Abstract: A converter plug which has two electrodes designed to be removably received in a standard electric outlet box and which has a "ground" terminal that may be swung into an inoperative and concealed position when the outlet box is not equipped with a socket for receiving the "ground" terminal. A "ground" wire is connected to the "ground" terminal and may be connected to the outlet box when the "ground" terminal is not used. The converter plug also has an adjustable locking disc with three openings for receiving the three fixed prongs of a standard self-locking electric plug. The two electrodes and the "ground" terminal each have a hook-shaped end adapted to receive and interlock with its associated hook-shaped end of the three prongs in the standard self locking electric plug when the latter has its three prongs inserted into the disc openings and the standard plug is rotated with respect to the converter plug into locked position.

Abstract: A method of quickly restoring a deformed outer vehicle panel to its original contour which consists in the steps of placing a deflated inflateable air bag between the inner surface of the indented panel and against an unyielding member in the vehicle, then inflating the air bag with sufficient air pressure to force the indented panel portion back to normal contour, and, if necessary, hammering out any irregularities in the panel while the air bag still remains inflated. After the panel has been restored to normal contour, the air bag is deflated and removed.

Abstract: Extensible hand rails are adjustably mounted in vertical guide tubes positioned at the rear of a van or trailer. These hand rails may be moved into retracted positions and held in this position so that the tops of the hand rails will lie flush with the floor of the vehicle. Spring means is used for moving the hand rails into extended or operative position to act as guards and the hand rails may be secured in their operative or extended position.

Abstract: An electric plug that has a pivoted "ground" terminal which may be swung from operative to an inoperative and protective position. The base for the "ground" terminal as well as the base for each of the two electrodes are provided with integral hook-shaped projections around which the bare strands of each wire in the three wire cable can be tightly wound for making an electrical connection between the bare strands of a wire and its associate base. In addition, the terminal carrier that receives the three wire cable has one end received in an end cap provided with recesses for receiving the outer ends of the hook-shaped projections. Also, the end cap has shoulders for pressing the bare strands of the wires into intimate contact with its associate base.

Abstract: A hitch viewing trailer mirror designed to be used in cooperation with the rear view mirror in the powered vehicle that is to be connected to the trailer hitch coupler so that the vehicle driver can view the trailer hitch coupler while backing his vehicle into the correct position for connecting the trailer hitch coupler to the vehicle hitch ball. The device is simple in construction and the different parts of the device can be quickly assembled in various ways so as to adapt the device to trailers of different sizes and shapes which will be explained more in detail.

Abstract: A swivel device for supporting a fishing rod in which the rod is pivotally supported at its center or near center of gravity and the rod is free to swing about horizontal and vertical axes when a fish strikes at the bait and starts to swim away thereby causing the rod to swing about its horizontal or vertical axes and signal the fisherman of the strike.

Abstract: A full length split bell pair of trousers in which the front portion of each trouser leg from approximately the knee area to the leg bottom has a cut-away portion to provide a visual entrance to the wearing apparel on both legs, such as boots, socks or even the bare leg which would otherwise be hidden from view. In addition, such a construction provides ventilation to the legs of the wearer. With this arrangement, a greater and easier flexing of the knees is made possible because of a less confinement of the cloth forming the leg portions and the less weight resulting from the cut-out leg portions. Novel construction is used to cause the side edges of the cut-out portions to maintain substantially vertical lines so that the two leg portions will retain their tubular shapes throughout their lengths.

Abstract: A rotatable spray manifold especially designed for a commercial dishwasher and in which the ends of the two hollow arms are closed by cleanout-caps, each cap being carried by a pair of rods that straddle the sides of each elongated arm and are pivotally secured thereto. The pair of rods form a frame that can swing the cap from closing the open end of the hollow arm into uncovering it, thus permitting access to the interior of each arm for cleaning the spray manifold. The cap is adjustably carried by the swingable frame so as to be movable into a water tight contact with the open end of the spray arm. No tools are necessary to be used in the opening or closing movement of the cleanout-cap and the cap cannot accidentally become lost.

Abstract: A ski boot scraper which is light in weight and is removably attachable to a ski pole and will not interfere with the normal use of the ski pole. The boot scraper is a little more semi-cylindrical shaped in cross section and will yieldingly contact with the ski pole to hold it in place. An anchor block is permanently secured to the ski pole adjacent to the handle and it has an annular groove for removably receiving the lip of the boot scraper for holding the scraper against any longitudinal movement along the ski pole. The lip on the scraper is positioned at one end thereof while the other end of the scraper is tapered to form an integral handle by means of which the scraper can be removed from or applied to the ski pole. One longitudinal edge of the scraper is notched to aid in removing snow from a boot.

Abstract: A non-nail U-shaped clamp type barbed bracket for connecting electric outlet box to a wall stud in which the U-shaped clamp is permanently secured to one side wall of the outlet box and the clamp can be hammered into place at a desired position on a wall stud. The two sides of the U-shaped clamp will frictionally grip the adjacent sides of the stud and each clamp side has inwardly extending barbs which will dig into the stud and prevent the removal of the clamp therefrom. In addition, the web portion of the clamp has an inwardly extending pointed prong that will enter the stud and prevent any vertical movement of the clamp and outlet box with respect to the stud.

