Abstract: A writing instrument, which has an inner and outer writing element with separate writing medium reservoirs. The writing elements are coaxially mounted in an outer barrel and axially moveable with respect to one another. A driving mechanism may be actuated to allow a user to selectively extend one writing element. The inner and outer writing elements may have an inner sleeve therebetween to improve, for instance, rigidity of the outer writing element and to prevent contamination of the writing medium reservoirs. An outer sleeve may also be provided over the outer writing element. The outer sleeve can function to hold various components of the outer writing element together, and to allow for clean and easy refill of the outer writing element, especially when the outer writing element is a nib-type writing element with a filler-type reservoir. The writing instrument is designed so that a user can replace the inner and/or outer writing elements when their respective writing medium have been expended.

Abstract: A writing instrument, which has an inner and outer writing element with separate writing medium reservoirs. The writing elements are coaxially mounted in an outer barrel and axially moveable with respect to one another. A driving mechanism may be actuated to allow a user to selectively extend one writing element. The inner and outer writing elements may have an inner sleeve therebetween to improve, for instance, rigidity of the outer writing element and to prevent contamination of the writing medium reservoirs. An outer sleeve may also be provided over the outer writing element. The outer sleeve can function to hold various components of the outer writing element together, and to allow for clean and easy refill of the outer writing element, especially when the outer writing element is a nib-type writing element with a filler-type reservoir. The writing instrument is designed so that a user can replace the inner and/or outer writing elements when their respective writing medium have been expended.

Abstract: A writing instrument, which has an inner and outer writing element with separate writing medium reservoirs. The writing elements are coaxially mounted in an outer barrel and axially moveable with respect to one another. A driving mechanism may be actuated to allow a user to selectively extend one writing element. The inner and outer writing elements may have an inner sleeve therebetween to improve, for instance, rigidity of the outer writing element and to prevent contamination of the writing medium reservoirs. An outer sleeve may also be provided over the outer writing element. The outer sleeve can function to hold various components of the outer writing element together, and to allow for clean and easy refill of the outer writing element, especially when the outer writing element is a porous nib with a filler-type writing medium reservoir. The writing instrument is designed so that a user can replace the inner and/or outer writing elements when their respective writing medium have been expended.

Abstract: A gripping element, particularly to writing instruments having a gripping element, which more specifically relates to a marker having a gripping element over a central region thereof. Such positioning of the gripping element facilitates use of the writing instrument in other than standard writing grasps. For example, the positioning of a gripping element over the central region of a writing instrument facilitates gripping of the writing instrument when writing on vertical or inverse horizontal (i.e. upside down) planes. The gripping element has a plurality of elevated sections in the form of intercalated crosses and hexagons or sliced hexagons. The elevated sections may be smooth or textured to enhance gripping and to reduce slippage of the writing instrument during use.

Abstract: The gripping element has a plurality of elevated sections in the form of intercalated shapes. The elevated sections may be smooth or textured to enhance gripping and to reduce slippage of the writing instrument during use.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a gripping element, particularly to writing instruments having a gripping element. More specifically, this invention relates to a marker having a gripping element over a central region thereof. Such positioning of the gripping element facilitates use of the writing instrument in other than standard writing grasps. For example, the positioning of a gripping element over the central region of a writing instrument facilitates gripping of the writing instrument when writing on vertical or inverse horizontal (i.e. upside down) planes. The gripping element has a plurality of elevated sections in the form of intercalated shapes. The elevated sections may be smooth or textured to enhance gripping and to reduce slippage of the writing instrument during use.

Abstract: A holder for securing ornamental lights to Christmas trees comprises a pair of generally cylindrical parts disposed mutually at right angles. Each part has a generally C-shaped cross-section with the openings in the two parts extending away from one another. Each part also has two arcuate gripper elements that curve inwardly of the cross-section of the part, for providing an improved gripping effect. In use, one part is clipped over a Christmas tree branch. The other part extends generally vertically and receives a bulb holder for a tree light, or other ornament.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described, for example, for delivering bags of garbage to an incinerator. The apparatus includes a series of bins for receiving waste material, each bin having an open upper end through which material can be introduced into the bin, and each bin including means operable to appropriate times to eject material upwardly out of the open upper end of the bin. The bins are disposed in a cascade arrangement so that material can be progressively conveyed through the apparatus to a discharge location by appropriately operating the material ejecting means of the respective bins.

Abstract: A wall structure is described and incorporates an air outlet unit for a forced air circulation system. The structure includes vertical posts which define at least two adjacent wall sections. The air outlet unit is built into one of the wall sections and communicates with one or more adjacent sections by way of openings in the posts. In a preferred embodiment each wall section includes a window panel having a sill member. The sill members are formed with openings at the inner sides of the window panels. Air delivered to the outlet unit issues upwardly through the openings in the sill members.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.