Abstract: A utility lamp system for use in outdoor and indoor locations in a convenient manner. The device includes a main housing with an electrical receptacle within, a clamp structure movably attached to the main housing, a bulb housing extending from the main housing, and a cover pivotally attached to a lower end of the bulb housing.

Abstract: A support arrangement for supporting an object above ground level is designed to reduce hazards for passing motorists. The support arrangement includes an above-ground portion rigidly connected to an in-ground portion by a frangible connector assembly. The above-ground portion can include a generally horizontally extending portion for supporting an object in a cantilevered manner. The horizontally extending portion is formed as part of a moveable portion connected to a generally vertically extending fixed portion by a rotatable connector assembly. The support arrangement is designed to bend and break away in a predetermined manner when impacted and, if it does not break, the rotatable connector is designed to permit the moveable portion to be pulled free and thrown clear of the vehicle. If only the cantilevered object is impacted, the object and moveable portion can rotate out of the path of the impacting force. Once the impacting force has passed, the moveable portion will return to an at-rest position.

Abstract: A fuel heater for improving the fluidity of fuel, vaporization of fuel, and combustion of fuel to thereby minimize emissions and maximize power output for an engine includes a chamber in which a manifold is disposed such that a heat exchanger can extend therearound. The manifold includes openings for introducing fluid medium into the chamber which open in different directions thereby creating a more uniform turbulence in the chamber and enhancing the transfer of heat to the fuel. The arrangement of the manifold and heat exchanger increases the amount of heated fluid medium which comes into contact with the heat exchanger by overcoming the effect of boundary layers. The fuel heater includes a fuel mixing chamber and a fluid medium reservoir which are utilized to control the temperature of fluid medium entering the chamber and, accordingly, the temperature of fuel exiting the heater. The fuel heater includes various arrangements for providing heat to the fuel heater and control arrangements therefore.

Abstract: A collapsible handsaw which can be erected and collapsed without tools includes, in a first embodiment, a saw blade, a foldable frame, and a flexible binder. In this embodiment the frame includes two frame portions wherein each is connected by a pin to an opposite end of the saw blade and the single flexible binder is used to secure the free ends of the frame portions relative to one another when the handsaw is erected and ready for use and to secure the components of the handsaw in a bundle when the frame is collapsed. A second embodiment of the frame includes a pair of flexible binders and a third frame portion which, along with the first and second frame portions and the saw blade, forms a quadrilateral when the handsaw is erected and ready for use. The flexible binders can take various forms including elongated straps and flexible loops of fixed lengths. Free ends of elongated flexible binders are secured in different ways including by hook and loop fasteners and wedge configurations.

Abstract: A device for creating an illusion includes a helix and an object in an arrangement which gives the illusion that the object and helix move relative to one another as the helix is rotated. The helix can be flexible or of a stable configuration such that it can be free standing. Support for the device can include a base or a swivel arrangement for suspending the device. The device can be free to rotate in moving air and, in situations where there are lesser amounts of air flow, a fan can be attached to the helix. Where there is an absence of moving air an electric motor can be employed. Variations in the arrangement and size of the components of the device can create variations in the illusion of relative movement. The use of colors and materials which glow in the dark in situations where there is low light, along with variations in lighting, will also vary the illusion of relative movement.

Abstract: A system for modifying behavior of passengers in passenger vehicles includes housings and video tape recording equipment. When the system is used with a plurality of vehicles there is at least one fully operational vide recording arrangement in housings in one of the vehicles along with empty housings set up to have the appearance of being operational arrangements in the other vehicles. The operational video recording arrangement is for keeping a video taped record of activity in a passenger area of the vehicle. The empty housings set up to appear operational help reduce the expense of the system and complement the operational arrangement to deter undesirable behavior of passengers in the passenger areas of the vehicles.

Abstract: A brush holder for an electrical brush includes a brush holder body and an improved spring clip arrangement. Included in the brush holder body is a spring clip pocket and a brush pocket. The brush pocket slidably guides an electrical brush therein and a spring clip assembly, including a generally V-shaped spring clip with a shoulder stop, is sized to be received in the spring clip pocket. The shoulder stop on the spring clip engages a stop in the brush holder body when the spring clip is seated in the spring clip pocket. The spring clip assembly includes a constant force spring for applying a constant force to an electrical brush in the brush pocket when the spring clip is in the seated position. A latch pin engages a latch aperture in one leg of the spring clip, when the spring clip is seated, and a cross pin removable from the top of the brush holder body, controls separation of the spring clip from the brush holder body when the spring clip is retracted from the spring clip pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for truing out of round components of rotating mechanisms includes a grindstone and a weighted hand held holder for the grindstone. The holder includes a sleeve with a passageway for receiving the grindstone telescopically therein and for removal of debris created during the grinding process. The sleeve includes weights bonded thereto and a non-conductive shell encompassing the weights for protection of the user. The amount of weight added to the holder is predetermined and is coordinated to the cross-sectional area of the grindstone such that the apparatus has a predetermined amount of resistance to movement as the grindstone is used to remove high areas and imperfections from the surface of the out of round rotating component. The holder, when connected to a vacuum source, removes debris created by the grinding process by drawing the debris through the sleeve beneath the grindstone.

