Abstract: A chess game apparatus provides a chess board in an unrolled condition and an octagonal storage device for chess pieces in a rolled up condition. The chess game apparatus includes a first end board/storage unit which includes a first outside surface which includes a set of eight alternating dark and light squares and which includes four interior storage compartments. A first end hinge is connected to a rear portion of the first end board/storage unit. A set of six intermediate board/storage units are connected to the first end hinge. Five intermediate hinges are provided between rear portions of the six intermediate board/storage units. Each of the intermediate board/storage units includes an outside surface which includes a set of eight alternating dark and light squares. Also each of the intermediate board/storage units includes four interior storage compartments. A second end hinge is connected to a rear portion of one of the intermediate board/storage units.

Abstract: A container lid and cutting board apparatus includes a rigid central panel portion and a flexible peripheral container-connector portion attached to the central panel portion. The peripheral container-connector portion includes a bridging ring portion attached to the central panel portion, and a container rim reception flange is attached to the bridging ring portion. The central panel portion has a panel thickness. The bridging ring portion has a ring thickness, and the panel thickness is greater than the ring thickness. The central panel portion and the peripheral container-connector portion are made as a unified structure from a single piece of plastic material. When the container lid and cutting board apparatus is placed on a surface upside down, the central panel portion can be used as a cutting board.

Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a back housing portion which includes straps for connecting the apparatus to a crib. A plurality of item pressing members are connected to an interior portion of the back housing portion. A front housing portion includes a housing connector for connecting the front housing portion to the back housing portion. The front housing portion includes a plurality of item retainers and a plurality of windows placed in registration with the item retainers. A plurality of infant stimulus items are retained in the item retainers. The item retainers are placed in registration with the item pressing members when the front housing portion and the back housing portion are placed in a closed orientation. A housing lock assembly is connected between the back housing portion and the front housing portion, for keeping the back housing portion and the front housing portion closed with respect to each other.

Abstract: A new and improved mail slot pouch apparatus is provided for use with a door that has a mail slot therein. The apparatus includes a planar frame element for framing an interior opening of the mail slot. The planar frame element includes a plurality of frame apertures. Screws are employed for attaching the planar frame element through the frame apertures onto the door. A pouch assembly is attached to the door by the planar frame element. The pouch assembly includes a first opening which includes a pair of tubular edges which include a pair of rigid rods inserted into the tubular edges. The pouch assembly also includes a second opening which permits mail to be removed from the pouch assembly. The pouch assembly further includes a plurality of pouch apertures that are placed in registration with the frame apertures in the planar frame element for installation of the pouch assembly and the planar frame element onto the door by the fastening assemblies.

Abstract: A weighted insert adapted to be fitted inside an athletic shoe so that the latter is caused to sink to the bottom of a washing machine bin to facilitate the cleaning thereof. The insert comprises a heel portion, a foot portion, and an axial member extending therebetween. The length or longitudinal extent of the axial member may be adjusted to compensate for varying sized athletic shoes to be employed therewith. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the weighted elements in the heel portion or the foot portion of the insert comprises a removable housing for a deodorizing compound or similar treating substance.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine is disclosed having no rotating crank shaft. Each piston rod of the engine is connected to a hydraulic piston and cylinder the output of which drives the rotating output shaft of a hydraulic motor. A take off from the shaft of the hydraulic motor drives an air compressor which feeds compressed air to the combustion chamber through the latter's intake valve. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air before entering the combustion chamber and a conventional spark plug and coil is employed to ignite the fuel/compressed air mixture. The compressed air also is used to actuate the intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder through a solenoid controller. A computer is adapted to send signals to each valve solenoid to control its movement and to each spark plug coil in response to a throttle input and a piston displacement input applied to the computer.

Abstract: A new and improved carrier apparatus for mounting on the roof of a vehicle. The apparatus of the invention includes a housing, magnetic mounts for connecting the housing to the vehicle and for supporting the housing in a horizontal orientation, and a drawer for sliding in and out of the housing. A pivoted connection is provided for connecting the drawer to the housing. The pivoted connection is located between the far end of the drawer and the housing and pivots the far end of the drawer with respect to the housing when the drawer is pulled out from the housing. The pivoted connection permits the drawer to hang down vertically from the horizontally oriented housing when the drawer is pulled out completely from the housing. The drawer includes walls which define a storage space. Partitions are located within the storage space for partitioning the storage space into a plurality of storage subspaces. When the drawer is retained in the horizontally oriented housing, the drawer is in the horizontal storage mode.

Abstract: An air tank adapter is designed to facilitate the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air tanks with a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA).

Abstract: An electrical test buzzer is adapted for insertion into an output receptacle and used to test for the presence of electricity at the output receptacle. The electrical test buzzer includes an audible alarm, a transformer, held in a housing, and a pair of contact prongs. The contact prongs are inserted into a respective output receptacle causing the buzzer to sound a high pitched alarm when electricity is present at the receptacle. When no electricity is present at the receptacle no circuit is formed and the alarm does not sound.

Abstract: A hand scanner support and paper guide apparatus is disclosed for mechanically scanning a thin sheet, e.g. a sheet of paper, using a scanner designed to be hand-held. The apparatus includes a housing which includes a planar upper wall which serves as a flat surface along which the thin sheet is moved. A support assembly is connected to the housing and supports the scanner a spaced distance above the planar upper wall as the thin sheet is moved past the scanner. A guide assembly is connected to the housing and guides the thin sheet in a straight path as the thin sheet is moved along the planar upper wall. A drive assembly is housed within the housing and moved the thin sheet past the scanner. The drive assembly includes a driven, thin-sheet-contacting element such as a cylindrical roller; and a slot, in the planar upper wall, permits the cylindrical roller to contact and move the thin sheet as it lies on the planar upper wall.

Abstract: A new and improved helmet with neck-shield is provided for a helmet which has a chin and jaw protecting area. The apparatus includes a neck-shielding assembly for protecting a neck area of a user without covering the eyes of the user. The neck-shielding assembly includes a curved upper portion capable of curving around the chin and jaw protecting area of the helmet. A curved lower portion extends downward from the curved upper portion and is capable of curving around a portion of the neck area of the user. A first connector is attached to the curved upper portion. The first connector connects the neck-shielding assembly to the chin and jaw protecting area of the helmet. The curved upper portion supports the curved lower portion, and the curved lower portion protects a portion of the neck area of the user from wind and airborne debris. A second connector is attached to the chin and jaw protecting area of the helmet.