Abstract: A combination tool having utility in connection with the hanging of wallpaper. The tool has the form of a box and includes a holder for a smoothing brush, a holder for a seam roller, a magnet for holding a utility knife, a blade holder and dispenser, a blade snapper that allows dull blade edges to be snapped off and desposited into the cavity defined by the box, a pencil sharpener and a pencil holder. Thus, the device includes all tools needed for hanging wallpaper quickly, efficiently and correctly, with the exception of staple items such as a paint roller, a level, a straight edge and a tape measure.

Abstract: A slideably and rotatably mounted roller member performs a precision take up reel function in the environment of a track mounted, drawable, pleated window covering. The roller member slides along an axis coincident with its axis of rotation as it rotates so that cord being wound therearound attendant its rotation is taken up in the absence of overlapping. One end of the roller member is provided with a centrally bored and threaded plug that screw threadedly engages a fixed position screw member; as the roller member rotates, the engagement of the screw member and the bore drives the plug and hence the roller member in an axial direction. The slideable mount of the roller member is provided in the form of a base member which is slideably received within the roller member housing.

Abstract: A personal flotation device for use in emergency situations. The device includes an elongate, flotable stream member that increases the visibility of the individual wearing the device to thereby increase the probability that rescuers will visually sight the individual. The streamer member is stored in a rolled configuration in a compartment of a waist belt and is deployed when buoyancy-providing air bag members are inflated. A plurality of collapsed air bag members are stored in as many compartments of the belt, and they are inflated by gaseous fluids when ring members associated with gas-filled cartridge members are pulled by the individual at the time the water is entered.

Abstract: An automatic teller banking device of the type used in connection with drive through banking facilities. The device is a kiosk positioned on a traffic island so that bank customers may remain in their vehicles while conducting banking transactions in the absence of human tellers. The island kiosk is generally rectangular in shape and includes a motorized drawer in its medial portion. The drawer may extend outwardly from the kiosk to block a traffic lane when the land is closed, and maintenance of the device may be performed when the drawer is in its out or extended position. Three telescopically nested platforms carry the movable drawer. A pivotally mounted lever arm is pivoted about a first, permanently positioned pivot point by a linear actuator. A pushrod having a first end pivotally mounted to the free end of the lever arm and a second end secured to the topmost of the three platforms carries the topmost platform out when the lever arm is displaced by the actuator.

Abstract: A stand that holds a leaf bag in an upright configuration and maintains it in an open configuration. The stand includes a fixed diameter outer ring member and a variable diameter inner ring member that cooperate with one another to hold the leaf bag in an upright position when being filled with leaves and to hold the mouth of the bag open as well. A bag to be held is positioned so that its upper peripheral rim or mouth is encircled by the outer ring; the upper portion of the bag is then flared or folded radially outwardly so that it overlies the outer ring. The inner ring is then placed inside the mouth of the bag and the diameter of the inner ring is increased until a tight sandwiching relation is achieved between the outer and inner rings, with the upper portion of the bag positioned therebetween.

Abstract: Heat escape pipes for cinder block structures. A cinder block cavity cap is modified to have a central aperture formed therein. The aperture is specifically configured and dimensioned to receive the base of an upstanding vent pipe. The modified cavity caps are installed in the conventional manner, i.e., they are positioned to cap the cinder blocks in the penultimate row of blocks. The vent pipes are of sufficient length to extend above the concrete which is thereafter poured into the void of the top row of blocks, which concrete is prevented from entering the voids in the blocks below the top row by the cavity caps. Hot air escapes through the vent pipes since the respective lowermost ends of the pipes extend through the respective apertures formed in the cavity caps to thereby provide communication between the interior of the wall and the exterior of the wall.

Abstract: A clothesline assembly including an elongate chain, a pair of mounting strip members, and a pair of bracket members. The mounting strip members are preferably permanently secured to upstanding support structures such as walls. The amount of space between the mounting strip members substantially determines the length of chain that can be operably deployed therebetween. The mounting strip members are adapted to releasably receive the proximal ends of the respective bracket members. The respective distal ends of the bracket members are adapted to releasably engage links at opposite ends of the chain. Accordingly, the specific positions chosen for the placement of the bracket members on the mounting strip members substantially determines the height of the chain extending therebetween. Clothes to be dried are placed on conventional clothes hangers and the hangers are suspended from different links of the chain.

