Abstract: A tub grinder is disclosed in which material which is already sufficiently small in size, primarily being abrasive aggregate or earthen material, may be discharged from the receptacle to bypass the comminution apparatus and thus substantially reduce wear thereto. A portion of the cylindrical wall of the receptacle is provided with classifying openings, for example by providing a screened opening as a band around the receptacle. The classifying openings permit material which is already smaller than the size of the openings to fall therethrough, thereby bypassing the comminution apparatus. Preferably, a conveyor is positioned beneath the receptacle, to catch and discharge the material which falls through the screen or other classifying openings to a pile located away from the receptacle. Sidewalls positioned on either side of the receptacle stop any material which is flung out to the side, and redirect it down onto the conveyer.

Abstract: A pressure dental anesthesia device comprising a needle guiding element attached to a handle and having a tip suitable for pressing against a living tissue area to be anesthetized. The needle guiding element has an elongated cavity which narrows at the pressure tip to localize the needle and widens towards the distal end of the cavity so as to facilitate the positioning and guidance of the hypodermic needle in the cavity at a safe distance from the tissue.

Abstract: A plastic liner is provided for use in a vehicle luggage compartment. The liner has a bottom conforming generally to the shape of the luggage compartment floor, and integral rear, side and front walls, at least some of which generally conform to the walls of the luggage compartment. Integral or removable dividers may be provided to compartmentalize the liner. Grooves may be provided in the liner wall to support such dividers.

Abstract: The holder has an elongated base portion adapted to extend from above one rung of a ladder to below an immediately lower rung, and an elongated cantilevered portion extending integrally from the upper end of the base portion at an angle of preferably less than 90 degrees therefrom. The distal end of the cantilevered portion has an upward hook-like projection to support the bail or handle of a paint can or the like. Preferably, a substantial portion of the cantilevered portion has a cross-section in the form of an upwardly-opening U-shape defining a trough to hold a paint brush, with a drain hole being provided through the bottom of the trough near the distal end. The cantilevered portion preferably has a dam piece near its distal end between the distal end and the location of the drain hole, so that paint cannot run past the dam piece, and can only drain out the drain hole.

Abstract: Sediment can be removed from hot water heaters via the method and apparatus of the invention. The tank is drained and the drain tube is used for access to the bottom of the tank. Water jet probes connected via a hose to a water supply are inserted through the drain valve opening, and are directed in such a way that the sediment is forced into suspension and runs out of the tank through the drain tube, around the probe. Preferably, the water and sediment drain into a pan, and preferably a pump is provided to pump water from the pan to a drain or other remote discharge location.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, economical and effective means of constructing a retaining wall from conventional concrete building blocks. A sheet member is provided, having protrusions which locate in the hollow core portions of the blocks to couple the blocks together. Where a tie-back is desired, the sheet member has an anchoring portion which extends back into the backfill to anchor the wall thereto. In one embodiment, the sheet member is plastic or other non-corrosive substance, with a matrix of dome-like protrusions. In another embodiment, the sheet member can be of a mesh-like construction. In another embodiment, the anchoring portion can be corrugated, with the corrugations running parallel to the wall. In another embodiment, the sheet member can be a sheet of stainless or galvanized steel or the like, or other suitable material, with tab portions stamped therefrom to form the protrusions.

Abstract: Gravimetric metering apparatus for bulk materials is provided, in which a vertically-compliant horizontal platform is supported above a load cell in an operative relationship therewith for detection of weight on the platform. A thin rotating flexible disk is moveable cyclically from a dispensing location, thence across the upper surface of the platform, and thence to a discharge location. Data logging and processing equipment connected to the load cell tracks and adds periodic signals from the load cell, whereby with appropriate calibration the total mass passing across the load cell may be measured, whereby metering may be effected.

Abstract: A trenching plow blade having replaceable wear components is disclosed. A preferably octagonal rod with regularly spaced transverse holes drilled therethrough is welded to the leading edge of the blade. Replaceable leading edge cover pieces each have a channel therein with a shape complementary to the front face of the rod, and transverse holes adapted to align with the transverse holes in the rod. Pins are positioned through the holes to hold the covers in place. Preferably, straight and curved sections of the covers are provided as required. For the toe of the blade, a toe cover is preferably provided. The rod and covers may be supplied as a kit, which is readily installed since the only operation required is welding.

Abstract: An essentially self-balancing reclining chair is provided. The invention may be adapted to for use by any individual, regardless of size, shape or weight. The chair has a base and two parallelogram linkages spaced apart from and facing each other in parallel vertical planes. Each parallelogram linkage has upper, lower, front and rear linkage arms pivotally connected to each other to define the parallelogram. A back support is mounted behind and between the rear linkage arms, a seat support is suspended below and between the lower linkage arms, and a leg support is suspended below and between the front linkage arms. The upper linkage arms are pivotally connected to the base, such that the chair may be balanced by positioning the pivotal connection at a position corresponding to the approximate center of gravity of the chair and an average person. The pivoting points between the back support and the seat support are aligned with the person's hip joints.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable exercise device having a leg pedal exercise producing member that does not have its own user seat and is operated by the user from an independent seat free of any mechanical connection between the exercise device and the independent seat. The device has a base, an arm pivotally connected thereto, and a pin passage through holes in brackets to support the arm at selected positions. A shaft is rotatably mounted across the arm near the end remote from the pivotally connected end thereof, and pedal shanks are secured to each end of the shaft on either side of the arm, each with a rotatable pedal mounted on the end thereof. The device is collapsible for transportation or storage. A flywheel mounted adjacent the arm may be provided. Preferably, the bottom surface of the base has at least a portion thereof of Sorbothane (trademark).

