Abstract: A closure, buckle, or clasp for connecting two free ends of a strap, a belt, a necklace, or a harness is disclosed that relies upon a mechanical keeper to at least aid in keeping the closure in an engaged condition, wherein the mechanical keeper is of magnetic material and is biased in a locked position by means of the force field of a magnet, thereby eliminating all springs or snug-fitting elements that could wear or lose their effectiveness over time. The magnetic keeper and the magnet may be parts of the same clasp element or they may be parts in separate clasp elements that are joined to effect closure of the clasp.

Abstract: A method is taught whereby an ungrounded safety electrical receptacle or outlet is made incompatible with a three-pronged safety plug, thereby to warn the user that the receptacle is not grounded. The method employs various fillers to fill or otherwise block entry to the hole in the outlet that receives the grounding prong of the safety plug. Labelling of the receptacle employing the filler is included. The various fillers for use in the method are also claimed, as are labelling techniques.

Abstract: A metal vapor evaporator source is provided that increases productivity of a vacuum plating operation in which it is used by reducing scrap product due to spatter of liquid metal particles from the evaporator to the product, and by reducing spurious metal condensate within the vacuum chamber, the accumulation of which metal condensate is known to increase downtime of the equipment. The former is accomplished by inhibiting the generating of such particles by increasing the total pressure on the pool of molten metal and by physically intercepting many of the spattered particles that are generated despite the increased pressure. The latter is accomplished by partially collimating the beam of metal vapor, a result of intercepting and condensing the stray vapor on a radiant-heat shield that is at a temperature above the melting point of the metal.

Abstract: An easily-installed, portable illuminator for the illuminating of toilet bowls is disclosed. More specifically, the illuminator of this disclosure hangs on the rim of a toilet bowl by a tubular conduit through which electrical conductors carry current from a battery pack or other power source external to the bowl and to a light source suspended within the bowl. Light-sensitive and manual switches and current-regulating circuitry are options on advanced embodiments.

Abstract: A gurney, or hospital cart, is disclosed that is characterized as being made predominantly of materials that are non-metallic, non magnetic, and of low electrical conductivity. Such a feature is of particular importance in those health care facilities wherein modern non-invasive body scanning equipment is in use, such equipment as provides imaging based on NMR, MRI, and the like, especially wherein large-scale superconducting magnets are in use.

Abstract: A lifting and storage apparatus is disclosed for handling a vise attachment for a vertical turret milling machine. The lifting means includes an articulated support arm that is adapted to attach at one end thereof to the glide or way provided on such machines for support and axial movement of the motorized milling tool. The articulated support is adapted at the distal end thereof to be clamped within the jaws of the vise attachment for support of the vise attachment when the movable bed of the milling machine is lowered. The articulation of the support arm allows free movement in the horizontal plane only; therefore, after the bed is lowered, the supported vise may be moved laterally to the side to a new position above the bed or to a storage position that is clear of the bed and of the work area related to the bed.

Abstract: A boom for the installing of a small boat dock while the installer need not enter the water is presented along with the method for use. Diagonal supports necessary to the final installation in the best mode of the method invention are included.

Abstract: An inflatable underlayment is provided for placing beneath a bedridden patient to elevate the patient by its subsequent inflation and, by means of a cavity in the inflated underlayment, to provide clearance for the placement of a bedpan for use by the patient, wherein the placement and removal of the bedpan requires no movement of the patient.

Abstract: A trammel-beam ellipsograph is disclosed wherein the beam is made of two sliding elements in parallel relationship with a scribe-bearing cursor riding upon them. Each beam element is pivotably attached at one end to a slide restrained within one of two perpendicular tracks. A scale on each beam element indicates the distance from the pivot relating to each respective slide to the scribe on the cursor, thereby indicating a measure of the major and minor axes of the ellipse to be scribed. Concentric ellipses having a uniform elliptical annulus therebetween may be drawn by holding the beam elements against sliding while moving the cursor a distance equal to the width of the annulus. The invention further features modular track sections to facilitate drawing ellipses of aspect ratios greater than 2:1. A trammel-beam ellipsograph is disclosed wherein the beam is made of two sliding elements in parallel relationship with a scribe-bearing cursor riding upon them.

Abstract: A suspension for a steerable or dirigible wheel for a vehicle wherein the improvement involves the providing of a horizontal pivot axis that allows the wheel's camber to be effected independently of the steering axis inclination and the caster angle. Camber may be controlled physically by a caster control arm engaging a caster control slot in the suspension yoke, or it may be controlled hydraulically by means of caster control pistons or the like.

