Abstract: Devices and methods that assist in the repair of an automobile.

Abstract: Firearm sight tools for removing and installing a firearm sight are presented, the firearm sight tool including: a tool frame having a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls, the sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall; a firearm clamping assembly including, a stationary jaw, a clamping spindle, a clamping jaw, and a clamping spindle handle; a bottom spacer removably attached with the bottom wall, the bottom spacer selected to provide vertical alignment; and a sight press assembly including, a carriage, a carriage spindle, and a sight carriage where the sight carriage includes a sight blade aligned along the carriage spindle.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a gun sight disposed in a dovetail groove on a gun slide is presented. The device includes a pushing member and a pressure plate both moveable in a first direction and an opposing second direction. The device further comprises a bracing member opposing the pressure plate, where the bracing member is stationary, and a seating member disposed between the pressure plate and bracing member, where the seating member opposes the pushing member, and where the seating member is movable in a third direction and an opposing fourth direction. When the gun slide is secured between the bracing member and the pressure plate, moving the pushing member adjusts the position of the gun sight.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a gun sight disposed in a dovetail groove on a gun slide is presented. The device includes a pushing member having a protrusion and an opening formed for receiving the gun sight therethrough, where the pushing member is movable in a first direction. The device further includes a pressure plate moveable in the first direction and a tail assembly opposing the pressure plate and movable in a second direction, where the tail assembly and the pressure plate are for securing the gun slide therebetween. When the gun slide is secured between the tail assembly and the pressure plate, moving the pushing member moves the gun sight.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus for measuring paper for the scrapbooker. Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods of use of an apparatus for measuring paper for the scrapbooker.

Abstract: A course plotting device comprises substantially parallel first and second legs, substantially parallel third and fourth legs which are pivotally connected to the first and second legs so that they cooperate therewith to define a collapsible parallelogram structure, and a compass rose element mounted at the point of pivotal connection between an adjacent connected pair of the legs. The device is operable for plotting courses on a chart by aligning one of the legs with either a latitude or a longitude line on the chart and aligning one of the other legs with the desired course line. One embodiment of the device includes a vector element which is adjustably secured to one of the legs for plotting courses which have been compensated for the effects of winds and/or currents and another embodiment includes a pair of mirror elements which are operable for determining the relative bearing angles between remote objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topographical surveying instrument, comprising:a horizontal table bearing a shaft perpendicular to the plane of the table,a device adapted to rotate on the shaft and comprising:a generator of a light beam perpendicular to the axis of the shaft,a measuring tape unwindable parallel to the beam,a ruler for plotting on the table.The invention is more particularly applicable to an apparatus for surveying conspicuous points inside premises.

Abstract: Four alignment housings are mounted on a garage floor adjacent a conventional lift, so that when a vehicle has been elevated by the lift each of its four independently suspended four wheels will register with an alignment chart that is adjustably mounted on the face of each housing. A beam of light is directed through registering openings in each housing and its attached chart toward a mirror releasably mounted on each vehicle wheel. The mirrors reflect the beams back onto the associated charts, which are calibrated to provide camber, caster and toe-in readings. In one embodiment each housing contains a light source (for example a laser) which directs a beam onto a reflecting surface which is inclined at 45.degree. to the horizontal, so that it projects the beam at right angles out of the housing toward the adjacent wheel.

Abstract: A graphic vector plotting instrument, particularly suited for marine navigational computations. A cursor disk is surrounded by a concentric compass disk, and both are rotatable about their common center. The cursor disk has a pair of perpendicular cursor lines which intersect at the common center and a plurality of other parallel cursor lines. The compass disk has a 360.degree. compass rose scale thereon. A transparent plotting slide is slidable over the cursor disk and the compass disk and contains scaled markings permitting the plotting and solution of navigational vector problems thereon without the aid of other devices or surfaces or charts.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus in which two casings are connected together each housing a coiled measuring means adapted for being selectively un-coiled and withdrawn from the casing or recoiled and retracted into the casing. A sighting device is provided on one of the casings to sight a target. The sighting means includes a level for determining when the sighting device is sighting along a horizontal line and a second level is provided to indicate when the casings are also appropriately arranged relative to a vertical line perpendicular to the first said horizontal line. Triggers are provided for the two coiled measuring devices and a brake is provided for each of the measuring devices. A digital display is employed and a counting circuit is provided for indicating the amount of measuring means which is uncoiled from the two respective casings. An alarm is provided to indicate when the unwound measuring devices are off line relative to the sighting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and recording boat compass deviation which includes a novel apparatus which may be oriented with respect to either a line of sight bearing or a compass reading and includes means for recording at predetermined annular increments the difference between the boat's compass heading and the magnetic heading of the vessel.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed herein for evaluating solar exposure at various points in any one of a number of given geographic locations for any given period during the year in order to determine the most efficient location for a solar collector. This technique may be carried out utilizing a single apparatus which is also disclosed herein and which includes a solar pointing device and the necessary indicia to appropriately orient the pointing device with respect to its environment at the various points selected. Once the pointing device is oriented, it is moved in a solar pointing position in an way which determines the path of the sun between sunrise and sunset for each point. From these paths, the amount of actual solar exposure at each of the points selected can be determined taking into account any resulting obstructions such as trees, rooflines or the like.

Abstract: An object such as a football lying on a playing field is optically sighted through a measuring plane from a remote location. An adjustable framing assembly outlines the field as viewed in the measuring plane and mounts scale means to enable rapid measurement of the object location on the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the distance on the earth between (a) a point below an observation point at a known height, and (b) the base of an object of a known height. The apparatus includes a stadimeter having two pivots spaced from one another and two levers mounted for pivotal rotation with a mirror on each lever which face one another and are in parallel. An object height adjustment assembly is included which has a carriage with guide means and a member for movement perpendicular to the centerline of the guide and which member bears against the lever arm which tilts the lever arms upon movement of the member, the lever arms being biased into a normal position. Reference markings and a reader indicia are included.

Abstract: A device for taking and plotting magnetic bearings which includes an elongated straight edge device having numerical graduated indicia along one edge thereof, and a housing receiving said straight edge. A magnetic compass is mounted on the straight edge, and the housing includes folding portions adapted to enclose and protect the magnetic compass. A pair of sight pins are removably attachable to the compass and straight edge to provide a line of sight extending through the pivot point of the magnetized needle of the compass.

Abstract: A portable navigational instrument has edge portions which are adjusted so that the instrument's orientation with respect to a vessel can be maintained constant in different positions within the vessel's wheelhouse. Bearings of objects are determined by a sighting arrangement which co-operates with a scale which is set in accordance with the vessel's steering compass bearing, corrected for deviation, whereby the need for a compass on the instrument is avoided. The sighting arrangement can comprise a single visible sight, and/or three such sights enabling horizontal angles between objects to be determined from a further scale, and/or a radio direction finding aerial.

Abstract: A device for enabling an artist to achieve correct proportions when drawing to a different scale than that of the object being reproduced. The device employs a flat transparent elongated plate having two parallel sides of unequal length, one straight and interconnecting these sides and being perpendicular to both sides, the opposite end being curved and interconnecting the two sides while being perpendicular to neither side. An elongated rectangular flat transparent arm lies in a plane parallel to the plate and adjacent to the plate and adjacent one major surface of the plate, one end of the arm being pivotally secured to the plate adjacent the straight end and longer side, the other end of the arm extending past the curved end of the plate. The curved end defines the arc of a circle centered at the point of pivot of the arm. Clamping means on the other end of the plate can be manually operated to clamp the arm to the curved edge of the plate in any desired position thereacross.