Abstract: An elongated tubular metal body includes a longitudinally extending wedge portion having converging inner surfaces defining an included angle of about sixty degrees for receiving the end portions of concrete reinforcing bars. A series of longitudinally spaced holes are formed within the tubular body in opposing relation to the wedge portion, and a socket head set screw is threaded into each hole. The screws have conical pointed tips for penetrating a bar when the screws are tightened with a preset torque, and the screws force the outer ribs on the bar into the tubular body. A section of cylindrical seamless tubing of ductile steel is cold forged or deformed within a die set to form the tubular body with a generally diamond-shaped cross-sectional configuration, and longitudinally spaced and outwardly projecting ribs may be formed on the body.

Abstract: A molded plastic mailbox is comprised of a series of component parts which are snap fitted and screwed together, including a hollow, vertical post with a first, upper end designed to be maintained above ground level and a second, lower end which is designed to support the post and mailbox below ground level. The upper end of the post includes a lug, which supports and receives a molded plastic platform upon which a molded plastic mailbox cover and doors are mounted. An optional newspaper chute may be attached to the lower side of the platform.

Abstract: A barb arm extension assembly is provided for retrofitting an existing anchor fence with barbed wire. The assembly includes a main body comprising an arm having means for retaining at least one strand of barbed wire and a first half-shell clamp member for engaging a first side of a fence post. A hinged bracket provides a second half-shell clamp member for engaging a second side of the post. Each of the half-shell clamp members has a central portion with an internal diameter sufficient to contain one of said caps without contacting it, and a necked-down bottom portion for engaging the post without disturbing either the post cap of the rail retained by the post cap.

Abstract: A combination desktop calendar and picture frame which allows a user to insert his or her picture or photo of choice into the front cover of the calendar. A plurality of calendar pages are held inside the front cover. The calendar pages are somewhat wider than the front cover so that a portion of the calendar page is visible to one side of the front cover. The visible portion has a compact calendar printed on it which can be highlighted by marking important dates or by placing self stick clear or transparent, tinted shapes over important dates, each shape corresponding to a different type of event such as birthdays, anniversaries or the like. The internal construction of the calendar is such that the calendar pages may be flipped so that the current month or week is at the front most location after opening the front cover. An easel or magnetic backing is included for holding the unit in a substantially upright position on a desktop or countertop or attached to a refrigerator, file cabinet, wall, etc.

Abstract: A slidable counterbalance assembly adapted for a sash window assembly disposed within a master frame is disclosed. A coiled leaf spring mounted on the counterbalance assembly has its upper end attached to the top of the guide rail channel of the master frame. A flexible strap is attached at one end to the sash window pivot brake and at the other end to the counterbalance assembly.

Abstract: An automatic closure assembly for a sliding panel, particularly of the screen door type, is disclosed. One or more power springs, operable in their linear ranges are mounted within a compact housing configured for ready attachment to a surface adjacent the sliding panel. The springs apply tension to a cord wound on a take-up reel within the housing. One end of the cord is screwed to the sliding panel such that as the panel is moved in an opening direction, the power spring(s) are wound in tension to apply closure forces to the panel. Different selections are provided for enabling an operator to select a plurality of different discrete tension forces to be applied by the closure assembly to the sliding panel.

Abstract: A system added to a mailbox having a hinged door, said system exposing a visible signal when the mailbox door is opened for mail delivery and then closed. A receptacle (10), fixed in an elevated position to the side of the mailbox, or to its enclosure, holds a delivery indicator (14) which is connected to the mailbox door through a flexible connector (18), such as a monofilament plastic line, and then a fastener (22) that is fastened to the door. When the door is opened this action pulls the delivery indicator (14) free of the receptacle (10). When the door is closed the delivery indicator (14) hangs in a visible position below the mailbox.

Abstract: A picture frame assembly comprises a first background panel for affixation to a wall surface, the panel having at least one aperture for releasable insertion of a picture frame therein. Tabs on the rear of the frame releasably secure the frame to slots in the panel for display of the frame in a wall hanging mode. Molding about the frame overlies the defining edge of the panel aperture. Removal of the tabs from the panel slots allows the frame to be disengaged from the panel. A leg on the rear surface of the removed frame supports the removed frame on a horizontal surface. The assembly thus presents structure allowing for picture display in wall mounted or stand alone modes.

Abstract: A retainer for securing artwork in a picture frame includes a spring capable of engaging all four side rails of a picture frame in compressive fashion. The spring is formed in the configuration of a four pointed star, each point of the star joined to an adjacent point by a pair of diverging, arcuate, concave arms. All of the points and the joining arms are disposed in a common plane. The entire star configuration is formed of spring wire or the like, and is preferably formed in integral, unitary fashion. The points of the star are each formed by a convex bend in the spring wire, the convex bend having a radius significantly smaller than the radii of any of the linking arms of the star. At each point the apex is ground or otherwise formed to define a sharpened edge which penetrates the picture frame material. The star is dimensioned to be slightly larger that the length and width of the inner opening of the picture frame.

Abstract: Compact display apparatus for sequentially registering image pixels interlaced on a mosaic and corresponding to discrete images with an aperture pattern on a mask to display such discrete images. A plurality of biasing arms are provided to adjust the mosaic relative to the mask to properly register the image pixels on the mosaic with the apertures on the mask. A drive assembly is provided to displace the mosaic on a dosed loop path to sequentially register the image pixels corresponding with discrete images with the apertures in the mask.

