Abstract: A holder for an MP3 player or other music or communication device is reversibly attached to a rigid helmet such as worn by motorcyclists. The back surface of the holder is configured to fit closely and integrally against the back surface of the helmet. A spoiler forms the top of the holder to minimize wind lift, prevent wind from dislodging the holder, and to direct air flow along the helmet and over the holder. The MP3 player is disposed in a compartment within the body of the holder and retained in the compartment by a stop-tab. An adapter is used to connect the MP3 player to an earphone assembly within the helmet. A volume control on the adapter enables the cyclist to adjust the volume while riding. The holder is reversibly attached to the helmet by means of a two component heavy duty interlock fastener system.

Abstract: A compact transmission for use in radio controlled model electric vehicles which includes a differential assembly and a slipper clutch assembly in combination with a drive means in the form of a spur gear, all contained in a single compact unit. The unit occupies substantially the same space as the differential assembly alone and does not add any significant weight to the transmission. The differential assembly is rotatably mounted within the spur gear. Clutch pads are disposed within the central opening of the spur gear and are in slippable contact with a clutch plate which is adjacent to and prevented from independent movement by one end cap of the differential housing. The slipper clutch assembly includes an adjustment nut easily rotated to adjust the compressive force of the clutch pads against the clutch plate and fixed in place when the desired compressive force is attained. Means interposed between the adjustment nut and the spur gear enable the adjustability of the compressive force.

Abstract: A full size building having three walls, an open side and a roof but no floor can be moved along parallel rails from an open free standing position to a closed position where the building abuts another structure to completely enclose an outdoor area. The building is of conventional construction but is erected over a rigid framework of iron beams. A series of roller assemblies containing rotatable axles is attached to the underside of rigid framework. The axles rest directly on the rails and rotate smoothly by means of bearings as the building moves along the rails. Stabilizers prevent wobble and keep the building on the rails when it is being moved. Locks prevent any movement when the building is in either the open or closed position. Additional locking means prevent lateral movement when the building is locked in the open position. The building can be moved using a winch and cable system or using a unique suspended sprocket wheel and track system. Concrete footings form the base for the rails.

Abstract: A device to deter finger sucking is a partial cover for the hand with at least one finger stall encompassing the finger or fingers usually sucked. The device can also have individual finger stalls, each accommodating one finger. The device has a ribbed cuff that is elastic so the child can put the device on and take it off himself. The device is made of a knitted fabric that is stretchable throughout. This characteristic makes it possible for the child to remove his finger or fingers from the one or more finger stalls and move the device upward on his arm and out of the way when eating, washing, for personal hygiene and certain school activities and thereafter quickly replace it on the hand with the finger or fingers in the one or more finger stalls. The child has complete control over its use. This device should be maintained on the hand or arm at all times except when bathing. The device can be colorful and decorated in a manner that is attractive to the child.

Abstract: A meat tenderizer with disposable face plates requires that a fresh face plate be chosen for each use to prevent cross contamination from one use of the tenderizer to the next. The table or tables of the tenderizer head are flat and accept the face plates which may have a flat tenderizing surface or any of several textured tenderizing surfaces. The face plates are intended for a single use. Once used a face plate is discarded. The user selects the appropriate face plate for the task at hand, attaches it to the tenderizer and removes and discards it after use. Since a clean unused face plate is selected for each use, the tenderizer does not have to be washed between uses thereby saving time for the chef and providing a sanitary tenderizing surface for contact with the meat.

Abstract: An exercise vest for upper body development is disclosed. The vest has a series of horizontal straps, adjustable in length, that encircle the vest and fasten in front to secure the vest on the person and provide upper body support. There are three elastic band assemblies to provide a complete range of upper body movements which involve all upper body muscle groups. Body development is achieved using the resistance of the elastic bands. A rear band is grasped by a handlebar and raised straight over the head. When not in use the handlebar is fixedly held above the shoulders by means of clips attached on each side of the vest. There are upper and lower side elastic band pairs which have hand grips for each hand. These elastic bands can be stretched up and down and forward and back as desired for a complete workout. The elastic bands are linearly adjustable by means of specially designed canisters containing winding spools that enable the lengths of the elastic bands to be altered in discrete increments.

Abstract: An outdoor umbrella that closes automatically in high wind is disclosed. The wind causes the main support post of the umbrella to flex from the vertical dislodging a plunger from its weight bearing mounting on a rigid rod. The plunger is attached to an actuator rod extending upward within the support post. When the plunger is displaced the actuator rod is caused to move downward thereby activating a releasing ratchet which frees a shaft to rotate and the cable which holds the canopy to unwind. A hydraulic cylinder attached to one of the canopy ribs presses on the rib to close the canopy and maintain the canopy in closed orientation. As the canopy closes a reset mechanism is activated which resets the plunger onto the rigid rod. Once closed the canopy will remain closed until raised by manually rewinding the cable onto the shaft using a hand crank attached to the end of the shaft. A second ratchet assembly incorporated into the hand crank prevents the hand crank from spinning when the umbrella closes.

