Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes a plurality of ribs respectively pivotally secured to a plurality of ferrules respectively mounted or held on a telescopic central shaft, an opening tensioning spring formed in the central shaft for opening the umbrella, at least a retraction restoring spring for closing the umbrella, and a tip cap slidably mounted on a grip, in which the tip cap may be operated for depressing a biasing lever for disengaging a lower ferrule pivotally linked with the ribs for opening the umbrella, and may be further operated for depressing a sliding latch for releasing an elastic force of the opening tensioning spring to allow a restoring operation acted by the retraction restoring springs for closing the umbrella from its opening state.

Abstract: The present invention is a walking assist device which comprises a shaft having a hand grip at one end and having an end piece at the other. A retractable member is positioned within the end piece and has a point at one end. The retractable member may be positioned in a first position such that the point protrudes from the end piece. The retractable member has a second position in which the point is retracted within the end piece. In an alternate embodiment, a locking mechanism is connected between the shaft and the retractable member to provide an alternately locked position in either the retracted or protruding position of the point.

Abstract: An apparatus setting forth a walking cane provided with requisite safety features defined by an elongate cane shaft formed with a lowermost friction tip at its lower terminal end and a handle at its upper terminal end, with safety wheels mounted adjacent a lower terminal end, with lower surfaces of the safety wheels aligned with the lower tip. A light reflector is provided on the shaft and positioned medially between the spaced wheels and oriented forwardly thereof, and further including a water supply reservoir removably mounted relative to the shaft, a mirror, and a horn member, as well as an audible play-back device to alert others as to the positioning of the shaft in use.

Abstract: A portable beach cache having a plurality of fabric panels and rigid support members arranged in a picture frame configuration for sheltering the user from wind and wind-blown debris, such as sand. Fold-out feet provide support in soft sand. A handle is provided to simplify carrying and a hook and loop strap secures the portable beach cache in its stowably disposed position. The portable beach cache is compact when folded and light enough to be easily carried by hand. A second embodiment is disclosed wherein the portable beach cache has a single screen panel and a plurality of rigid vertical support members and elongate rods. The screen is attached between two of the vertical support members in the fashion of a tennis net. The vertical support members have pointed ends which are driven into the ground. The elongate rods are then attached to the vertical members to provide strength and to stretch the screen panel taut.

Abstract: A floating insect screen for personal use on a pool or lake comprising a floating base member defining a large central opening to surround the user, relatively upright vertical members attached to said base member, and a mesh material attached between and to said upright members and said base member. The mesh material forms a closed interior where the only entry is from the water by way of the opening in the base member, so that insects are prevented form reaching the user.

Abstract: A divided light door which includes an integrated core panel and a lattice frame mounted in a frame-receiving opening provided in the core panel. The lattice frame includes inner frame pieces extending across each other and interlocked with each other. Veneer pieces covering the core panel and edge band strips form the faces of the door.

Abstract: The enclosure for protecting fresh-killed game against contamination includes bottom side and end walls pervious to air and a top wall impervious to fluids including air and liquids. It is suspended by its gabled top wall from a support member that extends through the enclosure and is itself supported horizontally above the ground by a pair of vertically upright members.

Abstract: A vehicle cover system has front and rear frames disposed to be suspended at a single support point at the front and a single support point at the rear of a vehicle, midway between the sides of the vehicle, preferably at the front and rear license plate mounting means. A cover having a transverse peak attaches to the front and rear frames and extends over the vehicle and down the sides. A carrier is disposed intermediate the ends of the vehicle, rests on the vehicle and extends downwardly at the sides of the vehicle and lifts the cover away from the top and the sides of the vehicle. The cover is held clear of the front and rear of the vehicle by the frames, allowing air to circulate between the vehicle and the cover. The front and rear frames and the carrier telescope in order to be stored and the front and rear frames may be locked in place.

Abstract: An inflatable umbrella includes an inflatable canopy member made of first upper and lower sheets and having a central portion, a plurality of elongated air compartments which extend radially from the central portion and which are spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of web portions spacing and interconnecting the elongated air compartments. A hollow shaft member being either rigid or inflatable is connected to the canopy member.

Abstract: Quickly erectable, quickly collapsible, self supporting portable structures (100) that are self expandable with little or no effort by the user, which in their fully expanded upstanding configuration are self supporting. The fully expanded upstanding structure can be quickly collapsed into a stack of side members (145) and then coiled into a pack (160) with little effort by the user. The structures can be used as tents, shelters, pavilions and automobile carports. In general the portable structures have a set of at least three side members (102) each having a flexible frame (106), a side panel (108), a pocket (110) joined to the panel by stitching (112). The frame causes the side members to be self expandable. Side members are hinged together by stitching (130). A floor member (104) sewn to the bottom (124) of each side member holds the structure in the upstanding position.

