Abstract: A wiper arm for a pivotably connected wiper blade has a fastening part (10) for fastening to a drive shaft (12), by inserting the drive shaft through a widening indentation (38) of the fastening part (10), and a screw nut (44 tenses the fastening part (10) against a bearing face (30) to the drive shaft (12) via a clamping part (40, 50) that is adapted to the indentation (38), and also the contact face (66) between the clamping part (40, 50) and the fastening part (10) forms a part of the surface of a sphere, and the bearing face (30) forms a part of a jacket face of a cylinder, whose cylinder axis (32) extends through the center point (36) of the sphere and parallel to the longitudinal direction (34) of the wiper blade.

Abstract: In an angularly adjustable, releasably lockable ball joint, the ball has a surface covered with polygonal patterns of spaced apart protuberances, the protuberances defining concavities. An actuator tip is provided to penetrate at least one concavity and simultaneously contact the protuberances in the pattern to lock the ball and actuator together, thereby fixing the orientation of shanks attached to the ball and actuator.

Abstract: A bending and direction-changing structure for a big umbrella comprising an upper sleeve, a lower sleeve and a bending mechanism, the bending mechanism is tightly combined with the upper and the lower sleeves; the bending mechanism is provided with an upper and a lower fixing seat, a plurality of elastic members are provided between the upper and lower fixing seats in cooperating with a locking member to make the upper and lower fixing seats inseparable but rotatable for angular change. The upper and lower fixing seats are provided respectively with bevel surface therebetween to get changing of bending of the shaft of the umbrella. Such structure suits various big umbrellas; the umbrella can thereby have bending angle of its shaft changed for sun shading.

Abstract: A transmission chain includes a plurality of unitary chain links, each of which has parallel first and second side plates, first and second connecting pins, first and second pivot pins, and first and second pivot seats. The first and second pivot pins of one of the chain links are connected pivotally, removably and respectively to the first and second pivot seats of an adjacent one of the chain links, so as to enable the transmission chain to possess the characteristics of an adjustable chain length.

Abstract: For a truss, a hinge assembly for connecting truss members that form the truss. The hinge assembly may include a first hinge plate having a first boss formed thereon and a second hinge plate having a second boss formed thereon. The second boss defines an opening for pivotal receipt of the first boss. The hinge assembly also includes a retainer for maintaining the pivotal receipt of the first boss in the second boss. When the first hinge plate is attached to a first portion of a truss and the second hinge plate is attached to a second portion of a truss, the first and second truss portion can be pivoted relative to each other to enable portions of the truss to be collapsed for transporting purposes.

Abstract: A stowable support system having an arm and an attachment member pivotal through a plurality of angular positions relative to the arm. The arm includes a follower assembly with a surface portion of a first contour, with the attachment member including a surface portion of a second contour that is cooperative to the first contour. A rest position is defined by at least one of the plurality of angular positions, in which the surface portions of the follower assembly and attachment member are in mating contact. The follower assembly and attachment member are biased toward engagement with each other, with at least one of the attachment member and the follower assembly being configured to be resiliently deformed when the attachment member is pivoted out of the rest position.

Abstract: A hook assembly for a vacuum cleaner handle which has a base member formed in the handle with a continuously internally walled extension defining an opening into which a continuously externally walled extension of a hook member can be inserted so that portions of the externally walled extension engage portions of the internally walled extension so that loads applied to the hook are transmitted to the handle through those surfaces. A spring normally biases the surfaces together, but can be manually overcome to rotate the hook for easy removal of the cord. A double hook arrangement is also provided to support a vacuum hose and an electrical cord with similar interengaging surfaces to transmit the load.

