Abstract: A truck step securable to a vehicle via a mounting bracket an having a step arm capable of swiveling between a "storage" position underneath the vehicle and an "in use" position where the step arm extends outward from under the vehicle. A distal end of the step arm is provided with a step plate where a user's foot may be placed when stepping into the vehicle, and a proximal end of the step arm is provided with a lower swivel plate which swivels relative to an upper swivel plate provided on the mounting bracket. The lower and upper swivel plates have mating valleys and ridges to lock the step in one of several positions.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the time and number of times each cow in a herd is mounted for purposes of determining the most successful time to artificially inseminate cows. The system employs a single hand held receiving unit for remotely communicating with multiple individual recording units secured to the backs of the cattle. The receiving unit can remotely and selectively reset counters contained within the recording units and can remotely and selectively poll the recording units to obtain data on mounting activity for each cow. The data can be viewed on a display provided on the receiving unit or can be downloaded to a computer via a computer port provided on the receiving unit. The recording unit employs a unique switch for sensing mounting activity.

Abstract: A motorcycle ramp which is installed in a rear passenger compartment of a wheelchair converted van to allow a full-size motorcycle to be loaded into, transported within and unloaded out of the van by a single person. Parallel supporting rods are mounted to the floor of the van at an incline so the front end of the supporting rods are higher than their rear ends. A plate onto which the front wheel of the motorcycle can be driven and secured is movably provided mounted on the support rods. The plate is provided with a first reversible motor, activated by a first three-way switch in order to move the plate forward or rearward on the supporting rods.

Abstract: The invention is a cold rolling process which converts rods of hot rolled metal into strips with width to thickness ratios as high as approximately 17 to 1. The process cools the rod between successive rolling mills and employs feed backward tension controls to direct the speed of each individual upline rolling mill in order to reduce the thermal and mechanical shock experienced by the rod as it is flattened into a strip.

Abstract: A plug holder securable to a vehicle for removably receiving the vehicle's electrical pigtail plug when the plug is not in use. The plug holder is provided with a front, a back and two side walls which join together with a floor in order to define a top opening open space in the plug holder into which the plug removably inserts. The front wall is provided with graduated vertical ribs against which the plug wedges as it is inserted into the plug holder as a means of retaining it therein. The floor of the plug holder is provided with moisture releasing openings which allow moisture to escape from the open space.

Abstract: A graduated drinking mug having a handle with a movable clip for keeping track of the number and total volume of refills. The clip has a window through which numerals of a first scale are visible. The numerals of the first scale range from 0 through 10 and represent the number of refills of the mug. The clip is provided with pointers which point to scales showing the total volume of liquid corresponding to the number of refills for 8 ounce refills and 10 ounce refills.

Abstract: A device removably attaches to a skid steer and is used for breaking up asphalt, concrete, etc. A hollow rod is suspended from the device, and a nipple provides liquid communication to the interior rod chamber of the hollow rod. A head is provided on a lower end of the rod and a cylinder is movably provided around the rod's lower end so that upper and lower cylinder chambers are formed within the cylinder, above and below the head. Perforations provided in the lower end of the rod provide liquid communication between the rod chamber and the upper cylinder chamber. The lower cylinder chamber is charged with gas. A weight and a breaking tool attach to the bottom end of the cylinder and move upward and downward in conjunction therewith. A switch provided on the frame is tripped as the weight is raised, thus sending an electrical impulse to a timer, causing it to momentarily supply electricity to dump and directional valves, simultaneously closing them.

Abstract: A device for mixing compressed air and abrasive and providing the air/abrasive mixture to a delivery gun for use in artistic abrasive blasting. The device is provided with a vessel having an upper chamber for holding abrasive. Compressed air is supplied to a head space located in the upper chamber above the abrasive. An air delivery line extends from the head space to a mixing chamber located below the upper chamber in order to supply compressed air thereto. An adjustable mixing valve admits abrasive from the upper chamber into the mixing chamber where the abrasive is mixed with the compressed air before it exits the mixing chamber on its way to the delivery gun.

Abstract: A device for use with artistic sandblasting. The device is a hand-held gun which receives an air/abrasive mixture via a flexible tube which enters the gun through a rear end of the gun. The tube extends through the gun's rear end, between a pinch point and a curved end of an adjustable, spring biased pivotal lever provided internally in the barrel of the gun and attaches to a nozzle removably provided at the front end of the gun. When the trigger is not depressed, the curved end of the lever is biased toward the pinch point, thus squeezing the tube and cutting off flow of the air/abrasive mixture through the gun. The air/abrasive mixture flows through the gun via the tube and out the nozzle when a trigger which is attached to the curved end of the pivotal lever is depressed toward a handle provided on the rear end of the gun and thereby moves the curved end of the lever away from the pinch point, allowing the tube to resume its original unsqueezed configuration.

Abstract: A thermostat for use within a building consisting of a wall-mounted unit and a remote unit movably attached thereto by means of a removable, flexible connecting cable. The remote unit is composed of a separate base portion and a separate movable portion. The base portion is provided with means for attaching the base portion to the back of a room furnishing and the movable portion can removably attach to either the wall-mounted unit when the connecting cable is removed or to the base portion when the connecting cable is reattached. The base portion is provided with "U" shaped sides which form a track for movably receiving the movable portion when the movable portion is disengaged from the wall-mounted unit.

Abstract: A device removably attachable to an electric wire spool to enable the rewinding of electric wire onto the spool in the field. The device is provided with a shaft insertable through central openings provided in the spool so that a longitudinal axis of the shaft is approximately horizontal. A bushing is provided on the shaft on either side of and adjacent to the spool so that a flange provided on each bushing abuts the spool. Each flange is provided with flange openings which can be aligned with pairs of aligned spool openings provided in the spool, and a spool fastener inserts through the aligned spool and flange openings to removably secure the spool to the bushings. Each bushing is provided with bushing openings which align with shaft holes provided in the shaft.

Abstract: A monitor for detecting external bleeding from a puncture site on a patient. The monitor is provided with a self-sticking bandage portion on one end connected by means of a flexible connecting strip to a self-sticking holder portion on an opposite end. The bandage portion is applied so the puncture site is visible through a transparent window provided over a central opening in the bandage portion. A pair of spaced apart wires encircles the central opening, extends across the connecting strip and removably secures to a portable alarm device containing a battery and alarm connected in series by means of the wires. When the puncture site hemorrhages, blood contacts the wires, allowing electrical current to flow between the wires via the electrically conductive blood and thus supplying electricity to the alarm in order to activate it.