Abstract: A meat doneness tester is disclosed. The invention uses the known principle that the doneness of the meat is directly proportional to the firmness of the meat, i.e. the more the meat is cooked the firmer it becomes. The invention includes a body member, the lowermost portion(s) of the body member being co-planar, with the plane constituting a reference plane for positioning against the surface of the meat. A probe is attached to the body member for up and down movement towards and away from the body member beneath the body member. The probe is biased downwardly by a spring member, i.e. away from said body member. An indicator member is provided for indicating the displacement of the probe member from the reference plane. In the preferred embodiment, the probe, the spring member and the indicator member are provided in the form of a single element, namely a spring steel strip. The strip is fastened to the body, and a probe portion is produced by forming the strip into a downwardly-projecting V-shape.

Abstract: The specification discloses a sail handling system having a series of lines interwoven through a sail, and lines passing through grommets on the sail to prevent the sail from falling freely down the mast and to stack the sail. The sail handling system has particular application for the safe hauling down and stacking of a main sail above the boom, or in the case of a jib sail, upon the deck of a sailboat. Application of tension down one or more hauldown stacking lines interwoven through a series of grommets installed in the body of the sail enables the sail to be hauled down and stacked safely.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple fish stringer having a reclosable fastener. The invention enables persons fishing to conveniently store freshly caught fish while keeping them alive in the water, and facilitates carrying them later. The stringer involves a rod of spring metal having two ends, formed so as to define a generally triangular shape, the ends being fastenable to each other to close the triangle. Preferably, the triangular shape is defined by a first leg, leading to an integral second leg, leading in turn to an integral third leg, the first and second legs and the second and third legs being at angles of generally less than about 45 degrees with respect to each other. Preferably, the ends are fastenable to each other by virtue of a catch formed in one end, preferably the free end of the first leg, the other end preferably being pointed. The spring metal acts to urge the first leg away from the second leg against the end of the third leg to engage the catch.

Abstract: A drum having a top head ring, a top head across the top head ring, a tensioning ring above the top head ring and having a downwardly directed annular flange inward of the top head ring and contacting the top head, and tensioning bolts for adjustable positioning of the tensioning ring with respect to the top head ring is disclosed. There is also a bottom head ring, a bottom head across the bottom head ring, a shell beween the top head and the bottom head, and tensioning rods for pulling the bottom head ring towards the tensioning ring to thereby tension the bottom head across the bottom edge of the shell, and at least one snare mechanism positionable under each head, the snare mechanism including snare wires positionable from edge to edge of the heads.

Abstract: A simulated hand grenade has a lightweight frangible outer shell of STYROFOAM (trademark), a small charge within the shell, fuse means for delayed detonation of the charge, and ignition means for activating the fuse means. In the preferred embodiment, there is a dye such as tempera powder within the shell. The fuse means is a lacquered igniter wire, commonly sold to hobbyists as "cannon fusing", which burns to provide a delayed detonation of in the range of two to ten seconds after ignition. The ignition means has a spring-loaded hammer arranged to impact a cap when released, to thereby explode the cap. The cap is positioned immediately adjacent to the end of an igniter wire such that igniter the wire is ignited by the explosion of the cap. The spring-loaded hammer is held against release by an overlying spoon pivotally installed on the top of the simulated grenade and secured against accidental release by a pin.

Abstract: A retractable brace for an ambulance attendant for use in an ambulance is disclosed. A lockable scissors mechanism is used to move an anchoring platform between a fully extended substantially vertical position adjacent the attendant's work area for securing the ambulance attendant thereto, and a stowed fully retracted substantially vertical position against the side wall of the ambulance. The plate can be locked in a number of positions.

Abstract: An arm sling is disclosed, having a waistband securable around the waist and a first strap attached to the front and back of the waistband and passable over the shoulder of the slung arm from the unslung side at the back of the waistband to the slung side of the front of the waistband. A second strap is attached to the back of the waistband and is passable over the shoulder of the unslung arm, first crossing the first strap. The first strap bifurcates into two support straps in the area of the slung arm, preferably approximately midway between the shoulder and the waist, to form a substantially triangular shape with the support straps supporting the slung arm at two spaced apart locations, the overall length of the strap and bifurcated support straps being sufficiently long so as to form a loop to cradle the slung arm. The first and second straps preferably are fastened to each other where they cross each other. The sling is preferably sewn and of cotton.

Abstract: A wheelchair seat back kit is disclosed, including a seat back defining shell having a generally upright back portion, and two integral sides leading forward therefrom. The outside dimension between the sides is less than the clear distance between the back posts of a wheelchair. Attachment points are provided for securing the shell with respect to the back posts at upper and lower seat back attachment points, with the back of the shell positionable rearward of the plane of the back posts. Preferably, at least the lower portions of the sides of the seat back project forward sufficiently to provide lateral hip support for a user of the wheelchair, and padding is positionable on the inside of the lower portions of the sides to narrow the dimension between the lower portions as required to provide the hip support for any given user. Bracket assemblies may be used to provide different seat back positions and angles.