Abstract: A shingle formed from a sheet of thin metal such as aluminum having a narrow border portion and a plurality of strips of various lengths depending from the border. The shingles are attached to a roof by nailing through the border portion such that the strips overlap the border portions of adjacent shingles thereby producing a simulation of a natural thatched roof.

Abstract: A gas mixing device and method for filling gas storage cylinders with two or more diverse gases and automatically mixing the gases. A high pressure cylinder valve has an elongate hollow tube welded into the valve body and extending to the lower end of a storage cylinder. A plurality of holes through the tube sidewalls is distributed in a spiral along the length of the tube. Each gas is filled in order of its final pressure and distributed along the length of the cylinder thereby mixing with the other gases.

Abstract: A guard for the cutting edge of a knife used in slitting, eviscerating and skinning of game and the like. A concave, arcuate body includes a longitudinal slot normal to the concave body for accepting the forward cutting edge of a knife blade. The forward end of the slot tapers to a wedge shape for accepting the point of the blade and the rear end tapers to a wedge shaped slot to form a friction fit with the rear portion of the cutting edge leaving only a short exposed cutting edge. A rear portion of the body is concave and provides a thumb rest for the user. A rear edge guard is pivotally attached to the proximal end of the guard and may be swung forward for short blades and rearward to cover the rear portion of long blades.

Abstract: An improved biopsy needle suitable for obtaining a core sample from a prostate gland. A handle which may be held in the palm of the physician's hand is provided with a forward extending guide tube. A cannula with a sharpened distal end is slidably disposed within the guide tube and is movable by a thumb tab from a retracted position within the guide tube to an extended position in which the cutting edge extends from the guide tube. A sampling stylet having a sharpened distal end and a sample-collecting slot therein is telescopically disposed within the cannula and projects from the rear of the handle. A knob at the proximal end of the stylet permits movement from a retracted position in which the pointed tip of the stylet projects slightly from the distal end of the guide tube to an extended position in which the pointed distal end extends from the guide tube distal end.

Abstract: A gaff for game fish has a flared crook for engaging the body of a fish at the tail. An end portion of the crook is attached to a pole and includes a ratchet assembly. An L-shaped arm is pivotally attached to the ratchet assembly and is rotatable in one direction in the plane of the crook. A contact arm of the L-shaped arm closes the open end of the crook while a capture arm extends in the direction of the pole. When the contact arm contacts the body of the fish and the fish is pulled into the crook, the capture arm rotates to captivate the fish in the crook. The ratchet includes a release lever to release the fish without damage thereto.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a threaded end of its stem. A coiled valve spring is provided with a valve spring retainer having a central bore for the valve stem, a circular groove for the spring, and a first ball bearing race on the opposite face from the spring groove. A valve retainer has a threaded bore and a second ball bearing race. A set of ball bearings is disposed in the spring retainer race, the valve stem is inserted through the spring and spring retainer, and the valve retainer is threaded onto the valve stem engaging the ball bearings by the second race. The ball bearing assembly thus permits the valve to rotate with respect to the spring and spring retainer during operation. A lock nut is used to lock the assembly.