Abstract: A caulking gun cartridge caddy has back to back cartridge clamps which surround a portion of the circumference of two caulking gun cartridges, holding them in parallel juxtaposition whereby one cartridge is held in readiness for replacing another while the latter is in use. The caddy holds the cartridges oriented in opposite directions to minimize interference by the spare cartridge with using the caulking gun. The caddy may include a tool holder on its side for also holding a smoothing tool commonly needed by users to smooth a bead of the fill material after it has been distributed from the cartridge nozzle.

Abstract: A caulking gun barrel system fits into caulking guns designed for pre-filled cartridges. The caddy system utilizes soft-sided recharge packs of fill material ordinarily designed for more expensive caulking machines with built-in barrels. The caddy system includes at least one tubular barrel having a removable cap for providing access to the barrel interior for insertion of a recharge pack. A shuttle disposed within the tube articulates between ends of the tube and interfaces between the soft-sided refill pack and the caulking gun piston. Built into the removable cap is an elongate, coaxial nozzle for distributing the fill material. In a preferred embodiment, two such barrels are coupled together by a spine adapted to hold them in linear alignment. After inserting into each barrel a recharge pack opened at one end, a user inserts one of the barrels into a caulking gun and employs its plunger and piston to force fill material out the nozzle.

Abstract: A staging lock (22) is movably mounted to an intermediate member (16), and has a follower tab (58) and a lock tab (66). When the intermediate member (16) is fully extended from within the cabinet member (14), the follower tab (58) engages a cam form (106) on the cabinet member (14) and moves the staging lock (22) from a closed position to an open position. When the staging lock (22) is disposed in the closed position, the lock tab (66) engages a staging lock catch (114) on the chassis member (18) to secure the chassis member (18) in a fully retracted position within the intermediate member (16). When the staging lock (22) is moved to the open position, the chassis member (18) may extend from within the intermediate member (16). A rear lock (24) retains the intermediate member (16) in a fully extended position until the chassis member (18) is fully retracted within the intermediate member (16).

Abstract: A strut (12) is configured for an active suspension system (142) which provides electronic control for both the force applied by the strut (12) and the dampening characteristics of the strut (12). A compressible fluid (18) is used within the strut (12), and preferably includes a compressible base fluid and electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) which are suspended in the compressible base fluid. The electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) are preferably closely matched in density and modulas of elasticity to that of the compressible base fluid to prevent sedimentation of the particles (132) and to maintain the elasticity of the compressible fluid (18). The amount compressible fluid (18) within the strut (12) is electronically controlled to determine the force applied by the strut (12) and a field strength applied to the compressible fluid in a fluid flow passage is electronically controlled to determine the dampening characteristics of the strut (12).

Abstract: An in-arm suspension (12) is provided for actively controlling a suspension arm (20) mounted to a vehicle frame (14). The suspension arm (20) has a housing (60) in which the a compressible fluid strut (32) and a fluid control section (90) are enclosed. The compressible fluid strut (32) includes a cylinder (134) and a piston rod (136) which is urged to extend from within the cylinder (134) in response to fluid pressure applied to compressible fluid disposed within the cylinder (134). A damper piston (174) is mounted to an interior portion of the piston rod (136), and moves with the piston rod (136) to pass the compressible fluid through the damper piston 174 and attenuate bounce and rebound of the piston rod (136) within the cylinder (134). A damper lock (210) is mounted to the piston rod (136) for selectively preventing the flow of compressible fluid through the damper piston (174).

Abstract: A telescoping support member (42) is provided for supporting a central portion (38) of a cable management arm (24) for use with drawer slides (14, 16). The drawer slides (14, 16) each have a cabinet member (18), an intermediate member (20) and a chassis member (22). The cable management arm (24) is secured on one end to one of the chassis members (22) and on an other end to one of the cabinet members (18). The support member (42) has a first end (50) pivotally secured in fixed relation to one of the intermediate members (20) and a second end (52) pivotally secured in fixed relation to one of the cabinet members (18). Extension of the drawer slides (14, 16) extends the cable management arm (24) and the support member (42), with said support member (42) disposed beneath and in sliding engagement with the central portion (38) of the cable management arm (24).