Abstract: A novel closure or buckle for a band as might be used as a watchband, a bracelet, a necklace, or like article is disclosed. The closure requires no springs, biasing devices, nor snugly fitting members to remain closed. The closure employs a keyhole-type slot to receive a linking member and features a slide element engaged by the linking member within the keyhole slot, which slide element follows the inserted linking member as it slides into the narrow end of the slot thereby blocking the larger end of the slot to provide a smooth appearance to the closure in its latched position.

Abstract: A fishing device known as a spreader for trolling a plurality of baited hooks from a single fishing line wherein the spreader is a planar device with sweep arms extending from the body of the planar device and vanes that cause it to rotate as it moves relative to the water, thereby causing at least two fishing lures attached to the sweep arms to move in a helical pattern simulating the motion of fish swimming together. The hydrodynamic design provides for smooth operation in the water and reduces the propensity for the fishing lures to become entangled. The sweep arms pivot from a use position, in which position the arms are extended, to a storage position, in which position the arms are juxtaposed.

Abstract: An ornament, to be hung on a Christmas tree or elsewhere, is adapted to receive within a transparent tubular portion thereof a personalizing element to be viewed through the transparent portion. Primarily intended for the insertion of photographs, drawings, personal messages, or other indicia on paper or other weblike material, the ornament of this invention could also be used to display a three-dimensional object or objects, such as a toy or other memorabilia having spcial meaning to the user. In one embodiment, one end cap on the tubular portion is adapted to receive a small lamp, such as a miniature Christmas tree light.

Abstract: An inflatable underlayment is provided for a bedridden patient to elevate the patient and, by means of a wedge-shaped cavity in the inflated underlayment, to provide clearance for the placement of a fracture pan for use as a bedpan by the patient, wherein the placement and removal of the fracture pan requires no movement of the patient.

Abstract: A snow shovel is presented that requires no bending by the operator and no lifting of snow. The snow-moving elements are blades mounted on pivotally connected elongate handles such that the blades, which are in contact with the ground through a snow layer, are driven apart by a downward and outward motion of the handgrips; this blade motion moves away snow in the path of each of the two blades as they separate. At least a portion of each blade is deflectably mounted to remain in an upright position as sweep motion proceeds, thus no snow accumulates atop the blade.

Abstract: A unit for providing easy manipulation of a compact disc case from a closed to open position and back, allowing simple access to the compact disc, requiring only one hand to operate. The unit clasps the compact disc case by means of four latches that engage four slots on the compact disc case cover. The four latches accept the compact disc case by a skewed face and engage the slots by a spring bias of the latches. The locked position allows easy opening of the compact disc case. The removal of the compact disc case from the unit is allowed by the beveled edge of the latches, forcing the latches to retract when the compact disc case is pulled in a direction lateral to the insertion of the compact disc case. By means of this structure, the compact disc case can be opened with one hand, allowing quick and easy acccess to the compact disc and the literature booklet. The advantages being a convenience in some circumstances and a neccessity in other circumstances (I.E.

Abstract: A fishing device known as a spreader for trolling a plurality of baited hooks from a single fishing line wherein the spreader is a planar device with sweep arms extending from the body of the planar device and vanes that cause it to rotate as it moves relative to the water, thereby causing at least two fishing lures attached to the sweep arms to move in a helical pattern simulating the motion of fish swimming together. The hydrodynamic design provides for smooth operation in the water and reduces the propensity for the fishing lures to become entangled.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided for cutting the shell only of wire-filled corrugated flexible plastic electrical conduit of the type known to the trade as `ENTX`. The tool features a blade so spaced relative to an indexing device as to cut through the shell of the conduit proximal its maximum outside radius while the indexing device engages the conduit at an axial location proximal its minimum outside radius, said indexing device may also act as a stop to prevent the penetration of the blade beyond a predetermined radius in fixed relationship to said minimum outside radius.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device to render protection to a newborn infant against being injured due to an accident in which the infant is dropped onto the floor or other solid object at or following the moment of birth in a delivery room or in a birthing room. The invention is a safety net to catch a falling newborn at or immediately after the moment of birth, in combination with a collection system for the waste body fluids incident to the birthing process whereby these fluids are collected in a disposal receptacle that is a part of the invention.