Abstract: This invention has to do with a rotary twist drill of the type having a fluted cylindrical shank with a drill bit end having at least two cutting edges extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the drill. Cutting edges are formed by the intersection of the flutes with the drill point end and extend radially outwardly from the center of the drill body to the outer perimeter of the drill body. Gashes formed on the drill point end form innermost cutting edge portions which are symmetrical with one another about a point offset both horizontally and vertically from the axial centerline of the drill body so as to allow a positive cutting action at the centerline of the material to be removed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vehicle towing hitch having a hollow polygonal tubular section with opposing ends and multiple side walls surrounding the hollow portion. Different size towballs are mounted on the radially outward side of at least three of the side walls and a vehicle mounting fixture is provided for connection between a vehicle and the tubular section. Co-operating means of rotatable attachment are located between the mounting fixture and the tubular sections with spring loaded means for releasably holding the mounting fixture and the tubular section in a fixed position one to the other. A pintle hook is mounted on a pintle block with co-operating elements of telescopic engagement between the pintle block and the tubular section.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is disclosed a timepiece which comprises a face having a polygonal configuration when viewed in plan and having a timekeeping mechanism coupled with the timepiece face. Along at least one of the sides of the polygon there is provided means for indicating the units of time. The hour of time may be indicated along one side and along another side may be provided means for indicating the minute of the hour. The invention includes additional features wherein the day of the month may be included along another side, and the seconds of the hour may be provided along another side of the polygon. Preferably the time piece, according to the present invention, will comprise an LCD screen which will display a decorative design in either a static or dynamic configuration.

Abstract: Simulated beam construction which has a central elongated I-beam member having opposing ends for connecting to opposing side panel members. The side panel members each have opposing lateral ends and later elongate panels extending between the lateral ends so as to enclose the central elongate I-beam. Flanged grooves on the lateral ends for sliding attachment to the lateral panels. The simulated wood beam construction has an I-beam member which is an elongate member, that when viewed in cross-section, has flanges or flanged slots on each opposite end for co-operative engagement with the opposing panel member. As an alternate embodiment it may be preferable to construct the I-beam of two substantial identical elongate members, fastened one to the other.

Abstract: This invention discloses a pick and place machine operable to pick up a part at a loading station and to thereafter place and release the part in a delivery station spaced at least horizontally from the loading station. The pick and place machine comprises a housing and a first member supported by the housing. The first member has free horizontal reciprocal movement on the housing with respect to the pick-up and delivery stations. A second member is supported by the first member for reciprocal movement between the first member and the pick-up and delivery stations. A rotatable post with opposing ends is mounted through the first member and has an actuating arm on one end and a follower arm on the opposing end. The follower arm has opposing ends with a follower on one end and a pivot mechanism connected to the second member on the other end. Guides are provided on the housing for engaging the follower and co-operating elements of sliding abutment means are provided on the guides and the follower.

Abstract: A windshield wiper scraping device is disclosed with multiple scraping or working surfaces for cleaning ice or other material from the windshield of a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment the scraping device has a composite body comprising two polygonally shaped plate bodies that have planar top and bottom surfaces with a side wall forming the perimeter of the body and joining the top and bottom surfaces. Working edges are formed at the juncture of the side wall with both the told and bottom surfaces. The body is preferably formed of a first plate-like body of rubber and a second plate-like body of plastic. The two bodies are releasably held together by co-operating elements of threaded means. The plastic material is preferably a form of the "LEXAN" material so that it forms a hard semi-rigid working edges on the top while the rubber material is formed of a rubber with the hardness in the range of 70-90 durometers.