Abstract: A high speed hopper fed trim saw. The saw includes a first cutting station where a miter cut is made in a trim board and a second cutting station where a kerf cut is made in the same board. Boards are discharged one at a time from the hopper onto a stepped base member, and are moved one at a time from the hopper discharge area of the base member to the first cutting station by an indexing mechanism. After the first cut has been made in the first board to leave the hopper discharge area, the indexing mechanism advances the board to the second cutting station and simultaneously delivers a second board to the first cutting station from the hopper discharge area. Subsequent cycles of the machine simultaneously advance the leading board from the second cutting station to a collection area and the following board from the first cutting station to the second cutting station and the board following it from the hopper discharge area to the first cutting station and so on.

Abstract: A measuring device that performs a measurement of the amount of distance between a preselected reference point and a remote object. The device is made so that the measurement made is stored therein until the device can be retrieved from the remote location and brought to a location where it can be conveniently read. A first rotatably mounted, fixed position gear member is engaged by a first rack gear member which rack gear member is reciprocated by manipulation of a handle member. The first rotatably mounted gear member is fixedly secured to and disposed concentric with a second fixed position rotatably mounted gear member, and the second gear member engages a second rack gear member that is fixedly secured to a ruler member that is slideably mounted within a housing. Thus, manipulation of the handle member effects extension of the ruler from the housing or retraction thereinto.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for mounting an exhaust muffler onto a threaded exhaust port located at the external surface of an internal combustion engine. The adapter includes a hollow, cylindrical neck portion having screw threads formed on a first end thereof and circumferentially about the outer surface thereof, for threadably engaging the threaded exhaust port of the internal combustion engine. The adapter further includes a plate portion formed on a second end of the neck portion, having a central opening coincident with the hollow interior of the neck portion, with a first face proximate to the screw threads and a second face opposite to the first face. The adapter forms a seal between the external surface of the internal combustion engine and the first surface of the plate portion when the neck portion is operatively engaged with the exhaust port.

Abstract: A reciprocating marine propulsion engine is disclosed which includes a hollow, propulsion cylinder with a cylindrical axis, an intake end for admitting ambient water and an opposed discharge end for discharging water. A reciprocating shaft coaxial with the propulsion cylinder, transmits a reciprocating drive force. A ring member is mounted perpendicularly on a first end of the shaft and slideably engages the interior surface of the propulsion cylinder. Two semicircular vanes of a butterfly valve are pivotally mounted on the ring member for movement about an axis perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. A hollow ram cylinder has a first end mounted to and coaxial with the intake end of the propulsion cylinder, with a ram piston mounted on a second end of the shaft which slideably engages the interior surface of the ram cylinder.

Abstract: A portable, vented container for dirty oil, of the type having a small fill spout and having increased utility when used in conjunction with a funnel. A vent closure member and a funnel securing latch are integral with the funnel so that when the funnel is inverted and positioned in surmounting relation to the container, the vent closure member closes the vent and the securing latch is engaged by a fill spout cap which engagement secures the funnel against movement and hence maintains the vent closure as well. Removal of the fill spout cap releases the funnel, and positioning the funnel into its operative position relative to an automotive oil drain plug separates the vent closure portion of the funnel from the vent. An elongate extension member having a flexible medial portion is further provided.

Abstract: An outdoor lighting fixture is disclosed for a circular fluorescent lamp. A first and second embodiments are disclosed for mounting in an upright position on a post or wall and a third and fourth embodiments are disclosed for mounting in a downward suspended position from a light socket. In the first and second embodiments, the fixture includes a base which opens upwardly in a generally circular, horizontal lip. A retainer plate envelops the lip of the base forming a weather resistant joint. The plate supports a circular fluorescent lamp in a horizontal orientation and a cylindrical, transparent shield envelops the retainer plate forming a weather resistant joint. In this manner, a circular fluorescent lamp can be operated in outdoor adverse weather environments. The third and fourth embodiments include a housing having a hollow cylindrical upper neck, a lower body and a downwardly depending shade portion which terminates in a circular skirt portion with a lens.

