Abstract: This invention is directed to the elimination of the cause of hearing aid wind noise pollution which is referred to here as that form of audible vibrations generated by the energy of wind-produced vortices and eddy currents at the ear area and amplified by the hearing aid circuitry in the form of objectionable roar or burbles. Said invention constitutes a disposable porous blanket accessory provided for covering the obstructions and irregularities of the hearing aids in their operating mode and any pertinent outer ear area to prevent the formation of audible wind eddies, vortices, and burbles in the airstream. Said blanket is press-applied by use of an adhesive backing which is so affixed on the blanket surface as to preserve the porous nature of the blanket and its acoustic and electronic compatibility properties by either coating or impregnating only the individual fibers of the blanket surface to be so treated and thus retaining said properties.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of securing a vehicle to a conventional vehicle repair frame rack utilizes conventional and readily available T-brackets or angle irons welded to four corners of the base of the vehicle to be repaired. A pair of square crossbeams extending in parallel from side to side, one of them near the vehicle's forward and the other near the aft end, under the base of the vehicle, are removably attached to the clamping tie-down members of the frame rack by sliding insertion through a first pair of aligned sleeves, each sleeve affixed to a bracket clamped by a tie-down member of the frame rack. Each crossbeam is releasably attached to the base of the vehicle by sliding insertion through a second pair of aligned sleeves bearing clamping assemblies, each clamping assembly of the invention being clamped to a T bracket welded onto the rocker panel, or angle iron, as the case may be, welded onto the bottom of the base of full-size-frame vehicles.

Abstract: An improved boat lift with an hydraulically-powered jack is provided with a locking mechanism, not only for maintaining the lift in its raised position when water pressure in the jack cylinder is released, but also to make it difficult or impossible to unlock by a potential thief or vandal. In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved by providing a pawl member that engages a recess in the piston shaft that can be removed only with water pressure applied through an attached hose. Access to the water supply should be restricted for purposes of security. The pawl member is attached by a pivoting flap to the end of the cylinder from which the piston emerges. The flap has a flat underside so that water pressure directed against it will easily dislodge it from a recess.

Abstract: An adjustable cargo gate system for a flat bed of a truck or trailer comprising a grate of adjustable length having a center section and end sections which telescope into or out of the center section, and vertical and horizontal braces to hold the gate upright attached to cars that engage with and slide on tracks attached to the truck bed, is modified with the improvements hereinafter described. Track extensions onto the tailgate of the truck allow the gate system to be disposed at the rearmost end of the tailgate when opened flat. One-piece car brace members in the shape of right triangles replace the separate vertical and horizontal brace members and the separate sliding car members of the original system. Curved end sections are provided to enclose the sides of the opened tailgate. A bed-liner with integral tracks make installation of the system much simpler.

Abstract: The bag valve comprises an open-ended sleeve of pliant impermeable material, one end of which is removably clamped around the down-stream open end of a conduit for fluids. The other end of the sleeve, the downstream end, can be gathered into a fully or partially closed configuration by a drawstring around the downstream sleeve end. A resilient stopper may be attached inside the downstream end of the conduit, against which the drawstring is biased when fully tightened, in order to minimize leakage from the sleeve. A cleat may be attached to the outside of the conduit for more easily securing the drawstring ends when the valve is partially or totally closed.