Abstract: A sports bottle accessory is disclosed operable to be coupled to the sports bottle when the cap for the bottle is connected in place to close the bottle. The accessory has a ring structure suited to fit around the fill opening neck and be trapped in place under the closure cap when secured on the bottle, or via a connection with the closure cap itself. A hook formed off of accessory and open generally toward the bottle bottom is sized to be fitted over exercise equipment, to allow the bottle to be suspended vertically upright from exercise equipment within reach of the exerciser. A flexible accessory web overlies the side of the bottle below the cap, and clip means coupled to the web spaced from the cap can releasibly hold a towel or the like relative to the bottle.

Abstract: A spare tire for vans, trucks, and the like may be mounted in underslung position beneath the vehicle body. A framework to encompass the spare tire is mounted on a framework below the vehicle body. The spare tire is maintained in position by a conventional lifting mechanism, involving a lug on the end of a cable. A threaded stud projects downwardly from the lug to extend through an aperature in the bottom surface of a cup-shaped housing. A threaded nut tightens the housing against a panel mounted on the framework on the underside of the vehicle body, thereby, the spare tire is completely enclosed against the elements.

Abstract: A simply formed and easily mountable luggage holder, in particular for bicycles, having a luggage container in driving direction removably mounted on back of and/or underneath the saddle. The luggage holder for is provided with a fastening part holding the luggage container, and a longitudinal beam fastened underneath the saddle with a receptacle for receiving said fastening part, said receptacle (4) being tubular shaped, the longitudinal axis of said tubular receptacle (4) being inclined downward in driving direction, the longitudinal beam (3) with its luggage-sided end part (14) being fastened with its rear section to at least one saddle spring (7), and additionally being fastened with its opposite end part (13) underneath or behind the fastening head (5) of the saddle pillar (6).

Abstract: A supporting bracket includes a bracket body which defines a tube receiving portion and lock receiving portion. The tube receiving portion includes a split socket having a bush therein. The socket further includes a split threaded extension which receives a locking knob to tighten the split socket. An adaptor and a biasing block is further received by the locking block. When the locking knob is screwed in, the adaptor and biasing block are moved in to press against the bush. Accordingly, the supporting bracket can be firmly attached to the tube with different diameter of the bicycle. The lock can be readily held by the lock receiving portion when the lock is not in use.

Abstract: A backpack support apparatus includes first, second, and third poles and first, second, and third couplings that removably couple the poles to a backpack frame to form a tripod-like support configuration. The couplings hold the poles so that the poles angle away from the backpack frame advantageously for improved stability. In addition, the couplings hold the poles in a way enabling a user to remove the poles easily by lifting the backpack frame. The couplings may be part of the backpack frame, they may be attached to a backpack frame as original equipment, or they may be mounted as retrofit equipment on an existing backpack frame. The poles in one embodiment slide together to form a walking staff, and a separate hook attaches to the third pole to adapt it to use in mounting a bear bag over a tree limb.

Abstract: A semi-rigid, elastically resilient clip is releasably fastenable to the side of a handgun to provide support for the handgun upon a user's clothing or on a mounting bracket on a support structure. The clip may be attached by bolting to a handgun or, in the case of automatic weapons having a barrel slide movable relative to a gun body, it may be attached by engagement of a clip bracket between the gun body and barrel slide portions.

Abstract: A combination backpack and seat device is constructed of first and second U-shaped frame members, each having a transverse portion intended to be horizontally disposed during use and parallel side portions intended to be vertically disposed during use. The frame members are pivotably interconnected at a site within their side portions. A fabric panel extends between the transverse portions of the frame members and serves as a seat when the frame members are pivoted to maximum separation, representing the seat mode of use of the device. In the seat mode of use, the lower extremities of the side portions of the second frame member contact the ground, and a strap of adjustable length secured to the side portions of the second frame member is caused to tautly embrace a tree adjacent the ground.

Abstract: A particular vacuum tank construction is provided for a vacuum toilet assembly which mounts a vacuum pump, has great versatility and accessibility, and ensures optimized washing effect of water and waste into the vacuum tank. A tank inlet is located at the opposite end of the tank from a sump formed in the tank bottom, and an inlet fitting at the inlet is rotatable at least about 180.degree. about a vertical axis. Connected to a tank outlet is a dip tube assembly including a substantially rigid dip tube which has an oval shaped end termination opening which is above, but spaced from, the sump and positioned so that objects of a size that would harm the vacuum pump connected to the tank outlet cannot enter the dip tube. The tank is of plastic having a nominal wall thickness of about 5/16th inch, and no flat surface area is greater than about 80 square inches. The inlet is connected to a vacuum toilet, and the vacuum pump outlet is connected to a waste (holding) tank.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for a portable telephone includes an engaging device connected to the portable telephone, a socket for detachably receiving the engaging device, and a cramp connected to the socket for fixing itself and the socket on an objective body such as a belt. The engaging device is allowed to slide in the socket and may be manually made to turn substantially ninety-degrees in the socket thereby being located in place in the socket. When the engaging device is located in place in the socket, it may be manually made to turn ninety-degrees in the socket and may be manually pulled to slide out from the socket.

Abstract: An improved insulated cover is provided for removable mounting onto a spa or hot tub or the like to minimize thermal and evaporative losses, while additionally safeguarding against foreign objects and/or persons falling into the tub. In the preferred form, the insulated cover comprises an outer frame ring defining a radially outwardly projecting rim, in combination with a structural membrane stretched across the frame ring with a peripheral margin of the membrane wrapped over the outer rim and radially constricted for retention thereon by a drawstring or the like. The frame ring and structural membrane cooperatively define an upwardly open pocket for receiving and supporting a selected insulation material. A flexible decorative top sheet is stretched across the frame ring to close the insulation pocket, wherein a peripheral margin of the decorative top sheet is wrapped over the outer rim and radially constricted for retention thereon by a drawstring or the like.

Abstract: A retractable carrying device that effectively positions an object snugly against a user's body allowing the user to carry the object from their shoulder for long periods of time without stress and irritation. The retractable carrying device maintains tension on receiving means thereby preventing undesirable noise, and also automatically and tensionally adjusts when the retractable carrying device is utilized as a stabilizing aid. The retractable carrying device is constructed with a first elongated flexible securing means, a second elongated flexible securing means, and a retractable mechanism, the retractable mechanism being enveloped by shielding means. The retractable mechanism has elastic properties and is of the type that can be stretched or extended when an opposing directional force is applied to the retractable mechanism, thereby increasing the effective length of the retractable mechanism, and which will then return or retract to its original length when the opposing directional force is released.