Abstract: A de-icing, snow melting and warming system is taught which utilizes a heatsink (20) consisting of a number of board strips disposed in a planer array positioned within a building structure between its exterior and interior surface. The heatsink board strips have a gap (24) therebetween in which a heating cable (42) is positioned in a continuous serpentine manner and held in place with loop clamps (44). A gap filler (48) encases the heating cable including the enclosed gap forming a homogenous closure. A low voltage power transformer (54) is attached to electrical mains providing electrical voltage reduction to the heating cable of 30 volts or less, and controls and self diagnostics regulate the power and detect anomalies within the system.

Abstract: A polymeric twist tie 20 is taught that utilizes a thermoplastic monofilament 22 having an oriented characteristic produced by stretching a pre-heated monofilament through a heated, volume reducing die. The monofilament 22 is then coated 30 circumferentially with an extrusion of thermoplastic enclosing the monofilament while simultaneously forming a pair of opposed wings 32 integral with the coating. The wings extend outwardly from the coated monofilament allowing the tie to be twisted upon itself with the monofilament retaining its basic configuration and the wings stretching and bending to conform within a coupled twist. The oriented monofilament is fabricated using high density polyethylene and the covering extruded with low density polyethylene which are dissimilar in density, melt index and basic thermoplastic morphology.

Abstract: A camera tripod rotating head (20) is taught that is used for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera (22) mounted on a tripod (24). The rotating head consists of an adapter base (26) that is configured to mate and attach to the camera tripod, and includes a one way roller clutch (30) mounted within the adapter base and a shoulder bolt (32) that is positioned through both the base and the clutch. A rotating beam (36) is attached to the adapter base with the shoulder bolt allowing the beam to revolve around the base a full 360 degrees in one direction only. Detents are position within the adapter base relative beam allowing the beam to be rotated and stopped at an equidistant predetermined location, preferably sixteen, until manually urged to the next location.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an anti-sway stabilizer (20) that is pivotally connected to a support arm (26) of a vehicle bike transportation rack, making available a convenient attachment of a bicycle top tube to the support arm for prevention of a bicycle held on the rack from swaying to and fro when subjected to over the road vehicle movement. The anti-sway stabilizer consists of a rubber bike separator cradle (22) that includes a bore (24) therethrougth that slides over the vehicle bike rack support arm and has a thru-hole (28) parallel with the bore. A pivoting stabilizer member (32) in the form of a yoke (36) is rotatably attached to the bike separator cradle with a screw (40) and nut (42). An attachment strap (48) secures a bicycle top tube to the bike separator cradle and a second attaching strap (48) secures a bicycle seat tube or down tube to the stabilizer member.

Abstract: A carafe content identification marking system is taught that is used for designating the contents of a liquid in a carafe. The preferred carafe (20) is the counter top, double wall vacuum sealed, high flow type having an open handle. (22). The stopper cap (24) of the carafe has a selected identification color representing the contents of the carafe. A removable handle grip (38) and thumb rest (40) are disposed over the handle of the carafe and also have the same selected identification color as the stopper cap. An identification marker in the form of a snap-in insert (42) is attached to the carafe having the same selected identification color as the stopper cap in addition to indicia designating in writing, the contents of the carafe. The color combination and indicia readily indicates, at a casual glance, the type of liquid stored within.

Abstract: A reciprocal blade lapping machine (20) is taught that is used for sharpening cutting and shearing blades. The lapping machine consists a convex lap plate (32) mounted on an enclosure (22) rotated by an electric motor (34) connected to a speed reducer (36). A lapping compound distribution system is positioned directly above the lap plate and disperses lapping compound (64) onto the convex upper surface (48) of the lap plate providing an abrasive media for removing parent material from a set of blades placed on the lap plate. A conditioning ring (66), including dead weigh within, is rotatably disposed on the lap plate impacting directly upon the rotating lap plate maintaining the convex contour. A pair of reciprocating work piece holders (74) slideably rest on the lap plate, and alternately slide work pieces (76) backward and forward in a straight line on the rotating lap plate upper surface.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle utilizing an interactive computer or television video game simulation which consists of a steering mechanism primary frame (22) that includes a steering tube (24) and a steering plate (26). The steering tube is disposed within an exercise bicycle frame head. A steer frame (58) is rotatably mounted within the primary frame and utilizes a pair of springs (60) that are suspended between the primary frame and the steer frame. Changing steering direction by rotation of the handlebar (70) attached to the steer frame creates progressively linear resistance to the handlebar movement. The steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle. A potentiometer (32) interfaces with the rotating steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame.

