Abstract: The present invention provides a device for applying torque to rotatable mechanical fasteners having variously sized outer circumferences, the device comprising a flat wrench plate with a central opening therein. The central opening includes notches of various sizes, and each notch is sized and shaped to fit around and engage a different sized nut or bolt. Between each pair of adjacent notches is a protrusion directed towards the center of the central opening. The flat wrench plate is mounted within and at one end of a short, hollow handle. Preferably, the wrench plate is generally circular and the hollow handle is a cylinder sized to fit easily within a user's hand so that the user can easily grip and rotate the handle. In one embodiment, a clear cover plate having an aperture therein is mounted within the cylindrical handle at the end opposite the wrench plate. In a different embodiment, another wrench plate with different sized notches is mounted in the handle opposite the first wrench plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for applying torque to rotatable mechanical fasteners having variously sized outer circumferences, the device comprising a flat wrench plate with a central opening therein. The central opening includes notches of various sizes, and each notch is sized and shaped to fit around and engage a different sized nut or bolt. Between each pair of adjacent notches is a protrusion directed towards the center of the central opening. The flat wrench plate is mounted within and at one end of a short, hollow handle. Preferably, the wrench plate is generally circular and the hollow handle is a cylinder sized to fit easily within a user's hand so that the user can easily grip and rotate the handle. In one embodiment, a clear cover plate having an aperture therein is mounted within the cylindrical handle at the end opposite the wrench plate. In a different embodiment, another wrench plate with different sized notches is mounted in the handle opposite the first wrench plate.

Abstract: A water cleaned vegetable peeler includes a handle with a bearing member mounted therein. The bearing member is mounted for oscillatory motion at one end of the handle and an elongate peeling blade is mounted by a mounting end to the bearing member. A passage is provided through the mounting end of the peeling blade, through the bearing member, to a hose which is suitably connected to a source of water such as a faucet. Thus, when peeling a vegetable, the peels are washed longitudinally away from the blade and out of the way so further peeling can proceed. Preferably, the peeling blade is replaceable and the bearing member is mounted for oscillatory motion only.

Abstract: A vegetable peeler is provided which can be attached to a water faucet, allowing the user's hands to be freed for handling the vegetable and for the vegetable peels to be washed clear of the peeling blades through the action of water flowing out of the faucet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for counting the number of calls made by a user during a counting period. The apparatus includes a telephone having a curved handset which is displaceable approximately 90.degree. from a rest position to a use position. Attached to the telephone handset at a slight angle from horizontal is a relatively flat counter. The counter uses a series of zigzag tracks and a ball movable in the tracks to count the number of calls made by the user. In the method of the present invention, a call made by the user is counted by tilting the handset slightly to one side as the handset is raised to make the call and tilting the handset slightly to the same side as the handset is lowered after completing a call. In this manner, the ball in the counter is advanced along the zigzag track.

Abstract: A blade housing for a cast cutting tool which is used to remove a cast from a patient is disclosed. The housing is polygonal shaped and includes a number of sides through which the circular saw blade of the cast cutting tool projects. The saw blade projects a different distance from each of the sides. The housing engages the body of the cast cutting tool so that the housing can be rotatably adjusted about the shaft mounting the saw blade. By rotating the housing, a different side can be presented to the cutting area. In this manner, the side having the desired distance of projection of the saw blade, or the desired depth of the cut, is easily selected by the user. The housing acts to collect the dust generated by the cutting, and to help clean the dust from the blade a felt covering on the flat sides is provided.

Abstract: A blade housing device for a cast cutting tool which is used to remove a cast from a patient is disclosed. The housing device includes a housing having a side periphery through which a portion of the edge of the circular saw blade of the cast cutting tool projects varying distances. The housing is attached to the body of the cast cutting tool so that by rotating the cast cutting tool and hence the housing, a different portion of the side periphery can be presented to the cutting area. In this manner, the desired distance of projection of the saw blade, or the desired depth of cut, is easily selected by the user. The housing acts to collect the dust generated by the cutting and the dust can be removed by a suction hose attachable to the front of the housing. For easy blade changing, the housing is pivotally attached relative to the shaft on which the circular saw blade is mounted.

Abstract: An oscillating saw accessory for a tool having a reciprocating member such as a saber saw is provided. A circular saw blade is mounted in a housing which permits rotary movement of the saw blade. The housing is attached to the tool with the saw blade adjacent to the reciprocating member. The reciprocating member is attached to the saw blade so that the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating member produces an oscillating movement of the saw blade.

Abstract: A blade housing for a cast cutting tool which is used to remove a plaster cast from a patient is provided. The housing is polygonal shaped and includes a number of flat sides through which the circular saw blade of the cast cutting tool projects. The saw blade projects a different distance from each of the flat sides. The housing is attached to the body of the cast cutting tool so that the housing can be rotatably adjusted about the shaft mounting the saw blade. By rotating the housing, a different flat face can be presented to the cutting area. In this manner, the flat face having the desired distance of projection of the saw blade, or the desired depth of the cut, is easily selected by the user. The housing acts to collect the dust generated by the cutting, and to help clean the dust from the blade a felt covering on the flat sides is provided. A dust collecting bag is attached to the housing to provide a receptacle for the dust collected in the housing.

