Abstract: A paint roller edge guard apparatus facilitating the painting of a wall surface adjacent a non-painted surface from the application of paint to the non-painted surface from the roller sock. The apparatus comprises a handle and an edge guard having four edges and front and back faces. The edge guard is pivotally and rotatable supported on the handle. The roller is rotatably supported on the handle such that the roller may be rotated between a painting position, wherein the roller sock longitudinal axis is perpendicular to and adjacent the edge guard front face, and a filling position wherein the roller sock longitudinal axis is parallel to the edge guard front face. The roller sock may be placed in contact with the painted wall by application of pressure to the handle deflecting the edge guard rearward allowing the roller sock to contact the painted wall surface.

Abstract: An unloading shoe subassembly for use in combination with a hand truck includes a pair of sideframe members and a handle extending between and connecting the sideframe members. A pair of wheeled track assemblies are adapted to be mounted on the frame such that each sideframe member is adjacent one of the wheeled track assemblies and the wheeled track assemblies are generally parallel with one another and generally perpendicular to the load-carrying platform. Each of the wheeled track assemblies includes upper, middle and lower wheel tracks mounted on a support plate in generally coplanar relation with each other. Wheels are slidably mounted within each of the wheel tracks. A shoe assembly including an unloading shoe and at least one shoe support strut is provided, the unloading shoe mounted on the lower end of the strut.

Abstract: A dual purpose massage and foot and body maintenance device for imparting a massaging action to the body and for removing dry skin and calluses from the feet and body. The tool has top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral wall extending circumferentially therearound. The peripheral wall is inclined downwardly and outwardly from the top surface and provides a gripping surface for holding the tool. The top surface being adapted for the massaging function and the bottom surface adapted for the foot and body maintenance function. The top surface has a plurality of generally hemispherically shaped protrusions adapted to contact and massage the body. The bottom surface performs the foot and body maintenance function. A plurality of depressions and riser portions or grooves is formed in the bottom surface of the tool. These grooves may be used to remove dry skin and calluses from the feet and body by rubbing the bottom of the tool against the dry skin and calluses.

Abstract: A laterally moveable bar rake is provided for cleaning a bar rack installed across a water stream of a water treatment facility, storm water station or the like. The device includes a traveling framework for back and forth movement across the top of the bar rack, a telescoping arm with a rake head mounted on the lower end of the telescoping arm and a tilt mechanism for tilting the telescoping arm between raking and extension position so that the arm can be extended to the bottom of the bar rack or beyond, tilted toward the bar rack and withdrawn along the bar rack to rake debris onto a discharge hopper or conveyor.

Abstract: An improved weighted jig is disclosed having a fishhook with an elongated shank having first and second ends; a U-shaped hook secured to the first shank end. A shoulder is attached to the shank second end and extends generally perpendicularly from the shank. The shoulder is formed by a member having two ends and connected at one of the ends to the shank second end and folded back on itself. An eyelet for connection of a fishing line, is formed at the point of folding of the member back upon itself. A locking device is secured to the shoulder, the locking device being movable between a locking position and a release position.

Abstract: An improved weighted jigging system for use with a malleable lure body and a fishhook has a sinker body with front and rear portions and a bore for slidably receiving a fishing line. A hook locking device is adapted to be received and releasably secured within the bore, which locking device comprises a fishhook connection member for releasably engaging the fishhook eyelet such that the fishhook is releasably retained to the sinker body. The fishing line is adapted to be fastened to the fishhook eyelet such that upon engagement of the fishhook eyelet by the fishhook connection member of the fishhook locking device, a substantially unitary fishhook sinker apparatus is formed.