Abstract: An active, independent suspension system has dual piston, compressible fluid struts (22). Each of the dual piston struts (22) has an outer cylinder (24) and an outer piston rod (30), which each respectively define exterior peripheries for an outer pressure chamber (32) and an inner pressure chamber (54). Pressures applied to a compressible fluid (56) in respective ones of the outer and inner pressure chambers (32, 54) urge the outer piston to extend from within the outer cylinder (24). A control system (240) is provided for actively controlling an amount of compressible fluid (56) disposed within each of the outer and inner chambers (32, 54).

Abstract: A precision tactical mount (12) includes a horizontal controller (30) and a vertical controller (34) for determining azimuth angles and elevation angles for a sight line of the precision tactical mount (12). The horizontal controller (30) and the vertical controller (34) have friction blocks (102, 114, 196) which engage mating friction surfaces with selectable forces for providing specific resistance against azimuth and elevation angular movement, without requiring separate mechanisms for locking the tactical mount (12) in selected positions. The friction blocks (102, 114 and 196) are preferably formed of softer materials than the mating friction surfaces to conform to the shape of the mating friction surfaces with increased normal forces, providing varying surface areas. The vertical controller (34) includes a course threaded screw member (142) mounted at an angle to a centerline (6) of the precision tactical mount (12) to provide fine control adjustment for elevation.

Abstract: A caulking gun cartridge caddy has back to back cartridge clamps which surround a portion of the circumference of two caulking gun cartridges, holding them in parallel juxtaposition whereby one cartridge is held in readiness for replacing another while the latter is in use. The caddy holds the cartridges oriented in opposite directions to minimize interference by the spare cartridge with using the caulking gun. The caddy may include means on its side for also holding a smoothing tool commonly needed by users to smooth a bead of the fill material after it has been distributed from the cartridge nozzle.

Abstract: A drawer slide (12) is provided with a front release lock (32) and disconnect lock (34) moveably mounted a first slide member (14) for engaging opposite sides of a stopper (28) mounted to a second slide member (16). A release linkage (22) is slidably secured to the first slide member (14) for moving the release lock (32) from a lock position to a release position, spaced apart from the stopper (28), to allow the first slide member (14) to retract into the second slide member (16). A disconnect linkage (24) is slidably secured to the first slide member (14) for moving the disconnect lock (34) from a retaining position to a disconnect position, spaced apart from the catch (30), to allow the first slide member (14) to be removed from the second slide member (16). The front release lock (32) and the disconnect lock (34) are slidably secured within a bracket (36) with bias springs (38, 40) urging the release lock (32) into the lock position and the disconnect lock (34) into the retaining position.

Abstract: A molded foam pool chair (12) is provided by a continuous form (26) of pliable foam material of constant density having varying thicknesses to provide a rigid base portion (30) and an elastic seat portion (28). The rigid base portion (30) extends around and is continuous with the elastic seat portion (28). The rigid base portion (30) defines a peripheral edge (44) having a shape and has cross-sectional areas of sufficient thickness and width to prevent substantial distortion of the shape of the peripheral edge (44) between unloaded and loaded conditions. The elastic seat portion (28) has an upper surface (62), a lower surface (64) and a thickness (48) for receiving a substantial portion of the weight of a person and extending downward within water into a loaded position (68), such that the upper surface (62) of the elastic seat portion (28) when in the loaded position (68), is disposed substantially beneath an unloaded seat position (66) defined by the lower surface (64) when disposed in an unloaded position.

Abstract: A chassis lock (32) for drawer slide (12) is provided by a slot (20) and a rotary lock member (34). The rotary lock member (34) has a disk-shaped body (36) with an arcuately shaped cutout portion defining a cam follower surface (38). A stop protuberance (42) extends from the rotary lock member (34) with opposite ends (47, 49) which locate the rotary lock member (34) in an open position and a closed position. A torsion spring (50) urges the rotary lock member (34) into the closed position. The weight of a drawer is applied through a mounting lug (30) to the cam follower surface (38), to move the rotary lock member (34) to the open position which aligns the cam follower surface (38) for passing the mounting lug (30) into a lock section (26) of the slot (20). When in the closed position, the disk-shaped portion (36) of the rotary lock member (34) prevents removal of the mounting lug (30) from within the lock section (26) of the slot (20).

