Abstract: A strap tightener including means to lock an operating lever in a rest position adjacent to an anchoring element for fixedly anchoring the strap tightener.Said means include a hook projecting from a driving pawl on the operating lever for receiving, in the rest position of the operating lever, a holding pawl on the anchoring element.

Abstract: A foot supporting strap for beds including a strap having fastening means secured to the ends thereof and to the frame of the bed for detachably mounting the strap to the frame. Means are provided on the underside of the strap for spacing the strap from the mattress whereby in the regions adjacent the spacing means there is formed a space into which the feet of the patient can at least partially extend. The strap thus provides a brace against which the feet of the patient can push to permit movement of the patient to a more comfortable position.

Abstract: A safety or "dead-bolt" lock includes a lockably releasable sliding bolt assembly of a first magnetic polarity. The keeper element, which is adapted to be mounted on to a jamb is of a second or opposite magnetic polarity to magnetically attract the bolt. A key lock assembly is used to release the sliding bar from movement. A cover is slidably movable over the entire lock assembly to prevent unauthorized dislodgement.

Abstract: An improved device for securing a toilet to a soil pipe flange includes a flange fastening nut comprising a guide member and a retaining member connected by a shaft for slidably engaging a slot in the flange, the guide member being above the slot for guiding an opening in the base of the toilet into proper position over the fastening nut, the guide member including a tapped hole into which a bolt may be screwed from above the base of the toilet to secure the toilet to the flange. The invention may also be embodied in a soil pipe flange having a plurality of guide members each including a tapped hole fixedly attached to the upper surface of the flange in positions matching the openings in the base of the toilet.

Abstract: A key ring holder of the type designed to be supported by a belt, including an elongated loop member adapted to surround and be retained by a belt, the loop member having secured thereto an eye which projects outwardly from the loop member and which carries a spring clip for holding a key ring spaced outwardly from the body of the wearer. The outer wall of the loop member preferably diverges outwardly from the inner wall from the top to the bottom so that it can be used for belts of different thicknesses. In one form, the ring may have secured thereto by means of a flexible wire a second ring so as to permit dividing the keys into two groups each of which is carried by a separate ring.

Abstract: A ripple bed has an upper and a lower inflatable layer. The upper layer has separate air passages which are independently inflatable and deflatable to provide the rippling effect. The lower layer is separately inflatable to provide support over any area of the upper layer which is deflated.

Abstract: An injection process for solidifying a soft ground by injecting a blend of water glass type grout thereinto which is a non-alkaline aqueous solution of silicic acid obtained by the mixing water glass into an aqueous solution of acidic reactant so as to remove alkali from the water glass, and an injection apparatus for practicing the injection process which comprises a mixing container for preparing the non-alkaline aqueous solution of silicic acid by adding and mixing the water glass into the aqueous solution of acidic reactant.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly for limiting torque transmission therethrough operates to disengage driving interengagement between a driven member and a driving member when a predetermined torque transmission level has been exceeded. A shift ring is interposed between the driving and driven members, with driving engagement between the shift ring and the driving member being effected by engagement between roller bodies mounted on the driving member and indented tracks formed in the shift ring, which operate to release driving engagement between the shift ring and the driving member when the predetermined torque level is exceeded. The shift ring is also adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the driven member by axial movement of the shift ring. The assembly also includes a control ring defining cam surfaces in the form of cutouts on the control ring.

Abstract: An injection process for solidifying a soft ground by injecting a blend of water glass type grout thereinto which is a non-alkaline aqueous solution of silicic acid obtained by the mixing water glass into an aqueous solution of acidic reactant so as to remove alkali from the water glass, and an injection apparatus for practicing the injection process which comprises a mixing container for preparing the non-alkaline aqueous solution of silicic acid by adding and mixing the water glass into the aqueous solution of acidic reactant.

Abstract: A remotely controlled tri-level roller platform assembly including a base portion, an intermediate portion and a top support portion. The intermediate portion is reciprocally operable in a first linear plane, atop and independently of the base member, by means of a first reversible electric motor, with the top support portion disposed thereatop for movement therewith. The top support portion is reciprocally operable in a second linear plane, independent of the intermediate portion, at right angles to the first plane, by means of a second reversible electric motor. Remote control electric switches are provided for the first and second motors whereby the motors may be selectively operated for universal planar positioning of any desired point within a predetermined area of the top surface of the top support portion relative to the lens of a single camera in a visual aid system, including a TV monitor.

Abstract: For use as a structural unit in a variety of coastal and other civil engineering works, a formed block or pile of concrete or other material is provided which comprises a conical body and a cylindrical leg extending coaxially from the vertex of the body. Offshore breakwaters can be built by laying a multiplicity of such funnel-shaped blocks into one or, usually, two or more superposed horizontal layers, with each block having its leg oriented downwardly. At least the lowermost layer of blocks are buried directly into the seabed, and the upper layer or layers of blocks are installed with or without use of a support structure serving to prop up each block.

