Abstract: Both a method and an apparatus for generating electrical energy from the rotation of a wheel are disclosed. The apparatus is disposed within a pneumatic tire of a non-magnetic wheel and includes a non-magnetic support track circumferentially attached around the wheel, at least one coil positioned along the track, a magnet slidably engaging the track, and an actuator attached to the magnet for developing a drag upon the magnet to cause relative motion between the magnet and coil as the wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A knock down projection television cabinet is disclosed which can be quickly and easily assembled from individual flat panels and which can be just as easily disassembled for shipping and storage. The cabinet includes base, side, front and top panel members which define the basic box of the cabinet. Within the box a support panel member correctly positions a standard portable television which serves as an image source. A pair of panel members in the front of the cabinet form a hinged drawer which can hide and protect the projection optics. All of the panel members are held together by knock down type fasteners and thus require no tools for assembly.

Abstract: A rescue net characterized by a base ring, a rail ring, netting covering the base ring and extending between the base ring and rail ring, a hoist assembly, and a number of shroud lines coupling the rail ring to the hoist assembly. The base ring and the rail ring are provided with a number of holes so that they flood and sink upon contact with the water. This allows boating accident victims and the like to be scooped out of the water by lowering the net from a helicopter and dragging the net below the surface of the water towards the victim.

Abstract: An improved tilt meter mechanism characterized by a pyramidal pendulum support for a tilt sensor, and means for leveling the support to zero the sensor. A pair of motor driven gibs movable along vertical rails are provided, and a biasing mechanism urges angled faces of the support firmly against the gibs. To zero the tilt sensor, the motors associated with the gibs are individually actuated to move the gibs in directions substantially normal to the X-Y measurement plane of the sensor to bring the X-Y measurement plane into alignment with a gravitationally normal reference plane.

Abstract: A pool cleaning apparatus characterized by a long, hollow main body coupled to a pressurized swimming pool inlet and supporting a pair of cleaning hoses, a pressure relief valve, and an adjustable nozzle for producing a surface current. A primary cleaning hose sweeps the side and bottom surfaces of the pool, and a secondary cleaning hose follows up after the primary cleaning hose. The adjustable nozzle is used to direct a jet of water towards the surface of the water contained by the pool to create surface currents which urge floating debris towards the swimming pool's skimmers. The pressure relief valve controls the strength and vigor of the cleaning action of the apparatus.

Abstract: A board game characterized by a playing surface provided with indicia dividing the surface into 64 squares or spaces, and indicia within each space including a positioning mark and eight directive lines radiating outwardly from the positioning mark. The directive lines are either inverting directives or non-inverting directives. The game also includes disk shaped playing pieces having color or shade differentiated sides. The pieces are placed upon the positioning marks of the playing surface and moved along the directive lines in an attempt to capture or trap the opponent's pieces. Movement along an inverting directive line causes the pieces to be turned over to modify their power to capture opponent's pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of ravioli and like products characterized by a base, sidewalls rising from the base, a forming roller rotatably coupled to the sidewalls, a platen roller rotatably coupled to the sidewalls in proximity to the forming roller, and means for feeding two sheets of ravioli dough and associated ravioli filling between the two rollers. The forming roller is generally cylindrical and is provided with a cutting grid around its curved surface and a number of ravioli forming areas located within the interstices of the cutting grid. Each ravioli forming area includes a centrally located, saddle shaped relief surrounded by at least one, but preferably two, sealing ridges.

Abstract: An adjustable wire reel including a tubular hub and three arm assemblies extending radially outwardly from the hub. The length of the arm assemblies are quickly adjusted to fit standard wire coil sizes, and the flanged members at the end of the arm assemblies are rotatable between a substantially radial position and a substantially tangential position. A spring locks the flanged members in the radial position.

