Abstract: A lawn device, such as a mower, which includes a cutter assembly for cutting grass or similar matter and which also includes a power driven impeller located next to the cutter assembly. The impeller receives the clippings produced by the cutter assembly and propels such clippings through a conduit into a suitable collection bag carried by the device.

Abstract: A combination carrying case and step unit wherein the case is adapted to contain small articles and is rigid to support the weight of a user standing thereon. The case is provided with means having two operative positions which serves in an extended position to be grasped by a user standing thereon and which has a second retracted position convenient for transport of the case from place to place.

Abstract: A golf training device for indicating a predetermined desired shifting of the weight of a golfer during a golf stroke, wherein a member is clamped to the sole of a shoe at the instep and mounts a spring plate extending laterally from the shoe and mounting at its outer end a ground engaging member. The spring has a deformed portion intermediate its length which produces an audible signal when a predetermined flexure of the spring plate occurs incident to a change of the angular position of the shoe as a proper or desired golf stroke is nearing completion.

Abstract: A latch for sliding and folding doors including confronting plates mounted on the edge of a door and on a door jamb respectively. One plate has an opening and pivotally mounts a retainer or actuator. The other plate has a latching projection receivable in the opening of said first plate and undercut to accommodate reception of a portion of said actuator in one pivoted position thereof to prevent opening of said door.

Abstract: A fluid valve having a housing with an inlet and outlet. A valve closure is carried between the inlet and outlet by a stem journaled within the housing. A handle which is rotative relative to the stem and which is utilized to rotate the valve closure is provided. A lock member is carried by the valve housing and is contacted by the handle which, upon rotation, causes the lock member to rotate with the handle relative to the valve housing. A connector extends between the valve stem and the lock member so that, upon movement of the lock member, the connector causes the valve stem to rotate, thus rotating the valve closure within the valve housing.

Abstract: A wind deflector which is mounted spacedly above the roof of a vehicle towing a trailer and which includes a baffle at its leading edge to displace and direct air flow between the deflector and the vehicle roof for the purpose of improving the stability and ride of the vehicle and to reduce the formation of eddies in the air flow between the deflector and the trailer.

Abstract: An adjustable spring loaded agricultural tool mounting accommodating pivotal movement of the tool relative to a normal operative relation to an implement frame when said tool encounters an obstacle. The tool includes a part projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the tool pivot and a longitudinally extensible and adjustable strut is pivoted in upwardly and rearwardly spaced relation to the tool pivot and bears against the upper free end portion of said upwardly and rearwardly extending tool part. At least one of said strut and said upwardly and rearwardly projecting tool part includes a spring portion.

Abstract: A plumbing valve having a plastic body with a lateral outlet and adapted for threaded connection with a metal pipe and including a resilient seal engaged and compressible upon connection of said valve body and pipe to maintain a seal therebetween incident to varying rates of expansion and contraction of said valve body and pipe with temperature changes. The valve has a rotatable actuator with an eccentric longitudinal part mounting a resilient tube having a portion pressed into contact with the cavity of the body to seal the outlet in one position and a second longitudinal part spaced from said concentric part and cooperating therewith to confine a part of said tube against radial expansion incident to liquid pressure from said metal supply pipe and retaining said tube against endwise displacement on said eccentric part.

Abstract: A combination shipping and display container comprising an enclosure member and an article carrying tray fitting within said enclosure member for shipping. The enclosure member has a tubular body with projections at its ends defining end panels and retaining tabs. The enclosure member is transversely cut at two side panels and a face panel and creased at a bottom panel to facilitate folding to define an inclined tubular tray receiving easel part and a tubular strut. The tabs are interconnected to maintain the folded position.

Abstract: A baker for waffles, pancakes and similar food items which includes a pair of hinged shell members in which the food item is baked. The shell members are supported upon a base and each includes an electrical heating element. The hinge connection between the shell members accommodates the wiring for the heating elements. Such wiring extends through a shaft member to an electrical power source, with the shaft member accommodating rotation of the shell members as a unit relative to the base.

