Abstract: A process for creating a flying light source including the steps of providing an inflatable balloon and associating a light source therewith. A retaining filament is attached to the inflated balloon. The light source may be a chemiluminescent lighting device which is attached to, or inserted into, the balloon. Alternatively, the light source may be a battery-operated light assembly attached to the balloon. The invention may be in the form of a rescue kit including the inflatable balloon, the chemiluminescent lighting device, the retaining filament and a lighter-than-air gas source. Alternatively, the invention may be in the form of a self-contained signaling device including a canister of lighter-than-air gas, a nozzle for dispensing the gas, the battery-operated light assembly, and the filament.

Abstract: A billiards chalk assembly includes a clip, a billiards chalk holder releasably attached to the clip, and billiards chalk insertable insertable into the holder. The clip includes a base having a retention slot formed thereon for securing the billiard chalk holder. A plate is pivotally attached to the base opposite the chalk holder. A spring is interposed between the base and the plate to maintain the plate in a biased closed position. The retention slot is defined by a lip extending inwardly from a lower edge of the base and forming a groove and an open-faced slot. The chalk holder includes an extension having a post which is insertable into the open-faced slot, and an outwardly extending ridge which is insertable into the groove of the retention slot. A locking mechanism is engageable with the chalk holder and releasably locks the chalk holder in place.

Abstract: A promotional mailer in the form of a two-piece in one post card housing an integral coupon card is disclosed. A redemption card is created and defined within the promotional mailer by score lines intermittently cut through a top layer, base layer and plastic film of the mailer in a manner to securely maintain the redemption card in place until forcibly removed. At least one edge of the redemption card is defined by a peripheral edge of the promotional mailer. The redemption card includes a plurality of coupons detachably cut into the redemption card, a bar code imprinted onto the redemption card, an integrated circuit chip, and/or a scratch-off foil overlying an offer printed on the redemption card. The promotional mailer preferably includes printed matter in the form of a postage area and addressing area outside the redemption card.

Abstract: A shrimp and tray combination includes a shrimp tray having an outer retaining ridge and an inner support ridge. A groove is formed between the inner and outer ridges. A plurality of shrimp is arranged radially on the tray with head ends of the shrimp lying in and supported in the groove and convex sides of the shrimp bodies supported on the inner support ridge. A cup and cover contain sauce for the shrimp. The cup and cover are located in a depression formed in the center of the tray with the tail ends of the shrimp bodies held in place by the side of the cup. The combination including the shrimp tray, the shrimp bodies, the cup, the cover, and the sauce may be tightly enclosed in a plastic film material as by shrink wrapping and frozen together for storage and shipment.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler is provided with an internally mounted and upwardly open debris cup for capturing debris such as dirt and pebbles falling into the sprinkler, to prevent such debris from contacting and interfering with an internally mounted rotary drive mechanism. The sprinkler includes a housing or case carrying a pop-up riser with a spray head thereon for projecting a stream of irrigation water over surrounding terrain and vegetation. The rotary drive mechanism includes a water-driven element such as a turbine coupled by a reduction gear unit or the like for rotatably driving the spray head in a manner sweeping the projected water stream over the surrounding terrain and vegetation. The debris cup is mounted within the sprinkler case generally at a lower end of a nozzle passage formed in the riser, and generally overlying the water-driven element, in a position to capture and retain debris falling into the sprinkler case through the nozzle passage.

Abstract: A modular exhibit panel and lock system includes a first wedge secured within a first channel of a first object, such as a modular exhibit panel. A second wedge is secured within a second channel of a second object, such as a second panel. The first and second objects are securely associated with one another by placing the first wedge in the first channel, and the second wedge in the second channel in an orientation generally opposite of a first wedge and sliding the first and second channel relative to one another so that the first and second wedges interlock causing the first and second objects to be connected to one another. A multi-faceted panel connector having channels in at least two facets thereof, and a third wedge within these channels, can be used to securely associate panels of the system with one another.

Abstract: A hand tool for gripping and moving building materials includes a linkage having a grip at a first end. A plate having a gripping face is pivotally attached to a second end of the linkage. A generally U-shaped bracket is pivotally attached to the linkage adjacent to the plate and extends beyond the second end of the linkage so that a gripping face thereof is disposed generally opposite the plate gripping face. Upon inserting a building material between the plate and bracket gripping faces and lifting the linkage upwardly, the plate and bracket pivot so that the gripping faces firmly contact and grip opposite sides of the building material for transport.

