Abstract: A device for selectively dispensing granular material such as fire ant poison, herbicides, fertilizer and the like at the behest of a user, this device comprising inner and outer elongate tubular members disposed in a closely fitted relationship but being relatively rotatable for a selected number of degrees. The inner member serves as a repository for a granular material to be dispensed, and a plurality of holes are disposed in a spaced, aligned relationship in each of these members. These elongate members normally reside in a rotational relationship in which the holes in the members are non-aligned, and a dispensing lever is attached to one of the members for selectively bringing about relative rotation of that one member with respect to the other member, such that the holes in these members will be brought into alignment for the dispensing of the granular material under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: An atomizer device capable of reducing a flowable liquid to an ultrafine dispersion of liquid particles in a propellant gas, comprising a generally smooth surface having a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. At least one orifice is located in the surface, in at least a partially surrounding relationship to the central portion. A propellant gas is supplied to the underside of the surface, with such propellant gas being caused to pass at considerable speed through the orifice or orifices, thus forming at least one gas jet. The propellant gas flowing through the orifice or orifices create an area of low pressure at the central portion of the surface, and create at least one passway extending radially inwardly from the peripheral portion to the central portion, which passway, quite importantly, avoids direct contact with said gas jet.

Abstract: A simulator enabling a golfer to practice his putting skills and at the same time become more aware of the optimum motion of his shoulders and arms during a putting effort. This simulator comprises an elongate guide plane of flexible material having a mid portion as well as end portions, and also having an active edge, along which a lower portion of the shaft of a putter may pass during efforts by the golfer to putt a golf ball into a nearby cup. Components are used for supporting the guide plane in a desired relationship to a playing surface, such components being heightwise adjustable, so as to enable the individual heights of the mid and end portions of the guide plane above the playing surface to be independently adjusted, which at the same time determines the positioning of the active edge with respect to the playing surface.

Abstract: A pivoting bracket for supporting a boat seat at an appropriate position above the deck of a boat, such bracket permitting the seat normally to remain upright, but also to be pivoted, on occasion, into a low center of gravity position adjacent the deck, thus to provide better visibility to the person operating the boat. This bracket comprises a pair of interfitting members, with one of these members being a clevis-shaped first member having spaced-apart portions, and the second member being interposed between the spaced-apart portions. A pivot pin extends through the spaced-apart portions of the first member as well as through the second member, the pivot pin permitting the members to reside in an aligned relationship when the seat is intended to reside in an upright position. The pivot pin also permits the members to reside in an angular attitude when the seat is to be moved out of the upright position.

Abstract: A leak detector for sensing a test gas leaking into a vacuum chamber in accordance with this invention comprises a vacuum chamber having an opening, and a momentum transfer pump connected to such opening and serving to compress the gases emanating from the vacuum chamber. An entrainment pump is connected to receive the gases exhausted from the momentum transfer pump, with the entrainment pump having means for entrapping the active exhaust gases coming from the vacuum chamber, but not the noble gases, which remain in a gaseous state and continually increase in pressure. A mass spectrometer is connected to receive the output from the entrainment pump, with the entrapment of the active exhaust gas by the entrainment pump reducing the total pressure at the mass spectrometer gas detector, thus making possible the detection and measurement by the mass detector of extremely small noble gas leaks.

Abstract: A duct fitting of generally cylindrical configuration for attachment to a relatively large, generally cylindrically-shaped flexible duct having a curved sidewall of easily deformed material, in which sidewall a hole of particular size has been created. This duct fitting is constructed of deformable sheet material and has first and second open ends, with the first end having a curvature conforming to the configuration of the curved sidewall of the flexible duct. The second end of the duct fitting is adapted to receive thereon, a relatively small branch duct to be connected in a leak-free manner to the flexible duct. In accordance with this invention, the first end of the duct fitting has a plurality of short, lateral slots disposed at spaced locations around its circumference, thus to define a plurality of bendable teeth arranged in a non-planar array.

Abstract: A roller skate in accordance with this invention utilizes at least two angularly mounted wheels disposed generally in an in-line relationship. This skate comprises a mounting plate having a pair of oppositely disposed surfaces, with one of such surfaces being adapted to be fastened to the sole of a boot or shoe. At least one wheel mounting bracket is affixed along the longitudinal axis of the other surface of the mounting plate, for supporting the axles upon which the wheels of the skate are rotatably mounted, with the treads of the wheels disposed in alignment. The angular disposition of the wheels enables the user of my skate to achieve improved roll, and better traction during a turn and in a power stroke.

Abstract: A beverage container utilizing a cooling device for keeping a beverage cold over a protracted period of time, with such container having sidewalls and a bottom defining a volume in which a beverage can be contained. The cooling device is operatively associated with a lower interior portion of the container and involves a closed receptacle of a refreezable, non toxic substance. When the cooling device has become relatively warm, it is readily removable from contact with the lower interior portion of the container, so that it may be replaced by a freshly-chilled cooling device of like configuration, thus to keep the beverage at a desirably low temperature. We provide several different types of magnetic and mechanical devices for preventing the cooling device from being displaced when the pitcher is tilted to pour out some or all of its contents.

Abstract: A hand-held tool is provided for applying threads to an earring post, to enable the earring post to thereafter receive a clutch member in a non-slip relationship. This novel tool comprises an elongate member of generally cylindrical configuration, around one end of which a cap member may be removably secured, such as by the use of interfitting threads. The one end of the elongate member defines a flat recess of circular configuration designed to receive therein, a flat circular die equipped with centrally disposed female threads. The recess is slightly shallower than the thickness of the die, and the die is preferably held in a non-rotative position in the recess by the internally threaded cap being tightened into firm contact with the threaded end of the elongate member. The cap member has a centrally disposed hole therein, into which an earring post may be inserted, and thus be brought into contact with the female threads of the die.

