Abstract: A passenger conveyance vehicle loading and unloading ramp has one end pivotally supported adjacent a terminal building and the other end supported for movement into and away from a loading position at a vehicle door includes an enlarged generally cylindrical head mounted adjacent the outer end of the ramp for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the ramp, and a cab or vestibule mounted on the enlarged head for movement therewith and for pivotal movement about a generaly vertical axis for contact with the vehicle throughout a wide range of angles between the longitudinal axes of the ramp and of the conveyance vehicle. The vestibule is supported entirely from its bottom portion whereby the vestibule structure may be relatively lightweight since only minimal loads will have to be transferred between the top and bottom of the vestibule structure.

Abstract: There is disclosed an airplane passenger loading ramp defining a walkway having a cab at the free extremity thereof which includes a weather protective mating device for mating with the contour of an airplane around the entry door thereof. A generally tubular shaped fire protective shroud surrounds such sealing device and is connected on one end with the walkway around the exterior of such sealing device and has the opposite extremity thereof extendable telescopically over such sealing device to mate with the contour of such airplane. An operator is mounted on one end from the walkway and carries on the free extremity thereof of the free end of such shroud for selective extension of such shroud from a retracted position to an extended position mating with the airplane contour.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices of trans-shipment between a ship and a fixed structure situated at sea, which devices comprise a directable gangway, one end of which is mounted to pivot about a vertical axle fixed to the fixed structure, the second end comprising an air cushion designed to rest on a free area of the ship's deck.

Abstract: An ultrasonic toothbrush for use in personal dental hygiene care includes an elongated handle member in the form of a hollow housing having disposed therein a low voltage coil and cooperating ferrite core which is driven at ultrasonic frequencies. Affixed to the core is a brush member adapted to be received within the human mouth and moved across tooth and gingival surfaces. The brush member has been adhesively affixed to an impedance transfer device which in turn has been adhesively affixed to the core material. The impedance transfer device insures the maximum transfer of ultrasonic energy from the core material to the brush. The ultrasonic energy driving means for the core requires a relatively low voltage and permits the coil to be sealed in the handle impervious to contamination by water.

Abstract: The sponge mop includes a hollow cylindrical body which terminates at its lower end in a bridge which supports rollers in spaced alignment a predetermined distance on each side of the axis of the body for sponge squeezing purposes. An operating handle is axially movable through the body and is engaged at one end with a sponge carrier to pull the sponge through the rollers for water wringing purposes and to push the sponge below the rollers for work purposes.

Abstract: An improved toothbrush which includes an elongate handle and a brush with a base and a mounting in the form of a coil spring interconnecting the brush base to the distal end of the toothbrush for swinging, rotatable, tilting movement of the brush relative to the handle in use. Two embodiments are illustrated.

Abstract: A chimney cleaner device cleans the inside surfaces of a chimney in both an upward and downward direction. The device includes a pair of diverging cleaning arms made of heavy metal, each arm having an integral shank portion and blade portion. The blade portion has an outermost scraping edge and a beveled surface slanting inwardly from the cleaning edge to an end of the blade portion opposite the shank portion. The cleaning arms are pivotally connected at an end of the shank portion opposite the blade portion, and are biased outwardly about the pivotal connection in a diverging manner by a lateral force such that the scraping edges engage the inside surfaces of the chimney. The combination of the weight of the cleaning arms and the beveled surface are sufficient to overcome the lateral force allowing downward scraping of the chimney. Upward cleaning of the chimney is accomplished by simply pulling the device up the chimney.

Abstract: Device for preventing the discharge of dust and fiber particles from textile machine work zones having running threads disposed therein, including an air screen system disposed between the work zones and the ambient air in the vicinity of the machine, the air screen system including air discharge nozzles and air suction nozzles.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus including a combined solution and recovery tank is disclosed. The floor scrubber is of the type including a brush head, a squeegee and a vacuum system. A combined solution and recovery tank is operably connected to the vacuum system and the brush head. The tank is a one-piece, rigid integrally molded member having an inner wall and outer, spaced wall. The inner wall defines a recovery tank and the outer wall surrounding the inner wall defines therewith a solution tank. The one-piece member further defines an inlet opening, a solution drain opening, a recovery drain opening and a solution outlet tube.

