Abstract: A rural mailbox which has an access door provided with a concealed counterweight to assure that the door closes after use is disclosed. Optionally, the lower surface of the mailbox floor may have a magnet secured to it and positioned so as to contact the counterweight when the door is fully open to temporarily hold the door open. The door further optionally has a covered slot for mail and may be securely locked. The box in one embodiment has an auxiliary covered receptacle mounted on one side to hold mail to be picked up.

Abstract: A book receptacle mounted on wheels forms a movable book storage container. Within the book receptacle is a collapsible container with an upper peripheral edge which is affixed to the upper edge of the support structure of the book receptacle. The collapsible container in an uncollapsed state substantially fills the volume defined by the support structure. A load-responsive support, which is preferably an elastic cord, provides load-responsive support between a first attachment point located at the bottom of the collapsible container and a second attachment point located on the support structure and spaced from the first attachment point so that the collapsible container is held in a substantially collapsed condition when the container is empty and expands to substantially fill the volume defined by the support structure as additional books are added.

Abstract: A chain guide is provided for the otherwise unsupported upper run of the endless roller chain of a motor-driven garage door operator. With the chain loop in a vertical plane, the chain guide takes the form of a trough having at its bottom an upstanding central ridge which supports the chain by its rollers and with the links clear of contact with the floor and sides of the trough. The chain guide is supported indirectly by the trackage of the door operator, being mounted upon the fixed rail spacer of one form and carried upon the movable trolley of the other.

Abstract: An earring for the stimulation of acupuncture points or lines present in the human outer ear consists of a hooplike open ended jewelry piece having opposite end portions, one being adapted to be received in the outer ear cavity and the other abutting the rear wall of the outer ear, wherein the earring consists of electrically conductive cast bronze material with an iron end piece cast into one end portion of the open-ended bronze hoop so as to provide at the opposite end portions for opposite face areas of materials which, in accordance with the electrochemical voltage series, provide for a potential therebetween when in contact with an ear which potential causes a current a flow through the ear for stimulation of the adjacent acupuncture points or lines in the outer ear.

Abstract: An ear clip is disclosed that includes a jaw hinged to a base member to which an ornament may be affixed. The jaw is provided with a spring tongue that engages the base member and normally urges the jaw in one direction. The end of the spring tongue is provided with a plurality of notches and the end portion is bent from a plane of the jaw at an obtuse angle to insure positive engagement of the base member with the notches. Additional depressions on the inner face of mounting or pivot ears may be provided for additional positive adjustable engagement.

Abstract: An earring jacket has a connecting member having a bore therethrough at one end to receive attaching means for attaching the connecting member to a human ear and an ornamental member pivotally connected to the connecting member so that the ornamental member, when so connected, pivots with respect to the connecting member about an axis transverse to the axis of said bore so that the ornamental member hangs vertically from the ear.

Abstract: A method for patient elevation above a fluidized surface utilizes a web of filter sheet material disposed beneath the patient and between the patient and the main filter sheet that covers the fluidized surface. The web is loosely mounted about a pair of support rods which are connected via a pair of splice bar linkages to a pair of dual acting hydraulic cylinders. The support surface is defluidized before the patient is elevated. Activation of the cylinders causes the two rods to separate from one another. The separation takes up the slack in the web and renders it taut about the two support rods. Further activation of the cylinders elevates the two support rods above the fluidized surface by pivoting them through the splice bar linkages. This raises the web and the patient supported on the web.

Abstract: A therapeutic pillow covering (100) for covering either a prefabricated conventional or therapeutic pillow (200) having a central depression region (210), or for encasing pillow fill having a plurality of compartments (12, 14, 16) for holding a prefabricated pillow insert (22, 28) or a hot or cold pack (26). The compartments (12, 14, 16) each have an opening (13, 15, 17) for insertion and removable of the inserts (22, 26, 28). The pillow covering (100) has a center compartment (14) located about in the center of the pillow cover; two oppositely disposed side wing compartments (12) located on opposite ends of the pillow cover (100); and two oppositely disposed hot/cold pack compartments (16) parallel to the center compartment (11) and on opposite sides of the center compartment (14). The compartments (12, 14, 16) may be affixed either to the interior of the cover (100) or to the exterior of the cover (100). The cover (100) may have boxed off corners (20).

Abstract: A fastener which allows a user to easily utilize the Torque Angle Method to provide a predictable clamp load to a clamped element. The fastener includes an externally threaded shank portion, a torque receiving portion integrally connected on one end of the shank portion and a radially extending flange located between the shank portion and the torque receiving portion. The flange includes a pair of cut-out notches located on the peripheral edge of the flange which are formed prior to initial tightening of the fastener and are spaced apart at a predetermined angular distance to allow a user to utilize the Torque Angle method to provide predictable clamp load across a joint connection.

Abstract: A body transfer mat includes a generally rectangular sheet having a center support section and right and left wing portions extending from the center section. Each wing portion is foldable upon itself with fasteners to maintain the wings in the folded position, so that the wing portions will not drag on the floor when the sheet is supported on a conventional gurney. Handles are located on the underside of the sheet on each side of the central support section, and are used to pull a patient located on the sheet from a gurney to a separate table or bed. The wing portions include cooperable fasteners so as to enable the wing portions to be secured over the top of a patient during transfer of the patient on the sheet. Preferably, reinforcing straps are mounted on the upper surface of the central support section, through which the handles are fastened. In a second embodiment of the invention, a pair of wing portions are provided on each side of the central support section, to permit the transfer of large patients.

