Abstract: A lever pivot safety stop socket for fluorescent lamps. The device consists of a molded plastic housing which includes electrical contact strips, attached to power leads; and a plastic, levered and slotted rotor. The rotor fits into an opening in the housing face, leaving its lever portion outside, and able to turn the rotor. Both housing top and lever portion include a wide slot, and when the lever is pointing towards the housing top, the slots line up. This is the lamp installation position, allowing lamp terminal end pins to be easily dropped into the housing slot and into the rotor slots. The lamp can then be rotated a quarter turn in either direction by the lever, to make a full connection with the power contacts in the housing. Provision is made so that no more than a quarter turn can be made from the installation position in either direction, avoiding “opens”, arcing and possible damage. A mounting bracket is attached to the housing for mounting the socket.

Abstract: An improved suitcase base and an improved pulling handle for use in a soft-sided suitcase and a hard-sided suitcase, giving the luggage, easy pulling characteristics. The base is nearly symmetrical in shape, with a V-shaped bottom wall forming an obtuse angle, which creates good ground clearance for the suitcase bottom under all conditions of towing over flat or uneven surfaces. Provision is made for securely latching the pulling handle while stored, and for quick, easy release from storage for pulling handle deployment. A duffle bag luggage carrier that incorporates the improved base, is also described. The improved base and quick-release pulling handle are easily adaptable to different styled soft-sided and hard-sided suitcases, and for non-suitcase luggage carriers.

Abstract: A precision adjustable woodworking platform that is self-calibrating and designed to move a tool very accurately back and forth horizontally and up and down. One of a number of different woodworking tools is fastened in a saddle that can be rotated and set at a selected angle for operations such as mitering. A floating work table is provided for holding a workpiece at any angle to a cutting tool movement direction. At the same time, the floating work table can be moved precisely forward and backward. The invention woodworking platform is relatively inexpensive, while providing for accurate straight, angled and depth cuts; all without needing external instruments.

Abstract: An improved device for athletic exercise by pulling at a resisting force. The device consists of a number of spring housing assemblies that are stacked and clamped in a column with at least one pulley wheel assembly to which a cord and pull handle is attached. A grooved metal shaft is disposed throughout the column longitudinal axis to drive all the constant-force spring assemblies which are stacked inside the device when the pulley wheel is caused to rotate. A person uses the device by first selecting which spring assemblies he wants to produce a particular resisting force level, by pushing separate selector levers, one for each spring. He then pulls at the pull handle to experience the chosen resisting force. The device design allows a user the choice of many resisting force levels, using only a small number of spring assemblies. The device is small, light in weight and conveniently shaped for easy attachment to any suitable restraining object.

Abstract: A dual-ended key ring holder device that allows a key ring to be quickly released from one end. Provision is made for display of artwork or advertising and a space inside the holder is provided for storing a currency note. The device employs a strong attractive magnetic force produced by two permanent magnets to ensure that a removable key-ring portion is normally held tightly to the holder. The device is small in size, inexpensive and reliable.

Abstract: An addition of a fine adjustment flow-control mechanism that produces changes in fluid flow in increments of 0.1% or less, to any configuration high pressure fluid flow control valve that employs an axial valve stem and a rotatable rough control knob that moves the stem axially in increments of 1.0% or more, opening the valve flow chamber to fluid flow. The valve stem is designed and driven so that it does not rotate or twist, and particular provision is made to eliminate fine control drive tolerance build-up. These aspects produce a very high degree of adjustment accuracy during operation of the flow control valve.

Abstract: A locking neck ring device that is placed over a capped bottle or container and grips the bottle neck ring, and together with a padlock or other securing means, prevents access to the bottle cap. The locking device comprises a clamp member that jackets a capped bottle neck; a cover which fits over the clamp member causing it to clamp on to the neck below the neck ring, and means to hold the clamp member to the cover. Provision is made for attaching a padlock or other securing means which holds the locking ring device in place. The bottle or container cap can then not be accessed for removal. The device is applicable to all sizes of drug containers, wine and liquor bottles for effectively locking access to the container contents.

Abstract: A variable vortex, baffle fluid filter apparatus for installation primarily in urban storm water drain sumps. A circular, filter channel that is enclosed on all four sides by filter screens, includes a cylindrical baffle screen that is attached concentrically below the channel for moving impurities to the sump bottom. Provision is made for manually adjusting the velocity of the fluid inlet flow. An angle adjustable, pivotable vane is provided in front of the inlet opening to adjust inlet flow velocity and vortex strength, to keep inlet impurities from sticking to the filter screens. The filter unit provides 150 percent more treatment capacity than comparable filter units and provides easy access for maintenance to all parts.