Abstract: The locking joint mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,767 is improved by including elements that prevent roll of one joint member relative to another joint member. The roll preventing elements include at least one actuator head or pin spaced from another actuator head or pin and which is received in a concavity defined between adjacent protuberances. Various protuberance patterns and overall operating mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand truck with a folding nose piece that uses an efficient mechanism to secure the nose piece in either one of a first position, ideal for the transportation of items, and a second position, ideal for storage of the hand truck. The hand truck includes a frame having a pair of wheels over which the center of gravity of items is aligned during transport. A nose piece is rotatably attached to the frame and is rotatable between a first position, generally perpendicularly extended from the frame, and a second position, generally parallel to the frame. A lever pivotally connected to the frame moves between a locked position and an open position. The lever engages and maintains the nose piece in the first position when the lever is in the locked position. The lever also engages and maintains the nose piece in the second position when the lever is in the locked position. The nose piece is movable between the first position and the second position when the lever is in the open position.

Abstract: A base plate is secured to any existing snowboard with screws or bolts through holes in the base plate mating with the standard holes in the snowboard. A rotatable plate has a wide groove to receive a standard existing boot binding and the two have circular openings which fit rotatably over a protruding circular guide post on the base plate. A cap plate with mating holes and a protruding bottom circular plate extends through the boot binding and rotatable plate openings to contact the guide post on the base plate with the screws or bolts passing through all the mating holes to the snowboard. An elevated rim around the cap plate fits within a circular groove of the boot binding to allow the boot binding and rotatable plate to rotate relative to the cap plate. A low-friction ring has bottom teeth to fit within the teeth of the boot binding and a top low-friction top surface to contact the cap plate.

Abstract: An arrangement for receiving and setting a wheel axle for a drive wheel of a wheelchair, with an adapter (1) for adjusting the wheel camber, characterized in that the adapter (1) has a receiving bore (2) for the wheel axle, extends longitudinally approximately in the direction of this bore (2) and, to set the camber, can be attached removably to the wheelchair frame (9) in the desired position and is able to slide crosswise to the wheelchair frame (9) on a path running in a segmental arch.

Abstract: An electronic device (10) has a foldable housing (11) including a base unit (12) and a cover unit (14). The cover unit is rotatably joined to the base unit by a hinge mechanism. Within cover unit is a frictional hinge mechanism including a cam member (30), a cam follower (32) and an o-ring (34). The cam member has an attachment post (38) connected to an attachment gear on base unit such that the cam member is fixed to the base unit. The cover unit rotates against noticeable friction produced by o-ring rubbing between cover unit and cam member while cover unit is at angles of rotation larger than a pre-set angle, and cover unit rotates against minimal friction at angles of rotation smaller than the pre-set angle. The friction allows cover unit to maintain a multiplicity of positions with respect to base unit within a preselected range of angles larger than pre-set angle.

Abstract: In an angularly adjustable, releasably lockable ball joint, the ball has a surface covered with polygonal patterns of spaced apart protuberances, the protuberances define concavities. An actuator tip is provided to penetrate at least one concavity and simultaneously contact the protuberances if the pattern to lock the ball and actuator together, thereby fixing the orientation of shanks attached to the ball and actuator.

Abstract: A hook assembly for a vacuum cleaner handle which has a base member formed in the handle with a continuously internally walled extension defining an opening into which a continuously externally walled extension of a hook member can be inserted so that portions of the externally walled extension engage portions of the internally walled extension so that loads applied to the hook are transmitted to the handle through those surfaces. A spring normally biases the surfaces together, but can be manually overcome to rotate the hook for easy removal of the cord. A double hook arrangement is also provided to support a vacuum hose and an electrical cord with similar interengaging surfaces to transmit the load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engagemnent devices and coupling members for forming a structural frame work for hollow tubes. One form of engagement device comprises a hollow sleeve (1) through which a tube (31) may be passed. The hollow sleeve has a deformable flared portion (2). A further hollow sleeve member (12) is immovable on the outside of the first sleeve and has a surface (13) arranged to co-operate the flared portion to cause it to deform to grip the tube (31). A further engagement device comprises a hollow sleeve portion (100) which is distendable to grip a tube mounted on its surface. A trustoconical wedge (101) is movable within the hollow sleeve potion (100) to cause to distend. A number of engagement devices may be connected together to form coupling members for connecting tubes to form a structural frame work.

