Abstract: A knotting tool includes an elongate handle with a cord support projecting from the handle. The cord support includes walls about which the cord being knotted is wound. A guideway along the cord support receives cord segments with one of the segments being inserted through multiple windings formed on the cord support. A cord lock is insertable through an aperture in the cord support to temporarily bind a cord segment in place and may be in the form of a paper clip. A notched end of the cord support retains a reversed cord segment in place during knot formation. A deflector in the guideway acts on an inserted end of a cord segment to divert same out of the guideway to facilitate grasping. A method of forming a knot is disclosed using the present tool.

Abstract: A sign for temporary attachment to a stranded vehicle includes a framework having upright tubular members through which elastic cords may be extracted for the purpose of sign attachment to a vehicle. Looped segments of the cords permit adjustment of cord lengths to accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes while cord locks limit the passage of the looped cords through the upright frame members. The cords additionally serve to couple the upright frame members to horizontal frame members. A collection of sign panels are swingably supported on a horizontal frame member to permit display of the appropriate message.

Abstract: A portable sink for use out-of-doors has inflatable side walls with a sink bottom wall having a holder thereon into which may be placed a heat packet providing a unitary heat source for heating sink contents. The holder may be of a closed cell synthetic material to lessen heat loss.

Abstract: A building roof or wall covering consisting of panels formed along their lengthwise edge with each panel having a central expanse which may include a rib. Each panel has a primary rib edge structure including a foot for securement to an underlying building component and additionally including a first wall extending upwardly from the foot and having outwardly and inwardly inclined portions which terminate in a rib top wall. Acutely convergent wall portions of a remaining wall form a lip having an apex. A secondary rib edge structure includes a marginal edge also of acute cross section for hooked engagement with the apex of the primary rib on an adjacent panel and also having an outer wall overlying the top wall of the primary rib of the adjacent panel. Outwardly and inwardly inclined panel portions of the secondary rib overlie and engage in a retentive manner the outwardly and inclined wall portions of the primary rib of an adjacent panel.

Abstract: A decoy having a collapsible molded head in place on a pliable backing sheet. The head and sheet components are shaped to simulate a game animal viewed in frontal elevation. A fabric cover encloses the backing member with an opening permitting the head to be attached in place on the backing member. The cover is shaped and colored to simulate an animal chest. An opening in the cover enables sighting through the decoy as well as arrow passage.

Abstract: A bar is provided with curved end segments in which the raised upper arms of a person are confined. Straps mounted on the bar have free ends which are attachable to the curved end segments to restrain the upper arms in place on the bar. Fabric closure members secure the strap ends in place. A curved appendage on the bar seats against the back of the person's neck. An apertured anchor plate on the bar receives handcuffs or plastic ties for securing the person's overlapped wrists in an area rearward of the neck.

Abstract: An inflatable bumper is disposed about a circular outer wall of a vehicle with a cover urging the bumper into wall engagement. The cover has sleeve portions through which extend cables for drawing the cover snug urging the bumper into wall engagement. Upper and lower ring members on the wall position the bumper and cover and serve to support clamp assemblies for locking the cables in a tensioned condition. A tensioning device includes provision for reception of a wrench for winding of a cable end segment to tension same prior to clamping.

Abstract: An enclosure with fittings removably coupling enclosure members with the fittings being formed from plate stock. Insert fittings each include a leg member insertable into a socket fitting having a triangularly shaped socket in which the leg member is received in a snug manner. An apex portion of the socket fitting is slidably received in an elongate slot of the insert fitting.

Abstract: A water bag is provided with an expanse of material extending across a lower portion of a bag wall to provide a pocket into which may be inserted a heat pack or a heat sink. Conduits are provided on the interior surface of the bag wall adjacent the pocket with bag contents flowing through the conduits and heated by the heat pack in place on the bag exterior. A bag outlet defines a mixing chamber which receives bag contents from multiple passageways. A valve regulates discharge flow from the bag.

Abstract: A drill bit is mounted for percussive reciprocal movement in the lower end segment of a drill wear tube. A barrel is in the wear tube and defines a first and second series of exhaust ports. Channels in the barrel communicate the exhaust ports with discharge openings spaced about the head of the drill bit. An inlet opening in the face of the drill bit receives airborne earthen particles carried to an evacuation tube. Keys and keyways are disposed about the drill bit in parallel with the drill bit axis permitting a passageway of optimum size. Disposed within the barrel is a tubular piston which reciprocates in response to pressurized air alternately directed to the piston ends. The piston ends open and close the barrel exhaust ports. Internal surfaces of the piston cooperate with surfaces on the evacuation tube and on a press fitted sleeve thereon to direct compressed air to the piston ends.

