Abstract: A method is disclosed for using floor tiling to make edging for counter tops. The first step is to cut a floor tile into a plurality of slats. A jig is provided which has a laterally extending, upwardly open recess comprising a plurality of sides having widths corresponding to the widths of the plurality of slats. The plurality of slats are positioned face down into the plurality of sides thereby forming an upwardly facing trench. The plurality of slats are glued together and then the trench is filled with a mortar thereby forming a flat cementitious rearward face to form an edging piece. The edging piece is removed from the jig and then adhered to the edge of a counter top base.

Abstract: An electric door opening mechanism is disclosed which is operable in either a fail safe and a fail secure mode. The electric door opening mechanism comprises a housing having a cutout portion with an opening adapted to receive a bolt of a door. At least one keeper arm is pivotally mounted to the housing. The keeper arm has a locked position occluding the opening and an open position which allows the bolt to be inserted and withdrawn from the opening. A transmission lever pivotally mounted to the housing releasably engages each keeper arm. When the keeper arm and the transmission lever are engaged, the transmission lever holds the keeper arm in the locked position. A release lever pivotally mounted to the housing is adapted to engage the transmission lever. The release lever has three positions, a first unlocked position, a second locked position and a third unlocked position. When the release lever is in the locked position, it holds the transmission lever in engagement with the keeper arm.

Abstract: An attachment for a door of a safety deposit box cubical for modifying its locking system wherein the locking system comprises a flange forming a part of one of the bank keys extending laterally of the key and anchored to the door for providing access to a safety deposit box by merely using a second assigned key.

Abstract: A stringed instrument comprises, in combination, a body with a neck extending forwardly therefrom The neck has a tuning portion mounted opposite the body which is adapted to receive one end of a plurality of strings. The tuning portion adjusts the tension on each of the plurality of strings. The other end of the plurality of stings is attached to the body. A plurality of pickup elements is positioned on the body proximate to the neck. The plurality of pickup elements is underneath the plurality of strings. The plurality of pickup elements are also in electrical communication with a position sensitive switch which determines which of the plurality of pickup elements is actuated in response to movement of the body. A plurality of tremolo mechanisms corresponding to the plurality of strings is attached to the end of the plurality of strings attached to the body. Also, interchangeable fret boards are mountable on the neck.

Abstract: A protective device for locking two relatively movable objects of a cargo container in a fixed relationship comprises a housing having an open end and a flange extending about the periphery of the open end. The housing is mounted on one of said objects. A longitudinally movable bar is mounted on the interior of housing and extends therethrough for cooperatively engaging a sleeve mounted on the other of the objects for locking the objects together. A collar is also mounted within the housing for enclosing the bar. The collar has a padlock retainer formed between its ends for providing a recess which exposes a hole in the bar when the bar is in cooperative engagement with the sleeve. The recess forms an opening for receiving the shackle of a padlock while the hole is adapted to allow the shackle of the padlock to extend through the bar when the bar engages the sleeve.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for actuating the intake and exhaust valves of a reciprocating multiple cylinder external combustion vapor expansion engine in either forward and reverse rotation. Electrical solenoid and pressure actuating valve mechanisms responding to a sophisticated digital computer program replaces the cam shafts, push rods, adjustable tappets, throttle, fuel injection, and cooling systems of a conventional internal combustion Diesel engine. The computer integrates the many system variables, including, temperature, pressure, speed, friction, mass, and acceleration to obtain the optimum efficiency of shaft work output.

Abstract: A fascia installation tool and method therefore is provided for installing fascia boards. The tool comprises a flat plate adapted to be mounted to a beam. The flat plate has an upper edge aligned with an upper surface of a beam and a front edge aligned to a front surface of a beam. An L-shaped plate has a first leg mounted to the flat plate with the first leg extending forwardly and downwardly parallel to the upper edge and a second leg extending upwardly and forwardly at a right angle from the first leg. The second leg, the first leg and the front edge form a cradle adapted to receive a fascia board therein. The cradle aligns the top of the fascia board to an upper surface of a beam.

