Abstract: A bird deterring device for protection of a reservoir or other body of water is disclosed. The deterring device provides an array of wires stretched across the reservoir, wherein adjacent wires are oriented in a parallel manner and are spaced apart by approximately 12 feet. Each wire is supported at a first end by an anchor rod driven into the ground of the shoreline defining the reservoir or body of water. Each wire is supported at a second end by an adjustment rod carrying a wire tightening mechanism which allows the wire to be tightened until taut. The wires reduce or eliminate use of the body of water by water birds by providing both visual and auditory deterrents. Wind, moving about the wires, creates a high-pitched whine that tends to annoy and repel birds. Additionally, birds tend to reject making a water landing due to the location of the wires, preferring instead to divert to other bodies of water.

Abstract: A truck strap fastener is adapted to enable a strap to be attached to either a downwardly directed hook or to a flat iron carried by standoffs attached to a trailer's frame. Flatbed trailers typically provide either a flat iron bar or a downwardly directed hook as the point of attachment for load securing tie-down straps. A fastener is disclosed that is adapted to attach to either point of attachment, and also to the tie-down strap. The fastener provides a body carrying left and right prongs which jointly fasten in place about a flat iron. Alternatively, a hook opening in the body allows a hook to pass between the left and right prongs and through the hook opening in the body.

Abstract: A cold weather life saving device, useful in surviving a fall through ice into water, provides an elongate belt, sized to be worn about the waist of an individual, typically over heavy clothing. The belt provides a tubular center portion that is typically two feet in length and approximately three inches in diameter. Flotation devices are carried at evenly spaced intervals within the center portion of the elongate belt. In a preferred embodiment, four closed-cell ethylene cubes having 2.5 inch sides are used. The four flotation devices define three storage pouches between them, which may be isolated by divider walls within the tubular center portion. These pouches are typically square in lengthwise cross-section and provide zippered openings which allow the secure storage of survival supplies. A plurality of utility rings are carried by the elongate belt, and provide support for attachment of a number of tools, including a telescoping pole or a sportsman's saw, or other bulky equipment.

Abstract: A coil cap cover for a cylindrical coil of aluminum stock provides a round fabric portion 20 sized to fit either end of the cylindrical coil of aluminum and a substantially rectangular attached fabric skirt portion 50 which covers an adjacent portion of the cylindrical sidewall of the coil. A welded region 70 connects a perimeter edge of the round fabric portion to an upper edge of the fabric skirt portion, creating a three-dimensional coil cap. An overlap weld 80 fastens the upper edges of the ends of the skirt portion together with a segment of the perimeter of the round fabric portion. A crimp weld 90 fastens a lower corner of each end of the skirt portion together.

Abstract: A coupler for use in replacing a corroded coupler on a buried water line valve without extensive soil excavation is disclosed. A pole having a cotter pin removal tool is provided to remove the cotter pin holding a corroded coupler in place about the valve. A rod having a fastener mounted on its lower end is releasably attachable to the water line valve. The rod carries a sleeve which slidably carries a latching device which is movable from an upper position in which the fastener carried by the rod is mountable on the water line valve, and a lower position in which the fastener is locked in position, allowing the valve to be rotated. The latching device carries a fastener mateable to a fastener carried by the pole, which allows the latching device to be moved between the upper and lower positions.

Abstract: Automobile dealers and auto body shops, frequently move dealer license plates between vehicles in their inventory or between vehicles temporarily in their care. They like to advertise their company name on these vehicles while they are being driven.

Abstract: A motorized tablet dispenser provides a tablet hopper mechanism suitable for storage of an entire prescription of tablets. A disk-like loading plate is carried at the base of the tablet hopper, and provides radially arrayed tablet voids and a spur gear perimeter. The loading plate is rotated by means of a high torque, low speed, geared motor. Each major type, size and shape of tablet is associated with a loading plate having voids sized to fit that tablet, and any loading plate may be installed in a dispenser. An easily operated pushbutton mechanism translates linear motion along a vertical axis into angular motion about a horizontal axis of a tablet transfer mechanism. A single tablet is moved from the loading plate into a recess in the tablet transfer mechanism. The interface between the cylindrical surface on the tablet transfer mechanism and the planar loading plate prevents jamming.

