Abstract: A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position.

Abstract: A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position.

Abstract: A hose valve for central vacuum cleaning systems that employ retractable suction hoses of the type that retract into a system vacuum pipe. The hose valve comprises a valve box with a connection port wherein a locking assembly is secured within the valve box. The locking assembly includes a compression cylinder. A cylindrical deformable sleeve is coaxially disposed within the compression cylinder. The deformable sleeve is radially inwardly deformable responsive to an axial compressive force. A thrust means is provided for engagement with the compression cylinder to impose a compressing force on the deformable sleeve. The thrust means being axially movable from a first unlocked non-compressing position where the deformable sleeve is in its non-deformed condition, to a second locked compressed position where the deformable sleeve is compressed to cause deformation with its walls collapsing radially inward to form a seal around a retractable hose disposed through the locking assembly.

Abstract: A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position.

Abstract: A stop member (74; 174) is affixed to an elongated rudder blade (16) near its top and projects forward beyond the leading edge of the blade. A frame (62) in which the blade (16) is slidable lengthwise extends along a portion of the trailing edge of the blade and forward along the opposite sides. A separate mounting block (12) has a groove (48) receiving a portion of the leading edge of the blade (16). A pivot component (82) is mounted in the groove (48) for engagement against the underside (78) of the stop (74) when the blade (16) is in a normal upright steering position. A spring (52) is connected between the mounting block (12) and the frame (62) to bias the frame toward a position in which the blade (16) received therein extends in an upright steering position. From such position, the blade (16) can be swung upward and rearward, followed by forward translational movement through the frame (62) and along the mounting member (12).

Abstract: A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position.

Abstract: A stop member (74; 174) is affixed to an elongated rudder blade (16) near its top and projects forward beyond the leading edge of the blade. A frame (62) in which the blade (16) is slidable lengthwise extends along a portion of the trailing edge of the blade and forward along the opposite sides. A separate mounting block (12) has a groove (48) receiving a portion of the leading edge of the blade (16). A pivot component (82) is mounted in the groove (48) for engagement against the underside (78) of the stop (74) when the blade (16) is in a normal upright steering position. A spring (52) is connected between the mounting block (12) and the frame (62) to bias the frame toward a position in which the blade (16) received therein extends in an upright steering position. From such position, the blade (16) can be swung upward and rearward, followed by forward translational movement through the frame (62) and along the mounting member (12).

Abstract: A one piece, nestable, portable mini-greenhouse and plant protector for use in a substrate, such as soil, to protect plants and seedlings from extreme weather elements, bugs and pests. The mini-greenhouse has a light-transmitting shell that forms a protective chamber and integrated legs that act to anchor as well as support the shell. The legs can be fully or partially inserted in the soil providing options for a closed or ventilated protective chamber. The unit has concave channels that facilitate watering without disturbing the apparatus. It has unique light filtering and dispersing properties to aid creating a nurturing and growing environment.

Abstract: A hose valve for central vacuum cleaning systems that employ retractable suction hoses of the type that retract into a system vacuum pipe. The hose valve comprises a valve box with a connection port wherein a locking assembly is secured within the valve box. The locking assembly includes a compression cylinder. A cylindrical deformable sleeve is coaxially disposed within the compression cylinder. The deformable sleeve is radially inwardly deformable responsive to an axial compressive force. A thrust means is provided for engagement with the compression cylinder to impose a compressing force on the deformable sleeve. The thrust means being axially movable from a first unlocked non-compressing position where the deformable sleeve is in its non-deformed condition, to a second locked compressed position where the deformable sleeve is compressed to cause deformation with its walls collapsing radially inward to form a seal around a retractable hose disposed through the locking assembly.

Abstract: A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position.

Abstract: A kayak user braces his or her feet against footrests that project inward from the sides of the kayak. The positions of the footrests can be adjusted to accommodate users of different heights, and the footrests can be pivoted to control the position of the rudder of the kayak.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for exercising using skating motion are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame having left and right pedal guides, left and right pedals moveably coupled to the left and right pedal guides, and a pedal control device. The pedal control device is coupled to the left and right pedals such that as one of the left or right pedals is moved along its pedal guide, the other pedal is moved in an opposite direction along its pedal guide, and both the left and right pedals rotate in a first rotational direction. As the pedals are moved back along their respective pedal guides in opposite directions, the pedal control device simultaneously rotates the pedals in a second rotational direction. The apparatus may thereby provide an improved simulation of skating, and may increase the user's enjoyment of the exercise. The pedal control device may include a resistance device, such as an electromagnetic brake, that resists the movement of the pedals.

Abstract: A device for cleaning gravel in an aquarium includes a pump connected to a gravel casing such that the pump forms the top of the structure and the gravel casing the remaining body below the pump. The gravel casing houses the pump intake section and filtering material and when its base is placed over an area of gravel during cleaning will draw a debris and impurities water mixture from the gravel, and into the filtering material where the debris is trapped, thus filtering the water mixture which is returned to the tank via the pump's discharge section.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus having right and left foot pedals with a forward end thereof pivotally supported by right and left swing arms and a rearward end thereof pivotally supported by right and left lift arms. In an alternative embodiment, a lift cable is used. A swing control member interconnects the swing arms to provide a dependent action with the rearward movement of one pedal causing the forward movement of the other, and an interconnect member interconnects the rearward end portions of the pedals to provide a dependent action with the downward movement of the rearward end of one pedal causing the rearward end of the other pedal to move upward.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus having a vertically movable weight, and a kayak paddle-like handle engaged by the user to input an input power with a unidirectional exercise force at a user-selected velocity for moving the weight upward. Also included is a brake applying a negative braking power with a unidirectional braking force opposing the exercise force. The braking power has a braking velocity for permitting downward movement of the weight. A brake controller controls the application of the brake to maintain the braking velocity at a selected velocity for at least a selected portion of the user's exercise time. A differential member is coupled to the weight and receives the input power and the braking power. The differential member determines a differential between the user-selected velocity and the selected braking velocity, and applies the resultant to movement of the weight.

Abstract: An exercise system using a plurality of exercise cycles with the users applying user exercise force at user exercise speed. The exercise system includes a display displaying user indicators moving along respective paths of travel on the display simulating the movement of cycles therealong. The paths of travel are displayed to simulate the travel of a plurality of cycles racing against each other. The exercise system further includes a display control measuring the exercise speed of the plurality of users applied to their respective exercise cycles, and determining the applied cumulative exercise efforts of the users. The display control also determines a lead user based upon which of the users has the greatest cumulative exercise effort, and determines when the cumulative exercise effort of particular ones of the users are within a preselected range less than the cumulative exercise effort of the lead user.