Abstract: A tool for oil and fuel filters includes a generally cylindrical body having an open upper and a closed lower end. The body includes an interior chamber having a plurality of tapered radial projections that extend longitudinally within the interior chamber. The projections include respective tapered gripping surfaces that engage filters having respective diameters at corresponding depths within the chamber. The chamber defines a reservoir for collecting fluid that leaks when the filter is removed.

Abstract: A boat lift braking system includes a threaded shaft driven by the boat lift motor. A torsion tube disposed about the shaft carries an interiorly threaded nut that interengages the peripheral threads of the shaft. A rotor is mounted to the nut adjacent a brake pad that is supported by a ratchet component. A pawl mechanism cooperates with the ratchet component for limiting rotation of the ratchet component in a first direction and permitting rotation of the ratchet component about the shaft in a second direction. The torsion tube is connected through a reduction apparatus to the winder of the boat lift. When the lift is at rest, a torsion spring drives the torsion tube and rotor against the brake pad and the ratchet component interlocks with the pawl mechanism to hold the lift at a desired elevation. When the motor is driven to lower the lift, the shaft is driven within the torsion tube such that the rotor momentarily disengages the pad.

Abstract: An outdoor privacy wall that includes at least one self supporting panel mounted on multiple, spaced apart footings disposed in the ground. The panel features a rectangular shape and has opposing faces bounded by parallel upper and lower edges and a pair of parallel side edges connecting the upper and lower edges. At least one of the opposing faces includes a recessed region. A thick peripheral portion surrounds the recessed region and longitudinal reinforcing elements extend longitudinally through the thick peripheral region. A vertically oriented mold assembly is used to manufacture the panels.

Abstract: A holder device attaches a circular saw to a T square. The device includes a body having opposite left-hand and right-hand ends and opposite forward and rearward sides that extend between the ends. A passageway formed through the body interconnects the left-hand and right-hand ends for movably receiving the longitudinal arm of the T square. A receptacle formed in one of the sides receives the base plate of the saw to interengage the body with the saw. The lateral arm of the T square is abuttably positionable against and movable against an edge of a work piece for guiding the circular saw to make a selected cut in the work piece.

Abstract: A color coding system is provided for multiple port fiberoptic illuminators and corresponding fiberoptic cables. A first color indicator is mounted to the illuminator proximate each illuminator port. Each first color indicator has a distinctive coloration. A like plurality of distinctly colored second color indicators are carried by the respective cables that correspond to the ports.

Abstract: A braking system for a personal watercraft includes at least one brake plate for mounting to the transom of a personal watercraft such that the jet nozzle of the watercraft is directionally adjustable independently of the braking system. The brake plate is alternatable between a nonbraking condition wherein the plate is retracted against the transom and is held completely above a lower edge of the transom, and a braking condition where the brake plate extends beyond the lower edge of the transom. A hand-controlled actuator assembly selectively alternates the brake plate between the braking and nonbraking conditions.

Abstract: A bookmark device includes an elastically stretchable loop section that has a first longitudinally resilient cord wrappably attachable to a book being engaged with the book such that the first cord extends across an exterior of the book in between front and back covers of the book at a selected location. An elastically stretchable tail section includes a second longitudinally resilient cord joined to and extending from the loop section. The tail section projects from a first end of the book to which the loop section is attached and is insertible between a selected pair of adjoining pages of the book to mark a corresponding position therein. Each of the first and second cords constitutes a string. The tail has a distal end for extending no farther than an opposite end of the book when the tail section is in an unstretched condition.

Abstract: A stuffed animal toy for children that emulates the awakening of the stuffed animal upon the user touching one of various locations upon the body of the stuffed animal thereby activating an appropriate pre-recorded audio message. The stuffed animal also includes a second head portion such as a Santa Claus-like head portion mounted within a recess behind the original teddy bear head portion that can be easily converted manually by a child from a first position representing the original teddy bear configuration, to a second position, representing a second configuration such as a Santa Claus head configuration for holiday seasons. Upon the manual exchange of the head portions of the stuffed animal, a switch is activated which enables a pre-recorded audio message to play through a speaker located within the stuffed animal. The audio message played corresponds to the head portion which appears on the stuffed animal after the exchange.

Abstract: A heat dissipating turret for a fiberoptic illuminator includes first turret component composed of a heat conducting material and a second turret component composed of a heat insulating material. The first turret component is releasably interengaged with the front panel of the illuminator and the second turret component is releasably attached to the first turret component. The turret components include respective interior light transmitting channels that communicate when the components are interengaged. The second turret component includes a receptacle for receiving the end fitting of a fiberoptic cable. Light from the illuminator is transmitted through the communicating channels to the fiberoptic cable and the turret components dissipate heat that is generated at the focal point of the illuminator.

Abstract: A golf cart for supporting a golf bag and clubs in a vertically upright condition upon an underlying surface includes a carriage for accommodating the bag. Two axially aligned forward wheels are axially rotatably connected to the carriage. At least one rearward wheel is swivelably and rotatably mounted to the carriage. Each wheel is rotatably engagable with the underlying surface. The carriage includes a base for engaging the bottom of the golf bag. A support frame extends upwardly from the base and carries at least one upper holder spaced above the base for engaging the bag placed on the base such that the bag is held in a vertically upright condition. A handle is attached to and extends rearwardly of the frame such that applying a generally horizontal pushing or pulling force to the handle causes the cart to move over the underlying surface on the wheels while the bag and clubs are maintained in the vertically upright condition.

