Abstract: Presented is a slidable deadbolt security device designed for installation with a sliding glass door or sliding glass window. The slidable deadbolt security device is fastened to the threshold in association with the leading edge of the fixed door portion of a slidable door assembly. A deadbolt is manipulable to engage or disengage the sliding door portion. The relationship of the slidable deadbolt and the sliding door frame is such that the deadbolt cannot be disengaged from the sliding door frame unless the sliding door is completely closed. In an aspect of the invention relating to sliding glass windows, the slidable deadbolt is slidably mounted on the windowsill adjacent the leading edge of the fixed window portion of the window assembly and spaced laterally from the fixed window frame to enable the slidable window portion to move therebetween.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for providing human visual physiology with a perceived continuous image of a fast-moving object formed by a series of visual pulses each followed by a period of visual blockage where the frequency of these repetitive pulses/blockages is selectively adjusted to be close to the actual flicker fusion frequency of the observer at the perceived brightness of the visual pulses. The objective of this method is to provide the observer with enhanced visual. perception of fast-moving objects. The method and apparatus presented is intended for use under natural lighting conditions and continuous artificial lighting conditions and is accomplished by spectacles with optical shutter lenses. The lenses are alternately opened to provide the wearer with an unhampered view of the surroundings and then closed to block out the view and as much light transmissibility as possible.

Abstract: A collapsible protective plant cover comprises a pair of vertically spaced and coaxial support rings of spring steel. A tubular wall made of highly flexible sheeting is connected between the rings for protection from weather and animals. The tubular wall is sized for surrounding a plant with sufficient spacing therefrom. The top ring is spanned by a flexible top sheet. A small handle is attached across a small central hole on the top sheet. A stake is inserted into the ground near the center of the plant. The handle is supported on a hook positioned above the plant on the stake. The cover is entirely supported by the stake. The cover is easily removed from the plant and collapsed by twisting and coiling the rings on themselves. In a second embodiment, the top sheet is removable, and the tubular wall is supported on the stake by a pair of cords attached to the top ring.

Abstract: Presented is an elongated tubular drumstick incorporating an adjustable weight system mounted within the hollow interior of the drumstick and incorporating an elongated threaded spindle that extends nearly the entire length of the drumstick. Adjustably mounted on the threaded spindle are one or more weights. The weight or weights are locked in position between a pair of nuts threaded onto the spindle. A damper member is provided mounted on the distal end of the spindle at the tip-end of the hollow drumstick, and a plurality of annular ring absorbers or silencers are spaced along the length of the threaded spindle to retain the threaded spindle axially aligned within the hollow drumstick. A retainer plug and cushion member is mounted on the proximal end of the threaded spindle and is press-fitted into the open butt end of the drumstick to removably retain the adjustable weight assembly or system within the drumstick.

Abstract: Presented is a grill cleaning apparatus including a body for detachably retaining a scouring pad. The body is provided with a "grasp" that may be grabbed by one or both hands to manipulate the body and scouring pad on a surface that requires cleaning. Alternatively, an elongated handle may be detachably and adjustable secured to the "grasp"; so as distance the operator's hands from a hot grill that requires cleaning. Detachable tine means are mounted on the body and are manipulable to enable application of a scouring pad on the tine means, or removal of a scouring pad therefrom.

Abstract: Presented are three embodiments of a hair curler including in one embodiment an apertured tubular member having an apertured felt-like layer secured to the tubular member. A flexible anchor pad having flexible hook-like protrusions is adhered to the felt-like layer diametrically opposite the abutting ends of the felt-like layer. An elongated paper-like strip is attached by one end portion to the felt-like layer, and may be wound about the felt-like layer in either direction so as to overlap the anchor pad. In a second preferred embodiment, the flexible felt-like layer is secured to only one half of the outer periphery of the tubular member. The remainder of the outer periphery of the tubular member is covered directly by a flexible pad having flexible hook-like protrusions for detachable attachment thereto of the elongated paper-like strip. After attachment, the elongated paper-like strip may be wound with a tress of hair about the tubular base member.

