Abstract: A centrally-folded and centrally-thickened ridge cover is formed from sheet shingle material by repeatedly back folding the material on itself to provide a thickened central portion for the ridge cover. The thickened central portion is disposed intermediate of a lower and an upper portion of the ridge cover. A plurality of inscribed transverse grooves are impressed into the work piece of sheet shingle material, to insure that the work piece folds at desired locations to form the back folds and thickened central portion of the finished ridge cover. A method of effecting the desired folding of a ridge cover work piece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A paintball gun provides a double-acting trigger apparatus including a pair of finger engagement surfaces against which a user of the gun may employ a pair of trigger fingers. The user of the paintball gun may effect a firing operation of the gun by using either one of the two fingers to pull the trigger. Consequently, rapid firing operations of the gun are effected by dithering the two trigger fingers in rapid alternating motions to apply pressure on and off the two trigger engagement surfaces. Further, the paintball gun includes a programmable, microprocessor-based controller allowing the gun to be fired in response to a chosen discreet event in time. This chosen discreet event may include the opening and/or closing of a pair of switch contacts, for example; or the making or breaking of an electrical circuit effected between conductive components of the paintball gun.

Abstract: A shingle ridge cover is formed from a rectangular sheet of shingle roofing material back folded on itself to provide a central thickened portion for the shingle ridge cover. An upper portion of lesser thickness provides a nailing margin for the shingle ridge cover, and cooperates with a centrally-located thickest portion of the shingle ridge cover to provide a safety space to allow for “pop up” of the roofing nails or fasteners. A lower portion of the shingle ridge cover overlies the thickened upper portion of a preceding shingle ridge cover as installed on a roof, and cooperates with the preceding shingle ridge cover so that they together provide three layers of protective shingle sheet material over all portions of a hip, ridge, or rake of a roof on which the shingle ridge covers are installed.

Abstract: A thread cutting milling tool comprises a shank with a working portion formed with a recess for receiving a thread cutting insert. The thread cutting insert has one edge formed with a line of thread-form teeth of identical profile. The thread cutting teeth project laterally for cutting engagement with a work-piece while the tool spins about its axis. The tool also orbits within or about a work piece, and in one orbit of the tool in a helical cutting path relative to the work piece a number of complete turns of the screw-thread are formed which is equal to the number of teeth of the insert in engagement with the work-piece. A secondary cutter carried on the thread cutting milling tool provides for formation of a pilot portion or counter bore on the work piece at an end of the screw thread. The pilot portion or counter bore provides for alignment of a threaded member which is to engage the screw thread.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved augar for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for control of discharge lighting, such as HID (high intensity discharge) lighting, effects full-voltage start up of the lighting, and sustained operation of the lighting at a reduced voltage after a selected and variable start-up phase or interval. The apparatus includes an auto transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is always in series with the load, but may be shorted to connect full line voltage from the line to the load. When the primary winding is not shorted, the secondary winding is connected to the load also, so that reduced voltage is provided to the load. A thermal analog device simulates the warm up time constant of the HID lighting unit, so that the reduction in operating voltage to the HID lighting unit is effected only after this lighting unit has achieved a sufficiently high temperature to sustain operation at a reduced operating voltage.

Abstract: A spark plug adapter allows for installation into the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine of an improved high-performance spark plug of configuration considerably different from that which the cylinder head was manufactured to accept. This is accomplished without disassembly of the engine or machine work on the cylinder head, and provides for a considerably improved smoothness of operation of and power production from the engine. An alternative embodiment of the inventive spark plug adapter provides for a compression release valve to communication with the combustion chamber of the engine, considerably easing starting for the engine, and still without disassembly of the engine or machine work on the cylinder head. A third embodiment of the inventive spark plug adapter provides for improved sealing of combustion gases.