Abstract: An accessory tray (10) for attachment to a solid surface is described that is used to hold tools, materials and accessories in a convenient location for mechanics or other types of workers. The accessory tray incorporates a support tray (12) having an item holding area (36) on the upper side. A raised perimeter wall (26, 28, 30 and 32) peripherally surrounds the support tray, for maintaining the tools, materials and accessories within the item holding area. A clamping attachment assembly (14) is rotatably attached to the support tray with a locking device defined as a swivel joint assembly (16) allowing the tray to be positioned in a horizontal plane relative to the clamping attachment assembly when the clamping attachment assembly is affixed to a rigid object within a specific workplace.

Abstract: A thermal-pressure relief device, which has an adapter (20) threaded into the wall of a pressure vessel. The adapter contains an orifice (22) therethrough in line with a recessed cavity (32) which includes a raised stem (34). A blow out member (30) rests on the stem and overlaps the orifice to obstruct communication with the fluid inside the vessel. The blow out member is attached within the cavity by brazing with a filler metal in the form of a temperature responsive amalgam (38), preferably a eutectic alloy. When ambient temperatures are elevated above the melting point of the amalgam the blow out member is released freeing the orifice relieving the pressure within the vessel preventing a sudden structural failure. Optionally a protective cover in the form of a cap (42) with an impact surface (40) contains the blow out member when it separates from the adapter and a number of vents (48) diffuse the fluid from the pressure vessel in a safe direction.

Abstract: A splash-proof beverage lid closure (20) for a travel mug has a lid member (30) in the form of a peripheral rim with a raised pouring lip (32) on one side and a disengagement tab (34) on the other. A circular sidewall (36) integrally distends from the lid member, and an inclined recessed disc (44) is integrally formed within a lower portion of this circular sidewall. The disc has a liquid egress aperture (46), an alignment slot (48), a pair of parallel snap-in clasp slots (50) and a disc vent hole (52) therein. A blocking barrier slide (58), complete with an upright thumb actuating bar (60) on the upper portion of the slide, includes an alignment tab (62) along with a pair of extended snap-in clasps (64) on a bottom portion of the slide and a slide vent hole (68) therethrougth. The slide snap-in clasps captivate the slide onto the disc.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated carafe having high flow characteristics is taught, which includes a double wall metallic body (22) with the air evacuated from the space between the walls forming an insulating layer. The body has a top (26) and a bottom (28) with a base (30) attached to the bottom for resting the carafe on a flat surface. A mounting ring (34) is connected to the top of the body and includes a outside surface (36) and a central opening (38), with the outside surface having a pouring spout (40) and a handle (50). An interfacing gasket (54) seals the mounting ring to the body and a stopper (58), having a cap (70), an inner cup (60) and an outer ring (62) containing external male threads, and a plurality of integral ribs (68) connect the cup to the ring while forming a void (68) between the ribs. A liquid sealing gasket (72) is disposed between the stopper and the mounting ring.

Abstract: A resilient vacuum relief valve 52 is urged tightly on the lid stem 44 engaging the lid bottom 42 while encircling the vent 46 preventing air passage through the vent 46. The vacuum relief valve 52 is also formed of a pliable, resilient thermoplastic such as silicon and is in an inverted hat shape or dish shape as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and includes a circumferential outwardly extending rim 54 on top that has sufficient resilience to deform when exposed to negative pressure. This arrangement provides an air tight seal when the lid 38 is inserted into the canister body 22 and while it remains stationary, however, when the lid 38 is pulled upwardly, negative pressure within the canister 20 is created, forcing the valve 52 to break its seal and relieve the newly created vacuum within the canister 20 allowing it to be easier to dislodge the lid 38 and preventing dispersal of powdered contents out of the canister 20 during lid removal.