Abstract: A process of compression stressing shot pellets to increase the fatigue strength or resistance thereof to brittle fractures by impact of the pellets during shot peening and cleaning operations wherein the elastic radial tensile stress at the surface of the pellets is maintained at a safe low value during initial compression stressing and preparation for and performance of peening and cleaning operations. The process entails subjecting the pellets initially to compression stresses of sufficiently low value to avoid the spontaneous formation of superficial or surface cracks in pellets formed of notch sensitive material and then subjecting the pellets to stresses normal in shot peening and cleaning operations.

Abstract: An injector having a bore with an inlet and outlet therein and a vacuum responsive piston slidable within the bore. The piston carries a valve part which in conjunction with the inlet into the housing serves to regulate liquid flow being drawn from a reservoir through the housing and injected into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine in a manner responsive to the amount of vacuum created within the engine cylinders.

Abstract: An escape device which includes a housing from which the user of the device is supported. The housing journals a drum about which a cable is coiled. During use of the device the free end of the cable is secured to a building part while the user being supported by the housing descends to the ground. A braking mechanism is incorporated in the housing to regulate the rate of descent of the housing and supported user.

Abstract: A car top load carrier characterized by a rigid sectional support frame adapted to be mounted on the top of a vehicle and having spaced roller retaining tracks and means releasably interconnecting the frame sections, and a rigid load carrying member having a sectional frame journaling a plurality of track engaging rollers spaced along the length thereof and supporting wheels journaled at one end thereof.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion formed of marginally bonded superimposed flexible thermoplastic sheet material characterized by a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced thermally bonded areas each of a thickness less than the combined thickness of the component sheet material and characterized by a plurality of integral closely spaced ribs projecting from one surface, and by a marginal integral portion of greater thickness than the combined thicknesses of the component sheet material. The bonded areas are formed by a method wherein superimposed sheets are pressed to a predetermined extent between a supporting surface and a die heated to a temperature above the melting point of the thermopolastic sheet material and characterized by a plurality of closely spaced ribs substantially uniformly engaging said sheet material while bearing on said supporting surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of guiding a portable power-saw across a workpiece being sawn. Apparatus for use in this method comprises a guide member which has a substantially flat surface which may be placed on the flat surface of the workpiece. The guide member has a straight edge and located on the flat surface of the guide member is a rod-holder which is orientated at a right angle or any other desired angle to the straight edge. A rod of material such as wood or plastic is inserted in the rod holder so that the rod extends therefrom for a few inches. The power-saw is then run along the straight edge of the guide member, with the sole plate of the saw maintained in snug contact therewith, until the rod is severed. Then the distance from the severed end of the rod to the straight edge is exactly the same as the distance between the sole plate edge and the saw blade.

Abstract: An animal toilet having a frame supported conveyor belt upon which the animal deposits its excreta. One end of the conveyor belt is pivoted to the toilet frame with the opposite end of the belt being supported upon a trip lever which is depressed when the animal steps upon the belt and which after the animal leaves the belt actuates a motor to cause the belt to rotate and to be cleaned.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle with an expansible section is provided with means accommodating extension and retraction of the section with minimum physical exertion, means to guide the movement of the expansible section to prevent binding and improper positioning thereof, and means effectively sealing the vehicle body at the extension-receiving opening thereof in both extended and retracted positions of the expansible section.

Abstract: An article carrier having a back to which is connected a belt loop carrying a clip. The clip may be utilized as an alternative means to the belt loop for attaching the carrier to the belt or a pocket.

Abstract: The closure counterbalance is for attachment as a strut between a movable closure which is hingedly fastened to a support structure. The counterbalance includes a pair of tubular members telescopingly connected together in sliding relationship. A compression coil spring within the members urges the members apart. A wooden rod is provided within the tubular members. The wooden rod fixed extends into the spring in sliding relationship therewith to support and guide the spring and prevent the spring from buckling against the inner surface of the tubular members.