Abstract: A shingle ridge cover is formed from an elongate sheet of shingle roofing material back folded on itself to provide a folded and thickened front lower edge of the shingle ridge cover. The shingle ridge cover provides upwardly disposed stripes of adhesive material providing for interbonding of successive ridge covers on a roof, and a rearwardly disposed strip of non-adherence material providing for the ridge covers to be stacked and shipped to a job site substantially without the stacked ridge covers adhering to one another.

Abstract: A thread cutting milling tool comprises a shank with a working portion formed with a recess for receiving a thread cutting insert. The thread cutting insert has one edge formed with a line of thread-form teeth of identical profile. The thread cutting teeth project laterally for cutting engagement with a work-piece while the tool spins about its axis. The tool also orbits within or about a work piece, and in one orbit of the tool in a helical cutting path relative to the work piece a number of complete turns of the screw-thread are formed which is equal to the number of teeth of the insert in engagement with the work-piece. A secondary cutter carried on the thread cutting milling tool provides for formation of a pilot portion or counter bore on the work piece at an end of the screw thread. The pilot portion or counter bore provides for alignment of a threaded member which is to engage the screw thread.

Abstract: A ventilated protective garment particularly for wear by operators, occupants, and passengers of sports motor vehicles, such as motorcycles for example, includes a garment body which may be configured as a jacket or coat, and which includes an especially configured vent structure at sleeves of the garment, which vent structure provides for selective opening of a vent passage on the sleeve forearm portion, while also insuring against the sleeves sliding up the wearer's arms in the event of a fall from the moving vehicle followed by a tumble and slide on gravel or pavement, for example. Thus, the wearer of the garment may select to be provided with desirable ventilation, or to close the forearm ventilation openings, and is protected against forearm abrasion regardless of whether the forearm vent openings are opened or closed.

Abstract: A small flat wall mountable panel having a flat visual display surface has two spaced apart upwardly arched hooks mounted on backstop spacers and aligned horizontally to receive a skateboard wheel mount or a scooter handle bar therein. An outwardly arched spacer arm below the hooks contacts the board or scooter to maintain the skateboard or scooter away from the wall. A rail with a sliding track can receive and mount a number of the hanger/spacer devices horizontally aligned on a wall. End caps and interconnectors between rails have flat surfaces for visual displays.

Abstract: A high-volume, high-utility, non-conductive electrical junction box includes a back wall and four side walls in rectangular array extending from the back wall, with each side wall being jointed to the back wall and to the two adjacent side walls in order to both define an opening to the junction box, and to substantially enclose a volume therewithin. Inside of the junction box, electrical wiring and devices may be safely installed. The junction box includes internal mounting lugs that extend from the opening of the junction box toward but short of the back wall, and which thus provide an improved volume within a junction box of a standard size. Additionally, a multitude of conduit sockets may be attached to the junction box, and mutually lock to the walls of the junction box by use of a specialized multiple-engagement nut member.

Abstract: An elongate flexible plastic tubing includes a helical support bead, and defines a central passage opening on opposite ends of the tubing. The tubing may also include one or more lumens extending helically in the support bead from end to end of the tubing. Also, the tubing may include one or more electrical conductors also extending helically from end to end of the tubing. Additionally, one or plural fiber optic conductors may extend helically from end to end of the tubing. The lumen(s), electrical conductors, and fiber optic conductors, are available for utilization to, for example: conduct electricity, carry out electrical resistance heating of fluid flow in the central passage, carry electrical signals, carry fluid, transmit fluidic signals, or to convey light, and/or optical signals, along a length of the tubing.

