Abstract: A handle for a manually movable vehicle or other article, such as a stroller, is infinitely adjustable to enable the person or persons imparting motion to the vehicle to achieve the greatest leverage and/or comfort. A height-adjustment assembly is disposed between and interconnects each extension rod and handlebar of the handle. The height-adjustment assembly includes a plurality of clutch plates and a locking lever having a cam end. The locking lever is manually moved between a locked position in which the lever cam end causes abutment of and friction between the clutch plates thereby preventing relative movement of the plates and securing the handlebar at a selected height, and an unlocked position in which the lever cam end reduces friction between the clutch plates so that the plates are movable relative to one another to enable pivotal movement and height adjustment of the handlebar.

Abstract: A quick-release mechanism includes a screw shaft rotatably extending through a first member, a central hole of a gear and a second member, the first member having a slot defined therein so that a plate is movably received therein which has a notch portion defined in a front end thereof so as to engage with the screw shaft and a first protrusion extending upwardly from a rear end thereof. The screw shaft has a groove longitudinally defined in an outer periphery thereof and the gear has a second protrusion extending inwardly and radially-from a periphery defining the central hole so that the second protrusion is received in the groove. A bolt is threadedly inserted into the first member and contacts the rear end of the plate which has a spring mounted thereto so as to bias the plate toward the bolt. A pinion driven by a motor is engaged with the gear so as to drive the gear and the screw shaft. The screw shaft is allowed to be pulled directly when the plate is disengaged from the screw shaft.

Abstract: A quick-locking pin including a longitudinal rod, a first tightening stop at one end of the rod and a second tightening stop at the second end of the rod. The second tightening stop includes a second tightening ring, a lever mounted and journalled at the second end of the rod beyond the second tightening ring, the lever having a tightening cam off-centered with respect to its axis of rotation. The axle of the lever is borne by a cap located at the end of the rod between two arms. A transversely movable beam located between the arms of the cap is situated between the periphery of the cam and the external surface of the second tightening ring.

Abstract: A rapid releasable coupling for the tang of a work tool to a percussion apparatus. A tip of cylindrical shape extends the body of a percussion apparatus towards the front. Three longitudinal grooves are spaced an equal angle apart in the tip. A roller can move in each groove. Each roller has a pin with ends adapted to roll or slide on the edge of the groove. A ring threaded onto the tip and moveable longitudinally is returned rearward and against the rollers by a spring. The ring has section in the shape of a circular arc that partially surrounds the rollers. Displacement of the ring toward the front is by another ring which surrounds the assembly and which has an annular projection on its inner wall for holding the spring. A screw connection between the up and the other ring so that the other ring is moved longitudinally by being rotated.

Abstract: A corner finisher spreads mastic on a joint formed at an inside corner of drywall. The drywall corner finisher is conventionally used with a plurality of alternative tools for supplying a plurality of coats of mastic in different thicknesses. Therefore, a quick disconnect coupler is provided to rapidly change the tools and yet to hold them so securely that there is almost no chance for an unwanted disconnect between the drywall corner finisher and one of the alternative tools for supplying mastic. The invention provides such a coupler in the form of a ball and socket behind a sliding locking plate having a key hole slot in it for receiving a ball on a mastic delivery device.

Abstract: In a quick disconnect between a driving shaft and a driven shaft, in which a first annular bracket is mounted on an end of the driving shaft and a second annular bracket is mounted on an end of the driven shaft facing the first bracket but spaced substantially from the first bracket, each of the brackets having radially inwardly, axially extending splines, and a spool having annular flanges at each axial end extending radially outwardly and having radially outwardly extending splines complementary to the inwardly extending bracket splines, the spool having an annular channel defined by spaced radially outwardly extending annular walls, a yolk is provided having two substantially diametrically opposite, radially outwardly extending arms and a roller-carrying section connected to the arms, the roller-carrying section extending around the channel and extending radially between the channel walls and carrying two, diametrically opposed rollers within the channel the rollers projecting axially beyond sides of the r

Abstract: A rapid coupling for a supported, driven shaft is disclosed. The coupling includes a coupling sleeve which is axially slidable over a drive shaft but keyed to the drive shaft to ensure that the coupling sleeve rotates with the shaft. The coupling sleeve has a driven end which includes slots for engaging driven pins affixed to a driven shaft. The coupling sleeve slides over and supports the driven shaft in a coupled position. The coupling sleeve is held in the coupled position by a quick release pin received in a bore through the drive shaft. The advantage is a simple coupling that is easily manufactured, the coupling being serviceable in a very restricted space where the driven shaft must be uncoupled without axial movement of either shaft.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle for manipulating the instrument, a tool head, and a tube element for joining the handle and the tool head, the tube element having a first end and a second end, a first coupling for releasably coupling the first end of the tube element and the handle, and a second coupling for releasably coupling the second end of the tube element and the tool head, whereby the tool head, tube element and handle are all readily separable from each other.