Abstract: A dishwasher that has a steam boiler containing hot water and steam under pressure. The dishwasher has a dishwashing and rinsing compartment with a body of hot water, adjustable as to depth, received in the bottom of the compartment. A time controlled device delivers steam from the boiler to steam jets in the compartment for a predetermined time period for washing the dishes. The steam jets have apparatus associated therewith that will cause the steam jets to periodically entrain hot water from the body of water to deliver a pulsating steam and hot water action against the dishes for washing them. The depth of the body of water can be raised so that only live steam and water will issue from the steam jets if desired, with no pulsating action. The time controlled device delivers hot rinse water from the boiler for rinsing the dishes in the compartment after the dishwashing operation.

Abstract: A tandem rack dishwashing machine in which the single unit model is designed to handle two half-racks at a time and arranged in tandem, the half-racks supporting soiled dishes, or one full rack at a time; and in which the double unit model is designed to handle two full racks of soiled dishes at a time and arranged in tandem, the double unit model having a control switch in series with a starting switch and positioned at the exit end of the machine so as to be closed by the racks only when the two full racks are received within the washing and rinsing area. The dish-rinsing water need not be at 180.degree. F., because the rinse water is chemically sanitized and need be only at 140.degree. F., which is the same temperature as the wash water. Novel means is used for quickly draining the wash water from the machine into a holding tank which then feeds it into the sewer.

Abstract: A safety carriage for supporting and guiding an acetylene torch in which the torch nozzle can be spaced a desired distance above the work being cut by the flame and the carriage has an asbestos lined pan underlying the operator's hand for protecting it. The device can be guided along a line which is to be cut by the torch flame. An anti-glare shield supporting frame can be attached to the torch for protecting the operator's eyes and this same frame also supports an asbestos shield which is positioned directly behind the torch nozzle and in front of the pan to prevent sparks from the torch flame striking the operator's hand. A frame supporting cross arm with rollers at its ends can be used for moving the torch nozzle in an arc for making a circular cut having a large radius or a center pivot can be substituted for cutting a smaller circle.

Abstract: A recess filling mastic applicator having a novel tool-steering means and a straight torsional spring adjustable as to its effective length for causing the tool body to have a four point contact with the surface over which the tool body travels. The interior of the tool body receives mastic and a pressure plate is pivotally mounted in the body and a handle is pivotally connected to the plate so that the operator can press on the handle for not only holding the body against the flat surface but for also depressing the plate for forcing mastic from the tool for filling the recesses in the surface as the tool is moved thereover. The tool body steering means connects the handle to the pressure plate so that a twisting force applied to the handle will urge the leading end of the tool body to the right or to the left as desired by the operator and thus alter the direction of movement of the tool body.Cross-Reference to Related U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,611.My U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: A device for opening or closing a zipper on a garment which is being worn and where the zipper is in an awkward place for the person to reach, such as the zipper being placed at the back of the garment. Novel adjustable means is provided that includes a spring-biased reel and cord with a hook which may be attached to the zipper handle for pulling the zipper body for closing or opening the zipper. The reel is mounted on a swingable arm pivoted to a base board attachable to a wall. The arm swings the reel into its uppermost position when the device is used for closing a zipper on the garment being worn and it swings the reel into its lowermost position when the device is used for opening the zipper.

Abstract: A snow drag in which the snow moving member is a sector of a pneumatic semi-resilient tire carcass extending through an arc of about 120.degree.. A transverse section through the tire carcass is arcuate in shape with the outer edge being used as a snow drag and the interior of the carcass functioning as a scoop for gathering the snow. A handle is rigidly secured to the center of the inner edge of the tire carcass sector and radially extending and arcuate reinforcing members are mounted on the exterior and interior arcuate surfaces. These members are arranged in pairs with rivets interconnecting the two members of each pair and extending through the tire carcass. This arrangement permits the tire carcass to have a certain amount of resiliency while still retaining its overall general shape.

Abstract: A device for heating a breast prosthesis which comprises a base on which a liquid filled flexible bag is placed for supporting a breast prothesis. A hinged cover for the base that carries another liquid filled flexible bag on its in surface so that a closing of the cover will cause the under surface of the bag to contact with and conform to the irregular contour of the upper surface of the breast prosthesis. An electric heating element is submerged in the liquid in each bag and a switch and thermostat for the heating elements controls the degreee of heat applied to the breast prothesis.

Abstract: A single piece closure cap and support for holding a bottle of carbonated beverage in an inverted position in which the cap has a center threaded recess for receiving the threaded bottle neck for securing the cap to the bottle. The inner end of the recess has a raised portion for entering the bottle neck for sealing the bottle. The device has a circular reservoir surrouding the bottle neck for catching any leakage therefrom and this reservoir enlarges the base area of the cap to such an extent as to prevent the inverted bottle from accidentally tipping over when the cap supports the bottle.

Abstract: A tandem rack dishwashing machine in which the single unit model is designed to handle two half-racks at a time and arranged in tandem, the half-racks supporting solid dishes, or one full rack at a time; and in which the double unit model is designed to handle two full racks of soiled dishes at a time and arranged in tandem, the double unit model having a control switch in series with a starting switch and positioned at the exit end of the machine so as to be closed by the racks only when the two full racks are received within the washing and rinsing area. The dish-rinsing water need not be at 180.degree. F., because the rinse water is chemically sanitized and need be only at 140.degree. F., which is the same temperature as the wash water. Novel structure is used for quickly draining the wash water from the machine into a holding reservoir which then feeds it into the sewer.