Abstract: An improved wall tack is provided for quick and easy mounting onto an upholstered wall surface or the like for supporting documents such as memoranda, pictures, calendars, etc. The wall tack comprises a plastic molded tack body having a hanger hook protruding from a front side thereof, and a lower prong or push pin projecting rearwardly from a lower margin at a rear side thereof. The rear side of the tack body further includes an elongated recessed groove lined by a plurality of undercut lock tabs for secure snap-fit reception of an elongated wire member having opposite ends defining a pair of rearwardly projecting pointed prongs at an upper margin of the tack body rear side. The pair of pointed prongs cooperate with the lower push pin for engaging and securely supporting the tack body on the upholstered wall surface.

Abstract: A magnetic control valve is provided in a suction powered pool cleaner of the type for vacuuming dirt and debris from submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool. The pool cleaner comprises a head defining a suction inlet for vacuum inflow of water and debris into a plenum chamber, and further through a suction tube adapted for connection via a vacuum hose to a conventional pool water filtration system. The control valve includes an oscillatory valve member movable between open and substantially closed positions relative to an upstream end of the suction tube to produce pressure fluctuations causing the cleaner to advance in steps over submerged pool surfaces. Oscillatory driving of the valve head is assisted by permanent magnets mounted on the valve member and cleaner head to generate repulsion forces as the valve head respectively approaches the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A golf club head is provided of the metal wood type, wherein a faceplate of the club head carries a weighted insert. In one form, a weighted insert is mounted into a forwardly open cavity formed in the faceplate and defines a front end visible from the exterior of the club head and disposed substantially coplanar with the club head faceplate. In another form, the weighted insert is formed integrally at the interior or inboard side of the faceplate may be associated with indicia visible from the exterior of the club head to indicate the location thereof.

Abstract: A chip capacitor is conductively coupled to spaced-apart (i.e., non-conductively coupled) circuit traces of an integrated circuit to provide a four terminal network. The chip capacitor includes a casing of dielectric material having first and second sets of electrode plates disposed therein, a first conductive lead frame which is conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, and a second conductive lead frame which is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. The first and second lead frames are, in turn, conductively coupled to the circuit traces so as to route the output (or input) current of an electronic device through the capacitor.

Abstract: A flying disk includes an outer ring, a plurality of blades spaced from one another and extending from the outer ring to a central hub to form a top plate thereof. The blades have a leading edge of greater cross-sectional thickness than the trailing edge thereof to provide lift. A bottom plate is attached to the top plate and defines a turbine structure including a series of slots and vanes extending downwardly from an edge of a slot from the bottom plate. The blades cause the disk to rise to a maximum altitude, and as the disk descends, the turbine structure regenerates the spinning motion thereby extending flight time.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic cutting system is provided for cutting a succession of vegetable products or the like particularly such as potatoes into elongated strips, wherein the cutting system includes a deceleration conduit designed for decelerating cut product strips substantially without flow stream turbulence to reduce or eliminate strip breakage. The cutting system utilizes a propelling fluid flow stream to propel the products with substantial velocity into and through cutting engagement with knife elements of a so-called water knife fixture mounted along the length of a fluid flow passage. An improved deceleration conduit defines a continuation of the fluid flow passage at a downstream side of the water knife, and has a tapered shape which expands in cross section relative to a conduit centerline at an angle not exceeding 9° and preferably on the order of about 2° to about 3°.

Abstract: A fly-fishing line loader specifically designed for application with a fly reel is provided. The line loader has a disc with a planar surface configured to frictionally engage a conventional fly fishing reel having a plurality of raised nipples and slots. Centrally attached to the disc is a bit extension for use with a portable electric screwdriver or drill motor to rotate the disc and the spool of the fly fishing reel to allow the efficient loading of backer line and fly line on the reel.

Abstract: A method of enhancing coffee bean production including the steps of providing a trellis, planting coffee tree shoots along the trellis, and utilizing the trellis to open up the coffee tree in order to increase sun exposure thereon. The trellis includes aligned end assemblies spaced from one another and posts positioned between the end assemblies. At least one wire is interconnected between the end assemblies and attached to the posts in order to serve as an attachment to branches of the coffee trees planted along the trellis. Preferably, multiple wires are interconnected between the end assemblies and vertically spaced from one another along the length of the post. A drip hose may be attached to and extend along a length of one of the wires. Additional portions of the coffee tree are attached to the vertically spaced wires as the coffee tree grows.