Abstract: A combination of a bed with means for supporting at least one TV set comprises a bed frame structure including a canopy member supported by vertical members, the canopy member including a crown defining a hollow housing and having at least a top wall and side walls, the hollow housing having a depth adapted to fully accommodate therein at least one TV set. A supporting means is provided within a lower portion of the canopy member for supporting a bottom of the at least one TV set positioned thereon and for positioning of the TV set for unobstructed viewing by a person while reclining in the bed.

Abstract: An expandable bedstead comprises a horizontal base frame having a vertical headboard frame fixedly connected to a first side thereof, a pair of leg supports fixedly connected to the corner portions of an opposing second side of the base frame, a vertical footboard frame pivotably connected to the leg supports, a vertical left side frame having an upper and lower subframes releasably connected to the left side of the base frame, and a vertical right side frame releasably connected to the right side of the base frame and to the headboard and footboard frame.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion is organized into zones or compartments which are normally isolated from each other. The base of the cushion contains channels which lead from the several zones to a flap-type valve. When the flag is extended, the channels are connected through a manifold in the valve. However, when the flap is folded over upon itself, the channels are blocked before the manifold and the zones are isolated. Having separate and isolated zones, the cushion provides improved stability and better serves to maintain the user in a desired posture. A modification has individual fill valves and stems for each zone and for the manifold.

Abstract: A cover of screen or mesh for preventing domestic animals, such as cats, from entering a crib. The cover can be utilized while a child is in the crib, if the child is not able to pull itself up to a standing position, to prevent an animal from joining the child in the crib and can be utilized when the crib is unoccupied to prevent an animal from entering the crib and spreading fur, dirt or otherwise disturbing the crib. The cover is designed to prevent entry, and does not restrain the child within the crib. The device utilizes interengaging hook-and-loop type securing strips, such as VELCRO, to secure the cover to place on the crib, and is designed to support the weight of the animals to be excluded so that the cover will not collapse into the crib. The cover incorporates an opening for passage of a crib accessory, such as a mobile, which remains in place during entry and exit of the child and during removal or replacement of the cover.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a frame having a backrest arranged to be lifted by an actuator via a crank, and a thighrest similarly arranged to be lifted by an actuator. A legrest is freely pivoted to the thighrest. The angles of the parts are sensed and maintained in proportion by control means, so that as, for example, the backrest angle is steepened, the thighrest is also raised proportionately, but to less extent, taking the legrest with it.

Abstract: There is disclosed a decorative interchangeable and detachable earring assemblage comprising individual and separable earring units which can all be of the same size and shape or of different sizes and shapes enabling the earring units to be mixed or matched depending on the fashion mood of the wearer.

Abstract: A heart shaped piece of jewelry is provided attachable to a chain. The body of the heart shape is in two parts separated along a jagged simulated broken line with guide members allowing the parts to be separated sliding along the guide members to simulate a break. A spring urges the parts to mate and a cam on the end of a member forces the parts to the separated condition by twisting the member followed by further twisting to close and re-mate the heart shape.

Abstract: An adjustable bed including a multi-section mattress frame mounted on a base frame. The mattress frame includes a head section and a lower section. The lower section may include an intermediate or seat section and a leg section. A mattress support is joined to the mattress frame. The mattress support includes a plurality of wire grids joined to the sections. Each grid includes a plurality of tandemly arranged, transversely extending, generally rectangular closed loops. End portions of the loops are axially aligned and joined to lateral or side portions of the mattress frame. A plurality of parallel, longitudinally or axially extending support wires are positioned on the loops. The support wires extend generally parallel to the lateral portions or sides of the mattress frame. Ends of the support wires may be downturned and joined to an end wire.

Abstract: According to a gear shift control system of a continuous transmission of the present invention, when the gear ratio is controlled to a target gear ratio, a deviation between an actual primary pulley speed and the target primary pulley speed is detected. When a feedback-control is carried out to control the actual primary pulley speed to the target primary pulley speed on the basis of the above deviation, the control gain(s) is changed according to the deviation between the actual and the target primary pulley speeds at changing the gear ratio. Thus, the gear ratio is changed at the constant speed and better gear characteristics can be gained. Moreover, the hunting of the actual primary pulley speed occurred around the target speed can be prevented.

Abstract: My invention is a convertible sofa bed recliner having an improved connection between the seat frame and the back frame which allows an easy conversion from a seating configuration to a sofa configuration and back to the seating configuration with strengthened support in the connection for the structure in both the seating configuration and the bed configuration. My improved connection includes a slot in the rear portion of the side rail of the seat frame so that the pivot pin connecting the seat frame to the back frame can travel along the slot allowing the seat frame to be radially in relation to the pivot pin. When the seat frame is moved radially, it disengages a dowel from a cam on the top of the side rail. The dowel extends inwardly of the back frame from the inside of the end rails of the back frame. Once the dowel is disengaged from the cam, the seat frame can be rotated about the pivot pin so that the back frame and seat frame are in a horizontal position.