Abstract: Variable resistance leg harness exercise apparatus includes a belt, leg attachments, foot attachments and stretchable cords attached to the belt and to the leg and foot attachments for enabling the user to perform under an increased load while not changing the user's natural center of gravity and without distorting the natural patterns of the exercise being performed.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting and supporting system for use with a conventional vehicle lifting jack includes a plurality of lifting support adapter elements for positioning beneath and engaging conventional automobile lifting pads located under the automobile. A lifting bar, defining a vehicle lifting jack receiving portion, is provided for positioning beneath the vehicle and in removably engaging relationship with lifting support adapter elements connected to two lifting pads on one side of the vehicle. A plurality of support stands are provided for removable engagement with and beneath the adapter elements for independently supporting the vehicle in cooperation with the adapter elements while enabling removal of the jack from the jack receiving portion of the lifting bar and removal of the lifting bar from engagement with the adapter elements.

Abstract: A towing hitch ball mount is adapted for telescopic use with a conventional towing hitch ball mounted receiver for automatically controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle. A pulley system having a flexible line or cable is mounted within the ball mount so that the cable is drawn into the ball mount as the towing vehicle is braked to simultaneously apply the brakes of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: An improvement to T1 digital communications systems uses the alternate mark inversion (AMI) encoding format, typically used in T1 systems, and the D.C. system that powers the repeaters for enabling quick and accurate in-service detection and identification of malfunctioning or failed repeaters.

Abstract: A locking pipe wrench includes an upper movable jaw and a lower jaw attached to a toggle assembly whereby work can be firmly clamped and held between the jaws by adjusting the position of the upper jaw and by locking the lower jaw into position against the work by means of the toggle assembly.

Abstract: An article and process for creating designs on the surface of concrete are provided wherein the flat, flexible article is placed onto and worked into the smooth, wet surface layer of concrete. The concrete is permitted to harden to a partially set condition and the article is lifted from the partially set surface layer of the concrete to leave an impression of the article in the surface layer which becomes a permanent impression when the concrete hardens to a fully set condition.

Abstract: A personal cuddling and massaging device is provided which allows encyclopedic use of the device for cuddling and/or as a plaything as well as for massaging an area of the body of a person cuddling it. A power-driven massaging system is provided inside the device. The external shape of the device can be made to hump or arch and the relative speed of the humping or arching may be adjusted by adjusting the motion speed of the power-driven system to give the desired massaging affect on contact of the device with an area of the body of a person while cuddling or embracing it.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in cooperation with a liquid-receiving pipe for catching and temporarily storing spilled or overflowed liquid as the liquid is being transferred into the pipe. An elastic band grips the pipe in liquid-tight relationship, and the band supports the apparatus on the pipe. A flexible sleeve is connected in liquid-tight relationship with the elastic band for fitting over and around the pipe to form an inner liquid-retaining wall. A funnel is connected in liquid-tight relationship with the sleeve for positioning over and around the pipe and over and around the sleeve to form an outer liquid-retaining wall. The funnel cooperates with the sleeve to create a container for catching and temporarily storing the spilled or overflowed liquid.

Abstract: A child safety fence for preventing unsupervised children from entering swimming pools includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially vertical supports having a flexible line extending between and slidably supported by the supports. A flexible netting is attached to the flexible line and extends between the supports to form a physical barrier. The flexible line is connected to an audible alarm signal so that weight on the netting or the flexible line causes activation of the alarm signal.

Abstract: A circular tool assembly adapted to be fitted together and secured on a power-driven tool arbor includes first and second circular discs, the discs defining a medial arbor-receiving opening and peripheral portions. At least one of the discs defines an outer convex surface extending continuously between the medial opening and the peripheral portion, and the disc further defines an inner, concave surface extending continuously between the medial opening and the peripheral portion. The discs are adapted to be positioned on the arbor of the tool with a circular tool element, such as a chain saw circlet, positioned between and engaged by the peripheral portions of the discs to hold the element in position between the discs when the discs are forced toward each other along the arbor to tightly hold the tool element between the peripheral portions of the discs.

Abstract: A tool for enabling the formation of smooth caulked joints between perpendicular surfaces includes a flat rectangular element defining four straight exterior edges and defining four corners of predetermined configuration whereby smooth caulked joints can be quickly and easily formed by moving the tool along the length of the caulked joint while maintaining the tool in contact with the perpendicular surfaces.

