Abstract: A spray nozzle tip adapter for cleaning a paint spray nozzle includes a rigid body member having an inlet port having annular sealing surfaces on one side, an exit port having annular sealing surfaces on another side and a passage connecting the inlet port and the exit port. The inlet port is shaped and sized to frictionally engage in a sealed relationship differently sized dispensing tubes of pressurized liquid solvent cans, and the exit port is shaped and sized to frictionally engage and retain a tubular inlet of a spray paint nozzle in a sealed relationship. The passage is shaped and sized to control a sealed flow of liquid to the nozzle and has a tapered region connected to the exit port to frictionally engage and retain a tubular inlet of a spray paint nozzle in a sealed relationship.

Abstract: A telescoping lever arm comprises a tube and a rod. The tube has an opening at one end thereof and has an inner circumferential dimension along the inside thereof. The opening is smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube. The rod has an outer circumferential dimension that is smaller than that of the tube's opening. The rod resides partially in the tube and extends therefrom via the tube's opening. At least one annular flange is coupled to the rod at a portion thereof residing in the tube. Each such annular flange is defined by a circumferential dimension that is larger than that of the tube's opening and smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube. The other end of the tube is configured to be coupled to a workpiece or an adapter that can be coupled to a workpiece.

Abstract: A telescoping lever arm comprises a tube and a rod. The tube has an opening at one end thereof and has an inner circumferential dimension along the inside thereof. The opening is smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube. The rod has an outer circumferential dimension that is smaller than that of the tube's opening. The rod resides partially in the tube and extends therefrom via the tube's opening. At least one annular flange is coupled to the rod at a portion thereof residing in the tube. Each such annular flange is defined by a circumferential dimension that is larger than that of the tube's opening and smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube.

Abstract: A method of modifying operational characteristics of a swim fin makes existing fins adaptable to different users and/or operational needs. An existing swim fin having a blade portion extending from a body portion is placed on a flat work surface. The blade portion is made from a rubber-like material, and a template is laid on it. The outline of the template is traced onto the blade portion to define shape lines on it. The rubber-like material is removed from within the shape lines on the blade portion of the swim fin. The shape lines and the removed rubber-like material extend from a trailing edge of the blade portion toward the body portion. The method of the invention can readily modify and/or customize the fin's contours according to the user's needs or desires concerning fit, comfort, energy use, mission requirements and/or aesthetics.

Abstract: A flexible buoy assembly includes a flexible buoy having a passage formed therethrough. A flexible line passes through the passage and exits each end thereof. First and second bumpers are fixedly coupled to the flexible line about the circumference thereof. The first bumper is spaced apart from the first end of the passage and the second bumper is spaced apart from the second end of the passage.

Abstract: A tapered shear stop has rigid tapered shear stud and tapered polyurethane overing that both have rounded outer surfaces. The tapered shear stop is mounted in a bracket to withstand steady state and impacting loads from a boom and to shear through a reduced section in the stud that is located next to the bracket to prevent bending or transmitting other damage to the bracket when excessive loads are encountered. Differently sized shear stops, or more than one shear stop can be used to protect associated mechanical structure from damage.

Abstract: A device for positioning a spring-loaded or sliding mechanism includes a oting lever and a fixed support arm in a substantially parallel and adjacent relationship to the spring-loaded or slide mechanism. The lever incorporates a hollowed-out portion that receives one end of the spring-loaded or slide mechanism and a portion of the support arm therein. The spring-loaded or slide mechanism is hingedly coupled to the lever at the hollowed-out portion. The hollowed-out portion is further sized to allow the support arm to pass therethough. A latch mechanism is incorporated in part on the support arm and in part on the lever at the hollowed-out portion. In use, the lever moves the spring-loaded or slide mechanism between a first position and a second position as the lever is supported by the support arm passing through the hollowed-out portion. The latch mechanism can be engaged to maintain the spring-loaded or slide mechanism in at least one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A tie strap device is in the form of an elongated body of substantially yieldably resilient deformable and reformable material. The elongated body includes a strap and a locking head. The strap has opposite longitudinal surfaces and opposite ends. The locking head is formed at one end of the strap while the other end of the strap is free. The locking head defines a cavity therethrough having an interior surface. The locking head has portions which are connected together and define a line of weakness in the locking head in communication with the cavity. The line of weakness allows for separation of the portions from one another and forcible removal of the strap from the cavity in response to a pulling force applied by the strap on the locking head at the line of weakness.

Abstract: A snap swivel hook assembly includes a hook subassembly having a hook body nd an elongated stem portion extending therefrom, and a swivel subassembly having a swivel collar and swivel ball seated thereon and being coupled with the elongated connector stem of the hook subassembly such that swivel subassembly can undergo concurrently rotational movement about and a limited degree of pivotal movement relative to hook subassembly. The hook subassembly also includes a hook latch release mechanism adapted to secure a latch member of the hook subassembly at a closed position relative to a cavity defined in the hook body so as to prevent pivotal movement of the latch member from the closed position to an opened position. The hook latch release mechanism also is actuatable to release the latch member from the closed position so as to permit pivotal movement thereof to the opened position.

Abstract: A swaged cable swivel hook assembly includes a swivel hook and upper and er swage elements for attachment to a portion of an elongated cable. The swivel hook includes an arcuate-shaped hook body defining a cavity and having a pair of upper and lower end portions spaced apart from one another and defining an opening through the hook body to the cavity. Upper and lower bores are respectively formed through the upper and lower end portions of the hook body for receiving a portion of the cable therethrough to provide a closure for crossing the opening through the hook body to the cavity. Upper and lower sockets are respectively formed in the upper and lower end portions of the hook body adjacent to the respective upper and lower bores. The upper swage element is attached to the cable portion at a first location thereon and is removably seatable within the upper socket to support the hook body on the cable.