Abstract: A fastener system for joining together the nested ends of first and second generally tubular housing members in a tight-fitting, leak-proof manner by the use of at least one tightly compressed O-ring. The first housing member has at one end a reduced diameter external portion of finite length, around which an encircling external groove is located, whereas the second housing member has an interior portion sized so as to be able to closely receive the reduced diameter external portion of the first housing member. An encircling groove is formed around a portion of the interior of the second housing member, whereby upon the joinder portions of the first and second housing members being tightly interfitted, the encircling grooves will be brought into substantial alignment, to define an annular cavity of a size larger than either of the encircling grooves individually, into which cavity an elongate locking strip or splice ring can be readily inserted for a substantial distance, to lock the members tightly together.

Abstract: A door stop adapted for a mounting adjacent a lower edge of a door at a location remote from the hinge, such door stop functioning to prevent an intruder from pushing the door open. This door stop comprises a mounting device adapted to be secured in a fixed position adjacent the lower edge of the door, and an elongate, rigid member operatively associated with the mounting device. One end of the elongate, rigid member has an aperture, enabling it to be pivotally mounted to the mounting device, and the other end of the elongate, rigid member has a component adapted to move, at the behest of the user, into contact with the floor. The elongate member is selectively movable between a raised, substantially vertical storage position residing close to the door, and an active, downwardly angled position in which the other end is in firm contact with the floor. I advantageously utilize a spring bias arrangement serving to hold the other end of the elongate member in such position of firm contact with the floor.

Abstract: A readily portable device for enabling a vertical columnar structure such as a tree, pole or the like to be climbed without causing damage thereto, this device comprising a pair of rigid, elongate longitudinal members of substantially equal length. These longitudinal members are disposed in a spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship, with least two step-like members disposed between the longitudinal members, to provide footing to a climber of the vertical structure. A flexible member such as a rope is utilized for tightly encircling the vertical structure, with the flexible member being able to be affixed adjacent the upper end of the device, to form a support therefor. The flexible member is placed in substantial tension at such time as the vertical structure has been encircled and weight is placed on one of the step-like members.

Abstract: An optical system utilized to provide guidance information in the form of a modulated beam for a beamrider missile during its rocket powered flight phase. Our system comprises first and second zoom type optical subsystems arranged to function cooperatively in object space, utilizing coincident lines of sight, with these optical subsystems serving to provide guidance information to the missile when the exhaust plume from its rocket engine is relatively difficult to penetrate. The first optical subsystem is utilized in a closed loop servo system for positioning a mirror gimballed about two axes, such that it continuously tracks the missile. The second optical subsystem, along the optical axis of which the modulated beam is directed, comprises a negative optical group and a positive optical group combined into a defocusable beam expander.

Abstract: Horizontal and vertical reinforcement devices adapted to be utilized in the construction of a wall or panel using blocks, such devices being used in conjunction with an adhesive compound, such as mortar, in order to bring about consistent spacing and alignment of such blocks with respect to each other in the formation of the masonry structure. The reinforcement devices comprise a plurality of elongate reinforcement members to be utilized in a generally horizontal attitude in conjunction with such blocks, and a plurality of elongate reinforcement members to be utilized in a generally vertical attitude in conjunction with such blocks. Each of the horizontal reinforcement members is constituted by a pair of longitudinal components of uniform thickness, held in a consistently spaced, parallel array, with the longitudinal components of the horizontal reinforcement members representing less width than the dimension of the recessed side surfaces of the blocks.

Abstract: A double barbed fishhook adapted for use in conjunction with a soft plastic worm, the fishhook comprising a shaft curving around to form a hook point and primary barb at one end, and having a fishline securing location adjacent the other end. A secondary shaft of short length is located adjacent the fishline securing location, with a secondary barb being located adjacent the end of the secondary shaft. The secondary shaft points generally in the direction of the hook point, but is spaced at least one inch therefrom. The hook point and primary barb are designed to be inserted into an upper middle portion of the plastic worm, and the secondary shaft and barb are designed to receive the head end of the plastic worm, such that the upper portion of the worm extends between the pair of barbs, rather than being forced along the shaft portion of the fishhook.

Abstract: An atomizer device comprising a body member having a gas nozzle defined by smooth converging sidewalls. A first smooth surface is disposed in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the nozzle, and a second smooth surface is disposed in an abutting parallel relationship with the first smooth surface, with a very small spacing existing between the two surfaces. An edge of the surfaces is disposed adjacent a propellant gas flowing through the gas nozzle, with the edge of the first surface being thin and jutting a short distance into the outlet of the gas nozzle. The edge of the second surface is set back from the edge of the first surface, thus defining a filming surface adjacent the edge of the first surface. A flowable liquid under pressure is directed to flow through the narrow space between the abutting first and second surfaces, toward the flow of propellant gas through the nozzle, and emit as a thin film on the filming surface on the first surface.

Abstract: A tubing cutter comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected together adjacent one end, with the opposite ends of the arms free. Such opposite end of one of the arms has thereon a rotatably mounted cutting wheel, and upon the opposite end of the other of the arms at least one roller is utilized, in opposed operative relationship to the cutting wheel. A tightening arrangement, preferably in the form of a finger operated wheel mounted on a dually threaded shaft, is utilized for enabling the user to draw the free ends of the arms together, so as to force the cutting wheel into cutting contact with a piece of tubing placed between the rotary cutter and the rollers. Thus, upon relative rotation occurring between the cutting wheel and the tubing, the severing of the tubing can be readily brought about. Preferably a spring bias arrangement is utilized, which serves to assist the tube severing procedure by biasing the cutting wheel into firm contact with the tubing to be cut.