Abstract: An automatic toothpaste dispenser is disclosed which forces a discreet amount of toothpaste from a tube by moving a plunger in a downward direction. The toothpaste dispenser has two halves which are hinged at the top to allow the tube of toothpaste to be inserted in the device. The front of the device has a plunger which activates two rear rollers inside the device which move downwardly to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube. The front plunger is attached to a front inner mechanism having engaging teeth. The inner mechanism slides on pins which are inserted into grooves. The grooves allow the inner drive mechanism to move down until the lower pins of the drive mechanism engage a guide which pushes the drive mechanism forward to engage corresponding teeth on the rear housing containing the rollers. A spring always brings the front inner drive mechanism back towards the top of the case.

Abstract: A new and unique car utility apron is presented having a soft flexible outer layer with a number of pockets spaced on the two sides of the apron. The front of the apron has the upper half cut out and replaced with webbing so that the radiator can take air in if the engine is running while the apron is in place. One side of the auto apron has an air power connecting hose while the opposite side has an electrical power connecting hose. The auto apron is attached about the engine compartment of a car by hooks at the top and an elastic band and another set of hooks at the bottom. Tools may be placed in the pockets when not in use or in convenient slots near the upper portion of the apron while temporarily not in use. Electrical or air power may be connected through to the engine compartment simply by connecting the appropriate hose or electrical cord at the bottom of the auto apron. When the apron is not in use it may be folded or rolled into a small package to hold the tools.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method for producing a coded reference key for use in the locksmithing trade. The method comprises cutting a key blank at a first coded depth and at a first shank position, to create a partial silhouette of a reference key. Upon cutting a number of such partial reference key silhouettes at a number of positions and common depths, a set of partial reference key silhouettes can be created. When a locksmith is required to reproduce a reference key which has certain depth cuts at certain positions, he merely assembles the appropriate pre-cut partial reference keys, thereby creating the required complete silhouette. This complete reference key silhouette may then be duplicated by using a standard reference key duplicating machine.

Abstract: A novel automatic remote car starting unit is presented which is activated by the audible signal from a telephone pager. The unit receives the audible signal from the pager and activates the ignition and throttle of a vehicle. Timers allow the ignition cycle to start the vehicle and shut off the unit if the car fails to start. The oil pressure and water temperature of the engine are monitored and the unit shuts off the car in case the oil pressure or water temperature become dangerous. The vehicle's air conditioning or heater may also be activated to cool or heat the car to a desired level. Once the engine is running and the desired climatic level is reached, the vehicle's horn signals that the car is ready to drive.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow which may be readily converted to a garden trailer is presented. The wheelbarrow comprises an upper pan for carrying materials. The upper pan is connected to lower non-parallel base rails which serve as the base and handles for the upper pan. Attached beneath the base rails are a pair of wheels. The wheels are seperated from the base rails by seperating plates and the pan is separated from the base rails by a wedge. The converging ends of the base rail have a dumping base plate attached. A mainframe tow bar is attached to the housing of the axle between the two wheels. When it is desired to convert the wheelbarrow to a trailer, a tow bar extender is easily fastened to the mainframe tow bar and the handles are folded back underneath the pan. In dumping material from the pan, the wheelbarrow may be easily turned on its base plate and the entire contents of the pan dumped. This dumping is facilitated by the separation of the pan and wheels from the base rail by the separating plates and wedge.

Abstract: A means for encasing fiber optical cable is presented which provides both ease of installation and strength. The casing is made of two identical halves which are manufactured from standard angle iron. The two identical halves are joined together at the bottom by pinned hinges and at the top by off-set corresponding bolt holes and bolts. One end of the main casing has a male projection with bolt notches which is inserted into the female end of a second length of casing. The female end of the casing has bolt holes at the top and bottom. When bolts are inserted through the bolt holes and the outer female end is tightened about the inner male projection, a firm and secure connection between the two lengths of casing is accomplished. The pinned hinges on the bottom of the two halves allow the halves to open up so that the casing can be placed around the optical fiber cable. The two halves are then closed and clamped together to form a strong and permanent protection for the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A spring-loaded viscous-material dispensing gun is presented which has a front material receiving portion and a rear drive portion. The front of the gun is loaded with viscous material and snapped into place by means of a locking collar and pins. A spring-driven drive disc then forces the viscous material out the tapered nozzle of the front of the gun. Safety mechanisms are provided to insure that the spring-loaded drive device is locked in place when the front material receiving cylinder is removed. A number of front material receiving cylinders may accompany the rear drive unit so as to insure the continuous ability of the workman to apply caulk or other material during the job.