Abstract: An improved shock absorbing insulated shipping container including an external corrugated cardboard box, receiving an insulated body having a cavity for holding a one or more breakable glass bottles, which bottles may contain high value liquid product being shipped, such as medicine or wine, and also receiving an especially configured and constructed, shock-absorbing filling structure or partition system for separating the glass bottles from one another, and from one or more receptacle cavities for holding phase change coolant or temperature control material in a predetermined relationship to the glass bottles. The container also includes an insulating and cushioning cover adapted to engage into a top opening of the insulated body after the bottles and coolant are received in the cavity thereof. The insulated body is preferably formed from injection molded polyurethane, wrapped in a plastic film.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatically operated paint ball gun operates without the use of a mechanical sear, and includes a pneumatically operated hammer assembly effective to bump open a discharge valve and fire the gun. A programmable, microprocessor-based controller allows default values for time intervals of operation of the gun to be programmed, and also allows a user of the gun to access and change default values so that the operation of the gun can be modified to better meet the user's preferences. A cyclic rate of fire of as much as 30 paint ball shots per second or more is possible with a paint ball gun according to this invention. Further, a retrofit kit assembly provides for conversion of a conventional “autococker” type of paint ball gun into a gun embodying the present invention.

Abstract: An improved, non-conductive electrical junction box assembly includes a junction box body defining at least one insert recess; and an insert member slidably received into the insert recess, defining a stepped through bore, and outwardly providing a conduit socket into which an end termination portion of an electrical conduit may be received and secured. The insert member may be adhesively secured into the insert recess, or the insert member and junction box body may include mutual latching features which engage upon insertion of the insert member into the insert recess to lock the insert member in the insert recess. Alternatively, the insert member and the insert recess may each have a portion that is generally T-shaped, and these portions may receive and engage one another to position the insert member on the junction box body. A latching feature may be included in the T-shaped insert member, and the junction box body may include features allowing unlatching and removal of the insert member.

Abstract: An interface assembly with an animated character/prop has at least one speaker for generating language and mechanisms for generating correlated movement. A logic controlling device has a plurality of inputs and outputs and is adapted to configure and synchronize message request signals from the various sensors, relays, thermostats, user controls and the like, with the appropriate audible words and movement commands from the generating devices as required to convey messages relating to the environment to the user. The interface assembly provides an audio component adapted to receive output signals from the logic controlling device to actuate the speaker. The interface assembly provides a movement component adapted to receive output signals from the logic controlling device to actuate the mechanisms for generating movement. The interface assembly provides a drive converter assembly operatively coupled to and adapted to convert and transfer signals between the movement component and the character/prop.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatically operated paint ball gun operates without the use of a mechanical sear, and includes a pneumatically operated hammer assembly effective to bump open a discharge valve and fire the gun. A programmable, microprocessor-based controller allows default valves for time intervals of operation of the gun to be programmed, and also allows a user of the gun to access and change default values so that the operation of the gun can be modified to better meet the user's preferences. A rocking trigger assembly allows the user to achieve a faster rate of fire with better accuracy. Accordingly, a cyclic rate of fire of as much as 30 paint ball shots per second or more is possible with a paint ball gun according to this invention. Further, a retrofit kit assembly provides for conversion of a conventional “autococker” type of paint ball gun into a gun embodying the present invention.

Abstract: A rugged, impact-resistant electrical junction box, particularly for installation in wet environments, such as at a swimming pool, includes a non-metallic, non-conductive base part defining a cavity in which electrical wires can be terminated, and defining an opening to this cavity. A cover part is provided to close the opening of the base part. A grounding bushing member provides for electrically bonding of the junction box to metallic electrical conduits. The base part also defines a plurality of through bores through which electrical wires may pass upwardly into the cavity, and a depending tubular boss portion at each of these through bores for connection of metallic or non-metallic electrical conduits. Internally of the cavity, the base part defines a strain relief structure above and aligning with each of the plural through bores. This base part also includes an electrical bonding bar providing for plural neutral and ground conductors to be secured and mutually electrically interconnected.

Abstract: A gas-powered, single-use, needle-less hypodermic jet injection device (10, 210, 410) includes a hand-held injector (12, 212, 412), and a drug injection cartridge (14, 114, 414) which provides a volume of liquid medication to be injected, an injection orifice, and an injection piston. Forceful movement of the injection piston causes an injection jet of medication to be expelled from the injection orifice. The injection device also includes a hermetically sealed gas pressure cartridge (82, 182, 482) which remains sealed until the moment of injection and powers the jet injection after opening of this cartridge.