Abstract: An automatically sealing cup composed generally of a cup body, a lid sealingly and releasably connected with the cup body, and an automatic sealing feature that includes, generally, a flexible tube communicating with the interior space of the cup body, an aperture in the lid through which the flexible tube sealingly passes, a pivotable handle associated with the lid wherein the position of the handle determines pinching or unpinching of the tube, and, consequently, sealed and open states, respectively, of the automatically sealing cup, and a biasing member associated with the lid which automatically biases the handle to provide the sealed state. To switch the automatically sealing cup to the open state in which liquid may be extracted therefrom through the tube, a user must continuously apply pressure to the handle, upon the cessation of which the automatically sealing cup automatically reverts to the sealed state.

Abstract: An anti-tipping device for the saddles of weight lifting benches for preventing accidental tipping of barbells with respect to the saddles, wherein an abutment is provided at the rear stem of each saddle of a weight lifting bench. The anti-tipping device has a guide surface having increasing inclination toward the base of the saddle and terminates in a concave surface spaced from the base on the order of at least the diameter of the bar, and having a radius of curvature at least that of the bar. The anti-tipping device is dimensioned to occlude less than half the distance between the front and rear stems of each saddle, so that the saddles will operate in a completely conventional manner in terms of selectively receiving the bar of barbells when the bar is kept adjacent the front stem, but interferingly abuts the bar when the bar is adjacent the rear stem, so that the barbell is prevented from tipping no matter what the weight disparity may be with respect to the two ends of the bar.

Abstract: A grooming portal for being connected with an interior door of a dwelling composed generally of an arch shaped decorative frame which is mounted with respect to an arch shaped opening cut in the interior door contiguous the bottom end thereof and a brush having a flexible backing removably mounted to the frame. When mounted to the frame, the brush provides a plurality of bristles which face radially toward, and project into, the passageway defined by the grooming portal. The frame is decorative, thereby enhancing the look of the interior door. The flexible backing frictionally and/or snappingly fits into the frame and is as wide as the door thickness so as to provide an interior framing for a hollow core or a solid core interior door. A preferred flexible backing material is plastic. It is preferred for the flexible backing to be adjustably mountable to the frame to thereby accommodate the particular size of the user's pet.

Abstract: A traction enhancement device for vehicle wheels for use in the event of an emergency. The traction enhancement device includes a traction member for being placed across the periphery of the tire of a drive wheel. A first strap is connected with one end of the traction member and is provided with a series of closely spaced ramped serrations. A second strap is connected with the other end of the traction member and is provided with a sleeve for receiving therethrough the ramped serrations portion of the first strap, wherein a detent engages the ramped serrations in a ratchet-type manner so as to permit the first strap to slide in the sleeve in only one direction. The traction member may be provided with an engagement surface having an irregular contour to thereby enhance traction of the tire with respect to the surface in question.

Abstract: An integrated pillow case and fitted sheet, wherein the location of the pillow case is definitely defined with respect to the fitted sheet, and wherein the pillow contained therein is not readily accessible to a would-be pilferer. The integrated pillow case and fitted sheet is composed of a fitted sheet having conventional elastic portions for form fitting upon a mattress, and further has one or more pillow cases connected thereto. In a first example, a sheet slit having an upper side and a lower side is provided in the fitted sheet at the head thereof and a case slit also having an upper side and a lower side is provided in an otherwise closed pillow case. The upper side of the sheet slit and the case slit are mutually sewn together, as is the lower side thereof. A pillow is inserted into the pillow case through the mutually aligned sheet and case slits.

Abstract: A compound bib having a primary bib member for protecting the exterior surface of garments at the chest of the bib wearer and a secondary bib member for protecting the chest and adjacent front neck area under surface of the garments of the wearer from spill soilage. Preferably, both the primary bib member and the secondary bib member are each a laminate composed of a liquid absorbent outer layer and a liquid impermeable inner layer. In use, the secondary bib member is tucked under all the garments of the wearer so that it lies adjacent the front of the neck and abutting the chest skin of the wearer. Accordingly, in the event a spill runs down the neck of the wearer, the secondary bib member will serve as a shield thereagainst with respect to the wearer's garments.

