Abstract: Contact-indicating devices including an elongate contacting member, and a housing configured to enclose a portion of the contacting member, the housing further enclosing a translation sensor configured to detect an inward longitudinal translation of the contacting member, and a rotation sensor configured to detect a pivoting of the contacting member in a first direction. The disclosed devices further include at least one indicating element, where the indicating element is configured to differentiate between the detected longitudinal translation of the contacting member and the detected pivoting of the contacting member in the first direction.

Abstract: Contact-indicating devices including an elongate contacting member, and a housing configured to enclose a portion of the contacting member, the housing further enclosing a translation sensor configured to detect an inward longitudinal translation of the contacting member, and a rotation sensor configured to detect a pivoting of the contacting member in a first direction. The disclosed devices further include at least one indicating element, where the indicating element is configured to differentiate between the detected longitudinal translation of the contacting member and the detected pivoting of the contacting member in the first direction.

Abstract: Carrying aids may be used with containers that include a wire bail pivotably attached to the container. The carrying aids may include a body configured to engage the bail and be grasped by a grasping hand to suspend the container in a first position. The body may be configured to transfer a torque from a grasping hand to the bail. The torque may pivot the bail relative to the container while lifting the container relative to a grasping hand from the first position to a second position above the first position. In some examples, the bail, with the body mounted thereon, may be pivoted down proximate the sidewall of the container such that the body engages a thumb of a grasping hand and presses the hand against the sidewall to stabilize and support the container relative to the grasping hand.

Abstract: Carrying aids may be used with containers that include a wire bail pivotably attached to the container. The carrying aids may include a body configured to engage the bail and be grasped by a grasping hand to suspend the container in a first position. The body may be configured to transfer a torque from a grasping hand to the bail. The torque may pivot the bail relative to the container while lifting the container relative to a grasping hand from the first position to a second position above the first position. In some examples, the bail, with the body mounted thereon, may be pivoted down proximate the sidewall of the container such that the body engages a thumb of a grasping hand and presses the hand against the sidewall to stabilize and support the container relative to the grasping hand.

Abstract: A simulated sharp edged weapon or toy comprising a housing, an element mounted in and extending from said housing arranged such that said element has movement in relation to said housing in response to force upon said element, an electrical circuit mounted in said housing for providing an indication upon activation having a movement sensor actuator mounted in cooperation with said element to turn on at least one indicating device providing indication of movement of said element.

Abstract: A combined tape measuring device and pencil sharpener disposed in a single container having tape measuring means retractably mounted therein, a slot to permit movement of said tape measuring means in and out of said container, and shaped and sized openings communicating with the exterior of said container in a region remote from said slot to accomodate the shaped and sized pencil sharpener which is removably mounted in said container in spaced relation to said measuring means, said pencil sharpener having, a sharpening blade communicating with the exterior of said container, an opening to introduce the unsharpened end of a pencil into an oblique conical bore which is operatively associated with said sharpening blade in order to facilitate in contouring the writing end of a pencil, and a passage communicating with the exterior of said container and said sharpening blade so that the pencil shavings can escape from said sharpener upon rotation of said pencil.