Abstract: A fifth wheel ball hitch latching assembly includes a housing, a funnel mounted within the housing and defining a conical-shaped passage for guiding movement of a ball hitch into the funnel through an open bottom end thereof toward an open top end thereof as the housing is lowered onto the ball hitch, a shaft mounted in the housing to undergo movement along a longitudinal axis of the housing between raised and lowered positions, the shaft having a lower end extending through the open top end and into the passage of the funnel and biased toward the lowered position, a pair of latch dogs extending through slots in the funnel and being movable away from and toward the longitudinal axis of the housing between retracted and extended positions, a linkage pivotally connecting the shaft with the latch dogs such that movement of the shaft between the lowered and raised positions causes the latch dogs to correspondingly move between the retracted and extended positions such that insertion of the ball hitch through the

Abstract: A scissors-type work platform lift machine includes a mobile chassis having rear stationary wheels and front steerable wheels, a scissors lift mechanism mounted at a lower end on the chassis, a work platform mounted on an upper end of the lift mechanism, and an electro-mechanical actuation arrangement for operating the lift mechanism between retracted and expanded conditions so as to move the work platform between lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A ventilator and trach holder device includes a main attachment body and at least one and, preferably, a pair of spaced apart attachment tab members. The main attachment body includes a central panel, a pair of spaced apart first connection members, a pair of spaced apart second connection members and a plurality of patches of complementary mateable hook and loop fastener material. The first and second connection members and central panel provide the main attachment body with a H-shaped configuration and the patches are complementary to and mateable with one another such that the main attachment body may be wrapped around a ventilator circuit component and held in place by fastening the patches to one another. Each attachment tab member includes opposite first and second ends and a pair of patches of complementary and mateable hook and loop fastener material. The first end of the attachment tab member is mounted to the central panel of the main attachment body.

Abstract: A scissors-type work platform lift machine includes a chassis, a work platform, a scissors lift mechanism, and a telescopable electro-mechanical actuation arrangement. The work platform is disposed above the chassis. The scissors lift mechanism has a plurality of portions pivotally movable relative to one another, an upper end portion pivotally mounting the work platform above the chassis, and a lower end portion pivotally mounted on the chassis. The pivotally movable portions are movable vertically between retracted and expanded conditions so as to move the work platform between lowered and raised positions relative to the chassis. The actuation arrangement extends and is mounted to selected upper and lower ones of the pivotally movable portions of the lift mechanism and is adapted to operate the lift mechanism between the retracted and expanded conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inspection apparatus includes a flat plate, a flexible bladder containing a quantity of fluid, and transducers on the plate. The plate is made of a transparent yieldable resilient bendable material capable of transmitting an inflated vehicle tire footprint and of undergoing a deflection in response to the supported weight on the tire applied thereon. The bladder is supported on the top side of the plate and has an upper opaque portion of a first color, a lower transparent portion and an enclosed interior cavity. The fluid contained within the cavity is of a second color different from the first color of the upper bladder portion.

Abstract: An overflow pan assembly includes a pan, cap, pair of first handles and pair of second handles. The pan has a lower cooking chamber formed by a bottom wall and annular shaped lower side wall and an upper reservoir chamber formed above the lower cooking chamber by an annular shaped upper side wall and annular shaped ledge extending between and interconnecting the lower side wall and upper side wall. The cap has an inner splash chamber inside the cap formed by a top wall and annular shaped side wall and an outer catch chamber outside the cap formed by the side wall of the cap and upper side wall and ledge of the pan. The first handles are mounted to the upper side wall of the pan opposite one another. The second handles are mounted to the side wall of the cap opposite one another.

Abstract: A hose fender device includes a clamp mechanism and a deflector member. The clamp mechanism is adapted to be received over an end portion of a hose adjacent to a connector provided on the hose for attaching an appliance thereto. The deflector member includes a pair of opposite arms. Each of the arms has first and second ends. The first ends are attached to respective opposite sides of the clamp mechanism. The opposite arms extend from their first ends in a flared divergent relationship to one another to the second ends thereof being free ends. In such manner, the opposite arms together define a substantially triangular-shaped protected area therebetween and extending rearwardly of the connector of the hose. The clamp mechanism is adjustably movable between an open position and a selected one of a plurality of closed clamping positions which adapts the device for securement to hoses of different diameter sizes.

