Abstract: A keyboard saddle which sits on a user's legs while the user is using a keyboard, and which comfortably and reliably holds the keyboard in place while it is being used. The keyboard saddle includes a pillow-like container formed of a material that is essentially non-slippery when placed on the user's legs or clothing and which is filled with a stuffing material which has sufficient weight to cause the pillow-like container to assume a weighted, malleable character so that it will conform to the user's legs when placed thereon. Hook and loop fasteners are secured directly to the top of the pillow-like container so that the keyboard can be selectively and easily attached or detached therefrom.

Abstract: An exhaust-system support structure comprises an exhaust-system tubular-member mounting arm for engagement with an elastic support hanger assembly, and a support bracket having a tubular-member clamping portion for tightly holding an exhaust-system tubular member or exhaust pipe and a mounting-arm clamping portion for tightly holding the mounting arm. The arm has a flattened portion formed in a abutment portion for abutting the exhaust pipe. The mounting-arm clamping portion has a cross section such that its inner peripheral wall is contoured to be fitted to the outer periphery of the flattened portion to hold it. The arm is fixedly connected to the exhaust pipe by pressing the bottom face of the abutment portion against the outer periphery of the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive wrist pad placeable in front of a keyboard or other input device associated with a computer, the pad serving to warn an operator when in the course of operating the keyboard, the wrists of his hands do not then hover above the pad but rest on the pad and therefore give rise to dorsiflexion and possible repetitive strain injury. To this end, the pad incorporates in its structure a switch which is caused to close only when wrist pressure is exerted thereon, the closed switch acting to apply power to a warning device generating an audible, visible or vibratory warning signal. This signal acts to induce the operator to assume a proper wrist position hovering above the pad thereby avoiding dorsiflexion.

Abstract: A quickly assembled and disassembled mounting bracket assembly for cylindrical objects, such as pressurized gas (e.g., oxygen) tanks, is described. The bracket assembly has two interconnecting parts: a bracket section and a base plate. The bracket section is slidable within the base plate, similar to a rail system. The two interconnecting pieces slidably interlock via spaced-apart T-shaped connectors disposed on distal side portions thereof. Assembly movement is minimal so that the two pieces can be joined quickly. Limiting stops provide mating alignment. Once in the aligned position, one or more locking detent pins are inserted through alignment holes disposed in the mating sections to secure the two parts in place.

Abstract: A tie down anchor for a pick-up truck stake pocket is described, in which an elongated flexible cord is formed into an elongated loop including a bight at one end. An elongated bolt member is mounted to the cord adjacent the remaining cable end in transverse relation to the loop. The cable is yieldably biased by the cord to the transverse relation.

Abstract: The arrangement is directed to a roller excitation device for frictionally ngaging and turning rollers of a roller box assembly. The roller box assembly is of the type that includes a generally U-shaped housing having a partial tube which covers the open end of the housing, and a plurality of rollers captured by the housing. The rollers and partial tube define a space through which a cable is received. The arrangement being such that the rollers are adapted to roll upon engaging the cable located in the space defined by the tube and rollers. The roller excitation device includes a body portion fabricated from resilient material and sized for occupying the space defined by the tube and roller and for frictionally engaging the rollers, and means for moving the body portion over the rollers. Preferably, the body portion has an outer surface with a plurality of ribs extending outwardly along the circumference of the body portion.

Abstract: A device (10) for rapidly filling sandbags (12) comprising a tray (14) having a plurality of apertures (16) therethrough. A plurality of funnel pails (18) are provided. Each funnel pail (18) is insertable through one of the apertures (16) in the tray (14). A structure (20) is for retaining upper portions of the funnel pails (18) in the apertures (16) of the tray (14). A plurality of empty sandbags (12) can be completely placed over the funnel pails (18) when the tray (14) is inverted. The tray (14) is then turned right side up, with the empty sandbags (12) on the funnel pails (18) placed upon the ground (22) and then sand (24) is shoveled into the funnel pails (18) to fill up the sandbags (12).

