Abstract: A system for preventing erosion of metal objects in a swimming pool having chemicals therein includes a metal piece sacrificial anode, which may be of zinc. This metal piece sacrificial anode is contained within a tubular container and placed in a location along the swimming pool where it can be readily viewed. The metal piece sacrificial anode is removably supported within the container on the cover of the container, which is threadably attached to the container. The container is supported on piping through which water is supplied to the pool and to the interior of the container. The metal piece sacrificial anode is attached at one end to a an electrically conductive wire and to an electrically conductive copper wire or “bonding wire”, which runs around the pool and is attached to metal objects in the pool.

Abstract: A winch used for tightening a strap to retain an article, which may be cargo, on the deck of a vehicle has a ratcheting mechanism which tightens the strap around a cylindrical shaft. A ratchet cap installed on the winch has two sections. One of these sections is fixedly attached to the winch drive shaft This first section has a plurality of spaced recesses running around a surface plate thereof. Spring urged pins with rounded end surfaces are mounted in receptacles formed in the second cap section. The rounded ends of the spring urged pins are urged against the surfaces of the recesses. The pins are prevented from moving out of the recesses in one direction by a right angled end portion of the recess in this one direction and are free to move out of a recess over a slanted recess end portion into an adjoining recess in the opposite direction. At least one aperture is formed in the cap into which a lever for driving the winch is fitted.

Abstract: A device has a chain fitting which is connected to the floor of a transportation vehicle, such as a flatbed trailer. The chain fitting has a cap on one end thereof, which is installed in a mating aperture formed in the vehicle floor. The side rail has an aperture opposite the floor aperture, this aperture having a smaller diameter than the floor aperture. A side rail is installed along an edge of the floor, tis side rail having an aperture positioned opposite the aperture in the floor and having a smaller diameter than the floor aperture. The cap is installed on the top side of the floor with a short chain piece attached thereto running through the aperture with a second cap at the lower end which is secured to the lower end of the chain. A length of securing chain is attached to the chain fitting, this securing chain being attached to cargo to be restrained. The cap is partially beveled along its contact surface with the floor and engages the sides of the aperture in the floor.

Abstract: A self steering system for a sailboat has a rotatably and pendulously supported servo blade or “oar” member, which is suspended in the water behind the boat. A central body portion is attached to the transom of the boat. A pendulum body having two lever arms or “winglets” which extend generally in opposite directions is fixedly supported on a shaft suspended below the central body portion. A line is attached to each of the tips of the lever arms. Each of these lines runs upwardly and through separate blocks to the boat's steering control. A wind vane is installed on the top of the assembly and drives a push rod, which is coupled, to the servo blade. In operation, the wind vane provides a motional signal in accordance with changes in the heading of the boat from a preset heading, this motional signal operating to drive the servo blade, which controls the sailboat's main rudder, to bring the boat back to its preset heading.

Abstract: A support device for use in supporting a person on the side a vehicle extends from the side of a vehicle below the main body thereof and has a support member, which is clamped at one end to the vehicle frame. A step unit is attached to the other end of the support member. A panel for supporting the person is attached to the step unit. The support member has a pair of opposing rods at the end attached to the vehicle frame, these rods running along the opposite sides of the vehicle frame. The rods are clamped to the frame by bolts. The support member has a pair of arms which run at right angles to each other and a third arm running angularly between the pair of arms to form a triangular configuration. One of said pair of arms forms one of the rods running along the side of the vehicle frame. The step unit is attached to the end of the other one of the pair of arms. This attachment is made to permit pivotal movement of ninety degrees of the step relative to the other one of the pair of arms.

Abstract: The turret of a military vehicle such as a tank is locked in a predetermined position released from this position for installation in another position. The turret has a plurality of holes formed therein arranged in a circular configuration. A pair of lock pins are removably fitted within an adjacent pair of the holes. A single rod is pivotally connected to the lock pins with an operating handle pivotally attached to the rod. Retaining rings are installed on the ends of the rod to retain the lock pins on the rod. The lock pins are angled away from each other and slide on the rod to permit their free entry into adjacent holes. Movement of the handle in a first direction drives the lock pins into adjacent turret holes while movement in the opposite direction withdraws the lock pins from the holes for installation in another pair of holes to change the positioning of the turret.

Abstract: A rotary gasoline engine has two sets of pistons, which move reciprocally. The reciprocal output of said pistons is coupled to an undulating ramp, which converts the reciprocal motion to rotary motion. The engine casing has a hollow center though which no shaft runs. Dual rotary outputs are provided, one through a rotatable output block at the top end of the casing, the other through a rotatable block at the bottom end of the casing in response to the reciprocal motion of the pistons.

Abstract: A winch assembly is designed so that it can be slidably supported on the side rail of a vehicle. The winch assembly has side walls and a top plate. Slots are formed between the top plate and the side walls. A first bar runs between the side walls at substantially the same elevation as the top plate. A second bar runs between the side walls at an elevation below that of the first bar. A space is formed between the top plate and the first and second bars. The vehicle has a side rail running there around on which the winch assembly is supported. The side rail has a U-shaped bottom piece and a U-shaped top piece which run around the vehicle side walls. A cross member runs between the opposite sides of the cargo compartment The side frame has a U-shaped bottom piece with an arm extending there from, this arm being fitted into a slot in the deck of the vehicle located between the deck and the cross member.

Abstract: A device for holding a door open having a ready release mechanism to enable the closing of the door has a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a wall. A latch is pivotally supported on the bracket and a release lever is pivotally supported on the latch. An end piece having a ramped outer surface and a flat inner surface is attached to the end of the latch. As the door moves towards the wall to its fully open position, it rides over the ramped surface and is latched open between the release lever and the mounting bracket. The door is released towards its closed position by its riding over a ramped surface formed by the release lever and the end piece.