Abstract: A system for preventing damage to automatic transmissions due to improper shifting is disclosed. The system includes a blocking member and an actuator which externally mount to a transmission. The blocking member mounts to a shifter shaft of the transmission and rotates with the shifter shaft as gears are being selected. The blocking member includes a cam portion which has at least one hole therein. The actuator mounts at a stationary position on the transmission in which a plunger portion of the actuator is near the cam of the blocking member. The plunger is spring-biased to extend toward the cam unless the actuator is actuated. The hole in the cam is aligned with the plunger when the transmission is in neutral. Accordingly, unless the actuator is actuated, the plunger is forced into the cam hole when an attempt is made to shift between forward and reverse gears.

Abstract: A rain coat for protecting a horseback rider and the associated riding equipment from the rain consists of a cloak having a length and width sufficient to cover the full body of a seated rider as well as a portion of a horse's body extending from approximately the front shoulders to about halfway down the animal's buttocks. A vent is formed in the lower front portion of the cloak for allowing the rider to conveniently grasp the horse's reins.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant terminator includes a connector body rotatably encapsulated with a shield. A port in the shield receives a terminal of a cable transmission system therethrough for rotational engagement with a threaded bore within the connector body. Another port in the shield provides access to a socket defined by a smooth continuous cylindrical body. The socket and the threaded bore extend in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis about which the shield is freely rotatable. A tool includes a tubular shaft having a knurled portion at the free end extends from a first handle section. A disc residing adjacent the end of the tubular shaft is carried by a shaft rotatably journaled with the tubular shaft and drivingly engaged with a second handle section.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an electrostatic charge to pesticide dust and for applying the charged dust to a building's sewer system or a municipality's sewer system is disclosed. A blower exhausts forced air into a reservoir that contains pesticide dust. The dust becomes airborne and exits the reservoir with the forced air. From the reservoir, the dust travels through a charging chamber. The charging chamber includes a conductive tube and an electrode positioned within and insulated from the tube. The electrode is formed as a wire brush having a multiplicity of conductive bristles which are distributed through a substantial volume of the interior of the charging chamber. The electrode is energized to around 15-25 KV. As the dust comes into close proximity with the electrode, it becomes electrostatically charged and then moves out of the charging chamber. After exiting the charging chamber, the dust and forced air exit the apparatus from a nozzle in a delivery hose.

Abstract: Each of a pair of heat exchangers, such as a radiator and a condenser, includes a tubular structure defining a fluid flow path between an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The heat exchangers reside in juxtaposition for a unit with the respective fluid flow paths being congruently aligned along the axis of a stream of cooling medium passing therethrough. The heat exchangers are sealingly encased within a shroud for directing the stream of cooling medium through the tubular structures. The shroud, which is alternately usable with a conventional radiator, and the heat exchanger units are installed in a motor vehicle as a pre-fabricated modular cooling unit.

Abstract: A sealed accumulator is positioned at a location remote from the conventional pressurized liquid cooling system of an internal combustion engine. An overflow conduit communicates between a high point in the system and the accumulator. A make-up conduit communicates between the accumulator and a low point in the system. A normally closed pressure valve, opening in response to system pressure exceeding a predetermined value, is in series with the overflow conduit. In series with the make-up conduit, is a normally closed one-way check valve. Minimum and maximum pressures within the accumulator are regulated respective relief valves. Optionally, a vent valve is installed at a high point for escape of air as coolant is introduced into the system.

Abstract: An apparatus which is worn to condition the wearer against bed wetting is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wetness sensor that has a circuit pattern in which a multiplicity of interleaved, spaced apart conductive fingers reside on a non-conductive substrate. The circuit pattern is optimized to quickly and reliably detect small quantities of urine. The substrate is curved into a three dimensional, cup-like shape which has an edge that conforms to the urogenital area of the wearer. A foam pad is positioned at this edge to help seal the wetness sensor against the wearer and to make the wetness sensor comfortable to wear. Electrical components couple to the wetness sensor and drive a speaker. The electrical components include a battery and a relay. The realy is configured to oscillate when the wetness sensor detects urine, and the oscillating relay causes the speaker to broadcast an alarm signal.

