Abstract: Presented is a device for scrubbing submerged surfaces that have become fouled by marine growth or other contaminants. The scrubbing device includes a base member to which may be attached various types of abrading devices and a handle for reciprocating the scrubbing device. A vane pivotally mounted on the base interacts with the water in which the device is submerged, when reciprocated, to impose a component of force on the scrubbing device that drives the scrubbing device against the surface to be scrubbed.

Abstract: Presented is a support frame for supporting in upright position the limp plastic film bags now being dispensed with greater regularity in retail outlets for the convenience of shoppers in carrying their purchases from the store. The limp plastic bags are closed at the bottom, open at the top and are provided with two strap-like extensions associated with the open end by which the bag may be carried or suspended. The support frame is constructed of injection molded plastic and includes a base for supporting the frame on the floor or another supporting surface such as a table, and four upright posts are provided at each corner of the base, pairs of which join at the top to provide hooks from which the bag extensions may be suspended while the bag is being filled with purchases. Cross-pieces join the pairs of posts to provide a handle suitable for gripping in the hand for lifting the frame and attached bag to facilitate moving the assembly to another more convenient location.

Abstract: A chimney fire extinguisher includes a small diameter narrow conduit removably insertable through a small aperture in a chimney wall. A source of fire extinguishate under pressure is coupled to one end of the conduit for delivery of the extinguishate through the conduit. A sprinkler head is fixed to the opposite end of the conduit for insertion through the chimney wall aperture. The sprinkler head comprises an enclosed chamber, a restrictor for restricting the flow of extinguishate from the conduit into the chamber, a small orifice for spraying extinguishate from the chamber into the chimney and a fusible seal for normally sealing the sprinkler head orifice. In an alternate embodiment the sprinkler head orifice is not sealed but is only loosely covered. A temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature within the chimney. A valve which is opened in response to the detection of chimney temperatures in excess of about 1200.degree. F.

Abstract: Presented is an anchor bracket that constitutes a pair of monolithic blocks that are slidably related one to the other for adjustment between a minimum depth dimension and a maximum depth dimension, the blocks being separated or collapsed by manipulation of a set-screw threadably engaging one of the blocks and impinging against the other block. A machine screw is adjustably engaged with one of the blocks and forms a projection from which an article may be suspended.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for incorporating an incandescent filter for products of combustion in the combustion chamber of a furnace including a grate and an exit slot for products of combustion located above the level of the grate. Incandescent coals from the fuel being burned obstruct the exit slot, and products of combustion must pass through the incandescent coals. In one aspect, water tubes line the walls of the combustion chamber, primary combustion air is admitted between the tubes, and the admission of secondary air is controlled to maintain an incandescent bed of coals through which products of combustion must be drawn to exit the furnace. In another aspect, a reciprocating grate is provided, and primary combustion air penetrates the bed of fuel from below. Products of combustion pass back through a portion of the burning fuel maintained at incandescence by the admission of secondary air upwardly through the reciprocating grate.

Abstract: Presented is a trailer hitch apparatus or assembly that marries a spherical ball to a monolithic plug that may be detachably locked in a complementary socket fixed to a tractor vehicle. In another aspect of the invention, the spherical ball attached to the monolithic plug is permanently pivotally mounted on the tongue of a trailer-type vehicle.

Abstract: Presented is a device which includes a container within which is confined a body of material that will absorb liquid oil and gasoline and also the fumes generated by these two liquid contaminants. The container is provided with a multiplicity of openings formed in such a way as to prevent the intrusion of water with which the oil and gasoline may be mixed, but which permits the passage of the oil and gasoline. The container is constructed in such a way that as the weight of the container increases because of the absorption of liquid oil and gasoline floating on water, the container progressively sinks into the water until the openings in the container are completely submerged, thus entrapping within the container all of the oil and gasoline that has been absorbed and the fumes thereof. When placed in a compartment where liquid oil or gasoline is present in the absence of water, the device will absorb the oil and gasoline and vapors thereof and retain them trapped within the container.

Abstract: Presented is a backpack for use in carrying hose, such as fire hose, to locations where it is needed. The backpack includes a rigid metallic frame having at one end a hose support shelf on which at least two spirally coiled rolls of fire hose may be carried. Quickly engageable and releasable straps are provided to bind the coils of fire hose to the back frame, and shoulder straps and a waist strap are provided to suspend the backpack on the back of the wearer. All that is required of the wearer to release and deploy one or more coils of hose from the backpack is to tug on one end of a flexible cable, with the result that the quick-release straps that bind the coils to the frame are released, thus enabling the coils of hose to be deployed by a mere shrug of the shoulders.

Abstract: Presented is a method and a device for releasably securing mud flaps to a vehicle. The method involves attachment of the mud flaps in such a way that upon the application of a predetermined downwardly exerted force on the mud flap, it will be released without damage to the flap, or its hanger bracket, thus enabling its retrieval and replacement. Structurally, the hanger bracket includes a metal socket fastened to the vehicle, and an elastically deformable insert which normally lies enclosed within the socket when supporting the flap, but which is elastically deformed and pulled through the socket when an extraordinary force is imposed on the flap.