Abstract: A lockable hub device having a base that accommodates about a central axis a ganged pair of lockable attachment rings, a corresponding pair of locking and release elements, and a top cap, the entire assembly being secured by means of an assembly element that engages both the base and the top cap. The articulating members to be adjusted, e.g., the legs of a table or other foldable device, are attached to one of the lockable attachment rings. For simplicity of use, it is intended that each of the locking and release elements be constructed to extend partly through lumens defined by the top cap such that they may lockably engage the cap while retaining their partial extension therethrough, and such that release of each element may be achieved in a similar fashion as the locking operation.

Abstract: A rotatable plate has a wide groove to receive a boot binding and the two fit rotatably over a protruding circular guide post on a base plate secured to a snowboard. A cap plate extends through binding and rotatable plate openings to contact the guide post with screws or bolts passing through mating holes to the snowboard. An elevated rim around the cap plate fits within a circular groove of the boot binding to allow the binding and rotatable plate to rotate relative to the cap plate. A square locking shaft with a T-shaped handle fits within a slidable sleeve having four binding tabs mating with the sides of the locking shaft. Screwing the sleeve into a lock base with tapered walls binds the binding tabs against the lock shaft to secure the locking shaft. The locking shaft may be locked with the shaft inserted in any of the lock holes in a lock ring around the perimeter of the base plate to secure the boot binding at a desired angle to the snowboard.

Abstract: The invention is an improved ratchet wrench with a handle pivotally attached to a rotating head which can be locked into a position either axially aligned with the handle or laterally angled to one side of the handle. A locking mechanism includes a spring-biased, J-shaped structure, having an actuating shaft which passes through the handle and a locking pin which selectively engages one of a plurality of holes defined in a neck of the rotating head. The locking mechanism has a button on the actuating shaft to sandwich the spring against the handle and permit manual depression in order to move the locking pin from a locked to the unlocked position, the locking pin being biased by the spring towards the neck in a locked position. Angling the handle to one side allows the wrench to be used to loosen or tighten bolts where there is insufficient space to use a conventional straight wrench.

Abstract: A fitting for mounting a winch includes an axially sliding ring between an internally splined bearing and a splined shaft. Utilizing internal splines, the ring is constantly engaged with the external splines of the shaft. Axial sliding of the ring, facilitated by a pivoting grip, permits coupling and uncoupling of the interrupted internal splines of the bearing and the interrupted external splines of the ring. This coupling and uncoupling makes it possible to lock and unlock the shaft with respect to rotation.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a tension pole or other structure is provided. The bracket is provided with a spine which is fittable into a channel of a tension pole, scaffolding, or other primary support. The spine is preferably a parallelogram or a half-dovetail in section. A rotatable locking flange is provided in a break in the spine. When the locking flange is in the unlocked position, it is coaxial with the spine. When the locking flange is rotated into the locked position, the axis of the flange is orthogonal to the axis of the spine, and at least one of the ends of the flange juts out beyond the profile of the spine and behind the angled walls of the channel of the primary support. A handle is provided to facilitate rotation of the locking flange from an unlocked position to a locked position and back.

Abstract: A tilt hinge designed small in size and capable of gaining a great torque, comprising a bracket to be mounted on an apparatus body side, a rotating shaft so constituted as to be mounted on an opening-closing body which is rotatably mounted on a bearing section of the bracket, a first friction plate interposed to rotate together with the rotating shaft while being inserted into the center section between the large-diameter portion of the rotating shaft and one side of the bearing section, a second friction plate mounted on the other side of the bearing section with the rotating shaft being inserted into the center section, a nut mounted to press the spring washer on one end of the rotating shaft toward the bearing section side, a retaining washer interposed between the nut and the second friction plate with the rotating shaft being inserted into the center section, and a spring washer interposed between the retaining washer and the friction plate with the rotating shaft being inserted into the center section.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting and locking tubular elements in preselected angular relationships. The connector assembly includes a pair of clevis having tube engaging elements at one end and three clevis rings at the other. The clevis rings of each clevis are interengaged and define a bore. The bore has a plurality of grooves therein. Locking elements, including a locking pin and a locking plug are inserted in the bore. The locking pin and locking plug each have a pair of opposed raised ribs and a pair of opposed resilient locking arms that engage the grooves in the bore. Detents on the ends of the resilient arms engage a space between the interengaged clevis rings to secure the locking elements in place. The tubular elements can be interconnected in a system of frames to suspend function and decorative panels.

