Abstract: A drinking cup base is provided which may be used as either a coaster or an attached stabilizer in combination with a variety of cups, including disposable cups. In both modes of operation, a cup is placed within a recess in the base, such that the mouth of the base contacts and forms a friction fit with the outside surface of the cup. In this position, the base functions as a coaster, as the friction fit any may be overcome by raising the cup. However, if it is desired to utilize the base as an attached stabilizer, the cup is forced within the recess, forming a vacuum fit, which, combined with the friction fit, maintains the base in continuous attachment to the bottom of the cup, until the cup and base are manually separated. The base includes a spill tray to retain spillage from the cup, and one embodiment of the base includes a turned-back outer rim which maintains the spillage even when the base is tilted during tilting of the cup for drinking.

Abstract: A surveying instrument and procedure are provided for the precise determination of elevation differences in the course of a surveying traverse. The instrument comprises an optical wedge 13 situated on the horizontal longitudinal line of sight axis 27 of the primary optical system between the objective lens 11 and a target under observation. The wedge is arranged for rotation about this axis and with such rotation angularly displaces the diverted line of sight 28 from the horizontal to the plane of the target. The degree of rotation required of the wedge to acquire the target 33 is measured by electro-optical angle encoder means 10, and the distance to the target by EDM means 24, 26. The difference in elevation is calculated trigonometrically by computer means utilizing as data the wedge diversion angle, the sine function of its rotation, the computed angular displacement of the line of sight, and the distance to the target.

Abstract: A rural mailbox support includes a mailbox, a vertical support member and a base for mounting the vertical support member in the ground. One or more C-shaped members extend laterally from the vertical support, and have first and second extending arms extending laterally therefrom. The C-shaped members also have longitudinal slots in the extending arms. L-shaped brackets are provided for connecting the C-shaped base to the mailbox. The C-shaped brackets have locking tabs at each end adapted for insertion into the longitudinal slots and for reception of bolts so that the L-shaped brackets can be adjustably positioned for a variety of sizes of mailboxes, or other equipment.

Abstract: A life buoy equipped with a radar responder adapted to transmit waves in response to radar waves from a searcher, the life buoy comprising a hull member of a rigid plastic hollow construction, the hull member water-tightly accommodating a receiving antenna, a receiver, a transmitting antenna, a transmitter and a battery in a vertical manner such that the center of gravity is located at a distance from and below the center of buoyancy, and the hull member having a downwardly converging shape from under the level of water at least up to the center of buoyancy.

Abstract: A one piece, biphasic media culture container, as disclosed herein, includes a first compartment for a solid nutrient culture medium, a second compartment for a liquid nutrient culture medium and a common headspace enclosure above and extending between said first and second compartments to provide selective fluid communication therebetween. The first and second compartments are discrete from one another except for the common headspace enclosure and are spatially separated by an air space between their respective inner walls.

Abstract: A potted plant display stand for displaying a small potted plant at angles, varying from 20 to 70 degrees, to the horizontal, for fuller viewing by a bedridden patient. The base of the stand is a hollow, dome-like shell, circular in shape, for placing the stand securely on a horizontal surface. The base is constructed (preferably molded) of thin material, such as plastic, for lightness and to facilitate the nesting of two or more stands in a reduced space. The potted plant is held in a cup-like circular recess in the side of the stand which recess is slightly larger in circumference than the outer circumference of the pot being held. The circular recess has a narrow overhanging lip across the top to frictionally hold the pot in place. A hollow area beneath the circular recess permits the nesting of stands of like dimensions, one on top of another. A modification of circular recess dimensions permits the nesting of smaller stands within slightly larger stands.

Abstract: A steam iron assembly for domestic use includes an iron, a box-shaped base for supporting the iron, and a water reservoir pivotably mounted on the base for movement thereon as required. The base may also contain an automatic cablewinder and a water-softening filter. The steam iron assembly has notably reduced bulk in its inoperative position, but provides a wide surface for holding the iron during use thereof.

