Abstract: A pet litter box includes a waterproof pan having a closed bottom, diverging walls and an open top bounded by a rim, a rack having a liquid-permeable planar portion and a plurality of hangers including inverted-U bights which extend over the rim of the pan so as to suspend the rack within the pan, substantially above the bottom of the pan. The bights are interconnected by elements wholly outside the pan, whereby rack can be lifted from the pan. Litter is spread on a screen having a frame conforming to the interior contour of the pan above the level of the rack. Liquid waste can percolate through the litter to the bottom of the pan.

Abstract: A waste bag holder includes a frame mountable on a support such as a cupboard door. The frame has inwardly projecting hooks from which the bag is suspended. A lid mounted between the frame sides defines a small rear mouth portion and a larger front mouth portion for receiving waste. Integral lips on the frame direct waste into the bag. A detachable skirt suspended from the frame conceals the bag from view.

Abstract: A wide sheet pile for the formation of buildings folded or formed from a metal plate or plates or by joining modular panels. The sheet pile is of corrugated form having upper and lower webs and joined by an inclined flange and provided on opposite sides with joining members and to enable the sheet pile to be connected to adjacent sheet piles. The sheet pile may incorporate a lateral stiffener or stiffeners. There is also disclosed pile driving apparatus for driving a sheet pile member into the ground, said apparatus including a pile driving frame for supporting drive means for applying a driving force to a said sheet pile member and means for coupling said pile driving frame to an adjacent said sheet pile member in the ground.

Abstract: An improved safety utility knife has a hollow handle and a blade which is normally retracted within the handle, but can be extended by squeezing an operating lever. The lever is connected to the blade holder by a toggle linkage having a rearmost pin secured in a discrete support whose position is adjustable. A thumbscrew threaded into the support enables one to adjust the position of the support from outside the handle, and thus change how far the blade protrudes from the handle when the operating lever is fully depressed.

Abstract: Panning apparatus for separating gold or other minerals or gemstones from soil, gravel or other like materials, the apparatus including a main frame and a secondary frame which supports an upper separating tray assembly and a lower separating pan. The secondary frame is supported for pivotal movement relative to the primary frame and may be oscillated by a motor. A liquid supply tube is arranged to direct water onto the upper tray assembly so that a slurry of materials passes from the upper tray assembly of the lower pan.

Abstract: An impact cushion for a seat belt latch includes a sleeve of a latex rubber material sized to slide lengthwise over a female seat belt connector, with an interference fit. The front side of the sleeve has an opening in a position corresponding to the release button of the connector, so that the button is not obstructed. The rear of the cushion is provided with a rigid metal plate; segmented ribs running lengthwise along the inside upper and lower surfaces of the sleeve hold the rear of the seat belt a short distance away from the plate. The cushion is intended to reduce the incidence of seat belt buckle failure during accidents, resulting from impact directly to the buckle.

Abstract: Gripping apparatus for gripping articles or objects such as refuse bins including a support frame carrying a first pivotally mounted arcuate support arm carrying a flexible element and a second pivotally mounted arcuate support arm carrying a flexible element, the elements being secured to the frame. The arms may be actuated to move towards each other so that the flexible elements partially wrap around the article or object to grip same.

Abstract: An anti-theft device (40) for attachment to a vehicle steering wheel having an elongated tubular member (451), a sleeve (45) slidable along the member (41) and an arm (51) telescopically received in the member (41) and coupled to the sleeve (45). The sleeve (45) carries a locking device (47) which engages apertures (43) to lock the sleeve (45) to the member (41) in a position where the arm (51) extends from the member (41). The member (41) and sleeve (45) carry hooks (42) and (49) to engage the rim of a steering wheel and the arm (51) limits rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A method for converting a vehicle from a sedan form to a convertible form and reinforcing the vehicle, the vehicle having a door opening with hinge mounts for the normal door hinges on one side of the door opening and a latch mount for a door latch on the opposite side of the door opening, the method involving the steps of removing the door and its associated hinges and latch from the door opening and locating a reinforcing structure within the door opening and securing the structure to the hinge mounts and latch mounts by bolting using bolts into the preexisting hinge and latch mounting holes.

Abstract: A tailgate ramp extends the tailgate with three hinged panels (13, 14, 15) able to fold out to a co-planar position whereat each hinge (51, 55) is braced by a system of struts (21, 26) and cables (22, 25) against opening past 180.degree.. The cables (22, 25) and struts (21, 26) are arranged to permit the outermost panel (15) to fold into between the other two (13, 14) to collapse into a pack against the inner face of the tailgate. The system of cables (21, 26) at each hinge (51, 55) can be passed around sheaves (29-32, 37-40) at each side of the ramp in a single length to balance loads on the ramp.