Abstract: A pistol type spear gun for use with a spear shaft comprising a body member having a handle portion adapted to be grasped in the hand of a user, with a trigger member positioned so as to be squeezed by the user on occasion. An elongate passage extends through the body member in approximately a right angle relationship with the handle portion, with this passage being adapted to receive a spear shaft. An elastic power band is attached to the body member and the base end of the spear shaft is able to be brought into contact with a mid portion of the power band when the spear shaft is moved in the cocking direction. The trigger member has a shaft contact point moved into forcible contact with a spear shaft in the elongate passage when the trigger member is squeezed.

Abstract: A single piece duct fitting of generally cylindrical configuration for attachment to a large cylindrically-shaped flexible duct having a curved, easily deformed sidewall in which a hole has been created. This novel duct fitting is constructed of deformable sheet material that, before being assembled into a cylindrical configuration, was defined by an elongate sheet of material having a long edge of a generally sinusoidal configuration, with a plurality of short lateral slots defining teeth in this long edge. A pair of relatively closely spaced curves of generally sinusoidal configuration are disposed adjacent the teeth, which curves bear a closely aligned relationship with the first long edge of generally sinusoidal configuration. A plurality of evenly spaced slits extend between the pair of sinusoidal curves, with these slits defining a plurality of substantially identical tab members intended to bend outwardly when lengthwise compression is applied to the duct fitting.

Abstract: A heating unit for heating a generally cylindrically-shaped drum of material to a selected safe temperature without endangering the contents of the drum due to overheating, such heating unit comprising a tub, liquid circulation components interconnected with the tub, and heating components for heating, to a selected temperature, the liquid to be circulated through the tub. The tub has relatively high sides and an interior portion configured to receive a drum therein, with the interior portion of the tub adapted to contain a number of gallons of liquid to be heated. The tub, liquid circulation components and heating components are interconnected such that the liquid circulation components can bring about a substantially continuous flow of heated liquid through the tub. The heating components have a thermostatically controlled heating element for heating the flowing liquid to a selected temperature.

Abstract: A hand operated tubing cutter adapted to apply a selectable force to tubing to be cut, with the cutter having an elongate, substantially "C" shaped body member and defining a recess for receiving a piece of tubing to be cut. A spaced pair of rollers is operatively mounted in the central recess, directly against which rollers a piece of tubing to be cut is to be placed. An elongate cavity is disposed in the body member in substantial alignment with the pair of rollers, and an elongate ram member is slidably disposed in a non-rotatable manner in the elongate cavity, one end of which ram member supports a cutter wheel. The cutter wheel is rotatably supported in an opposed relationship to the rollers, and a rotatable adjustment device is located on the body member at a location comparatively remote form the rollers. A compression spring is disposed in the body member and operably interconnected with the ram member.

Abstract: A manually operable safety control for use by a diver utilizing an electric motor for propulsion, the safety control serving to automatically prevent an unsafe powered ascent of the diver. This novel safety control comprises a motor control operatively associated with the electric motor, with the safety control utilizing at least a portion of a dive computer interconnected with the motor control. The dive computer has a pressure sensitive device responsive to changes in depth and serving to calculate rate of change of depth, with the computer being operatively connected to the motor control. The motor control is deprived of electric power in the event of the diver ascending too rapidly. In accordance with one embodiment of my invention, the safety control may utilize only the ascent limiter, but another embodiment may also comprise at least one tilt activated switch interconnected with the motor control and serving to automatically prevent an unsafe horizontal operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bag holder for supporting an open-ended bag of flexible material in position for filling, comprising a plurality of separate segments configured to be releasably joined together to form a ring member having an external, bag contacting surface. Legs are provided for supporting the ring member in a substantially horizontal attitude slightly above ground level. Each of the separate segments constituting the ring member is essentially flat and of elongate, slightly curved construction, with each segment having first and second ends equipped with joinder devices that are able to be readily interfitted. The first end of a first segment is joinable with the second end of a second segment, and the first end of the second segment is joinable with the second end of a third segment, with such joinder of first and second ends of the segments continuing until the completed ring member of sturdy construction is defined.