Abstract: Shapes formed by various series of interconnected straight lines representing lines between finger positions forming chords on musical keyboards form a system and method for learning finger positioning to form chords and finger movements to change chords on a musical keyboard. All thirty-six triads can be formed by eight triad shapes for forming finger positions to create the triad chords by moving the finger positions to different locations along a keyboard. All four finger chords can be formed from sixteen four finger chord shapes. Chord trees are families of chords formed by moving one or more fingers from each triad chord or four finger chord to raise or lower notes, merge two notes into one, or split one note into two notes thereby forming all new chords and harmonies.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for use with toilet seats and other objects consists of a threaded bolt with a threaded axial bore and a head larger than the opening in the toilet bowl flange, a nut sized to fit the bolt, and a screw dimensioned to cooperate with the bore. The bolt is inserted through the opening in the flange, extending there beyond. The bolt is secured from below the flange with the nut. The seat assembly is then placed on the flange so that the aperture in the seat assembly bracket communicates with the threaded bore. The seat assembly is secured in place by passing the screw through the aperture in the bracket and threading it into the bore. The seat assembly can then be reversibly removed for cleaning by merely removing and replacing the screw without having to reach under the flange. The screw can have a gripping head so that it can be rotated without the need for a screwdriver, or there can be a slot centered on the top of the head so that a screwdriver can be used.

Abstract: A method of planning and fabricating a single crocheted work-piece that incorporates a meandering pattern. A special grid is constructed, the pattern placed in the grid, and the stitch combinations noted on the pattern line forming a “map”. This map of the work-piece is carefully followed in the fabrication of the first round. The work-piece is fabricated by making a central piece that is the first round containing the complete meandering pattern line. The first round is constructed in two steps, a row 1A and a row 1B. Row 1A is not visible when the first round has been completed. Thereafter, encircling additional rounds are added until the work-piece has reached the desired size. Inside seams are connected to complete the work-piece. Alternating colors are used to emphasize the meandering pattern. New stitch combinations, specifically a three-way intersection and a four-way intersection, as well as inside and outside corners make the meandering pattern possible.

Abstract: A storage container for flares in combination with an extendable support structure to elevate the burning flares above the road bed. The storage container and the support structure are mounted on a heavy base. The extendable support structure has flare holders at the top to securely hold the burning flares and pivoted connections so the structure can be folded down for transport. Plungers cooperate with the flare holders to eject any residue so the spent flare can easily and quickly be replaced without having to wait for cooling or to tip the device over to accomplish the removal of the residue. Locking means retains the structure in the extended orientation. A carrying handle affixed to the front of the storage container enables easy transport and gaskets on the inside of the cover of the storage container prevent moisture from entering and rendering the flares ineffective. The storage container can hold multiple flares.

Abstract: A device to measure the height of a person consists of an elongated base that extends from above the head of the person being measured to the flat surface on which the person stands and a sliding member. The base has two longitudinal channels, one containing a T-track and the other a measuring scale. There is a blank surface on which to record the height and other additional data. Decorative indicia may also be placed on the blank area. The vertically movable sliding member has a forward extending bar that rests against the top of the head of the person being measured. A follower extends from the side of the sliding member across the channel containing the scale. The top edge of the follower is at the same level as the bottom surface of the bar. The height can be read along the top edge of the follower. The sliding member has a threaded bolt extending through it with a tab on the back end which is movable within the T-track and prevents the sliding member from being pulled out of the T-track.

Abstract: A speedometer face plate assembly that incorporates a border of light transmitting segments above the speed indicating numerals is disclosed. Each of the segments is a different color. The colored segments are lighted from behind as the speed changes so that colored light is visible both peripherally and directly to the driver. Each color is associated with a specific speed increment so that once the driver becomes familiar with this speedometer face plate assembly, he or she will be aware of the speed traveled according to the color of the light and will not have to look directly at the speedometer as frequently as is currently necessary. In addition to the colored light transmitting border, there may also be a colored light transmitting section under the numerals or at another area on the speedometer face to further enhance the colored light effect. This speedometer face plate assembly contributes to increasing driving safety.

Abstract: A craft needle having a measuring scale permanently applied along the longitudinal surface is disclosed. The zero point of the measuring scale is the distal end of the craft needle. The proximal end of the needle being the pointed end of a knitting needle and the hooked end of a crochet needle. Both knitting needles and crochet needles can be made with this feature. The length of a knitted work-piece can be measured by holding the distal end of the free needle vertically so the distal end is against the needle holding the work-piece and reading the length from the scale on the free needle. The width of a knitted work-piece and the dimensions of a crocheted work-piece can be measured by placing the distal end of the needle at one edge of the work-piece with the needle being parallel to the dimension being measured and reading the measurement from the scale on the needle. More than one measuring scale can be applied to a single needle with the zero points on all scales being at the distal ends of the needles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an afghan incorporating personalized or commemorative indicia and a method for constructing the afghan. The individual pieces of the afghan incorporate the characters and symbols of the indicia at the point of fabrication so that the afghan is complete when the pieces are joined together. The method involves determining the event to be commemorated, choosing the specific indicia to be incorporated into the afghan and anticipating the use for the completed afghan. The size of the afghan and of the individual pieces are determined as well as the number of pieces to be fabricated. A grid is constructed representing the number and arrangement of the pieces so that the characters and symbols making up the indicia may be suitably positioned within the grid and within the completed afghan to provide the most esthetic result. The craft method is then chosen as well as the type and colors of the yarn and the implement or implements needed in the fabrication.