Abstract: A fishing bobber that attaches to a fishing line immediately behind the weight when casting. The fishing bobber comprises an elongate tube having flotation means on one end and a water fillable cavity on the other end. A guide tube is adjustably fastened to the flotation end so that its distal end extends beyond the flotation means a predetermined distance. The water fillable cavity has inlet water perforations on its substantially closed end and a perforation in its tube sidewall for allowing a fishing line to pass therethrough to the fishing line tube guide. A magnetic ring is provided around the perforation on the substantially closed end of the cavity and a metal ball is moveably located within the cavity so that when the ball is not contacting the magnetic ring the fishing line may not pass freely through the bobber and guide tube, and when the ball is contacting the magnetic ring the fishing line may not pass freely through the bobber and guide tube.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an unattended lawn mowing system in which multiple solar powered self propelled, random motion lawn mowers are used singly or in combination to mow a pre-defined lawn area. The mowing zone is defined as a region of grass bounded by naturally occurring or man made obstacles of infinite variation including, but not limited to, high grass, flowers, trees, fences and lawn edging. Each mowing unit is a solar powered, self-propelled, random motion lawn mower which comprises a frame with a set of drive and coaster wheels on the frame. A set of batteries and battery powered electric motors are mounted on said frame with output means from the motors to power drive wheels and a cutting mechanism on the frame. Photovoltaic panels are mounted on said frame to receive solar rays and convert them into electrical power to charge the batteries with means for controlling the orientation of the solar panels so as to face the direction of greatest solar intensity.

Abstract: A tube and plunger assembly for dispensing disc shaped game chips to a game board. The tube is elongate and cylindrical in nature and has opposing ends, with one end for loading the chips into the tube and the other end for dispensing the chips individually to a game board. The end that receives the game chips has a funnel to aid in loading and aligning the chips along the longitudinal central axis inside of the tube. The other opposing end of the tube has a resilient chip interference on the inside diameter and close to the end of the tube, and the tube terminates in a game board abutment surface. A slot is formed having a first portion extending axially along the longitudinal center line of the tube and intermediate the opposing ends and a second slot portion extending radially outwardly from the center line of the tube, with the second portion located on the receiving end of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for therapeutic exercise of the muscles and tendons of the group that give strength and movement to the hands and fingers. The apparatus comprises a body of pliable elastic material having finger holes formed therein so as to have an interference fit with fingers inserted into the body. The finger holes are dimensioned so that the periphery of the holes will cover substantially the entire length of the fingers, if not parts of the backhand and palm. Portions of the holes are located so as to come into contact with the distal end of the fingers when the fingers are moved or curled during movement. The method comprises the steps of inserting the fingers into the holes and moving the fingers and hands against the elasticity of the body of material. The movements may be by the fingers themselves or the opposing movements of both hands.

Abstract: A therapeutic hand exerciser is disclosed which is made of a pliable composition such as polyester and which has holes installed in one or both sides for the insertion of fingers from either side. When the fingers are inserted into the holes and snugly encompassed thereby, the pliable composition allows each finger to maneuver in any direction in a 360 degree manner while providing a therapeutic resistance. The fingers on one hand can be used simultaneously or independently on one side of the exerciser to assist the fingers of the other hand on the other side of the exerciser, if desired, when operating the device in the same direction or opposing directions. This exerciser can also provide therapeutic resistance for the arms, chest, shoulders, and upper body in general.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-sheet projectile target with a marking material that is captively held between a first sheet, which is a target face, and an elastic material located behind the target face. The marking material is selected to contrast with the front of the target face behind which it is located. A surface roughness, on one or both sides of the target sheet, is selected to co-operate with the marking material, so as to accept and retain the marking material on the target face sheet when portions of the target face sheet are exposed to the powdery form of the marking material.

Abstract: A compact, collapsible and automatically expansible mining canvas is constructed and arranged so that a mine worker may stand under a supported roof section and extend into a newly sumped coal portion a forward section of a mining canvas so as to direct the air flow across the face of a newly mined coal section so as to remove any dangerous gasses and debris escaping therefrom. The mining canvas comprises an upper support and a lower support connected by pivotal intermediate support members and a canvas which is connected there between and which is preferably pleated so as to allow collapsible and expansible operation. Included in this invention is the method by which a miner may stand under an already supported section and extend to within a few feet of the newly mined or sumped face a compact, collapsed but expansible canvas section that is easily transportable to the face and which upon expansion will engage the roof and floor of the mine so as to direct the air flow against the face.

Abstract: Cemented carbide substrates having substantially A or B type porosity and a binder enriched layer near its surface are described. A refractory oxide, nitride, boride, and/or carbide coating is deposited on the binder enriched surface of the substrate. Binder enrichment is achieved by incorporating Group IVB or VB transition elements. These elements can be added as the metal, the metal hydride, nitride or carbonitride.