Abstract: A conversion attachment for a wet-dry vacuum cleaner provides for the application of a mixture of water and detergent through a spray assembly mounted adjacent to a vacuum nozzle on a cleaning head. The attachment includes a spray nozzle and associated liquid flow lines for connection to a source of water, a detergent container, and a siphon for injecting detergent into the pressurized flowing water. The attachment may also include a substitute wand and cleaning head. The siphon includes a slideable valve member which, in one position, permits mixing of the detergent and water for supply to the spray nozzle. In another position, the valve member blocks flow of all liquid to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A flooring surface treating device which can be used to spray a liquid cleaning solution onto a rug and then vacuum remove it, or else spray a wax-removing solution onto a wooden or tile floor surface and then vacuum remove it, etc., includes a lower carriage unit which is mounted to be movable on and over the surface to be treated and an adjustably interconnected upper handle unit for the operator's gripping. The lower carriage unit includes a shroud and a drive motor, the shroud generally enclosing and the drive motor rotating a wand which includes multiple radially-extending vacuum ducts and adjacent discharge pipes (with spray nozzles). The vacuum ducts are continuously connectable to a vacuum source and the discharge pipes are continuously connectable to a source of liquid treating solution.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine using a floor-mounted vacuum hood forming a travelling vacuum chamber with an optimum combination of suction nozzle intake means, jet stream manifold means and a mechanical soil agitator means in the form of a carpet rake, where the rake is interposed between the suction nozzle intake means and a plurality of jet streams. The jet streams are generally directed toward the tips of the teeth of the carpet rake and from there toward the intake opening of the suction nozzle means to increase the effectiveness of the suction nozzle means. A second modification of the invention shows the carpet rake replaced by a power-driven brush, and the jet stream means is a combined carpet rake and source of a plurality of jet streams directed toward the working area of the brush. An optimum design is where the compressed air that divides into a plurality of jet streams is made to pulsate so as to create a hammering action on the soil.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a door for pivotal movement in an air conditioning unit. This door has as a portion thereof a pivot assembly having a series of contact surfaces which engage a series of surfaces of a top support so that the door may be rotated relative to the top support. The entire mechanism is formed of two components which, when assembled, provide a rotational mechanism hidden from view. An over center pressure applying means to secure the door in the fully open position is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A twin wheel caster brake device for casters of the type having two wheels mounted on a common axle, with each wheel having a series of inwardly directed circumferential teeth, or wedge-shaped ribs, disposed at the inner side of each wheel forming a series of slots between the adjacent ribs and each rib having a surface projection forming a constriction in each slot for retaining a braking, or locking pin, which is mounted, or formed on a brake pedal that acts as a lever to force the pin into a slot when it is desired to brake the caster.

Abstract: An improved gutter guard clip comprises a strip having at one end at least one tab or tine which can be bent through and under an opening of a screen member of a gutter and the opposite end can be bent over the outer flange of the gutter to hold the screen securely in place on the gutter. The strip can be made of a metal or a plastic material which can be readily bent beyond its elastic limits to retain substantially its bent shape. Modifications of the clip can be readily made by providing a hole in the gutter - overlapping portion through which a nail, screw or rivet can be inserted during the initial installation of the gutter. A method for making the gutter guard clip is also provided.

Abstract: Improved rotary power slips having a housing for mounting in a rotary table of an earth drilling rig. Air is transferred from a stationary fluid source on the drilling rig to pneumatic cylinders carried by the housing when said housing is static to operate said slips. Transfer is accomplished by expansion of a perforated annular bladder thereby forming an expansive fluid duct between a stationary seal ring connected to the stationary fluid source and an air transfer plate which is rotatable with the housing.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement over my copending application Ser. No. 951,569 filed Oct. 15, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,423, granted Sept. 23, 1980, and relates to a sealing device, which is particularly useful with a receptacle, such as a cloth bank bag for containing money or currency. The sealing device comprises a single strip or band of material made of metal or plastic and formed with teeth or serrations, which extend from one side of the band and includes locking projections engaging with the teeth or serrations in an improved manner for securing the band in its closed position. The locking teeth are stamped, or otherwise formed in the material near one end of the band, so that the other end of the band may be inserted through slits in the band, whereby a number of teeth engage with locking elements when the band is tightened around the neck of the bag.

