Abstract: A pointer instrument for a motor vehicle includes a pointer drive for deflecting a carrier body. A pointer which is visible in an indication is provided on the carrier body. An optical waveguide element is arranged on that side of the carrier body which is remote from an observer. Light from at least one light source is introduced into the optical waveguide element which extends along the movement path of the pointer. Light emerging from the optical waveguide element enters into the pointer and/or the carrier body, and the pointer is formed such that it is illuminated by light emerging from the optical waveguide element.

Abstract: Devices that emit sound audible to nearby animals can include a deflection structure or other support structure and, connected to it, at least one whistle structure. The deflection structure can, for example, be a rain guard, an insect deflector, or a rock deflector. It can, for example, have an air flow surface across which air flows when the vehicle on which it is mounted moves at normal operating speeds, and whistle structures can be activated by the air flow.

Abstract: A highly reflective arrowhead traffic sign is provided which exhibits an arrow shape to “aim” traffic away from a lane. A horizontal longitudinal member has at least one pair of arrow-shaped “wings” that extend beyond the outer boundary of the horizontal member. The wing sets can be attached to the horizontal member by use of locating holes and mating pins, or they can be pivotally mounted on the horizontal member. The arrow wings can be shaped into a configuration that points to the left or to the right, or simultaneously point to both the left and right, thereby indicating to traffic that a lane is closed, and that traffic must go either left or right to avoid the closed lane. The signs can be mounted in different ways, using hooks with suction cups or traffic cones, or using built-in magnets.

Abstract: A horn device includes a trumpet fixture which removably attaches to the valve portion of a canister containing a charge of compressed air. An actuator button on the trumpet fixture is operable to open the valve assembly of the canister causing release of the pressurized air through the trumpet fixture to produce a loud horn noise. One or more light signal lamps are provided on the trumpet fixture. In a preferred embodiment, the light signal lamps are powered by one or more batteries carried on the trumpet fixture. In a further embodiment, a light emitting lamp on the rear facing end of the trumpet fixture is covered with a split color lens, having a green half and a red half to provide auxiliary running lights of a water vessel. In still a further embodiment, the light emitting lamp is provided in a light signaling device which is hingedly attached to the trumpet fixture. Control buttons allow selective activation of the light signal lamps in one or more modes of operation (e.g.

Abstract: A household apparatus that combines the function of a bookmark and a highlighter/marker is provided. The apparatus has enclosed an inkwell that includes a volume of ink. The apparatus has thin shape that allows it to serve as a bookmark, while at the same time, has a marker portion that is covered by a cover when it is not in use.

Abstract: An overload indicator for a load supporting apparatus is arranged to bend during overloading of the apparatus, thereby visually indicating the overload to a user or observer. The indicator features a longitudinal member having a U-shaped cross section defining one central and two side portions. A series of slots extend into each side portion from a side opposite the central portion such that the member will bend concavely with respect to that side, moving opposite ends of the member closer together. The indicator is arranged to extend between connection points on a first member and a second load supporting member of the apparatus in order to bend in response to excessive loading of the second member. The bending moves the connection points of the two members closer together, thus bringing the load closer to the first member.

Abstract: An instrument cluster that is mountable on a top surface of a vehicle dashboard is disclosed. The instrument cluster includes a transparent dial that has indicia engraved thereon. A plurality of light emitting diodes are positioned in a center portion of the transparent dial so as to illuminate the indicia for night time driving. The center portion of the transparent dial further includes a high gloss semi-transparent appliqué that provides a mirror finish. Symbols are incorporated on the appliqué so as to provide indicators in the center portion of the transparent dial when a light source illuminates the symbols of the appliqué.

Abstract: A visual wear indicator is disclosed capable of giving a visual indication of the degree of wear on an athletic or other type of shoe. In general, the visual wear indicator may operate by having two different colored regions, each having a viscosity which varies a function of pressure. Before pressure is applied, the boundary between the two regions is clear. However, over time, as the midsole and/or outer sole of the shoe wear away, the pressure exerted on the visual wear indicator increases during activity. As the pressure increases, the viscosity of the regions eventually decreases. When the viscosity decreases, the regions bleed together, and the boundary between the regions becomes less clear. The degree of mixture between the regions may be calibrated to give a clear visual indication of when the shoe has worn down to the point where the shoe is unable to provide a desired level of support and stress absorption.

Abstract: It is possible to eliminate the problem that a conductive part to a light source is subjected to stress by operation of a needle-pointer, thereby improving reliability. A needle-pointer type meter includes: an indicator plate having a first see-through portion and an indicator portion surrounding the first see-through portion; a rotary body having a second see-through portion corresponding to the first see-through portion; a drive device for moving the rotary body; a needle-pointer mounted on the rotary body and moving along the indicator portion around the first see-through portion; light sources illuminating the needle-pointer; and a display device for displaying predetermined information to an observer via the see-through portions. A plurality of light sources are arranged at an interval along the movement route of the needle-pointer. The needle-pointer is made of translucent material which emits light when receiving light from a predetermined light source of the plurality of light sources while moving.

