Abstract: A support pad apparatus, including a rigid platform and a load-spreading conformable pad thereunder that conforms to the bottom surface of the platform and may either be flat or concave along its bottom surface to engage the surface of a flat, uneven or sloped roof or some other type of flat, uneven or sloped hard or soft underlying surface, both within and outside of a building, or in any other appropriate setting. The top of the platform contains the structural means to ensure that the person working, standing or walking upon the platform is able to maintain a secure, stable, and balanced footing.

Abstract: A drum with a vibrating membrane for producing sounds in a range of low to high resonant frequencies including a drum shell with a first open end and a second open end, a drumhead, including a vibrating membrane, covering said first open end, a cover with a threaded opening extending across and secured to said second end, and a resonant member having a first end and a second end, with the first end having a threaded means for detachable coupling with the threaded opening in the cap in airtight relation to enhance and manipulate the low resonant frequencies independent of the high resonant frequencies upon the striking of the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the playing surface response characteristics of conventional percussion instruments, including one or more metal base members and one or more corresponding percussion pad members with a magnetized pad for magnetic coupling with a metal base member. Each percussion member has response characteristics corresponding to the playing surface characteristic of a particular conventional percussion instrument and is removably positioned relative to each of the metal base members. Also provided is a device for simulating the playing surface response characteristics of a bass drum.

Abstract: An improved device for collecting and removing debris from a swimming pool, pond or the like comprising a mesh material formed into a net for collecting and temporarily storing the debris. The net includes a top open portion with a support frame and a bottom closed portion forming a vertex. A pole or extensible rod is attached to the end of the frame for holding and manipulating the device through the water. Also provided is a means connected to the bottom closed portion of the net enclosed within the netting to maintain the vertex portion of the net in an open and receptive position while it is manipulated and moved along and below the water's surface to collect and remove debris. The means, when rotated to a horizontal position, expands the bottom closed portion of the net to facilitate the collection of debris and is also used as a device for grasping the bottom closed portion of the net in the process of emptying the net of debris.

Abstract: A device for dampening sounds produced by a drumhead of a musical drum having a drumshell comprising a frame assembly having a first elongated bar member with a first channel and a second elongated bar member with a second channel. The two bar members are disposed in opposed spaced apart parallel relation. Mounting brackets are affixed and secured to the two bar members at their opposing ends. Attached, respectively, to the two mounting brackets between the two bar members are the opposing ends of an assembly of snare wires. The mounting brackets are also provided to connect the assembly to the drumshell and are vertically adjustable between a high tension position such that the snare wires are moved to press against the drumhead and a lower tension position in which the wires are caused to relax to enable the release of tension of the wires against the drumhead.

Abstract: In combination with a tubular light source having a housing body and a closed end for containing a power source and a light emitting end, a device for dispersing light rays comprising a translucent member having an opening therein tailored for receiving and gripping the tubular housing body. The translucent member is positioned around the light emitting end to enhance the scattering and visibility of the light rays emitted therefrom and serves also as a stand to elevate and stabilize the housing body and the light source incorporated therein.

Abstract: An auxiliary lens apparatus for use with eyeglasses and sunglasses having two main lenses with respective convex and concave surfaces. The apparatus comprises two lenses each held within the individual rims of eyeglass frames and a nose bridge to join the two. A generally u-shaped clip with an integrally formed grooved seat and a rear flexible spur angled to abut the convex surfaces of each main lens is provided in combination with each auxiliary lens to fixably secure the auxiliary lenses to the eyeglasses. The un-shaped clip formed in combination with each auxiliary lens is situated to take into account the focal point of the wearer's eyes, which is located at a certain distance forward of the position of the clip, to prevent the obscuring of the wearer's vision.

Abstract: A device for use with a skateboard and a skateboard truck assembly to facilitate the removal and replacement of various component parts of a skateboard truck assembly including the bushings and the tension bolt, which is used to join the base plate and the axle assembly. The bolt, which is inserted through the aligned apertures in the axle assembly and the base plate, penetrates into the area beneath the base plate where it emerges and mates with the threaded nut. The device is supported by the bottom surface of the board and held stationary inside a pocket formed within the underside of the base plate and consists of integrally formed components including a generally flat base, a sloped guide platform situated upon the base, and an upstanding heel section formed at the base of the sloped guide platform. The guide platform is constructed according to a specific angle of inclination to fix the nut's orientation and to enable the nut and the threaded end of the bolt to properly align and engage.