Abstract: An interlocking flatbed trailer load strap fastening system provides a strap fastener carried by the end of a load securing strap and a fixed fastener carried by a flatbed trailer. The strap fastener may be attached to the fixed fastener only when the strap fastener is precisely rotated. The strap fastener provides a body having left and right side elements and upper and lower cross members and a curved base, together defining an upper strap opening where a load strap may be secured, and a first hook opening. Left and right prongs extending from the curved base, define a second hook opening between them. A fixed fastener provides a hook portion somewhat resembling a horse's head extending from a base permanently attached to the side of the frame of the flatbed trailer. By momentarily rotating the strap fastener, the hook portion may be inserted into the first and second hook openings. The strap fastener is then securely attached to the fixed fastener, until carefully rotated and removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing baby bibs is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container, such as a bag, envelope, pouch or box, defining an opening sized to allow withdrawal of a single bib at a time. The bib is folded in a novel manner, and is then carried by the container such that the opening in the container is in a location adjacent to a folded cuff at the base of the bib. The method of dispensing the baby bibs allows the user to withdraw a single bib by grasping it by the apron or cuff and withdrawing it.

Abstract: Two similar representative versions of an eye glass cleaning machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention are seen. In each version an enclosure providing a base having a bowl forming an eye glass cavity supports a pair of eye glasses to be cleaned by means of adjustable clips. In the first version of the invention, a heated cleaning fluid and waste fluid tank and a rinse water tank are filled by a two-way drain valve. In the second version, a heated cleaning fluid tank, a rinse water tank and a waste tank are filled by a three-way drain valve. In both versions of the invention, an electronics card controls the operation of a pump, air pump and a solenoid valve, which determines from which tank (cleaning fluid or rinse water) the fluid supplied to spray nozzles will be taken. The electronics also controls heating elements in the cleaning fluid and rinse water tanks.

Abstract: A pet toy provides a tubular housing 60 having a toy mouse 80 that is extended from and retracted into the tubular housing by means of a bicycle brake or similar driving cable 40 that is manually operated by the cat's owner using a handle 20. The tubular housing carries a decorative cloth cover 67 and is closed at one end by an end cap 64 having a drilled hole 65 through which the bicycle cable passes. The outer hollow portion 44 of the bicycle cable is fastened to the end cap. The forward end of the the inner wire cable 41 extends through the tubular housing where it is attached to the mouse, while the rearward end of the inner cable is attached to the handle. The mouse provides a tubular body 81 having a cloth covering 84. Whisker-like filaments 85 extend from the forward end of the body 81 to attract the cat. The tubular body 81 is filled with glue, which keeps the whiskers and the inner wire cable securely fastened.

Abstract: A combination power wheelchair and power walker provides dual controls that may be used by either a seated user or a user walking behind and partially supported by the mobility aid. A hand control assembly provides a seated user with an on-off switch and forward-off-reverse switches for each motor. A direction controller assembly connects and provides coordinated movement of the left and right switch handles of the hand control assembly. The direction controller assembly allows the user to operate both switches with one hand by means of pushing, pulling or twisting motions, and replaces an expensive joy-stick assembly. A walker control assembly which overrides the hand control assembly, allows a walking user to operate both motors in either a forward or reverse direction, and to easily control walker speed and direction with gentle pushes or pulls on the walker handles.

Abstract: A pipe saddle gauge is disclosed. The pipe saddle gauge provides a frame which adjusts in a telescoping manner to frictionally engage the base of a table type circular saw. The frame provides two pieces of square tubing, an inside tube telescopically carried within an outside tube. Each tube carries a bracket which engages the side of the table saw. An all thread rod carried within both tubes carries washers and threaded nuts at each end, thereby biasing the tubes together, causing the brackets to grip the sides of the table saw. A pivot post is supported by the frame in a vertical orientation. The pivot post provides a support tube, fixed to the frame, and a pivot tube carried within the support tube to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal. The support tube carries a gauge arm, which moves through a horizontal plane when the pivot tube pivots. The gauge arm carries an annular plate in an off-center manner.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device is disclosed. The anti-theft device provides a key operated switch that makes or breaks the electrical continuity of four electrical circuits. These electrical circuits are essential to the operation of the vehicle; therefore their discontinuity prevents vehicle operation. A lock housing carries a lock having a rotating spindle. The spindle carries a perpendicular drive pin which engages a bushing having a helix shaped groove in its interior surface. A tab-like raised key sliding in a keyway slot in the housing prevents the bushing from rotating. Therefore, rotation of the spindle creates an axial movement of the bushing. A male contact block, carrying four U-shaped solid contact pins may be extended by the axial movement of the bushing to engage a female contact block carrying eight female socket contacts which are connected to eight in-coming wires. When extended, each U-shaped pin creates electrical continuity between a pair of wires.