Abstract: An improved table attachment for lawn chairs and the like comprising a gripping foot having a pair of semi-cylindrical members which are frictionally engageable to clamp about a leg of a chair on which the table attachment is to be mounted, one of the semi-cylindrical members having an externally-threaded neck portion projecting outward and upward therefrom, a tubular angle member having an internally-threaded end mateable with the neck portion and having a the opposite end castellated, a generally fan-shaped table platform having an opening formed adjacent the narrow end thereof for receiving a drinking glass and having a shaft projecting downwardly from the table platform adjacent the narrow end formed with a castellated interior mateable with the opposite end of the angle member.

Abstract: A lawn mower with a frame, a motor, a handle pivotably connected to the frame, a handle adjustment bracket and a fastener assembly. The bracket has a first end pivotably connected to the frame and a second end adjustably connected to the handle by the fastener assembly. The bracket has a slot and recessed seats along the slot.

Abstract: A holder for various different objects is described, which holder cooperates with a gripping device of the vise-grip type in which the position at which a pair of jaws lock relative to one another is adjustable. The holder includes a simple orientation change mechanism configured to enable a user to change the orientation of a special connector designed to hold differing objects. The connector includes a pair of jaws having concave facing gripping surfaces. A resistance varying structure is included to enable the user to vary the resistance to orientation change that might be expected from the different weight of objects. Thus, the holder is quite versatile with respect to the type of object that can be held by the same, which versatility is added to the versatility of the vise-grip type pliers with which it is designed to be used.

Abstract: An elbow joint assembly including two elbow joints mounted on two opposite ends of a shaft around a screw rod, each elbow joint including a fixed elbow having a barrel raised from the periphery and fixed to a locating rod of a mechanism, two movable elbows turned about the shaft and having a respective barrel raised from the periphery and holding a respective rod, two constraint blocks mounted on the shaft and forced to hold down the movable elbows and the fixed elbow in between the movable elbows, two spring elements mounted around the shaft between the movable elbows and the constraint blocks to force them apart; and two levers respectively pivoted to the shaft and turned between a first position in which the constraint blocks are forced into engagement with the movable elbows, causing the movable elbows and the fixed elbow to be firmly retained in position, and a second position in which the constraint blocks are released from the movable elbows, for permitting the movable elbows to be respectively turned

Abstract: A unique coupling apparatus of the present invention comprises a substantially hollow cylinder functioning as a coupling member (106) preferably having gaps (126, 141) extending in the axial direction from the ends, leaving attachment members in the center. One end of the cylinder contains an undercut feature in the shape of an annular ring or flange (128) on the interior surface of the cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder contains an undercut feature in the shape of an annular ring or flange (142) on the exterior surface of the cylinder. The gaps in the center of the cylinder allow the half portions of the cylinder to flex about the attachment members toward or away from one another at each end respectively. The novel coupling apparatus finds particular application in retaining a pivoting wall mount/desk mount conversion bracket (100) in either of two positions of a base (200) such as a cordless telephone base station.

Abstract: A portable, foldable bed rail adapted for use with an associated bed having a mattress thereon includes a rail member having first and second substantially identical, mirror image end rail portions and a central rail portion. The end rail portions are hingedly mounted to the central rail portion by respective rail hinge members having parallel axes of rotation. The end rail portions are foldable toward one another adjacent to the central rail portion for storage. The end rails each include a support member having a support leg. The support members are independently hingedly mounted to a respective one of the end rail portions by support hinges. The support hinges have parallel axes of rotation and are rotatable in a direction transverse to the rail hinge members. Each of the support hinge members is independently movable toward and away from its respective end rail portion.