Abstract: A cap having an arrangement for shielding the ears of a wearer from direct sunlight by the use of a pair of generally elongate ear shades removably supported from the sides of the cap. This novel cap has a head-encircling portion and a crown portion as well as support devices for the ear shades. These support devices are mounted on opposite sides of the head-encircling portion, at locations generally corresponding to the temporal portions of a wearer's head. Each of the support devices is adapted for supporting one of the ear shades, with both of the ear shades being double-ended and of non-planar construction. A securing component is disposed on each end of each ear shade, adapted for engagement with the respective support device.

Abstract: A device for dispensing an exact, selected quantity of loose dry material, with this device comprising a multi-compartmented member rotatable about a substantially vertically-disposed axis toward and away from a reference location. The compartments of this member are of a specific, uniform configuration and spaced symmetrically about the substantially vertical axis. The multi-compartmented member is disposed between upper and lower generally planar partitions, with an aperture of approximately the same configuration as the compartments of the rotatable member located in each of the partitions. Importantly, one aperture is located in an offset relationship with respect to the other. Dry material to be dispensed is located above the upper partition, with such dry material dropping under the influence of gravity through its aperture into one or more of the compartments of the member as this member is rotated about its axis away from the reference location.

Abstract: An elasticized garment intended to provide exercise to the upper legs, hips, buttocks and abdominal muscles of a wearer, the garment being generally in an inverted, U-shaped configuration. An upper portion of the elasticized garment is intended to be attached to a rear waist portion of the wearer, to which upper portion, the upper ends of a pair of elongate, elasticized descending members are firmly attached. The lower end of each of the elasticized descending members has an attachment arrangement permitting attachment on the rear side of an upper leg portion of the wearer, with these elasticized descending members thus serving to resist to a desirable degree, the wearer's forward leg motion. I preferably utilize a pair of thigh-encircling members, to which the lower ends of the elasticized descending members may readily and removably attach. In this way, the wearer can derive a desired amount of exercise during walking or running.

Abstract: A flat, comparatively shallow box containing an arrangement for keeping a comparatively flat food item warm for a protracted length of time, with this box having rectangularly-shaped top and bottom members of approximately equal size. The top and bottom members are hingedly secured together by a hinge disposed along an edge common to both members, with the top member having side members disposed along each of its remaining side edges. The bottom member has a flap disposed on the edge opposite the hinge, such that closure of the box can be effected after a comparatively flat food item has been inserted into the box. The arrangement for keeping a food item warm is a sealed container for a heat-retaining substance, the container being disposed in the interior of the box, affixed to the underside of the top member.

Abstract: A self-locking tensioning bar usable for tightening a cord utilized to encircle a relatively large object, such tensioning bar being elongate and having first and second ends, with a longitudinally disposed slot disposed in the first end. A spaced pair of holes for receiving the cord are disposed in an offset relationship in the bar, with one of the cord-receiving holes located near the outer end of the slot, and consequently near the first end of the tensioning bar. One end of the cord is secured in the one cord-receiving hole, with the cord then extending around the relatively large object, and thence back through the other cord-receiving hole. The cord is brought to an initial degree of tension while the bar is residing in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the object, with the first end of the bar closely adjacent the large object, following which the cord is then anchored to maintain such initial degree of tension.

Abstract: A multisided bird feeder for dispensing bird seed from a plurality of spaced-apart locations has a plurality of vertically disposed, substantially identical side members secured in an edge-to-edge relationship to form a closed perimeter. The base member and roof member being utilized are common to the side members, with the base member and roof member together with the side members forming an enclosed multisided bird feeder. A repository for bird seed is located in a central interior portion of the feeder, and an elongate trough portion is operatively associated with a lower part of each side member. An aperture is located in certain of the side members, just above the respective trough portion, with each aperture enabling seed to flow from the repository into the respective trough portions.

Abstract: A conveyor arranged to travel along a prescribed path, the upper surface of which conveyor being constituted by a comparatively large number of separate segments, with each segment supported by a carriage member. The conveyor utilizes a substantial number of interconnected carriage members, with at least one elongate linear sprocket attached to each carriage member. Each linear sprocket has a number of consistently spaced, generally downwardly directed teeth, which are successively brought into operative contact with components of a powered endless chain that is disposed under, and in general alignment with, the intended path of travel of the carriage members.