Abstract: A slip-on receptacle adapted to be inserted on one of two members to be fastened in alignment with a hole therein and to receive and engage with a stud coupled with the other of the two members so as to fasten the two members together. The receptacle includes a resilient strip folded upon itself with one section of the strip engaging the undersurface of the one member and another section of the strip engaging the upper surface of the one member. A central portion of the strip is severed along both side edges and across the one end thereof which is folded upwardly and back upon itself above the upper section to form a cantilever spring. The cantilever spring is in alignment with the hole in the one member and is designed to receive the stud coupled with the other member and passed through the hole and to interengage with the stud and hold the members together.

Abstract: A snap-hook is provided which consists of an open ring and of a tilting finger whose one end pivots upon the corresponding end of the body of the ring and is drawn back by means of a spring. The axis around which the said finger tilts is inclined with respect to the perpendicular to the plane of the ring, so that, when the snap-hook opens, the finger tilts out of this plane and may to pass beyond the opposite main longitudinal back arm of the ring, without striking against it.

Abstract: A boxed and encapsulated rolled metallized film capacitor susceptible to facile machine insertion is fabricated by cyclically advancing a lead frame 32 through a number of stations (36,37) whereat pairs of leads (24,26) of the lead frame are bent downwardly and secured to end electrodes (22,23) formed on the capacitors, and then boxes (29) partially filled with encapsulant are moved over each capacitor secured to a pair of leads. Next, the lead frame is advanced to move each box and capacitor into position to receive additional encapsulant from a nozzle (38) which is projected through a feed hole (34) formed in the lead frame.

Abstract: A weldment bulge (12) joining together two small diameter wire sections (10 and 11) is removed by a hand-held tool (16) having two facing file sections (24 and 34) which are moved back and forth along and about the weldment to abrade away the bulge portion without abrading the wire sections immediately adjacent to the weldment. The tool includes a U-shaped flexible band (16) for moving support blocks (22 and 31) and file sections (24 and 34) toward each other to engage opposite sides of a weldment bulge.

Abstract: A process for making a multilayer bearing material is provided which comprises a backing layer, an intermediate layer of aluminum and an outer overlay layer. The backing layer and aluminum layer are roll bonded together to form a composite strip which is then fed into a molten bath of overlay material which provides for good adhesion to the aluminum and also for good bearing material properties. The aluminum surface of the composite is then cleaned to remove surface oxide and the composite is removed from the bath into a guide means and through a gate which controls the thickness of the overlay so that upon solidification of the molten overlay material a finished bearing material is produced. The fusion bonding of overlay material to the composite is performed in a single operation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing sandwich panels of the type in which a pair of facing sheets 12 are separated by a multiplicity of pins 14 is disclosed. Concepts and techniques for fabricating the structure in a leachable matrix are discussed. Selective roll bonding and cutting are employed to form pins of accurate dimension contour and spacing.

Abstract: An applicator unit is provided for fastening a plurality of sizes of belt fasteners to a belt by staples being guided and clinched by the apparatus. A staple guide block means is provided with fastener engaging and positioning portions which are shiftable relative to an underlying anvil means to accommodate different sizes of fasteners. To provide better belt penetration and to alleviate breakage of the central bridging portions of the staples, the bending surfaces in the anvil means bend the staple legs partially through a predetermined angle and substantially short of a horizontal position parallel to the lower plate of fasteners. An ejector means is provided to lift the belt end and the bent staple legs from the bending cavities in the anvil means. A common actuating and locking means may be employed for a plurality of units.

Abstract: A method of repairing a box beam is disclosed in which a cracked or broken portion of a box beam may be repaired and the strength returned to normal by forming a pair of plates that fit snugly about at least one half of the box beam, the plates being welded to the box beam and to each other, each edge of the plates being either welded to its juxtaposed plate or to the box beam to provide full strength to the structure.

