Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the stability of a tripod includes a centrally placed base member that includes three perimeter leg assemblies, each of which are adapted to cooperate with one of the legs of the tripod. Each of the leg assemblies includes a generally U-shaped member that surrounds a portion of each tripod leg and which cooperates with the base member so that when a portion of each respective leg assembly is tightened, an extension member is urged outward and into contact with an inside surface of one of the legs which, in turn, urges the leg outward until an outside of the leg bears tightly against an inside of the respective U-shaped member. Each tripod leg is accordingly placed under compression eliminating any possible movement thereby. The three forces that urge the legs outward are disposed radially around a center longitudinal axis, each force separated from both adjoining forces by 120 degrees of arc.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing window shutter slats or louvers converts rotary motion by a knob or electric motor into rotary motion of one of the slats. The apparatus is attached to a frame structure that is included with the window shutter and which surrounds the slats. A connecting rod that is pivotally attached to all of the slats pivots all of the slats an amount that is nearly equal to that of the one slat. The knob includes a first shaft that is attached to a drive gear in an enclosure which turns a driven gear. The driven gear is attached to a second shaft which is adapted to turn a pin end of the one slat. The motor is adapted to rotate one of the slats directly. Retrofit use and use in newly manufactured shutters is described. The apparatus can also be used to pivot open the shutter with respect to a pair of hinges that pivotally attach the shutter to a surrounding support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing the legs of a tripod includes a center member that is placed inside and proximate the legs preferably about mid-length. The center member includes three perimeter assemblies that each cooperate with a corresponding leg member. The center member is secured to each leg by the leg member which is either attached to each leg or which passes around each leg and is then secured to each perimeter assembly. When each perimeter assembly is tightened, the center member is urged upwards where it pushes all of the legs outward while each leg member prevents one of the legs from moving outward. Accordingly, each leg is placed in a tension that increases its stability and hence the stability of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing window blinds converts rotary motion about a vertical axis of a vertical rod into rotary motion about a horizontal axis of a horizontal member. A lever is attached to one end of the horizontal member. A drive gear is attached to an opposite end of the horizontal member. A driven gear is attached to a first end of a vertical member. The driven gear is operatively engaged with the drive gear. The vertical member is perpendicular with respect to the horizontal member. An adapter housing is attached to an opposite end of the driven gear and is used to attach a bottom end of the vertical rod thereto. All component parts are supported by a base member that is attached to a wall. Turning the lever rotates the drive gear which rotates the vertical rod and, accordingly, opens or closes the blinds.

Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

Abstract: A portable hand-held blower vacuum apparatus (10) having a hinged inlet cover (24) with a handle (26) disposed at one end of the cover (24). The cover (24) is moveable between a closed position where the cover spans an air inlet opening (20) and an open position to allow insertion of a vacuum tube (50) in to the inlet opening (20). The handle (26) is used to move the cover between the open and closed positions. Air flows into the inlet opening (20) through a screen (38) in the cover (24), through arcuate slots (42) in a tubular extension (44) of the inlet opening (20) and over a circumferentially extending rib (46) formed on the cover (24). In an alternative embodiment, a dedicated blower is provided in which a solid, stationary cover (54) spans the inlet opening (20).