Abstract: A tool to facilitate placement of a flaccidly flexible protective sleeve onto a hose includes a hollow tube to receive the protective sleeve thereon, and a conical end portion removably attached to the tube for facilitating sliding placement of the protective sleeve onto the tube. In use, a protective sleeve is slid over the conical end portion and onto the tube, the end portion is removed from the tube, and a hose is passed through the hollow center of the tube. The protective sleeve is then slid off the end of the tube onto the hose simultaneously as the hose is pulled through the tube to thereby transfer the protective sleeve onto the hose.

Abstract: A knotless scarf composed of a square piece of cloth material. The cloth material is provided with a first fold diagonally to form a triangle having two acutely angled corners. The cloth material is then provided with a second fold which brings together the acutely angled corners. A pattern is then placed thereover, and the cloth material is thereupon provided with a cut edge as delineated by the shape of the pattern. The cut edge includes a pair of neck segments. The cloth material is then unfolded along the second fold, wherein a neck segment is located on each side of the cloth material. The cut end of the cloth material is then sewed together, excepting the terminal end of each of the neck segments. The material is then turned inside out so that the sewing seam is hidden. Lastly, the two neck segments are sewed together to thereby form a narrowest portion of the scarf. The scarf so made is easily slipped over the head and worn comfortably about the neck.

Abstract: An illuminated landscape edging composed of a planar member which is structured to be implanted into the ground and by a tubular member which is structured to be located above ground. In the preferred form of the invention, the tubular member is light passable and is provided with a slit running its length. Both the planar and tubular members are integrally constructed of plastic. The illuminated landscape edging is elongated and is provided in long rolls which may be cut into sections to suit the length needs of a particular landscaping job. Sections of the illuminated landscape edging are joined by a slotted tubular connector inserting into open ends of adjoining tubular members. A lighting string, such as miniature Christmas lights, is inserted into the tubular member via passage through the slit in the tubular member progressively therealong. A slot in the slotted tubular connector enables the lighting string to be passed therethrough, as well.

Abstract: A pre-assembled disc stack having a predetermined cross-section within a preset tolerance which is installable and removable as a unit with respect to a drive, brake or a combination thereof, composed of a plurality of annular discs stacked in a prearranged order, in which a first set of annular discs is structured for engaging a first component of a drive, brake or combination thereof, and in which a second set of annular discs is structured for engaging a second component of the clutch, brake or combination thereof which is rotatably mounted with respect to the first component. The first and second sets of annular discs are mutually connected together as a unit by a plurality of alignment pins which pass through circumferentially disposed alignment holes in the second set of annular discs which effectively trap the first set of annular discs with respect to the second set of annular discs in the aforesaid prearranged order.

Abstract: A pressurized water jet dental hygiene apparatus which connects to a conventional faucet, composed of a two-component coupling, a flexible tube, and a hand held nozzle connected with the flexible tubing. A first component of the two-component coupling is threaded onto a selected faucet. The second component of the two-component coupling is connected with the flexible tubing. In operation, the faucet operates normally when the second component of the two-component coupling is removed. When it is desired to operate the fluid jet dental hygiene apparatus, the second component of the coupling is connected with the first component. Now, when water is turned on, water will squirt out the nozzle with a velocity and volume dependent upon the water pressure delivered at the faucet and relative amount the faucet valve (or valves) is (are) opened. The user then holds the nozzle such as to provide jetable cleansing of his or her dental tissues.

Abstract: A scrub brush which is structured to be comfortably and controllably held, has a variety of bristles for facilitating scrubbing of variously oriented surfaces, and has a shape which facilitates scrubbing of corners as well as flat and gently curved surfaces. The scrub brush is composed of a body having a main portion of substantially rectangular shape and a nose portion of substantially of triangular shape. The body has a bottom, an opposite top and an edge therebetween. The top is preferably domed for comfortably form fitting into the palm of a user's hand when the user grasps the scrub brush body. The nose portion forms an elongated tip which faces directly away from the main body along a longitudinal axis, and which is elongated along a vertical axis that is oriented perpendicular with respect to the bottom. A ridge is provided on the edge adjacent the top for facilitating a user's fingers and thumb to grasp hold of the scrub brush body.