Abstract: A mounting bracket including a base which accommodates more than one fastener. A latch mounted on the base that discourages removal of the fasteners from the base. The latch cooperates with the base to define a capture zone that selectable secures the wire of a picture or like article. The base also includes a catch which may retain the latch from cooperating with the base to capture a wire. The base further includes a marking element which may be used to mark a position on a wall. Methods of mounting and hanging articles also are disclosed.

Abstract: A new Rotating Tree Stand for providing the ability to rotate a Christmas tree through 360 degrees thus allowing the entire tree to be accessible for decorating and display. The inventive device includes a stationary base member and a rotatable shell member shrouding the stationary base member, wherein the rotatable shell member is rotatable relative to the stationary base member and is adapted to support a Christmas tree. A rotation unit is provided for rotating the rotatable shell member relative to the stationary base member and a musical unit is provided for playing songs, wherein the rotation unit and the musical unit are shrouded by the rotatable shell member. A remote electrical outlet is provided in the rotatable shell member for providing electrical power to an electrical adornment placed on the Christmas tree, such as a string of lights, and a remote control is provided for controlling the operation of the Rotating Tree Stand.

Abstract: An extendable device mountable on a cargo rack of an all-terrain vehicle for supporting a camera or spotting scope and adjustable to secure the camera or spotting scope in a raised operative position above the rack or in a collapsed non-operative stored position proximate the rack. The device includes a base mounting plate for removable attachment of the device to a cargo rack of an all-terrain vehicle, a lower support arm having its lower end pivotally and rotatably connected by a ball joint to the base plate, an upper support arm having its lower end pivotally and rotatably connected to the upper end of the lower support arm by a ball joint, and a top mounting plate pivotally attached to the upper end of the upper support arm by a pivot joint for attachment to and support of a camera or spotting scope.

Abstract: An improved stud mounting clip has a first bracket component and a second bracket component. The second bracket component is used to support outer wall components or panels and is fixed with respect to the position thereof. The second bracket component is allowed to move relative to a stud of the frame of the building by virtue of a first bracket component which securely engages the second bracket component such that the second bracket component may move with respect to the first bracket component. The first bracket component has an engaging component which engages the second bracket component, and a securing component which secures the second bracket component adjacent to a stud. In a preferred embodiment, the second bracket component is configured with an elongated slot in which a slightly shorter elongated engaging component on the first bracket component is received.

Abstract: A compact vibration cancellation apparatus based on a combination of air springs and electromagnetic actuators with smaller power capacity enables an anti-vibration table to be maintained in a level position even when the center of gravity of the anti-vibration table moves a large distance because of a movement of objective equipment on the table. The vibration cancellation apparatus is operable for isolating floor vibration or for canceling vibration of the objective equipment on the anti-vibration table. The apparatus includes displacement sensors, acceleration sensors, a levitation position control device, a vibration canceling control device, and air spring actuators for supporting four corners of the anti-vibration table by air pressure. The air pressure in each air spring actuator is controlled in response to a change of load which corresponds to a movement of the center of gravity caused by movement of the objective equipment on the anti-vibration table.

Abstract: A support device, in particular for a camera or the like, comprises a stand with a holder. The holder is connected to the stand by a ball-and-socket joint with a socket constructed as a bridge (1). The bridge (1) has a width which is narrower than the diameter of the ball of the ball-and-socket joint.

Abstract: A hand support device for use with a computer pointing device relieves repetitive motion stress and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface includes: a palm support region, that is an inclined planar surface; a little finger support portion extending from the palm support region; a thumb support region extending from the palm support region; a front index positioned on a side of the palm support region, and between the little finger and thumb support regions; and a side index adjacent to and extending from the palm support and thumb support regions. The bottom surface facilitates sliding of the hand support device on a work surface. The hand support device reduces stress and risk of injuries resulted from repetitive motions by encouraging the user of a computer pointing device to employ two fields of motion to control the pointing device.

