Abstract: A mobile hydraulic hoist unit which is readily maneuverable to a position straddling a load and then conveniently operated to lift and securely transport such load over a variety of terrains and surfaces and to safely and accurately deposit that load at a specific location. The hoist unit comprises a generally “U” shaped base frame having spaced side members provided with multi-terrain wheel assemblies, a closed forward end having a hitch member for releasable attachment to a towing vehicle, a rearwardly open center section adapted to receive and straddle the load, a power cylinder, a boom operated by the power cylinder for lifting and securely holding the load in a transport position during movement of the hoist unit and for accurately depositing the load at the desired destination.

Abstract: A device for clamping a rod to stop axial and/or rotative movement between the rod and the device. The device includes pressure and clamp units, the clamp unit having a bushing fixed therein and provided with a radially resilient center section normally sized to permit movement of the rod therein. The pressure unit has an actuating piston normally held under fluid pressure in one position but movable under spring pressure toward a second position should the fluid pressure be lost or released. Such movement results in the application of pressure to the bushing to radially deflect its center section inwardly into clamping engagement with the rod to stop its movement. The center section remains clamped on the rod until sufficient fluid pressure is applied to the actuating piston to move it back to its first position thus permitting radial expansion of the center section to release the rod for movement.

Abstract: A brassiere for use by women having asymmetrical breasts which are not comfortably or properly received in and/or supported by the symmetrical breast cups as provided in the usual brassiere. The brassiere comprises a garment having a unitary body section which encircles the midriff of a woman with asymmetrical breasts, a closure for adjusting the body section of the brassiere to fit the midriff of the woman, and a pair of asymmetrical breast cups carried by the body section, the body section positioning the cups to comfortably and properly receive and support the woman's asymmetrical breasts. The brassiere may be turned inside-out to reverse orientation of the cups.

Abstract: A rural mailbox having a housing with a generally rectangular base member, a roof section positioned over the base member, and side sections depending downwardly from the roof section into engagement with the base member. A back panel is secured to one end of the base member and roof and side sections to close that end of the housing. A door is pivotally mounted on the other end of the housing for rotative movement between an open position exposing the interior of the housing and a closed position isolating the interior of the housing. The door is formed of a clear polycarbonate resin with smooth surfaces providing a transparent door through which any contents of the housing may be viewed from anywhere within a reasonable distance prior to opening the door for retrieval of any such contents while yet providing a door which is tough, strong, shatter resistant, resistant to distortion or other damage from environmental factors, and capable of many years of service.

Abstract: A system adapted to be mounted on a pickup truck for warning the driver of the truck should the front section of a fifth wheel trailer pivotally supported on a hitch secured in the bed of the truck approach a point where there is imminent danger of impact between the front section of the trailer and the back of the cab as the truck and trailer are executing a turn. The system comprises a warning device which is to be placed in the cab of the truck and alarm units mounted on the front wall of the truck bed, each such alarm unit having a contact member which is movable in response to contact with the front section of the trailer to operate a switch and activate the warning device to warn the driver that the radius of a turn then being performed must be increased to avoid an impact between the front section of the trailer and the back of the cab.

Abstract: A liquid control and storage system for use with different sizes of beverage containers, the system including an upwardly open generally cup shaped coaster which is automatically but releasably coupled to the lower portion of a container as it is inserted into the coaster and which provides for the receipt and storage of any condensate or other liquid draining from the sides and bottom of the container, with provision to prevent the back flow of stored liquid upon subsequent tilting of the container and coupled coaster. In a preferred embodiment, the storage facility consists of a cup like member which is carried by but detachable from the coaster and, after being emptied of any liquid therein, is attachable to the closure rim at the top end of the container to protect any contents therein from loss and contamination.