Abstract: A pet harness having a cinch band extending about the forward portion of the animal's torso and which includes an upwardly projecting portion with a ring to receive a leash. Shoulder strap includes a ring member through which the upwardly projecting portion of the cinch band extends. The shoulder straps terminate forwardly at a connector which also receives a retention strap which joins the forward ends of the shoulder straps to the cinch band. The animal is restrained by closure of the cinch strap about the torso and tensioning of the shoulder straps which occur simulataneously from leash or other restraint imparted forces.

Abstract: A hydrofoil for attachment to an outdrive or outboard motor supports a trolling plate projecting rearwardly from the hydrofoil when in a raised position. The trolling plate includes a pair of arms having a lockable member therebetween slidably engageable with a latch pivotally mounted on the hydrofoil. Downward trolling plate deployment may occur upon elevation of the latch by an operator control which permits the lockable member to travel lengthwise of an elongate opening in the latch and into one of multiple catches in communication with the elongate opening. A first pair of torsion springs urge the trolling plate to a deployed position. A second set of torsion springs urge the latch toward a position securing the lockable member against movement. Multiple trolling plate positions allow maneuvering of a boat with a deployed trolling plate.

Abstract: Bearing rings are carried one each in a shaft end and in a cap and seat against a ball element therebetween. Preloading of each ball element at the shaft ends is achieved by rotation of the cap along a threaded end segment of a bushing of a bearing assembly. A set screw on the cap seats against a circular wall of the bearing assembly for infinite bearing adjustment. A sealed chamber for lubricant is defined by the cap and permits direct application of lubricant to the ball element at each end of the shaft.

Abstract: A hollow braid woven anchor rope having an elastic core, of tubular latex, occupies a major portion of rope length. Ends of the elastic core are secured to the rope proper by rings, one each, located on rope end segements. A snap assembly at one end of the rope facilitates attachment to an anchor. When not in use the elastic core collapses the rope to bunch the rope along the relaxed core. A method with a series of steps is disclosed for rope assembly by insertion of the core into the rope and securement of the core ends to end segments of the rope component.

Abstract: A load receiving platform and cradle are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis through approximately ninety degrees. A machine base is spaced upwardly from a floor surface by supports which may be embodied in load cells. A load receiving surface of the platform extends along a cantilever portion of the platform. A hydraulic cylinder, coupled to the cantilever portion of the platform, imparts rotational movement thereto. The hydraulic cylinder is part of a hydraulic system having lines communicating cylinder ends with a pressure source. One of the lines includes a piloted valve with fluid flow through the line being regulated by pilot pressure taken from the remaining line to control platform movement during an unbalanced condition of the platform.

Abstract: A fishing lure has a chamber into which is inserted an elongate container for the reception of a fish attractant. The container has a series of openings which receive fish attractant injected into vents or passageways in the lure main body from a storage container of the squeeze bottle type fitted with a tapered nozzle allowing vent insertion. For removal of the elongate container from the lure, a projection protrudes from the rearward end of the container to receive a fingertip. A tang on the container seats in a recess of the lure body to hold the container in place until momentary flexing of the container by fingertip pressure dislodges the tang.

Abstract: A set of rails are in place atop the sidewalls of a truck box. Slides, one each in place on the sides of a truck canopy, engage the rails and include a flange for inserted engagement with an undercut portion of each rail. A flange free forward segment of each slide facilitates initial slide-to-rail engagement. Loading brackets, temporarily attachable to each rail, facilitate one man loading of the canopy while skids support the canopy rearward end. Teeth on the brackets and the slides prevent canopy slippage during loading. Canopy hold downs on the rails are engaged by a hold down member on each slide. Tie down hooks are carried in the crosswise slots of each rail and are locked in place by a canopy mounted slide or, alternatively by an insert in place in a rail when the canopy is removed.

Abstract: An elongate member is disclosed defining spaced apart openings each for inserted reception of a decorative light bulb of a light string. Flanges provided on the interior of each of the openings frictionally engage the light bulb surface and restrain same against accidental separation from the opening. Apertures in the elongate member each serve to receive a fastener, such as a finishing nail, attaching the elongate member to a wall surface. The elongate members are of a convenient length to permit orderly bundling of those elongate members associated with a single light string to provide for orderly removal, storage and installation of the light string.

Abstract: A tool having a base plate for sliding along a roadway surface and defining slots extending rearwardly from a forward edge of the base plate. Each slot has parallel wall surfaces between which a flexible tab to be cut is received and held upright until a cutting edge, at the slot end, severs the tab at roadway surface level. Side walls and a rear wall on the base plate confine severed tabs on the base plate until tab discharge into a receptacle. Blade surfaces on the base plate are inclined downwardly and forwardly. A closure, on a modified form of the tool, may swing open to admit a tab being severed and thereafter close to prevent loss of severed tabs from the tool. A pivotally mounted handle facilitates sliding of the tool along a roadway in surface contact with same. A discharge opening in the rear wall of the modified tool facilitates tab discharge into a receptacle.