Abstract: A holder for beverage containers that is adapted to be mounted between two front bucket seats. The holder includes a pair of spaced wells and an intermediate bracket having a channel formed through it for mounting engagement with the handle of a parking brake located between the two front bucket seats.

Abstract: A rack for a container, such as a wine bottle, comprises a base and a support. The support receives the neck of the bottle in either an elevated, or a lowered position. The base provides a depression to receive the shoulder of a container in the lowered position, and a notch to receive the bottom of the container in the elevated position.

Abstract: A bottle support for engaging the neck of a bottle and supporting it in a slightly inclined position. An oblique prism has a rectangular base and two sets of parallel sides. A hole penetrates the prism through the sides, generally parallel to two of the sides. The center of gravity of the body lies outside the base and the combined center of gravity of the body and bottle lies above the base.

Abstract: A suspension system for an electric gauge of the modular type includes one or more, substantially vertical, modules and a supporting device for supporting the modules comprising a base plate, a stanchion fixed to the base plate, and horizontal cylindrical rods threadedly coupled with the stanchion. The casings of the modules have resilient hooks which are coupled by interference fit with the cylindrical rods for hooking the modules to the supporting device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mailbox brace which includes a horizontal planar shelf upon which an end portion of the mail box rests, an inverted U-shaped strap overlying the mail box above the shelf portion and fastened to the shelf by means of outwardly turned horizontal flanges through nuts and bolts, a vertical plate joined to the shelf at respective edges thereof so that a substantially L-shaped bracket in cross section is formed, in which the vertical plate is affixed to a support post by means of screws, or by means of a horseshoe clamp which straddles the post and the vertical plate having an aperture plate disposed on a face of the vertical plate opposite the post so that the horseshoe clamp termini pass therethrough. The termini are threaded and suitable nuts are provided for affixing the horseshoe clamp in a secure manner.

Abstract: A cylindrical tank such as a scuba tank is stowed in a cradle having a pair of upstanding yokes connected by a central I-beam. The weight of a tank placed in the cradle pinches the tank between the yokes.

Abstract: A mounting for a tank receptacle in a lattice-shaped, stackable, cage-like supporting framework surrounding the receptacle. The receptacle is supported in the framework at three points in the case of a supporting framework which is not torsionally rigid relative to the receptacle. Where the receptacle is supported at four points in the framework, two support points are defined by hinges connected to each other through equalizing connecting rods. A strap connects the receptacle to the framework at each support point, a lever being located between each hinge and its respective strap. Spring-loaded buffers limit the movement of the levers.

Abstract: A laboratory stand assembly for use in emptying sample vials used to monitor the concentration of solvent vapor in air. The assembly consists of a base, a support extending vertically therefrom with a sample holder adjustably positioned in the support. A clamp is attached to the top of the sample holder to secure the adsorption tube to the sample holder. Support means for receiving a sample vial are also provided.

Abstract: A light weight heavy duty, inexpensive and portable stackable assembly for storing and dispensing flowable materials such as capsules and other drug products includes a plastic hopper bin and a plastic base, the surfaces of both hopper and base being smooth, having minimal tendency for the adherence of bacteria, and being easily cleaned. The base construction provides a relatively large area of support for the hopper thus eliminating or minimizing any tendency for the hopper walls to sag and to cause unevenness in the hopper inner surface that could interfere with the flow of the flowable materials out the discharge outlet of the hopper. The assembly is characterized that when stacked the weight of the stack is carried by the base, each of the hoppers being required to support the weight only of its own contents.

Abstract: A serving tray for use in a food rethermalizing cabinet. The tray is sectioned by a thermal divider and formed so that dishes of food placed therein can be selectively heated or cooled by separate air streams flowing from one end of the tray to the other. The thermal divider extends from one side of the tray to the other separating the tray interior into two channels. Inlet and outlet ports are provided at opposite ends of each channel. Tapered connectors on the sides of the tray are designed to mate with matching tapered sections in the cabinet such that when the tray is firmly seated in the cabinet, a fluid tight seal exists between the mating connector members. The inlet and outlet ports for each channel are precisely aligned with corresponding ports in the cabinet and the tray is supported thereby in the cabinet and cannot be inserted in reverse orientation.

