Abstract: A tool for manually driving fasteners having a handle, a shank, and a working tip or bit retainer includes a ball joint for allowing angular displacement of the bit retainer relative to the tool's longitudinal axis so that the tool can be directed into difficult-to-reach areas. The tool further includes a rotatable sleeve threadably mounted on the distal end of the shank, a ball joint disposed at the distal end of the shank, and the tool bit retainer secured to the ball joint by a retaining pin and capable of holding one of a variety of bits. Rotation of the sleeve on the shank binds the bit retainer in axial alignment with the shank, and counter-rotation of the sleeve releases the bit retainer for angular displacement or repositioning with respect to the tool's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring the orientation of an individual's physical posture relative to a path the individual is traversing includes a transparent tube attachable to the bill of the individual's cap, and extending beneath and to opposed sides of the bill, a pair of fastening elements with each fastening element securable to an end of the tube so that the tube can be secured to the bill by the fastening elements, and a spherical member disposed and visible within the bore of the tube and susceptible to shifting therein as a result of the individual's movement while traversing the path.

Abstract: An applicator assembly is provided for depositing various kinds of viscous, spreadable media onto workpieces, such as circuit boards and metal and ceramic substrates, and includes a blade structure having a metal blade portion and a plastic blade portion joined together along one of their respective longitudinal edges. The blade structure is removably attachable to a blade holder and is reversible so that the metal blade can be secured to the blade holder which is mounted to a screen and stencil printer, thus exposing the plastic blade portion for use in screen and stencil printing operations. Alternatively, the blade structure can be secured to the blade holder thereby exposing the metal blade portion for use in screen and stencil printing operations.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for filtering particulate matter from a fluid flow pumped from a coolant pool for a nuclear reactor. The apparatus comprises a large vessel with an interior chamber in which is rotatably supported a turntable in the form of a rigid basket-like support structure on which a large number of disposable filter cartridges are removably secured. Part of the turntable is a manifold assembly for distributing contaminated fluid received from a central conduit to the inlet side of the filter cartridges in the chamber. The vessel serves as a containment for coolant processed through the filters whereby the cleansed coolant may be conducted outwardly from the vessel through an outlet port and piped back to the pool of origin. Gate means are provided on the vessel in the form of normally closed ball valves which allow, during shut-down of the apparatus, extension, into and through the vessel, of tools to manipulate the turntable within the vessel and to accomplish filter cartridge replacement.

Abstract: A portable basketball retrieval and return device includes a movable support platform having casters for allowing the positioning of the device on a playing surface adjacent a basketball backboard and rim, a slidable upright frame mounted to the platform and to which a plurality of telescoping arms are attached whereby both the frame and arms are selectively extensible and retractable for disposing netting material which collects shot basketballs from the basketball backboard and rim.

Abstract: A hand-carriable baton for displaying at least one chemiluminescent light stick which provides a determinate period of ambient light includes an elongated tubular body having first and second ends, and an inner bore coequal in length with the body. The bore is closed at the first end by a removably securable cap to which a lanyard is attached, and secured to the second end is a socket member. One illumination producer in the form of a chemiluminescent light stick is mounted to the socket member for projecting outwardly therefrom for providing ambient light of fixed duration while a second illumination producer, also a chemiluminescent light stick, is stored within the bore for replacing the first light stick. The tubular body also includes an anti-rotation element adjacent the second end to prevent the device from rolling away from the user if dropped on any ground surface.

Abstract: A stretch-on elastic removable cover for a tap dance shoe enables the shoe to be decoratively transformed in appearance. The cover, when snugly fitted on the shoe, conforms to the shape of the shoe and conceals the shoe's upper. The cover is constructed to include an integral band which stretchably wraps under the shoe's arch, and an endless loop retaining wire partially contained within a curved sleeve integral to the forward or toe end of the cover and which encircles the perimeter of the shoe's toe tap.