Abstract: A carpenter's pencil sharpener for sharpening carpenter's pencils is disclosed. The pencil sharpener comprises a housing having both a vertically oriented oval shaped bore and a horizontally oriented oval shaped bore extending therethrough. The oval shapes of the bores corresponds to the profile of a carpenter's pencil. The bores are parallel and aligned with respect to each other. A cutting edge resiliently extends at an angle into the path of the bores. The angle of the cutting edge being adapted to allow a carpenter's pencil to be slid within said bore when inserted therein but whittling a carpenter's pencil when withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for actuating a switch guide beam swinging laterally between two or more fixed guide beam ends, in order to make a route selection for a beam guided vehicle. The moving guide beam pivots distantly of the primary fixed guide beam end to create a gap spanned by an intermediate suspended channel plate guide segment that provides substantially two equal lateral deflections to the moving vehicle for a route diversion in a storage yard or repair shop area. The mechanism for high speed or main line operation has two additional channel plate guide segments slidably guided at each end of the guide segment centrally affixed on the straddle beam and pivoted at the primary beam fixed end and the merge point on the radially moving swing guide beam to provide four substantially equal lateral deflections to the moving vehicle when a route diversion is required.

Abstract: A carpenter's pencil sharpener for sharpening carpenter's pencils is disclosed. The pencil sharpener comprises a housing having both a vertically oriented oval shaped bore and a horizontally oriented oval shaped bore extending therethrough. The oval shapes of the bores corresponds to the profile of a carpenter's pencil. The bores are parallel and aligned with respect to each other. A cutting edge resiliently extends at an angle into the path of the bores. The angle of the cutting edge being adapted to allow a carpenter's pencil to be slid within said bore when inserted therein but whittling a carpenter's pencil when withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A field hoist includes a support having a post extending upwardly therefrom. A base is slidably received over the post and is freely rotatable about an axis defined by the post. The base has a winch and pivot lock mounted thereto. The pivot lock engaging and disengaging the post and the base in a desired angular orientation with respect to the axis. An angled upright has a vertical portion which is telescopically received within the base. The angled upright has a sleeve extending upwardly atop the vertical portion at a preselected angle towards the side of the base having the winch mounted thereon. A support extension is slidably received within the sleeve and extends therefrom. A winch cable has a hook mounted at one end thereof, the other end of the winch cable being attached to the winch. The winch cable extending upwardly to the sleeve, upwardly along the sleeve and the support extension, and lastly extending downwardly from the end of the support extension. An animal hanger is provided on the hook.

Abstract: A signage display attachment system is disclosed for mounting a sign to a substrate. The signage display attachment system comprises an insertion bead, the insertion bead having two elongated legs extending from a base. The two elongated legs define a narrow, elongated un-shaped channel therebetween whereby the edge of a sign is captured within the channel. The insertion bead further has an upper prong and a lower prong extending laterally from the base perpendicular to the legs, the upper prong and the lower prong having a slot therebetween. A mounting channel has a plurality of recesses on one side thereof with the upper prong and the lower prong being sized to be receivable in combination within one of the plurality of recesses. The system releasably retains the upper prong and the lower prong, in combination, within each of the plurality of recesses. An L-shaped mounting channel having a retainer leg and a base is also provided.

Abstract: A ladder comprises a top step, two leg assemblies mounted to the top step, and a step assembly mounted to the top step. The leg assembly and the step assembly pivot from a closed position in which the leg assemblies and the step assembly are extend vertically downward from the top step to an angular position in which the leg assemblies and the step assembly are angularly displaced from vertical and oriented along radial axes positioned 120 degrees from one another in a tripod configuration. Each leg assembly and the step assembly are locked to the selected angular position. The length of each leg assembly can be adjusted as desired. The step assembly includes a plurality of steps. Each of the leg assemblies and the step assembly have a foot for engaging the ground.

Abstract: An inflatable beach chair is disclosed having the appearance of a shoe. The inflatable beach chair comprises a seat portion which corresponds to a tongue of the shoe and a beach blanket which is detachably mounted to the seat portion. The chair has two side storage compartments which correspond to eyelets for laces of the shoe. A base corresponds to a sole of a shoe. A cavity has a cover, the cavity corresponding to a foot opening of a shoe while the cavity is adapted to receive a cooler. The beach chair is fabricated of a resilient sheet material thereby being capable of achieving a load supporting state when inflated and being stored in a small volume when deflated. The beach chair includes at least one fill stem and valve combination adapted to inflate or deflate the beach chair as desired.

Abstract: A pill counting device is disclosed which comprises a tray having two pouring spouts 42 positioned at adjacent corners thereof. A receptacle is positioned along a side of the tray opposite the two pouring spouts. The receptacle comprises a bin extending downwardly from the surface of the tray and a cover for the bin. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position, the closed position forming the receptacle. The receptacle is open at both ends thereof which correspond to the corners of the tray not occupied by the pouring spouts. The open receptacle ends can be closed as desired.