Abstract: A cigarette lighter with a built-in battery checker for use in automobiles which comprises two parts, one being a heater part in which a movable body provided with a heater at the tip of a push nob is mounted slidably in reciprocal front and rear directions to a holder and the other being a basal part into which the heater part is detachably inserted in such manner that when the push nob is pushed to bring the heater into contact with an electrode plate connected to a battery, the heater can be heated by electric current sent from the battery so as to enable the heater part to be pulled out from the basal part, characterized in that the push nob is provided inside with a variable illumination means in which brightness of the illumination is diminished according to increase in the degree of consumption of the battery and a standard illumination means for comparison in brightness with the variable illumination means.

Abstract: A bird cage heater includes a housing divided by a partition into an upper lamp compartment and a closed lower control compartment. The upper compartment has reflective internal walls and an open front. An electric light bulb is mounted in the upper compartment. Fastening devices are provided for detachably mounting the housing entirely on the exterior of bird cage with the open front wall facing the interior of the cage so that heat and light produced by the light bulb are reflected through the open front wall into the cage. A thermostat responsive to the temperature of the lower closed compartment controls energization of the light bulb. An indicator lamp is provided to provide indication of the operability of the light bulb filament. A colored light bulb may be used thereby providing a decorative effect in addition to heat.

Abstract: A battery operated portable thawing device for frozen locks has an electrically heated thawing stick sized for insertion into the key hole of a frozen lock. The stick is thinner than the lock key and comprises a hollow metal body inside which is located a thin resistance heating wire. The resistance wire is located between the middle and the end of the stick inserted into the keyhole in a relatively short length (20-30%) of the thawing stick. For use, the stick is slidable out of a protective housing adapted to be gripped in the hand. The housing carries a battery for energizing the stick and a light bulb for illuminating the keyhole. The metal body of the stick serves as one terminal for supplying current to the resistance wire. The circuit between the battery and resistance wire made automatically made when the stick is moved out of the housing for use and broken when the stick is returned into the housing.

Abstract: A toy molding apparatus having a housing or container with a heat source therein surrounded by a heat directing baffle member, at least a portion of the baffle member being configured for receiving a plastic squeeze bottle containing a gelatinous substance therein, the substance being generally solid at room temperature and approaching a liquid state at approximately 105.degree. Fahrenheit. The bottle is positioned within the receptacle for heating by the heat source and upon reaching a fluid state it is poured into a separate mold member to set upon cooling.

Abstract: A writing pen for heat developing photoconductive material including a pen having a nib formed of material of high thermal conductivity and pervious to light, for contacting photosensitive heat developing material. The pen has a light source for illuminating the photosensitive material through the pen nib contacting the material, and a heater embedded in the nib for heating the nib portion in contact with photosensitive material. The pen nib may include a light-pervious rotatable ball tip seated in a light-pervious ball receptacle.

Abstract: A portable radiant heating apparatus includes a pair of linearly extending members pivotally attached to one another adjacent a first end thereof and pivotal about the pivotal attachment to be generally parallel to one another. A lamp receiving electrical socket supported on the other end of each of the members receives a high intensity infrared lamp electrically arranged to receive power from its socket via means for connecting each of the sockets to an electrical power source. A concave infrared reflective shield is provided about each of the lamps and shaped to direct the light from each of the lamps generally uni-directionally. Thermal insulation means are also provided to protect the members and shields from the heat generated by the lamps.

Abstract: A food warmer includes a plurality of trays and associated lamps mounted on a frame for rotation in unison about a stationary standard. Each lamp is arranged above each respective tray to project heat downwardly only into the tray with which it is associated. The trays are pivotally supported on the frame and a switch associated with each tray is closed by pivotal movement of the tray upon placement of food on the tray to energize the lamp associated with the tray. A rotary connector is disposed between standard and frame, so that current can be supplied to each lamp regardless of the rotary position thereof. Each tray is detachable from the frame for cleaning and a switch override is selectively disposed between the tray and housing to prevent closing of the switch and energization of the lamp when necessary.

Abstract: A panel heater with a flat metal sheet of substantially even thickness of from 0.06 to 0.2 mm and having a mesh-like radiation section formed in the central portion of the sheet, the mesh-like radiation section being composed of a plurality of units of wave-like current passageways of uniform width of approximately 2 mm from one end to the other, arranged parallel to each other and connected to each other at the crests of the wave-like current passageways so that the combined width of the passageways at the crests is twice the uniform width. The panel heater also has a pair of heat resistant boards between which the metal sheet is sandwiched; and a frame assembly joining together the heat resistant boards.

Abstract: A sculpturing kit and method for producing dehydrated sculptured forms from hydrated articles, such as apples or other fruits and vegetables. The sculpture kit includes a transparent heating chamber for mounting an article on a base which includes an incandescent heating source mounted therein. A plurality of templates are provided for use by the sculptor to shape an apple, for instance, into a facial or other form prior to the dehydration process within the heating compartment. The kit also includes a heat drip shield which prevents liquid extracted from the article from contacting the light source, as well as a plurality of sculpturing tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning flexible ropes which has a hollow housing adapted to receive a flexible rope in a coiled condition. The housing contains a heating element for heating the air which comes in contact with the rope, thereby removing excess moisture from the rope. A venting and air circulation system is provided to remove excess moisture from the housing. When the heating element is not in use, the housing may be used as a carrying case for the rope. Automatic and manual devices are provided for controlling the heating element.

Abstract: This invention relates to cigar lighters of the removable igniting unit type. According to this invention the core of the knob mounted on the igniting unit is made of a material having the property of piping light. A lamp housing is mounted on the sleeve of the holding device over a side wall opening thereof. An electric lamp in said housing produces light to pass into the interiors of the shell as well as the core of the knob whereby the front of the knob is illuminated clearly in the dark when the igniting unit is in place on the holding device and the interior of the shell is well illuminated when the igniting unit is removed. Therefore, by the provision of the present improved illuminating means, a much increased degree of safety is provided for the driver who travels at high speed at night to obtain a light for his cigarette without slowing down.

Abstract: A method of freeing a coating of ice, snow or frost frozen on to the surface of a manufactured material, such as a metal partition, a masonry or painted structure, or a paved roadway or runway, by concentrating an intense beam of visible light on to the interface between the coating and the surface adequate to raise the temperature at the interfacial zone to the melting point so as to free the coating from the surface, and apparatus for carrying out this method. The apparatus preferably includes structure for immediately breaking and removing the coating.

Abstract: A wall mounted room ventilator apparatus includes a blower driven by a two speed electric motor, electric lighting means and electric heating means. A selector switch is provided for selecting operation of at least (1) only the lighting means, (2) only the heating means (3) the blower at its high speed alone or in combination with the heating means and lighting means to provide a ventilation function. In order to prevent heat build-up in the apparatus when only the lighting means is energized, a normally open thermostatic switch is positioned in the housing of the apparatus and arranged in circuit between the selector switch and the blower motor for driving the blower at its low speed when the thermostatic switch is closed by the temperature within the apparatus exceeding a predetermined temperature.