Abstract: A plurality of cantilever arms are demountably and pivotably attached in spaced relationship between a spaced pair of horizontally disposed mounting plates with those plates being supported on a suitable vertical surface. Each of the cantilever arms is provided with fasteners thereon from which a planar display panel is demountably suspended, with the display panel having fastener devices for demountably supporting miscellaneous articles thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting plates are affixed to an internal vertical surface of an especially configured carrying box.

Abstract: A collapsible clothesline intended to be stored in situ in the ground and to be erected by water pressure. The clothesline comprises a casing intended to be located in a bore in the ground and a stem which is retractible into and extensible from the casing. The stem itself consists of an inner and an outer stem element, with the former being retractible downwardly into and extensible upwardly from the latter. A number of arms, linked by lines for supporting laundry, are pivoted to the other stem element and are connected by ties to the upper end of the inner stem element. When the inner stem element is extended from the outer stem element, with the other stem element already extended from the casing, the ties pull the arms up from a storage position, in which they lie alongside the stem, to a use position, in which they extend radially from the stem. The clothesline is erected by supplying water pressure to the casing interior and collapsed by relieving such pressure.

Abstract: A roadside mailbox is adapted to be opened and closed by movement of a mail service vehicle past it. The box has a door hinged along its bottom edge to the bottom of the mailbox. A lever arm, which is made of spring wire, projects outwardly from the door and is engageable by a slanted actuating rod mounted on the vehicle. As the vehicle approaches the box, engagement of the actuating rod with the arm opens the mailbox. As the vehicle leaves the box, the rod becomes disengaged from the arm and the door is closed by a spring. The lever arm resists bending in a vertical plane, and has substantially greater flexibility to bend in a horizontal plane toward and away from the mailbox. The actuating rod includes telescoping sections and may be quickly detached from its support on the side of the vehicle. A signal flag on the box, if raised is automatically lowered by opening the door. The signal flag may also be manually raised and lowered even with the door closed.

Abstract: An open end type of slide fastener has an end stop comprising a pair of lugs formed from a plastic material and secured to the longitudinal edges of respective stringer tapes, each lug having an oblique inner edge extending divergently with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastener such that the lugs define therebetween a substantially V-shaped opening complementary in shape with the diamond of a slider. One of the pair of lugs has at least one projection continuous to the oblique inner edge and the other lug has a recess receiving the projection. The projection extends transversely beyond the central longitudinal axis of rows of interengaged fastener elements and is disposed for abutting engagement with the slider diamond. When the diamond moves past the projection and spreads the lugs apart, the uppermost opposed coupling elements become disengaged to allow smooth movement of the diamond therebetween.

Abstract: A convenient tray is provided for a wheelchair wherein the tray retracts onto a housed roll mounted beneath one armrest of a conventional wheelchair and extends across the lap of the wheelchair victim to be engaged by a releasable catch mechanism beneath the opposite armrest. The sheet material of which the tray is made has a transverse upwardly convex arch over its length to provide it with rigidity when it is extended in the manner conventionally subscribed to by tape measures, this sheet becoming flexible in the longitudinal direction for rolling when the sheet is retracted onto its roller.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fishing rod holder for resiliently securing and holding a fishing rod or similar article, between the coils of a resiliently secured helical spring.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant, even loaded man-made land structure including an open container provided in the earth, a plate slidably provided in and enclosing the opening of the container, at least one layer of sand provided between the plate and the container, a means for introducing hydraulic fluid into the sand for maintaining the hydraulic fluid under pressure and dirt provided on top of the plate and filling the remainder of the container.

Abstract: A demountable ladder tray support is disclosed which allows a tray for holding tools, paint brushes, paint and the like to be carried adjacent to the side rail of a ladder at any height desired by the user. The ladder tray support is mounted by means of a pair of clamping plates which are adjustable to accommodate mounting on ladder side rails of all dimensions. Pivotal mounting of a tray support bracket ensures that an attached tray may be leveled regardless of the attitude of the ladder side rail.

Abstract: Synthetic seaweed for use in inhibiting coastal erosion comprises an elongate anchor with at least one sheet of flexible non-woven material adjacent thereto. A first edge portion of the sheet is secured to the anchor along at least a portion thereof so that the sheet extends outwardly from the anchor terminating at an outer boundary edge. The flexible, non-woven sheet has a series of spaced apart substantially parallel cuts extending from the outer boundary edge to but not through the first edge portion to thereby define a plurality of flexible strips integrally connected by the first edge portion of the sheet. The sheet may be buoyant with or without tabs of closed cell, low density foam affixed to the free end portions of the individual strips to enhance the buoyancy thereof. Also, the sheet may have a specific gravity greater than water with such tabs applied to the strip to provide buoyancy.