A mousetrap spring, provided with a suitable catch, was fitted into a box for milk bottles, and served to protect the milk bottle against theft by prowlers. The box was made large enough to hold several bottles, the empty ones in one portion and the filled bottles in another. The bottle is dropped through an opening in the locked end of the box and the spring forces up the catch. While this device may be tampered with, it guards effectively against the theft of bottles of milk, since most of those stolen are taken because they are easily accessible.—L. F. Head, Seattle, Wash.
¶The oxyacetylene flame may be used in cutting or welding steel cables, but such welds will not sustain the original safe load of the cable.
Uses for an Old Toothbrush
A discarded toothbrush, properly cleaned so as not to be insanitary, may be used in one or possibly more of the following ways: to raise the nap of white buckskin shoes, after polishing them; in reaching corners with shoe polish, or in cleaning out eyelets and corners; cleaning typewriter keys with benzine; polishing small parts of metalwork.—Joseph A. Cunningham, Philadelphia, Pa.
A Locking Sheath for Hunter’s Knife
Having made a hunting knife and desiring a suitable sheath for it, I devised that shown in the sketch, which has the special feature that the guard on the knife handle locks in slots cut through the sheath. Two pieces of leather were used, one for the back section and the other for the shorter front piece. The sewing at the edges of the two sections extends from the level of the slots around the lower end of the sheath. Two slots were cut vertically through the upper portion of the sheath, which is fastened to the belt of the wearer, as indicated.—George H. Flint, Harrison, Me.
Discarded Buggy Springs for Diving Board
Old leaf springs obtained from a buggy were used to give the necessary spring to a diving board. One of the springs was set at each side of the board about 2¹⁄₂ ft. from the fixed end, and they were joined by a cross support of 2 by 4-in. wood, on which the spring board rested. Straps to check the strain on the springs from the rebound were provided.