Abstract: A friction adjustable positioning pivot includes a first shaft including a tapering threaded rod which defines a hollow space therein and a slot along a periphery thereof. An urging tube includes an inner threaded periphery for rotatably threading onto the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft and an inner smooth tapering periphery adjacent to the inner threaded periphery for limiting the tapering threaded rod to thread into the urging tube at a constant direction. A second shaft includes a rod portion which is received in the hollow space of the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft and is in contact with an inner periphery of the tapering threaded rod.

Abstract: A pivot joint including a mounting frame, a pivot bolt inserted through a hole on the mounting frame, and a lock nut screwed up with the pivot bolt to hold the mounting frame and the pivot bolt together, permitting the pivot bolt to be turned about its longitudinal center axis, wherein the pivot bolt has a collar stopped against the mounting frame at one side opposite to the lock nut; two washers are mounted around the pivot bolt and retained between the mounting frame and the lock nut; a plurality of corrugated plate springs are mounted around the pivot bolt and retained between the washers.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting and locking tubular elements in preselected angular relationships. The connector assembly includes a pair of clevis having tube engaging elements at one end and three clevis rings at the other. The clevis rings of each clevis are interengaged and define a bore. The bore has a plurality of grooves therein. Locking elements, including a locking pin and a locking plug are inserted in the bore. The locking pin and locking plug each have a pair of opposed raised ribs and a pair of opposed resilient locking arms that engage the grooves in the bore. Detents on the ends of the resilient arms engage a space between the interengaged clevis rings to secure the locking elements in place. The tubular elements can be interconnected in a system of frames to suspend function and decorative panels.

Abstract: A detent mechanism that acts between two components that rotate with respect to one another to control rotation from a first set position to at least a second set position. The detent mechanism (10) comprises at least one rotating cam (23) positioned between adjacent surfaces of two components (11 and 16). The cam (23) is spaced from the axis of rotation of the two components (11 and 16). The cam (23) is journalled for rotation on one of the components (11) about an axis that is substantially transverse to the axis of rotation between the two components (11 and 16). The operating surface (25) of the cam (23) comprises at least one cam lobe that is caused to rotate as the two components (11 and 16) rotate. The cam (23) acts to separate the two components (11 and 16). Spring (17) acts to urge the adjacent surfaces together so that a predetermined torque is required to cause relative rotation between the components (11 and 16).

Abstract: A collapsible, stackable cargo unit for carrying one or more vehicles has a wingable ramp by which vehicles roll on or off the unit. The ramp swings to a fixed upright position during vehicle shipment. After the vehicles are unloaded, the ramp swings down and inwardly relative to the unit so that the ramp lies flat upon a lower frame of the unit. The connection between the ramp and the lower frame includes a terminus fixed to the lower frame. The terminus has opposed upright walls defining slots, the slots having major diameters normal to the lower frame. The connection also has a floating block whose pins rotatably and slidably fit in the slots of the terminus. The connection also has an ear fixed to a post forming one side of the ramp. The ear has a slot aligned with the longitudinal axis of the post. The ear faces on the floating block, and a stud on the floating block fits in this slot. The stud and slot let the post rotate and slide on the floating block.

Abstract: In an angularly adjustable, releasably lockable ball joint, the ball has a surface covered with regular polygonal patterns of spaced-apart protrusions. The protrusions each define a concavity. An actuator tip is provided to penetrate the concavity and simultaneously contact all of the protuberances of the pattern to lock the ball and actuator together, thereby fixing the orientation of shanks attached to the ball and actuator.

Abstract: An internal, self-supporting, tent suppot framework. The collapsible framework includes a number of side and ridge support poles which mount to radially adjustable pole couplers. The couplers retain the support poles at preferred angular orientations in multiple wall planes as a support skeleton for an overlying fabric cover. Each coupler includes a pair of cast sleeves wherein a body piece includes a longitudinal bore, a projecting wing arm and a pair of hinge arms having transverse bores. A horizontal pole couples the hinge arms together in one plane, as a pair of other poles are supported to the longitudinal bores in a second plane at a splay angle established by the wing arms. The wing arms overlap and are retained with a fastener fitted between the arms.