Abstract: A method for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries consists of providing a rotatable table, keeping the table under continuous rotation, continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the table periphery such that a portion of said side wall projects below the table contour, exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, separating the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried out on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while the battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity, and then releasing the

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tightening an assembly including a pre-load indicating fastener is disclosed. Pre-load indicating fasteners are generally tightened until a crushable element, forming a portion of the pre-load indicating fastener, is plastically deformed. The present invention permits such fasteners to be tightened until the crushable element of the fastener is completely deformed. This reduces the problem of relaxation generally associated with such fasteners. The present invention permits joints including such fasteners to be tightened by automatic tightening systems, if so desired. The assembly is tightened until the crushable element of the fastener is fully plastically deformed and elastic deformation of the joint has commenced. Sensing means are provided in the automatic tightening system to enable detection of this point and to automatically stop the tightening system when this point is reached.

Abstract: A method for producing a channel-shaped trim including a core member embedded within a covering material and having a longitudinally extending opening for embracing and clamping an edge flange of a support member comprising the steps of perforating a plurality of transversely extending slits of which length is made larger at predetermined intervals in a band-shaped metallic plate to form unslit connecting portions of which width is made narrower at predetermined intervals in both side end portions thereof, rolling the unslit connecting portions in a longitudinal direction thereof to form a core member, covering the core member with a covering material, breaking the core member in the narrower connecting portions to divide into a plurality of core pieces, and bending the covered and divided core member into a desired cross-sectional shape of the opening.

Abstract: A method of eliminating creep in screw joints or riveted joints in a vibration damping so-called laminated sheet, consisting of at least one vibration damping layer of plastic or rubber applied between two metal sheets to a unit, whereupon holes for screws or rivets have been made in the sheet for instance by punching or drilling. The method comprises embossing the laminated sheet from one or both sides around the holes or the prospective holes after or before the formation of the holes, so that the embossing penetrates the damping layer and the sheets are getting a metallic contact with each other, and so that the distance between the sheets is maintained even if the intermediate layer would lose its carrying capacity.

Abstract: A shielding cylinder includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder of sheet metal. Axial ducts and annular ducts are arranged between the two cylinders to provide flow paths for a cooling fluid. The outer cylinder can be reinforced by one or more peripheral bulges with the bulges forming additional ducts. The shielding cylinder is manufactured by placing a heated inner cylinder onto a mandrel. The inner cylinder is then machined after cooling operation. A heated outer cylinder is then pushed onto the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is then cooled and machined. A two piece mandrel facilitates the manufacture of long shielding cylinders.

Abstract: A junction field effect transistor is fabricated in crystalline silicon by using oppositely doped polysilicon as the gate (POSFET). The depletion region of the pn (or np) junction formed at the polysilicon/silicon interface is used as the gate electrode to modulate the current path through the silicon channel from source to drain, the source and drain contacts may either be conventional metal or polysilicon heavily doped of the same conductivity type as the single crystal silicon substrate.

Abstract: A circular high voltage field effect transistor suitable for inclusion in LSI circuits, and the process for making said transistor, are described. The transistor comprises a central drain and concentric circular field plate, gate and source. Alternate embodiments include an intermediate gate and resistive gate. Implantation and diffusion techniques are described for producing the source and channel regions, and various device dimensions may be varied to improve either current or voltage handling capability or speed capability.

Abstract: A thin film of a metal which is capable of oxidation and sublimation is formed on a major surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a portion of a major surface of the thin metallic film is irradiated with an oxygen ion beam to convert a portion of the thin metallic film to an oxide, and subsequently the thin metallic film is heat treated to remove the oxide by sublimation, whereby electrodes or wiring for a semiconductor integrated circuit are formed by the remaining thin metallic film.

Abstract: A method for device fabrication utilizing a self-aligned process. A combination of advanced semiconductor processing techniques including Deep Dielectric Isolation by reactive-ion etching, etching and refilling, planarizing with oxides and resists, and differential thermal oxidation are used to form devices having small vertical as well as horizontal dimensions. The device region is surrounded by a deep oxide trench which has nearly vertical sidewalls which extend from the epitaxial silicon surface through the N+ subcollector region into the P substrate. The width of the deep trench is about 2 .mu.m to 3 .mu.m. A shallow oxide trench extends from the epitaxial silicon surface to the upper portion of the N+ subcollector and separates the base and collector contact. The surface of the isolation regions and the silicon where the transistor is formed is coplanar. As shown in FIG. 1, the fabricated bipolar transistor has a mesa-type structure. The transistor base dimension is only slightly larger than the emitter.

