Friday’s ad is for Budweiser, from the 1950s. Ah, I remember when bowling night was something millions of people participated in. It used to be extremely popular, and my Aunt’s husband owned the Paramus Lanes in New Jersey, which is where they used to shoot a television show called “Make That Spare.” There was a time, believe it or not, when bowling was the most popular sport on television. I bowled a lot when I was a kid, played in leagues, entered tournaments and even had New Year’s Eve parties at the local lanes. For a short time in high school I dated a girl who was on the girl’s bowling team, and spent a lot of time bowling. Anyway, bowling seems to have really dropped off a cliff in popularity and was even used as a metaphor for the 2000 book “Bowling Alone,” about the collapse of community in America. I do so love the old bowling team shirts, though, and used to pick them up a thrift shops when I find cool ones in my size.
Archives for March 13, 2015
Patent No. 4436228A: Keg Tapping Apparatus Having Improved Retainer
Today in 1984, US Patent 4436228 A was issued, an invention of John A. Frey, assigned to Hoff-Stevens, Inc., for his “Keg Tapping Apparatus Having Improved Retainer.” Here’s the Abstract:
A keg tapping apparatus includes a keg unit secured within the neck of a keg by a retainer and a tavern unit coupled to the keg unit by the retainer. An operating handle opens valves associated with the keg unit to establish fluid communication between the keg and fluid inlet and outlet fittings on the tavern unit. The retainer has a body which includes a generally cylindrical bore and notches which communicate with the bore. Complementary inserts received within the notches are integrally attached to the body and define coupling lugs which project into the bore for coupling connection with the tavern unit. The inserts are made from a harder material than the body.
Patent No. 3720355A: Portable Beer Siphon Device
Today in 1974, US Patent 3720355 A was issued, an invention of Mack S. Johnston, for his “Portable Beer Siphon Device.” Here’s the Abstract:
The device includes a keg adapter mounted within a 1 1/2 inch keg opening and a dispenser coupler secured to the keg adapter, the adapter and coupler having gas and liquid passages for permitting ingress of gas into the keg and outflow of beer from the keg. The gas passage receives gas from a hand operated portable plunger type pump with the beer dispensing outlet including a spout. The coupler is secured to the adapter by rotating the former relative to the latter which, in turn, opens normally closed gas and liquid valves in the adapter. A liquid valve is disposed in the coupler and displacement of the spout opens the valve to permit outflow of beer therefrom.
Patent No. 1662146A: Coaster
Today in 1928, US Patent 1662146 A was issued, an invention of Grant Calvin Elliott, for his “Coaster.” There’s no Abstract, but in the description it states that the “invention relates to certain improvements in coasters and it is an object of the invention to provide a dish of this kind provided with a spoon holder and wherein the spoon holder is provided with a drain delivering to the coaster or dish.” The description continues.
The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved coaster whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use.