Abstract: A dual-sided key ring holder that allows a key ring to be released from one end. The device uses a real or equivalent shell casing, and a real or equivalent shaped bullet member that fits in the mouth of the shell casing. The bullet member includes a hole in the nose for fastening a key ring thereto. A spring-loaded piston which is disposed inside the shell casing, normally acts on the bullet member to retain the bullet member in the casing. The piston includes a rigid tab which projects from the head of the shell casing and may be manually pulled to release the bullet member with a key ring from the casing. Provision is also made for fastening a key ring to the tab.

Abstract: A multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture which includes provision for mounting a linear fluorescent lamp on each of its for sides. A single ballast, contained inside the fixture reflector housing, is rated to start and supply four lamps and is wired for connection to up to four sets of bracket-mounted lamp sockets. The light fixture may be mounted in any of three orthogonal illumination directions using one to four installed lamps. A single invention light fixture can replace at least five presently available individual light fixtures, and provides new field installation options for contractors and customers.

Abstract: An adjustable grip clasping device which comprises a post and a catch that clasps the post to hold an entry door open or a cabinet door closed. The catch may be mounted on a door and the post mounted in a door frame or wall baseboard, or the positions reversed. The catch utilizes a clamshell-like clasping mechanism to grip the post, and includes provision for a manual adjustment of the strength of the catch grip to suit an acceptable pull strength for release of the post from the catch. The device is inexpensive to produce, and readily adaptable for a broad range of clasping applications that include temporarily holding and securing light weight objects.

Abstract: A latching device which comprises a cabinet door catch member and a cabinet probe member that is adapted to engage the catch member. The probe member includes a floating shaft that is disposed axially in a housing, and which includes a projection that is shaped and positioned to engage a groove in the catch member when the door is closed. Provision is made for automatic separation and opening of the cabinet door when the catch member is released by the probe member shaft. Release of the catch member is effected by a single smart rap on the outside of the door. The device is simple, reliable and economical to produce.

Abstract: An addition of a fine adjustment flow-control mechanism that produces changes in fluid flow in increments of 0.1% or less, to any configuration high pressure fluid flow control valve that employs an axial valve stem and a rotatable rough control knob that moves the stem axially in increments of 1.0% or more, opening the valve flow chamber to fluid flow. The valve stem is designed and driven so that it does not rotate or twist, and provision is made to minimize control drive tolerance build-up. These aspects produce a high degree of adjustment accuracy during operation of the flow control valve.

Abstract: A system for locating a vehicle that is parked in a parking lot, a parking garage or on a street. The system comprises two separate signal generator/processor circuits, each circuit being contained in a module, one being a hand-held locator module and the other, a receive/response module that is installed in a vehicle. Both modules, when activated by user, communicate with the other by means of specially encoded radio signals. To find a parked vehicle, a user merely presses a pushbutton on the locator module which transmits a high frequency search signal. In response, the receive/response module emits a direction indicating signal to the locator module, which then displays the direction and elevation of the vehicle with respect to the user location. Provision is made for the receive/response module to operate without a connection to a vehicle battery if necessary, allowing the module to be used portably. The system is small in size, inexpensive and easy to use.

Abstract: A cable end locking device that is used for securing the swaged end of a cable that is attached to a portable equipment. The device is simple, having only three parts: a tubular shell with an axial hole in one end for inserting a cable end, a tubular piston with an axial bore that is located inside the shell, and a key-operated cylinder lock that locks the piston in place. The piston bore hole and shell end hole are offset, which reduces the cable aperture, so that when locked, an inserted cable end can not be pulled out of the shell hole. An alternative embodiment of the device does not use a cylinder lock as the locking means. Instead, means are provided for a wire rope, cable, shaft or padlock to be used to lock the piston in place. The device can also be used to secure the end of a shaft.

Abstract: An easily pulled, rolling cooler for storing refrigerables which can be manually towed by pulling a handle that is designed to resist torsion. The cooler has two wheels that are located directly under the cooler center of gravity to minimize pulling strain for the user. Provision is made for the handle to be folded down and stored on the cooler lid when not being used for towing. The cooler bottom is V-shaped, providing good ground clearance for the back end of the cooler when being towed over uneven ground. The cooler is light weight, compact and easily fitted in a car trunk or in a van for travel to picnics.