Abstract: An odor-absorbing shelf liner is presented which is made up of upper and lower sheets stitched together to form discreet pouches. Inside each pouch is an odor-absorbing material such as baking soda. When the liner is placed on the shelf of a refrigerator, cabinet or drawer it not only serves as a shelf liner but also serves as an odor-absorbing device.

Abstract: A securing and locking device for transporting bicycles is presented which may be easily and universally attached to the front rail of a truck bed. The device has an outer inverted L-shaped bracket which is secured to the front rail of a truck bed by means of an inner L-shaped tightening mechanism. Nuts attached to the vertical and horizontal legs of the tightening mechanism tighten the entire device to the front rail of a truck by means of horizontal and vertical normal forces exerted against the truck rail and outer bracket. A quick-attach skewer device is provided on the horizontal leg of the outer L-shaped bracket so that the front fork of the bicycle may be quickly and securedly attached to the bracket which is attached to the truck bed rail. A securing cable may be placed around the bicycle frame and through a slot in the outer bracket and locked. Due to the configuration of the cable slot and the location of the lock when in place, it is virtually impossible to loosen the tightening nuts.

Abstract: A detachable radar unit for a motorcycle unit is presented. An outer shell is permanently attached to the side of a motorcycle helmet. A radar sensing unit may be inserted into the shell, making electrical contact with a microphone and light panel attached to the helmet. The radar sensing unit may also be detached from the helmet and attached to a car or boat by using separate shells permanently mounted on the car or boat. A special quick disconnect plug in the unit's power supply cord is provided which quickly and easily disconnects the helment from the motorcycle should the need arise.

Abstract: A target/projectile game is presented which has an essentially square-shaped target and disc-shaped projectiles. The square-shaped target has a flat horizontal board located inside a square-sided box. The flat board is divided into scoring areas and has two adjacent cylindrical bull's-eye targets in the center of the board. Inside each cylinder is a narrow exact bull's-eye peg. The cylinders and pegs rise above the surface of the flat board. Discs are thrown and points are added (or substracted) depending on the accuracy of the throw. A variation of the game is played when a top box-shaped blinder top cover is placed over the lower box and flat board. The blinder cover has an opening through which the discs must be thrown to score points.

Abstract: A self-deploying stabilizing support jack is presented which stabilizes and positions a recreational vehicle or trailer. The support jack comprises a bracket, a two-way cylinder, lift arms, a stabilizing sleeve and several electrical warning devices and safety features. The lift arms and cylinder are attached to the bracket at separate, offset first and second points so that when the ram of the cylinder contacts the foot of the lift arm, the entire apparatus is raised to a horizontal position. A stabilizing sleeve attached to the lift and surrounding the cylinder stabilizes the device from lateral movement. An intermediate third pivot point in the lift arm helps reduce stress upon raising. Several signalling devices warn the operator when the support jack is in the deployed position. A safety circuit automatically raises any support jack that is not in the horizontal safety position should the ignition be turned to the "on" position.

Abstract: A new type of projectile-target game is presented which involves a thrown projectile having a VELCRO pad on the outside and a ball tag uniform which is worn by a second participant. The ball tag uniform has front and rear sections which are secured to the front and back of a participant by tie down strips. The front and back sections have VELCRO hook targets on them. An optional lower back section also has a third VELCRO hook target attached to it. In playing the game, one person throws the ball at the targets located on the other participant. The other participant is "tagged" when the VELCRO pad ball sticks to the VELCRO hook target.

Abstract: A simple device and method for attaching a hanger bracket to a base ceiling is presented which greatly enhances the speed with which a drop ceiling may be installed. A cylindrical main body is surrounded by a rectangular hanger bracket support. The main body and hanger bracket support are attached together and the main body has a longitudinal cylindrical hole into which may be inserted a standard socket extender. The drive shaft of the socket extender protrudes out the bottom of the main cylindrical body. The rectangular hanger bracket support is longer than the diameter of the cylindrical body and this protruding end has a trapezoidal section cut out so that the work piece may be easily inserted and removed once installed. The main cylindrical body and hanger support are attached to the top of a telescoping pole. The drive shaft is inserted into the socket located on the inside of the top of the telescoping pole.