other contaminated vapors from entering the confines between the interior surface of the helmet and the face of the wearer, may be removably attached to the helmet.

Abstract: An expandable balloon wrapped media display system including: a transparent balloon (30); an accordion pleated sheet (11, 11a, 11b) having formed thereon a message, picture, graphic display, graphic design, or combination thereof; a first attachment member (15) fixedly secured to a first edge (21) of the sheet (11, 11a); the sheet (11, 11a, 11b) being folded up on itself at its midpoint (28) so as to present the left and right halves (26L, 26R) of a second edge (26) thereof in generally face-to-face relation; a second attachment member (22) having a tubular portion (24) and an axially extending flange (25) fixedly secured to a second edge (26) of the sheet (11, 11b); the folded accordion pleated sheet (11, 11a, 11b) being inserted into a balloon (30) with the first attachment member (15) engaging the polar extremity (34) of the balloon (30) most remote from the balloon's inflation aperture (31) and the second attachment member (22) having its tubular portion (24) disposed within the constricted neck portion (

Abstract: An expandable balloon wrapped media display system including: a transparent balloon; an accordion pleated paper-like sheet having formed thereon a message, picture, graphic display, graphic design, or combination thereof; a first attachment member fixedly secured to a first edge of the sheet; the sheet being folded up on itself at its midpoint so as to present the left and right halves of a second edge thereof in generally face-to-face relation; a second attachment member having a tubular portion and an axially extending flange fixedly secured to a second edge of the sheet; the folded accordion pleated sheet being inserted into a balloon with the first attachment member engaging the polar extremity of the balloon most remote from the balloon's inflation aperture and the second attachment member having its tubular portion disposed within the constricted neck portion of the balloon; first attachment means securing the first polar extremity of the balloon to the first attachment member; and, second attachment me

Abstract: A vent line separator (30) having a housing (34) defining an interior chamber (44) having a flow diverter (132) positioned therein that separates liquid and gas and a by-pass valve assembly (106) that permits gas to be vented to the atmosphere under a predetermined minimum pressure, that prevents gas and liquid from being vented to the atmosphere when the liquid pressure in the interior chamber (44) is above a predetermined minimum pressure and below a predetermined maximum pressure, and allows venting of liquid fuel and gas to the atmosphere when liquid pressure in the interior chamber (44) is above a predetermined maximum pressure.

Abstract: A Jacketed paint pellet (10) comprising a jacket (12) having a paint pellet (14) attached thereto. The jacket (12) includes a body (16) having a trailing end (18) and a leading end (20) with a forward facing mounting surface (22). Ribs 28 project radially outward from the body (16) to support the body within the bore of a gun barrel and to guide and stabilize the jacketed paint pellet (10) in flight. Flange members (30) extend laterally from the ribs (28) for additional support and stability. A counterweight portion (36) extends axially in the interior (32) of the body (16) to counterbalance the weight of the paint pellet (14).

Abstract: Balloon decorative devices (10,26) consisting of a light-weight plate-like support element (14), a plurality of flexible ribbon-like streamers (15a-15f) fixedly secured at spaced peripheral points about the support element (14) by means of adhesive and/or staples (21), a light-weight stiffener (22) fixedly secured to the free outboard ends of each of the streamers (15e-15f) by means of adhesive and/or staples (21), a plurality of helium-inflated balloons (12a-12f) separably attached to the stiffeners (22) on the free ends of respective different ones of the streamers (15a-15f) so as to form a hanging basket (26) for one or more stuffed animals (28) or similar novelty items, and a central helium-inflated balloon (11) separably attachable to the support element (14) at about the midpoint thereof so as to convert the hanging basket (26) to a balloon simulation of a chandelier (10).

Abstract: Curved bore drilling apparatus and methods having a remotely actuated, pivotal rocker arm and cantilevered, curved guide means which guide and advance a cutting means through a predetermined curved path to drill one or more curved bores within a solid material.

