Abstract: A baseball practice apparatus including a batting tee and a swing guide that serves as a positive indication of the outer radius of a batter's swing whereby a batter will know if the rear elbow is dropped or if the wrists are prematurely broken in the swing. Each of the batting tee and the swing guide members are adjustable in height whereby differences in stances and batters' heights can be compensated for with the equipment.

Abstract: A shock absorbing lighting device is provided which includes first and second end members each having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral edge. The first and second end members are held in spaced relationship by a plurality of elongated support members disposed in spaced relationship about the inner surfaces of the end members and adjacent to the peripheral edges of the end members to form a frame structure within which a light member is disposed. The light member is supported within the frame structure by resiliently urged hook members adapted to minimize transfer of shock from the frame structure to the light member.

Abstract: A self-powered ornamental lighting device includes a housing wall defining a chamber therein and a power source disposed in the housing chamber. One or more LEDS are mounted in the housing wall whereby light emitted by the LED is transmitted to the ambience. Circuit means are disposed in the housing chamber for connecting the power supply and the LEDS for causing the LEDS to emit light. A removable cover member provides access to the housing chamber. In one embodiment of the invention the LEDS are provided with light enhancing members which serve to disburse, direct, reflect or otherwise modify the light emitted from the LEDS. In another embodiment of the invention a remote control system is provided for control of the on/off function of the lighting device.

Abstract: A composite sole structure for footwear and the like is disclosed. The sole structure includes a plurality of adjacent tubular members adapted to contain a gaseous medium under pressure at a selected value. The tubular members are provided with a composite structure including an inner layer of resilient elastomeric material impermeable to diffusion of the gaseous medium therethrough; an outer layer of a flexible mesh material resistant to expansion but sufficiently compliant to cooperate with the inner resilient layer to provide a cushioning effect in response to shock forces and a resilient flexible material forming a matrix about the tubular members. In an alternate embodiment aa second or outer layer of a resilient elastomeric material is provided over the flexible mesh layer to provide additional strength and resistance to diffusion of gases.

Abstract: An educational device adapted to use interchangeable card members having comparable informational indicia thereon is provided comprising a casing having interchangeable dielectric panel members having upper and lower surfaces removably secured to the casing. A plurality of pairs of normally open electric current paths are associated with the lower surface of the panel member, each of the current paths having a pair of normally open magnetic switches thereby forming a corresponding pair of magnetic switches. A source of electrical energy is connected to the open electric current paths operative when activated to provide a sensurous indication when a corresponding pair of normally open switches is closed.

Abstract: A toy assembly device and toy assemblages formed therefrom is disclosed. The toy assembly device includes a substantially flat member formed of a resilient flexible material and having a peripheral edge. The flat member is sufficiently folded upon itself to form upper and lower opposing surfaces having corresponding upper and lower opposing peripheral edges extending from the common fold area. The opposing upper and lower surfaces are attached together at a point adjacent the peripheral edges whereby the opposing surfaces and edges define an opening therebetween extending the length of the fold area and terminating in a pair of lateral openings. The lateral openings taper from the fold area to an area of contact between the opposing upper and lower surfaces adjacent the point of attachment. The peripheral edges forming the lateral openings are sufficiently resilient to each releasably hold the end of a second toy device inserted therein to thereby sequentially form as assemblage of the toy devices.

Abstract: A pest repellent article for dispensing a repellent composition to a receptacle or area to be protected is disclosed. The pest repellent article comprises an outer cover and an inner porous removable pest repellent composition carrier member. The repellent composition carrier is formed of a compact absorbent structure and is impregnated with a volatile pest repellent composition. The outer cover or envelope completely encloses the repellent composition carrier member and is formed of a flexible, puncturable, tearable material substantially impermeable to the repellent composition and the vapors thereof. The outer cover is releasably sealed about the inner porous pest repellent composition carrier member and can be opened to remove the inner porous repellent composition carrier member. The inner porous pest repellent composition carrier member is releasably sealed whereby the composition carrier member can be opened to release the volatile repellent composition carrier.

Abstract: An improved bicycle seat which is useful for various styles of riding formed of an elongated integral member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a center portion and a pair of lateral end portions. The top surface is contoured to have a pair of concave portions for supporting engagement with each of a bicycle rider's buttocks. The bicycle seat also includes a pair of seat supporting frame members. Each of the frame members is a mirror image of the other and includes a u-shaped rod member having a pair of generally parallel laterally extending leg portions for supporting engagement with the bottom surface of the seat and a closed end portion bent downwardly and generally perpendicular to the leg portions to provide a pair of support members. The supporting members are laterally adjustable as well as constructed and arranged for attachment to a standard bicycle seat mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible travel tray assembly is provided for mounting in conjunction with a conventional automobile seat positioned to the front of the user of the tray and the seat of the user, particularly a child's car seat. The portable tray assembly comprises a rigid bottom panel member having front, back, and side portions. The bottom panel member is provided with a pair of opposing folding side panels which extend along the side portions of the bottom panel and above the plane of the bottom panel when in the unfolded position. The tray assembly also includes a front folding panel extending between the opposing side panels and along the front portion of the bottom panel and above the plane of said bottom panel. The folding side and front panels permit the tray to be converted from a stowed or collapsed position when the side and front panels are in the folded or stowed position to a position of use when in the unfolded position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for selectively treating strands of hair with a treating solution. The device is formed of a fluid impervious flexible sheet material in the shape of a cap to conform to the head of a person in a generally overlying relationship to the hair thereof and having an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of air cells are disposed in spaced relationship about the outer surface of the sheet material forming the cap. The air cells are formed of a generally dome-shaped flexible wall member and have a base wall integral with the sheet material. The air cells are puncturable to form perforations permitting strands of hair to be pulled therethrough for treatment with the treating solution. The punctured air cell walls form a pocket seal around the strands of hair thereby preventing the penetration of the treating solution to the scalp and hair not to be treated below the sheet material.

