Abstract: A multi-purpose stake includes a stake means forming a longitudinal member adapted to be supported substantially perpendicular to a support surface. An aperture means forms at least one pair of laterally spaced apertures in the stake means. Either a belt means is disposed in a pair of apertures and adapted to form an enclosure to support an object thereon of a snap-on means may be used for removably engaging the apertures to support an object thereon.

Abstract: An automatic electro-mechanical device for opening and closing a curtain or drapery in response to changed light striking a photoelectric cell on the device. The device comprises a miniature high torque reversible electric motor and control packaged in a container of substantially the same size as a conventional cord tensioner of curtains or draperies. To close the drapes at sun-down and open the drapes at sun-up automatically without actuation if the lighting changes for short periods of time, the device comprises a dual timer circuit with individual ramping circuits. One timer circuit monitors the sustained presence or absence of light for a predetermined amount of time. The other timer regulates the motor drive run time. A flip flop circuit signals the current state of the curtains or drapes by providing memory of the last directional movement of the motor.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a body support for connection to a line. A first hook is connected to the body support and adapted to be engaged by an object. A second hook is connected to the body support for engaging the object and has an open cocked position and a closed position engaging the object. The second hook pivotally rotates relative to the first hook. A first biasing mechanism biases the second hook toward the first hook. A trip mechanism is connected to the line and engages the second hook for supporting the second hook in the open cocked position and for releasing the second hook to allow the second hook to move toward the closed position in response to engagement by the object with the first hook. A second biasing mechanism adjustably provides a predetermined amount of force on the trip mechanism to release the second hook from the open cocked position for movement toward the closed position to engage the object.

Abstract: A container (10) for storing and dispensing, one at a time, a plurality of rolls of tissue stacked vertically adjacent one another includes tubular side walls (18,20,22,24) having a longitudinal axis and a pair of end portions (28,32) spaced from each other along the axis and being respectively joined to the side walls (18,20,22,24). One of the end portions (28) is closed to support a roll thereon and the other of the end portions (32) includes an end wall (34) inclined radially inwardly and axially relative to the axis. The end wall (34) defines a generally oval-shaped opening (36) through which to insert the rolls into the container (10) while preventing removal of such a roll from the container (10) through the opening (36).

Abstract: An adjustable body support device comprises a seating portion for supporting the lower torso of the body and a back portion for supporting the upper torso of the body. An arm rest is fixedly secured to the seating portion for supporting the arms of the body and is selectively engageble and disengageable with the back portion to hold the latter in a predetermined position relative to the seating portion. An adjustable leg is hingedly connected to the back portion for selectively adjusting the back portion with respect to the support surface. An adjusting rack and bale may be provided for selectively adjusting the back portion in a series of stepped levels.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for delivering molten metal to a die casting mold comprises a relatively large diameter cylindrical main body section, a relatively small diameter inlet tip section, and a relatively small diameter outlet tip section. Separate heater elements are wrapped around the respective sections and a controller functions to maintain set point body temperatures in each nozzle section in response to signals received from thermocouples separately associated with each nozzle section.

Abstract: A tool holder for use with a mounting system including a spindle having a central frusto-conical bore and a draw bolt positioned centrally in the upper end of the spindle bore. The tool holder includes a central cylindrical main body portion having an annular groove in its upper end; a lower portion extending downwardly from the main body portion and including attachment means for receipt of a suitable tool; and a reduced diameter conical neck portion extending upwardly from the upper end of the main body portion, concentrically within the annular groove, sized to pilot upwardly into the conical bore of the spindle and having a threaded central bore at its upper end threadingly coacting with the lower end of the draw bolt to pull the holder into the spindle.

Abstract: A die casting apparatus for pumping molten metal from a heated container to a nozzle communicating with an inlet of a mold including a charging mechanism for charging the apparatus with a predetermined amount of molten metal from the container and a multi-piece holder removably joined together by fastener means. The holder defines a shot barrel chamber and a gooseneck chamber extending in a curved path from the charging mechanism to the nozzle. A refractory shot barrel is removably positioned in the shot barrel chamber in communication with the molten metal in the heated container, and two refractory insert halves are removably positioned in the gooseneck chamber and coact to define a gooseneck passage at their parting interface providing fluid communication between the outlet of the shot barrel and the inlet of the nozzle.

Abstract: A tool reaction balancing mechanism consisting of a fluid-pressure reaction and balancing system and an articulated arm wherein the arm is suspended from dual overhead rails by a travelling bridge. The novel articulated arm has two pivotally connected arm sections. One of the arm sections is pivotally mounted at an end of the arm, to a portion of the bridge and the other arm section has means for holding a tool at an opposing end of the arm such that the articulated arm permits a tool fastened in the means for holding a tool to be displaced along a linear path. Biasing means urge the articulated arm toward a rest position wherein the arm sections of the articulated arm are folded in on each other.

