Abstract: A bedside toilet apparatus including an elongated platform to support a patient. The platform includes a posterior section, a back section and a leg section which are hinged together so that the platform can be moved from a generally horizontal condition to an operable position in which the back section extends upwardly from the posterior section and the leg section extends downwardly. The posterior section includes a toilet. The platform is supported in cantilevered relation by a pair of arms each of which extends outwardly from a housing. A first drive mechanism in the housing operates to raise and lower the arms to thereby move the platform vertically, while a second drive mechanism moves the housings in unison to position the platform over a bed. After the patient is on the platform and the platform is moved away from the bed, a third drive mechanism operates to move the platform from the horizontal to the operating position where the patient is in a normal position for bowel movement.

Abstract: A sanitary seat handle has a planar portion for attachment to the underside of a toilet bowl seat. Another planar portion extends radially outward from the rim for maneuvering the seat up or down. The planar extension is a ringlike protrusion which provides an easy grasping or connecting means and low surface area for germ proliferation.

Abstract: A water closet is disclosed having a bowl with rim wash outlets and a tank connected thereto containing flushing water at a level where most of the water will not flow by gravity through the bowl rim outlets. A tank water withdrawing device is mounted in the tank and is automatically activated when flushing is initiated to withdraw water from the tank and direct it to the bowl rim outlet to supplement the volume of water flowing from a water supply inlet connected to the tank to conserve water usage and provide proper rim wash at low water supply pressure.

Abstract: A tool box adapted for mounting within the recessed wheel area of a spare tire stored in a horizontal position under the hood of a vehicle is formed from a cylindrical receptacle having a removable cover secured by a latching mechanism. The receptacle may have an interior floor portion provided with a bolt circle pattern of apertures for securing the receptacle to the wheel portion of the spare tire. The tool box may be provided with a locking cover and utilized to store valuable articles.

Abstract: A water saving device for use with a conventional toilet having a movable flush valve component attached by linkage to a flush actuator external to the tank. The device includes a stop-body which is attached to an external wall of the tank such that in actuating the flush actuator, a user's finger, or the like, is caused to contact the stop body before the flush valve reaches a fully-open position thereby allowing a partial flush in duration to be selected by the user.

Abstract: The method of controlling operation of a plurality of fixtures comprises the steps of establishing a maximum liquid flow rate and determining which of the fixtures required operation. A determination is then made of the liquid flow rate of the fixture requiring operation and a calculation is made of whether operation of the fixture requiring operation will cause the maximum flow rate to be exceeded. The fixture requiring operation is caused to operate if the maximum flow rate will not be exceeded and is prevented from operating if the maximum flow rate will be exceeded.

Abstract: A retrofit accessory to be installed by the layman to a domestic toilet, which locks the lid, or lid and seat, in the upright position while in use, and automatically lowers them gently when flushed. Additionally, the accessory to automatically dispense toilet bowl cleaner and/or deodorant spray and to lock the lid in the closed position when desired.

Abstract: A semi-flush valve mechanism in a toilet tank is provided with a two way flush operating handle. If the handle is pressed downward the toilet tank is flushed fully in the conventional way. If the handle is pressed upwardly the toilet tank is only half emptied in a semi-flush. A pivotally extended vane on a tilted valve assembly will receive a water stream from a refill tube to sooner help restore the toilet tank valve assembly to its closed upright position causing the semi-flush.

Abstract: An adjustable cross rail for a luggage carrier which utilizes a self-storing lever to release the rail stanchions. The stanchions cooperate with a longitudinal track which receives an adjustable slide bar threadably connected to the release lever. The track is clampingly engaged between the slide bar and the bottom of the stanchion to prevent movement of the stanchion. The clamping and unclamping of the slide bar can be controlled by either a camming lever or a wrench lever, both of which store within the stanchion body.

Abstract: A device for enabling persons with reduced mobility to enter and leave a bath tub comprises an upper collar, a lower collar, a vertical column secured to the ceiling by the upper collar and to the floor by the lower collar, a jack for holding the column under compression for making the column completely rigid, and a support assembly mounted on the column for pivotal and vertical sliding motion. The support assembly comprises a member having first and second ends and a bend therein, a guide tube secured in the bend and having a side surface, first and second guide rings disposed in the first and second ends, respectively, of the member, a water-activated jack in fluid communication with the water tap of the bath tub and secured to a side surface of the guide tube, a roller mounted on the jack and resting on a track in the lower collar, and a seat supported on a seat supporting arm mounted in a bracket secured to the back of the support assembly.

Abstract: A shoulder holster having right and left hand pairs of front and rear shoulder straps, rear neck and back straps joining the rear shoulder straps, upper fasteners joining the upper ends of each pair of straps, a handgun sheath or holder secured to the lower ends of one pair of shoulder straps, and lower fasteners joining the lower ends of the other pair of shoulder straps. The holster is worn with the shoulder straps extending over the wearer's shoulders to support the gun holder beneath one armpit of the wearer and position the lower ends of the other shoulder straps beneath the wearer's other armpit for holding handcuffs, if desired. The upper fasteners joining the upper shoulder strap ends, which preferably are Velcro fasteners, are releasible and adjustable to accommodate a range of wearer shoulder sizes.

