Abstract: A self-cleaning bird cage includes a chamber formed of a plurality of transparent vertical walls and a top enclosing a perch, with a perforated floor for permitting waste from birds to drop through. A cabinet supporting the chamber includes a platform under the floor with rollers at each end and including a roll of thin plastic material which tends to adhere to itself and to other materials which is fed as a web over the rollers to a take-up roll. Waste and debris falling through the perforated floor land on the web. The take-up roll is preferably driven by an electric motor which is operated for a period sufficient to transfer the soiled plastic material onto the take-up roll. A box positioned below the take-up roll collects solid debris such as seed husks which do not adhere to the plastic material. A second, simplified embodiment incorporates a knob to permit an operator to manually wind the plastic material on said take-up roll.

Abstract: A resilient element such as a thin flat plate or disc spring, commonly known as a "Belleville" spring, which is capable of deflecting along an axis normal to its surface is modified to include an amplifying segment disposed in a central aperture in the form of an approximately "W" shaped strip connected at its ends to opposite positions on the inner margin of the central opening. The central portion of the "W" forms an inverted "U" which is subjected, after positioning within the central aperture, to torquing stress in the plane of the material to bring the ends of the open end of the "U" slightly closer together than the inner edges of the "U" nearest its closed end. One of a pair of switch contacts is mounted on the closed end of the "U" shaped portion of the device opposite another contact carried on the switch bases.

Abstract: From prior oral hygiene devices, this invention, in its preferred embodiment, is dry and intended for oral use in cleaning and polishing the teeth and for cleaning the gums, tongue, and surrounding mucosa of the mouth and in plaque removal, with the user's own mouth furnishing the only liquid required, which reconstitutes in situ, the ingredients which are dehydrated and/or impregnated within a membrane.

Abstract: A holster for a handgun having a trigger guard is formed of material such as leather which is folded upon itself to make a pocket, with an opening at the top. The edges of the material are sewn together with a narrow strip of the material therebetween to increase the volume of the pocket. A pair of openings are located on opposite sides of the pocket adjacent the position of the trigger guard when the handgun is in the pocket. A latch member of low friction material having resilient arms and clamp members with inwardly extending projections is fastened in the holster such that the arms and clamp members extend through the openings. When the handgun is placed in the holster, the trigger guard pushes past the projections on the clamp members which then latch around the trigger guard securing the handgun in the holster.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable tube-like extension for toggle switch operators. In its preferred embodiment is comprises a length of heat shrink tubing with one end coated with a bondable plastic material. The one end is heated and comprised to form a beaver tail end thereafter the open end is inserted over the end of the handle of a toggle switch. Heat is applied to the end over the handle to shrink it into engagement with the handle. In an alternate embodiment, a flat insert is placed in the open end before heat shrinking. It is then heated to flatten the outer end. The extenders may be color coded and also may include printed or hand lettered switch identification on the extension portion.

Abstract: A roof valley structure including a unitary panel of durable polypropylene-rubber material having a longitudinal flexure section including a large fold through its center, interlocking ridges spared on each side of the flexure section, and a plurality of spaced parallel longitudinal ribs on the outside of each interlocking ridge. The ribs, folds and ridges are reduced in size slightly at one end of each panel to permit one panel to overlie and interlock with a panel lower on the roof valley. Another embodiment connects two or more such panels together by means of a horizontal fold thereby making it possible to fold the panels together for packing and shipping. The folds in the flexure sections of adjacent panels are designed to nest together when the two panels are folded. Special nailing sections are shown which compensate for thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A filter and fan assembly utilizes a conventional ceiling fan having a motor and an upstanding tubular member above the motor which carries electrical wires to the motor. A collar concentrically positioned on the tubular member includes radially extending support members, each of which supports a radially extending horizontal arm. At the end of each such arm is attached, a vertically extending support member. A shallow cylindrical shroud is carried on the vertically extending support members, with the shroud extending a limited distance above the radially extending arms. A plurality of trays having porous bottoms are supported on the arms and contain a filter medium including a layer of activated charcoal granules covered by a membrane of polyester filaments. A second embodiment utilizes a split collar which is bolted around the upstanding tubular member. The fan is normally operated to pull air downwardly through the filter medium.

