Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an economical vacuum furnace for heat treating of heat treatable articles including heat transfer arresting means at two ends of a vacuum furnace heat treating chamber such that the construction of said chamber is simplified and said heat transfer arresting means comprise reduced area portions of sealing and exhaust means for said vacuum chamber by reason of which seals are economically protected from deterioration by the heat normally associated with vacuum furnaces, and wherein the heating of the interior of the vacuum furnace is outside the heat treating chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying and using fabric fingernail wrap material wherein the material is a porous fabric material supplied in sheets having releasable adhesive material on one side, which side is adheres to a backing material and wherein shapes of individual fabric elements are cut through the fabric and into the backing material such that individually shaped fingernail fabric materials may be removed and applied as a final step in a process of applying a tip material to a portion of a fingernail, appropriately buffing and shaping, and applying the fabric wrap material with its self adhesive side against the nail and tip extension and finally applying appropriate polish or other finishing materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming irregular, and regular, edgings for landscaping, and the like, exemplified by the use of specially constructed blocks, or bricks, having ends with curvatures such that irregular designs may be utilized and irregular or unusual terraine may be accommodated without the necessity of having gaps or spaces between various elements in creating an irregular design; One portion of each block will be curved in a convex manner. Another portion will be curved in a concave manner. The curved ends may be in one plane, or in more than one plane with overlapping and underlapping ends being curved appropriately. Appropriate scoring or marking may be provided to break blocks intermediate therein to form a square end to a particular edging design if desired; alternatively pegs are provided to match holes in portions of the blocks; or, holes are provided all the way through certain of the matching block elements in order to drive stakes through and into the ground if desired.

Abstract: A method together with an apparatus for exercising shoulder muscles wherein a weight is utilized by hanging over the upper arm and the hand of the same arm controls and manipulates the weight and the shoulder muscle system by movement of the hand and arm cooperatively with the weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting building structures in the roof and floor areas wherein a screened pan construction is secured to the underside of the roof so as to allow the filling of insulation material, and the like, without obstructing the flow of outside air into and out of the attic space between the ceiling and roof; the same screened pan is secured in the area between the subfloor and foundation of the building structure allowing air flow between the outside of the building and the area beneath the floor structure.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to be used in performing said method, wherein easy cut-off, or de-activation, of a water supply to a residence, or the like, and turn-on, or re-activation, of a turned off water supply may be easily accomplished by an unskilled person, particularly in emergencies such as freezing weather, earthquakes, fires, or other emergency situations. The method involves installation of a special shut-off valve with an extension and a properly labeled guide plate incorporated within the system together with a comprehensive set of references, and cross-references, maintained at a central location as well as in the particular individual establishment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing rotation to a portion of a loop of rope by which an individual can jump rope alone, and without holding the rope, and in which the rope loops near the ground so that a jumper may jump over it, then rotate over the head of the jumper for another passage close to the ground, wherein a feature is a method for adjusting small weights on the rope to alter the characteristics of the loop; and safety provisions are made so that the rope will not become entangled with the user and cause injury. The apparatus comprises a stand with a fixed swivel arrangement to hold one end of a rope and a rotating device for the other end of the rope to cause the rotating motion of the loop and an adjustment can be made to accommodate different configurations of the loop as it passes beneath the jumpers feet and over the jumpers head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering open truck beds so as to prevent material being carried in the bed from flying out during transport including the equipping of a truck with a specially designed roll up tarpaulin, engaging the rolled up tarpaulin with a specially designed telescoping hook arrangement, pulling the tarpaulin on its rolled up position by guide members resting upon the edge of the sides of the truck bed, and fastening said tarpaulin to the end of the truck bed in such manner that it drapes within the sides of the truck bed so as to completely prevent inadvertent discharge of material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing the method wherein pump spouts for melted cheese utilized on food snack products and the like which includes a fully insulated and heated jacket for a pump spout which will maintain the melted cheese at the desired level of heat and will not over heat nor burn the cheese in the spout at times between servings or activations of the pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically activating range shift apparatus in transmissions of trucks or the like wherein the activation which is customarily by an air line from the shift knob is caused to occur in the direct proximity of the transmission, rather than is usually the case where the air lines or the like come into the truck cab or the like and are generally associated with the shift bar and activated by means directly at the shift knob. In the present case an electrical switch is provided at the knob and electrical wires are carried through the shift bar directly to the proximity of the transmission at which point solenoid valves are arranged so as to accomplish the pressure through the various air lines as required right at the transmission location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which an original document in one location may be transmitted by image transmission, facsimile, or the like, to another location, verified as to accuracy, certified as a replacement for the original, and the original then destroyed so that the verified copy becomes, in legal effect, the only original of the document; wherein this is accomplished by placing the original in an enclosed, locked, tamper proof environment from which it is transmitted by image transmission, facsimile, or the like, to a different location in which the copy is maintained in a locked and tamper proof environment; the copy is compared by electronic or optical scanning, or other such arrangement, to the original to verify accuracy; when verified, the copy is coded so as to indicate the only useable, as though the only, original copy of its type and simultaneously the original is automatically destroyed or voided in its locked environment.

Abstract: A scooper for scooping ice cream and similar cold hardened material from a container including a scooping device with a handle which handle incorporates safety connected electrical device connected to and capable of activating heating elements buried within the scooper itself, and alternately a coating of teflon or the like on the scooping device, wherein the most preferred embodiment incorporates the heated, metallic, heated leading edge.

Abstract: This invention is a unique method and apparatus for improving the techniques employed in crocheting. The method and apparatus are characterized by the utilization of a support means for supporting a supply of crocheting thread and means for guiding such thread through guide means which are mounted on fingers of the person conducting the crocheting process. The method and apparatus are further demonstrative inasmuch as the support means can be a storage and transporting means for the guiding elements and the thread. Additional storage is provided for crocheting needles, and the like. Minimal irritation and injury results in the fingers and hand of the user because of the method and apparatus.