Abstract: A device for forming joints in the fabrication of enclosure frames is disclosed comprising a first, second and third sleeve members each adapted to slidably receive a frame member. The sleeve members are constructed and arranged to be attached to each other so that the axes of the sleeve members are generally mutually perpendicular whereby two sleeve members are adapted to receive lateral frame members and one sleeve member is adapted to receive a vertical frame member. Securing means are associated with each sleeve member for releasably securing the frame members within the sleeve members. A skeletal frame for enclosures formed of the joint forming devices is disclosed.

Abstract: A body pillow is provided for enfolding the body of a user at rest. The body pillow is typically an elongated flexible member having an upper section adapted to enfold the upper body and arms of the user and a lower section adapted to lie between and enfold the legs of the user. The upper body section comprises a flexible material forming an enclosure having a generally oval configuration in the vertical plane and having a filling of sufficient cushioning material whereby the upper section readily conforms to the contour of the body and embracing arms of the user. The lower leg section also comprises a flexible material forming an enclosure having a generally oval configuration in the horizontal plane and a filling of sufficient cushioning material whereby the lower section holds the legs of the user in spaced relationship and readily conforms to the contour of the legs. In one embodiment a body pillow cover is employed to provide protective and decorative features.

Abstract: A collapsible trap is disclosed characterized by a net member and a folding frame member, the frame being disposed within the net member and adapted to be erected to form an enclosure therewith. The net member has an entrance including an opening to permit water creatures to enter the trap and to hinder leaving the trap. The folding frame member disposed within the net member comprises first and second annular members attached to the net member in spaced parallel relationship. A plurality of folding longitudinal members join the first and second annular members together. Each of the longitudinal members comprises a pair of arms having disatal and proximal ends. The distal ends of the arms are pivotally attached to annular members.

Abstract: An adjustable shore frame is disclosed which has a first sleeve member adapted to slidably receive a major length adjusting vertical support member and a second sleeve member adjacent to the first sleeve member and adapted to slidably receive a minor length adjusting vertical support member. First adjusting members are adapted, in association with the first sleeve member, to longitudinally releasably engage a major length adjusting member relative to the first sleeve member to provide major or rough adjustment of the overall length of the shore. Second adjusting members are adapted, in association with the second sleeve member, to provide for continuous instantaneous extension or retraction of the minor length adjusting vertical support member longitudinally relative to the second sleeve member to provide for minor or fine adjustment of the overall length of the shore.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for plants is disclosed which is particularly adapted in one mode for young plants that are disposed in rows and is easily converted to a protective mode which provides protection for larger plants and/or a support upon which plants may climb or be tied. The protective enclosure mode structure includes a row of spaced generally flat frame members which have a horizontal portion and downwardly extending lateral leg portions for insertion into the ground. Openings are disposed within the frame members to receive upper and/or lateral elongated supports which support the frame members in parallel spaced relationship without interfering with the outer surface of the frame members which serve to support a cover which is transparent to sunlight. The frame members are provided with clamps for releasably securing the cover about the frames and in ground engaging contact. The elongated supports also serve as conduits for fluids to be delivered to the plants.

Abstract: The invention is a safety bench press apparatus which prevents injuries as a consequence of a dropping or otherwise uncontrolled impact of the bar bell upon a weight lifter. The apparatus can be installed as an accessory to the weight lifting bench or as an integrated component of the bench. The apparatus comprises two vertical side support members which are disposed on each side of and parallel to the bench press. The upper surface of the support members are configured to provide an inclined portion which inclines upwardly away from the shoulders of the weight lifter (anterior portion of the bench) towards the foot (posterior portion of the bench) and terminates in a holding portion which is provided with a retainer member which functions to hold the bar bell in fixed position when placed in the holding portion. In one embodiment of the invention the vertical support members are provided with retainer members which prevent the bar bell from rolling or sliding off the inclined surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a speed transformer adaptor comprising an input shaft and an output shaft and a plurality of gear systems coaxially assembled within a casing. The gear systems individually comprise a rotatable member having a first portion forming an externally toothed sun gear and a second cylindrical portion having internal gear teeth. The externally toothed sun gear portion of each gear system is coaxially positioned within the cylindrical portion of the adjacent gear system. A pinion gear is disposed within the cylindrical portion of each gear system for engaging the sun gear and the internally toothed gear to transmit power therebetween. A clutch is provided and when not engaged allows the adaptor to function to provide high speed rotation of the output shaft with low speed rotation of the input shaft, and when slidably engaged allows the input shaft, casing, gear systems and output shaft to rotate in unison to provide a 1:1 input/output ratio.