Abstract: A paper tinting and drying machine has a tinting module and a dryer module spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance so that aqueous liquid ink with less than five percent volatile organic compounds by volume applied to the underside of the paper can be visually inspected by the machine operator and so that ink application adjustments located on the paper output side of the tinter module can be accessed by the machine operator. Rollers in the tinting module constrain the paper to follow a path of travel through two sets of inking rollers so that both sides of the paper are evenly coated. After entering the dryer module without smearing or transferring wet ink to the dryer module input guide roller, the ink on the paper is dried by air knives and infrared heaters within the dryer module. In a first embodiment, the rollers in the tinting module drive the paper through the machine.

Abstract: A device for detecting loose stones in a jewelry setting includes a pedestal against which a ring or other jewelry item is lightly held, and a vibrator for causing vibration of the pedestal and hence of the jewelry item held against it. A large magnifying lens is positioned a few inches above the pedestal so that the owner of the jewelry item may observe the stones when the setting is vibrated. This enables a jeweler's customer to see loose stones themselves without relying upon the opinion of the jeweler. The vibrator is a motor contained within a housing, and the pedestal extends upwardly through an aperture formed in a top wall of the housing. A linkage means interconnects the output shaft of the motor and the pedestal in such a way as to cause vibration of the pedestal. A light mounted above the pedestal illuminates it, and separate switch actuators are provided for the actuation of the motor and the light.

Abstract: A waterfall for swimming pools has a first configuration as a waterfall and a second configuration as a water spray. Both configurations include a water accumulation box having a spiral water inlet chamber that receives water from the circulating water pump. The spiral configuration removes turbulence from the water so that the waterfall produces a smooth sheet of water. A rotary diverter valve positioned within a nonrotatable cylinder has a hand wheel at its opposite ends so that a pool user may adjust its rotary position. In a first position, a first plenum in the rotary diverter valve aligns with an interconnecting plenum that interconnects the water accumulation box and a water outlet slot to produce the waterfall, and in a second position, a plurality of smaller orifices align with the water outlet slot to produce a water spray effect.

Abstract: A hunting knife has a blade with an elongate cutting edge and a distal free end protected by washers so that the point of the knife is protected during the gutting of game. A central aperture is formed in the distal free end for receiving a screw, and the screw and a nut hold the washers in sandwiching relation to the point of the knife. When the knife is used in gutting, the washers prevent the point of the knife from making unwanted punctures. When the washers are removed, the sharpened distal free end may be used for skinning.

Abstract: A four-sided hollow post provides a mount for four repeater housings of the type used by the cable industry and protectively houses the cable so that cable guards are not needed. The post has a removable back panel so that backfill material is positioned within the hollow interior of the post during the backfill procedure; this stabilizes the post so that it remains upright. The base of the post is also flared outwardly to accomplish the same objective. A unistrut bracket is positioned in each of the four side walls to enable facile mounting of brackets that support the repeater housings, and a knock out panel is formed in each side wall so that the cable stubs depending from a repeater housing may extend into the interior of the post through a cable exit port that is created when the knock out panel is removed.

Abstract: A toy for mounting on the dashboard of a vehicle in front of the driver. The toy includes a box-like housing that houses a plurality of tone generators. Each tone generator, when activated, produces the sounds of a military assault weapon, and a selector switch is provided for each tone generator so that the driver of the vehicle may select the desired sound. A firing button is provided so that after the desired tone generator has been activated, pressing the firing button causes the selected sound to be generated. The sounds may be broadcast over a built-in speaker, or over the vehicle's speaker system. LED lights in the top wall of the housing are reflected onto the windshield of the vehicle, and form a simulated target sight. Thus, a driver desiring to vent frustrations may simulate shooting at a fanciful enemy driver by activating the device, activating a selected tone generator, aligning the other vehicle in the target sight, and pressing a firing button to cause generation of the selected sound.

Abstract: A unitary cable closure for telecommunication cables includes a tubular housing having a seamless top that provides a weather-tight enclosure for telecommunication cable splices and repair openings. The closure is hinged along a top edge so that its bottom edges can be swung open to expose the interior of the closure. The closure is suspended from a support strand by hanger brackets that are also of hinged construction so that the closure can be opened along its hinges without obstruction. The hanger brackets are adapted to permit adjustment of the vertical spacing between the closure and the support strand. The opposing bottom edges of the closure are permanently interlocked in a first embodiment and releasably interlocked in a second. The opposite ends of the closure may be cut off to adapt it to cables of progressively larger diameter and to adapt it to receive a second cable as well. The closure includes a termination port through which access to the cable conductors can be obtained.

Abstract: A theater chair is removably mounted to the floor of a theater so that it may be quickly removed when needed to provide space for a patron using a wheelchair. A tool is required to remove the chair from its mount. Holes are formed in the floor of the theater, and each hole is covered with a cover plate. A base plate has a pair of ears attached to its leading edge that engage the front cover plates to hold down the front of the base plate. Rear foot anchors are mounted to the trailing edge of the base plate and these rear foot anchors releasably engage the rear cover plates to hold down the back of the base plate. The rear foot anchors are movably mounted and release the rear cover plates when moved by the tool. The tool includes an elongate rod at the end of a handle so that when the handle is rotated rearwardly, each rear foot anchor is displaced and releases its associated rear cover plate so that the chair can be detached. The chair is also easily reinstalled with the aid of the tool.