Abstract: A nail holder (12) has a housing (20) which includes a frame (22) and a guard plate (24). Two grip plates (56, 58) are slidably secured within the housing (20) in opposed relation and have recesses (64) aligned in registration for receiving the shank (16) of a nail (14). Two actuator plates (76, 78) are disposed on opposite sides of the two grip plates (56, 58), spaced apart from respective ones of the grip plates (56, 58) by coil springs (70, 72). Opposite ends of the coil springs (70, 72) fit within recesses (68, 84) formed in respective ones of the grip plates (56, 58) and the actuator plates (76, 78). A user presses the actuator plates (76, 78) lineally inward to press the coil springs (70, 72) against the grip plates (56, 58) and lineally move the grip plates (56, 58) together to squeeze against the shank (16) of the nail (14).

Abstract: A strut (12) is configured for an active suspension system (142) which provides electronic control for both the force applied by the strut (12) and the dampening characteristics of the strut (12). A compressible fluid (18) is used within the strut (12), and preferably includes a compressible base fluid and electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) which are suspended in the compressible base fluid. The electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) are preferably closely matched in density and modulas of elasticity to that of the compressible base fluid to prevent sedimentation of the particles (132) and to maintain the elasticity of the compressible fluid (18). The amount compressible fluid (18) within the strut (12) is electronically controlled to determine the force applied by the strut (12) and a field strength applied to the compressible fluid in a fluid flow passage is electronically controlled to determine the dampening characteristics of the strut (12).

Abstract: A drawer slide has a pin and torsion spring lock (28) for securing an intermediate slide member (16) relative to a cabinet member (18). A lock pin (154) has a head (180) and a shank (178). A groove (182) is formed into the shank (178). A torsion spring (156) is secured to the intermediate slide member (14) and engages the groove (182) to urge the lock pin (154) into a first position within a slot (158) formed in the intermediate slide member (16). The head (180) of the lock pin (154) extends on an opposite side of the intermediate slide member (16) from the torsion spring (156). Two stops (162, 164) are disposed on the cabinet slide member (18) for engaging with the head (180) of the lock pin (154). A release member (172) is embossed in the web portion (44) of the chassis member (14).

Abstract: A bearing drawer slide (10) has an inner slide member (16) which is slidably extensible from within an outer slide member (14). Captives bearings (28) have elongate bodies (29) for locating in fixed relation to a rearward end (20) of the inner slide member (16), disposed within the bearing spaces (48) between the inner slide member (16) and the outer slide member (14), with sides (31, 33) of the elongate bodies fitting against bearing races (36, 46) of the outer and inner slide members (14, 16). The captive bearings (28) are moveable with the inner slide member (16) relative to the outer slide member (14), and prevent movement of the rearward end (20) of the inner slide member (16) relative to the outer slide member (14) in directions which are transverse to the directions in which inner slide member (14) extends relative to the outer slide member (16), particularly when the inner slide member (14) is fully retracted within the outer slide member (16).

Abstract: A cleaning tool (12) includes cleaning utensil (18), a handle (14) and a deflector vane (30). The deflector vane (30) is pivotally attached to the cleaning utensil (18), and defines a deflector surface (40) having a peripheral edge (46) which is shaped to define two side lobes (48) and a notch (52) in a central portion thereof. The deflector surface (40) has an edge profile (44) which is of an arcuate shape. Two ribs (54) extend in parallel from a side (42) of the deflector vane (30) which is opposite the deflector surface (40). A brace (34) is removably secured in different positions relative to the two ribs (54) for determining an angle between the handle (14) and the deflector vane (30) during downstrokes, to control a level of force which presses the utensil (18) against a surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A Y-connect fastener (210) is provided for firmly fastening ceiling fan blades (26) to mounting brackets (20). A plurality of protuberant members (32) extend upwardly from the mounting brackets (20), and have head portions (72) and shank portions (74) which fit through apertures (62) in the ceiling fan blades (26). The fastener (210) has an upper surface (214), a lower surface (216), and peripheral edge portions (220) extending between the upper and lower surfaces (214, 216). Openings (224, 226) are formed in the peripheral edge portions (220) in alignment for sliding the opening (226) over one of the shank portions (74), and then rotating the fastener (210) to twist the two openings (224) around two of the shank portions (74), pressing the fastener (210) between the head portions (72) of the protuberant members (32) and the upper surface of ceiling fan blade (26).