Abstract: A quick release saw blade chuck for connecting a free end of a saw blade to a reciprocating arm of a saw includes a blade holder including a first surface. The free end of the saw blade is interposed between the first surface and the inner surface of a clamping member. The clamping member is coupled to the blade holder by an attachment mechanism which defines a blade-accepting space and a second space between the first and inner surfaces. A mechanism is also provided for varying the size of second space and thereby pivoting the clamping member about the attachment mechanism to vary the size of the blade-accepting space and clamp a blade inserted therein.

Abstract: An improved locking mechanism for an arrestably lockable telescoping tow bar assembly comprises a slidable latch member surrounding balls-containing sideward openings of an outer tube that are radially alignable with an outside groove of a telescopingly associated inner tube, the slidable latch member including a medial cam portion slidably surrounding the outer tube between a surrounding retainer ring augmentation therefor and the balls-containing sideward openings therefor; a cover slidably surrounding a trailward part of the slidable latch member and being trailwardly immovable along the outer tube; and a helical spring means acutatably extending between the cover member and the slidable latch member.

Abstract: As is well-known in the prior art, flexible elongate rope-like tethers have a leadward-end attached to a leadwardly-impelled aquamarine equipment (e.g. surfboard, towed water-ski, etc.) and having a trailward-end securely attached to the towed operator (e.g. a surfboarder, a water-skier, etc.). It is also well known in the prior art that the aquamarine's tethered operator might find himself/herself in a visually discernible perilous situation and wherein the elongate tether should be disengaged from the towing aquamarine device. Accordingly, the present invention provides a vertical-pin type releasably-lockable device that has the required secure attachment to the operator's body, but wherein the operator can manually vertically withdraw the vertical-pin portion of a releasable-lockable device to quickly withdraw himself/herself from the leadwardly tethered aquamarine equipment whenever the operator somehow discerns a perilous condition.

Abstract: There is provided a quick-release coupling assembly for an endoscopic ocular, the assembly including an ocular mounting surface having an aperture and a longitudinal axis preferably passing through the center of the aperture on the mounting surface. A stationary guidewall is preferably radially spaced from and substantially concentric with the aperture of the ocular mounting surface, and the guidewall at least partially encircles the aperture to define an alignment recess adjacent the mounting surface for receiving the proximal end of an endoscopic ocular. At least one gripping jaw is provided for axial reciprocation and having a clamping position and a release position. The jaw comprises an inner tab which extends outwardly from the mounting surface, a retainer flange extending radially inwardly, and an engagement surface which may preferably be angularly disposed relative the axis.

Abstract: A pool skimmer of the invention includes a pair of rectangular frames hinged together along adjacent first short frame members by a plastic hinge member extending substantially the length of the short frame members, a pair of poles attached at an intermediate position along each of the short frame members and a net held by each of the frames. The pool skimmer is almost as wide as the pool being skimmed. The hinged frames are folded together when the skimmer is not being used. In use, the skimmer is unfolded and two operators, each holding a pole, position the skimmer in the water at one end of the pool and walk along opposite sides of the pool with the skimmer in the water between them. At the other end of the pool, the skimmer is removed from the water, debris collected in the net is emptied and the skimmer is folded for storage.

Abstract: A pan and fan housing assembly for a fan coil unit includes a primary pan having a wall defining an air passage through which air is directed by a fan in a fan housing powered by a motor. The fan housing is formed of two fan housing bodies snap-secured to each other and snap-secured to the primary pan air passage defining wall.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a ball joint assembly which includes a ball stud received in a swivel socket of a supporting body. Some of such assemblies are classed as quick disconnects, meaning that the ball stud may be conveniently assembled and disassembled as desired. In another class, the bodies are substantially cylindrical with the sockets forming a pair of diametrically opposed feather edges. In drilling the sockets, it is not uncommon for a burr to be formed about the perimeter, and for this burr to be bent inwardly thereby obstructing the free insertion of the ball stud into the socket. Also it is not uncommon for the feather edges to be bent inwardly resulting in the same problem. By counterboring the socket, the burr is removed and the feather edges are flattened which not only solves the obstruction problem but may also provide other advantages.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve pintle is secured on a hollow valve stem by a radially elastic retaining ring which allows the pintle to be withdrawn from the stem for removal of exhaust gas deposits.

