Abstract: An improved license plate protector comprises a one piece flexible cover made of relatively high impact strength polycarbonate resin, which remains substantially transparent and damage resistant even upon marring, scratching and weathering of the cover during use. The plate protector further comprises an improved structural technique for positioning and securing a one piece, light weight plate protector to a license plate and a motor vehicle, and protecting the license plate, through the combined use of a perimeter rib, retaining tabs, a plurality of positioning tabs, corresponding attachment locations and a plurality of attachment holes. A method of making a license plate protector as described comprises the steps of drying polycarbonate resin with a heater, and forming a license plate protector by application of heat and pressure to such resin in a molding device having mold surfaces comprising material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and chrome plating.

Abstract: A panel fastener and space frame hub adapted for releasably holding panel sections in place against the space frame hub. The space frame hub has threadable connections for receiving space frame struts so as to permit the construction of a frame of any desired shape or size. Each panel section used with the invention has respective panel brackets at each of its corners, the panel brackets being complementary shaped to engage with a rotatable keyed plate on the fastener. They Keyed plate may be rotated to align a key cutout with a complementary shaped key in the respective panel brackets and may then be rotated to lock the panel bracket in place against the keyed plate.

Abstract: A bi-directional door for the elderly and handicapped which comprises a support assembly mounted to a floor, a swing gate pivotally mounted about a support shaft in the support assembly, and a controller assembly located within the support assembly. A first bevel gear at the base of the swing gate is positioned for rotation about the support shaft. A second bevel gear, which is controlled by the controller assembly, is coupled to the first bevel gear at a 90 degree angle. Accordingly, when the swing gate is opened and released, the controller assembly controls the rotation of the first and second bevel gears such that the swing gate returns back to a home position at a predetermined rate. In addition, the support assembly includes various ways for adjusting and fine tuning the angular position of the bi-directional door in the support assembly.

Abstract: A self standing floor sign (10) comprising two end panels (12 and 14), and two side panels (16), the two side panels (16) pivotably secured between the end panels (12 and 14), and the side panels (16) having a hinge oriented within an approximate center of the side panels (16) to allow the side panels (16) to collapse in a generally inwardly direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic sliding door closing device comprised of two elongated arms coupled together at their proximal ends by a coiled spring which spreads the distal ends of the elongated arms apart. The distal end of one elongated arm is attached to a door jamb and the distal end of the other elongated arm is attached to the edge of the sliding door. Speed damping is provided by a pneumatic cylinder which retards the acceleration of the sliding door due to the force exerted by the coiled spring.

Abstract: A sign frame for directory or other applications, and having adjustable corners permitting the sign to assume orthogonal and nonorthogonal configurations. Each adjustable corner connector has first and second elements that respectively connect to contiguous ends of adjacent edge members making up the sign. The elements of the adjustable corner connector are pivotably interconnected at hubs that are spatially displaced from the edge members, so that the hubs fit within the outline of the assembled frame without interfering with the edge members making up that frame.

Abstract: A tilt type window support mechanism structure that is placed into the window frame of a conventional tilt type window. It fastens in the sidewalls of the frame and at the sill. It is capable of both extension and rotation about its connecting axis. These capabilities allow for optimum placement of the support frame under the tilted window, thus freeing the user from manually supporting the window in its desired position.

Abstract: A foldable cargo cover comprising a pliable sheet having a plurality of elongate stiffener members attached thereto at selected locations thereon. The stiffener members are of sufficient rigidity to maintain the sheet in a substantially planar configuration when fully unfolded, and bendable for allowing the sheet to be folded into a compact configuration.

Abstract: A device for holding a POG includes a disk-like, circular base. The base has a front face and a rear face, with the front face having a rim extending at least partially along the perimeter of the base which is adapted to grasp the POG and hold it snug against the front face upon placing the POG within the circumference of the rim. A gripping member on the rear face attaches the base to at least one spoke of, for example, a wheel of a bicycle.

Abstract: A supporting clip device for associating with a housing or a leather case of a mobile telephone or pager. The clip device includes a clip member and a foldable/stretchable support member which can be pivoted from the clip member through a certain angle so as to support the mobile telephone or pager at a position 45 degrees inclined to a plane surface for achieving better signal receiving ability and appearance.

Abstract: To create a three-dimensional impression from a normal two-dimensional planar photograph or picture, the photograph stand of the present invention maintains the photograph part-cylindrical, part-spherical or otherwise curved condition. It can be achieved by interposing the photograph between two curved shape retaining panels, or, alternatively, bringing the two side edges of the photograph or a resilient shape retaining panel on which the photograph is mounted closer together. The latter mode can be achieved by using suitable engagement portions or receiving the photograph in a transparent tube whose circumferential length is shorter than twice the lateral width of the photograph. By providing mirror surfaces on either side of the curved photograph, preferably with the mirror surfaces fanning out toward the front at an appropriate angle, the photograph stand can add not only a depth to the photograph but also an increased width to the photograph.

