Abstract: A weightlifter's protective gear adapted to releasably support a barbell assembly behind the neck and adjacently above the shoulders during exercises. Specifically, the gear comprises a pair of cushion-lined shield straddling the neck and fitting snugly against the shoulders and the upper front and back body areas of the subject, in combination with an upwardly extending notched projection or projections on the shoulder portions of the shield for supporting the barbell shaft, whereby the entire weight of the assembly is uniformly distributed over the shoulders.

Abstract: A combination match retainer and igniter provided with an elongated striking chamber which is laterally expanded to receive an unlighted match in response to relative sliding movement in one direction between the retainer and its cover, and which is laterally contracted in response to said relative sliding movement in the opposite direction to grip the match preparatory to withdrawal and ignition thereof.

Abstract: A mechanism for remotely manipulating a rotary adjustable choke device on the muzzle of a shotgun barrel. Specifically, the mechanism consists of a reciprocatory operating arm positioned intermediate the choke device and the breech end of the barrel, in combination with a connection between the arm and device for converting the reciprocatory motion of the former into oscillatory motion of the latter, thereby varying the muzzle constriction and shot pattern. The arm is positioned so that it may be manually reciprocated by the shooter to selected releasable positions corresponding to the desired choke settings and while the gun is held in firing position.

Abstract: A bathroom stall having a doorway and a catch basin or bath tub with a wall thereof lying substantially in the plane of the doorway, in combination with a U-shaped cantilevered rod for suspending the intermediate portion of the curtain over the doorway while the laterally disposed end portions of the curtain project inwardly of the stall in parallel adjacent positons relative to the opposed doorway jambs, respectively. The legs of the U-shaped rod are telescopically mounted and horizontally adjustable in sleeved wall brackets to thereby permit the suspended curtain to assume successive parallel positions as it is moved back and forth through the doorway. Thus, the curtain may be positioned within the stall during a bath to prevent escape of water, and at other times positioned outside for drying and full display.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing illuminated columns or signals for use as first down lines of demarcation on football fields. The signs may comprise: (1) a single laser light beam having a luminous horizontal segment directed across the field and serving as an overhead line of demarcation, in combination with a relatively lower parallel luminous segment of the same beam, reflected reversely across the field and serving as a ground line of demarcation, or (2) two oppositely travelling light beams having a pair horizontal luminous segments serving as a composite overhead line of demarcation, in combination with a second pair of horizontal relatively lower luminous segments of the same beams serving as the ground line of demarcation, or (3) either the overhead or the ground line of demarcation of the last-named combination.