Abstract: A shuttle launch system for a model rocket which includes a model rocket engine having a propellant charge for propelling the model rocket in a first direction and an ejection charge for ejecting matter in a second direction generally opposite the first direction consists of a booster rocket having a longitudinally extended tube with a peripheral sidewall, an inner chamber and top and bottom ends and an engine-receiving chamber adjacent the bottom end of the tube. A shuttle glider support structure is mounted on the booster rocket for releasably supporting a shuttle glider thereon. A fluid passage extends between the inner chamber of the booster rocket and the shuttle glider support structure such that a portion of gas within the inner chamber is redirected from the inner chamber through the fluid passage and out of the shuttle glider support structure.

Abstract: A drop sprinkler assembly for connection to an irrigation conduit of a center pivot irrigation system adjacent a tower support of the system includes a fluid conduit having first and second ends, the first end for fluid communication with an irrigation conduit of a center pivot irrigation system. The assembly also includes a valve having an inlet, two outlets and a switching mechanism for controlling fluid flow through the valve, specifically for allowing fluid flow between the inlet and a selected one of the outlets. The second end of the fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve. Also included are first and second sprinkler conduits each having an upper and a lower end, the upper end of each sprinkler conduit in fluid communication with one of the outlets of the valve.

Abstract: A foldable table attachment is connected to the side bar of a collapsible chaise lounge for pivotal movement between a storage position and overlying engagement with a surface of the seat portion of the chaise lounge and a use position wherein the table top extends generally horizontally outwardly from the seat portion. A pivotal leg structure on the table top is pivotal from a storage position parallel to the table top to a use position extended downwardly from the table top for ground support. Upon pivotal movement of the table legs and table top to their storage position and upon collapsing of the back and leg support panels of the chaise lounge and leg members of the chaise lounge to their storage positions, the collapsed lounge chair may be stored in the same space required for storage of the chair alone.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress liner tray includes a bottom wall, headwall, footwall and opposite sidewalls integrally formed into an open-topped water retaining tray. Each sidewall is formed with a spring portion which is compressible under a downward load but which is spring biased to expand to its normal height upon removal of the downward load so as to provide the support characteristics of a soft side waterbed. The bottom wall may be contoured to form riser sections for varying the support for different body parts of a sleeper. Longitudinal channels extend across the riser sections to afford drainage thereacross.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting liquids directly into the stem or trunk of a plant. The apparatus includes a container for holding liquid, an injection device and a conduit extending between and connected to the container and the injection device. Mounted on the injection device is a tapered, wedged-shaped needle having an outer surface, a liquid-conducting needle conduit and at least one ejector hole extending between the outer surface of the needle and the needle conduit whereby liquid may be transferred from the needle conduit to the outer surface of the needle. Liquid may thus be transferred from the container through the conduit to the injection device, through the needle and out of an ejector hole onto the outer surface of the needle for injection into the stem or trunk of a plant.

Abstract: A method of cleaning oil slicks or chemical spills on a body of water or on the ground or other floor surface is disclosed. The method includes spreading a poplar bark-based product either onto a floating net on a body of water or onto oil or a chemical spill on a ground surface and absorbing the oil or chemical into the product. The soaked product may then be removed and a substantial portion of the oil or spilled chemical is recoverable from the product, such as by compressing it. The product may be spread onto a beach or shoreline for cleaning up a prior oil spill or the product may be spread on a clean beach or shoreline to protect it from contamination by any future oil slicks or chemical spills. The poplar bark-based product may be placed in flexible elongated socks for convenient handling for cleaning smaller spills from a surface.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress includes a spring insert comprising a plurality of spring bellows units arranged in upright relation within the mattress. Each bellows unit has a top wall and pleated sidewall which is collapsible from a normal expanded height to a shortened compressed height wherein the internal volume of the bellows unit is substantially reduced. Each bellows unit furthermore has a bleeder opening through one wall so that a compression load exerted on the bellows unit through the mattress top wall is resisted by both spring action and hydraulic action of the bellows units. The bellows units may be confined within flexible covers defining secondary hydraulic chambers. The size, position and hydraulic characteristics may be varied for different degrees of support at different positions on the mattress.