Abstract: A mechanical expander for tubing for heat transfer products. The tubing expander includes one or more elongated rods, each having an enlargement on the forward end thereof for insertion into tubing to be expanded. The rods are supported on a carriage which in turn is slidably mount on a frame. The carriage is driven forwardly and rearwardly along the frame by a hydraulic motor operably coupled to the carriage by a continuous chain. Elongated tubes which are respectively fixedly attached to a cross member and which respectively partially surround the rods limit lateral or bowing movements of the rods. There are clamping jaws mounted on the frame for clampingly holding the ends of the tubing to be expanded.

Abstract: An alarm system includes an electrical energy source; an alarm for producing an alarm signal when electrically coupled to the electrical energy source; a switch for movement from a first position to a second position upon the occurrence of the monitored event; and timing circuitry for being activated when the switch is moved from the first position to the second position, for electrically coupling the alarm to the electrical energy source, for continuing to electrically couple the alarm to the source of electrical energy for a set period of time even if the switch is subsequently moved back to the first position during the set period of time, for deactivating the alarm a certain period of time after the alarm is activated, and for reactivating the alarm a certain period of time after the alarm is deactivated if the switch remains in the second position.

Abstract: An interlocking hanging system including a mounting bracket which may be secured to a supporting structure, a support panel which attaches to and hangs from the mounting bracket, and one or more article holders, such as hooks or trays, which attach to and hang from the support panel. The support panel attaches to the mounting bracket, as do the article holders to the support panel, by upwardly extending arcuate hooks which pivotally corkscrew into and mate with horizontal channel structures, each with an inwardly extending lip, on the mounting bracket and support panel, respectively. The mounting bracket, support panel, and article holders are horizontal extrusions, allowing the article holders and support panel to be adjustably positioned horizontally within the support panel and mounting bracket, respectively.

Abstract: A cover apparatus for use with a combine harvester of the type including a grain tank having an opened top. The cover apparatus includes a cover for covering the opened top of the grain tank, the cover having a top portion for being positioned over the top portion of the grain tank; attachment structure for attaching the cover to the combine harvester, and a bow for extending across said opened top of the grain tank and for supporting the top portion of the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for refrigerant recovery which removes refrigerant in liquid form from an air conditioning unit by cooling the refrigerant, thereby creating a temperature gradient between the air conditioning unit and the recovery apparatus which urges the refrigerant from the air conditioning unit into the apparatus, and then storing the refrigerant in a tank. Refrigerant vapor is pumped from the tank back into the air conditioning unit, thereby avoiding pressure buildup in the tank and also preventing the liquid refrigerant from being retained in the air conditioning unit due to vacuum created therein by the refrigerant removal. Cooling apparatus within the recovery apparatus uses a separate supply of refrigerant to cool the refrigerant, and neither the air conditioning unit itself nor the removed refrigerant is used for this purpose, allowing refrigerant removal from an inoperative air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher extinguishes a fire burning relative to a support surface. The fire emanates from an opened end of a pipe. The fire extingisher includes a body having a downward opening cavity for being dropped over the fire to enclose the fire within the cavity; the body has a continuous wall forming a mouth of the cavity; a seal for forming a substantially airtight seal between the continuous wall of the body and the support surface; and a crimp mechanism for crimping the opened end of the pipe after the body is dropped over the fire.

Abstract: An electronic display license plate and message center for use on automobiles and other vehicles. The electronic display license plate is a replacement for the standard metal license plate, and may be constructed as a part of the car, such as an integral part of the taillight assembly, or may be constructed as a bolt-on replacement module for existing license plates. The display may be constructed from an array of light-emitting diodes, or a liquid crystal display, or from an electroluminescent panel. A configuration cartridge, typically containing a read only memory (ROM) circuit, contains license plate information such as state, county, license number, and expiration date, configures the display for the particular vehicle. The electronic display license plate may also contain circuitry to detect the expiration of the license and appropriately indicate that expiration by flashing or inverting the display, or causing it to go blank.

Abstract: A motorized apparatus to raise and lower a ceiling light fixture, such as a chandelier, to facilitate cleaning and bulb changing. A hoist mechanism, mounted above the ceiling between two joists, includes a drive motor with a drive shaft, and a take-up shaft coupled to the drive shaft, upon which is wound a single hoist cable which raises and lowers the light fixture. A ceiling junction box includes a first set of contacts for supplying electricity to the light fixture when the light fixture is raised, and one or more switches for preventing the light fixture from being hoisted past the raised position and for removing power from the first set of contacts when the light fixture is lowered. A canopy junction box, attached to the light fixture, includes a second set of contacts for receiving electricity from the first set of contacts. When the light fixture is raised, a ceiling canopy protects the first and second set of contacts from access.

