Abstract: A portable solar heated shelter comprising at least one fixed roof layer and a second roof layer which can be selectively deployed to vary the thermal characteristics of the shelter. The shelter preferably comprises a rigid frame on which first and second end walls are preferably pivotally mounted. The end walls are preferably foldable between a vertically upright operative position and a generally horizontal, lowered storage position, and when deployed support the roof layers to define the enclosure. The second roof layer is adapted to be unwound from a storage spool and drawn into a take-up spool, passing over the first roof layer, by a cranking action. The second roof layer preferably comprises a first sunshade portion and a series connected heat insulative portion of opaque material which may be selectively deployed to control the thermal characteristics of the enclosure.

Abstract: A collapsible hunting blind is made up of sectional corner posts which are hinged together at their sides so the sections can be folded against each other, divisional top struts which press the tops of the posts apart and which have pins through them so each slat can be folded on itself, and an enclosing cover which is reversible and has different designs on its opposite sides.

Abstract: A spatially expandable hollow body construction is provided which is adapted to be filled by a fluid to provide expansion thereof. The construction includes a first fluid-inflatable hollow body including an outer skin, means for enabling automatic filling of the main hollow body by the sucking in of a fluid such as air when the skin of the main body is expanded and for preventing the escape of the fluid from the main body through the filling means, and a second, fluid inflatable hollow body connected to the first hollow body and arranged such that inflation of the second hollow body causes expansion of the skin of the first hollow body and consequent filling of the first hollow body by the sucking in of the ambient air. The filling means may comprise a simple non-return valve or a valve device which selectively provides shut-off of the inlet for the main body and the inlet for the second body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for closing swinging doors which is mounted in a door frame and has an elongated housing with a spindle rotatably mounted in one end thereof by which the door closer is secured to a door. A cylinder is interiorly formed in the other end of the housing and has a piston disposed therein. The piston rod extends from the cylinder and is secured at its extended end to a pair of flat carrier plates which are slidably mounted within the housing about the spindle and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. Camming surfaces are carried by the spindle which cooperate with a pair of cam followers carried by the carrier plates to hold the door in an open position. Valve means communicating with the cylinder are provided to permit fluid flow from one end of the cylinder to the other about the piston for controlling the rate of travel of the piston within the cylinder and thereby regulate the rate of movement of the door as it is being opened, closed and latched.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tent constituted by portable elements adapted to be manually assembled and disassembled, said tent comprising a plurality of modules having substantially identical respective volumes and shapes, each module being constituted by at least one fabric panel and said modules being assembled by sewing or similar means, each module being supported by supporting means resting on the ground, said modules comprising each two lateral wall portions and a substantially triangular end wall portion, said two lateral wall portions having a common top edge, two rising end edges connected each to a rising edge of the end wall portion as well as two inner rising edges connected each to the rising inner edge of the adjacent lateral wall portion of the adjacent module, said modules being adapted to be supported each by said supporting means at an outer top point defined by the intersection of said rising edges of the associated end wall portion and said edge of the module in question, while each mod

Abstract: A tent peg to positively prevent collapse of a tent under strong winds. The tent peg has a straight elongated body and a short angularly directed branch near the upper end thereof, adapted to be set to the vertical to be inserted within and attached to a tubular tent post to prevent its horizontal and vertical displacement. The tent peg is further provided with means to resist its pulling off the ground. These means include teeth on the body and the fact that in one embodiment of the peg, the body has a V-shape cross-section tapering towards its ground-engaging pointed end, whereby trapping earth, which resists pulling. The peg is provided with means for attaching tent cords, tent metal eyelets to further maintain the tent in erected position. The peg is also provided with means to interconnect it with another peg driven at an angle forming a V-shape arrangement within the ground to further resist pulling the peg off the ground.

Abstract: A transition fitting for connecting plastic conduit to various elements of a fluid transfer system is provided which includes in combination a pressure deformable plastic conduit, rigid sleeve means inserted in one end of said plastic conduit in circumferential contact therewith, a pressure deformable rubbery resilient member extending around the conduit and sleeve in contact with said conduit, compression ring means extending around the conduit and sleeve having a radial face abutting one face of the resilient member and applying compressive pressure thereon, a radially expandable and contractible frusto-conical gripping member, said gripping member surrounding the conduit and sleeve and having a base portion engaging the other side of the compression ring, spaced surface engaging means on the gripper member in contact with the exterior of the conduit, a first body member surrounding the conduit and sleeve and confining the rubbery gasket against outward radial expansion, said body member and compression rin

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a walking cane, for use by the blind, having a portion of the shank thereof adapted with a solar cell. The current produced by the cell recharges a battery stored within the hollow interior portions of the cane. A lamp is selectively energized by operating a control switch. The lamp provides illumination, warning others of the disabled condition of the user. A buzzer or other alerting device is selectively included in the electrical circuit which enables the user to test the successful illumination of the lamp.

