Abstract: An improved loop for a flexible strap is disclosed wherein the loop is reversible and protected from wear by a protective cover. First means secures the terminal end of the flexible strap to an adjacent area creating the loop. The strap is folded within the loop, creating a folded region of increased strap thickness and decreased strap width. The protective cover completely encompasses the folded region of the flexible strap. A twist is interposed in the loop enabling alternate sides of the protective cover to be positioned within the loop to alternately receive the normal wear. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A flexible spring bearing comprising a substantially cylindrical configuration with an arcuate portion being disposed circumferentially about the cylindrical configuration. The arcuate portions may be convexly curved outward or concavely curved inward. Although many combinations are possible, the preferred embodiment is a concave portion at one end and a convex portion at the other end. A thrust cap is incorporated to be inserted over the convex portion thereby evenly distributing the applied pressure throughout the flexible spring bearing and also regulating the flexibility of the convex portion. Furthermore, a main bearing race and thrust race are incorporated to be contiguous to the end of the concave portion. The main bearing race along with the cylindrical configuration rotates, via a bearing means, upon the thrust race. The bearing means may be an annular protrusion disposed concentric with the cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: Catamaran boat dollies are provided, one for each of the hulls of a catamaran, for moving the catamaran along a beach or other supporting surface. Each dolly has a cradle mounted on a single wheel, the axis of the wheel axle declining outwardly from the cradle to define an included angle with the vertical of approximately 75.degree.. Longitudinal bars of the cradle embrace opposite sides of the associated hull, and the disposition of the wheel and its axle results in a bending or rotational moment which causes the cradle to clampingly engage the hull. Because of the shape of a fourteen or sixteen foot "Hobie" type hull, the catamaran will remain in satisfactory engagement with the dollies as it is moved across the surface, but is preferably provided with a tie-down band for retaining the dolly in place as the catamaran is moved into or out of the water.

Abstract: A seating device is disclosed for use with a water closet to aid a patient in recovering from a rectum operation such as a colostomy operation or the like. The device is suitable for use with a conventional water closet comprising a bowl having an upper terminating ring. The improvement comprises seat means being positionable above the terminating ring of the bowl for providing a seating surface. The seating surface includes a first support extending around the terminating ring of the bowl in a conventional manner. The invention comprises a second support portion extending across the bowl to substantially cover the back region of the bowl to support the area of incision of the patient. The device may comprise a resilient pillow or a plastic member for positioning on a conventional water closet seat. In the alternative, the device may be permanently mounted to replace the conventional water closet seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a material into a fine and a coarse component is disclosed incorporating a primary and a secondary cyclone separator. A primary pump is connected to the input of the primary cyclone separator for injecting material therein. The primary cyclone separator discharges the fine component of the material from a fine component output and discharges the coarse component of the material from a coarse component output. The fine component output of the primary cyclone separator is connected to the input of the secondary cyclone separator thereby producing additional fine component material and additional coarse component material. A single primary pump is utilized for the primary and secondary cyclone separators operating as a system.

Abstract: A foam spout is disclosed for use with an aerosol container having a valve for controlling flow of a product such as a foamable material from the container upon activation of the valve. The spout includes a support having a bottom region engagable with the container and an upwardly extending support wall with a slot. A button member has a conduit including a first conduit portion which is cooperable with the container valve of the container. The button member has a second conduit portion extending through the slot in the support wall of the support. A flexible wall is integral with the support and the button member enabling pivotal movement of the button member relative to the support whereby depression of the button member actuates the valve to cause flow of product through the conduit. The spout is especially suitable for use with aerosol containers having an upwardly extending valve stem which may be frictionally received in the first conduit portion of the button member.

