Abstract: A display sign having a support post with an anchoring device at the bottom end suitable for burying in the ground. A curved cantilevered arm is detachably connected to the support post and outwardly extends in a lateral direction. A curved frame is detachably connected between a distal end of the arm and the upper portion of the support post for holding and integrally securing a sign to the arm and post. An additional sign holder is placed on top of the arm insertably receiving and displaying additional information. The frame is detachably connected between the arm and the support post so that the display sign can be readily changed. The anchoring device includes a flanged arrangement which resists twisting of the post and tilting of the post when it is buried in the ground. Illumination means is provided for lighting the sign and a power supply, such as a solar collector, is provided.

Abstract: A protective bumper or guard having a substantial thickness of semi-rigid material formed in a geometric configuration, such as a dome, which will not catch or snag personnel or garments moving about structures such as posts having jagged edges or points. The protective bumper or guard incorporates a downwardly depending shaft having one end exposed in the form of a wedge for insertion between crimped portions of the damaged structure, while the opposite end of the shaft includes a head for retaining the shaft in a secured fitting with the semi-rigid pad or body. Preferably, the semi-rigid pad or body is dome-shaped, having a flat bottom, whereby sharp edges and points of damaged structure can impact or slightly penetrate into the material when the wedge has been inserted into the crimped closing of the post or structure. A sufficient portion of the pad or body exists between the secured portion of the shaft with the body so that a person engaging the pad will not feel or snag on the shaft.

Abstract: A two-component pivotal cable support includes a stationary clamp and a movable cradle mounted on the clamp for supporting a cable wherein the clamp is detachably connected to a stanchion of a boat. The movable cradle, which is pivotally mounted on the clamp, is formed with a curved, open channel portion that is arcuate in side elevation. This channel portion serves as a holder for supporting equipment, or, in the present example, a cable. The cradle includes an open frame with opposite sides joined by a cross member wherein the center of the cradle is exposed and the channel portion of the cradle is supported by perpendicular support posts. These perpendicular support posts can withstand excessive amounts of cable weight. The support posts join the cradle with the cross member midway between the frame opposite ends. A cylindrical spindle is perpendicular to the cradle and downwardly depends from the cradle.

Abstract: A flushing device for toilets includes a source for applying a fluid pressure to a blockage area and provides a seal in the blocked conduit to prevent backflow so that full pressure is applied to the blockage. The device includes a resilient, deformable and expandable element secured at the end of a tubular member which is inserted into a toilet conduit leading to the drain line. The tubular member has a coupling at its end opposite to the end carrying the expandable element to which a hose is connected in order to alternately supply pressurized water to the element or to the conduit. The expandable element is carried on a linear portion of the tubular member adjacent to the discharge orifice thereof and is expanded into a sealing condition with the conduit entrance leading into the drain line.

Abstract: A portable single-sided armrest assembly that is added to or removed from any seating device/location without requiring any fixed mounting or permanent or semi-permanent attachment means. The armrest assembly includes an L-shaped member having a lower plate section serving as a seat for the person using the armrest while further including a backplate section which slidably mounts an upright support plate or portion. One end of the support plate includes an elongated cushion armrest fixedly attached thereto, while further including an elongated slot mounting a threaded cap serving as a guide as the support plate is moved to a desired vertical position. A lock knob is employed for securing the armrest and support plate in a fixed location on the backplate. An adapter plate is employed for attachment between an angular section joining the backplate of the L-shaped member to the lower seat section of the member, wherein the adapter is employed to occupy a vacant right angled space in a standard seat.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a movable decorative member to be mounted on a rotatable wheel hub including a weighted mass having a mounting portion carrying a ball bearing disposed on a boss provided on a securement cap stud. The stud includes a threaded shaft engageable with the coupler or hub per se. The coupler is a flanged base or a base having radially projecting legs wherein either the flanged base or the radial legs are detachably connected with the hub. The bearing has a turning axis and the weighted mass decorative member is eccentric or off-center of the turning axis so that the decorative member downwardly depends from the bearing in a static appearing condition. A fixed, decorative member may be included which is secured to the hub so as to rotate therewith while the movable decorative member appears stationary.