Abstract: A device for the quick connection and disconnection of a fish hook to the end of a fishing line includes a sister hook arrangement. The device is extraordinarily strong for its size and weight providing a significant advantage over known arrangements. The sister hook arrangement can be connected directly to a swivel which in turn is tied directly to the end of the fishing line or can be part of a fishing leader which would also include a swivel. The sister hook arrangement includes mirror image sister elements pivotally attached to one another such they can be spread to an open position for the engagement of an attachment loop of a fish hook thereon and pivoted to a closed position to fixedly secure the fish hook relative thereto.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an extruded reservoir housing and a sleeve with position valving therein. The shock absorber coordinates the position valving and valving in the piston assembly in a manner such that the position of the piston assembly relative to the position valving becomes a factor in determining changes in valving.

Abstract: A system utilizing an apparatus for controlling a gushing well comprises a vehicle having articulated components such as a boom and an arm with a carriage assembly at the end of the articulated arm. The system is adapted to transport and position the apparatus for installation on the well pipe casing. Once the apparatus has been installed on the gushing well the valves in the apparatus can be closed and the flow from the well stopped.

Abstract: An idler wheel assembly includes a resilient tire and a rim for supporting the tire and for attaching the assembly to an axle. The resilient tire includes a centrally disposed rib with guide grooves on either side thereof disposed between the rib and load supporting surfaces. The rim includes an inner cylinder adapted to mount the assembly on an axle and an outer cylinder maintained in spaced relation to the inner cylinder by spacers. Clamping plates are part of the rim and cooperate with rigid spacer sleeves disposed in bores in the resilient tire to prevent compression of the tire wherein resiliency of the tire is lost. The rib is of a slightly larger diameter than the portion of the tire defined by the load supporting surfaces and cooperates with apertures in an endless belt tensioned therearound to self-center the assembly relative to the belt.

Abstract: A drive wheel assembly includes a rim for supporting a resilient tire made of a material a high coefficient of friction and a high degree of elasticity. The assembly includes a sprocket attached to the rim and cooperating with the resilient tire to limit the penetration of the sprocket teeth. The assembly is designed for frictional driving surfaces of the drive wheel assembly to transmit substantially all of the driving force to an endless belt under normal conditions and for the sprocket teeth engaged in openings in the endless belt to prevent slippage of the drive wheel assembly relative to the endless belt under exceptional conditions.

Abstract: A drive system for a track type vehicle includes a drive wheel assembly having a rim with a sprocket attached thereto and a resilient frictional driving tire, at least one idler wheel assembly having a rim and a resilient tire with a central rib of a larger diameter, and an endless track having a plurality of serially spaced openings and protrusions extending generally perpendicularly from an inside surface. The protrusions cooperate with guide grooves in the wheels to maintain the alignment of the endless track with the wheels when the endless track is tensioned around the wheels. Frictional driving tires transmit substantially all of the driving force under normal conditions and sprocket teeth engaged with openings in the endless track prevent slippage under exceptional conditions.

Abstract: A skimmer for removal of debris suspended in a clogged bore includes a handle having a strainer basket assembly at one end and a wrist loop at the other end. The strainer basket assembly includes a hinge block to which more than one strainer basket portion is pivotally attached. Each strainer basket portion is foramenated and attached to the hinge block in a manner such that when the strainer basket assembly is inserted into a clogged bore the strainer basket portions pivot to a closed position and when the strainer basket is withdrawn from the clogged bore the strainer basket portions are pivoted to an open position to catch and remove debris. In different embodiments of the invention there are weights and stops incorporated to facilitate pivoting of the strainer basket portions to the open position.

Abstract: A camera support for a camera is quickly and easily shiftable between a suspended at-rest position and a pointing ready to use position. The camera support includes an elongated camera frame having a shoulder engaging portion, a camera deck, a side plate and a pair of telescoping portions having a hand grip and a trigger release. The camera support is attachable to a user's upper body by a strap arrangement wherein the strap arrangement is fixed relative to the user while the camera support includes provisions to permit it to move relative thereto. The camera support may include a unipod or a tripod which will function as a counter-balance and can be employed for ground engaged stability. The camera support includes a hinge for attachment of the camera and a combination of adjustabilities permitting use of different sizes and shapes of cameras and lenses.

Abstract: A steering post for a snowmobile is positionable in more than one position and includes a bearing which has a two part bearing block and a two part bearing. The bearing includes a generally spherical body with axially aligned oppositely extending cylindrical extensions and a bore substantially the same diameter as the steering post axially aligned with and extending through the spherical body and extensions. The bearing body includes openings axially aligned and communicating with a cavity adapted to receive the spherical body therein. The openings include an encircling chamfered area engagable by the extensions on the spherical body such that when the steering post is out of alignment that it does not engage the bearing body and bind.