Abstract: A primer is disclosed for installation in a floor drain water trap located in a lower position relative to a sink drain and sink water trap. A first fitting is disposed upstream of the floor drain water trap. A second fitting is disposed in the sink drain upstream of the sink water trap. A conduit interconnects the first and second fittings to direct waste water from the sink drain to the floor drain water trap thereby maintaining the water level therein to insure a proper seal in the floor drain water trap. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved connector for providing a sloped roof deck between horizontal joists and a plurality of roof trusses. A plurality of sets of integral connectors are used for connecting the roof trusses to the joists with the roof trusses being in a parallel array and perpendicular to the joists. Each of the integral connectors has a base element for mounting to the joist and a support element for mounting to the roof truss with a coupling means disposed therebetween. Each set of connectors has a discrete size coupling means to dispose the support elements at different heights relative to the base elements thereby sloping the roof trusses at the acute angle relative to a horizontal. The sloped roof deck generally comprises a plurality of sheet members disposed between adjacent roof trusses of the parallel array.

Abstract: An improved infusion and stirring device is disclosed comprising a handle member having a first and a second portion. A first and a second retaining element are respectively secured to the first and the second portion of the handle member to stir an infusion liquid upon movement of the handle member. The first and second retaining elements engage opposite sides of a porous bag containing an infusion solid, such as a tea bag. A latch interconnects the first and second portions of the handle member thereby encompassing the porous bag to retain the porous bag between the first and second retaining elements as the handle member is moved to stir the infusion liquid. The improved structure may be readily injection molded from a plastic material.

Abstract: An access door primarily designed to provide an insulated entrance to heating, ventilating and air conditoning ducts consisting of a two-pan structure lockably connected together by a simple unfastening means.

Abstract: A pyramid container device is disclosed which is adapted for holding an item. The container device comprises a first container member having the substantial shape of a regular pyramid with a substantially square first container base. The first container member may be formed as a thin wall pyramid structure of a plastic material. A second container member comprises a substantially thin wall frustum of a pyramid having a top base commensurate in size with the first container base of the first container member. Connecting means such as a lip on one of the first and second container members secures the first container base to the top of the second container member forming the pyramid-shaped container device. Aperture means molded in one of the first or second container members is adapted for receiving and locating an inner container such as a cylindrical jar at the geometric center of the pyramid container device.

Abstract: An improved board game is disclosed comprising a novel game board having a first, second and a third major board section. A first minor board section is interposed between the first and second major board sections, whereas a second minor board section is interposed between the second and third major board sections. Flexible hinges are provided to connect the major and minor board sections, enabling the game board to be folded along the flexible hinges. A first and a second elevational member respectively, project from the first and second major board sections of the game board. The first and second elevational members may take the form of a rotatable random selecting spinner device or a decorative ornament structure pertinent to the subject matter of the game. The first and second elevational members are established such that one of the elevational members is receivable in the other of the elevational members, enabling the board to be folded with the major board sections being substantially parallel.

Abstract: A velocipede has a frame with front and rear frame parts interconnected by a coupling so that the velocipede may be collapsed for storage or shipment, and so that it may be converted into different forms such as a tricycle or a bicycle, for example. In the illustrated examples the velocipede has a typical chain drive including pedals on a crank journalled in a crank hanger tube which is part of the rear frame part. The coupling includes the crank hanger tube which is snugly received in an upwardly opening cradle forming part of the front frame part. A tab at the top of the rear of the cradle is received in a slot in the rear of the crank hanger tube, and the front of the tube carries an upwardly extending plate with an alignment guide received in a hole in an upwardly extending plate of the front of the cradle to maintain the front and rear frame parts in alignment crosswise of the frame.

Abstract: A trap loader safety assembly includes a trap target throwing machine positioned in a suitable pit having a predetermined safe position for a person loading the machine with targets. Normally the loader displays a red flag to the shooters before leaving the pit, but often this precaution is forgotten and the loader leaves the pit with no warning to the shooters. To overcome this possible danger, a seat which is normally provided for the loader, is responsive to the weight of the loader to place the throwing machine in operation and to discontinue a signal to the shooter or shooters to withhold shooting. When the loaders weight is removed from the seat the throwing machine is rendered inoperative and the signal is displayed to the shooter to withhold shooting.