Abstract: A medicine bottle cap with time and day markers includes a main cap member, a first set of indicia, a second set of indicia, a central axle, a first arrow arm and a second arrow arm. The main cap member has a top and a circular sidewall that itself has an inside area with a bottle closure mechanism. Both sets of indicia are in a circular pattern located on the top of the cap. This first set of indicia is a fourteen position set of indicia, seven of which represent ante meridiem and each of the seven days of the week, and seven of which represent post meridiem and each of the seven days of the week. A central axle holds a rotatable first arrow arm that extends to the first set of indicia, and a second arrow arm that extends to the second set of indicia.

Abstract: A pointer instrument has two instrument mechanisms arranged independently of one another on a printed circuit board such that the printed circuit board in between the two instrument mechanisms. Each of the instrument mechanisms act on an associated pointer. To minimize the height between the instrument mechanism and the pointer, the printed circuit board is arranged between the two instrument mechanisms and the rotation axes of the two instrument mechanisms are arranged so that they are essentially concentric with respect to one another. The drive to the pointer from the lower one of the instrument mechanisms is provided by a bracket or through the printed circuit board and a hollow shaft for the upper instrument mechanism.

Abstract: A toy includes at least two articles. At least one of the articles has a movement or change of condition component which is caused to occur by magnetic attraction between magnets and/or magnetically attractive material via the respective articles when brought into proximity. The movement is created by a drive assembly provided in one of the articles and connected to a magnet or magnetically attractive material such that the movement force can be transferred between the articles via the magnetic attraction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that has planar walls defining a cavity. One wall has annular holes formed therein. An anchor plate is nested within the cavity and provided with apertures situated subjacent to the holes. Each aperture has a diameter equal to a diameter of the holes. One aperture is vertically situated below one of the holes. The other apertures are inwardly offset from their associated holes. Flags are positioned through the holes and apertures. A bottom wall is provided with apertures for directing undesirable fluids and debris out from the cavity. A mechanism is included for illuminating one rod and includes a switch and a fuse box. A light-emitting source is mounted to a front wall, confronts a front face of one flag, and emits a light beam upwardly along the shaft thereof. A mechanism is included for removably mounting the housing onto the recreational vehicle.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission gear indicating device comprises a first indicator drive member adapted to move in response to movement of a first transmission control element; a second indicator drive member adapted to move in response to movement of a second transmission control element; and an indicating unit that indicates a bicycle transmission gear. A motion communicating unit is operatively coupled to the first indicator drive member and to the second indicator drive member and is adapted to communicate motion of the first indicator drive member and the second indicator drive member to the indicating unit.

Abstract: A gauge for indicating a measured variable such as pressure. The gauge includes a motion detection device including a drive magnet that is adapted to be moveable in response to changes in the variable. The pointer rotation device includes a pivot member, a power magnet coupled to the pivot member, and one or more director members located adjacent the power magnet. Each director member includes a generally helical flange. A pointer is coupled to the pointer rotation device. The director members and the power magnet form a magnetic field adapted to magnetically couple the pointer rotation device to the drive magnet. The pointer rotation device is adapted to rotate about a rotational axis. Movement of the drive magnet in response to changes in the variable rotates the pointer rotation device and the pointer about the rotational axis such that the pointer indicates the measured variable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly beacon or light for illuminating a pole-mounted, halyard-hoisted flag, banner, pennant or the like that has a luminous source located in a cover, is mounted on top of the pole, and is capable of continuously directing a narrow beam of light toward the flag, banner, pennant or the like as the wind blows the same around the pole. The flagpole beacon of the present invention is designed to replace the knob of an existing pole and may be used on poles having either an internal halyard configuration or an external halyard configuration.

Abstract: A flag pole mounted unfurling device is installed on a flagpole and rotates to minimize the unwanted furling of the flag. The device includes a lower swivel, an upper swivel, and a baton that extends between the lower swivel and the upper swivel to retain the two swivels in alignment and properly separated. The upper swivel and lower swivel are free to rotate around the axis of the pole while the baton serves to couple the upper and lower swivels together, both rotationally and longitudinally. The entire assembly is longitudinally retained on the pole by an upper collar and a lower collar and minimizes the unwanted furling of a flag through ‘dynamic instability.

Abstract: A apparatus for use in surviving at least one of an avalanche and a mudslide. The apparatus includes a housing having a selectively inflatable member stored therein. The apparatus further includes a means connected to the housing for securing the housing to a user and means connected to the selectively inflatable member for inflating the selectively inflatable member. Upon activation of the inflating means the selectively inflatable member is caused to inflate and be expelled from the housing forming a support for the user and stay on a surface of at least of avalanching snow and sliding mud.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for measuring the depths of many fine holes formed in the surface of a sample by etching. Positional information on a plurality of hole patterns is acquired by scanning, with a stylus, the surface of the sample in which the hole patterns are formed by etching. The depths of the plurality of hole patterns are measured by scanning, with the stylus, bottom faces of the plurality of hole patterns and the surface of the sample in the respective vicinities of the hole patterns on the basis of the positional information that has been acquired. Information on distribution of the depths of the plurality of hole patterns is displayed on a screen on the basis of information on the measured depths of the plurality of hole patterns and the positional information on each of the hole patterns.

Abstract: A helmet flag for providing added visibility and therefore safety to a rider of virtually any form of transportation that exposes a rider to view. The flag is preferably mounted to the rear of a helmet and is substantially removable. The flexible, interchangeable flag rod is partially comprised of a spring to further insure against breakage. Flags are interchangeable with respect to size, colors, and designs.