Abstract: A device for adjustably supporting and stabilizing an outdoor electrical junction box comprising a rigid support shaft mounted vertically at one end in the ground, an electrical junction box having a back face knockout that when removed leaves an aperture of a predetermined diameter, and a junction box support shaft coupling member having a threaded fastener that fits securely into the knockout aperture for securely attaching the coupling member to the junction box, a central passage for receiving the support shaft and a set screw for locking the coupling member relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A urinal stand construction includes a relatively heavy pedestal base, a tubular body secured to the base and a urinal holder supported at the upper end of the tubular body releasably holding a urinal member at the bedside of a patient. The urinal holder consists in a thin, circular retaining plate having vertically disposed resilient clip portions occurring in spaced relation around the outer edge of the retaining plate. At its central portion the plate is formed with a conically shaped hollow fitting engageable in an upper end of the tubular body. The parts noted are detachably secured together by an elongated bolt member and hexaginal nuts occurring in recessed relationship in the conically shaped fitting in the bottom of the pedestal base.

Abstract: A support system for large generally cylindrical tanks in ships and including four supporting devices each comprising a tank portion and a hull portion respectively secured to the tank and hull, one of the supports being fixed with respect to linear horizontal movement, another of the supports being movable only transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank, yet another of the supports being movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank and still another support being movable both parallel to and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank; each tank portion of each support being connected with its respective hull portion by means of a spherical joint with thermal insulation between the spherical portions of the joints.

Abstract: Tee-type leg bracket for supporting a tank, which has a hemispherical-type of bottom surface and a short nipple mounted on the bottom surface at substantially a right angle thereto. The bracket has a central frame, a tee vertically mounted on the central frame, and three support legs detachably attached to the central frame. The bottom surface of the tank rests on the top portion of the support legs. The contour of the top surface of the support legs matches the contour of the bottom surface of the tank. The top arm of the vertically-mounted tee mates with the short nipple mounted on the bottom of the tank. The means of attaching the support legs to the central frame involves vertical grooves in the edge region of the central frame. The mouth of each of the vertical grooves is narrower than the interior portion thereof. The number of vertical grooves is also equal in number to the support legs. There is a vertical rib on one end of each of the support legs.

Abstract: A fluid drink container mounting ground stake with a pointed bottom and blunted top having a laterally extended drink container supporting foot and a ring spaced above the foot and in general alignment therewith for holding a drink container spaced above the surface of ground the stake is driven into.

Abstract: Supporting apparatus for a refuse container and the lid for such container. The apparatus includes a bracket mountable on an upright and a support pivotally mounted to the bracket between a lower generally horizontal position and an upper generally vertical position. The support has portions which confine the container against lateral movement and portions which rest on the lid when the support is in the horizontal position so as to prevent access to the container by dogs and the like.

Abstract: A pedestal comprising a body having opposite faces, each of predetermined area and lying in a plane which is substantially parallel with the plane of the other face the body narrowing from the predetermined area of each face to a central waist portion of minimum cross sectional area in a plane taken parallel to the said planes of the opposite faces, and a plurality of suction cups secured to and protruding from one of said faces, whereby when said pedestal is used as a support for another object the face to which said suction cups are secured may be disposed uppermost to afford vacuum grip with the object supported by said pedestal or selectively may be disposed lowermost to afford vacuum grip with the surface on which said pedestal rests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sanitary glass holder for supporting a glass in an upside down position and comprises an annular base with a plurality of generally equally spaced legs extending inwardly from said base towards the center thereof. Each leg includes a concave upper support edge just inwardly of the annular base for receiving the lip of an upside down positioned glass. Still inwardly of the concave support surface, each leg extends upwardly and joins together with the other legs thereat to form a knock off protector such that when the glass is supported about the glass holder of the present invention, the knock off protector extends generally upwardly into the glass.