Abstract: A method for producing a super-conductive coil and a coil produced in accordance with the method, wherein the coil is formed of a coil conductor containing a carrier consisting of a stabilizing material and a U-shaped steel sheath. In the carrier, a main duct is arranged in which at least one super-conductor wire or one super-conductor cable is embedded by means of a joining material. The super-conductor wire or the super-conductor cable is introduced into the main duct. Thereafter, the carrier is formed into the form of a coil and then the main duct with the super-conductor wire or the super-conductor cable is filled with the thermally and electrically conductive joining material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin-film magnetic transducers in which the transducers are deposited onto a substrate member adjacent a finished and lapped surface in a manner such that no further lapping of the slider rail adjacent the transducer is required during manufacture. The method includes forming recesses on the substrate member to define slider rails and then forming air bearing surfaces on each such rail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an electrical harness. The harness generally includes at least one connector having a housing with insulation displacement type contacts loaded therein. Each contact is connected to an insulation clad wire, said wires being of different lengths with different segments of insulation removed from the wire ends opposite the connector.

Abstract: A wire release tool includes first and second working ends for releasing stripped conductors from electrical switches, wall outlets, lighting fixtures, receptacles and other electrical devices of the types which include a spring-biased detent tongue for engaging the stripped conductor. Electrical devices of this type generally include a socket for receiving the stripped conductor and an opening of either circular or rectangular shape to afford access to the detent tongue. The wire release tool includes a central metal core having first and second ends, a metal pin extending longitudinally from the first end and a metal blade extending longitudinally from the second end. The metal pin includes a working end of uniformly circular cross-section having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the circular access opening of such electrical devices.

Abstract: Flypieces are fed individually to a feeding mechanism which automatically feeds the flypieces to a sewing machine where the flypieces are automatically serged and sewn to a tape of a continuous slide fastener chain. Subsequently the flypiece is folded back away from the slide fastener chain, and the chain is gapped and cut simultaneously with the application of a bottom stop on a common base assembly.

Abstract: A machine for inserting terminal pins into a printed-circuit board under programmed control has a pin-insertion head which is charged with pins from a reciprocating shuttle that executes only one stroke in response to each pin-insertion operation. The head is charged with a pin from one of two passages in the shuttle at the end of each stroke while the other passage is being loaded with a pin ready for translation to the head to recharge it, during the next stroke. The machine further includes apparatus for feeding the pins from a pin storage means to the shuttle.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for slitting paper, particularly paper wrapped around rolls of coins. The apparatus is characterized by self-centering means to accommodate various sizes of rolls of coins and by the use of a knife blade to sever the rolled end of the wrapper of a roll of coins.

Abstract: A pair of scissors or shears for allowing thin materials, being cut, to lay flat; the scissors or shears including a pair of crossing levers pivoted together, one end of the levers forming cutting blades, and the other end forming handles for being held in a hand, the handles being upwardly offset so to both be above the material being cut and thus not disturb the same from laying down flat upon a cutting table.

Abstract: Apparatus for in-forest cutting of lumber from felled logs is provided. The apparatus comprises a frame mounting a pair of wheels around which is trained a band saw blade. A chain saw engine is releasably connected to the frame and is coupled to one of the wheels for driving the saw blade. A carriage is mounted to the frame and is adapted to extend lengthwise of the log to enable the frame to be advanced along the log as the saw blade cuts. The carriage has a series of resilient rollers which cooperate with blade guide and stabilizer assemblies to provide a straight cut. Handles are provided at opposite ends of the frame to enable workmen to mount and to dismount the apparatus and to advance the same along the log.