Abstract: A wheelchair docking and storage assembly for collapsing and storing a wheelchair having a frame which folds as the frame is raised relative to the wheels thereof including a lifting mechanism including an arm for engaging the wheelchair and a raising mechanism for selectively and reversibly raising the wheelchair. A stop mechanism engages the wheel of the wheelchair whereby the arm raises the frame of the wheelchair relative to the wheel thereof which engages the stop mechanism thereby collapsing the wheelchair automatically.

Abstract: An assembly for raising and collapsing a wheelchair having collapsible legs including a first arm having a first hook at the end thereof for reversibly engaging the proximal leg of the wheelchair and having a lowered and a raised position, and a second arm having a second hook at the end thereof for reversibly engaging the distal leg of the wheelchair and being operatively connected to the first arm for movement between the raised and lowered positions therewith. The second arm has a retracted and an extended position relative to the first arm. A first motor reversibly moves the first and second arms between the raised and lowered positions for raising and lowering the wheelchair, and a second motor reversibly moves the second arm relative to the first arm to reversibly collapse the distal leg of the wheelchair against the proximal leg thereof.

Abstract: A linear recirculating roller bearing assembly comprises a bearing body having a load bearing surface and a return surface disposed substantially parallel to each other and defining a path for continuous recirculating movement of roller bearings thereabout. A plurality of substantially identical roller bearings are disposed along the path in engagement with the aforementioned surfaces. Each of the roller bearings has a longitudinal axis and includes at least two cylindrical load bearing portions and at least one cylindrical axle portion disposed intermediate the load bearing portions. The portions of each roller bearing are substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the latter and the axle portion has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the load bearing portions.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for lockably but releasably securing a picture frame or the like to a wall surface. The assembly includes a plurality of bracket plates each having a keyhole opening for coaction with a respective headed fastener element secured to the wall surface, and a locking plate mounted for pivotal movement on one of the bracket plates between an unlocked position in which a mask opening in the locking plate unmasks the head portion of the keyhole opening, to allow passage of the head of the wall fastener element, and a locked position in which the mask opening unmasks the slot portion of the keyhole opening. The mask opening includes a edge surface that extends obliquely across the entrance to the keyhole opening slot portion in the unlocked position of the locking plate and coacts with the shank portion of the wall fastener to rotate the locking plate to its locked position as the shank portion advances into the slot portion of the keyhole opening.

Abstract: A structural article such as an automobile bumper includes a plastic body portion having an outer surface and a single metal sheet stretched to be completely disposed about and fixedly secured to the outer surface. The body portion provides a structural member and the metal sheet provides a continuous metal trim thereon.A method of forming the structural article includes the steps of compressing a sheet of metal and a sheet of heated softened plastic material within a mold so as to simultaneously cool the plastic material during the compression to set the molded plastic and stretch the metal about the outer surface of the molded plastic.An apparatus for forming the structural article includes a female mold portion including a clamping frame disposed about the periphery thereof. The clamping frame includes toggle clamps for clamping the peripheral edges of the sheet of metal to the periphery of the female portion.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for storing a fishing reel comprising a bracket and a pair of retainer clips. The bracket is formed from a single strip of metal and includes a main body portion having an arcuate transverse cross section adapted to seat the arcuate foot portion of a reel to be stored. The retainer clips also have an arcuate transverse cross section and are adapted to slide over the opposite ends of the foot portion of the reel to securely mount the reel on the bracket. The concave under portion of each clip coacts with the concave under surface of the bracket main body portion to preclude rotation of the stored reel relative to the bracket. A pair of legs extend downwardly from each end of the bracket main body portion and terminate in flange portions which coact with fastener elements to mount the bracket on a suitable support surface with the bracket main body portion spaced from the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting the periodic undulations of a body of water into electrical energy includes a support structure adapted to be mounted in a substantially fixed position relative to the surface of the body of water and extending a substantial distance above the surface. The apparatus also includes a float member movable relative to the support structure in response to the undulations of the surface, an electrical generator mounted on the support structure for generating electricity, and a nut and lead screw assembly of the type comprising a threaded screw member, a threaded nut member, and bearings disposed therebetween whereby the screw and nut members are axially and rotatably movable relative to each other. The screw member is connected to the float member, and the nut member is operatively connected to the generator whereby movement of the screw member with the float member drives the nut member and generator.

Abstract: An archery bow holder for maintaining a bow in a predetermined rest position including a primary support structure. The primary support structure supports a first auxiliary support structure mounted thereon for adjustment relative thereto. The primary support structure also supports a second auxiliary support cradle spaced from the first auxiliary support structure for adjustment relative thereto to hold bows of varying sizes in a predetermined rest position. The support cradle includes axially adjustable retaining members for vertically and laterally supporting the bow and for allowing the bow to be removed from the holder with a minimum amount of noise.