Abstract: A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end, and an offset C-shaped socket at the other end defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. Spaced-apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and along the outside surface of the tongue. When the tongue of one link is placed into the socket of another link, the teeth intermesh wherein the teeth in the tongue fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the socket, and the teeth in the socket fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the tongue. The tongue and socket pivot in discrete positions, while lateral movement is prevented by the engagement of a ring on the tongue that mates with a slot on the socket.

Abstract: A support for a paint coating pad and handle. The support has a base plate for attaching to the paint coating pad. The base plate has a plurality of snap-lock support arms for receiving a shaft of the handle. A latch block having a plurality of locking grooves receives an offset section of the handle permitting the support to be attached to the handle at different working angles.

Abstract: A tube is combined with a biased drift pin arrangement, which combination is useful for locking functions in coupling and decoupling separate tubes, or in locking-hinged dustpans, and so on. The tube has a wall formed with a pair of holes. The drift pin is formed on a leaf spring that has a base portion and a cantilever portion joined to the base portion for relative flexion therebetween. It is the cantilever portion that is formed with the drift pin, as well as a spaced push pin. The leaf spring inserts in the tube such that the drift and push pins are aligned to extend and retract through respective ones of the pair of holes. To wedge the leaf spring in place, a separate cartridge is sized and shaped to permit sliding insertion in to where respective abutment surfaces of the leaf spring and cartridge, respectively, mate each other.

Abstract: A hotstick component has a fastening subassembly for securing the component to another component or a hotstick and allowing reorientation of the component with respect to the hotstick while it is still attached. The component has a fastening end with a through hole. A fastening subassembly includes a screw member and a spring member. The screw member is received through the through hole and secures the other component to the hot stick component. The spring member is received along the screw member and maintains the component in an engaged position. The component is reoriented by moving it against the spring member into a disengaged position, readjusting the component's position, then allowing the spring member to push the component into an engaged position.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for connecting one end of a rail member to a base member includes a ball mounted on the end of the rail member. A socket and a radial slot in the base member permit pivoting of the rail section relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The socket also permits rotation of the ball in the socket to permit rotation of the rail member about its longitudinal axis relative to the base member between a locked orientation and a unlocked orientation. When the rail section is in the locked orientation it cannot pivot relative to the base member and when the rail section is in the unlocked position it is free to pivot relative to the base member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved axially pivotable dolly crank handle for adjusting a conventional dolly stand post on a conventional tractor trailer, particularly when the tractor trailer is parked in very close proximity to another tractor trailer or other obstruction which restricts rotational movement of a conventional dolly crank handle. The present invention has spring-tensioned cooperating male and female members which interlock together in a plurality of orientations about an axial core. Aligning and engaging the male member with the female member locks the present invention in one of the plurality of orientations, and the spring retains the present invention in this locked position. The present invention is then used to rotate the conventional dolly stand post on the conventional tractor tailor in a manner well-known in the art.

Abstract: An adjustable coupling including an axle, a fixed toggle mounted around the axle to hold a first frame rod, two movable toggles turned about the axle to hold a second frame rod and a third frame rod respectively, two locating plates mounted around the axle and prohibited from rotary motion relative to the axle and coupled with the movable toggles through a respective toothed joint, two cam holders fixed to the axle at two opposite ends, and two mushroom cam mounted around the axle and engaged with the cam holders, when the mushroom cams are fully received into the cam holders, the movable toggles can be disengaged from the locating plates and turned relative to the axle to adjust the angular positions of the second and third frame rods relative to the axle.

Abstract: A plastic bag holder for bags with integral loop handles. The holder has planar U-shaped arms including a pair of opposing legs mounted on one side of a bite and with a U-shaped lug formed on the opposite side of the bite. Male and female mating members pivotally hold one leg of each planar U-shaped arm and mount the arms on a planar mounting panel. The male and female mating members hold the legs spaced apart from each other and in at least one fixed angular position with respect to the mounting panel.

