Abstract: Internal combustion engine valve rocker arms adaptable for changing the horsepower output of an equipped engine, which rocker arms may be alternately set to prevent operation of the valves of cylinders that are to be selectively deactivated. Each rocker arm is formed of two radial members pivotally mounted to a common shaft that are joined together by a slidable key which may be shifted to a position in which the two radial members are disengaged from each other so that the first radial member reciprocated by the camshaft push rod does not transmit motion to the second radial member bearing on the valve lever. A latch device retains the second radial member of a conventional valve rocker arm in the open valve position, when the radial members are disengaged from each other.

Abstract: A device for converting waste nuclear energy to electricity comprising a shielded casing housing, a plurality of holders of radioactive materials surrounded by tubes of phosphorescent material to convert the radiation to electricity in adjacent photocells such as photoelectric or photovoltaic cells. The walls of the casing have mirrored top and bottom surfaces. Shade-type control means adjustably cover the photocells so as to regulate the amount of electricity produced.

Abstract: A shelf assembly mountable on a towel bar that is spaced from a vertical wall, which includes a horizontal plate with a peripheral rim; a pair of spaced brackets detachably engaged to the bottom of the plate; the upper part of the brackets being resilient and fitting over the towel bar. An angle bracket is slidably mounted by a screw and wing nut in a slot in the underside of the mid-section of the plate so that a vertical leg of the bracket may be fixed in position to bear against an inside surface of the towel bar when the rear of the plate and the brackets bear against the external vertical surface of a wall to which the towel bar is fixed in spaced relation.

Abstract: A fence comprising a plurality of rigid, intermediate, vertical support members of generally rectangular construction having longitudinal channels on opposite side walls for receiving vertical plastic or metal panels secured in the channels and terminal or corner vertical supports having longitudinal channels on adjacent side walls in which are secured the edges of the panels.

Abstract: A sprayer which includes a plastic bag having in its upper end a perforated pipe and adapted to receive the end of a syringe and a draw string at the bottom for securing the bag around a flower pot to retain therein insecticidal sprays or powder.

Abstract: An aluminum-wood composite pole which comprises an elongated hollow aluminum member having a rectangular cross-section with front and back surfaces integral with oppositely facing recessed connecting sides. Bolted in the recesses are wooden facings to allow gripping thereof by jump jacks used on scaffolding.

Abstract: A swaging tool assembly for also bending, cutting and flaring tubing which includes a tubing holding block connected to a tool support by a sliding stabilizer bar and a main bar rotated by a speed bar handle. The block has a cutter wheel cooperating with tube guides on the tool support. On the upper part of the support is rotatably mounted a head from which project a plurality of conically configurated flaring ends for flaring by swaging a tube held at one end in a seat on the block. A bending lever with telescopic handle is pivoted eccentrically to the lower end of the support which has tube bending means.

Abstract: A vehicle message reminder system which includes a timer for closing a timer switch when energized and retaining the switch in closed position for a pre-set time after which the timer coil is de-energized. A relay connected to the timer energizes a tape recorder hooked-up thereto during the time when the ignition switch and timer switch are in closed positions. The tape recorder is of conventional design and has recorded messages relating to the operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A game apparatus having a hexagonal game board bearing ninety-one smaller identical hexagons; four six-sided die each of different colors representing arbitrary game importance; each die having two equilateral triangles on opposing faces such that each triangle has an apex pointing to a common side and a base parallel to the edge of the face opposite the common side; a set of two squares one of which is placed with its edges parallel to the edges of the face that has two of its edges parallel to the bases of the triangles while the other square is similarly placed on the side opposite its companion square and circles on each of the two remaining sides; and a corresponding set of forty-eight playing pieces for each die.

Abstract: A hoop of hollow construction of a shape to fit substantially snugly about a user's waist which has a ball internally freely mounted in the hoop so that the ball may rotate through the interior passageway of the hoop in response to motion of the wearer's body. The hollow cavity of the hollow hoop can have ridge rings running radially across the body of the hoop, which rings can also be formed on the exterior of the hoop.

