Abstract: A roller reefing system for use on the existing forestay of a sailboat such that it surrounds the forestay when installed and in use. The system includes a furling member which is composed of a plurality of indentical cross section members, each of which has a longitudinal opening to receive the forestay, and a connecting sleeve for connecting adjacent members together and for locating a bearing element within the longitudinal opening. The roller reefing system may be easily installed on the existing forestay of a sailboat without modification to the forestay.

Abstract: An extensible bar hanger assembly designed to support recessed lighting fixtures in a ceiling. A pair of double L shaped bar members, one on each side of a fixture, are extensible and contractable to adjust between ceiling joists or other ceiling support to provide a rigid mount for the fixture. The bar members are each longitudinally domed to provide interlocking and each include an elongated slot extending the major length of each respective bar. One end of each bar includes a side extending barbed tab which is secured to adjacent ceiling joists. The opposite ends of the bar members include precisely formed locks. In the case of one bar member, the lock is an offset T shaped foot. The other end lock is a trapezoidal shaped head. These ends lock the joints together by interlocking through the elongated slots in the opposite bar member.

Abstract: A viewing port for doors such as residences including a light polarizing assembly including at least two linear polarized optical elements, one mounted for rotation with respect to the other element(s) to change the viewing port from light passing to light blocking or reduced transmission condition. The light polarizing assembly is located at the inner side of the door and is surrounded by a tapered portion of its mounting toward the outer face to provide undistorted wide angle viewing of the area surrounding the door. In another embodiment of this invention, my viewing port is designed to be integrated into a stained glass window.

Abstract: A holding device intended to engage a single finger of the hand and provide an encircling strap with the universal length fastening capability to aid a person in holding a mechanical device without extended strain on the user's hand. The device is particularly intended to aid a self service gasoline customer in holding the gasoline nozzle valve handle in an open position for the period of time necessary to fill the user's automobile fuel tank. The device is generally cross shaped with hook and pile fastener material on opposite sides of the end regions of both the cross bar and the vertical bar of the cross shaped member which itself is fabricated of a flexible material such as web strapping in the order of three quarters of an inch in width. Nominal dimensions are eight inches by two and one half inches. The cross arm portion of the device is of sufficient length to encircle a finger such as the index finger and be secured around the user's finger to hold the strap in place.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment relates to a musician operated electric guitar having a plurality of metal strings and at least two pickups for transforming mechanical vibrations of the metal strings into electrical signals proportional to such mechanical vibrations, where the electrical signals from the at least two pickups are added together into a single guitar output circuit.

Abstract: A remote meter reading system employing a plurality of multiplexers coupled between the telephone central office and remote interrogatable utility data sources. A number of lines are connected to a single data channel through a plurality of multiplexers. An interrogation signal source is connected to the multiplexer for sending controllable level interrogation signals to the data sources under the control of a microprocessor. The level of interrogation signal which produces a response from each different data source is stored. Upon failure to evoke a response from the highest level of interrogation signal causes that line to be recorded in memory as defective. The number of OFF-HOOK conditions encountered in a predetermined period is recorded and any excess of a predetermined value deleted as a line trouble condition. Signalling in the preferred embodiment is via pulse width modulated signals. In the alternate embodiment, dual tone signalling is employed.

Abstract: A psychologically sound automobile protection system designed to give a warning of electrical activity to anyone who enters the immediate region of the doors, windows or other openings of a vehicle. The system consumes so little energy when in operation that it is electrically connected to operate at all times when the ignition of the vehicle is off. The indicators are of such small size that they are hardly visible visible to anyone except those in the immediate region of the vehicle and particularly to those who might consider an unauthorized entry of the vehicle. The system includes a relay or other switching device which is connected to the battery or main power supply of the vehicle via the ignition switch whereby the relay or switching device is activated to apply power from the battery to the system when the ignition switch is off. Power is applied to a periodic circuit such as multivibrator which is connected to drive a flashing signalling device.

