Abstract: An improved snow shovel is disclosed which has a telescoping handle and a detachable blade. Inside the handle is a compression spring which compresses under load or shock from striking an object submerged in the snow and when the shovel is lifted, the spring decompresses and assists in discharging the load.

Abstract: A quick release infant body restraint useful in the monitoring of crib death syndrome is disclosed in which the restraint comprises a holding member in the form of an hour glass shaped cloth diaper cover which fits over the lower torso of the infant and which has appended to its upper outer edge portion a duality of transverse restraining tethers for taut attachment to crib walls or the like and Velcro.RTM. pads situated in the holding member corners which, when the holding member is made to encircle the baby, are compressed together matingly and stickingly whereby the baby is restrained and such that an attending observer of the infant may, when signaled to do so, instantaneously release the infant from the holder for transfer to a treatment station by demating the pads.

Abstract: A system of dyeing human hair is disclosed which is performed by layering the hair in tiers and selectively dyeing each layer. The tiers are annular elipsoids whose major and minor axes are in the same ratio and are fabricated in sets of ascending size. Each tier has disposed along its inner circumference, evenly spaced comb tooth-like projections.

Abstract: An automatic coal stoker is disclosed having at the base of its hopper an enclosed reciprocating pusher assembly rectangular box shaped which delivers compressingly a defined but variable quantity of coal into a restricted passageway. Successive quantities form a compressed strip of coal to be burned between side rails of an inclined fire grate situate over an air box fed with a forced air supply. As the strip works its way down the inclined grate it burns without forming clinkers and discharges ashes at the bottom of the incline.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing modular wall mounted telephone installations in which the device, made of a laminate comprising a first outer, yieldable layer, such as cork, and a second rigid, inner such as urethane, acts as a shim between the telephone base and the wall thereby making it stationary relative to the wall. The device is planarly enlarged so that the outer layer may be used for decoration or for holding notes, messages, writing materials and other accessories useful in telephonic communication.

Abstract: A tree ball tying apparatus is disclosed comprising a tripartile inverted, truncated conically shaped holder whose included angle is less than 60.degree. and is made of sheet metal attached to a stand by its rearmost part. The two forward parts are hinged, latchable doors which swing open or may be closed and latched in the conical shape. Cordage is woven around hooks and pins in the peripheries of the cone's base and truncation to form a sling over which is placed a degradable material such as burlap. A tree, whose ball is conically cut with typically a 60.degree. included angle, is removed from the ground and installed ball first onto the burlap and sling and set down sling and burlap first into the holder whose included angle is less than that of the ball thereby holding it above the truncation. Thereafter the burlap is folded around the tree trunk and tied with the loose ends of the sling and the tree removed from the holder with its ball wrapped and tied.

Abstract: A tethered ring game is disclosed wherein a scoring hook is formed of wire rod and has near its mounting portion a break of minimum radius which defines an obtuse angle with the mounting portion and has at a defined distance from the free end of the wire a sweep of circular arc such that a hook is formed at the free end portion, said arc being less than 180.degree.. The hook may be mounted statically to an upright or motively to a counterclockwise rotable arm.