Abstract: A scraping blade adapted for quick, simple and easy attachment to and removal from a bucket of the type used with a backhoe or like earth working machine, wherein the lower cutting edge of the bucket has a plurality of outwardly projecting teeth terminating in tapered cutting/tearing points. The blade includes front and back plates providing a straight lower scraping edge and a substantially "V" shaped upwardly open receptacle or socket sized and configured to receive and snugly engage the projecting points of the bucket teeth. The front plate includes forwardly angled end sections adapted to prevent the spill over of dirt from the blade as it is being used to scrape and/or level dirt.

Abstract: A keyless system for quickly and conveniently securing the storage area of a delivery type truck against unauthorized entry and theft while the driver is away from the truck making a delivery or pickup. In reaching a delivery point or approaching the truck after a pickup, the driver actuates a portable transmitter to generate a wireless signal which is received and processed by a receiver within the truck and which unlocks and opens the access door to the storage area. Upon exit from the storage area after selecting or depositing a package, the driver simply taps a switch located in the cab of the truck to generate a signal which causes the access door to close and lock automatically. Securement of the rear cargo loading door also is controlled by use of the portable transmitter to generate a further signal for operating the loading door lock.

Abstract: A coaster for use with a beverage can, bottle or other container, the coaster being provided with an absorbent member having a seat sized to receive the bottom or foot of the container and a multiplicity of interconnected capillary spaces sized to receive and safely retain any moisture present or forming as condensate on and running or dripping from the container. Fixed relative to the absorbent member is a coupling member having a series of semi-resilient contact elements positioned to releasably engage the container and couple the coaster to the container as the container is placed on the coaster. The coaster thus remains on the container as it is picked up and moved about by one consuming beverage from the container. Also disclosed are embodiments of the invention having structure for sealably engaging the upper rim of the container to form a closure or cap for the upper end of the container. The various embodiments also are adapted to carry indicia such as advertising and promotional messages.

Abstract: A woodworking machine attachable to a table saw, the machine being adapted to readily accept and release yet securely hold a mounting plate on which a router is releasable secured. The machine includes mechanism which is manually actuated to effect controlled movement of the tool relative to either a rip fence which is selectively positioned on the table or a miter gauge slidable along a groove extending across the table. The rip fence or miter gauge is effective to prevent backlash and vibration of a work piece as one edge of the work piece is fed into cutting engagement with the router bit while the opposite edge of the work piece is in operative engagement with the fence or miter gauge.

Abstract: A system for securing the loading doors of trucks, semi-trailers, and other like enclosures against forced or unauthorized entry should the usual manually operable closure device on such doors be breached. The system comprises a locking arrangement which is disposed entirely within but which is selectively operable from the exterior of the enclosure as by a special key or by activation of an electronic or electric circuit through entry of a predetermined code or signal. The locking arrangement includes a plunger which is automatically engageable with a strike member to secure a door upon its closure and which is moveable to an inoperative position by the action of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or electric solenoid or other like activator.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrant drive member for converting oscillating to reciprocating motion in a hand-held implement of the type having an elongate housing with an axially oscillable cap and a longitudinally reciprocal unit. The drive member comprises a pair of coaxial sleeve sections connected by a pair of links. One sleeve section is oscillable conjointly with the cap and the other is reciprocal conjointly with the unit. The links are pivoted at points defined by thin flexible webs formed at generally diametrically opposed positions on contiguous surfaces of the sleeve sections. Upon conjoint oscillation of the cap and the one sleeve section, the links swivel on the webs around the pivot points between folded and erect positions and reciprocate the other sleeve section and unit conjointly between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A vehicle leveling system utilizing a plurality of support assemblies mounted on the bottom of the vehicle for rotative movement between an upper storage position and a lower operating position. Each support assembly includes two hydraulically extendable plungers and a control mechanism which automatically operates the plungers in sequence, the first plunger extending to rotate the support assembly into a vertical operating position and the second plunger then extending into engagement with the ground. Retraction of the plungers and return of the support assembly to its upper storage position are accomplished by spring means. The system also includes structure which will respond automatically to excessive internal pressure to permit rotation of the support assembly without damage either to the assembly or vehicle should the vehicle be moved inadvertently while the second plunger is in engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a generating unit, a remote cleaning head having a dispensing chamber through which a heated cleaning solution is applied to a surface to be cleaned, and a closed circuitous system connected to a source of an aqueous liquid, a source of detergent, and the dispensing chamber of the remote head. As the cleaning device is used, liquid and detergent simultaneously enter the circuitous system and are mixed and circulated therein while simultaneously being heated to and maintained at a preselected temperature of about 180.degree. F. to provide a continuing supply of heating cleaning solution at the cleaning head.During use of the device, a suction blower creates a vacuum which extends from a tank within the generating unit through a flexible hose and into a suction chamber in the cleaning head. Thus, spent cleaning solution and entrained soil and debris will be drawn from the surface and into the tank.