Abstract: A fuel injection system (10) having a unique injector (226) cooperating with a unique pump (228) for blowing fuel into the combustion chamber (20) of a diesel engine (12). A reciprocating valve (202) and diaphragm (196) in the pump assembly (174) cooperate to periodically discharge vapor, such as compressed air or steam, and fuel to the injector (26). The vapor drives a piston assembly (32) and a valve assembly (36) to admit high-pressure vapor to a mixing chamber (124). Fuel is simultaneously supplied through a fuel valve assembly (130) to a fuel distribution ring (134) in the mixing chamber (124). The high-pressure vapor or gases blow the fuel from the mixing chamber (124) into the combustion chamber (20). Alternatively, the high-pressure vapor is replaced with a combustion product from a combustion chamber (257) formed in the injector (253). Combustion fuel is supplied through an intake valve (321) and excess gases are exhausted through exhaust valve (323).

Abstract: An animated drawing board includes a series of stacked sheets arranged in a common frame. The front sheet is a transparent panel having an erasable front surface. An opaque sheet having at least one aperture positioned in a predetermined position such as two apertures positioned at the location of the eyes of the figure to be drawn is disposed behind the transparent panel. A support sheet having a track guide aperture disposed behind the aperture is positioned behind the opaque sheet. A set of plates slightly larger than the track opening in the support sheet can be adhered to a track member slidingly received in the track guide aperture to form a slidable mount for a band of opaque material containing a feature of the figure such as an eyeball. A rear lever positioned to one side of the frame is attached to the rear plate of the slidable mount.

Abstract: A modified snowboard (10) having transverse channels (28) formed in a convex bottom (14) to facilitate movement through the snow. The sides (46) and (48) project beyond the bottom (38) of a snowboard (36) to form longitudinal grooves (54) with downwardly extending edges (56) to increase maneuverability and stability of the snowboard both at slow and high speeds. Upwardly projecting flanges (74) extend the length of the sides (64) and (66) of a snowboard (62) to prevent snow from moving over the top (72).

Abstract: A golf swing practice device (10) having an elongate flat guide member (11) defining a lineal guide edge (26) adapted to be placed on the ground adjacent to a golf ball (25) to be struck with the lineal guide edge (26) extending parallel to the desired and intended line-of-flight (28, 39) of the golf ball (25); an upstanding L-shaped guide element (14) having a vertical leg (15) and a horizontal leg (16) defining a swing plane stabilizer; a fastening device (13, 20) extending through an elongate vertical slot (19) formed in the guide member (11) and through the horizontal leg (16) formed on the swing plane stabilizer (14) so as to separably, but fixedly, secure the guide element (14) to the guide member (11) in any desired adjustable position along the length of the slot (19); and, a phantom tee (21) separably coupled to the guide member (11) adapted to be position forward of the golf ball (25 ) along the intended line-of-flight (28, 39) thereof for defining the intended bottom of the golfer's (29) swing when

Abstract: A fuel tank venting separator (10) having a chamber (50) in which is formed a first port (40) to conduct liquid (24) and gas (34) from a fuel tank (14), a second port (42) to vent gas (34) to the atmosphere and a plurality of openings (44) to return the liquid (24) to the tank (14). The chamber (50) is formed around the outside circumference of a fill tube member (36) installed in the fill tube (12) of the fuel tank (14). Alternatively, the separator (100) may be in the form of a canister (102) spliced into a vent line (134) through a Y-fitting (138). Liquid (120) and gas (122) vented through the vent line (134) enters the chamber (104) where the liquid (120) is returned to the tank (130) through a second hose (148) and the gas (122) is vented overboard through a third hose (150) attached to an overboard vent (136) such that contamination of the environment by the liquid (120) is prevented.

Abstract: A relocating apparatus having a pivot connector for removably pivotally connecting the apparatus to a mast of a sailing vessel. The relocating apparatus also includes a telescoping sleeve assembly which supports a cable which can be connected to a load such as a dinghy. The cable is retracted about a drum which is rotated by a winch handle inserted in the relocating apparatus causing the dinghy to be raised. The relocating apparatus is swung about the pivot connecter to place the dinghy into position near a deck edge of the vessel. The telescoping sleeve assembly is then retracted or extended as desired by inserting the winch handle in a second socket and rotating the winch handle in the desired direction. After the dinghy has been located above the desired position, the cable is extended by inserting the winch handle in the proper socket and rotating the handle.