Abstract: A manually-operable device for use by tree stand hunters for retrieving items that have been left on the ground or that have fallen from the hunter or tree stand onto the ground, includes an elongated shank, a rope having one end attached to the shank and an opposite end for grasping by the hunter situated in the tree stand, a plurality of flexible arms attached to the shank which are movable from an open position to a gripping position and are radially disposed circumjacent the longitudinal axis of the shank, a trigger plate slidably mounted on the arms for selectively spreading the arms and selectively closing the arms so that the item can be retrieved and released, and a weighted disc mounted on the shank for linear, reciprocable movement thereon so that the movement of the disc on the shank causes the disc to contact the trigger plate thereby forcing the trigger plate to slide on the arms, thus drawing the arms toward the shank axis so that the arms engage and retrieve the item.

Abstract: A locking plier tool, for clamping onto a workpiece of any size within the expanse of the tool's open jaws, has a thumb-actuated control member on the tool body and a release lever which facilitate, respectively, workpiece pressure adjustment and tool release by one hand of the operator manipulating the tool. A semiautomatic means for adjusting the tool's clamping pressure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is provided for use on a vehicle chassis for securing a removable container during its transport. The chassis is the type having a tilting frame enabling a loaded container to be slidably cable-drawn from ground level onto the vehicle. The securing device includes a first sub-section mounted to the tilting frame side with a pivotal hook-like latching bar for securing the container to the tilting frame. The securing device further includes a second sub-section mounted in vertical alignment with the first sub-section, which acts to pivot the latching bar between its non-engaged position and its engaged position as a function of the movement of the tilting frame relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A picture framing system is disclosed for mounting, displaying and protecting a photograph or work of art on a vertical surface of ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, or a non-metallic surface without using nails. The picture framing system includes a sleeve or pocket-type photograph holder which can be used with various styles of mats and picture frames for mounting, displaying, and protecting the photograph against the flat vertical surface, such as a refrigerator door or dining room wall. The picture framing system includes a flexible sheet having an adhesive front surface for attachment to the photograph holder and a magnetized rear surface for permitting the attachment of either type of photograph holder to a ferrous metal surface.

Abstract: An animal protective device is provided for covering and protecting a medical appliance, such as a cast, splint, bandage or wrapping secured to one or more appendages, such as a forelimb or hindlimb, of an animal. The animal protective device includes a sleeve or tubular-shaped portion having an open upper end, a closed bottom end, and an interior cavity for receiving and containing the animal's appendage and medical appliance. The protective device is readily conformable to the respective medical appliance, and also includes adjustable securement structure for permitting either snug or loose attachment of the device to the medical appliance. In addition, the device includes outwardly-displaceable, opposed lower corners which facilitate conformation of the device to the medical appliance and diminish discomfort and awkwardness in the animal's gait when the device is attached to the medical appliance and the animal's appendage.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system for suspension from an overhead ceiling of a room is disclosed which includes a plurality of wall trim members secured to the room walls, a plurality of main runner members extending from the wall trim members in a horizontal plane for spanning the room, and a plurality of cross braces interlocking with the main runner members and forming a grid for receiving ceiling tiles, panels, fixtures, and the like. A plurality of clips are slidably disposed on the wall trim members, main runner members, and the cross braces to suspend those members from the ceiling and to support the main runner members and cross braces at intersection points in the grid.

Abstract: A self-locking trailer hitch assembly includes an elongated housing attachable to the draw bar of a towed vehicle, and the housing includes an attachment end and an opposite socket which is shaped to receive a vertically-projecting ball member. The ball member is mounted to the draw bar at the rear of the towing vehicle. Disposed within the housing adjacent the socket is a jaw pivotable on a horizontal axis so that the jaw can be pivoted to a ball locking position for holding and retaining the ball member within the socket and also pivotable to a ball releasing position for unlocking and releasing the ball member from the socket so that the towed vehicle can be uncoupled from the towing vehicle. A unique releasing function is provided by a manually-operable latch which disengages the jaw from the ball locking position in order to facilitate removal of the ball member from the socket, but manual operation of the latch is not required to seat and positively lock the ball member within the socket.

