Abstract: One or more variable angle fin box assemblies are sealed on the underside of a surfboard or the like that allows the angle of attack of the fin to be varied with the respect to the longitudinal axis of the surfboard, enabling the speed, stability and maneuvering characteristics of the surfboard to be adjusted or "tuned" by the rider in accordance with the rider's level of skill, different surf conditions and wave sizes. The novel fin box assembly has a longitudinal channel to receive the base end of a conventional surfboard fin, and in which a device is provided for securing the movable fin in the selected adjusted angular position.

Abstract: A novel bed accessory, such as a pillow, bed or crib sheet, is provided with a plurality of layers of foam rubber, elastomeric material or ther resilient material capable of creating air ventilation to the surface of the accessory, as well as transmitting and storing body secretions for subsequent removal, the layers having varying degrees of softness with the outer layers being softer than the inner layers to maximize comfort to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus is designed to exercise the arms and legs in which the user stands upright on foot levers which are supported by a downward pull or a push exerted on hand levers to which the foot levers are independently connected so that the arms and legs move in opposition to each other in substantially upward and downward directions enabling a variety of pullup, pushup, and stepping or climbing exercises to be performed without the need for either weights, friction, or damping devices, and which apparatus can be constructed simply and inexpensively using off the shelf hardware components.

Abstract: A patching kit is provided for repairing holes of various kinds in the hollow walls of building components, such as doors and wallboard walls where the backside of the front walls are not readily accessible. The kit includes a backing plate of a stiff material of a size that can be inserted through the hole and sufficiently large to be positioned flat against the back surface of the front wall and cover substantially the entire area of the hole, forming a front recessed pocket to receive a suitable filler material. The peripheral area of the backing plate is coated with a suitable adhesive. The backing plate is firmly secured in position until the adhesive sets by a simple wedge means.

Abstract: A sports cap is fabricated to provide maximum sun and wind protection to the face, ears, and neck of the wearer during use in land, and especially in water activities. These unique results are achieved by constructing the cap with a crown having front and rear brims. The rear brim may be made detachable from the crown, and used independently as a front visor or be attached to the rear portion of any other cap or hat. The brims are made from a mesh material with variable density and maintained in shape by a tensioned flexible rod secured along their periphery. The mesh material reduces resistance to wind and water, minimizing loss of the cap during very active use, and filters the passage of light. When the cap is applied to the head the tensioned rods enable the front brim to be flexed either to an upper position for an unobstructed field of vision, or flexed to the lower normal position for maximum sun and wind protection. The cap may contain a buoyant material to keep it afloat in water.

Abstract: A child's safety guard for baluster-type banisters designed to prevent any portion of a child's body from falling through or being jammed between adjacent balusters and railings, without degrading the aesthetic appearance of the banisters. The guard comprises a set of thin, substantially stiff panels of sheet material having a parallelogram configuration capable of being adjustably overlapped along adjacent edges to cover substantially the entire space facing the landing between the railings. The panels are secured in their overlapped position by a lacing threaded through a series of drilled openings along the top and bottom edges of the panels and around the balusters. The panels are preferably fabricated of a clear, plastic material, but can be made in any desired color.

Abstract: A device is provided for selectively cleaning debris from the bottom of a liquid pool. The device has a chamber having a water intake tube having an inlet end and extends through the lower end of the chamber and terminates in an outlet end which has a one-way valve mounted thereon. The lower end of the chamber has an opening for dumping water from the chamber. A valve is provided for blocking the opening by the water pressure of the pool and a filter is provided for filtering debris from the water before being dumped through the opening. An ambient air intake tube is connected to the upper end of the chamber and has an opening whereby ambient air can be trapped in the chamber by the operator.

Abstract: An attachment is provided for medical operating type tables that will enable the hands and arms of a patient to be accommodated during operating procedures for reducing tension, anxiety, and fatigue that are normally experienced by a patient. The attachment comprises a pair of spaced apart posts adapted to receive the head of the patient therebetween. Each post is preferably an inverted U-shaped configuration secured to a support detachably mounted on an operating table. The inverted U-shaped post contains a variety of different oriented sections that can be gripped by the patient's hands so that the arms need not be maintained in a single position for long periods of time. The attachment posts also function to maintain a pillow in position the attachment support.

Abstract: A mast mounting assembly is provided for supporting a safety flag mast, communication antenna or the like. The novel assembly comprises a mounting bolt that can be permanently attached to a vehicle with the free end of the bolt extending in an upright position. The free end of the bolt has a drilled bore opening to receive and anchor the lower base end of the mast. A collar has a pair of bore openings extending from opposite ends thereof, one of the openings being smaller in diameter through which the base end of the mast can be press-fitted, the other of the openings adapted to be press-fitted over the mounting bolt. The collar is made of a hard resilient material, such as a urethane plastic, to provide a resilient support to the base of the mast for dampening the oscillations to prevent injury to the vehicle operator. In event of damage to the mast, such as by vehicle roll over, the collar can be pulled off the mounting bolt and the mast without the need for any tools.

Abstract: A ladies' garment is provided for the purpose of smoothing the wrinkles and flabbiness in the skin and muscles of the forearm and upper arm to improve appearance, primarily when wearing sleeveless dresses and blouses. The garment is made of a two-way resilient stretchable sheer fabric, and consists of a waist encircling portion connected to a pair of spaced extending arm portion. The arm portions can extend to the wrist and hidden from view by wearing of a bracelet or the like. The wrist portion can be provided with separable segments for adjusting the length. The other end of the arm portions extend to the shoulders for applying a tension to maintain the arm portions in position. The garment is designed as to not be visible from the front or rear of the wearer.

Abstract: A radar transmitter illuminates an unidentified remote radar target with pped or swept frequency pulses of microwave energy. The broad band of the frequencies of the reflected signal is received and divided into a large number of adjacent narrow-band segments. The amplitude of each segment is detected. The uniqueness of the set of amplitudes effectively "finger-prints" the target.

Abstract: A laboratory joint is provided for a pair of male and female members having matable tapered ends which are connected together by a sleeve which can lock the members together to prevent accidental separation, which sleeve is capable of separating the assembled members when desired in a safe and expedient manner.

Abstract: A glassware stopcock for laboratory equipment includes a glass body having a Teflon stopcock plug with an extractor for extracting the plug from its bore when the plug becomes frozen therein and unable to rotate. The extractor includes a threaded cylindrical portion formed on the stem of the plug with an extractor nut threaded on the threaded section and adapted to engage the valve body for extracting the plug from its bore.