Abstract: A whistling teakettle with an attached food boiling device is disclosed which is especially suitable for soft-boiling eggs and the like. Both the teakettle and the boiling device are designed to be exposed to a burner surface. However, due to the decreased volume of water in the boiling device, this water boils sooner than the water in the teakettle. Thus, a food, such as eggs, placed in the boiling device is cooked during the same time that water in the teakettle reaches a boil and causes the teakettle to "whistle". By measuring the volume of water in the teakettle, the "whistle" of the teakettle is used as a timed alarm for the cooking of the eggs.

Abstract: A device for washing dishes and drinking utensils is provided using a faucet attached, water-powered rotating brush. Water jet action provides the motive force and the water can also be used to aid in washing.

Abstract: A hand-held peeler for vegetables and the like having an elongate housing containing a fluid driven motor and a bladed drum. In one embodiment, the motor is connected to a source of pressurized water with a hose. A detachable hollow drum having axially aligned, elongate blades mounted at the circumference of the drum is coaxially attached to the water motor and rotates in the elongate housing. The bladed drum is exposed and accessible through an opening in the housing. Water exiting the water motor is used to wash peels and such from the bladed drum and elongate housing.

Abstract: An apparatus including a stem is provided for introducing gas under pressure from a source of pressurized gas into a container. The stem defines a main passageway and has at least one aperture for bleeding gas from the passageway directly to the atmosphere, while gas is simultaneously introduced into the container through the passageway. The number of apertures and size of the apertures vary, depending on the predetermined container pressure desired. The apparatus can be adapted to be removably mounted on, for example, the valve stem of a pneumatic tire. Alternatively, the apparatus can be formed integrally with the valve stem of a pneumatic tire. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to inflate, for example, basketballs, footballs, and the like.

Abstract: A portable air purifying ash tray is depicted which in one embodiment comprises a housing having first and second internal compartments and first and second covers respectively for selectively covering said first and second compartments. The first internal compartment is for receiving the ashes from a smoker item such as a cigarette and can include a snuffer mounted therein for extinguishing the smoking item. A fan and battery power supply is mounted in the second compartment for exhausting the smoke from the first compartment through a filter mounted between the compartments. Opening of the first cover operates a control circuit which in turn energizes the fan.

Abstract: A body motion actuated, bicycle seat brake comprises a seat resiliently mounted on the seat tube of a bicycle such that at least the forward end of the mounting member may be deflected downwardly by the action of a rider shifting his weight forwardly relative to the mounting member forward end. A brake member is pivotably mounted at one end thereof to the forward end of the mounting member and is slidably mounted at an intermediate location thereof to at least the seat tube of the bicycle such that the distal end of the brake member is disposed in spaced proximity to the rear wheel when the forward end of the mounting member is in an undeflected position, and is urged into abutting, braking relationship with the rear wheel when the forward end of the mounting member is deflected. The seat may also be slidably mounted on the resilient mounting member.

Abstract: A safety reflector device for a bicycle includes a shaft member secured to a bicycle in an upright position adjacent the side of a wheel. A reflective member is mounted for free rotation on the shaft adjacent the side of the wheel. The device includes a wheel engaging member, preferably the reflective member itself, which engages the wheel. Rotation of the bicycle wheel thus is caused to induce rotation of the reflector. In one embodiment, the wheel engaging member engages the tire and in another embodiment, it engages the wheel spokes. Various reflective members may be used and may include highly visible flickering or moving effects.

Abstract: A rotary safety reflector for mounting on the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle, comprising a rotatable shaft, means for rotatably mounting the shaft in spaced relation from the outlet of the exhaust pipe such that the axis of the shaft is substantially transverse to the direction of the exhaust flowpath, first and second rearwardly facing reflecting surfaces fixedly mounted at each end of the shaft substantially outboard of the exhaust flowpath, and a fluid motor fixedly mounted on the shaft intermediate the reflecting surfaces and in alignment with the outlet of the exhaust pipe such that the exhaust flow acts upon the fluid motor to cause rotation of the shaft about its axis.

Abstract: A safety signal device for bicycles and the like includes a shield member which is mounted on an elongate support member and provides a flag type safety warning, visible over hills or the like, of an approaching vehicle. A rotatable reflector, visible from behind the vehicle, is mounted rearwardly of the air shield in such a position that a portion thereof is shielded from the air flowing relative to the device and another portion is in the air flow to cause rotation of the reflector.

Abstract: A bicycle handlebar shock absorber for use with conventional handlebar support brackets, comprising a curved strip of flexible material which is adapted at one end thereof to be fixedly mounted on the head of the support bracket and at the other end thereof to be fixedly attached to the handlebar itself on both sides of the bracket clamp supporting the handlebar. With the shock absorber mounted on a bicycle, the bracket clamp is adjusted to allow rotational, but not radial, movement of the handlebar, and the flexible strip of the shock absorber acts as a torsion spring to dampen rotational movement of the handlebar induced by travel of the bicycle over rough terrain.