Abstract: A variable vacuum attachment for a hair grooming clipper includes a body and a coupler connected to the body and having an end receiving an end of a hose connected to a vacuum source. The body is a suction head mounted on the hair grooming clipper and defining an air flow passage. A vacuum applied to the body through the coupler and hose will induce a hair cuttings-entrainable flow of air from the cutting head end of the clipper through the air flow passage of the body and therefrom through the coupler to the hose. The coupler has open opposite ends and an internal air flow channel extending therebetween. A vacuum relief mechanism on the coupler includes a vacuum relief port in an annular wall thereof intermediate between the open opposite ends of the channel for providing adjustable flow communication between the channel and the exterior of the coupler.

Abstract: A racquet stringing machine includes a base, a racquet mounting frame attached to the base for mounting and securing a racquet to be strung with string, a string clamping device which holds the clamped end of the string in place relative to the racquet frame while tension is being applied to the tensioning end of the string and a string tensioner having a string tensioner frame mounted to the base in offset relation to the racquet mounting frame, a tension setting mechanism movably mounted to the string tensioner frame for applying a desired amount of tension to the strings and a string gripper mounted to the tension setting mechanism for holding the tensioning end of the string while tension is applied.

Abstract: A differential interferometric ballastic gravity measurement apparatus and method for measuring differential gravity between separate points employs at least two separate gravity sensors having respective free-fall masses capable of independent operation, an arrangement mounting the gravity sensors independent of one another in respective self-leveling states and at separate locations, a fiber optic-guided laser light interferometer coupled to the gravity sensors and adapted to produce a light signal indicative of a single measurement of differential gravity between the separate locations where the gravity sensors are situated, and a processing control system coupled to the gravity sensor and fiber optic-based laser light interferometer for activating independent operation of the gravity sensors and interferometer and for detecting the light signal and producing an electrical signal representing the measurement of differential gravity between the separate locations.

Abstract: A conforming vacuum attachment includes a body defining an internal chamber, an adhesive substance for securing the body to a hair grooming clipper at a location adjacent to a set of cutting blades thereof, and a tubular member integral with the body and in communication with the internal chamber defined by the body for receiving and transporting hair clippings away from the set of cutting blades of the hair grooming clipper by means of a vacuum generated flow of air through the internal chamber. The body has a top wall, a pair of opposite side walls, a rear wall defining an opening, and a front edge on the top wall and opposite side walls.

Abstract: A flexible plunger apparatus includes an elongated flexible member having a pair of opposite end portions and a longitudinal length extending between the opposite end portions, with the flexible member being adapted to flex in transverse relationship to its length and to undergo free movement through a hollow tubing of a well. The apparatus also includes a physical barrier producing mechanism attached to and extending between the opposite end portions of the flexible member for substantially separating gas under pressure in the tubing below the lower end portion of the flexible member from a slug of liquid in the tubing above the upper end portion of the flexible member. The physically barrier producing mechanism is carried along the interior surface of the tubing in a substantially sealing relationship therewith as the flexible member undergoes free movement through the tubing of the well in response to the pressure of the gas and opening of the tubing of the well at the earth surface.

Abstract: In a competitive balance exercise game played by two participants an elongated game device is employed in the form of an elongated rod having a pair of opposite end portions and a middle portion disposed between and integrally connected with the opposite end portions, and a pair of gripping sleeves each disposed over and attached to one of the opposite end portions of the rod. The material of the rod can vary from being relatively inflexible or stiff to semi-rigid and semi-flexible so that it will bend during play of the game. Each gripping sleeve is long enough to receive both hands of the participant and is comprised of a substantially rubber material.

