Abstract: Improved manhole cover locks are disclosed that fit into existing access recesses in the covers and engage the rim of the manhole cover housing at one end thereof and latchingly engage the underside of the manhole cover thereof. A tamper proof bolt provides adjustability to the latch from the top of the lock.

Abstract: A manually operable ceiling tile cutting tool has a blade slidably retained in one of several pockets or slots in the tool. Each of the pockets formed by complementary grooves and ridges defines a flat blade receiving surface, is a differing predetermined distance from a bottom of the tool which corresponds to a standard dimension in a ceiling tile relief for a suspended ceiling.

Abstract: An automated spring detangler takes clumps of springs and whirls them around a rotating chamber. When they separate and fall to the bottom of the container, they are sucked into a delivery tube that continuously individually deposits them at an assembly line which may be remote from the detangler. Any non-separating clumps of springs are periodically ejected from the container.

Abstract: An improved bit assembly for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment includes a streamlined tip assembly that is a combination of conical and cylindrical in shape and devoid of protrusions or annular indentations that might impede the flow of removed material over and around the bit assembly or provide space for removed material to become clogged or imbedded on the tip assembly. The generally cylindrical hollow shank that mounts the bit holder to the bit block includes at least one axially aligned slot along its side wall that allows the side wall to bend supply radial force to maintain the bit holder in the bit block.

Abstract: An improved bit assembly for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment includes a streamlined tip assembly that is a combination of conical and cylindrical in shape and devoid of protrusions or annular indentations that might impede the flow of removed material over and around the bit assembly or provide space for removed material to become clogged or imbedded on the tip assembly. The generally cylindrical hollow shank that mounts the bit holder to the bit block includes at least one axially aligned slot along its side wall that allows the side wall to supply radial force to maintain the bit holder in the bit block.

Abstract: An improved weep vent for use in brick and masonry wall construction includes an adjustability feature that provides a superior vent. The vent includes an outer inverted U-shape casing having an inner smaller inverted U-shape member slidably retained in the casing, and an open mesh insert type plug that fits in front of the casing to keep out insects while allowing water to drain outwardly. During installation, the casing is positioned adjacent the side of bricks of the first course above a foundation or at other locations. The sliding member is extending out the back of the casing until it contacts the balloon frame or masonry, flashing or other obstructions. Then mortar is positioned over the vent. Excessive mortar does not clog the vent.

Abstract: A bit holder for use in a bit assembly in road milling, mining and trenching equipment has a hollow generally cylindrical shank and first and second elongate slots positioned in spaced axial relation through the shank. The first slot extends along the shank to the distal end thereof. The second slot may be altered in length and/or shape to fine tune the outward radial force the shank exerts against the bore of a bit block into which it is inserted.

Abstract: A folding portable laptop computer stand mounts to the bottom of a laptop computer. In folded position, its sides and base parallel the bottom of the computer. The base is flat and sits on the lap of a user, or a desktop. When the sides are unfolded they extend from the base, lift the computer above a user's lap, tilt the keyboard for ease of use and provide space under the computer for a full size mouse pad or stylus drawing pad.

Abstract: An improved scissor-type clamp includes two opposing clam shell type members, one male and one female, that pivot together, are biased outwardly by coil springs and are held together by a thumbscrew. Embodiments feature rectangular and tapered opposed clam shell portions and one embodiment includes identical clam shell members.

Abstract: A package for storing and transporting a stack or column of nested ice cream cones that is hollow, round in circumference with a cylindrical top portion and a conical bottom portion that converges toward a radially extending base. A circular cover snaps on an open top and an enclosure snaps on the bottom to form a base. The package is made of food safe plastic and is shaped to look like a baseball bat.

Abstract: A three-prong electrical plug includes a replaceable ground prong and circuitry inside the plug to preclude its functioning without the ground prong.

Abstract: A single electronic device is disclosed that splits a transport stream in order to simultaneously produce NTSC and ATSC standard outputs with the same video and audio content so that the same content can be viewed side-by-side on a standard definition NTSC television and an ATSC digital HDTV set at the same time.

Abstract: A vibration isolation platform utilizes a plurality of viscoelastic polymer blocks sandwiched between rigid plinths or boards and stacked on top of one another to provide vibration damping additively per layer of the sandwich. Smaller viscoelastic blocks are positioned between the edges of the plinths and the sidewalls of a framework in which the sandwich is mounted to compensate for lack of shear stress in the larger blocks. The platform is pre-loaded to optimum isolation and locked down at the required compression. Optimum isolation is achieved for any electronic component positioned on the platform up to the design weight limit.

Abstract: A pair of elongated, thin, flexible, plastic strips capable of being secured together linearly, around an object to be anchored, such as a bundle of wires, or pipe. One of the strips has means for securing the device to a panel such as a wall.

Abstract: An improved bit assembly for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment includes a streamlined tip assembly that is a combination of conical and cylindrical in shape and devoid of protrusions or annular indentations that might impede the flow of removed material over and around the bit assembly or provide space for removed material to become clogged or imbedded on the tip assembly. The assembly further includes a generally cylindrical spacer that allows a bit removal tool access to the bottom of the assembly to aid in bit removal.

Abstract: An articulated guard rail reflector assembly includes a standardized base adapted for mounting the corrugations of a metal guardrail or on top of a guard rail and a pair of interchangeable top reflector holding members, one being circular in outline and one being trapezoidal in outline to fit in the corrugation of a metal highway barrier. The base member and the reflective member are joined by a spring steel L-shape clip that snaps into place. The base and reflector holding members may be made of sheet or galvanized metal, aluminum, polycarbonate plastic, ABS plastic or the like. The L-shape member is made of spring steel and allows the reflector to be moved backwardly of its direction facing traffic by either brushing forces rubbing against the guardrail, or by the pressure of packed snow being pushed against the guardrail by a motor vehicle carrying a snowplow or the like. Preferred reflector material includes plastic lenses and/or reflective tape.

Abstract: A high definition television player records and plays back HDTV signals in a closed circuit to demonstrate high definition television. The signals are recorded on a hard drive, CD, DVD or the like in discrete 2-meg data blocks, with each block of data being separately identified. The invention provides for continuous looping play of a desired program or programs by identifying the starting data block and ending data block of the program. The program play is begun at the starting block. When the program is finished at the end block, play continues at the start block, and so on until the stop button is pushed.

Abstract: A skimmer filter assembly includes a hollow skimmer box including therein an accordion pleat weir-type water inlet, substantially vertically positioned filter mats and a submersible or external water pump positioned at the rear of the skimmer box. A filter mat holder and dirty sump retain the filter mats in a stable, slightly off vertical position and provide for removal of the dirty sump without repositioning the weir or water pump. The water pump is positioned in a portion of the skimmer box which is not vertically restricted, thus allowing multiple size water pumps to be utilized in their standard upright position without removing the mats to make room for large pumps and providing for servicing or removal of the pumps without disturbing the filter mats the filter mat holder, the dirty sump or the water inlet weir.