Abstract: Three pressure elements are employed in reducing the transverse area circumscribed by the outer periphery of a resilient ring type seal to permit its placement in a groove formed in a bore which is smaller in circumference than the outer periphery of the seal. One pressure element is applied to the outer periphery of the seal, and two to its inner periphery at points which are spaced equally on either side of a line which extends from the center of the seal through the outer pressure element. The two inner pressure elements are then rotated outwardly in opposite directions around the outer pressure element to fold a portion of the seal inwardly on itself around the outer pressure element, thereby reducing the transverse area circumscribed by the outer periphery of the seal. While so reduced, the seal is placed within the bore opposite the groove, and the outer pressure element then drawn axially out of engagement with the outer periphery of the seal to permit its expansion into the groove.

Abstract: A system for visual communication, the system being particularly useful in designing and producing games, puzzles, autocorrective tests, programed teaching materials, coloring sets or sheets, graphic arts supplies and various other educational, game and amusement devices.The system involves a substrate defining a marking surface, at least one visible stable dye, at least one normally visible reactive dye of a color different than that of the stable dye, an activator chemically isolated from at least the reactive dye prior to use of the system, and a solvent common to both the dyes and activator.

Abstract: The cabin of a boat is enclosed or covered by an upper sun deck having a relatively flat surface with two elongate recesses of a depth approximately equal to the height of a chair seat. One recess forms a walkway extending substantially the length of the flat surface along one side thereof, terminating at the stern end in an access opening and at the bow end in a transversely wider cockpit section. The other recess extends less than the length of the flat surface. The flat surface and recesses combine to provide a "table" area and comfortable seating for a plurality of passengers.

Abstract: A vehicle leveling system utilizing a plurality of support assemblies mounted on the bottom of the vehicle for rotative movement between an upper storage position and a lower operating position. Each support assembly includes two hydraulically extendable plungers which are operated in automatic sequence, the first plunger extending to rotate the support assembly into a vertical operating position and the second plunger then extending into engagement with the ground. Retraction of the plungers and return of the support assembly to its upper storage position are accomplished by spring means. The support assembly also includes structure which will respond automatically to excessive internal pressure to permit its rotation without damage either to the system or vehicle should the vehicle be moved inadvertently while the second plunger is in engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A writing or marking implement comprising a cartridge unit; a housing for the unit; an operating mechanism including a pair of relatively rotatable driving members supported in axial alignment with the housing, and a follower slidingly engaging the driving members and reciprocating the unit between a concealed position and a point exposed position in response to relative rotation of the driving members; and a coupling providing a releasable threaded connection between the housing and mechanism whereby the mechanism and housing are selectively separable to permit removal or replacement of the unit, the coupling including interengaging wedged surfaces locking the threaded connection against inadvertent loosening under the rotary forces generated during repeated actuations of the mechanism.

Abstract: A floor mounted electric bass instrument which generates a musical signal in response to depression of one of its strings against an appropriate fret. The instrument is compact, yet it provides structure for spacing the strings a substantial distance apart to permit quick and convenient selection and depression of a desired string by a relatively large or blunt portion of the musician's foot while avoiding operative contact with adjacent strings.