Abstract: A display assembly having four and preferably eight substantially identical geometric units wherein each unit has a plurality of planar faces adapted to contain display indicia. The units are pivotally secured to each other about their edges so that, by pivotting the units with respect to each other, the display unit assumes a number of different configurations and, in doing so, selectively covers and exposes the indicia bearing faces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guide for constructing brick corners in which the corner is constructed from a plurality of stacked brick layers which are spaced apart from each other by a joint. The guide includes at least one guide bracket having two wall sections which intersect each other at the same angle as the sides of the corner and the bracket is positioned against a partially constructed brick corner so that the wall sections flatly abut against opposite sides of the corner. A lip is formed along the top edge of each wall section and the lips are positioned on top of the top row of brick in the partially constructed corner. Several further rows of bricks are then laid on the corner so that the lip, and hence the guide bracket, is trapped within the joint between two brick layers. A pair of elongated rails are secured to the bracket so that the rails extend vertically and parallel to the corner.

Abstract: The present invention provided a balancing arrangement for an eight cylinder horizontally opposed internal combustion engine construction having a housing and a four throw crank shaft rotatably mounted within the housing. A pinion is coaxially attached to each axial end of the housing and includes a counterweight radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the crank shaft. At least one idler pinion is rotatably mounted to the housing and in mesh with each crank shaft pinion and each idler pinion includes a weighted portion radially spaced from its axis of rotation. Both the counter weights and the weighted portions of the idler pinions are angularly spaced from each other by a predetermined amount so that, during rotation of the crank shaft, the centrifugal force vectors of the crank shaft counterweight and idler pinion weighted portions cancel the primary moment generated by the piston reciprocation acting on axially spaced positions along the crank shaft.

Abstract: A device for black and white, color, stereo picture, holographic picture and stereo and other amplified sound reproduction and reception is described, which is characterized by a hinged housing A and B, one portion of which contains the picture reproduction screen 1. A pair of directional speaker units 2a+2b are integrated in the hinge section of the device. Sound and picture reception units are located in the housing along with touch controls and auxiliary sockets which extend through the wall of the housing B and are located at the surfaces 3, 4a, and 4b.

Abstract: A document scanner in which a book is supported by a trough shaped support which is movable up and down in order to place the book in contact with the scanner housing. The housing includes a wedge-shaped portion having at least one window through which a page of the book can be scanned. In addition to being movable into contact with the wedge-shaped housing the book support assembly is rotatable in order to scan the opposite page of the book and is fully adjustable to accommodate books of different sizes and thicknesses. The scanner housing is provided with a lamp to illuminate the page to be scanned and a scanning element which sequentially scans the book or document.

Abstract: A bridle arrangement for a horse or like animal to control the animal's movement and behavior generally include a headstrap for maintaining the bridle arrangement in its proper position and a pair of mouth-pieces connected to the headstrap and disposed within the corners of the animal's mouth. The mouth-pieces comprise a planar body having a flange extending outwardly therefrom to which a snaffle ring and the control reins are connected. Disposed on the inwardly disposed face of the planar body is a tubular member having a rectangular throughbore extending parallel to the planar body and through which the headstrap is secured. Extending from one end of the tubular member is an elongated tongue which is generally U-shaped such that the remote second end of the tongue is parallel to the planar body and the first end of the tongue. The second end of the elongated tongue extends into the animal's mouth when the mouth-piece is in place.

Abstract: A hoodscoop assembly includes a plastic hoodscoop disposable on a vehicle hood, a noise-reducing tape disposable between the hoodscoop and the vehicle hood, and means for fastening the hoodscoop to the hood. Preferably the attachment of the hoodscoop to the hood occurs by bringing a recess on the periphery of the hoodscoop and the upper surface of the hood each into abutment with the tape, but leaving a small gap between the hood surface and the lower edge of the hoodscoop periphery. A method for assembling such a hoodscoop structure and a kit for the same are included.

Abstract: A hand tool for cleaning and scraping the interior surfaces of a cylindrical container containing paint or other chemical solvents and solutions includes a handle and a blade member which complements and conforms to the interior surfaces of the container. The blade member has a substantially semicylindrical shape to facilitate removal of residual materials from the container and a bottom surface which is angled to provide access to the bottom surface of the container. In addition, the bottom surface of the blade has an outer edge which conforms to the shape of the sidewalls of the container to increase the residue removing capabilities of the tool. The working edges of the blade are beveled to further facilitate removal of residual material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projectile for a shotgun having an elongated cylindrical body with an axial throughbore. A helix is contained within the throughbore which, in conjunction with external fins circumferentially spaced around the exterior of the body, impart spin to the projectile when it is fired.

