Abstract: The ratchet buckle for tightening a strap under a ratchet action provides a retention arm that constrains folded excess strap to the buckle to prevent it from flapping free during transport of cargo that the strap secures. A guard is provided outside a crank arm that is rotatably journaled to a base by a spindle on its forward end. The crank arm is secured to the guard intermediate the length of the guard with the guard extending rearward of the crank arm. The guard thus covers a ratchet wheel and the crank arm and with the crank arm forms an effective double-layered crank arm. The retention arm is rotatable on a handle shaft mounted to the guard rearward end, biased down onto folded excess strap.

Abstract: A slotted channel with a supplemental flange as a building member has at least one supplemental flange extending from at least one slot in the member web or primary flanges yielding a building member with increased strength, both compressive (longitudinally) and in shear (transverse). The slotted member presents a reduced area through which heat or sound may be conducted and slots in which insulation is received, both increasing resistance to heat and sound transfer.

Abstract: A string anchor bracket useful is mounted to the underside of a bridge plate for anchoring a guitar string to a guitar bridge. The anchor bracket has plurality of notches on an anchor bracket plate spaced apart by depending members that depend from the plate at its forward edge forming slots that lead to corresponding notches.

Abstract: The invention includes a righting and kickstand device to support a motorcycle by connection with a lower intermediate frame section of the motorcycle with the device angled downwardly toward the ground to support the motorcycle tilted at an angle toward the device. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a fluid actuated cylinder connected to the motorcycle with a pivot connection device. A piston rod extends from the cylinder with a foot device structurally attached to the lower end of the piston rod with the foot device designed to rest on the ground. A fluid pressure device is provided to supply fluid pressure to the cylinder to force the piston rod to its downward position.

Abstract: A string anchor useful for anchoring a guitar string to a guitar bridge. The string anchor body has a body slot extending along the body side to the through hole. The body is adapted to receive the string enlarged end into the through hole at an anchor body top and through the through hole downward to outside of the anchor body bottom such that as the string adjusted such that its enlarged end is alongside the body and is pulled upward through the through hole and the slot, the string enlarged end is pulled against the anchor body and the bridge plate.

Abstract: A metal building stud having at least one supplemental flange extending from at least one slot in the stud web yielding a stud with increased strength, both compressive (longitudinally) and in shear (transverse). The slotted web presents a reduced web area through which heat or sound may be conducted and slots in which insulation is received, both increasing resistance to heat and sound transfer. Slots and supplemental flanges may also be provided in the stud primary flanges.

Abstract: The mobile antenna stand provides adjustments in azimuth, tilt, and elevation used to obtain a satellite signal. The stand may be placed on unlevel ground of up to 11 inches difference in terrain heights. The stand includes a compass with azimuth readings which provides known starting point for the azimuth setting. The mast is easily plumbed regardless of the terrain. The satellite dish antenna is attached to a keyed post that matches a keyed receiver on the stand so the azimuthal position of the antenna is maintained when the antenna is removed and reinstalled. A line of sight tool is provided with a post also matching the stand receiver to visually assure that view of a signal transmitting satellite by the antenna has no obstructions.

Abstract: An eddy current acquisition system integrates traditional elements of a nuclear steam generator tubing inspection into a single modular system comprising three subsystems: the take-up reel subsystem, the acquisition instrument, which is located in the hub of the take-up reel, and the pusher head subsystem. All of the control electronics are respectively enclosed in bases of the pusher head and the take-up reel subsystems in water-resistant and dust proof enclosures. Simplified setup is achieved by employing a single communication bus linking an identification (“ID”) chip in each component to a host computer. The ID chip stores and reports product part numbers, descriptions and serial numbers and revision or upgrade status and may also store statistical information such as device duty cycles, performance statistics, repair history, and the like.

Abstract: A foot strap and recreational sports board that allows the user to easily tension a foot strap over the top of his or her foot. The foot strap, attached to the board, includes a strap, a cable, and a cable adjuster. The strap has separate first and second sides connected by the cable cinched and uncinched together as the cable is tightened and loosened by the cable adjuster with which it is engaged. A single cable adjuster and cable can be employed to simultaneously adjust two straps, both attached to the sports board. A pull may be included to facilitate exercise of the cable adjuster.

