Abstract: The invention is a device used by beach goers which by means of an auger at the end of a relatively long shaft the beach goer is able to engage the auger deep into the sand to firmly anchor a locker container in the sand. The auger drive mechanism is such that when a drive member is pulled up through the container top and engaged with a padlock to secure the container shut, the drive member disengages from the main shaft so that it is impossible to rotate the shaft by rotating the container because it free-wheels. Thus only by unlocking the padlock and releasing the drive member/lid retainer can the shaft be rotated to disengage it from the sand.

Abstract: A dental floss holder is provided which comprises a flattened, somewhat diamond-shaped resilient plastic body with a pair of laterally opposed spring arms and a central tip terminating in a grooved boss, opposite from a pointed spindle which doubles as a tie-down point for the ends of a length of floss and a toothpick. By inserting floss through an aperture in the spindle and stretching it around the lateral arms and the stem terminus, two taut floss segments are defined which can be used simultaneously if desired on the upper and lower teeth.

Abstract: An ankle protector is provided utilizing a planar slab of high density, flexible, soft foam material shaped to wrap around the rear of the ankle, and calf there being a heel cutaway for positioning purposes, and a pair of relatively thin, wide straps extending from the rear surface of the panel at one side, wrapping around the front of the ankle, and releasibly connecting to the rear surface of the panel at the other side, to securely position the pad behind the ankle.

Abstract: A beverage can re-sealer is provided which is functional on both the cans with the removable tab and the more recent type of can in which the pull tab remains with the can after it is opened. The re-sealer has a covering body which covers both the pouring hole and the opener tab, and defines a resilient lip surrounding both of these items, with a cam-actuated depending foot which is inserted through the pouring hole and rotated so that the foot grips the can lid alongside the hole, subsequent to which it is cammed up tightly against the surface, bringing pressure to bear on the sealing lip.

Abstract: A streamlining apparatus is provided designed particularly toward the needs of shipping containers. The body of the unit is inflatable, and it is removably attached to the front of a container by a pair of holes which engage in loading poles in the upper front corners of the container, the poles remaining with the container as part of the mounting frame when it is being hauled. The poles permit mounting the streamlining body from the ground so that a lone driver can mount it unassisted without climbing up on the cab or the container.

Abstract: A fuel filter is provided for internal combustion engines and particularly for diesel engines utilizing a dual filter zone arrangement fed by two separate fuel supply lines, each of these lines being valved to operate in an open mode in which fuel is pumped freely from the fuel tank into the filter zone, and a dump mode, wherein reverse-flow fuel delivered from the other filter zone backwashes the dumping filter zone to purge the filter elements of accumulated particulates.

Abstract: Means and method are provided for conveniently breaking out wires from a wire bundle in a wiring harness during the fabrication or layout stage, there being a wrapper having two parallel rows of holes punched therein and a specially designed comb having teeth with detent ends which are inserted through the first row of holes in the wrapper. The wire bundle is then passed alongside these teeth with the desired strands being broken out between the teeth, and subsequent to the breakout process the wrapper is folded over the wire bundle and the second row of holes engaged securely over the detent ends of the comb teeth.

Abstract: The training aid described herein is used to train operators of equipment, generally heavy mobile equipment, and comprises a briefcase-sized unit having a connector cable within releasably connects to the control systems and indicators on the vehicle, which have been modified in several ways. The control unit in the briefcase is capable of either simulating one or more abnormal conditions in the equipment by overriding normal readings such as on indicators, meters or alarms, or additionally actual abnormal conditions can be created in the equipment by degrading brakes, the retarder system, hydraulic steering mechanism, or actually killing the engine or the propulsive power of the unit.

Abstract: The invention is a carrying case for drywaller's tools, which constitute primarily a series of paste applicator blades of varying widths, the case comprising a case body itself, and a rack contained within the case which defines a series of parallel slots into which the blades are inserted. The rack is of narrowing width from one end to the other to accommodate neatly the graduated blade size of a standard set of drywaller hanger's blades, and the lid for the case has an aperture through which protrude the handles of the blades. A specialized carrying strap, and mounting loops on the side of the case, hold tape and other tools.

Abstract: A water heater control system designed to conserve energy, in part by anticipating hot water demand as a function of usage, utilizes refined design features to effectively automatically switch the water heater's thermostat between a high and a low setting in response to actual use of hot water and the heat of the water at the moment. The basic purposes of the invention are first, the prevention of the system from switching into the "high" mode when in fact adequate hot water is still present in the tank, and second, the reduction of the length of the burner firing time at times when a long burn is not necessary. These features include a specialized heat sensor switch which permits the trigger temperature of the switch to follow the seasonal temperature of the incoming water, also a stack gas switch for further refining the system's function. Remote control and a special mounting means are also included in the refined control system.

