Abstract: A bar bell comprises a plate-accepting bar that extends longitudinally between two end regions at which weight plates can be mounted, a longitudinally-extending handle positioned above the plate-accepting bar and supported by the barbell, a pair of barbell-supporting brackets positioned at respective end regions of the plate-accepting bar to stably support the barbell on a supporting surface without contact between mounted weight plates and the supporting surface, and at least one longitudinally-extending fulcrum bar affixed to the barbell in such a way that it is positioned to contact a user's forearm during a bicep curl and create a lever arm vis-à-vis the handle that maintains the barbell's center of gravity in a lagging position with respect to the user's hands so as to exert enhanced resistance to the curling movement during the movement.

Abstract: A dumbbell comprises a pair of frame members, each having a lower plate-like portion and an upper stem portion. The frame members are coupled together via spacer bars. An upper spacer bar is coupled to the frames members at the stem portions, and a handle is mounted for rotation about the upper spacer bar. Two lower spacer bars positioned near the front and back of the plate-like portions of the frame members. The frame members may provide the desired weight, either through choice of material, plate thickness or both, or the frame members may be provide a basic “master” weight plate for the dumbbell, with additional weight being provided by the addition of one or more weight plates to each frame member. Pads are mounted about the lower spacer bars, and are positioned to contact the wrist area of a user during exercise movements.

Abstract: A safety unit for use on vehicles such as school buses. In one embodiment, a housing is provided for the drive motor and related elements for moving a stop sign on the side of the bus between its retracted and extended positions. The housing has a removable cover to provide access to the drive motor and related elements, and the stop sign is mounted on a driveshaft that extends through a single opening in the bottom wall of the housing. In a second embodiment the safety unit is integrated with an access panel on the school bus.

Abstract: An escape hatch assembly mountable in an opening in the roof of a vehicle which includes a frame member having an egress opening defined by upstanding side walls that are arranged to extend upwardly into the opening in the roof of the vehicle, a flange member extending outwardly from the lower portion of said frame member and arranged to abut the inside surface of the roof of the vehicle; and attachment elements for securing the flange member to the inside surface of the roof of the vehicle. A method of installing the escape hatch upwardly through an opening the roof of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuating device for operating a safety unit mounted on a vehicle which includes a motor having an output shaft, a movable support for supporting the safety unit and moving it between its retracted and extended positions, and a non-mechanical switch arrangement that includes a pair of beam generators and sensors located in the path of the beams, and a plate for interrupting the beam and generating one control signal, and permitting passage of the beam to the sensor to generate another control signal. A control circuit is provided to operate the motor and movable support between its retracted and extended positions in response to the sensor's signals.

Abstract: A crossing arm unit for use on the front of school buses and the like to protect children walking in front of the school bus, the crossing arm unit including a frame attached to the front bumper of the school bus, and a movable arm pivotally mounted in the frame for movement between a retracted position along side the bumper and an extended position projecting outwardly from the bumper.

Abstract: A thread stop is provided for a screw jack including at least one elongated, substantially cylindrical screw member having an external thread. The thread stop comprises at least one radially outwardly deformed part in a predetermined portion of a minor diameter of said external thread. This formed part is formed by a method including ductilely outwardly deforming a predetermined portion of a minor thread diameter of the external thread, so as to retain the hardness of the deformed portion substantially similar to that of the remainder of the screw member.

Abstract: A manually operated log splitter is provided. The log splitter comprises a bi-ended main beam, a splitter wedge fixed at one end of the main beam, and manually operated hydraulic power means fixed to the other end of the beam. In accordance with the invention, this hydraulic power means includes a ram reciprocably moveable toward and away from the splitter wedge. A manually operated low pressure, high volume pump and a manually operated high pressure, low volume pump urge the ram toward the wedge. Automatically operable release valve means relieves pressure from the high pressure, low volume pump to the reservoir when necessary.

Abstract: A screw tube assembly is disclosed for use in a screw jack or the like. The screw tube assembly comprises a hollow tube member in one end of which is formed a recess so as to reduce the tube member wall thickness. Into this recess an annular bushing is inserted. A tip portion of the recessed tube wall is crimped over the received bushing outer end to lock the bushing in the tube against axial movement. A chordal portion of the bushing and overlying tube is then displaced radially outwardly to form an external tube assembly key and to lock the bushing in the tube member against rotational motion.

Abstract: A multi-nozzle high pressure fluid sprayer which can be safely indexed to a selected nozzle while the sprayer is under high fluid pressure. The sprayer head contains an offset member having at least one fluid nozzle therein. The offset member can be rotated to align a selected nozzle with a source of high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A screw tube assembly is disclosed for use in a screw jack or the like. The screw tube assembly comprises a hollow tube member in one end of which is formed a recess so as to reduce the tube member wall thickness. Into this recess an annular bushing is inserted. A tip portion of the recessed tube wall is crimped over the received bushing outer end to lock the bushing in the tube against axial movement. A chordal portion of the bushing and overlying tube is then displaced radially outwardly to form an external tube assembly key and to lock the bushing in the tube member against rotational motion.

Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly for mounting on the exterior of a vehicle is disclosed. The mirror assembly is subject to extremes of ambient temperature and comprises a housing of a rigid foam plastic with provision for compensating for contraction of the housing.

Abstract: A high pressure spray nozzle is provided having a central stream of fluid that can be changed to a coaxial flow of fluid by rotation of the housing cap to thereby produce an outer stream of fluid which is a coaxial to the central stream of fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle jack including a novel release valve is disclosed. The jack is of the type having a high pressure cylinder, a ram partially extensible from and retractable into the cylinder, and a high pressure pump for forcing fluid from a reservoir into the cylinder to extend the jack. When it is desired to lower the jack, the release valve needle is turned so as to withdraw a needle tip from fluid-flow-halting engagement with a valve seat. This needle tip is formed in the shape of a cone having an altitude of a dimension greater than the cone base radius. When the needle tip is withdrawn from its position against the valve seat, a small but precisely defined fluid-flow-permitting orifice is created. Valve lowering action then occurs over an extended time period which permits the jack operator to precisely control or halt valve lowering action as desired.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack is disclosed, of the type comprising a ram having a head portion reciprocable in a cylinder between two cylinder ends, and sealing means carried on the ram head portion to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the ram and the cylinder interior surface. In this jack, an open sided pressure relief trough is formed in the interior surface of the cylinder adjacent one end to permit the flow of fluid past the sealing means when the head portion is located substantially adjacent the cylinder end and relief trough. Fluid bleeding action past the relief trough thus prevents forcing the ram head and sealing means against the cylinder end. When the jack is so constructed, the sealing means can include an elastomeric seal cup member which will not be damaged by its travel past the trough.