Abstract: A template for marking golf balls with identifying indicia includes an elongated, rectangular-shaped main body member which is foldable into a cylinder for encompassing the golf ball, a central body portion having a plurality of apertures in the form of letters, numbers, and other symbols arranged thereon, a first end having a flexible tongue formed from a U-shaped slot, and a second end having a transverse slot. When the main body member is rolled into a cylinder for receiving a golf ball for marking, the tongue is inserted through the slot for maintaining the cylindrical form, whereupon the point of a pen can be successively inserted through the appropriate apertures on the central body portion in order to mark the golf ball with an identifying name, symbol, expression, monogram or moniker.

Abstract: A toilet seat lifting device for selectively raising and lowering the seat of a toilet includes a base disposed on a floor surface, a stanchion secured to the front of the base, and a foot pedal pivotably mounted to the stanchion. A plurality of link arms are pivotably mounted to the stanchion and are linked to the foot pedal so that movement of the foot pedal pivots the link arms. Mounted to the distal ends of the link arms is a lifting arm retaining member which carries an elongated lifting arm capable of vertical repositioning on the lifting arm retaining member to accommodate variously-sized toilet bowls and seats. The upper end of the lifting arm is attached to the under-side of the toilet seat.

Abstract: A kiln for pyro-processing a variety of materials, such as cement, lime, lime sludge, clay, shale, magnesite, dolomite, and other minerals, includes a continuously-rotated, cylindrical, elongated shell having a feed end for receiving the material, a processing zone through which high temperature gases circulate and where the material is processed, and a discharge end where the material leaves the kiln. The shell includes an inner cylindrical surface and defines a longitudinal axis extending from the feed end to the discharge end. In addition, a portion of the inner cylindrical surface includes a lining secured contiguous to the inner cylindrical surface. The lining has an inner face in the shape of a continuous sinusoidal wave with a predetermined amplitude and wavelength.

Abstract: A device for stringing and supporting growing plants, such as tomato plants, and which is manually operable by a workman includes a handheld, elongated pole having a handle end, an opposite dispensing end, a tip member having an aperture and which is secured to the dispensing end, and a plurality of brackets having eyelets positioned adjacent the handle end and projecting perpendicular from the pole. Further included is a container for attachment to the workman's belt and disposed within the container is a rotatable ball of string which is dispensed from the container during the stringing of the plants.

Abstract: An entertainment and educational board game is disclosed which requires players to answer questions arranged in a hierarchy ranging from most difficult questions to questions of intermediate difficulty, and then to questions of least difficulty, and includes a playing board, a star-shaped playing course on the playing board and formed from a plurality of joined playing spaces, a plurality of sets of question cards with each set representing a particular question category, a plurality of question card boxes for the sets of question cards, and a rotatable question card box holder having compartments for holding the question card boxes and question cards. The players take turns in their attempts to correctly answer the questions printed on the question cards starting with the most difficult question level.

Abstract: A portable ball launching device is disclosed which includes a support stand positionable on a ground surface and an elongated launching tube mounted to the support stand in a generally horizontal disposition and from which projectiles are ejected. The launching tube has an ingress end and an opposite egress end, and disposed within and concentric with the launching tube is a slidable, linearly reciprocable rod. The rod has an inner end to which a piston is secured for movement concomitant with the rod, and the piston compresses air within the tube in order to forcibly eject projectiles from the egress end. The ball launching device also includes a plurality of interchangeable shooting heads with each shooting head selectively removably securable to the egress end of the tube and each shooting head includes a strip secured to an inner annular gasket which causes deflection of the projectiles as the projectiles are ejected from the launching tube.