Abstract: An actuator bar is disclosed for an aerosol spray container of the type utilizing a tubular valve stem, the actuator bar having a top surface large enough to accommodate two fingers. The actuator bar has two embodiments. One embodiment fits over an existing actuator button and has a bottom opening for slideably mounting over the actuator button a side-wall opening to permit the exit of aerosol spray. The second embodiment comprises body having a the front side-wall with a terminal orifice for dispensing fluids from the aerosol spray container and further has a fluid flow passageway in the body extending from the bottom to the front side-wall and having an inlet portion for the inlet of aerosol spray fluid and an outlet portion in fluid flow communication with the terminal orifice.

Abstract: An exercise machine for simulating running comprises a frame having a rear portion and a forward portion, a shoulder harness supported by the forward portion of the frame for supporting the upper body in a fixed position, a pair of hand grips juxtaposed near the shoulder harness, a pair of lever arms each having an upper end and a lower end with the upper ends pivotally connected to the rear portion of the frame, a pair of foot assemblies extending outwardly from the lower ends of the lever arms and rotatable through an arc of not more than 180 degrees, and a pair of resistance means attached to the lever arms.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate hair into units of three for braiding, producing several such units in one application. The preferred embodiment comprises a platform having an upper shelf and an anchor. The anchor has comb-like teeth for fixing the device to the hair of the subject. The upper shelf prevents tangling of unbraided hair above the device. A blade, fixed perpendicularly to the platform, has a plurality of teeth separated by notches of alternating depths, which receive strands of hair. A lower shelf affixed at an angle acts as a support for the separated hair strands and prevents tangling. The upper and lower shelves are made removable. The width between braids may be varied by providing teeth of different widths on the upper shelf.

Abstract: The invention adds a camping tent to pickup trucks by taking advantage of already-installed rigid pickup bed covers. Flexible tent material is adapted to be attached to the inside of a raised rigid cover, so that a tent is formed when the cover is lifted to its raised position above the bed of a pickup truck. The attachment is by means of a bracket installed on the underside of the cover. The tent is adapted to be quickly unfolded and attached to the tailgate and side panels of the truck with quick-release fastening means. Care is taken to prevent rain water from entering the shelter thus formed by folding the tent over the edge of the tailgate, attaching it to the side panels of the truck to form a water-tight interface, and providing rain flaps to deflect rain water over the fenders of the truck and away from the interior of the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying wires or circuits uses plugs with light-emitting diodes ("LED's") attached across the plug contacts corresponding to the wiring circuit. All of the jacks in a terminal or patch panel are filled with such plugs prior to testing and are monitored by a first worker. A second worker, in two-way communication with the first worker, applies a test voltage at the remote terminations of the wires, causing the corresponding LED to light, but no others. The lit LED immediately identifies the circuit, which can be labeled, and the process repeated. When testing is complete, all plugs with LED's are removed from the terminal for re-use.

Abstract: A mixing head assembly attachable to a boom of an excavating machine comprising a torque tube supporting a motor mounted within the torque tube, and a mounting assembly for attaching the mixing head assembly to the boom of an excavating machine. The device has a rotatable mixing head supported by a drive shaft and driven by the motor, which mixing head supports mixing arms and other implements. The rotating casing of the mixing head defines a first cavity enclosing a bearing housing, which bearing housing defines a second cavity. The bearing housing is stationary with respect to the torque tube. Grease is forced through the first cavity and out a seal engaging the casing, thus keeping contaminants from the bearings. Oil is forced through the second cavity and recirculated to lubricate the bearings and prevent contaminates from entering the bearings. A water spray may be provided for suppressing dust. A header is provided for delivering dry or liquid reagents to the mixing site.

Abstract: A shaft sized to fit conventional hole saw mandrels has two set screw flats and a retaining head. A cylindrical roller is mounted on the shaft against the retaining head, and a cylindrical spacer is mounted by set screws on the shaft above the roller. The roller is sized to fit the diameter of holes typically desired to be enlarged. The shaft, roller and spacer assembly is mounted in the mandrel of a conventional hole saw using the second set screw flat so that the roller extends beyond the cutting edge of the saw. The roller is inserted into the existing hole and guides the hole saw as the hole saw is turned by a drill or other means. In an alternate embodiment, the roller has side flats, allowing the device to enlarge oblong holes having parallel sides.

Abstract: A hair braiding apparatus is disclosed comprising a U-shaped rod having a left arm and a right arm, the arms offset from one another relative to the plane of the U shape, a guide for holding a first strand of hair and a second strand of hair in alignment with the left arm and the right arm, respectively, and a clamp for holding the first and second strands of hair in slideable engagement with the left and right arms of the rod respectively. Methods of braiding with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One or more of the strands may be artificial hair. A method of braiding natural hair with artificial hair using the braiding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate hair into units of three for braiding, producing several such units in one application, comprises a handle and a platform affixed thereto having an upper shelf and anchor. The anchor has comb-like teeth for fixing the device to the hair of the subject. The upper shelf prevents tangling of unbraided hair above the device. A blade fixed perperdicularly to the platform has a plurality of teeth separated by notches of alternating depths which receive strands of hair. A lower shelf affixed at an angle to the blade acts as a support for the separated hair strands and prevents tangling. The width between braids may be varied by providing teeth of different widths on the blade.

Abstract: A cover for protecting vehicles or structures from the damaging impact of hailstones or other falling objects. The cover includes a plurality of energy-absorbing rods disposed parallel and closely adjacent to one another along their long dimensions. The rods are substantially circular in cross section and made of a resilient material. The rods are held in their relative positions by an enclosing means, which may be two flexible sheaths made of a textile. The first and second sheaths are fastened together between and along the long dimensions of the rods, and at the perimeters of the sheaths, so as to enclose and hold the rods, forming the assembled cover. This construction allows the cover to be rolled up for easy storage. The cover has fastening means, such as flanges for tie downs, for attaching the cover to a vehicle to be protected.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device to a wall or other smooth stationary object. The present invention consists of a tether, a means for attaching the tether to the flotation device, an anchoring means, and a means for adjusting the length of the tether. The anchoring means comprises a handle, a face having a plurality of small suction cups, and a hole for passage of the tether in adjustable engagement.

Abstract: 6-Phenyl-4H-s-triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepines of the formula (IV): ##SPC1##wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive, phenyl, benzyl and -COOR' in which R' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive; wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive; and wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive, halogen, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, and alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkanoylamino and dialkylamino in which the carbon chain moieties are of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive, are produced by condensing a 1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-thione of the formula (I): ##SPC2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are defined as above, with an organic acid hydrazide of the formula: ##EQU1## wherein R is defined as above.