Abstract: A beach or lounge chair includes a generally horizontal component for supporting a user thereon and a leg assembly for holding the supportive component above the ground. The supportive component includes a first opening for accommodating the breasts of a female user. A pocket is attached to and depends from the lower side of the supportive component beneath the opening. The pocket accommodates and obscures the breasts of a user lying face down in a prone position on the support chair. Pressure on the breasts is thereby alleviated.

Abstract: A modular building system includes a plurality of extruded plastic beams that are stacked and interlocked using a tongue and groove interengagement. Plastic connecting components are provided for interlocking the horizontal beams to a vertical column.

Abstract: The invention modulates the air volume in foam cores of cushioning support devices and any other support apparatus using foam or similar materials. The foam core can be incrementally modulated to realize an infinite number of comfort levels as to softness and support firmness. The core consists of self-inflating open-cell flexible polyurethane foam and is completely sealed within an enclosure fitted over it, with one or more valves installed in the side walls which communicate with the outside air. Through the valves air is selectively withdrawn from the foam core, allowing the foam's density to increase. The invention uses relatively inexpensive foam, but through air volume modulation achieves a tactile feel of supreme softness for the user, without giving up the necessary firmness to support the body, as happens with very soft foam (bottoming-out or hammock-effect). When air is extracted from a self-inflating foam core, the surface of the core will soften uniformly while maintaining its support firmness.

Abstract: A motor vehicle or marine lift utilizes diagonally offset support columns. The columns face one another and are arranged along a line that intersects the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle or vessel at a non-perpendicular angle. A respective pair of pivoting asymmetric support arms are connected to each column for moving upwardly and downwardly along the column to raise and lower a motor vehicle or marine vessel mounted thereon.

Abstract: An adjustable stanchion assembly for a large capacity boat lift includes a pair of guides, namely mounting channels that are attached to respective sides of a cradle beam. Each mounting channel slidably receives an elongate stanchion element. The positioning of the stanchion element within its respective mounting channel is selectively adjusted. A bunk member is attached to and extends between upper ends of the stanchion elements. The bunk member is pivotably connected to the stanchion elements so that the angle of the bunk member may be adjusted.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube assembly includes an elongate tubular receptacle and a cap that attached to the receptacle. The cap includes a pair of ports formed therethrough for communicating with an interior of the tubular receptacle. A pair of aspiration pipes having different lengths are engaged with the respective ports and extend longitudinally through the cylindrical receptacle. One of the pipes extends to a point proximate the bottom of the tubular receptacle and the other pipe extends to a level spaced above the bottom of the tube.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for a sawhorse or other multiple piece stand, which stand includes a plurality of elongate legs and an elongate beam supported substantially horizontally by the legs. The bracket includes a generally U-shaped channel for receiving the beam. The channel includes a base and pair of side walls attached unitarily to and extending upwardly from the base. There are a pair of leg accommodating receptacles fixedly joined to the channel and including a first receptacle that has a first recess for fixedly interengaging the base and a first one of the side walls of the channel and a second receptacle that has a second recess for fixedly interengaging the base and a second one of the side walls of the channel. The receptacles are juxtaposed along and extend divergently from the channel. Each receptacle is capable of receiving a respective leg, which legs are engaged with a substantially horizontal surface to support the beam above the substantially horizontal surface.

Abstract: A disposable bib for protecting individuals primarily postured in a semi-reclined position, such as those in medical care settings. The bib includes a plastic body having a gathered neck opening, opposing forcefully open side catch pockets and an integrally joined transverse open bottom pocket. The bib is fabricated to provide concave body portion with rippling conduits which direct spillage into the pockets.

Abstract: A single dosage dispenser for delivering chemical reagent to a test sample includes a body having an inlet and opposing outlet. The inlet is threadably and communicably engaged with a container holding a chemical reagent. The outlet includes a plurality of stepped receptacles for communicably receiving respective sizes of test sample holders. A spring actuated plunger is slidably mounted within the dispenser body between the inlet and the outlet. The plunger includes a reagent accommodating compartment. The spring urges the plunger into a first state wherein the plunger is communicably connected to the inlet for receiving a single dosage of reagent from the container. The user presses the plunger to drive the plunger within the dispenser body so that the compartment is communicably connected to the outlet. As a result, the reagent in the compartment is dispensed through the outlet into the test sample holder.

Abstract: A reversible pivoting vane rotary compressor includes a housing having a generally cylindrical chamber defined by an inner wall. A rotor is mounted eccentrically within the chamber to define about the rotor a generally crescent shaped compression chamber, which narrows from a main chamber region to a constricted chamber region, which rotor has a circumferential surface. A pair of reversible intake and exhaust ports are connected communicably with the constricted chamber region. Each port selectively and alternately introduces air into the constricted chamber region while the other port exhausts air from the constricted region. At least one adjoining pair of curved vanes are pivotably attached to the rotor and extend in generally opposite arcuate directions from the rotor into the chamber.