Abstract: A portable collapsible shelter for use at sporting events and the like includes a flexible enclosure having a viewing window in one wall thereof. The enclosure is supported by a frame which includes a vertical support pole and a plurality of ribs hinged for movement from a collapsed position alongside the pole to an extended position nearly perpendicular to the pole. The enclosure is left in place over frame when the ribs are collapsed, and folded into a compact storage packet which is secured with a fastening band.

Abstract: A base plate having a top surface, wear blocks attached to at least two sides of the top surface defining a recess, and attachment member for attaching the base plate to an endless conveyor. A graphic cover plate containing indicia, aligned within the recess, and removably affixed to the top surface of the base plate.

Abstract: An inner housing telescopingly receivable by an outer housing for movement between an extended and a retracted position, biasing means for urging the inner housing into the extended position, and a lockable latch assembly for retaining the inner housing in the retracted position. A cut-out formed in the inner housing for receiving the electrical connector of an electrical appliance when in the extended position, and securably containing the electrical connector when in the closed position.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant terminator includes a connector body rotatably encapsulated within a shield. A port in the shield receives a terminal of a cable transmission system therethrough for rotational engagement with a threaded bore within the connector body. Another port in the shield provides access to a socket defined by a smooth continuous cylindrical surface. The socket and the threaded bore extend in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis about which the shield is freely rotatable. A tool includes a tubular shaft having a knurled portion at the free end extends from a first handle section. A disc residing adjacent the end of the tubular shaft is carried by a shaft rotatably journaled with the tubular shaft and drivingly engaged with a second handle section.

Abstract: An oil level indicator having an oil container and an indicator tube extending therefrom. The indicator tube is inserted through a dip stick tube of an engine into the oil pan.

Abstract: A thermal actuator, also known as a heat capacitance motor, derives its energy from the physical expansion of paraffin wax as it changes from solid to liquid when heated within an enclosure such as a cylinder. This energy is converted into mechanical force which causes translation of a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, thus creating hydrostatic pressure which is converted to work. The thermal actuator may be utilized in various drug delivery systems in which the hydrostatic pressure created by the actuator is used expel the contents of a syringe.

Abstract: Improved insulator configurations are provided for retarding corrosion of the central conductor pin of a coaxial cable connector. In a first embodiment of the invention, the distal end of the dielectric which surrounds the pin is provided with a domed protuberance which deflects liquid away from the pin. As a result, there is no surface tension to hold droplets of liquid at the distal end of the connector, and no chance of electrolytic bridging between the conductor pin and the outer body of the connector when the connector extends horizontally through the entry port of a electrical device. In a second embodiment, the dielectric is provided with a tubular extension portion which forms an insulator sheath around the central conductor pin, thus preventing bridging even when the connector is oriented vertically and the distal end of the outer body is submerged in liquid.

Abstract: A truck bed partition including a cargo cage pivotally mounted to a truck bed by mounting members. Truck bed partition 10 is pivotally mounted to side walls of the truck bed proximate the front wall or the rear wall.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting objects in storage from damaging environments including a collapsible bag with a sealable opening having a vacuum attachment, for evacuating the bag, and an injection valve, for injecting an atmosphere, attached.

Abstract: A vegetation maintenance system includes a soil extraction tool, used to diagnose and treat the soil surrounding an ailing plant, and a plant guard, for protecting the plant from external damage before, during and after treatment. The soil extraction tool consists of an segmented shaft carrying a tubular member having a sharpened, open lower end and a longitudinally extending opening. A plunger is provided for forcibly ejecting soil from the tubular member. The plant guard is a semi-rigid sheet of material having integrally formed fasteners for detachably securing the opposite ends of the sheet in adjustable, overlapping relationship to one another to form a tubular sheath for surrounding a plant.

Abstract: A camera housing having a photographic lens set extending through one side allowing light to enter a camera interior along a light axis, a first film structure, a second film structure and a viewfinder system formed in the remaining sides of the camera housing. A first shutter mechanism separating a first film structure from the camera interior and a second shutter mechanism separating the second film structure from the camera interior. A reflex mirror structure located in the camera interior and coupled to the camera housing, directing the light axis between first and second shutter mechanisms and the viewfinder system in response to the activation of the first and second shutter mechanisms.

Abstract: In order to obtain speed and position information about a moving component of a musical instrument a fin extending in the direction of travel of the moving component is coupled thereto as, for example, by affixing the fin to the hammer shank of a piano. The fin carries indicia, such as a bar code, which can be read, for example, by an optical or magnetic sensor assembly. In one embodiment, a pair of side-by-side indicia bands are carried on the fin with the bands slightly offset in the direction of travel in order that direction, as well as speed and position information can be obtained. The gathered data may include information recorded, for example, for all the notes and the pedals of a piano in order that a performance may be reconstructed and played back employing a solenoid stack or the like.

Abstract: A disposable shower curtain including a holder having a mandrel with inner and outer telescoping segments normally expanded by a spring. Stationary feet, one carried by each of the telescoping segments, bears against the opposed walls of a conventional shower stall and rotatably support the mandrel. A roll of coiled sheet material is carried by the mandrel. A shield supported by a bracket at either end thereof includes a longitudinally extending braking panel.

Abstract: A golf club carrier including an inverted U-shaped frame having a pair of spaced apart legs extending from a common cross member. A brace extends between the legs proximate the lower ends thereof. A tripod leg, secured to the cross member, is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A plurality of club clips, arranged in pairs, are carried by the legs for the purpose of holding the golf clubs.

Abstract: A handheld punch tool assembly having individual removable punch segments formed of a high strength material capable of being struck repeatedly by a striking instrument, each of the individual punch segments including a substantially flat punch surface on one end thereof structured to engage in abutting relation with a substantially flat corresponding surface to be punched. Each of the individual punch segments have a different transverse dimension than a remainder of the punch segments so as to effectively vary the size of the punch surface. The individual punch segments are removably attachable to one another to form an elongate, multi-punch segment body of variable length. A plurality of various size collar members are each individually structured to be removably fitted about a corresponding one of the punch segments so as to effectively increase the transverse dimension and accordingly, the size of the punch surface of that particular punch segment.

Abstract: A pair of elongate, segmented gripping members are carried by the lifting member of a refuse collection vehicle. Each of the gripping members includes an inner arm movably carried by the lifting member and an outer arm movably extending from the inner arm. The gripping members are movable between a retracted position in which the inner arms extend in generally opposite directions, fore and aft along the side of the vehicle, and an extended position in which the inner arms extend in generally the same direction laterally outward from the vehicle. Each outer arm is inwardly movable relative to the respective inner arm to draw a container into the embrace of the gripping members. A pair of elongate flexible members engage the container to supplement the grip of the gripping members.

Abstract: A protective boot for preventing contamination of the oil in a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly consists of an elongate flexible sleeve having a first end removably securable to the head of the cylinder and a second end removably securable to the distal end of the piston rod. The boot is split along a longitudinal seam which can be closed by a zipper, a hook and loop type fastening strip, or other suitable attachment devices. Several flexible metal or plastic stays encircle the sleeve at spaced locations to prevent the sleeve from contacting the piston rod. Each stay is split to accommodate the seam.

Abstract: A conveyor, such as a baggage carousel, includes a plurality of transparent panels, each having a thin layer containing visual information affixed to its bottom surface. A series of adjacent panels can produce one complete visual unit such as an advertisement. The transparent panels are shaped to match the configuration of the original metal panels designed for each conveyor.