Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for holding a cane upright when the cane is not in use, the mechanism enclosed in a housing that can be fitted inside or attached onto a cane and providing a button that, when operated, releases a pair of props that spring out and spread apart so that rubber surfaces on the props will enable the cane to lean against a vertical surface, such as a wall, or hang from a horizontal surface, such as a table, the props subsequently able to be closed together and tucked into the housing where the same button that released them also latches them inside the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for exploiting the crushing power of the ocean, the principle of the lever, and the weight of a deep-sea oil drilling rig to provide a mechanism that is the simplest and most rapidly deployable way possible to plug a subsea leak. This mechanism for plugging subsea leaks has an inflatable plug and a folding reinforcement mechanism that are contained in a streamlining sheath so that they can be inserted into a leaking high-pressure subsea pipe, and a housing that, in a controlled manner, can be crushed by subsea water pressure to force fluid into the inflatable plug to cause it to inflate to plug the leak; and, depending on the pressure in the pipe, there is a weight basket available that can easily add weight to the mechanism, if necessary.

Abstract: A rolling ball writer having a writing component carrier that slides within the barrel of the instrument in a manner similar to a ball point pen cartridge and utilizes a compression button and latching system at one end which extends and secures, respectively, the writing tip in an exposed position at the end of the barrel opposite said button, and which also has a release button incorporated on its clip which, when pressed, releases said latching system and allows an internal spring to bias said writing tip to a retracted position.

Abstract: Elongated objects of varying widths and diameters are held between holding surfaces attached perpendicularly to a back wall, with at least one of said surfaces being formed on the convex side of a resilient arcuate member which member is biased toward the other holding surface and is positioned in spaced relationship to said back wall by an extension and brace which attach said member to said back wall, which back wall can be attached to another area by double-backed adhesive or screws.

Abstract: Coins in commonly used denominations are held in cavities of a slide which can be moved in a linear path between two walls of a slide housing by a slide operator which is accessible from the exterior of the slide housing. The slide is resiliently biased to a coin non-removable position and is easily extendable by thumb action to a coin delivery position where all coin denominations are simultaneously accessible and can be removed in a canting or tilting mode.

Abstract: Two spaced apart, generally flat, outer members have a connector connecting them together at their centers. A third member having at least one segment portion connected thereto by resilient inwardly biasing members is positioned in the space between the outer members and has an inclined surface on at least one side thereof mating with a complimentary inclined surface on one of the outer members, whereby squeezing the outer members together at their perimeters adjacent the segment portion causes the segment portion to extend outwardly from the perimeters of the outer members and the connector, and to retract when the squeezing pressure is removed.