Abstract: A hoisting apparatus (10) for a tent pole (16) includes a skid plate assembly (12) separably joined to a wheeled bracket (14). In use, a lower end of the pole (16) is received within a pipe section (20) and the upper pole end engages the tent. The wheeled bracket is pulled along the ground by a cable (58) until the tent is raised at which time pins (50,52) are removed separating the wheeled bracket (24) from the plate assembly (12) for storage.

Abstract: A cymbal (10) sound muffling device (18) for use during practice includes a flexible circular disc (20) of elastic sheet rubber or plastic with an edge margin (24) that extends back onto the disc lower surface (25). In assembly, the edge margin (24) is stretched over the cymbal edges such that disc covers the cymbal upper surface and the edge margin (24) contacts the cymbal lower surface. Practice striking of the so-enclosed cymbal with a drumstick (26) provides an authentic playing feel to the practicing musician.

Abstract: A nut (10) for mounting into an opening (18) located in the central part of a panel (14) includes a sleeve (16) and resilient locking trips (44,46) and panel edge securing means 948) extending from opposite sides of the nut. When the nut is positioned within the opening (18) the locking strips (44,46) obstruct removal from the opening. On a bolt (62) being fully received within the sleeve (16) both the strips and edge securing means (48) contactingly engage the panel (14).

Abstract: A laryngoscope (10) with handgrip (14) and blade portion (16) has an optical system (44) secured to the blade portion with a prism lens (50) at the forward end and an eyepiece lens (48) which shifts the view toward the blade portion tip (46). A light pipe (60) directs a light beam toward the larynx to improve viewing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-use golf club which allows a user to select a long or short shot without changing the dynamics of the user's golf swing. This is accomplished with a hand grip having at least two hand grip position designations located thereon, each hand grip designation defining a different set of golf club characteristics. During use, characteristics associated with a long shot are exhibited when the user's grip is positioned adjacent one hand grip designation, and characteristics associated with a short shot are exhibited when the users's grip is positioned adjacent the other hand grip designation. Additionally, the present invention implements a variable diameter golf club shaft which is uniquely calibrated for users having reduced club head speed swings such as junior and senior golfers. The solid core shaft of the present invention has a preselected taper portion and flex point adjustably located intermediate the top and bottom ends of the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel (12) has the temperature of its normally gripped regions (16, 18) modified from extremes to acceptable values by a heat pump (20) with heat transfer occurring along heat pipe sections (22, 24) between primary heat exchangers (26, 28) at the gripped regions (16,18) and a temperature modifiable surface (33). Circuit apparatus (67) automatically energizes the heat pump (20) to provide heating or cooling, as needed.

Abstract: A pendulum stem (16) not more than 4 inches in length has one end portion swingably connected to a pivot arrangement (18) and a concentrated mass (22) slidably located on the other end portion. Permanent magnets (56,58) secured to the mass (22) move past a pair of wire coils (60,62) during swinging movement of the stem and mass to induce a signal in the one coil (60). The signal actuates a circuit (66) to form a pulse that is applied to the other coil (62) at an appropriate later time to create a magnetic pulse driving the mass (22) and stem (16) along its swing path. The described pendulum drive applied to a miniature clock provides a slow-swinging pendulum having a period closely approximating that of a grandfather clock many feet in height.

Abstract: The putter (10) has a shaft (14) interconnecting the head (12) at an angle so the hands are at or ahead of the ball. The striking face (26) is convexly curved from toe to heel as well as canted downwardly and rearwardly (.alpha.). The grip (48) has an out-of-round cross-section to enhance a pushing stroke.

Abstract: A guard (12) for a column (10) includes a flexible metal sheet (14) having a plurality of individual barblike means (20) extending outwardly from a common major sheet surface with each barblike means (20) having four sidewall points (28) extending in respectively different directions. The guard (12) is installed on a column by wrapping around the column (10) and secured thereto by a metal strip (30) clamped about the guard.

Abstract: A cable (10) has a plurality of conductors (12) with individual conductive shields (14) and one common shield (16) for all conductors, the outer end portions of which shields are terminated by being clampingly retained between tapered surfaces (48,52; 50,54) of the first, second and third termination rings (42,44,46).

Abstract: A positive release bracket (16) for an object such as an electrical connector part (12) includes first and second semicylindrical shells (18,20) which are releasably held together by plates (36,38). On a separation force applied to the connector exceeding some predetermined maximum, one or both plates (36,38) are withdrawn from engagement with the shells (18,20).

Abstract: A plug (12) and receptacle (14) connector has its unmating force determined in part by a generally circular helical spring (20) received in a slot (22) on one of the connector parts which resiliently resists separation by engaging a ridge (18) on the other connector part. A pressure ring (26) also exerts a selectively adjustable separation force on the connector parts serving to fine tune the summation actual separation force to a precise predetermined value.

Abstract: A controller (24) is provided to selectively release an initiator (12) having first and second members (14,16) that clampingly engage an object (18) preventing it from moving in an urged direction. A spring wire coil (20) holds the members (14,16) tightly about the object, one coil end affixed to one of the members and the other coil end is held by a pair of link wire loops (82,86) of the controller (24) which is also removably secured to one of the members (14,16) by a bolt (36). When it is desired to release the object (18) an electric current is passed through the link wire loops (82,86) of sufficient magnitude to cause the loops to break, releasing the coil (20) to unwind and, in turn, release the object for urged movement.

Abstract: A portable sunshade (10) includes semi-hoop elements (16,18,20) for holding an elongated strip (28) of sun and air moisture impermeable material spaced apart to form an enclosure (44). Elements (18,20) can be pivoted past each other to replace the impermeable materials (28) with a netting piece (45) passing a part of incident sunlight. A strip (38) of soft-to-the-touch material extends over a part of strip (28) providing a body rest portion. A netting sheet (36) is removably located between material (28) and strip (38).

Abstract: An anchor plate (1A) has threaded sleeves (2) for mounting equipment to a sheet metal structure (5). The plate and metal structure (5) are configured to conform to one another on assembly for structure reinforcement. An elastic tongue (10, 16) integral with the plate (1A) carries a rivet (9) which contacts the structure (5) during assembly and the two in predetermined orientation during welding of the rivet (9) to the structure.

Abstract: Pneumatic medium in a vehicle brake system is applied against one side of a flexible membrane (48) folded about an end portion of a piston (40) resiliently positioned against a coil spring (36). Pressure peaks in the pneumatic medium are damped by the membrane motion against the spring-loaded piston (40) preventing so-called lockup.

Abstract: A golf club metal-wood head (10) includes a unitary hosel (16) having a continuous curved bottom groove (26) extending completely about the hosel to form a reduced bending moment region enabling the making of reliable minor adjustments in both lie and face angle of the club to achieve custom fitting to individual players.