Abstract: The present invention is a round-bottom flask support which comprises a base of honeycomb or honeycomb-like material flat on its lower surface and having a concave upper surface substantially complementary to the flask it is designed to support. The cross section of the base is preferably cylindrical and a cylindrical annular ring engaging the periphery of the base and upper surface can be provided for added dimension stability.The upper surface of the base preferably has a semi-spherical configuration produced by compression of the upper surface of the base toward the lower surface to create "pleats" in at least some cell walls. This provides an added mechanical lock at the cell nodes which reduces the tendency of the honeycomb to separate at the cell nodes and is of particular advantage where the honeycomb is subjected to high temperatures and the adhesive bond may be weakened.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher rack or support includes a rear wall section and two side wall sections adjoining the rear wall section, the rear wall section and the two side wall sections being sloped inward, the top edges of the rear and side wall sections supporting a hanger adapted to engage a support bracket of a portable fire extinguisher. A strap connected to front edges of the side walls retains the fire extinguisher so that the center of mass of the fire extinguisher is located over the geometric center of a base of the support to ensure maximum stability of the device. The front of the support is open, so that a user only needs to lift the fire extinguisher from the hanger in order to remove it from the support.

Abstract: An adjustable pole-mounted mail box support including an elongated frame with a collar adjustably connectable at selected positions on the length of the frame. The collar is adjustably positioned on a pole for vertical adjustment on the pole and for adjustment in a horizontal plane 360.degree. about the pole. The frame carries apparatus for securing a mailbox to the frame for adjusted positions thereon.

Abstract: A device for use in draining ketchup and the like from a bottle is described. The device includes an upper portion having an opening for receiving the neck of a bottle with the bottle in an inverted position. Means are provided for supporting the device in stable equilibrium on a support surface with the upper portion of the device in an elevated position in which the bottle is held clear of the support surface so that a container can be placed below the mouth of the bottle. A plurality of fingers extend inwardly of the opening in the upper portion of the device and are arranged to engage the neck of the bottle. The fingers are resiliently flexible so that they can be deflected outwardly by the bottle, whereby the fingers exert an inward biassing effect against the neck of the bottle and are capable of accommodating bottles of varying sizes.

Abstract: A technique for the rotational molding of hollow articles having separate but structurally integral compartments is described. A mold in which the article is to be formed is provided with a cover between the mold cavities in which the article compartments are to be rotationally molded. The cover is selectively spaced from the mold wall so that a thermoplastic resin used to form the article can pass through the space between the cover and the mold wall to form the article walls for the compartments. The cover spacing from the mold wall is so selected that the build-up of the article's wall eventually seals off this spacing and enables further rotational molding of an article wall over the cover to isolate the compartments. In the specific embodiment, a technique for the rotational molding of a tank with legs below a bottom wall and a continuous uninterrupted interior bottom surface is described.

Abstract: A downwardly directed hook for engaging an upper rim portion of a garbage can is secured to an upper portion of a post or wall. A bracket for supporting the bottom of the garbage can above the ground is secured to the same support below the hook. A can support portion of the bracket slopes upwardly from its secured end to its free end. A can support(s) at the free end contacts the bottom of the garbage can at a location offset from its center away from the post or wall. The garbage can is tipped inwardly to place a portion of its rim into engagement with the hook. Then, the lower end of the can is moved inwardly until the can is substantially vertical. When it is desired to remove the can from the support, the handles of the can are grasped and the can is pulled upon to swing the lower end of the can away from the post or wall until its upper end is free of the hook. Then, the can is lifted off from the support.