Abstract: A spark plug having a ground electrode in the shape of a horn nozzle defined by an enlarged mouth and a reduced throat joined together, a conical inner wall tapered from the mouth to the throat. An ignitor electrode terminates at its distal end in a spherical tip disposed in the throat in spaced-apart relationship with respect to the tapered inner wall. An insulative body supports the ignitor electrode with a conductive body supporting the ground electrode. The horn nozzle is joined with the conductive body by a pair of posts so as to define a pair of slots for venting exhaust gasses from the ignition site.

Abstract: A ballast with circuitry to allow the level of the lighting device to be adjusted, a separate direct current input and a sensing circuit within the ballast to lower the light level and thus the amount of power required from the direct current input when the normal line power fails. A method of recharging the battery by supply current to flow out of the direct current input when the ballast is operating from line power is also provided.

Abstract: A ballast includes circuitry to allow the level of the lighting to be adjusted as well as circuitry that interfaces the ballast to a control system via the power line. The ballast is provided for adjusting the output by using a conventional triac phase chop dimming circuit. The basic concepts of the circuit can also be used to drive flat panel (electro luminescent) light source.

Abstract: A container having an internal storage area for holding a quantity of fluid. The top of the bottle is provided with a manual trigger-type pump and includes a downwardly depending tube for conducting or syphoning the fluid from the storage area. The internal storage compartment further includes a reserve reservoir for holding a secondary portion of fluid into which the open end of the tube is disposed after the storage area has been substantially emptied through normal operation of the pump. A small remaining portion of the stored fluid is distributed into the reservoir and the open end of the tube is placed therein so that the last portion of fluid can be dispensed in the normal way by the pump. The secondary or reserve reservoir is defined by a curved inner wall, having opposite ends integrally formed with the sidewall of the bottle. The sidewall is open at its top and tapers gently towards the bottom of the bottle.

Abstract: A ballasting circuit is configured with a circuit having a capability of providing an isolated power supply to various external ballast accessories that interface with a circuit or device for determining the amount of illumination. The ballasting circuit also has a capability of providing isolated power for circuitry within itself such that they can be connected to communication wires external to a lighting fixture without the need of an additional power supply. The ballasting circuit includes one or more gas discharge lighting devices, a source of input power, an electronic ballasting circuit having a regulated direct current requirement and coupled between the one or more gas discharge lighting devices and the source of input power, a heater transformer, a low voltage direct current power supply, a switching device, a regulator circuit, a full wave rectifier, and windings.

Abstract: A mixing rod of an integral metal construction from a single piece provides a unitary unit having a power chuck engaging attachment end and a stirring end. The stirring end includes a pair of lobes defined by rod segments integral with an elongated shaft, wherein the lobes outwardly project 180° from one another. Each of the respective lobes terminates at its outer ends with rounded corners and a lower terminating segment joins the opposite lobes together. The lobes have height which insures that a substantial portion of the product being stirred will be engaged by the lobes in order to develop a proper product flow insuring efficient and proper mixture.

Abstract: A rigid fracture brace having a rigid and non-bendable in use U-shaped member with an inner, soft-cushioned layer carried on an outer rigid layer defining an open inner cavity for laterally receiving and supporting a user's hand, adjacent to the metacarpal grouping of hand bones. The member is of high aspect ratio and is held in position by a three strap system which includes a lower thumb strap, a middle palm strap and an upper palm strap immediately below the fingers. One end of each strap is immovably fixed to the backside of the member and securement of each strap to the member includes a loop associated with each strap. Each strap further includes a two-component hook and pile fastener so as to avoid critical registration of holes and tongs. The pile component of the fastener is carried along the backside of each strap and each strap terminates with a free-end carrying the hook component of the fastener at the tip of the inside surface of each strap.

Abstract: A gas discharge lighting system with emergency lighting capability includes a gas discharge lighting device, a source of alternating current input power, and an electronic ballasting circuit having a direct current requirement and coupled between the gas discharge lighting device and the source of input power. The electronic ballasting circuit includes an alternating current-to-direct current conversion device, a power regulator connected to the conversion device, a controllable output direct current-to-alternating current inverter operated with a substantially square wave output, an impedance network, a controlling device for controlling the operation of the inverter and delivering power to the gas discharge lighting device, and an external source of direct current input power coupled to an input of the power regulator through an unidirectional current flow device.