Abstract: A translucent shield (20) is provided for covering a self contained breathing apparatus mask faceplate (22) to simulate smoke. The shield consists of a die cut shape of thermoplastic sheet that duplicates the outline of the self contained breathing apparatus mask faceplate. The translucent shield has a light penetration density concentration simulating smoke in various grades or densities replicating, at the least, limited visibility, intermediate visibility and total engulfment. In order to preclude light penetration, the shape of the shield includes a peripheral overlap (32) onto the mask. A method of removably attaching the shield to the self contained breathing apparatus face mask is provided by the use of pressure sensitive tape (36) or hooks and loop tape (38). The invention simulates smoke which visually limits light transmission to a person wearing an apparatus face mask during training exercise procedures for firefighters.

Abstract: A twist tie made of two dissimilar polymers forming a composite tying material that may be twisted upon itself forming a closure for a bag, container or bundle. A flat elongated ribbon like thermoplastic substrate (20) has a thermoplastic monofilament (28) disposed generally in the middle of one side and is bonded in place forming a homogeneous joint (40). Another configuration of the monofilament utilizes a pre-formed irregular shape singly or in opposed pairs. A second embodiment utilizes a ribbon of paper (26) laminated underneath the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid storage vessel stopper, having interchangeable plugs is taught, that utilizes a stopper body (20) with an inner shell (22) affixed to an outer shell (24). The inner shell is configured to communicate with a liquid storage vessel interior, and the outer shell is profiled to be threadably attached to the vessels outside surface. An interchangeable stopper plug is either a twist to pour plug or a push to pour plug type. The former has a main core (32) smaller than the inner shell, and incorporates a lid (36) creating a dead air space within forming an insulating barrier. When the main core is manually rotated at least a quarter of a turn, the plug is unseated and a flow path is opened between the core and the inner shell permitting liquid contents to be poured from the vessel.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket (20) is taught configured in such a manner that an archwire (48) may be snapped into place retaining the bracket labially on a patients tooth. The bracket has a base plate (22) with a pair of inwardly facing upstanding integral angular legs (46) formed within the base plate transverse to its mesial-distal axis. The legs project the full width of the base plate flush with its sides and are spaced apart essentially the narrowest width of a conventional archwire. The top angular legs have a gap (50) therebetween to allow the archwire to enter. Together with the base plate and the inside surface of the legs, a cavity (52) is formed, dimensioned to receive and retain the archwire. The cavity bottom (56) is parallel with the labial-buccal surface (24) of the base plate and either the legs or the cavity include one or more indentations to assure a proper snap-in effect.

Abstract: A leak proof coffee mug lid (20) is taught that utilizes a lid body (22) with a aperture (24) in the middle, which includes valve positioning indexing shoulders (26). The body has a number of outlet ports (28) for dispensing coffee or liquid. A valve guide plate (42) is disposed within the aperture which includes an upwardly protruding push ring (54) and a gasketed valve plate (52) that is slideably positioned within the push ring. A spring loaded twist knob (64) is rotatably located within a top portion of the aperture. When the twist knob is rotated, within the indexing shoulders, the valve plate is urged downwardly, disengaging the valve plate from the lid body creating a flow path around the valve plate and through the outlet ports. This flow path permits coffee to be supplied to the user at any orientation around the lid. When the twist knob is rotatably reversed, the valve plate returns to its at rest position, under spring compression, securing the liquid in a leak proof manner within the mug.

Abstract: A car wash wheel push roller dolly (20) is used for transporting a vehicle by pushing the vehicle wheel on a horizontal track in a car wash system consisting basically of a polyurethane dolly body (22) with an integrally formed upward portion (36) and a gusset (38) connecting the front to the rear. A front axle (40), a first rear axle (42) and a second rear axle (44) are all integrally formed with the dolly body and extend outwardly from each side of the body at right angles. Each distal end of the axles include a groove (46) adjacent to their ends. A pair of front rollers (50) are disposed on the front axle, next to a pair of conveyer chain links (48) also a pair of first rear rollers (52) and second rear rollers (54) engage their respective axles with all of the rollers attached with retaining rings (60). When a vehicle is positioned on the car wash endless chain conveyer horizontal track (58) and the chain links are attached to the endless chain, the vehicle may be pushed forward by the dolly.