Abstract: An article surveillance includes a pair of components that are detachably connected together having a releasably grasping device engaging with an article intended to be protected. The device is coupled between the two components with a selected one of the components having an elongated prong insertably received within the other component and is held thereto by a ball clutch mechanism. The mechanism includes a tapered housing with an internal tapered wall surface enclosing a plug member having at least two balls carried in opposing grooves. The tapered housing and the plug member include a coaxial passageway for insertably receiving the elongated prong from the first component. The plug member is resiliently biased to a first position by an expansion spring causing the balls to bear against the tapered inner wall of the housing, restricting the passageway.

Abstract: An adjustable riser for adjusting the elevational position of an irrigation sprinkler with respect to the surrounding ground level and/or with respect to the height of surrounding vegetation to be irrigated. The riser includes a movable cartridge within an internal bore of a housing having a plurality of catches outwardly projecting from the exterior wall of the cartridge and adapted to resiliently snap into or out of notches carried on the inner wall surface of the bore movably supporting the cartridge. The sprinkler is carried on a tube for discharging water while the opposite end of the tube includes an impact plate against which water pressure from the supply impinges. Upon impact, the tube with the sprinkler is forced upward within a housing against expansion of a spring, which normally urges the tube and sprinkler into a storage position within the housing.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power inverter using a microprocessor directly drawing the switching transistors and a circuit for computation of the actual power delivered to the load of a switching inverter. In addition, load variation power is achieved by adjusting the frequency or the pulse width of each half cycle and, in the case where a lamp or panel is involved, dimming. Also disclosed is that the microprocessor can be responsive to photometric input to adjust output as well as power line carrier information supplied on the input power to the device.

Abstract: The athletic face shield consists of a head frame that contours to a player's head along with an elastic headband. The interchangeable hand shield is affixed to the front of the head frame and can be replaced with other objects. The athletic face shield fits in front of the player's face to produce the “hand in your face” affect utilized by defense players. It allows a solitary player to practice his or her defense game and experience the defense hand in their face when shooting.

Abstract: A pest resistant pet feeder having a base providing a moat or barrier for insects supports a pivoting platform with openings at one end for removably mounting a pair of pet food and water dishes. The one end includes a transparent lid pivotally attached to the one end for covering and uncovering the dishes. A linkage assembly extending between the platform and the lid translates pivotal movement of the platform in response to weight of a pet into deploying the lid into its dish uncovering position. Departure of the pet actuates the linkage via the pivot movement of the platform to position the lid to cover the dishes.

Abstract: A device that operates to reduce the hazard involved in the disposal of conventional hypodermic needles used throughout the medical world. When the needle is presented to the inventive device, while still attached to the syringe, it is vaporized an electric arc with its final connection point to the syringe sterilized. In a second embodiment of the device, the entire syringe, including the needle, is vaporized by an electric arc transferred between electrodes. The byproducts of the needle destruction process are sterile metal vapor such as iron oxide, water vapor and carbon dioxide. The heat is so intense that all organic compounds present within the needle are reduced to their basic elements of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon with trace amount of nitrogen and infinitesimal amounts of other trace elements. When the entire syringe is destroyed, all organic compounds of the plastic are reduced to the basic elements.

Abstract: A dual purpose truck bed cover includes a pair of door panels that are hinged respectively to the sidewalls of a truck bed. The panels are suitable for deployment into an upwardly raised position so as to extend the height of the cargo bed storage cavity of the truck. In such a raised position, stabilizing braces are provided for releasably supporting the panels in the upright, raised position. The door panels are alternately deployed into a closed position completely covering the storage cavity of the truck bed and a latch device is provided for releasably holding the door panels in the closed position.

Abstract: A photo mailer and frame combination having a single blank or sheet with fold or score lines permitting portions of the blank or sheet to be folded over and secured to provide a photo enclosing pocket to be used as a postal mailer and a cover portion carrying indicia for inside message information and outside mailing information. The cover and pocket portions being adapted to convert the mailer upon receipt by the addressee into a frame for display of the photo. A display window is provided for photo viewing when converted to a frame and support structure is included for supporting the mailer when converted into a photo frame or holder.

Abstract: A pet toy capable of being moved or rollably deployed about the floor or room or which may be hung from a support as a swingable toy. A housing is provided having an audible sound generator with vents through which sound or light is conducted so as to be sensed by a sensor for actuation of the sound generation. A diaphragm receives motion airwaves, while a photo-electric cell carried on the housing receives light waves. The sound generating device is included in an interior housing along with the sensor and is mounted on a platform. Audio wave generation is conducted from a loudspeaker through the interior of the housing for exiting through the vents.