Abstract: An apparatus for comparing the distances of two balls from a third ball which all lie on a horizontal plane comprises a telescopic rod pivotally mounted to swing around the vertical axis of a stand which rests on the same plane as the balls. At the free end of the telescopic rod a vertical strip is attached which is brought to successively contact said two balls for comparing their distances from the third ball. The telescopic rod stand is provided with means for centering it vertically over the third ball. A dolly is inserted between the end of the telescopic rod and said vertical strip for supporting the rod, which dolly can be moved along a circle centered on the axis of said stand; said dolly being provided with a rack-and-pinion device for micrometrically approaching said strip to a ball.

Abstract: A machine for measuring a workpiece is adapted to move a probe (10) relative to a workpiece to be measured, the measurement being determined by an electronic scale (25) when the probe contacts the workpiece (8). If the measurement is taken while the probe is in a state of acceleration, the deflection of those parts (e.g. 11) of the machine which extend between the probe and the scale falsifies the measurement. The invention provides an accelerometer (30) to determine the acceleration and thereby the deflection. A computer is arranged to determine the true measurement by taking account of the deflection.

Abstract: A fixture 39 for positioning shroud 22 of a rotor blade 14 with respect to an apparatus for inspecting the blade is disclosed. The fixture is formed of a base 42, locater means 40 attached to the base, first and second references 44, 46, a second locater 48 which engages the blade along a curved edge 50 at a hinged joint and measuring devices 64, 66 which are slidable rails having an axis e and an axis f. A method for inspecting the blades by orienting a shroud reference plane SRP with respect to the first and second reference surfaces is disclosed. In an alternate embodiment, the blade is rotatably supported about a flat surface and uses a surface on the root 18 for rotation. The fixture also includes a master block 68 to provide a self-mastering feature to the fixture.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for inspecting whether the surface of a discrete portion of a part is within an allowable tolerance. The device comprises a base adapted to position the part for inspection. A probe is moveably mounted to the base and adapted to engage the surface. The probe, in one preferred embodiment, comprises a member slidably mounted on the base having an edge adapted to engage the surface. A mechanism is provided for limiting the movement of the member to the allowable tolerance of the contour of the surface, such that when the part is positioned for inspection the member will indicate whether the surface is within allowable tolerance if the edge of the member makes contact thereon.In another embodiment, the probe comprises a member slidably mounted to the base. A protractor, having an edge adapted to uniformly engage the surface, is mounted to the member and rotatable about an axis.

Abstract: A device for measuring the quantity of raw pasta required to produce the desired amount of cooked pasta. In the domestic market most packaged spaghetti is ten inches in length and a simple measurer for calculating the required amount of this raw product selected for cooking is a non-stretchable, flexible measuring line that can be looped around a bundle of spaghetti to determine its circumference. The line is calibrated and can show the number of serving portions of cooked spaghetti that the encircled bundle will produce. To facilitate its use in the family kitchen the line is provided with a ring on one end thereof that can be slipped over the thumb of the user and holding a bundle of spaghetti, of approximately correct size, in her hand the line is wrapped around the spaghetti to measure its circumference and determine if more or less spaghetti is needed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a source of a coherent light beam of low divergence for quickly and simultaneously establishing a plurality of reference lines or planes for use in leveling, squaring, plumbing, and other alignment functions and for controlling the operation of construction equipment is disclosed. The apparatus includes feet for supporting the housing on a surface, the feet being attached to the housing through an alignment and leveling device that permits adjustment of the orientation of the housing relative to the surface. The alignment and leveling device may be controlled in part by a pair of level vials which, when the feet support the housing on a substantially horizontal surface, have substantially horizontal axis that are perpendicular to one another. The level vials actuate a motor drive servomechanism that adjusts that housing relative to the surface until the axis of each level vial is horizontal.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the latitude position of the user is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base member carrying a scale having degrees of latitude marked on the scale. The base member further carries a scale correcting for the declination of the sun north or south of the equator during days of the year. A vertical member extends perpendicularly upwardly from the base member and carries a means alignable with the current day date when the base member is oriented in a meridian plane and rotated in a vertical plane. When the base member is oriented in a north-south direction and the means aligned to the current date, the end of the shadow cast by the vertical member on the scale of degrees of latitude indicates the latitude position of the user.