Abstract: A hand support device for use with a computer pointing device relieves repetitive motion stress and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface includes: a palm support region, that is an inclined planar surface; a little finger support portion extending from the palm support region; a thumb support region extending from the palm support region; a front index positioned on a side of the palm support region, and between the little finger and thumb support regions; and a side index adjacent to and extending from the palm support and thumb support regions. The bottom surface facilitates sliding of the hand support device on a work surface. The hand support device reduces stress and risk of injuries resulted from repetitive motions by encouraging the user of a computer pointing device to employ two fields of motion to control the pointing device.

Abstract: A hand support device for use with a computer pointing device relieves repetitive motion stress and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface includes: a palm support region, that is an inclined planar surface; a little finger support portion extending from the palm support region; a thumb support region extending from the palm support region; a front index positioned on a side of the palm support region, and between the little finger and thumb support regions; and a side index adjacent to and extending from the palm support and thumb support regions. The bottom surface facilitates sliding of the hand support device on a work surface. The hand support device reduces stress and risk of injuries resulted from repetitive motions by encouraging the user of a computer pointing device to employ two fields of motion to control the pointing device.

Abstract: A manually operated camera float device for achieving movement-free video camera shots. This device attaches to a camera boom and is comprised of a first frame member and a second frame member, the first frame member having a platform for coupling a camera upon. The second frame member rotatably couples to the camera boom and the first frame member rotates in a swinging arc in relation to the second frame member. The first frame member rotates as a result of a system of pulleys communicating by a drive belt, in a first embodiment. In a second embodiment, a system of tie rods allows the first frame member to rotate. In a third embodiment a system of gears allow rotation of the first frame member. In operation, the camera float device operates in conjunction with a camera boom for allowing the camera to be floated in a three-dimensional environment through simple manual manipulation.

Abstract: A machinery mount 10 for positioning a machine on a mounting surface 13 comprises a base plate 12 and an upwardly projecting dimple 22 defining curvilinear outer surface 38, an interior cavity 56, and a hole 24 through an upper portion thereof A stud 11 includes an upper threaded portion 16 projecting upwardly from the base plate 12 for passing through the aperture in the machine base 19, and the lower shaft portion 26 passing through the hole 24 in the dimple portion. A washer 30 is secured to a lower end of the lower shaft portion 26 for preventing the lower shaft portion from passing upward through the hole 24 in the dimple 22. A stud support 42 is secured to the stud and includes a central passageway 21 for receiving the lower shaft portion 26 of the stud, and a lower curved surface 36 for sliding engagement with the curvilinear outer surface 38 of the dimple 22, such that the stud 11 may pivot with respect to the base plate 12.

Abstract: A variable size container holder for an automotive vehicle has a tray movable between a retracted position retracted into a cavity in a vehicle trim piece and an extended position extending from the trim piece. Along an edge of the tray is at least one container receiving portion and at least one channel. Bounding the container receiving portion and mounted in the channel is a flexible band having a first end fixed relative to the tray and a second end movable within the channel. The flexible band is thus adjustable, when the tray is in the extended position, between a taut position substantially flush with the edge of the tray and a container holder position in which a middle section of the retaining member is drawn laterally away from the container receiver portion to allow a container to rest in the container receiving portion. The flexible retaining member grips a vertically extending surface of a container so as to secure it into the container receiving portion.

Abstract: A clothes hanger carrying device for neatly stacking and storing a plurality of the conventional wire type clothes hangers includes a bottom base flange having a greater perimeter than the triangular body of the clothes hanger to provide a support for a plurality of the hangers. A stacking body extends upwardly from the base flange and has a perimeter smaller than the triangular body of the clothes hanger so that a plurality of the hangers may be stacked thereover. The stacking body has three side edges each of which is slightly angled outwardly from top to bottom so that a plurality of the carrying devices may be nested together. The device further includes an integral handle which extends upwardly from a top wall thereof for convenient transportation of the device.