Abstract: An escape hatch that is added to an occupied structure by cutting an opening in an exterior wall that is then closed with the main body of the hatch. A pair of pivotally mounted handles are provided on the interior wall of the hatch so that when both handles are pivoted, the hatch may be pushed out so that it falls onto the ground outside the structure and so that the occupants of the structure may then crawl through the opening. An exterior wall of the hatch is larger than the opening so that the hatch cannot be pushed into the interior of the structure by a person outside it. The handles are designed to be opened with minimal force and the hatch construction includes numerous features that ensure against jamming of the hatch when it needs to be opened.

Abstract: A rake-like device for retrieving golf balls includes an elongate handle and a ball retriever that is made from a plurality of "U"-shaped tine members disposed in transversely spaced apart relation to one another. The open end of each tine faces the user of the device during the retrieving operation. A triangular structure is formed on the bottom part of each tine and serves to trap a retrieved golf ball. The handle is pivotally mounted to the retriever so that the device can be stored in a narrow space when not in use.

Abstract: A crab hand line device has a triangular configuration and is opened and closed in the general manner of a safety pin. An elongate rod is bent in three locations to form a short leg, a medium length leg, and a long leg of the triangular configuration. A first end of the rod is bent into a return bend that is normal to the plane of the device. A second bend in the rod is a gradual ninety degree bend, and the third bend is a gradual one hundred fifty degree bend so that a thirty-sixty-ninety degree triangle is formed. The free end of the long leg is pointed to that a bait item is easily impaled onto it, and the pointed free end is releasably engaged with the return bend after the bait has been impaled to ensure that the bait cannot fall off of the third leg. The device is weighted so that it will not float, and the streamlined contour of the triangular configuration ensures that it will not snag on plant material as it is raised to the surface when a crab is feeding on the bait.

Abstract: A chair is removably mounted to the floor of a theater or other assembly hall so that it may be quickly removed when needed to provide space for a patron using a wheelchair and quickly reinstalled afterwards. Holes are formed in the floor of the theater, in a generally square pattern, and plugs are positioned in each hole. A baseplate upon which the chair is permanently mounted has plug-engaging members depending from its underside. The forward plug-engaging members slidingly engage the forward plugs, and the rearward plug-engaging members are biased to latchingly engage the rearward plugs. A special tool is inserted through access holes in the base plate to overcome the bias and disengage the rearward plug-engaging members.

Abstract: A tool that enables resurfacing of exhaust port flanges in the substantial absence of engine disassembly. An air motor that controls rotation of a resurfacing device is carried at the end of an arm assembly including an elbow like joint so that the motor is positionable over a wide range of positions. The proximal end of the arm assembly is mounted on a shaft and an adjustment knob enables the position of the arm assembly and hence the motor to be axially adjusted to facilitate positioning of the motor with respect to the port to be resurfaced. The shaft has a first part with a flat bottom that overlies a base plate that is secured to a cylinder head and spaced from the head by elongate spacers. Fine adjustment of the motor's position is achieved by rocking a preselected end of the shaft away from the base plate and by tilting the shaft laterally with respect to the base plate.

Abstract: A twenty five gallon fuel container has wheels and a handle to facilitate its transporation over a support surface. A trailing tangential point on the wheels is in vertical alignment with a trailing edge of the handle so that when the container is laid down on its back, its front and back walls are parallel to the ground. A vented fill spout is mounted at a forty five degree angle relative to both the front wall and a top wall of the container so that the fill spout is disposed forty five degrees relative to the ground when the container is upright and when the container is in its reclining position. Thus, fuel cannot spill when the container is in either position. Indentations formed in the container strengthen it and provide a place to position hold down straps when the container is strapped in position aboard a vehicle.

Abstract: A device that holds a pitcher at a preselected angle of tilt while the pitcher is being filled with a beverage. Where beer is the beverage, the angle of tilt ensures that the beer will flow down the inner side walls of the pitcher, thereby suppressing the foam or head that would develop if the pitcher were charged while in an upright disposition. The weight of the beer as it gradually fills the pitcher gradually overcomes the bias that causes the initial tilting so that the head is continually suppressed throughout the charging operation and so that the pitcher is completely upright when filled. The device saves its user from having to hold a heavy pitcher at a tilted position throughout the charging process.

Abstract: A pair of telescoping panels covers the bed of a pickup truck. An axle member at the trailing end of the rear panel is biased to lift that trailing end upwardly so that it can clear the tailgate of the truck when a latch is released and so that the rear panel can be slid forwardly when so released. A latch at the leading end of the forward panel similarly releases an upwardly biased axle so that the leading end of that panel can clear the forward wall of the truck bed when it is desired to slide the front panel rearwardly. A third axle is positioned at the leading end of the rear panel. All three axles carry wheel members at their opposite ends that are mounted for lateral movement within longitudinally extending tracks mounted to opposite side walls of the truck bed. The lateral moveability allows the structure to be positioned on differing models of pickup trucks. The panels are arched and ribbed for structural strength.

Abstract: A pillow and a slot are added to an otherwise conventional hammock. The pillow is mounted atop the hammock adjacent a longitudinal edge, mid-length of the hammock so that the transverse axis of symmetry of hammock bisects the pillow. The slot has a predetermined longitudinal extent and is also positioned mid-length of the hammock and is bisected by the transverse axis of symmetry. The pillow and slot are on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hammock. A first individual standing in the slot may massage a second recumbent individual whose head is supported by the pillow and whose feet may extend through the slot and rest atop the floor below the hammock or may rest atop the hammock on opposite sides of the first individual.