Abstract: A transmission component for a refrigeration or other fluid system having a hose constructed with a moisture barrier, a refrigerant barrier and a reinforcement layer, and a hose coupling. The hose coupling has a cap seal which fits over the end of the hose to seal it, and a shell assembly having an outer shell which fits over the hose end and cap seal, and a hose tube which enters the hose through the cap seal.

Abstract: A portable texturing system is disclosed which includes a small spray unit and a source of portable compressed air which may simply be a small tank which the workman may wear on a belt or shoulder harness. The spray unit includes a reservoir for holding a charge of texturizing mixture and a cap assembly incorporating a mixer/spray mechanism. In use, the cap is positioned below the reservoir such that the texturizing mixture can flow by gravity and suction to the spray mechanism. The cap assembly includes a quick connect coupling and a valve for receiving and controlling air from the supply. A discharge nozzle is provided for directing the compressed air/texturizer mixture toward a wall area to be texturized. A mixing region within the cap assembly permits the texturizing mixture to be entrained with a stream of compressed air and discharged from the nozzle whenever the valve is actuated.

Abstract: An accessory for simulating a knot on a necktie or scarf covering a looped section of the material. The knot simulator is held in place by a slot along the length of the cover channel to permit compression of the material, a flocked interior of the channel produces a frictional surface, and a resilient retainer enters the channel and resists one-way accidental removal. Decoration and further holding is included through a tie tack or earring aperture.

Abstract: A panel like lid is secured to a receptacle by a pintle for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position about an axis whereby the lid remains horizontal at all times. In the closed position, a continuous groove in the underside of the lid matingly receives a bead upstanding from the upper edge of the sidewall of the receptacle. A compression spring encircling the pintle normally urges the lid downwardly against the receptacle. In response to movement from the closed position toward the open position, the lid is cammed upwardly to disengage the groove from the bead.

Abstract: An extendable cap for sealing a fluid inlet port having a holding plug which when removed, allows a telescoping funnel to be extended from a base section attached to the fluid inlet port. The extended telescoping funnel defines a fluid conduit through which a fluid may be guided into the fluid inlet port.

Abstract: A fixture for holding and dispensing coiled sheet material, such as tissue paper or paper towels, is disclosed. A base mounts upon a mounting wall and is configured as a perimeter which surrounds a base opening. The base includes support arm mounts located on opposing sides of the base opening. Support arms attach to the support arm mounts and couple to the roll of sheet material to hold and aid in dispensing the sheet material. An insert is dimensioned conformal with and slightly smaller than the base opening. The insert fits through the base opening and extends into the interior of the mounting wall. A flange of the insert abuts against a portion of the base to prevent movement of the insert beyond the base. In addition, the support arms are dimensioned to overlie portions of the insert so that the insert is secured in position by being clamped between the base and support arms.

Abstract: A pair of elongate arms, carried by a material handling device such as a refuse collection vehicle, are oppositely movable between a release position and a gripping position. The friction enhancing surface of a belt carried by each arm compliantly engages the perimeter of a container or similar article as the arms move to the gripping position. In response to movement of the arms to the gripping position, a limb pivotally carried by each arm extends to present a segment of the respective belt to engage the surface of a small container.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a front panel having an image area and a message area. The front panel is either detachably coupled to or integrally formed with a horizontal base which maintains the panel in a substantially upright position. A plurality of decorative appendages, such as balloons, are coupled to first ends of a plurality of connectors. The other ends of the connectors are coupled to the front panel to complete the structure. If helium balloons are used, a counterweight may be provided for preventing the balloons from lifting the apparatus off the ground or tipping the panel forwardly. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive sound producing device may be embedded in the panel and covered by a selected image, so that the apparatus produces an audible message when the region of the image over the sound producing device is pressed.