Abstract: An assembly for towing a boat includes a pair of channel members mounted on the transom of the boat and a towing socket fastened to the prow of the boat for attachment to a tow ball formed as part of an upstanding hitch carried on a tow vehicle. A pair of leaf spring supports each carry wheels and stub axles and are pinned to the channel members by means of pivot pins and other removable pins which hold the supports firmly in the channels when the removable pins are in place, which holds the wheels firmly in the lowered position for towing and which permit the supports and wheels to be rotated around the pivot pins to store the wheels when the removable pins are removed. Each of the stub axles includes a hollow extension which supports at its outboard end a rod or shaft serving as a stabilizing bar and the stabilizing bars are held in axial alignment by means of a stabilizing retaining tube supporting the stabilizing bars at their inboard ends.

Abstract: A lamp mounting structure for use in recessed lighting fixtures comprises a planar portion having an illumination aperture over which a translucent plate may be removably retained. A lamp may be removably retained over said aperture by resilient tabs which extend inwardly beyond the edges of the aperture so as to engage the lamp whether or not such a translucent plate is interposed between it and the planar portion of the lamp mounting structure.

Abstract: A compact golf course which employs a number of tee positions facing a series of targets at ranges up to 300 yards with distance indicators whereby a player at one of the tees can drive tee and fairway shots and record precisely the distance attained on each shot. Chipping greens are provided. Putting greens are provided for the putting phase of the golf game. The golfer moves in sequence from the tee and fairway target range to the chipping range and the putting greens. Score cards are provided and layouts and pars and distances of famous courses appear on charts located at each tee position to allow the player to play in sequence the holes of the selected famous course. Closed circuit television cameras are located on the fairway driving range portion of the course directed toward the tees. A television monitor and a camera selector switch are located at each tee position so that the golfer may select a particular camera scene to be viewed on the television monitor.

Abstract: A universal clip for carrying objects such as a holster or other object on the belt of a wearer. The clip includes an elongated body of generally flat material such as sheet metal with an integral hinge pin socket at one end region and a pair of integral catches at the other end region. A resilient member such as a length of spring wire extends through the integral hinge and pivots into a spaced parallel relationship with the body and is secured by the integral catches. The resiliency of the spring wire allows reliable engagement with the catches. The body and the leg portions of the spring wire define a flat tunnel through the clip for receiving the wearer's belt. The integral hinge pin socket extends generally from side to side of the clip and thereby provides a stable support for any object carried.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aiding in the laying of the top course of bricks over openings in masonry curtain wall construction and other buildings. A clamping hanger securable to the lintel of an opening includes a support foot which extends into the opening. The foot is adjustable in two ways to provide precise temporary support for a soldier bond course of bricks during laying. The hanger does not interfere with construction within or outside of the building while in place. No framing in the opening is required when this hanger and method is used.

Abstract: An electromechanical device for transmitting a binary ON-OFF or an analog signal through a rotary connection between two parts of a mechanical system. It is applicable to rotary connections in general but particularly as a warning system for work platforms which employ swivelable casters having operator actuated locks to prevent movement of the platform during work operations. The swivelable caster includes a lock or brake and means for engaging and disengaging the lock. The caster includes a hollow shaft which allows pivoting of the caster The shaft is journaled in the platform base and includes an axially extending actuator operated by the lock or brake actuator to operate an electrical switch carried by a work platform and mounted near the caster shaft for operation whenever the caster brake is engaged regardless of the swivel orientation. Discrete ball bearings are trapped in the hollow shaft and displaced by a wire cable moving between the trapped balls.

Abstract: A pet litter box is disclosed which stores pet litter and automatically dispenses a measured amount of litter to a pet sanitary floor and collects used litter into a storage area within the litter box. The simultaneous removal of used litter from the pet sanitary floor and resupply of fresh litter from the supply is accomplished after filling an upper bin by tipping the box on one end which fills a temporary holding area and at the same time dumps the used litter into second holding area. Return of the box to its normal upright position causes the fresh litter to descend through an inclined chute to the pet sanitary floor and allows the used litter to fall from the second holding area to the collection storage area. The litter box includes a system of inclined baffles which define a generally triangular fresh litter storage volume, two parallel chutes and a generally triangular used litter collection bin. A removable bag or litter collection box fits in the collection bin.