Abstract: Overlapping ends of metal strap, or the like, are aligned and connected without the aid of an overlying supplemental seal or fastener by means of an array of longitudinally spaced joints which form a one-way interlocking relationship. The joints comprise juxtaposed protuberances formed by slits in the strap ends, integral with the overlapping strap segments, which override each other as the interlocking relationship is formed. Protuberances at each end of the array on one of the strap ends are angled laterally in opposite directions and have a greater width than that of the remaining protuberances which, upon shifting of the joined overlapping lengths of metal strap relative to each other in a direction tending to disengage the joints, wedge in the corresponding slits of the other strap to provide a stop preventing disengagement.

Abstract: A walking cane fitted with three articulated struts that are each linked to a slidable spring-biased piston in the foot of the cane, and joined together so as to extend away from the foot of the cane when the piston is pushed against the ground and upwards into the cane, with the extended struts acting to support the cane in tripod fashion. Release of downward pressure against the piston permits the spring to slide the piston downwards and retract the three struts.

Abstract: A new and improved low cost disposable umbrella in particular one that is suitable for being conveniently stored or arranged in a stack or a vending machine to be dispensed therefrom in the manner that newspapers, shopping bags and the like are dispensed. The umbrella comprises a canopy, a canopy support, handle mechanism and lock mechanism for optionally securing the canopy in an open condition or permitting closing the umbrella. The canopy has a periphery in the form of a closed geometrical figure provided with radial fold lines dividing the canopy into at least one pair of opposed panels and at least two other pairs of opposed panels secured to the first pair of opposed panels. The canopy support is attached to the first pair of opposed panels but not to the other pairs of opposed panels. In the open condition of the umbrella, the canopy support supports the first pair of opposed panels attached thereto and holds the canopy in open condition.

Abstract: An umbrella cover fabricated of a pliable material and in the general form of a sleeve which may be closed at one end and is open at the other end for receiving the canopy of an umbrella is provided with a cut-out portion adjacent the open end and with means on the cover for engagement by a device for lifting the cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to an umbrella having a centrally located vertical shaft, a plurality of generally equally spaced ribs collapsibly coupled to a top end of the vertical shaft and a detachable cover stretched over the spaced ribs and fastened thereto by cooperating fabric fasteners located at the distended ends of the ribs.

Abstract: A waste drain connection for coupling the waste outlet of a plumbing fixture having a receptacle for a fluid-sealing gasket thereabout to a plumbing drain pipe including a fluid-sealing member having a sleeve portion adapted for intimate fluid-sealing about the plumbing drain pipe and an outwardly-extending flange forming a gasket about one end thereof and a sleeve and gasket compression member for containing the sleeve and for compressively urging the sleeve into greater intimate contact with the plumbing drain pipe to ensure a fluid sealing relationship therebetween and for compressively urging the gasket into intimate contact with the gasket receptacle to effectuate a fluid sealing relationship therebetween.

Abstract: A car-top tent assembly comprises a pair of hinged half shells which mate together in suitcase fashion for travelling, one of these half shells being mounted to the vehicle and the other folding out into alignment with the first to form a bed complete with mattress for overnight stops, there being a tent structure secured to the half-shell edges which erects automatically upon opening of the halves.

Abstract: A support mount is disclosed for journalling a roller or the like upon a wire basket or similar structure such as that offered in dishwashers and like appliances. The wire basket includes a bi-legged eyelet to which the mount is secured. The mount comprises an axle for rotatably carrying the roller and an axle extension. A backing plate formed at an end of the axle extension supports a plurality of arms adapted to embracibly engage the wire basket eyelet. A radially elongated backup skirt inhibits mount tipping.

Abstract: Pipe connectors particularly useful in securing sections of an underwater marine riser together, including a pin received in a box which are secured to one another by a plurality of lock dogs mounted in the box and movable radially inwardly against a portion of the pin by fluid actuated pistons to force the pin and box firmly together, the dogs being retained in position by fluid operated lock pistons. The lock pistons are operated by fluid pressure to shift them to an unlocking position, the fluid actuated pistons being operated by fluid pressure to shift the dogs outwardly and disconnect the pin and box from each other.

Abstract: A tent frame assembly characterized by a two-part corner member or casting secured together by an independent nut and bolt arrangement, where the nut is dimensioned so as to permit ready grasping and tightening during the assembly procedure. The invention further includes a pre-positioned rotatable sleeve forming part of a corner brace assembly to expedite installation and to achieve a stabilized frame.

Abstract: A detachable luggage caster roller for suitcases, luggage and the like is comprised of a roller support bracket formed of synthetic resin and including a cylindrical male member and a base plate adapted to be secured directly or indirectly through a seat member to the luggage and formed of synthetic resin, said base plate including a cylindrical female member adapted to be slidably engaged, directly or indirectly with said cylindrical male member of said roller support bracket through point and line contact. The roller is formed of different kinds of synthetic resin and comprised of a tread reinforced by a bridge-shaped rib embedded therein and a sleeve bearing formed of synthetic resin impregnated with lubricating oil.

Abstract: A vehicle having a swivel caster wheel. The caster wheel has two spaced magnets attached to a fixed part of the caster and a third magnet attached to the caster fork so that the third magnet is influenced by the field of the first and second magnets, moving the caster to a predetermined position when the wheels are lifted from the floor. The wheels caster to proper position when they again engage the floor.