Abstract: A post step gripping device, includes a flat planar platform for receiving the feet of a user, a horizontal support shaft attached by brackets and an intermediate support member to a first end of the platform, a pair of opposite arms pivotally attached to and slidably movable along the support shaft for attaching the device to a post, and a brace mounted to the bottom of the platform and a pair of angled plates attached to the pivotal connection of the arms to the support shaft for securing the platform in a substantially transverse position relative to the post. The brace, the angled plates and the arms operate in conjunction with the weight of the platform and/or the weight of the user standing on the platform to secure the device to the post. The device may also include a step member pivotally attached to an opposite second end of the platform and having a substantially U-shaped bar for receiving a foot of the user.

Abstract: A belt-mounted tool holder device includes a support plate defining a pair of spaced apart slots for receiving therethrough a belt of a wearer, a holder member fixedly attached to the support plate and extending outwardly therefrom, and a cup attached to an outer end of the holder member for receiving a portion of a tool therein. An inner end of the holder member is fixedly attached to one of the opposite sides of the support plate below the spaced apart slots defined by the support plate. The holder member extends outwardly from the support plate at an angle lying within a range of from about 15.degree. above to about 15.degree. below a line extending perpendicular to the support plate. The cup is attached to the outer end of the holder member and has a bottom wall and an annular sidewall attached to a periphery of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom. The annular sidewall defines an interior cavity and a top opening for receiving the portion of the tool into the interior cavity of the cup.

Abstract: A quick release locking drill rod includes a hollow sleeve having opposite first and second end portions and components for quick release locking the first end portion of the sleeve of one rod to the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod. The first end portion of the sleeve of one rod receives therein the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod. The quick release locking components connect the first end portion of the sleeve of one rod to the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod and include an internal cross pin and pair of diametrically opposed L-shaped slots. The internal cross pin is disposed in the first end portion of the sleeve and is spaced inwardly from the open first end. The internal cross pin spans the first diameter and has opposite ends attached to opposite sides of the first end portion of the sleeve. The diametrically opposed L-shaped slots are defined in respective opposite sides of the second end portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding poorly flowable dry particulate materials includes a rotary supply hopper having an interior chamber for receiving and containing a quantity of material and an annular sidewall open at a lower edge, a stationary platform having a circular groove formed in a top surface of the platform encircling an upright central axis and an opening extending through the platform adjacent to the circular groove, spaced from the central axis and defined between the circular groove and central axis, a support structure supporting the hopper above the platform to undergo rotation relative to the platform about the upright central axis with the lower edge of the supply hopper being spaced from and extending downward into the circular groove of the platform such that the platform serves as a stationary bottom for the rotary supply hopper, and an annular discharge spout attached at an open upper end to the platform below and encircling the opening through the platform and having a transfer passage extending f

Abstract: A building construction block includes a body made of a rigid material and having a substantially rectangular-shaped main portion, a wedge-shaped offset portion formed integral with the main portion, a pair of opposite side surfaces, a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface and a rear surface. The top surface and opposite side surfaces are defined on both the main and offset portions. The rear and bottom surfaces are defined on the main portion. The front surface is defined on the offset portion and extends in a generally inclined direction from the bottom surface to the top surface and away from the rear surface. A first part of the top surface on the main portion receives and supports a first building component over the main portion, while a second part of the top surface on the offset portion receives and supports a second building component over the offset portion.

Abstract: An applicator device for moving a contact surface against a person's back includes an elongated handle and a generally disc-shaped shell formed on one end of the handle. A generally disc-shaped cap is threadably engaged with the shell. The cap can be formed with structure for brushing, massaging, or scratching a person's back, or the cap can detachably hold one of a plurality of contact pads, with each contact pad having a structure and function distinct from the other pads.

Abstract: A corner cabinet drawer assembly includes a corner cabinet frame defining an interior cavity having a front corner opening, at least one central drawer and a pair of side drawers for holding articles with the side drawers disposed on opposite sides of the central drawer, and a plurality of tracks mounting the central and side drawers to the frame to undergo extension and retraction movement from and into the interior cavity with the central drawer moving along a path substantially bisecting the corner cabinet frame and each side drawer moving along a path extending substantially at a 90 degree angle relative to one another and a 45 degree angle relative to the path of movement of the central drawer such that the central and side drawers are extendable through the same front corner opening at separate times.