Abstract: A garment drying hanger includes a body member slidably receiving an adjustable hook member therein and defining a plurality of openings for removably receiving a plurality of rods upon which wet surf boots, surf gloves and the like can be positioned for drying. A cage-like structure, substantially in the shape of human shoulders, is attached to and is suspended beneath the body member for supporting a scuba wet suit or the like in a position for drying, and the rods can be stored within the cage-like structure when the rods are not in use.

Abstract: A system for cultivating and harvesting bean sprouts includes an enclosed container having a door movable between open and closed positions for excluding external light from the interior of the container when the door is in a closed position. A plurality of bean sprout support elements, each of the elements defining an open mesh screen for supporting beans and bean sprouts growing from the beans, are removably stacked within the container in vertical, spaced apart relationship with each other. A cultivating fluid is circulated within the container and over and around the beans and bean sprouts. The bean sprouts are harvested by positioning the bean sprout support elements onto conveyor elements which cause the support elements and bean sprouts to be passed over serving elements which separate fine roots and chaff from the bean sprouts, and the bean sprouts are collected for later use.

Abstract: A solar energy powered water fountain includes a submersible pump submersed within a water-filled container, and a solar panel is removably connected in electrical circuit relationship with the pump for controlling operation of the pump, whereby the amount of water discharged from the pump and the display patterns produced by the pump are directly responsive to variations in light level at the solar panel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for installing a thermometer-receiving well within a fluid service pipe without interrupting the service in the pipe. A rod member is provided which defines a first end for removably receiving a cutting member for cutting through the fluid service pipe. The cutting member is then removed from the rod member and a connecting member is removably attached to the first end of the rod member in place of the cutting member. The connecting member is adapted to removably receive a thermometer well whereby the rod member can be used to cut through the fluid service pipe and to install the thermometer-receiving well within the fluid service pipe without interrupting the service in the pipe.

Abstract: A personalized greeting card system includes a foldable sheet member defining first and second panels and a plurality of interchangeable sleeve elements for removably fitting over and around the second panel. Each of the sleeve elements is provided with a separate printed message or greeting. The first panel defines opposed front and rear surfaces, and the front surface has a printed message or greeting thereon which preferably includes a person's name. The rear surface has a plural-lined printed message or greeting thereon which uses the letters of the person's name as the first letter of each line of the plural-lined message.

Abstract: A sulky apparatus attachable to a self-propelled power mower for transporting an operator in a standing position includes a rigid arm attached to the mower by a hinge which normally rotates about a horizontal axis. Operator foot-receiving platforms are supported by a wheel and are attached to the arm by means of a pivot for enabling the platforms to rotate about a normally vertical axis of the pivot. The horizontal distance between the hinge and the pivot is greater than the horizontal distance between the pivot and the rearwardmost portion of the apparatus to permit unlimited movement of the foot-receiving platforms and the wheel about the pivot axis. As a result, the mower and the apparatus can be moved in a reverse direction and the apparatus can be folded up under the handlebars of the mower.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a paint roller pad includes a hollow annular member and a plurality of semi-rigid or flexible nozzle elements projecting inwardly from an inner surface of the annular member with the free ends of the nozzle elements positioned to have an interference fit with the nap of the roller pad when the pad is passed between the nozzle elements. A connection is provided for introducing liquid into the interior of the hollow annular member, and an annular sleeve is attached to and in substantially coaxial relationship with the annular member. The sleeve provides an interference fit with the roller pad whereby paint and liquid are wiped and wrung from the roller pad as the pad is passed through the sleeve after passing in contact with the nozzle elements.

Abstract: A door bar for use in combination with a door and a door frame for maintaining the door in a closed position with respect to the frame includes a plate member which is attached to the door frame and a bar member defining a slot therein. The plate member defines a first planar element and a second planar element at a right angle to the first planar element, and the bar member is positioned, by use of the slot, over the plate member and between the door-door frame and the second element whereby the door is retained in a closed position by means of the bar member.

Abstract: Book support apparatus includes a thin planar base and a plurality of thin planar supports projecting vertically from the base whereby books, cards, notebooks or the like can be supported and stored within the apparatus. The base and vertically projecting supports are flat to permit quick and easy insertion into and removal from the apparatus of books or the like, and the base and supports are comprised of very thin material to enable the apparatus to unobtrusively visually blend in with the stored books.