Abstract: A musical teaching and playing aid has a sheath with a front panel defining spaced octaves of a keyboard instrument keyboard with slits just above the keys for the insertion of insert cards each of which is identified as to the octave above which it will be inserted, with each of these insert cards having a first tier of scale or chord tones which align with and name the keys on the keyboard, and a second tier of notes on a musical staff, which notes fall within the general range of the keys on the keyboard and the octave named on the card and which are visible by raising the card from a first position to a second position, whereby the independence of each octave is stressed by its isolation from adjacent octaves, disrupting the usual continuity of the keys, and the notes which fit within that octave and their names are identified on the removeable card to facilitate identification of note position on the staff with octave position in the range of notes on the keyboard.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of compass course following and comprises a means and method of mounting a compass directly on a map with a North-South reference line and following a course on the map directly once the compass needle is aligned with North. In all references to the direction "North" throughout this document magnetic North only shall apply.

Abstract: A bath support or bench includes a wall cabinet for mounting on the wall of a bathroom adjacent a tub or shower and includes a wall panel or bracket, a support bench pivotally mounted to the bracket and foldable upward against the bracket, and foldable downward into support position in the bathing area, and a cover hinged to the wall panel for covering the support bench when folded upward to the out-of-the way position.

Abstract: A proximity indicator for motor vehicles, particularly recreational vehicles, has an audio or visual signal mounted in the driver's compartment and utilizes a probe which passes through a ring contact as the switching element, the probe and ring contact being longitudinally adjustable mounted in a yoke which is connected to the clamping structure with a single bolt which, when loosened, permits a longitudinal adjustment of the probe, the ring contact, and rotational adjustment of the probe and ring together.

Abstract: A rotary engine is provided utilizing a non-cylindrical casing which defines lobes on opposite sides which define crescent-shaped intake and combustion chambers, respectively, these chambers being connected by a narrow corridor on both sides of a central rotor which rotates on an axis coaxial with that of the casing. The rotor includes arcuate blades which move in and out of the rotor wall to wipe the non-cylindrical casing wall, these blades or pistons being urged outwardly by a special spring loaded cam follower which follows a dual cam which is non-rotational relative to the engine casing. In the preferred mode of operation, one of the crescent-shaped chambers acts as the intake and compression chamber, with the second chamber acting as the combustion and exhaust chamber by virtue of the positioning of intake and exhaust ports and a specialized automatically operated pressure driven fuel injector which is used when the engine is operated as a diesel.

Abstract: A pet litter retriever is provided which is characterized by a simple, unique mechanical actuation system which effects the closing and opening of a pair of blades which a plastic bag envelopes and is held in place by a clip such that dog droppings and the like may be enveloped in the bag and retained in place over the blades while the bag is inverted around the droppings to completely enclose same without soiling the retriever. An additional novel feature lies in the incorporation, in a selected one of two alternative embodiments, of a spray device used to spray the sidewalk or the like after the droppings have been removed, or if the droppings do not lend themselves to being bagged.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-powered hot air distribution system is provided which utilizes a Stirling engine, the hot end of the displacement cylinder of which extends into a fireplace or other heat source, with a fan or blower which is powered by the Stirling engine blowing air over the cold end of the displacement cylinder and into the fireplace or other heat source and back out into an area to be space heated.

Abstract: A modification of a grocery cart is provided, which could be retrofitted on an existing cart, and which defines an enclosed compartment for the temporary containment of valuables such as purses or wallets, there being two basic embodiments to accommodate both traditional grocery carts which nest from the rear and have rear grids that swing forwardly, and the newer waist level type carts having a front portion which pivots upwardly over a rear portion.

Abstract: A self service terminal for dispensing voice and video information, printed documents, and goods; and for accepting service orders and payments therefor by currency or credit card. The terminal comprises a cathode ray tube display with mass storage for presenting information about the product or service sold, a keyboard for entry of customer requests, a printer for delivering coupons and tickets, a vending machine for dispensing small items, a coinbox and credit card reader for accepting payments for goods and services, and a telephone interface for communicating with the staff of a command center. The operation of the terminal is controlled by a microprocessor linked to an automated reservation system. The preferred embodiment of the invention is dedicated to the promotion and sale of travel services. The terminal is operated from three memory devices. A non-volatile memory is used to store the operating program for the terminal.