Abstract: A peep site as a sighting mechanism for an archery bow and arrow slidably mounts on an archery bow string. The peep site is self-aligning with an elastic string anchored between the peep site and an archery bow that pulls the peep site forward toward the bow when the bow string is stretched. The mount has a slot between the hole on one mount end and the other mount end to which the elastic string attaches. To install the mount the bow string is inserted through the slot and into the hole. The slot is then closed, either by one end of the elastic string looped around the mount or by a plug secured to the mount. A member with a peep hole extends from the mount such that when the mount is forward aligned and located on the bow string at a preferred position, the peep hole is in a natural, or convenient, location for the user to view a target through the peep hole. To locate the mount on the bow string at the preferred position a clip is secured firmly on the bow string.

Abstract: A portable hoist for attachment to a trailer hitch drawbar includes a mast that comprises a plurality of mast segments assembled end to end in axial alignment at ground level and then rotated on a pivot bar inserted in the hitch drawbar from its horizontal assembly position to its vertical operational position. Similarly, to disassemble the hoist it is lowered from its vertical position to its horizontal position within easy reach of the user standing on the ground. The hoist boom is also installed with the mast horizontal in assembly position with the boom coaxial with the mast. The boom is then rotated to its operational position orthogonal to the mast when the mast is vertical. A friction bearing is installed on the mast so the mast above the friction bearing can rotate about the mast longitudinal axis. A winch is installed on the mast typically between the friction bearing and the boom so the winch rotates with the boom.

Abstract: A roof anchor with a channel fits over a roof panel rib typically having a rib head supported by a narrower rib neck. Setscrews on the anchor side thread through matching threaded holes in anchor sides and into the channel, sandwiching a roof panel rib therebetween when it is received into the channel. To prevent the anchor from lifting off the roof panel rib, the setscrews are located on the anchor sides low in the anchor channel engaging the roof panel rib at the narrow rib neck such that the roof panel rib head can be received between the setscrews and the anchor top. A rib bar typically shaped to functionally match the roof panel rib may be inserted within the roof panel rib as a brace to prevent a roof panel rib from collapsing under force of the setscrews.

Abstract: The retractable tie-down provides an adjustable strap under control of a rotation brake during retraction and pay-out. The rotation brake impedes rotation of a spool on which the strap is wrapped and unwrapped during retraction and pay-out of the strap as the tie-down operates in one of either a pay-out mode or a retraction mode. Thus, the rate of retraction of the strap is user-controlled through the rotation brake. The tie-down is provided with a lanyard issuing from rearward from the tie-down and a strap issuing forward from the tie-down for securement without direct, or positive attachment of the tie down to an anchor point, such as a chassis of a vehicle or the like.

Abstract: A combination wick cutter and lighter includes a tube connected to a handle with an opening in the end of the tube into which a wick may be received vertically along a tube longitudinal axis. When the wick is in the opening, the user moves an actuator to cut the wick and further moves the actuator to ignite the wick. Because the tube is advanced vertically, a candle wick in a candle holder with high sides relative to the position of the wick may be trimmed and lit.

Abstract: An ultralight stove comprises a fuel reservoir having a plurality of jet holes in the top through which vaporized fuel escapes and burns, a portion of which is directed toward a heat conducting heat transfer plug, heat from which being conducted through the heat transfer plug to the reservoir where it heats fuel in the reservoir causing increased fuel vaporization that pressurizes the reservoir which in turn causing pressurized fuel to escape through the jet holes resulting in increased heat to the heat transfer plug, the cycle continuing until a fuel consumption and temperature equilibrium is obtained where the heat transfer plug and reservoir reach maximum operating temperatures. An external fuel absorber on the reservoir top receives fuel which when ignited initially heats the heat transfer plug to initiate stove operation.

Abstract: A string or cable anchor useful for anchoring the string to a structure, and advantageously a guitar and other stringed musical instruments, typically has a cylindrical body and alternatively a frustum body with an axial bore therethrough ending in intersection with a second bore at an acute angle. The second bore is directed downward from the axial bore and opens at a body side, the body having a body slot extending partially along the body side through the body and through the acute angle from the body side to a body axis and the axial bore.