Abstract: An oil change kit including an oil impervious box dimensioned to hold a container or containers constituting the quantity of oil for a single engine oil change, e.g. 5 quarts. The box includes a top closure which is contiguous with the side and end walls and is foldable into three different conditions, 1) to display part of the oil container or containers, 2) to define a funnel-like opening for receiving waste oil and 3) foldable to seal the box with waste oil ready for disposal. Accessories contained in the kit and stored in the volume not taken up by the new motor oil containers is a wipeup cloth, a pair of disposable gloves and a universal wrench.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine, particularly of the compression ignition, two cycle, aircraft type employing sleeve valves and a modular cylinder and removable cylinder head and retainer. The engine is turbocharged with the turbocharger separated into the compressor on one side of a V shaped cylinder array and the drive turbine on the opposite side. The exhaust is discharged through the center of the power output shaft making this engine particularly suited for pusher aircraft applications.

Abstract: A filter assembly and housing for use with an aquarium includes a housing formed of two molded halves of high impact thermoplastic resin each having a flange and wherein the flanges are fastened together to provide a complete housing and including a lid structure for the housing.

Abstract: A machine for finishing opposite ends of tubular metal stock secures the workpiece in position for machining by means of an expansible collet assembly inserted into the open end of the workpiece and expanded to grip the workpiece while the it is held against a stock stop. Expansion of the collet assembly, machining of the tube end, withdrawal of the machining tools and release of the workpiece from the collet assembly takes place in a controlled sequence.

Abstract: An improved muffler including a body 2 with an exhaust inlet 3 in the form of a porous pipe enclosed in s second porous pipe 31 for diffusing exhaust gases into the interior of body 2. A pair of pipes 5 introduce ambient air into the discharge region of the muffler. A constricted discharge opening 41 of the body 2 encircles the pipes 5 and confine helical vanes 51 which impart a helical path to the exhaust gases just before mixing with ambient air from the pipes 5. A venturi section 6 with a bell shaped outlet 62 completes the tailpipe section 4. An auxiliary air inlet 43 to the venturi 6 adds additional ambient air to the final outlet via ports 63. In an additional embodiment (FIG. 8), the venturi section 113 is within the muffler body 100. A constricted tube 121 provides a direct path for a portion of the exhaust gases while the major quantity of exhaust gases traverse the helical paths defined by the vanes 123.

Abstract: A guide wire/obturator catheter system for minimizing the possibility of cavity back wall penetration is disclosed. The device is provided with tactile and visual indications of obturator and catheter positioning within the cavity to aid in the precise placement. Another embodiment provides a functionally double-ended obturator which is a trocar when needed and tapered when needed.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for aerating a pressurized liquid stream to produce a discharge of foam includes a plurality of arcuate venturi throats in a circular arrangement around the center of the nozzle together with a radial air inlet to each throat which is adjustable by relative rotation of the inlet coupling and the venturi housing. Additional turbulence may be created by a screen downstream of the venturi throats and secondary air may be admitted at that point.

Abstract: A holster which is designed to carry securely a number of different sizes of handguns with equal proper fit. The holster is preferably formed of a composite fabric-foam-fabric material, or in certain cases, of leather. The holster sides are secured together partially in the region adjacent to the underside of the frame near the trigger guard. A separate welt member is securable between the two sides of the holster and presents to the frame in the region of the trigger guard, a smooth conforming surface which urges the handgun into a snug fit within the holster. A typical interchangeable welt is a thick rubber or rubber-like washer with a radius conforming to the curve of the front of the trigger guard as it joins the frame toward the front of the handgun. The interchangeable welt may be held in place by a screw and nut or other fastener which may pass through opposite sides of the holster.

Abstract: An improved knife or bayonet scabbard of rigid material including a body and a clip. A swivel connection between the two allows limited rotation of the body with respect to the clip when the clip is extended for belt wearing. The body is restricted from rotation when the clip is realigned to an aligned position for inverted wearing as on the chest. The body includes an integral catch on one side of the blade receiving opening and an internal spring on the opposite side for biasing the blade of the knife toward the catch. An auxiliary flexible loop aids in holding the knife or bayonet in the scabbard.