Abstract: A restraint system and a method is provided for protecting at least the top barrels in a barrel stack, having a plurality of modules, against earthquake damage. Each of the modules has a top rack, at least one intermediate rack and a bottom rack and at least one barrel on each of the racks. The barrel restraint system comprises restraining mechanism that is operably engaged to at least the top barrels in the module at the top of the barrel stack for restraining the top barrels within the top module. Typically each module contains at least two barrels and the restraining means restrains all of the top barrels. It has been discovered that by restraining all of the top barrels and only the top barrels within the top module, the top barrels will be protected from being ejected from the top rack. All of the remaining barrels in the intermediate and bottom racks may be protected without the use of the restraining means of this invention due to the overburden weight of the barrels stacked above.

Abstract: A vehicle-use foldable beverage holder that includes a mounting plate, a base plate, a left clip arm, a right clip arm, and a clip arm rod. The mounting plate has a hole or an elongated hole in each of the two lateral walls of the mounting plate body, and there is a rearward detent at the lower end of the elongated hole. The base plate has a hole in each of the two containment edges of the base plate body. A support connecting rod that is a movable linkage structure including an upper connecting rod and a lower connecting rod, or which may consist of a single strip. The top end of the upper connecting rod of the support connecting rod is actively linked to a hole in the lateral wall of the mounting plate body, and the lower end of the lower connecting rod is linked to a hole in the containment edge of the base plate body. Therefore, the support connecting rod is maintained in a stationary configuration of approximately 130 degrees in between the mounting plate and the base plate.

Abstract: A beverage coaster removably for adhering to a surface such that the beverage coaster does not cling to a beverage container includes a planar disc having an adhesive on the bottom side. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive in provided in an arcuate strip positioned proximate the outer perimeter of the planar disc. The arcuate strip forms an arc between about 45 degrees and 225 degrees. A dispenser for a stack of beverage coasters is also provided.

Abstract: A convertible trivet utensil having a body defining a central aperture and a planar surface and a plurality of frusto-conical rings oriented concentrically about a central axis and perpendicular to the planar surface so as to function as a trivet. The rings are nested in a single plane within the aperture in a first state and co-planar with the planar surface. A stand is displacibly attached to one of the rings to form a braced paraboloidal cavity as a bowl or container in a second state.

Abstract: A support member is disclosed for use in constructing electric fences of the type having poles, electrified wires and a mesh screen. The support member is an elongated member made from an electrically non-conducting material, and has a base portion adapted and configured to connect to a pole and an arm extending away from the base portion. The arm has several apertures along its length, each aperture configured to receive the conductive wire. The arm also has a first supporting ridge, and a first flat surface for attaching the mesh thereto.

Abstract: A computer copy holder adapted for use with a keyboard drawer at a computer work station which fits inside of keyboard drawer together with keyboard in front of computer monitor. The copy holder supports a document in a position between the keyboard and a computer monitor without obstruction by keyboard cabinet, computer, and monitor riser. When computer is not in use, copy holder is adapted to fit inside of keyboard drawer with keyboard which is positioned inside of keyboard cabinet. The copy holder serves as an inline document holder and also serves as additional workspace by holding reference materials when keyboard drawer containing keyboard is extended from keyboard cabinet for use at a computer work station. The apparatus includes a base plate upon which a keyboard is placed and which further forms an inclined support ridge above the keyboard against which a copy support plate rests. It further includes an inclined copy rest for support of a copy support plate and copy material above the keyboard.

Abstract: An integrated system for protecting and fastening pipes to a supporting structure, in particular to a vehicle body, by means of threaded pins welded to the vehicle body, the system including at least one supporting element defined by a one-piece body or clip in turn including a central portion with a through hole housing, in use, a sleeve which fastens on to a threaded pin, at least one seat for a pipe, and a flat circular supporting region surrounding the hole on the side eventually facing the vehicle body; and a protection element integrated with the clip and defined by a channel, which provides for protecting the pipes and is connected laterally to the clip by a thin flexible strip which flexes to enable the channel to be rotated 180.degree.

Abstract: A shock absorbent bicycle seat is provided including a stationary post with a lower half removably coupled within a seat sleeve of a bicycle. The stationary post further has a guide rod mounted in parallel therewith. A movable post is slidably coupled to the stationary post in coaxial relationship therewith. The post having a cut out formed therein for slidably receiving the guide rod. The movable post further has a spring for urging the movable post in an extended orientation with respect to the stationary post.

Abstract: A safety cable system to which the lanyard of a worker's safety harness may be slidably connected while erecting a steel framework. The system includes a number of stanchion assemblies adapted to be mounted on a structural I-beam before the beam is lifted into position. These include a main stanchion, at least one intermediate stanchion and an end stanchion. The main stanchion has a cable supply reel that may be locked in a secured position to maintain desired tension once the end of the cable is connected to an end stanchion. The cable reel can be released to permit extension of the cable along a new beam to another end stanchion.