Abstract: An automatic toilet seat lowering mechanism, generally composed of a water pressure sensor connected with the water supply to the toilet, a seat closure unit for effecting automatic closure of the toilet seat with a regulated rate of descent, and mechanical linkage between the water pressure sensor and the seat closure unit for automatically actuating closure of the toilet seat when the water pressure sensor detects a drop in line pressure occasioned by commencement of flushing of the toilet. The aforesaid components are easily retrofitted to an existing conventional tank-type or non-tank-type toilet with very little effort and essentially no modification. A manual over-ride in the mechanical linkage permits manual lowering of the toilet seat at any time.

Abstract: A clip which secures wiring to a base structure, composed of a head for holding the wiring and a stanchion for connecting the head with a base structure. The head is provided with an upper portion and hingably connected lower portion. The lower portion is provided with a wiring seat, a flexible retention arm and a first toothed surface member. The upper portion is provided with a flexible biasing arm, an abutment arm and a second toothed surface member. A retainer arm is connected with the lower portion of the head for preventing unintentional disengagement of the first and second toothed members. In operation, the upper portion is pivoted on the hinge toward the lower portion, during this movement, the first and second toothed surface members will mutually engage in a ratchet-like manner, while the retention arm is pressed against the wiring by abutting action of the biasing arm. Depending on the wiring diameter the abutment arm may abuttably engage the wiring.

Abstract: An automatic mooring system for vessels utilizing a transmitter, a transmitter controlled connector assembly at the distal end of each mooring line and a transmitter controlled retraction assembly at the near end of each mooring line. The connector assembly includes a clasp equipped with a hinged gate which is normally locked in a closed position, but is openable in automatic response to a predetermined signal from the transmitter. This function is accomplished within the clasp by a solenoid operated release mechanism, a receiver wired to the solenoid, and a battery power pack for operating the aforesaid electronics. The retraction assembly is connected with the hull of the vessel and includes a reel that is springably biased to retract its associated mooring line, and is further regulated by a control mechanism. The control mechanism is operated in automatic response to the transmitter via a receiver, a solenoid wired with the receiver and an electrical supply for powering the aforesaid electronics.

Abstract: A tapered mounting for cutters which automatically provides accurate positioning of a cutter with respect to a holder. More particularly, the tapered mounting provides a concentric and perpendicular mounting of the cutter with respect to a centerline of rotation of the holder. The tapered cutter mounting in part provided by a frustoconically shaped shank, which is provided with one or more keys. The tapered mounting is further in part provided by a conically shaped bore in the cutter, the conically shaped bore having keyways for accepting the keys. The conically shaped bore surface is dimensioned to firmly engage the frustoconically shaped shank surface so that the cutter is precisely aligned concentrically and perpendicularly with respect to the centerline of rotation of the holder. The cutter hub is held fast with respect to the holder by operation of a hold down screw or bolt which threadably engages with respect to the holder.

Abstract: A suspendable tray for being suspended from an overhead structure, which is particularly intended for use by tradesmen, composed of a tray and a pair of adjustable length suspension members connected thereto. One end of each of the suspension members terminates in a holding member for holding the suspension members with respect to some overhead structure in a selectively releasable manner. Further according to the present invention, the tray may have compartments and other provisions for neat and ready placement of tools and supplies.

Abstract: A ball nose cutter having a replaceable single cutter insert in which the cutting edges thereof include a pair of mutually spaced apart cutting tips, one cutting tip at a time being selected for use by being located at the centerline of rotation of the ball nose cutter. The cutter insert is of circular cross-section for rotatably seating within a circularly cross-sectioned groove in a cutter body. A bore in the cutter insert is aligned with an off-axis threaded bore in the cutter body so that a holder screw which passes therethrough threadably holds the cutter insert with respect to the cutter body. A planar face is provided adjacent each cutting edge, wherein each planar face has an orientation so that the selected cutting tip is exactly located on the centerline rotation of the ball nose cutter.