Abstract: Presented is an "air-pack" support and cushioning unit for use in confronting pairs in cooperative association with a shipping container or carton to support an article within the container in spaced and cushioned relation to the walls of the container. In one aspect, the "air-pack" unit includes a base member to one surface of which is sealingly attached a flexible sheet of synthetic resinous material to form, with the base member, a capsule having resilient and compressible side walls defining a void within which is contained a fluid at approximately atmospheric pressure and/or a comminuted quantity of a resilient and compressible substance that retains the capsule extended to form a resiliently and compressible portion which conforms to the configuration of the interior surfaces of the container and exterior surface portions of an article to be supported and protected from damage from impact within the container. Also presented is a simple method for fabricating the "air-pack" unit.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a novel modular rack and storage system for receiving and supporting planar articles such as stencils, frames, or the like. The rack includes at least one pair of opposed channels, with an upper channel of the pair being located vertically above a lower channel. Each channel has a retaining area facing the opposed channel, thereby forming a slot for receiving the edges of a planar article. The channels are mounted on a spaced pair of rectangular frames, with each frame having an elongate upper horizontal member and an elongate lower horizontal member. The upper and lower horizontal members are each supported on a first end by a first elongate vertical support and on a second end by a second elongate vertical support. The upper channels are mounted to the upper horizontal members and the lower channels are mounted to the lower horizontal members so that the channels hold the spaced frames in an upright position.

Abstract: A tennis serve/stroke training and exercise apparatus. constituting a belt to be worn about the waist. The belt has attached thereto at a point on the belt portion extending across the back one end of an elongated elastic tether. The opposite end of the tether is connected to a handle adapted to be grasped in the hand by the person using the apparatus. The tether is of such length that grasping the handle in the hand while the belt is donned places the handle above one shoulder. For a right-handed person, the handle will be brought into position above the right shoulder, while the tether will extend diagonally across the wearer's back from near the left side thereof. Thus, with the handle in the hand, when the arm is straightened, or swung forwardly as is done when a tennis ball is served, the muscles involved in this motion are tensioned and exercised.

Abstract: An article of manufacture fabricated from discarded, recycled and new bottle caps of the type conventionally used to seal soft drink and beer bottles. A bottle cap is placed on a supporting surface and pressed substantially flat to form a wafer having an irregular surface and an irregular perimeter. The surfaces of the wafer are decoratively coated with powdered metal, pigmented enamel or ceramic. A suspension device is attached to the decorated wafer to enable suspension of the article of manufacture.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for detecting imbalance and for identifying rotors in centrifuges is disclosed. An accelerometer measures the vibration of a rotating drive system as it accelerates from rest to a predetermined speed, and a signal processing system monitors changes in the magnitude of measured vibration energy. The processing system determines the power spectrum density of the measured values and from this the frequency spectrum and the total energy spectrum of the measured vibration are determined. These values may be used to provide an identifying profile which can be used as a reference for later identification of drive systems and rotors in operating systems, and for monitoring and controlling such operating systems.

Abstract: The portable fire pit structure includes two foraminous front and rear wall panels that constitute shallow pans defined by peripheral flanges to the mutually facing edge portions of which flanges are attached opposed foldable left and right foraminous wall panel portions medianly hinged whereby the front and rear wall panels may be moved toward each other while the hinged foldable foraminous wall panels fold inwardly to permit collapse of the structure into a compact unit for storage and/or portability. An ash pan is provided insertable into the portable fire pit when extended for use to catch and retain ashes generated from burning wood, for instance, and brackets are provided for selectively retaining a fuel support grate spaced above the ash pan. A detachable grill structure on which food to be cooked may be supported during a cooking operation is also provided.

Abstract: Presented is a cigar cap-cutting and ejection tool provided with a very sharp circular cutting edge susceptible of being pressed into the cap-end of a cigar to thereby define the configuration of the central cigar cap-end portion to be cut from and withdrawn from the cigar by the tool. Plunger members are provided in the tool manipulable from the end opposite the circular cutting edge for ejecting the cut central cap-end portion of cigar from within the tool.

Abstract: A stroke training and exercise device includes a hand-grip portion having the configuration of the handle of a tennis racket, a throat portion similar to a tennis racket, but a much smaller head band within which is secured, either permanently or detachably, a monolithic disk or "head" that selectively incorporates variable weights that cause the device to simulate the weight and balance of various types of tennis rackets.

Abstract: Presented is an integral assembly (2) of hollow tubes and seal caps (16) therefor arranged in an elongated aligned and integral assembly in which multiple tubes (1) each symmetrical about a longitudinal axis (3) and having a closed end (12) and an open end (6) are formed in side-by-side spaced relationship in a linear series in which adjacent tubes are integrally interconnected by a tether (13) to form an elongated strip (2). A multiplicity of seal caps (16) corresponding in number to the aligned series of tubes are independently, angularly and integrally flexibly connected to associated tubes. The seal caps, when in tube-open condition, are each symmetrical about an axis (17) parallel to the axes of the tubes and correspond in spacing and in number to the tubes. A hinge strap (14) is provided integrally interposed between each tube and the associated seal cap.