Abstract: A combined hat and throwable amusement device is disclosed wherein the hat when immersed in water obtains an aerodynamic stability whereby the hat may be sailed through the air as a saucer-like amusement device. The combined hat and throwable amusement device comprises a hat crown having an inverted bowl shape with a top region and a lower terminating edge. A substantially symmetrical hat brim extends from the terminating edge of the hat crown. The improvement comprises a plurality of slot apertures uniformly located about the hat crown with each of the slot apertures extending partially between the top region and the lower terminating edge of the hat crown. The plurality of slot apertures enable air currents to flow through the slot apertures to increase the aerodynamic stability of the device when the device is sailed through the air. The device includes a bouyant hat band to provide flotation to the device upon immersion in water.

Abstract: A signal device for a mailbox or similar roadside receptacle has an abutment member received in the box on its bottom wall in position to be engaged by mail, or some other article, and thereby moved to the opposite end of the box. The abutment member is secured to a rigid rod extending through the rear of the mailbox and carrying a signal flag outside the box. This rod is inclined to the bottom wall of the box so that as the abutment member is engaged by the mail or other article, the signal flag is moved laterally of the mailbox so that it may be more clearly seen from a distance than when it is possibly concealed by the perimeter of the mailbox when closely proximate the adjacent end of the mailbox.

Abstract: A method of electrical power generation is disclosed wherein the energy source to operate the said electrical power generation apparatus is that energy existing between two fluid sources being at different temperatures and therefore at different energy levels. These fluid sources could be as divergent as warm underground crude oil as it is pumped from wells and the cooler atmospheric air above the said oil wells, or as intimately related as the warm water output from conventional and nuclear power generating plants and the cooling water source usually available to such generating plants. Warm water pumped from deep below the earths surface, geo-thermally heated, as the warm or hot source and surface water from lakes, oceans, rivers, etc. as the colder, or lower energy source provides an additional source of energy for the method of electrical power generation herein described.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for retaining a boat hull centered on a boat trailer during launching and loading of the boat. The assembly includes a pair of guides each extending upwardly from the rear or loading and launching end of the trailer for engaging opposite sides of the hull and urging the hull to a centered position relative to the trailer. The guides may be covered with polyvinyl chloride to present a smooth, low friction surface for engaging the hull without marring it as the hull moves past the tubes. Lower ends of the tubes are curved inwardly with the vertical sides of the tubes being flattened to reduce flexing of the tubes transversely of the hull. The lower tubing ends are received in a snug fitting channel, with upper and lower faces of the tubes tightly clamped toward each other to expand the flattened sides into tight engagement with legs of the channel.

Abstract: A liquid mixing and aeration system is disclosed comprising a novel liquid pump, a electronic circuit for controlling the system, and improved mixing for mixing flowing liquids. The system enables mixing of a first and a second liquids regulating fthe flow of the first liquid. A liquid pump is connected for pumping the second liquid. A control circuit controls the pump in accordance with the flow of the first liquid to maintain a given volumetric relationship between the first liquid and the second liquid. A mixer mixes the first and second liquid in accordance with the aforementioned volumetric relationship.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus configured for use in combination with a mobile chassis comprising a base means including attachment means to fasten the abrasive cleaning apparatus to the mobile chassis, an adjustable nozzle support means to operatively support a plurality of nozzle means thereon and interconnecting boom means coupled between the base means and adjustable nozzle support means. The interconnecting boom means includes a first and second boom element arranged in telescoping relation relative to each other to permit linear adjustment of the adjustable nozzle support means relative to the base means and mobile chassis. The adjustable nozzle support means includes a first and second positioning means to permit movement of the plurality of nozzle means in a first and second plane respectively.