Abstract: A pouch readily adaptable for attachment to a mounting surface, this pouch affording a user a readily accessible storage location for relatively small items. This pouch is comparatively flat, having front and back portions, with the front and back portions each having an upper edge. The pouch is elongate in a width sense, having a pair of side edges as well as a bottom edge, with the side edges as well as the bottom edge of the pouch being closed. A top opening is defined between the upper edge of the front portion and the upper edge of the back portion, and an external portion of the upper edge of the back portion serves as a mounting location for the pouch. Readily separable mounting components are utilized, so that the pouch can be easily removed from the mounting surface. The front edge of the pouch is made of elasticized material, thus enabling the user to readily move the front edge away from the back edge for the insertion of an item into the pouch, or to permit the retrieval of an item from the pouch.

Abstract: A fishing lure utilizing an easily changed tail portion, with the head member being of hard, relatively rigid construction, to the rear of which any one of a variety of generally similar tail members of soft, flexible plastic may be attached in a secure manner. The head member has first and second attachment points thereon, to which a fishing line and a fishhook may be respectively attached, with this member also having an aft portion upon which one or more rearwardly directed attachment devices are mounted. The attachment device or devices involve at least one rearwardly extending component having an enlarged portion, with each tail member to be used with the head member having a forwardmost portion in which least one cavity is disposed.

Abstract: An air resistance device to be held in the hand of user while undertaking exercise, this device having a grasping portion and a frame portion. The grasping portion comprises a relatively straight member upon one end of which an arm clamping member is disposed, and adjacent the other end of which a handle to be grasped by the hand of the user is disposed. The frame portion is attached adjacent the handle and is of elongate rectangular configuration, with its length exceeding its width. The length of the frame portion extends generally in the same direction as the relatively straight member. The frame portion is relatively rigid and configured to receive a membrane thereon through which air cannot easily pass. Therefore, upon a membrane being attached to the frame portion, a user can derive exercise by attempting to move the device rapidly against the resistance of the ambient air. Different versions of a foldable handle arrangement are taught, and the membrane may be integral with the frame portion.

Abstract: An armrest provided with a writing surface for a seated user, such armrest being of narrow, elongate construction and having a rear end, a front end, an interior portion and an upper portion. A usable surface of elongate configuration is disposed in the upper portion of the armrest, with this usable surface being supported in a manner enabling the usable surface to be slidably withdrawn from the front end of the armrest, and thereafter to be returned at the option of the user to a retracted location in the interior of the armrest. The usable surface is unimpaired as a writing surface by virtue of the slidable mounting for this member being located on the underside of the usable surface. A tiltable writing surface may be hingedly mounted on the usable surface, with the tiltable writing surface having a device thereon by which writing material can be removably attached to the tiltable writing surface.

Abstract: A propeller driven underwater propulsion system for use by a scuba diver, comprising at least one elongate air tank to be carried on the back of the diver, with the longitudinal centerline of the tank residing in a plane approximately perpendicular to the plane of the shoulders of the diver. A propeller is operatively mounted for rotation at a location closely adjacent the rear end of the tank, but it is neither rigidly connected to nor directly supported by the tank. A motor mounting arrangement operatively supports a motor adjacent the tank, with a motor output shaft being operatively connected by a torque transmitting device for continuously supplying rotative power to the propeller, such that the propeller provides a line of thrust at a location directed essentially rearwardly of the tank.

Abstract: A device for feeding a young child or impaired adult without the threat of the person choking, my device comprising a handle member in combination with a food dispensing member. The handle member has a generally circularly configured end thereon, upon which circular end, a ring mounting arrangement is provided. A ring having a circularly-shaped aperture therein is utilized with the handle member, with an inner surface of the ring being equipped with a component for tightly engaging the ring mounting arrangement. The component inside the ring for engaging the ring mounting arrangement is configured to operably engage the circular end of the handle member. The food dispensing member is an elongate container of fine mesh material having an aperture therein through which solid or semi-solid food can be inserted, with such food intended to at least partially dissolve in the mouth of the person being fed.