Abstract: A water deflector assembly characterized by an elongated water deflector, and an adaptor block which couples the water deflector to a pre-existing skimmer provided in the sidewall of a swimming pool. The adaptor block allows a standardized deflector to be attached to a number of different skimmer brands. The water deflector includes an elongated central portion and two oppositely deflected end portions, and is designed to minimize eddy currents and maximize the amount of water deflected towards the skimmer for a given deflector length.

Abstract: A spark arrester characterized by a fixed base assembly attached over the top of a chimney, a pivot assembly attached to the fixed base assembly, and a rotatable assembly rotatably coupled to the pivot assembly. The rotatable assembly is substantially cylindrically shaped having perforate sidewall portions and a perforate top portion. A vane portion of the rotatable assembly orients a windward section of the sidewall portion towards the wind, and a deflection plate attached within the sidewall portions proximate the windward section deflects the prevailing wind up through the top portion of the assembly. Co-action between the upwardly deflected wind and the underside of the vane portion creates a low pressure area over the top portion which substantially increases the draught of the chimney, resulting in reduced risk of chimney fires and an increased burn rate for airborne embers and sparks.

Abstract: A golf score card and pencil holder is disclosed including a main body portion in the form of a tag provided with a loop, an elongated cord laced through holes provided in the main body portion, a split ring linked with the loop, an alligator clip attached to one end of the cord, and a flexible grommet attached to the other end of the cord. In use, a pencil is press-fit through a hole of the grommet, a golf score card is clipped to the alligator clip, and the split ring is attached to a golf bag.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable water sled device is disclosed which includes a joystick for controlling a rudder and an elevator. The base of the water sled device is provided with upwardly extending, hollow side, front and rear walls which are individually fillable with water to vary the buoyancy of the device. A preferred embodiment of this invention further includes a hydrofoil assembly downwardly extending from a forward section of the device and a flotation mattress attached to an upper surface of the device to provide for user comfort and to further allow the buoyancy of the device to be controlled.

Abstract: A battery charger device characterized by a pair of cigarette lighter plugs having their negative contacts coupled together by a conductor and having their positive contacts coupled together by a self-resetting circuit breaker. In use, one of the plugs is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket of a car having a discharged battery and the other plug is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket of another car having a good battery. If the discharged battery starts to draw current that is greater than a predetermined level the current flow is regulated by a rapid cycling on and off of the circuit breaker. When the current drawn by the discharged battery is less than the predetermined level the circuit breaker conducts current between the two batteries with only insignificant IR loss.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low cost, lightweight, portable device for storing and displaying hand stamps by attaching clips to the stamps and then clipping the hand stamps to a vertical lattice. The device can be carried from above or supported from above by a hook in its top, supported on a work surface by an attached flat base plate, or rotatably supported at the side of a work surface by an edge clamp which grips the edge of the work surface.

Abstract: A break down dumping cart is disclosed including a hopper and a support structure which operably supports the hopper and which can be disassembled and stored within the hopper for compact storage and shipping. The support structure includes a pair of side frame members and a number of associated bracing members which cooperate to bracket the hopper on three of its sides, pivotal support members attaching one of the side frame members to the hopper, pivotal over center lever members attaching the other side frame member to the hopper, an axle and wheel assembly attached to a lower section of the side frame members, and a pair of handle members attached to an rearwardly extending from respective ones of the side frame members.

Abstract: A food preparation machine primarily designed for the production of the Italian potato based delicacy gnocchi and characterized by an inclined flouring ramp, a motor driven roller located under the lower end of the ramp, a deflection plate located proximate the roller, and a dough extruder for depositing dough plugs near the top of the ramp so that they roll and slide down the ramp into abutment with the deflection plate and the roller. As the roller is rotated the dough plugs are squeezed through a gap between the roller and the lower edge of the deflection plate to take on the characteristic form of gnocchi. A flouring mechanism is provided to flour the parts of the machine that come into contact with the dough, including the ramp and a rotating knife blade which cuts the extruded dough into the plugs. The roller is threaded from both ends with opposing threads so that the plugs are urged towards the center of the roller as it is rotated.