Abstract: A roller lock device has a shaft and a housing configured over the shaft for selective relative movement thereto. A plurality of rollers is configured between the housing and the shaft, at least some of which are substantially conically shaped. A cage is configured between the housing and the shaft and adjacent the rollers such that the rollers are at least partially constrained from movement by the cage. A control is configured to move the rollers axially thereby engaging and disengaging the roller lock. The housing has ramps configured to receive the rollers, the ramps having a curved contour.

Abstract: A needle tube lock for a tattoo machine. The lock has a clamp arm which receives a threaded fastener and a needle tube arm which has a bore which receives the needle tab. The arms are integrally formed from stainless steel or other suitable sterilizable material. The lock is positioned about the needle tube and may be rotated relative to the needle tube retainer to a selected position and secured by tightening the fastener against the retainer. In this way, the tattoo machine is usable even if the retainer is broken or damaged.

Abstract: A yoke of a universal joint is substantially U-shaped and includes a base portion and first and second arm portions. A method of producing the yoke includes the sequential steps of: (a) shearing a metal plate which is rectangular in shape and has certain uniform width and thickness so as to form a blank which is rectangular in shape and consists of a middle portion and first and second end portions; (b) squeezing the middle portion of the blank by cold forging so that the middle portion is expanded to have first and second peripheral bulge portions which are opposed to each other and that the expanded middle portion becoming substantially oval in shape and thinner than the first and second end portions in thickness; and (c) pressing the blank with a press machine to produce the yoke so that the expanded middle portion and the first and second end portions of the blank are turned into the base portion and the first and second arm portions of the yoke, respectively.

Abstract: A handle assembly is to be mounted detachably on one end of a bicycle handlebar and includes a resilient sleeve member that is sleeved on the bicycle handlebar, an integrally formed handle unit that is made of a composite plastic material, and a bolt unit. The integrally formed handle unit has a clamping portion and a handle portion that extends upwardly from the clamping portion. The handle portion has a generally vertical section that extends from the clamping portion, and a generally horizontal section that extends from a distal end of the vertical section. The vertical section of the handle portion is formed with at least one longitudinally extending reinforcing strip that is connected to the clamping portion. The clamping portion has a generally C-shaped section that confines a through-hole and that is sleeved on the first resilient sleeve member.

Abstract: An upper steering assembly for a bicycle includes a head tube, a steerer tube passing through the head tube, a bearing assembly mounted on a top of the head tube and around the steerer tube, a rotational socket having a threaded inner periphery and including an upper clamping portion and a lower skirt portion which has an annular groove in an underside thereof for retaining the bearing assembly, and a compression socket mounted around the steerer tube and having a longitudinal slit and including an upper clamping section and a lower tubular section which is in threading connection with the inner periphery of the rotational socket allowing an adjustment of vertical position of the rotational socket relative to the compression socket.

Abstract: A portable water-filled device for supporting a basketball system including a base configured to hold a ballast material for supporting the basketball system in a substantially rigid position during us of the system to play the game of basketball. A pole is pivotally mounted to the base such that the pole may move between a generally vertical position and a tilted position with the base configured with a beveled hole for restraining the pole from pivotal movement substantially beyond the tilted position. A contractible sleeve is utilized to pivotally attach support arms to the pole. The sleeve includes an adjustment wheel for securing the sleeve to the pole and a bubble level for vertically positioning the pole. The base is configured with an orifice through which water may be inserted into the base. A plug for closing the orifice includes an anchor for loosely connecting the plug to the base when the plug is disengaged from the orifice.

Abstract: A coupling for interfacing hand controls to a handlebar which provides for adjustment about multiple axes of rotation. A positioning collar having an inner cylindrical bore and outer spherical surface is mounted upon the handlebar of a bicycle, motorcycle or other like vehicle. A hand control for the vehicle such as a bar end, brake lever, throttle control, shift lever or clutch lever is provided with a receiving sleeve having an inner surface which is adapted to slidably engage the outer surface of the collar. The force imposed upon the collar by the sleeve may be reduced to allow adjustment of the hand control or increased to fix the hand control in the selected position. When being adjusted, the hand control may be repositioned along the longitudinal axis of the handlebar, rotated about the axis of the handlebar and rotated about an axes which are angularly deflected to the longitudinal axis of the handlebar.

Abstract: An adjustable tool holder for carrying a tool, such as a paint brush, on a handle, such as an extension handle. The invention broadly includes a yoke assembly for mounting the holder on the handle and a carrier assembly for carrying the tool. The yoke assembly has a generally U-shaped configuration, with yoke arms extending upward from a handle mount. The carrier assembly includes a link assembly for mounting the carrier assembly on the yoke for angular movement in discrete preselected steps about an axis passing through the yoke, operable by imposing a moment force on the link assembly. Link arms extend between and in sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, with axle plugs joining adjacent yoke and link arms for rotational movement. A series of detent recesses and projections, respectively formed in adjacent yoke and link arms, permits rotational movement in a series of discrete steps of selected angular distance, without requiring the loosening of any screws or wing nuts.