Abstract: A step-negotiating vehicle comprises a low-level chassis structure with motor-driven tracks, for carrying a load such as a wheelchair. The vehicle is provided with an extension support means to increase the support area defined by the track assembly, which is limited by the dimensions of the chassis structure, thereby to enhance stability of the vehicle. Associated with the respective tracks are support rollers for supporting and moving the vehicle when travelling on at least substantially level ground. The arrangement of the support rollers is such that, after the vehicle has negotiated steps, the rollers automatically come into operation on reaching the horizontal ground, without intervention on the part of the person using the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is supported on the rollers, without, however, the rollers interfering with movement of the vehicle up or down steps.

Abstract: A frame for a waterbed having a standard thickness or height when inflated. The frame includes a stand positioned on the ground and a rectangular planar support member which is secured to the top of the stand so that the upper surface of the support member is substantially horizontal. A planar adapter having both a rectangular outer periphery and a rectangular inner periphery is secured to the top of the support member so that the outer periphery of the adapter is flush with the outer periphery of the support member. A sheet of insulation is contained within the inner periphery of the adapter and the thickness of the sheet is the same as the thickness or height of the adapter so that the top surface of the adapter and insulation sheet are on the same plane with each other. A standard rail assembly is secured to the top of the adapter so that the rail assembly protrudes upwardly from around the outer periphery of the adapter by an amount equal to the standard thickness of the waterbed balloon.

Abstract: A combustion engine has a plurality of equidistantly spaced jets disposed about a drive shaft. Fuel flows through the center of a two-piece drive shaft and combines with air in jets for combustion which is self-sustaining once ignited. Each of the jets is designed to accommodate water injection for vaporization to increase the exhaust thrust of the jets. In a further embodiment of the invention, a liquid flywheel comprises a lower tank disposed about a rotating vertically aligned shaft and contains a liquid which rises up tubes connecting the tank to an upper chamber. Fluid accumulating in the upper chamber acts as a momentum stabilizer to increase the efficiency of the engine. Vaporization water may be introduced into each of the plurality of jets disposed about the drive shaft by connecting lines which receive water from a source connected to an annular chamber in the two-piece drive shaft.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system for a reciprocal piston, spark ignition internal combustion engine includes sensors which generate output signals representative of the rotational position and speed of the engine output shaft. A computer responsive to the sensor inputs generates an output signal which electrically connects a source of electrical energy to the primary coil of an ignition transformer for a predetermined period of time prior to the desired energization of the spark plug regardless of the rotational speed of the engine output shaft, but dependent on the voltage of the source of electrical energy. Initiation of the predetermined period is dependent on a manually set spark advance.

Abstract: A device for grasping and handling generally cylinder sector shaped articles such as pieces of cake or the like, comprises two blade parts (1, 2) and a grip (8, 9) located at one end of these blades. The two blade parts (1, 2) are pivotably connected with each other by means of a hinge (4) located at that end of the blade parts which is opposite to the grip (8, 9).

Abstract: A document scanner includes a wedge-shaped scanner housing (16, 18), vertically movable on a main housing (10) to locate an inclined scanned window against a document resting on a trough-like document support (14) beneath the scanner housing. The scanner housing is manually movable up and down for location against and removal from a document to be copied, and counterbalancing means are provided within the main housing to facilitate such vertical housing movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid handling device which operates as a combination check valve and fluid flow meter. The fluid handling device comprises a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a fluid passageway formed therebetween. A valve seat is contained within the housing in series with the fluid passageway while a valve member cooperates with the valve seat and is movable between an open and a closed position. A compression spring urges the valve member towards its closed position so that whenever the fluid pressure at the outlet exceeds the fluid pressure at the inlet, the valve moves to its closed position thus preventing reverse fluid flow through the device. Preferably, a tapered surface on the valve member forms a variable area opening at the valve seat which increases in area as the valve member moves from its closed and towards its open position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheelstand for handicapped or immobile persons having a generally rectangular main frame rotatably supported on a ground support surface by relatively small wheels while larger wheels are rotatably mounted to the frame and manually rotated by the user in order to propel the frame. A generally planar body support structure is pivotally carried by the frame so that the angular position of the support structure can be varied with respect to the frame while still enabling the user to grip the larger wheels and propel the wheelstand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a board game and a method of playing the same. The game board used in the game comprises a playing surface with a first plurality of spaced apart pathways on the surface of the game board, and a second plurality of spaced apart pathways on the game board intersecting the first plurality of pathways. A continuous interconnecting pathway connecting all of the first plurality and the second plurality of pathways may be provided if desired. In addition, the game board may be three dimensional in nature, and the pathways may be recessed into the playing surface of the game board if desired. Regardless of which of the several modifications of the game board is used, the method disclosed has as its object to align the playing pieces such that two rows of like colored playing pieces will win the game, regardless of whether any one of the rows so formed is vertical, horizontal or diagonal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental impression tray having a pair of spaced side walls which form a channel therebetween. A layer of wax or thermoplastic material extends between and rigidly secures the sidewalls together and divides the channel into a first and second subchannel. The first subchannel is adapted to receive a setable impression material, such as silicone, for making a dental impression.