Abstract: A trash picking device including a self-propelled vehicle having a receiving tank therein with an entrance for receiving litter from a conveyor belt litter picked up by spiked rollers mounted on a support tower by the vehicle and communicating with the conveyor belt by means of a flexible chute. Preferably, two side rollers are pivoted to a central roller journalled directly below the conveyor belt. A pair of transporting wheels are pivotally mounted below the central roller. This roller drivingly engages the bottom roller of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A toy baseball game having a diamond-shaped base with a plurality of pockets. A two-piece bat is mounted on the base with a bracket fixed to each piece and rotatably mounted on the bracket is a large simulated hollow baseball containing a number of smaller balls bearing indicia referring to baseball game happenings. The hollow ball has an ejector mechanism for propelling one ball at a time out of the lower part of the bat and onto pockets in the base, after the balls have been tumbled in the hollow baseball to introduce an element of chance in the game.

Abstract: A device attachable to the leg of a ladder to lengthen a leg that is too short to reach the uneven level of a supporting surface comprising a sleeve member clamped below the last and next-to-last rung of the ladder; an extension vertically adjustable in the sleeve; a threaded rod having a stop at its lower end abutting the top of the extension and a handle at its upper end for vertically displacing the extension; the lower end of the extension having pivoted thereon a plate with a skid-proof bottom.

Abstract: A variable duration clock timer unit which may be adjustably set to energize an electrical circuit for a selected duration for each period of clock operation includes a momentary contact, normally open, switch frictionally mounted at a selected location in a concentric annular groove in a circular clock face below a rotatable clock arm driven by an electric clock motor. The clock arm is adjustable in length and has a free end in the shape of a triangle overlying the annular groove. The switch actuator may be depressed by engagement with the free end of the clock arm to close the switch for the period of time that the free end is in engagement with the switch actuator. Adjustment of the length of the clock arm changes the width of the free end portion of the clock arm engageable with the switch actuator and thus determines the duration of switch closing. The timer unit may be used to automatically control the operation of an electric defrosting circuit of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A straight edge for use in construction formed of a plurality of members joined by hinges to an end member fitted with a slidable section mounted by a dovetail groove and tongue. The butt sections of each member are fitted with a magnet at each hinge joint so as to latch the unfolded members together in the extended position.

Abstract: A timing assembly adapted to be secured to the outlet of an oxygen respiration unit which includes a housing having an inlet connected to the outlet of the unit and an outlet connected to a pneumatic valve which is operatively connected to a battery operated timer which shuts off oxygen flow from the unit and automatically admits outside air through an air filter after a preset time.

Abstract: A solar collector using air as its heat transfer medium having a top member containing a plurality of transparent sealed air pockets allowing passage of radiant energy but preventing conductive and convective heat losses generated inside the collector; a central black-coated absorbent plastic member divides the center of the collector into a plurality of interconnected inflatable upper and lower chambers connected to air pumps at one end and to a constriction valve outlet at the other. The lower end of the lower chambers consists of a cover containing a multiplicity of insulative sealed air channels. The collector can be mounted on a turntable frame having adjustable reflective panels mounted above and below the collector. The heated air after it has given up its calories to a storage unit is recirculated to the inflatable chambers.

Abstract: A collapsible umbrella which is detachably mounted to the shoulders of a garment so as to be supported above the head of a wearer of the garment, in the opened position of the umbrella. A pair of semi-rigid strut members are pivotally mounted each to a tip of an opposed umbrella rib and to a hinged bracket fastened to an external top shoulder section of a garment with a pair of flexible tension members, one fastened to the top of a forward umbrella rib and the other to a top of a rear umbrella rib each fastened respectively to a forward and a rear section of the garment. The ribs are each pivotally joined by individual semi-rigid stretcher members to a tubular handle that is slidably mounted over a central post to the top of which the ribs are all pined such that sliding of the handle towards the top of the central post extends the umbrella ribs.

Abstract: A portable, quickly disassembled stand for barbells comprising a base formed of a cross piece adapted to rest on a floor and having slots near each end; a pair of first rectangular members having a flat under surface part of which lies on the same plane as that of the cross bar and has a notched recessed front part fitting over the ends of the cross bar on one side of the bar. A pair of aligned superimposed dowel-receiving openings in the notches of the members receive each a dowel projecting from a second pair of stabilizing members fitting partly over the cross piece. A pair of upright barbell supports fit in the notches and are secured by dowels. Lateral struts are hinged to the supports.

Abstract: An hygienic prosthesis or diaper for a baby comprising a kidney-shaped body having a pair of spaced containers for receiving urine and excrement. Each container has an inlet and an outlet. The inlets close around the human orifices to form seals. The outlets are adapted for connection to an aspirating pump for emptying and can be washed with an antiseptic solution. A harness is secured to the upper part of the body and fits around the waist with the lower part of the body being secured to the back of the harness.