Abstract: A foldable portfolio organizer having a plurality of board stiffeners arranged in rows and columns and covered by an inner and an outer sheet of flexible fabric material so that folds or plications separate the rows and columns permitting folding the board stiffeners into a storage and carrying position and unfolding into an operative position. Pads of data recording forms are disposed on said inner sheet associated with each board stiffener and clip devices are employed to releasably retain each pad in place. An accordion fold brief case is included on a central column and a hard surface board is included in the central column separated by a longitudinal fold plication. The pads and associated board stiffeners are disposed laterally of the central column. A hanger strap is included for hangably supporting the organizer and separate pouches and sleeves are provided for holding writing implements and ancillary items, such as pins, labels, stickers, etc.

Abstract: A low voltage lamp having an internal illumination device which serves as a base for mounting a detachable hood supporting a fixed skirt. The hood and skirt are arranged in spaced-apart relationship having a diameter exceeding the diameter of the illumination device and its base. A decorative cylinder or sleeve is mountable between the peripheral edge of the skirt and the edge marginal region of the hood. Spacers may be provided for placing the sleeve between the hood and the skirt, while resilient fasteners detachably couple the hood to a support on the illuminating device base so that the decorative sleeve is releasably held between the hood and the skirt. The external surface of the sleeve carries a variety of indicia, pictures, or graphic representations.

Abstract: A floor accessory driver for floor sanding procedures includes a driven unit having a sanding drum carried on a wheeled chassis that is detachably connected to a driver unit which includes a seat for an operator and further includes a DC driving unit for electrically powering a set of wheels. Operation of the electrical system is under the foot control via a pivoting treadle for controlling forward and reverse direction of the driver unit and for simultaneously controlling the speed of the driving unit. A preset maximum speed control is connected to the electrical circuit and an eccentric cam positions a follower to operate a micro-switch that controls speed. Direction of travel, either forward or in reverse, is under control of the foot pedal via potentiometers which are connected at opposite ends of the treadle so as to operate alternately as the treadle is pivoted.

Abstract: A pistol caliber conversion assembly having a slide assembly housing components of lightweight characteristics so as to accept and permit an interchange of a variety of caliber ammunition. The assembly includes a rail and groove arrangement for slidably mounting a slide housing onto the frame and a recoil mechanism for urging a barrel into a reset position after firing. An open lock mechanism selectively engages the slide housing with the frame and sets to an automatic open position upon ejecting of a last round from the ammunition chamber. The critical selection of high strength-to-weight ratio materials permits machining away of excess materials to reduce weight while maintaining sufficient hardness and mass to handle firing loads.

Abstract: A revolving tree stand having a bucket into which the terminating end of a tree's trunk is inserted whereby a spike in the bucket retains the trunk in the bucket. Securement near the top of the bucket adjustably supports the tree in an upright and straight position. The bucket holds a quantity of water and a float indicator is employed for visually indicating water level. The bucket is rotatably mounted on a stationary support which incorporates roller bearings on which the bottom of the bucket rests. Therefore, rotation of the tree via the bucket is achieved by the bearings at the bottom of the bucket and, if desired, bearings at the top of the bucket.

Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect mechanism for releasably engaging a cyclist's shoe with a bike pedal having a slotted retainer secured to the pedal and an insert secured to the sole of the cyclist's shoe. The insert or key is insertably introduced through an open end of the slot to engage the retainer. A wedge and dove-tail arrangement prevents separation of the insert or key from the retainer in a direction normal to the pedal. A resilient detent construction yieldably or releasably holds the insert or key in the slot of the retainer and permits only lateral separation. A guide or alignment arrangement is employed to conduct the insert or key into the slot via the open end thereof.

Abstract: A lotion applicator having a flexible container holding a quantity of lotion which terminates at one end in a threaded neck for threadably receiving a discharge nozzle conducting lotion or the like through the neck. The discharge member includes an aperture projection adapted to insertably pass through an opening in a closure cap, so as to permit the discharged lotion to exit the container and the cap. The discharge projection has a closed position when inserted through the opening in the cap and a discharge position within the cap, so as to permit the lotion to exit the discharge member and pass through the unoccupied aperture in the cap for flow into an elongated applicator arm. The arm includes a threaded coupling for engaging with the discharge cap and extends outwardly from the container in a cantilevered manner to terminate in an application member having a plurality of openings in communication with an elongated passageway extending from the discharge cap through the arm to the applicator member.