Abstract: A door system includes a sill with a ledge extending across the bottom of an opening to a bathing enclosure and with a raised lip along an exterior side of the ledge. A pair of parallel tracks are above the opening with a first door suspended from and freely slidable along the first track above the ledge. A second door and a third door are suspended from and slidable along the second track being freely suspended above the ledge. A pair of door guides are attached to the first door and engage the other doors to prevent the doors from swinging into each other. Similar door guides are attached to the second and third doors and interlock with one of the door guides on the first door to prevent the doors from sliding entirely past each other. A stop member is attached to the sill and retains the doors above the ledge between the stop member and the raised lip. Detent blocks also are disclosed for holding the doors in a closed state.

Abstract: A window regulator employs a drive cable to regulate opening and closing of a window in a vehicle. The drive cable is attached to a glider which is attached to the window, and extends around a first and second guide means and a drive drum. Rotation of the drive drum causes movement of the cable which in turn causes movement of the window. One of the guide means is slidably mounted and coupled to a spring which causes the guide means to apply tension to the drive cable. The spring is positioned along substantially the same axis along which the slidably mounted guide means may travel.

Abstract: Rapid mount advertising panels for motor vehicles, such as trucks, are disclosed comprising a plurality of panels which are removably attached to the side of a trailer in such a manner, that as a group they form a large bill board surface. The display panels are constructed and designed to resist sagging and distortion of said panels due to the effect of heat, wind, etc. when the truck is moving.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for releasably fixing an externally splined power take-off shaft to an output shaft of off-highway equipment such as a tractor. The output shaft has a hollow, internally splined hub portion adapted to axially receive the externally splined power take-off shaft to prevent relative rotational movement between the power take-off and output shafts. The locking mechanism includes a locking member supported within a radial opening in the power-take off shaft so as to be radially movable between an outer locking position and an inner unlocking position. In the outer locking position, the locking member is engageable with a recess formed in the hub portion of the output shaft to prevent relative axial movement between the power take-off shaft and the output shaft. In the inner unlocking position, the locking member is disengaged from the recess in the output shaft to permit such relative axial movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double-hung window assembly having at least one sash slideably mounted within a frame. Elongate stops are secured along opposite sides of the slideable sash and are moveable between first positions interengaging a respective side of the frame and second positions free of engagement with the frame. When the stops are in their first positions, the sash is constrained to move in a linear path relative to the frame. When the stops are in their second position, the sash is free to pivot relative to the frame about pins or similar structure extending between the sash and the frame.

Abstract: An easy out fire escape window gate comprising a gate frame mounted to a window frame of a window on an inner side of an exterior wall of a building. A pair of protective shutters are provided. Components are for connecting opposite sides of the protective shutters to opposite sides of the gate frame. The protective shutters can swing to an open position and a closed position. A structure is for locking the protective shutters to the gate frame in the closed position, to prevent an entry through the window from the exterior of the building to reduce burglaries. A facility is for quickly unlocking the protective shutters from the gate frame. The protective shutters can go into the opened position, to allow people within the building to safely exit through the window during a fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a pre-hung door unit including a door frame having an inwardly facing portion accessible from an outside facing side of the door unit and a door hingedly connected to the door frame. The apparatus includes a body having door edge portion connecting provisions for removably connecting the body to an edge portion of the door and frame connecting provisions connected to the door edge portion connecting provisions, for removably connecting the body to an inwardly facing portion of the door frame. The door edge portion connecting provisions include a door edge connecting portion having a first surface for contacting an edge surface of the door and the frame connecting provisions include a frame connecting portion having a second surface operable to contact a surface of the inwardly facing portion of the door frame.

Abstract: A glass run comprises: a vertical run including a vehicle outside seal lip, a curved seal lip, and a coupling portion through which the vehicle outside seal lip and the curve seal lip are coupled to each other; and an inclined run including the vehicle outside seal lip, the curved seal lip, a hollow lip having a hollow, and a coupling portion through which the vehicle outside seal lip, the curve seal lip and the hollow lip are coupled to one another. The vertical run and the inclined run are formed as one unit by molding in such a manner that the vertical run and the inclined run are joined obliquely. The coupling portion of the vertical run has a shift preventing protrusion on the rear surface thereof, and the door sash has an opening which is engageable with the protrusion, so that the inclined run is prevented from being shifted.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for moving a lockable vehicle part. The drive system includes a drive element that operates with a change in length. The element is supported at its ends on the vehicle part and on the body. A releasable snap lock is provided by which the vehicle part is locked in one of its end positions. The snap lock is released by a control stroke of the drive element effectively connected with the release mechanism of the snap lock. The control stroke precedes the working stroke to move the vehicle part by connecting one end of the drive element to a release mechanism. In order to reduce the space required in the vehicle for the drive system, a rotary joint is provided as the release mechanism for the control stroke of the drive element.

Abstract: A water ball structure includes a base defining a cylindrical housing to received therein a music box type driving device and support thereon a water ball. The driving device is fixed on a disk which is received within a bottom opening of the housing and snap-held by resilient paws formed on the housing. A circumferential wall is provided to fix to and concentrically surround the housing. A rotation ring is supported on the circumferential wall by a ball bearing arranged on the top of the wall so as to allow the rotation ring to be rotatable relative to the housing in a concentric manner by being driven by the driving device through a gear train coupling therebetween. A toothed ring is fit over the housing and snap-held by paws provided on the housing.