Abstract: A self-opening cuff comprising a fixed member, to which a cylindrically curved cuff is pivoted for swinging movement in a vertical plane. The fixed member is rigidly attached to the crutch tubing, and has two laterally projecting, angularly spaced side arms with an included angle of approximately 90.degree. between them. The two side arms have a cylindrically curved inner surface with the same radius of curvature as the cuff, and this curved surface is interrupted at its midpoint by a vertical slot. Disposed within the slot and swingably connected to the fixed member by a pivot bolt is a lug which is provided on the outside of the cuff. The top portion of the cylindrically curved surface is smoothly rounded with a curvature having its center at the pivot bolt axis, forming a ramp that the outer surface of the cuff rides on as it swings upwardly.

Abstract: A building structure has a plurality of tapered beams interlocked with each other so that their upper portions form an upper sheet and their lower portions form a lower sheet. Each beam portion is made from a plurality of standard tubular elements, the upper and lower sheets being connected by vertical struts.

Abstract: An improved self-opening and self-closing umbrella including a canopy, a conventional self-opening and self-closing frame formed of ribs and a telescoping shaft, a handle and an auxiliary mechanism overcomes problems with a conventional self-opening and self-closing umbrella by means of the auxiliary mechanism which comprises a cylindrical tube fixed on the shaft, spring means provided over the shaft in the tube, a hollow push rod provided between the spring means and the handle, locking means provided between the shaft and the tube, two sleeves provided over the shaft and the tube respectively.The auxiliary mechanism serves to help the umbrella open quickly and fully, close to a condition where the umbrella folds tightly and stands ready for opening again, get its shaft strengthened and be used as a walking stick conveniently.

Abstract: A crutch assembly capable of having its longitudinal dimension adjusted by a movable lower leg member selectively positionable between an outwardly extended position and an inwardly retracted position through operation of a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism either attaches or releases the lower leg portion relative to an elongated base of the crutch and prevents or allows movement of the lower leg portion between the extended and retracted positions due to force exerted on the lower leg member by a biasing spring or by gravity. The height of the crutch is thereby selectively adjusted for adaptation to different elevations of the surface over which a user travels such as when traversing steps, stairs, ramps, etc.

Abstract: A method for erecting tent structures is provided and is especially useful for large are tensioned tent structures that include a flexible covering having a vertex portion and spaced corner portions and which has a selected geometrical shape in the erect position. The broad method of the present invention thus contemplates the broad steps of providing such a flexible covering having a vertex and corner portions, securing the corner portions to the support surface, positioning a pole assembly in an upright position between the support surface and the vertex portion and forcibly expanding the pole assembly to tension the flexible covering in a taut condition. Preferably, the tent structure has a base perimeter in the shape of a regular polygon with the structure shaped generally as a pyramid. The covering is formed of fabric panels cut to enhance the effect of tensioning forces. The invention also contemplates tent erection methodology for tent structures having a plurality of center pole assemblies.

Abstract: A rain runoff awning for collecting runoff from a tent canopy. Fabric is stretched between and secured to outwardly extending arms which are attached to the canopy frame. The fabric forms a gutter or trough along an edge of the canopy for receiving runoff from the canopy and directing the runoff away from entrance and exit areas of the canopy.

Abstract: A padded body, that is adapted to be used as a ground pad and as padded tent bottom is folded over a surfboard and secured in closed position. The surfboard is thus effectively protected while being shipped and stored. A tent is adapted to be connected to the tent bottom at the beach, so as to provide a comfortable padded-floor tent for use during the day or night. During shipment of the apparatus, the tent is secured adjacent the skegs of the surfboard.

Abstract: A roof edge fascia system has a base member and a fascia member to secure the edges of a roof-top waterproof membrane and to secure the edges of paving blocks or insulation sheets covering such membrane at the roof edge.

Abstract: An improved tilting device for an umbrella includes an elongate connecting member connected to a control block, an upper bending head connected to an upper rod, and a lower bending head connected to a lower rod. The elongate connecting member has a pivot hole at the lower end. The upper bending head has a pair of downward extending plates each having a pinhole and an inclined slot. A spring member is mounted around the control block and the elongate connecting member. Each lateral side of the lower bending head is formed with a pinhole and an obtuse angular-shaped guide slot. The upper bending head is connected to the lower bending head and fixed in position by a pin. The lower end of the elongate connecting member is connected to the combination of the upper and lower bending head by a displacing pin extending through the guide slots, the inclined slots and the pivot hole.

Abstract: An attachment system, method and connector connection for constructing a structure having supporting members and supported members as most commonly found in house and patio wood decks, board walks, stair systems, wood benches and trellis systems. The structures using the present disclosures are characterized by the apparent absence of nails or other fasteners. In fact, however, the structures are securely fastened by nails or screw fasteners in combination with a unique connector which uniquely is not directly connected to the supporting members.In some forms of the invention, locator prongs are provided on the connector for assisting the installer to attach the connector to the supporting board member. In its broadest form, however, no prongs are needed on the connector.In a preferred form of the connector, a projection is formed in the connector which bears against the underside of an adjacent structure even though the connector is not precisely installed.