Abstract: A construction member includes a square frame. The frame is formed of a front frame and a back frame. A plate is secured to the inner side of an edge of the front frame. A glass tube constituting a visually perceptible part in the form of a letter or a pattern is secured to the back surface of the plate by an adhesive consisting of thermosetting resin having self-extinguish property. An electrode tube is formed at one end of the glass tube and the other end thereof. The glass tube encloses inert gas such as neon gas. A printed layer is formed on one main surface of the plate as another visually perceptible part by silk printing method or the like. The frame accommodates a reflective panel formed of stainless steel plate by spacing the reflective panel at a determined interval from the plate. A transformer for illuminating the glass tube is mounted on the back surface of the reflective panel.

Abstract: The slotted orifice locking tag for fastening to a band material about merchandise is made of sheet material having an information part and a header part united together. The information part is for printed matter, which may include a scannable product identification marking. The header part has an open mouth in its outer perimeter edge and a slotted holding orifice inwardly spaced from the open mouth. A slit entry channel extends from the open mouth along a line terminating as a slit entrance into the slotted orifice. An elongated hooking finger is on one side of the entry channel and a camming surface on the other. The elongated hooking finger is easily latched over a section of a band material about merchandise to cause movement of the band material along the camming surface into the slot of the slotted holding orifice with one sweeping hand movement. A band material in the slot is resistant to escape therefrom.

Abstract: A modular merchandise signage system has a sign holder and a base removably attachable at a plurality of different orientations to the sign holder. The base comprises a clip specifically configured to attach the base to a hang bar. The sign holder and the base are configured to attach to one another at a plurality of different orientations with respect to one another.

Abstract: A plate closure for use in an internally illuminated sign having a plurality of wiring ports to provide access to the interior of the sign for connecting wires from a power source including a housing made up of a pair of interlockable halves. Each of the halves has a peripheral sealing lip opposed to the peripheral lip of the other half to form a peripheral housing wall. The housing wall has a pair of substantially parallel opposed end walls, a top housing wall and a bottom wall. A top wiring port is formed in the top wall. A left wiring port is formed in one of the end walls, and a right wiring port is formed in the other of the end walls. Each of the wiring ports provides a selective access to the interior of the housing to provide wiring for a light source. Each of the walls, having one of the wiring ports, has a mounting groove in a portion of the housing wall defining the wiring port. Each mounting groove extends into the respective wall and opens into the respective wiring port.

Abstract: A vegetation barrier device for use in association with the lowermost extremity of a fence is constructed of a first member having an L-shaped extruded configuration and a second member in the form of an elongated flat strip. The two members are assembled upon the fence by bolts which penetrate the fence and both members to form a U-shaped structure defining an interior region capable of releasibly holding a water-leachable insecticidal agent.

Abstract: A ball joint link includes a center tube and a ball stud. A one-piece, thermoplastic, molded housing extends around the ball to form a ball joint and is secured to the tube. The tube and the ball of the ball stud are both insert molded in the housing in a single molding operation, and the housing is formed of a glass-filled nylon that forms the bearing surface for the ball joint.

Abstract: A collapsible sign, including a fixed frame, a plurality of sections hingedly and movably attached to the frame, the sign being movable the sections between a viewing position and a collapsed position. Adjacent pairs of the plurality of sections are positioned to provide an offset distance between axes of rotation located at each end of each section when the plurality of sections are in the viewing position.

Abstract: A ribbon display badge unit includes a conventional plastic badge base such as a plastic pocket for name badges, with one or more stackable ribbons attached to the badge base. Each of the stackable ribbons is oriented horizontally with a word formed on the lower portion of the front face of each ribbon and an adhesive layer formed on the upper portion of the front face of each ribbon. A release sheet covering the adhesive is removed and a first ribbon is attached to the badge base by pressing the adhesive layer against the back surface of the badge base such that the badge base covers the upper portion of the ribbon but leaves the word on the lower portion of the ribbon exposed. A second ribbon may be mounted to the first ribbon by removing the release sheet from the adhesive and applying the adhesive of the second ribbon to the back face of the first ribbon such that the first ribbon covers the upper portion of the second ribbon but leaves the word on the second ribbon exposed.

Abstract: A connector or connecting together elongated frame bars having T-shaped grooves on side surfaces is a single elongated structure having a longitudinally uniform cross-sectional shape. The connector has a central wall and is symmetric with respect to the plane of this central wall. Pairs of wings protrude from the central wall to be inserted into the grooves in the frame bars to be connected. The wings of one of the pairs protrude perpendicularly to the central wall. The wings of the other pair are cross-sectionally Z-shaped so as to be able to elastically engage in and with the grooves of the frame bars. Each wing has a mutually outwardly protruding part with a slope for being pressed against edges of the grooves such that the connector can be correctly positioned.