Abstract: A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end and a C-shaped socket at the other end for use in an articulating coupling system. The socket is defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. The inside radius of the socket is substantially the same as the outside radius of the tongue, so that the tongue can be inserted into the socket of another link. The socket includes a narrow centrally positioned slot along its circumference, and the tongue includes a narrow centrally positioned ring extending outward along its circumference which is received by the slot when the tongue is inserted into the socket. A plurality of spaced apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and extend between the faces of the device in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the plane of the faces. Similar teeth are located along the outside surface of the tongue.

Abstract: A friction adjustable positioning pivot includes a first shaft including a tapering threaded rod which defines a hollow space therein and a slot along a periphery thereof. An urging tube is taperingly threaded therein for rotatably threading onto the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft. A spring received in the hollow space of the first shaft includes an outer periphery substantially in contact with an inner periphery of the hollow space of first shaft and an inner periphery. A second shaft includes a rod portion received in the spring and in contact with the inner periphery of the spring.

Abstract: A sunshade assembly in which the sunshade covering or umbrella can easily be adjusted to any one of a plurality of angular positions all around a vertical stand which is offset and affixed either to the ground or to a supporting structure. The vertical stand includes an upper part and a lower part that extend upwardly and coaxially one above the other. A first ring is rigidly connected to and radially projects from the bottom end of the upper part. A second ring is rigidly connected to and radially projects from the top end of the lower part. Both of these rings are provided with a plurality of vertical perforations. A locking pin is insertable simultaneously into a selected perforation of the first ring and another selected peroration of the second ring to lock these two rings in the selected angular position.

Abstract: A bicycle handlebar assembly includes a stem unit and a handlebar unit. The stem unit includes an upright tube which has a top end that is formed with a forwardly extending elongated prop. The prop has a distal front end which is formed with a horizontally disposed tubular connector. The tubular connector has an axis which is transverse to the prop. The handlebar unit includes a handlebar which extends through the tubular connector and which is retained rotatably thereat. The handlebar includes an intermediate tube portion and two end tube portions mounted on two ends of the intermediate tube portion. The intermediate tube portion has an outer wall surface formed with a plurality of angularly spaced engaging grooves that are accessed via a radial hole in the tubular connector. Each of the end tube portions has an auxiliary handle mounted thereon.

Abstract: A hand-held compact diagnostic device is provided with a pair of instrument heads each requiring an independent source of illumination. The instrument heads may be rotated into a fully extended position and once therein, may be smoothly turned through 360 degrees in consecutive ninety degree intervals to accommodate any preferred orientation desired by the user. Each instrument head is biased in the fully extended position and a rotated closed position. Each instrument head is also adjustably biased to an aligned position for proper closure by the interaction of an adjustment collar with a pair of ball detents. The adjustment collar further biases each head in three additional positions at ninety degree intervals for use when fully extended. A pair of central terminals maintain continuous contact between each rotatable head of the device while a pair of radial terminals are in electrical contact only when the instrument head is in a fully extended position.

Abstract: An auxiliary handlebar assembly is provided. The auxiliary handlebar assembly includes an auxiliary handlebar having an open end and a coupler secured in the open end. The coupler includes a sleeve for engagement with a handlebar stem disposed on one end and a wedge shaped portion formed on the opposing end and engaged in the open end of the auxiliary handlebar. A bolt is engaged through the sleeve and the wedge shaped portion for engagement with a wedge member, such that the wedge member is caused to move radially outward for engagement with the auxiliary handlebar. In this manner, the auxiliary handlebar can be easily fixed to a handlebar stem by the coupler and a bent section of the auxiliary handlebar can be rotatably adjusted relative to a longitudinal axis of the coupler.

Abstract: A space suit sizing device using a ball nut and screw drive mechanism to shorten and lengthen components of a space suit. The device includes a rotatable member having an outer race formed on an inner surface thereof, and a translatable member having an inner race formed on an outer surface thereof. A plurality of recirculating balls are located in a space defined by the inner and outer races. As the rotatable member is rotated by hand, the translatable member is caused to move in and out of the rotatable member. Since one component of the space suit is connected to the translatable member, the length of this component varies in accordance with the position of the translatable member.