Abstract: A live tree whose trunk has been cut from its roots is supported on a stand and continuously watered from a vessel associated with the stand. A conical hole is drilled into the cut end of the tree trunk. A tapered peg is inserted into that hole. The external surface of the peg is not circular, but has longitudinally extending ridges which engage and bite into the wall of the hole. The lower end of the peg is supported in a water vessel. The cut end of the tree trunk is immersed in water around its circumferential surface, on the end grain of its cut end, and water also flows upward along the surface of the peg between the longitudinal ridges thereon in contact with the wall of the conical hole.

Abstract: A trash can transporter for use with a vertical support post that is fixed in the ground or to a base and that is provided with a lower can brace against which a lower portion of a trash can is received when the trash can is mounted on the post. Mounted on the uppermost end of the post is a handle support having a flange over which a handle of the can is received when the can is mounted on the post. The transporter permits easy removal of the trash can from the post and is formed with a central column having a pair of can braces mounted thereon in spaced relation for supporting the can during the transporting movement thereof, a handle bracket being joined to the column adjacent to the upper end thereof and receiving the handle of the trash can when the trash can is removed from the vertical post for the transporting thereof.

Abstract: A stand, for holding cans for pipettes used in laboratory work, provides support of a plurality of cans in a horizontally and vertically spaced arrangement. The stand is portably and the cans, while readily removably from the stand, may be transported while in the stand. The cans are held at a slight angle to the horizontal when the stand is in use to provide ready access to the pipettes.

Abstract: A weighted holder for plant containers such as vases and urns having pedestal base portions of varying heights. An interior chamber of a base portion of the holder is filled with a heavy material such as sand; opposed upwardly extending side walls from the base are provided with pluralities of pairs of horizontal parallel grooves for selective sliding reception of a shelf. The shelf and a top wall connecting between the side walls are oppositely slotted with the top wall slot terminating in a central annular hole to nest the bottom portion of the main body portion of the container. The shelf is slidable into any of the pairs of parallel grooves to permit engagement thereof over the base of the pedestal with the stem thereof passing upwardly through the shelf slot.

Abstract: A supported vessel having a number of outwardly directed projections on the side of the vessel which are fixed to the outer end of horizontally disposed webs, the inner end of the webs being supported on a supporting structure, the lower end of which is secured in the ground, the weight of the vessel being transmitted to the webs through the support structure. The invention also claims a support for such a supported vessel.

Abstract: A packing jacket and holder for ice cream cones including a generally tubular body tapering inwardly from one end for receiving a sugar cone in said one end, and having an enlarged cup on the other end for receiving the enlarged head of a cake cone in the enlarged cup.

Abstract: A rack including a platform for restingly supporting refuse containers, a restraining band disposed above the platform for confining the containers, a plurality of stanchions extending upwardly from the platform for cooperating with the restraining band in confining the containers, and a plurality of casters for supporting the platform above a supporting surface whereby the rack may be manually moved along a straight line or about a central point.

Abstract: A knockdown stand assembly for supporting a container or the like which is particularly adapted for use in a kit including a plurality of leg members, an intermediate retaining member for holding the leg members together at an intermediate point including openings for receiving the leg members, and an upper retaining member for holding the upper ends of the leg members together including openings for receiving the leg members, the leg members including locating sections for locating the intermediate retaining member and the upper retaining member relative to the leg members and releasable snap locks for locking the intermediate and upper retaining members in place. In kit form, the foregoing components are included with a container adapted to be supported by the knockdown stand assembly and a pedestal for providing an alternative means for supporting the container.

Abstract: A cistern container assembly comprising a cistern, a frame having a number of semi-circular cradles on which the cistern rests, and a similar number of external reinforcing hoops on the cistern, each hoop corresponding to an associated one of said cradles, each reinforcing hoop being U-sectioned to provide an external groove which receives a U-sectioned ring of resilient material, and each cradle engaging in the external groove of the associated reinforcing hoop. Half collars extend partially around the hoops and are attached to the frame by adjustable links and tightening devices to secure the cistern in the semi-circular cradles.