Abstract: Cable ends of a compound bow are adjustably anchored by an attachment member pivotally mounted adjacent the bow eccentric wheels. The attachment member includes a plurality of openings therethrough which are angularly offset relative to one another to define alternate circuitous cable pathways. A releasable lock device engages the cable end in one of the attachment member openings while a laterally offset section on the attachment member allows alternative 180.degree. reversible mounting thereof.

Abstract: A compound bow, and a cabling system and eccentric for compound bows. Cable end terminals are adapted to be removably coupled together whereby to facilitate field disassembly. The bow has a pair of eccentric pulleys revolvably coupled at its opposite ends, over which a preferably segmented cable system is wound. The cable system preferably comprises a pair of pulley cables having a first end revolvably associated with a pulley and an opposite end adapted to be axially secured to the bow, a pair of string cables each having a first end revolvably associated with one of the pulleys and adapted to be selectively coupled to one of the pulley cable first ends and a second end terminating in a teardrop fitting, and a bow string extending between opposite bow limbs coupled to the teardrop fittings for propelling an arrow. Unique coupling members secured to ends of the pulley cables and the string cables enable them to be removably coupled together.

Abstract: A vehicle having a quick-release hinge mechanism for a closure or door for an ingress/egress opening at the body rear end to facilitate the interchange of different rear end structures without tools or special equipment to obtain optional rear end appearances and functions. When a rear door installed on the vehicle is lifted about the axis of the hinge mechanism, it rises with the assistance or one or more gas spring cylinders that when fully extended restrict the angle of door opening. In the up position, the cylinders may be disconnected from fittings located on the door. With these disconnected, the door can be lifted an additional 10 to 15 degrees allowing a cam action lock hinge mechanism to be actuated to release components of the hinge device. This permits removal of the door from the body and rapid substitution of another rear end structure or door.

Abstract: A roller comprising an elongated shaft and a roller assembly mounted for rotation on the elongated shaft. The roller assembly is retained on the shaft by a detent which is resiliently urged radially inwardly so that a portion of the detent is received in an annular groove on the shaft. This does not interfere with the rotation of the roller assembly on the shaft and it facilitates rapid installation and removal of the roller assembly. A roller of this type may be used, for example, as one of the rollers for a label applicator of the type which feeds labels carried by a backing strip.

Abstract: A device for providing a waterproof connection between two separate sections of a water canal in a toy kit. In that connection a connecting element with transversal sealing strips is used said element principally having a U-shaped section.

Abstract: A camera mounting device for an endoscope consists of a hollow connecting tube provided at one end with a camera mount and at the other end with a cavity for receiving an ocular portion of the endoscope having a conical rear surface, engaging elements pivoted to the other end of the connecting tube and circumferentially spaced from each other in the cavity so as to normally press the conical rear surface of the ocular portion thereby to hold the ocular portion in the cavity, and a releasing mechanism for rotating the engaging elements out of the cavity, whereby connection and disconnection of the camera mounting device to and from the ocular portion of the endoscope can be made by a single-handed operation of an operator.

Abstract: A detachable connection for use in applications where detachment or shear of the connection is desirable or foreseen as a necessity. An improvement in a connection between two structural elements having identical, but oppositely oriented complemental connecting portions which mate, forming an enclosed space through which is inserted a deformable coupling member with cross section different from the cross section of the enclosed space. The improved connection will disconnect when subjected to predetermined forces, leaving the oppositely oriented structural elements undamaged.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has side-by-side soil working members journalled in a hollow frame portion. Each member includes a support with hub that is connected to the lower end of a corresponding shaft. The shafts of the soil working members have meshed pinions on their upper ends that are housed in an upper chamber of the frame portion. The support and hub are housed substantially in their entireties within the frame portion and the lower side of each hub has apertured tags with pins that comprise quick release fastenings for downwardly extending tines.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in folding girl's and tandem bicycles. The improvement expands the capability of bicycle folding means into girl's and tandem model configurations and provides a commonality of construction which can be incorporated into men's model configurations. The improvement disclosed is a detent for retaining the articulated latches securely locked thereby avoiding inadvertant release when the bicycle is ridden. An eccentric adjustment is provided to adjust out the looseness in the folding joints to overcome the problems of manufacturing tolerances and normal wear. Also disclosed is a tandem style which is no larger than the single rider model, except that it has provisions for a tandem seat and a tandem set of pedals.