Abstract: An improved marsh case is disclosed. The marsh case contains and protects a geophone, which is inserted into the earth in the course of oil exploration. The marsh case provides an cap having an upper opening through which wires pass to the geophone and a lower internally threaded opening that attaches to the body of the case. The body of the case provides an upper externally threaded opening which attaches to the cap, and a lower internally threaded conical surface which allows a threaded cylindrical surface of a spike to be attached. The threads of the body are slightly tapered, thereby relieving some of the stress that would otherwise be applied to the threads. The rim of the upper external threaded opening of the body and an internal annular shoulder in the cap compress an O-ring, thereby making a water-tight seal.

Abstract: A cards and dice game to develop public speaking ability is disclosed. The game provides a single die which is rolled to determine the order of play. Timing and grammar judges are selected. The players take turns as speaker in sequence. Each player begins each turn by selecting a card from a stack of cards, wherein each card has a plurality of speaking topics on the card. The player then rolls the die to determine which speaking topic on the card is to be used. The player receives 1 point for every second of speech. A maximum speaking time of 3 minutes and 180 points is allowed. Points are deducted by the grammarian for speech fillers such as "ummms" and "ahhhs", and for pauses. Ten points are lost where the speaker strays from the topic.

Abstract: A flower pot support bracket, adapted for use in hanging a flower pot, is disclosed. The flower pot support bracket provides a central supporting rod having an upper hook that is carried by an elevated supporting structure. The rod extends through the potting soil, and out a centrally located drain hole in the bottom of the pot. Attached to the lower end of the rod is a support plate, which supports the bottom of the flower pot. Several versions of the support bracket are disclosed. In a first version of the invention, the supporting rod passes through a center hole in the support plate, and the two are welded together. In a second version of the invention, the center hole of the support plate and the end portion of the rod are threadedly connected. In a third version of the invention, an inch or so of the lower portion of the rod is bent at 90 degrees. The support plate provides an upwardly directed dimple adjacent to the center hole that partially encloses the bent end of the rod.

Abstract: A pipeline anchor apparatus provides left and right anchor units connected by a tie-down strap made of heavy-duty polyester or nylon webbing. The strap prevents the pipeline from floating in wet conditions. By flexibly conforming to the surface of the pipeline, the tie-down strap prevents denting of the pipeline which weakens the pipeline, contributing to pipeline bending. Each anchor unit provides a helix anchor attached to an anchor rod that is buried deep in the soil. The anchor rod is connected to an extension rod by a lower coupling. A tie-down bracket having a tubular body and a sleeve is carried by the extension rod. Each end of the tie-down strap is attached to the sleeve of a tie-down bracket of an anchor unit. The tie-down brackets may pivot about the extension rod to lessen stress as water forces the pipeline upwardly, against the tie-down strap. The sleeve of the tie-down bracket is radially outwardly from the axis of the tubular body.

Abstract: An adjustably extensible trailer hitch assembly changing a trailer hitch which allows a driver trying to back up into the correct position to conveniently attach a trailer hitch more room for error. The trailer hitch provides a top plate assembly that attaches to standard holes provided in most factory bumpers. The top plate provides a vertically oriented pivot pin. A hitch receiver having a square steel tube body is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin. A hitch extension arm having an elongate pivot pin opening is also pivotally mounted, and is slidably carried by the hitch receiver. The extension arm carries an end plate on its rearward end, having a matrix of bolt holes which are adjustably attached to a ball mount plate also having a matrix of bolt holes. The ball mount bracket can therefore be attached to the extension arm at a variety of elevations.

Abstract: A wire form puzzle is disclosed. The puzzle provides a dumbbell shaped capture element having a straight wire body having rings at the ends. An upper swing capture element provides a crescent shaped wire body having end rings attached to the straight wire body of the dumbbell shaped capture element. A lower swing capture element is similar to the upper swing, but smaller in size and is carried by the crescent shaped body of the upper swing. Four horseshoe shaped captured loops are carried by the lower swing capture element, but are removed from all the capture elements in the course of the puzzle's s solution. The horseshoe shaped loops have the characteristic of having a point, defined by the inner wire defining the horseshoe loop, that will pass into any of the rings, and also having the characteristic that the rings of the captive element will pass through the indentation between the legs of the horseshoes.