Abstract: An outdoor lighting fixture is disclosed for a circular fluorescent lamp. A first and second embodiments are disclosed for mounting in an upright position on a post or wall and a third and fourth embodiments are disclosed for mounting in a downward suspended position from a light socket. In the first and second embodiments, the fixture includes a base which opens upwardly in a generally circular, horizontal lip. A retainer plate envelops the lip of the base forming a weather resistant joint. The plate supports a circular fluorescent lamp in a horizontal orientation and a cylindrical, transparent shield envelops the retainer plate forming a weather resistant joint. In this manner, a circular fluorescent lamp can be operated in outdoor adverse weather environments. The third and fourth embodiments include a housing having a hollow cylindrical upper neck, a lower body and a downwardly depending shade portion which terminates in a circular skirt portion with a lens.

Abstract: A unitary cable closure is disclosed, for enclosing a communications cable suspended from a support strand. The closure includes a tubular housing having a pair of mating edges separated by an access slot, the edges being manually fastened together in mating engagement after passing the cable through the slot. The closure further includes a rib integrally formed in the wall of the tubular housing. The closure also includes a termination port in the side of the tubular housing. The terminal port includes a rectangular frame and lid. The closure also includes a metal hanger bracket having a lower, horizontal portion fastened to the inside upper surface of the tubular housing at the rib and a vertical portion projecting upwardly through the upper surface of the rib of the tubular housing, for fastening to the support strand.

Abstract: A trolling depth adjusting device is disclosed which includes a vane having a forward corner with a first hole and the aftward corner having a second hole. The device further includes a principal line passing from the upward facing surface of the vane, slideably through the forward corner to the underside of the vane and then passing from the underside, slideably through the aftward corner and terminating in a lower end connected to a fishing hook. The device further includes a weight slideably mounting on the principal line and unique adjustable stop mounted on the principal line between the lower end thereof and the second hole in the vane.

Abstract: An improved rotary, power lawn mower sharpener is disclosed which includes a base member having a lever pivotally mounted thereon for horizontal motion and having a handle for actuating the lever. The sharpener further includes a wedge having a horizontal, planar, bottom surface for sliding engagement with the upper surface of the base, and having an inclined, planar, upper surface, the wedge connected by means of a link element to the lever, the lever acting to displace the wedge in a horizontal direction. A tray member is pivotally mounted by means of a horizontal pivot, the tray having a planar, bottom surface adapted for sliding engagement with the inclined, upper surface of the wedge when the wedge is moved horizontally by the lever. A grinding stone is mounted in the tray, having an upper, planar grinding surface which is raised when the wedge moves inwardly beneath the tray and which is lowered when the wedge is moved outwardly from beneath the tray.

Abstract: A diving tank handle is disclosed, for selective attachment to a cylindrical diving tank. The apparatus includes a clamping ring for slideably engaging the peripheral surface of the diving tank in an unclamped state and for frictionally engaging the peripheral surface of the diving tank in a clamped state, the clamping ring having an open side with a pair of opposed end surfaces. The apparatus further includes a cam pivotally mounted to the clamping ring between the opposed end surfaces, on a pivot axis perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the diving tank. The apparatus further includes a handle portion mounted to the cam for clamping the ring to the diving tank by rotating the cam. The diving tank handle may be easily slipped onto the diving tank with the handle portion in the clearance position, compactly stored while mounted on the diving tank with the handle portion in the storage position and the diving tank conveniently carried with the handle portion in the lifting position.

Abstract: A steady state thermostat is disclosed which employs a magnetic flux coupling technique to obtain a greater stability in its operation, resulting in a significant reduction in fuel costs. The thermostat includes a temperature sensor operated arm and a temperature setting arm pivotally mounted on a common base pivot. A first magnetic field source is mounted on the first end of the sensor arm coincident with a first axis and a second magnetic field source is mounted on the second end of the sensor arm coincident with a second axis. A first magnetic field sensor is mounted on the first end of the setting arm coincident with the first axis and adapted for proximate positioning with respect to the first magnetic field source when the selected orientation of the setting arm corresponds to the desired ambient temperature being higher in magnitude than the existing ambient temperature.

Abstract: A portable, vented container for dirty oil, of the type having a small fill spout and having increased utility when used in conjunction with a funnel. A vent closure member and a funnel securing latch are integral with the funnel so that when the funnel is inverted and positioned in surmounting relation to the container, the vent closure member closes the vent and the securing latch is engaged by a fill spout cap which engagement secures the funnel against movement and hence maintains the vent closure as well. Removal of the fill spout cap releases the funnel, and positioning the funnel into its operative position relative to an automotive oil drain plug separates the vent closure portion of the funnel from the vent. An elongate extension member having a flexible medial portion is further provided.