Abstract: A shopping cart desk is set forth including a first and second rigid plate with a flexible spine enabling overlying alignment of a first and second plate together with securement members to secure the first and second plates utilizing hook and loop fasteners. A plurality of aligned handles are positioned at uppermost edges of the plates for portability of the desk. Upon opening of the first and second plates into a horizontally aligned orientation relative to one another, first and second slide bolts secure the first and second plates in alignment to present storage, writing, and calculation facilities therewithin for use by an individual.

Abstract: A transfer aid includes a space frame releasably securable to a commode having a series of assist bars within hand-reachable distance from the commode user. The assist bars are grasped for initiating pivotable weight transference and for providing lift support during movement from a seated to a standing position. The space frame also includes a footpad for weight distribution to stabilize the space frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for positively positioning a seat on the rim of a toilet bowl to prevent the seat from accidently sliding off of the rim is disclosed. A first plurality of positioning members is attached to the upper surface of the rim, while a second plurality of positioning members is attached to the lower surface of the seat. The first and second pluralities of positioning members are formed having complementary male and female shapes and are located such that they engage one another when the seat is lowered onto the rim. When so engaged, the positioning members prevent the seat from sliding laterally relative to the rim. The male positioning members are preferably formed having the shape of a truncated cone, while the female positioning members are preferably formed having a complementary shaped recess. Adhesive tape may be used to attach the positioning members to the seat and the rim.

Abstract: The tackle box of the invention comprises a support member having structure for securing it to a front portion of the waist of a user, a first receptacle pivotally mounted to the support member and adapted to move between a closed position disposed upwardly against the support member and an open position disposed generally horizontally in front of the support member, and a supplemental cover and shelf member pivotally mounted to the receptacle for movement between a closed position disposed in overlying relationship to the receptacle and an open position disposed generally horizontally in front of the receptacle. A second receptacle is mounted to a front wall of the first receptacle and the contents thereof are accessible without opening the first receptacle, whereby items likely to be chosen more often may be stored in the second receptacle. A plurality of removable rods are frictionally retained to the shelf member for holding flies, hooks and other articles.

Abstract: A device to create such turbulence in water normally held motionless in a toilet that splashing and spattering is suppressed when solids, liquids, or both are inserted in a traditional manner. This device includes a submerged, motor driven rotor which when rotated rapidly causes the desired hydraulic turbulence. Appropriate switches are provided to accommodate the various ways in which a toilet is operated. A mounting bracket for hanging the device on any given toilet is provided. This same bracket also permits adjustment of the rotor's height to achieve proper submersion. A power cord is provided for connecting the splash suppressor to an electrical power source. A fluid resistant housing is provided for the motor and switches. This same housing extends from the motor to form a housing for the submerged rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toroidal lens for use in a pair of sunglasses, comprising a unitary pane of transparent material which is curved about each of two substantially perpendicular axes, each having a substantially constant radius such that the lens defines a portion of the surface of a toroid. A cross-section taken along the horizontal axis of the lens reveals an arcuate configuration which may be characterized as having a rfadius R.sub.1. A cross-section taken along a vertical axis reveals an arcuate configuration through the lens having a radius designated R.sub.2. Optimally, R.sub.2 .gtoreq.1.10 R.sub.1, and the length of the lens along the horizontal arcuate cross-section is in the range of from about 51/2 inches to about 7 inches. The lens may have either a uniform thickness throughout, or may taper from a greater thickness in a region centered about the midpoint, generally above the nose of a wearer, to a lesser thickness near the peripheral ends of the lens.

Abstract: An ink-furnishing apparatus for continuously supplying ink to an ink cylinder from an ink rail even during high speed operation of the ink cylinder. An ink transfer surface of the ink rail has a first solid substance which is superior to a cast iron constituting the ink rail in terms of separation of ink therefrom. A peripheral surface of the ink cylinder has a second solid substance which is superior to the first solid substance in terms of adhesion of the ink thereon. While said first solid substance has a surface which makes a larger contact angle with a surface of the ink than a contact angle made between the surface of the ink and the surface of cast iron constituting said ink rail, said second solid substance has a surface which makes a smaller contact angle with the surface of the ink than said larger contact angle.

Abstract: A rotary electric dynamo machine in which the ripple component in the output occurs at a higher frequency. One half of the pole faces have a nonuniform airgap while the other half have a uniform air gap and cover a noninteger slot distance. The armature has an odd number of slots. Instead of the usual ripple component at the slot frequency, a dynamo constructed as described above, surprisingly, has a predominant ripple component at twice the slot frequency.

Abstract: Closed circuit emergency breathing apparatus is disclosed which is comprised of concentrically associated oxygen container and scrubber components, and a flow control valve assembly mounted on the open end of the compressed oxygen container and against the corresponding end of the scrubber. Unique valve structures enable the provision of all valve functions by valve components provided in a common support arrangement by which the valve assembly is mounted on the compressed oxygen container and structurally interrelated with the corresponding end of the scrubber. Breathing hose, pressure gauge and burst valve components are also mounted on the common support, and a breathing bag is mounted on the scrubber between the opposite ends thereof.