Abstract: An arm rest for use with the door of a motor vehicle is disclosed which provides comfort and added safety feature for the driver or passenger of the motor vehicle. The arm rest preferable includes a base, a leg which is inserted between a panel of the door and the window, and a padded portion on which the driver or passenger may rest his or her arm during operation of the motor vehicle. Raised projections on the leg of the arm rest secure the arm rest in the door. A high-friction material, such as rubber, prevents the arm rest from slipping or scratching the molding on the door. The arm rest also contains a padded portion which is supported by a support member such as wood, and consists of foam padding covered by a cloth or vinyl cover. The arm rest may contain a notch for receive the post of an door lock. The arm rest may also have a canopy on the base for covering the door lock to prevent an intruder or thief from unlocking the motor vehicle door. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure for decks or other structures is disclosed which utilizes recycled plastic lumber decking planks which slide onto a rigid frame. The frame includes supporting members having protruding "T"-shaped connectors which selectively fit into preformed grooves on the side surfaces of the plastic planks. The manner in which the planks are secured to the frame allows for the expansion and contraction of the individual plank lengths due to temperature variations. In addition, brackets are provided which fasten railings and the like to the rigid frame.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism for selectively connecting transmission components has a gear with teeth and a clutch collar mechanism. The clutch collar mechanism has a clutch collar, pins, springs used to bias the pins, and spring plates. To connect the clutch collar to the gear, the clutch collar is sliden along its shaft until its pins contact the teeth of the gear. The pins are then pushed back against the springs located within the clutch collar. The clutch collar is then rotated until the pins line up with gaps between the teeth of the gear. The pins are then automatically inserted into the gaps by the springs.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for use in tying fishing flies is disclosed that includes a vise with parallel first and second extended portions with aligned holes, and a trigger pin disposed through holes that has a circular and flat first end adjacent to the first extended portion and a threaded second end adjacent to the second extended portion with a knob screwed on the end. The clamping apparatus also includes a trigger with a circular portion that has pinhole offset from a center of the circular portion. The pinhole is aligned with a pinhole in the circular portion of the trigger pin, and a pin is disposed through the pinholes. The vise is attached to an arm that is attached to a base. Two legs extend from the base to support the clamping apparatus. Foot joints are located at the ends of the legs and are connected to a flexible member that stabilizes the clamping apparatus. A neck cord is also provided so that the vise may be used in the field at a stream or lake.

Abstract: In a lawn and garden device having a fixed rear axle and a pivoting front wheel, the improvement of an interlock so as to prevent the pivoting of the front wheel in respect to the frame of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing magnetically attractable particles from a fluid in combination with an associated filter is disclosed. The filter, typically an oil filter, has a magnetically attractable outer wall enclosing an internal chamber. The outer wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The fluid circulates through the internal chamber. The apparatus includes a magnetic member having a plurality of regions of alternating polarity, the magnetic member being retained against the outer surface of the outer wall, a flux apparatus for directing magnetic flux within the internal chamber, and an opening clamp. The method includes the steps of opening the opening clamp, removing the magnetic member from the filter, replacing the filter with a second filter, placing the magnetic member onto the second filter, and closing the opening clamp.

Abstract: An implement lift mechanism for a grounds care device uses a lost motion interconnection between a rotary lift flange and an integral lift/connector link coaxial therewith to selectively control the height of the implement. The lost motion interconnection allows the implement to float upwards over uneven terrain. Additionally, a spring can be used to assist in aiding the implement and reducing lift force.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a free disperse system in liquid which produces a controlled hydrodynamic cavitation by regulation of constriction ratio, volumetric flow rate, and degree of cavitation parameters. Selection of the parameters with regard to the properties of components of the fluid make it possible to effectively treat the components having a variety of physio-chemical characteristics. The invention further relates to the construction of a cavitation device wherein the geometry of a flow-constricting baffle body effectively increases the degree of cavitation to substantially improve the quality of an obtained free disperse system.

Abstract: A roller arrangement for use in a conveyance system includes a generally cylindrical roller body which has a pre-determined diameter, an outer surface, and a central passage. A shaft extends through the central passage, the roller body is rotatable about the shaft. An expander circumscribes the roller body. An impact shell is connected outwardly to the expander. The impact shell includes a cover made of low modulus elastomeric material and a backing layer made of high modulus elastomeric material. A first compression plate, a second compression plate, and a compression ring are mounted to the roller so that the compression ring is mounted between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A variable speed mechanism for propelling an associated lawn mowing apparatus has a variable pitch pulley assembly, a belt which connects the variable pitch pulley assembly to a transmission, a control arm assembly for controlling the variable pitch pulley assembly, and a speed selector for selectively adjusting the control arm assembly. The speed selector is positioned corresponding to the desired lawn mowing apparatus ground speed. This creates tension in a cable which moves a control arm. When the control arm is moved, it rotates about a pivot shaft adjusting the position of a bearing cup which, in turn, adjusts the position of the moveable pulley half within variable pitch pulley assembly. Once the pulley assembly has been positioned, the effective belt diameter is set. If the effective belt diameter is increased, the speed supplied to the transmission is increased assuming a fixed pulley size on the transmission input.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle for use with a chipper-shredder vacuum for vacuuming debris from an outdoor surface is disclosed. The nozzle has an inlet for directing debris into the nozzle. The inlet has a first side, a middle section, a second side, and a non-inlet area. The first side has a first nozzle inlet, the middle section has a middle nozzle inlet, the second side has a second nozzle inlet. The cross-sectional areas of the first and second nozzle inlets are greater than the cross-sectional area of the middle nozzle inlet to equalize vacuum force throughout the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a nozzle extension that extends below the nozzle and an adjustment apparatus for adjusting the height of the nozzle extension from the ground to conform the chipper-shredder vacuum to the terrain. The nozzle extension may be raised for bumpy or thick terrain or lowered for a flat terrain.

Abstract: An asymmetric opening at the bottom of a lawn and garden vacuum device equalizing the suction across the lateral width thereof.

Abstract: An electric appliance control system is provided for use with an electric power unit such as an electric lawn mower. The electric appliance control system includes a battery, a selectively operable switch, a relay having first and second contacts, a control means, a charger circuit and an operator presence switch. The relay is operable by the switch to connect the electric power unit to the battery. The first and second contacts of the relay pass amperage therethrough between the battery and the electric power unit. The first contact is normally open and the second contact is normally closed. The control means includes a negative temperature coefficient thermistor in series with the first contact and multiple thermistors arranged in parallel and utilized in series with the second contact. The negative temperature coefficient thermistor variably increases the amperage passing through the first contact of the relay upon the selective operation of the switch to connect the electric power unit to the battery.