Abstract: A device for use in combination with a musical drum for dampening extraneous and undesirable tones produced by the drumhead consisting of a means for affixing the device to the drum, such as, for example, a clamp assembly, mounted on a counterhoop. Connected to the clamp assembly is an L-shape bracket, which extends generally above the clamp and over a section of the edge portion of the drumhead surface where it attaches in pivotal relation to a horizontally extending arm, which is connected on its opposite end to a casing. An aperture is formed within the casing and extends entirely from the top end of the casing to the bottom. A vertically disposed plunger arm is slidably received through the aperture, and is connected at the bottom end to a plunger head, which includes a base portion and a felt pad or some similarly suitable material mounted thereon to act as the contact surface with the drumhead.

Abstract: A drumhead lamination comprising upper and lower layers of synthetic plastic sheet materials and a layer of impregnated polyester or natural fabric sheet material sandwiched in between the systhetic plastic layers. A substance employed to impregnate the fabric, typically a liquid resin, causes the fabric to harden and stiffen to enable it to vibrate synergistically in concert with the vibrating synthetic plastic layers when the drumhead is struck by a drumstick or a similarly hard object. Laminating adhesive is used to bond the layer together. Epoxy or a similar substance is applied to the top and bottom exposed surfaces of the drumhead as a protective coating.

Abstract: A device comprising a generally cylindrical shaped resilient cover with openings at opposite ends to receive in slidable relation the elongated rod component of a drum lug nut assembly. A slit is provided in combination with one of the openings to enable that end of the cover to expand and connect with the portion of the rod extending either below or above the nut component, as the situation requires. A portion of the back section of the cover is open to enable the cover to easily fit over and around the nut and the other components of the drum lug nut assembly that protrude beyond the surface of the drumshell.

Abstract: A head of a drum or similar kind of musical instrument comprising a synthetic plastic sheet material containing surfaces with variegated color shadings to give the texture and appearance of a natural animal skin. A method of manufacture of the improved drumhead including the steps of fine sanding to produce minor surface scratches, and intensive sanding to produce deeper scoring or gouges in the top and bottom surfaces of the head. A coating of resin is applied to the surfaces and collects within the scratched and gouged areas to produce the variegated characteristics of a natural skin and manipulate the surface structure to provide vastly improved sound.

Abstract: An improved portable spinner assembly for use primarily in combination with a board game, including a first base member, an apertured post member formed integrally with the first base member and a rotatable spinner element with an arrow shaped forward section and a rear section having a generally feather-like angular appearance. Located medially of the spinner element and formed integrally with that element is an apertured shank member. A second base member in the shape of a disc includes an aperture formed in the center section to receive the apertured post member. The second base member, which is substantially heavier and has a larger diameter than the first base member, is adapted to be placed over and then lowered to the upper surface of the first base member by initially aligning the aperture in the second base member with the apertured post member and then lowering the second base member down over the post.

Abstract: A portable combined engine-handling and metalworking machine having a base with wheels and casters, a vertical post or mast extending from the base to support a boom to form a hydraulically activated crane or hoist, an engine stand to support a motor or like object, and a hydraulic press and press assembly, which is formed from parts that are interchangeable with parts from the hydraulically activated crane.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a board game based on airplane flight concepts and geographical relationships among countries of the world. Spaces are provided on a board for the movement of symbolic elements representing airplanes, with the number of spaces moved determined by chance, subject, however, to specific instructions affecting the movement of the symbolic elements, as determined by the directions of certain of the spaces on the board. At least four (4) stacks of cards are provided, with each card providing a specific flight destination or good or bad information affecting the flight movement on the board, either towards or from the numerous airports located on the board. The object of the game is for a player to be the first to move his symbolic element or airplane to the total number of airports agreed upon by the players before the game starts.

Abstract: In a driven vehicle having a drive assembly including a drive shaft, a differential, a rear universal joint coupling the drive shaft to the differential, the drive shaft being characterized by an original angle with respect to the horizontal axis of the differential, a rear axle, a rear axle housing, and rear suspension springs in connection therewith, support blocks for differentially displacing the axle and the housing from the suspension means and restoring substantially the original angle of the drive shaft relative to the differential and to the axle housing while elevating the rear body of the vehicle for maintaining increased rear vehicle road clearance and optimum effectiveness of the drive assembly operation. The support blocks, interposed between the suspension spring and the housing, have top and bottom surfaces oppositely congruent to the bottom surface of the suspension means and the upper surface of the housing, respectively.