Abstract: A dispensing device for helping to pour the contents of a first container into a second container without spillage. The device includes a flexible tube having an opened first end for being positioned on the pour spout of the first container, having an opened second end for being positioned adjacent the inlet opening of the second container, and having an opened interior extending between the opened first end and the opened second end for allowing the contents of the first container to be poured through the opened interior of the tube from the pour spout of the first container into the inlet opening of the second container. The device includes structure for securing the opened first end of the tube on the pour spout of the first container.

Abstract: A portable sun shade for being mounted on a seat. The portable sun shade includes a canopy; a frame for supporting the canopy above the seat, the frame includes an elongated first frame member having a first end and a second end, an elongated second frame member having a first end and a second end, first structure joining the first ends of the first and second frame members together, an elongated third frame member having a first end and a second end, second structure joining the second ends of the first and third frame members together, an elongated fourth frame member having a first end and a second end, and third structure joining the second ends of the first and fourth frame member together; the canopy being positioned on the third and fourth members; and attaching structure for attaching the frame to the back rest portion of the seat.

Abstract: A quick and dry coupling for coupling together devices such as fluid lines. One embodiment of the coupling includes a pair of heads in which is provided mating members having mating surfaces for moving the mating members in opposite directions away from one another towards an open position and to permit movement of the mating members towards one another when the pair of mating members are turned in the opposite direction relative to one another, a latch coacting between the heads for selectively being movable to an unlatched position, to an intermediate position, and to a latched position for providing the attached condition of the coupling. Springs are provided for moving the pair of mating members into a closed position in which fluid flow is stopped and the latch is moved from the latched position to the intermediate position.

Abstract: A portable art object wall decoration. The art object wall decoration includes a frame for hanging on the wall and which can be moved as desired. There is a mat which is attached to the frame, and a container which is supported from the frame on the front side of the mat. The container has a cavity and an uncovered opening accessible from the outside of the art object wall decoration and communicating with the cavity for receiving a portion of an art arrangement in the cavity through the opening with the art arrangement being accessible for the changing thereof if desired.

Abstract: A platform assembly for use with a pontoon boat. The platform assembly includes a substantially flat platform member for allowing users to stand, sit, and/or step thereon. The platform assembly includes track structure for mounting the platform member to the boat and for allowing the platform member to move between a first, stored position above the body of water and a second, in-use position adjacent the body of water.

Abstract: An adjustable telephone headset for the hearing impaired comprising a left and a right ear piece, a speaker within each ear piece, an input device, such as a microphone or magnetic induction pickup within one of the ear pieces, and an amplifier connected between the input device and the speaker. Optionally, a switch may select between either a microphone or a magnetic induction pickup as the choice of input device. A wearer of the headset may place a telephone receiver against the microphone or magnetic induction pickup, allowing an amplified telephone conversation to be heard by both ears. Independent volume controls for each speaker allow individual adjustment to compensate for variations in hearing loss, and optional tone controls for each speaker similarly allow optimum compensation for differences in tonal response in the wearer's ears. An optional remote microphone allows use as a conventional hearing aid when not engaged in telephone conversation.

Abstract: A stacking mast for being attached to a lift truck and for moving a load between a negative position and a positive position. The stacking mast includes an elongated first mast, the first mast including a lower end for being attached to the lift truck and including an upper end; an elongated second mast, the second mast including a lower end and an upper end; a floating carriage having a first securing structure for being slidably secured to the first mast and a second securing structure for being slidably secured to the second mast; a support carriage slidably attached to the second mast for supporting the load; and lift structure for moving the support carriage between a lower position and an upper position on the second mast and for moving the second mast between a lower position and an upper position on the first mast.

Abstract: A headboard including an inflatable body member for being positioned adjacent the head of the bed, and mounting structure for mounting the inflatable body member adjacent the head of the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for waxing vehicles for use in conjunction with commercial "car wash" operations. Vehicles are transported by a chain driven conveyor mechanism through a wax application station, passed to a second conveyor mechanism for movement through a drying station, and on to a third conveyor mechanism for passage through a polishing station. A computer system controls the waxing process and operates various pneumatic positioning devices, positioning wax application heads, drying blowers, and polishing heads adjacent the vehicle, a using knowledge of the size, shape, and dimensional parameters of the vehicle. These parameters are stored within the computer system according to manufacturer, model, and year, specified when the vehicle enters the apparatus.

Abstract: A foldable exercise device including a board member having a planar top surface for supporting the user in any of several exercising positions; first and second rollers for runningly ridably supporting the board member in a horizontal disposition; structure for dividing and separating the board member into first and second end members; and hinge structure for hingably joining the first and second end members of the board member together and for allowing the board member to be folded between an opened position and a closed position.

Abstract: A bath chair for supporting a bather relative to a supply of water. The bath chair includes a body having a seat portion for supporting the bather's buttocks, and having a back portion for supporting the bather's back. The body preferably has a plurality of apertures through the seat portion for allowing water to pass therethrough and a plurality of apertures through the back portion for allowing water to pass therethrough.