Abstract: A spherical storage tank holding gases or liquids which is supported on a rigid concrete foundation in a region of the vertical axis of the tank. There is interposed between tank and foundation a mounting rigidly bonded to both the tank and the foundation having generally elastomeric properties. The mounting consists essentially of a plurality of slabs covering the whole upper area of the foundation, in a spaced array leaving only narrow gaps between the individual slabs. The slabs are thin in relation to their size, and the gaps between the individual slabs are filled with a soft-plastic sealant. Moreover, the foundation consists of an upper part and a lower part, between said upper and said lower part being interposed adjustable resilient pads to allow an adjustment of the upper part in relation to the lower part to correct the position of the upper part if the lower part has been displaced due to ground shock waves, underground cavations or the like.

Abstract: The device comprises a cradle constituted by a plurality of identical and coplanar half-bridges each formed by two identical and parallel main beams. The half-bridges are carried on a vertical supporting element at one extremity which is constituted by one of the extremities of the beams and are rigidly coupled together at the other extremity. The cradle is provided with structural elements which are rigidly fixed to the beams and to which the pressure vessel and steam generators are attached.

Abstract: With a view to eliminating the annealing of the entire container for stress-relieving purposes after assembly and to prevent excessive stressing of its tanks, a self-contained transport container with two adjacent and rigidly interconnected cylindrical liquid tanks has the tanks screwed together with each other and with saddle elements and intermediate saddles via T-members and additional transverse connecting members.

Abstract: The planter is made from a solid rectilinear block of wood having a recess in the upper surface thereof. Each of the four corners are cut off along a downwardly and inwardly inclined plane and each of the four cut off corner pieces are resecured in a downwardly offset position relative to the block by means of a circumferentially extending band to provide four downwardly extending legs for the planter.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing container construction particularly adapted to dispense a liquid, such as a carbonated beverage for example, under gaseous pressure is provided and comprises a housing defining a product chamber for the liquid with the housing comprising a cylindrical central portion and a pair of outwardly convex end portions. A spigot device is carried by one of the end portions for dispensing the liquid from within the chamber, and a closeable filler device for the chamber is provided in the other of the end portions. The container construction has a protective sleeve for the housing and the devices with the sleeve having opposed end edges each adapted to support the container construction.

Abstract: A plurality of individual pot stands which have support rings of substantially identical size and construction but each having three legs of different lengths than the legs on the other stands. The stands may be nested and stacked together by placing the rings on top of each other and supporting the whole assembly on the stand with the longest legs. Individually the stands may be used to support pots and the like as a double-boiler, for cooling a pot or for warming the pot from a flame beneath like a chafing dish.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device for spraying a viscous non-stick, liquid cooking preparation onto a grill heated to a predetermined temperature, and includes a stand resting on the heated grill, such that heat from the grill, by both conduction and radiation, warms the spraying device to a temperature level at which the viscosity of the preparation is reduced to a level at which it can be effectively sprayed.

Abstract: A column-type display stand is comprised of two parallel zig-zag side plates interconnected by a plurality of alternately directed transverse plates to define a plurality of rectangular display chambers inclined in opposite directions. The bottommost chamber is half the size of the remaining chambers and the entire column is supported by a bore having a plurality of apertures for the reception of support devices.

Abstract: A dispenser for candy or the like comprising a bottom bowl and an upper transparent cover through which a spoon is extended for dipping into the bowl to lift a spoonful of the contents and thereafter spilling it into a dispensing chute for discharge into the hand of a recipient. A deflectible cover is rotatably secured with the bowl to a support stand by a novel interlocking arrangement wherein the rim of the deflectible cover and the deflectible bowl are snapped into notches provided in the stand to form a unitary structure so that the removal of the cover is not readily discernable to prevent persons uncovering the device and reaching into the bowl to take excessive amounts of the sweets or because of dirty hands possibly contaminating the remaining contents. Also the rotational facility of the cover allows partitioning of the bowl so that different items may be placed at opposite sides of the partition and the cover rotated to accessibly position the spoon for right or left hand manipulation.