Abstract: One of the most popular ways of gaining access to a locked premise is through forced entry of a door assembly. Presented is a door assembly incorporating a system of components cooperating with a door assembly to increase resistance to forced entry through such door assembly. Forced entry is generally defined as being an unauthorized entry accomplished by the use of force upon the physical components of the premises. Such forced entry usually takes the form of battering on the door adjacent to the door lock assembly, or adjacent to the center hinge of the door. Presented is a door assembly incorporating a reinforcement plate for the door lock assembly, a strike plate of novel design cooperating with the door assembly to strengthen the union between the door lock assembly and the lock jamb of the door frame, and a reinforcement plate associated with one or all of the hinges to reinforce the union between the hinges and the hinge jamb.

Abstract: Presented is an axial reverse flow by-pass filter assembly for fluids, such as lubricating oils and fuels, which cooperates with a full-flow filter to remove contaminants from lubricating oil and fuel. The filter assembly includes a base member cooperating with a cover member to enclose a filter element formed from a spirally wound roll of tissue paper. Oil or fuel is forced by the construction of the assembly to first flow upwardly through the central core of the filter element, then flow radially outwardly across the entire annular end of the roll of tissue paper, and then while being filtered, reverses its flow and flows downwardly between the plies of tissue paper and through a densely compacted zone of the tissue paper where even micro-sized solid contaminants are removed from the oil or fuel before it passes from the filter assembly.

Abstract: Presented is a radio controlled safety stop system for forklift trucks including a transmitter mounted above a doorway in a warehouse or other building in such a way that a radio signal is continuously transmitted by the transmitter when the door is closed in a pattern such that the signal strength of the radio signal at a predetermined far distance from the door is detectably weaker than the radio signal that is detectable at a predetermined near distance from the door. Mounted on the forklift truck and provided with an appropriate antenna to detect the signals being transmitted, is a radio receiver which detects the radio signal when the forklift truck moves into the far distance zone included by the relatively weak radio signal, and which then functions to activate an alarm to warn the driver that he is approaching a danger zone.

Abstract: One of the most popular ways of gaining access to a locked premise is through forced entry of a door assembly. Presented is a door assembly incorporating a system of components cooperating in a door assembly to increase resistance to forced entry through such door assembly. Forced entry is generally defined as being an unauthorized entry accomplished by the use of force upon the physical components of the premises, generally doors and windows, and usually exterior entry doors. Such forced entry usually takes the form of battering on the door adjacent to the door lock assembly, or adjacent to the center hinge of the door, usually applied by one or more solid kicks delivered to the door.

Abstract: Presented is an apparatus for handling flat panes of plate glass. After manufacture, flat panes of glass are stored in large warehouses prior to distribution to glass distributors and wholesalers. Flat panes of glass are stored standing on edge, with multiple panes making up a "block" in which the individual panes are in close abutting relation to each other. "Blocks" of glass are supported on wood stringers lying flat on a concrete floor, and wood spacer members separate one "block" from the next adjacent "block." The apparatus of this invention includes a steel frame the lower edge of which is provided with adjustable "feet" that project under a "block" of glass and which can separate one or more panes from the "block." After elevating the selected and separated panes of glass above the remaining "block", telescoping fingers mounted on the upper edge of the frame move into position behind the separated panes to retain the separated panes on the frame for movement to a desired location.

Abstract: A hoop, fitting readily into the mouth of a plastic trash bag, is peripherally expandable to fit tightly against the inner surface of the bag and hold the bag securely in place with the mouth open. The hoop has provision for either free-standing use with the bag mouth in the vertical position, when trash may be swept directly into the opening, or mounting on a vertical support with the bag mouth in the horizontal position for use as a trash receptacle. A pan attached by a hinge to the hoop serves both as a threshold when sweeping trash into the bag, and as a lid when the bag is used as a trash receptacle. The hinged pan also permits compact storage and transportation.

Abstract: Presented is an auxiliary rolled toilet tissue holder and storage device constructed as a separate unitary structure for mounting on the conventional lugs found on the conventional recessed rolled toilet tissue receptacle. The device provides a housing portion within which a recess is provided to receive the extra roll of toilet tissue. From the housing project mounting arms that pivotally lock into the conventional rolled toilet tissue receptacle lugs. The extra roll of toilet tissue is accessible by merely pivoting the housing away from the wall, permitting the extra roll to fall into one's hand.

Abstract: An adapter comprising a tubular housing carrying a 110 to 125 volt type plug receptacle is disclosed. The plug receptacle forms the output side of the adapter, with the input side consisting of a metallic pick-up strip for insertion into the electrode holder carried by the output lead of an electric arc welder. The input side of the adapter also includes a fused ground clip which is connectable onto an electrical ground such as the grounded output lead of an arc welder.

Abstract: A hand-held cigarette-coloring device that transfers a liquid pigment onto the external paper of cigarettes as the cigarettes are passed through the device.