Abstract: A sand bar system including a lower support bar. The lower support bar is positionable in a horizontal orientation and has a generally cylindrical configuration and an upwardly extending projection in the central extent thereof formed with female screw threads therewithin. The sand bar system also includes an upper support bar. The upper support bar is spaced above the lower cross bar and extends in a horizontal orientation at right angles with respect to the lower support bar. The upper support bar is cylindrical over the majority of its extent. The upper cross bar has a laterally extending projection with a generally oval head extending from one side thereof. A coupling member is formed in a generally cylindrical configuration and is positionable in a vertical orientation with the central aperture therethrough for receiving the lower portion of the pole for coupling with respect to the projection in the lower cross bar.

Abstract: In a joint-arm awning comprising an arrangement for the adjustment or setting of the angle of inclination, the joints alms being disposed on a support pipe which can be mounted on the wall by way of fastening brackets, it is provided, with a view to obtaining a constructionally simple solution requiring only a low number of components, that the arrangement for the setting of the angle of inclination is disposed on the fastening brackets in such a way that the angle of inclination of the support pipe is adjustable in relation to the fastening brackets.

Abstract: In its broadest context, the present invention includes a belt with clips at both of its ends. The belt further includes male and female buckle elements slidably secured along the intermediate length of the belt. In use, the clips are secured to an adjacent wall via screws or the like. Thereafter, the buckle elements can be secured to one another thereby creating an intermediate loop of adjustable size. Such intermediate loop is specifically adapted to be formed about an object to be secured, such as a Christmas tree.

Abstract: A duster pedestal comprises a main body, a plurality of fins and an annular seat which are capable of being easily and rapidly assembled together thereby supporting an inserted duster in straight, or resolved thereby folding in a limited space advantageous to the transportation, storage, delivery and packing thereof.

Abstract: A device to secure a trunk lid in an open position is disclosed. The device comprises a telescoping shaft with two ends. These two ends secure the two portions of the latch system of an automobile. Most automobiles have a pair of jaws on one part of this latching system and a transverse rod on the other part of the latching system. When the trunk lid is closed normally, the jaws grip the rod to lock the trunk lid closed. In the present invention, one end of the device has a loop to secure within the jaws and the other end of the device has a notch and locking pin to straddle and secure itself to the rod. A metal extension on the notched end in electrical connection with the loop at the other end of the present device can be used to trick an electrically operated trunk lid into thinking the lid is fully closed when the present device is actually in place.

Abstract: A multi-purpose table assembly that includes a wheeled base, an adjustable height vertical support extending from the base; a lockable table support bar assembly including a table support bar and a counter balance support bar each oriented at a right angle with respect to the vertical support bar; a user positionable counter balance weight slidably positionable on the counter balance support bar; an upper table assembly supported by the vertical support including a storage shelf and an upper table member; a positionable side table assembly supported on the table support bar and including a first table member and a pivoting table member; and a book holder assembly including a board member, two connecting structures that are attached the board member, a spring finger shaft rotatably positioned through the two connecting structures, a holder arm with a magnetically attractable handle coupled to an end of the spring finger shaft, a securing magnet attached to an upwardly facing surface of the board member and two

Abstract: A book stand is provided with a base adapted to fit under a person's leg, a first arm pivotally connected to the base, a second arm telescopically attached to the first arm, and a book rack pivotally mounted on the second arm for supporting a book. An I-shaped page retainer is pivotally mounted on the rack and includes laterally extending upper and lower fingers for holding opposing pages of the book open for reading. The page retainer includes telescoping segments such that the distance between the fingers can be adjusted to accommodate different size books. A book light optionally can be attached to the book rack for lighting the pages.

Abstract: A support device for a cableway of the kind which comprises a number of longitudinally extending thread elements positioned at a distance from each other and transversely extending thread elements connecting the longitudinally extending thread elements is connectable with the cableway for forming a support surface for cables attached to the cableway and branched off downwardly therefrom, the support device having the object of defining the radius of curvature of the branched off cables.

Abstract: A stay-put pegboard accessory with a support member/s, having "L" hook/s, fastened to restraining member/s consisting of vertical restraint/s having either a short or a long stub. The "L" hook/s is inserted into an aperture opening of a pegboard with the support member/s carrying the load of a tool or object. Any force acting on the support member/s while removing the load will be resisted with the "L" hook/s and the restraining member/s preventing the stay-put pegboard accessory from being pulled off the pegboard. The short or long stub on the restraining member/s will prevent any twisting of the support member. The long stub on the restraining member will resist an upward force on the load support.

Abstract: A new plastic bag holding device for holding open a plastic bag while it is being filled. The inventive device includes a base and a plurality of elongate pegs. The top of the base has a plurality of spaced apart sockets extending into the interior of the base. One of the ends of each peg is insertable into a socket such that the pegs are upwardly extended from the top of the base. The base also has a number of storage compartments in the interior of the base for storing the pegs when not in use.

Abstract: A pair of "L" shaped flat straps connected at one end to form a foot (10) and open at the opposite end to create a clip (21) which, when installed on a rain gutter (16), end piece (18) serves as a leg (20) in the in-use position and swivels and serves as a retaining clip (21) when the end piece (18) is folded up to the storage position.