Abstract: A vertically adjustable wall hanger includes a main body that is securable to a vertical surface with mounting screws, nails, or other similar fasteners, and an adjustable bracket. The main body includes a pair of mounting apertures and is generally symmetrical about a plane passing through the axes of the mounting apertures. The main body also includes a vertically-oriented linear ratchet having a plurality of teeth, and a pair of parallel, outwardly-facing, spaced-apart peripheral tracks or grooves. Each of the tracks is open at the top of the main body. The adjustable bracket includes a pair of cylindrical locator pins that enter the tracks at the top of the main body and slide within them. The adjustable bracket also includes a pawl that engages the linear ratchet. The locator pins allow the adjustable bracket to be rotated upwardly, so that the pawl may be disengaged from the linear ratchet, the adjustable bracket moved up or down, and the pawl re-engaged with the ratchet.

Abstract: A system for recovering oil spilled on a body of water includes a buoyant containment boom of sufficient length to surround at least a portion of the spilled oil, the boom having a plurality of outer pipe sections, each outer pipe section being longitudinally perforated along one side that may be positioned against the spilled oil, a plurality of spaced-apart support members positioned within the outer pipe, and an inner pipe that is longitudinally perforated along one side, generally coextensive with the outer pipe, and rotatably positioned within said support members so that the perforations in the inner pipe sections may be positioned at a desired height within the outer pipe sections. The system also includes at least first and second suction pumps, the first pump acting to draw a water and oil mixture into the outer pipe, and the second pump acting to draw a mixture having a high percentage of oil into said inner pipe. Water is extracted from the mixture and the oil is stored.

Abstract: A spray tip assembly for airless paint sprayer guns incorporates a tip having multiple nozzles, each of which may be used independently. For a first embodiment of the invention the shaft of the spray tip assembly incorporates multiple spaced apart nozzles and a handle at one end thereof. The shaft also incorporates a spring-loaded detent ball which, in combination with a plurality of spaced-apart annular or semi-annular grooves in the housing bore, serves as a shaft locator for each of the nozzles. The grooves permit positioning of each of the nozzles in either a normal spraying position or in a reversed, unclogging position. For a second embodiment of the invention, the tip housing incorporates three spaced-apart annular channels, all three of which are interconnected by a tab-receiving slot shaped to admit a stop tab attached to the shaft.

Abstract: An mounting system for chain traction systems installable on wheeled vehicles having a beam or live axle. Includes four threaded coupling nuts, each of which is threadably secured to a threaded end of one of the U-bolt shackles which secure the axle to either a set of leaf springs or to an air bag assembly. A cross plate ties each lateral pair of coupling nuts together. A mounting tube bolts to the cross plates, a mounting plate bolts to the mounting tube, and the traction system components bolt to the mounting plate. Elongated bolt holes provide a wide range of adjustability between the bolted-together components for proper positioning of the mounting bracket within an x-y plane. For adjustability in a “z” direction, spacers of varying thickness may be inserted between the coupling nuts and the cross plates. The components may be welded together when properly positioned.

Abstract: An infant nursing bottle holder includes a substantially U-shaped clamping member, a substantially Y-shaped nursing bottle-retaining member, a strap for securing an infant nursing bottle to the bottle-retaining member, multiple elongate members, interconnected end-to-end and, together, coupling the bottle-retaining member to the U-shaped clamping member, and a rotatable hinge joint at the interconnection of each pair of elongate members, each hinge joint having a geared resilient pivot that permits angular positioning of the joined elongate members at discrete arcuate intervals through a range of at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: A fluid-tight union for reversably interconnecting lengths of coaxial pipe includes: a first annular fitting, having a circumferential flange, attachable to a connection end of a first length of pipe; a second annular fitting, having a circumferential shoulder, attachable to a connection end of a second length of pipe; a clamping collar comprised of arcuate segments which incorporate both an inwardly-angled clamping ledge that engages an overhanging step on the circumferential shoulder of the second annular fitting and at least one internal, inwardly-angled, spiral, circumferential thread spaced apart from the clamping ledge; and a retainer ring sized so as to be slidable over the first annular fitting, and rotatable against the rear face of the circumferential flange, the retainer ring incorporating external, spiral, circumferential threads that are angled away from the flange, the external threads of the retainer ring engaging the internal threads of the clamping collar to draw the clamping ledge and engage

Abstract: A clothes dryer vent system is designed for hollow walls framed with scantling and covered with sheathing secured to the scantling, the walls having a hollow interior space that is uniformly, at least about 3½ inches wide. The vent system includes a rough-in box for recessed mounting within a hollow wall, the rough-in box having a substantially planar rear panel, side panels and nonparallel top and bottom panels, the side panels and the top and bottom panels intersecting and unitary with the rear panel, each side panel intersecting and unitary with both top and bottom panels, the rough-in box also having a depth no greater than about 4 inches, and a stub connector pipe affixed within the top panel, the stub connector pipe having a lower portion of oval-shaped cross section within the box that is couplable to a flexible dryer vent hose and an upper portion outside the box directly couplable to an oblong vent pipe having a minor cross-sectional dimension no greater than about 2 inches.

Abstract: A new method for spot dying nylon carpet requires no color theory nor use of a color wheel. The new method is distinguished from prior art methods primarily by the fact that the focus in on the hue of the spot at any given moment during the process, and that primary dye colors are applied in a sequence determined by the color of the spot. The method has been shown to work on both solid-color and multi-color nylon carpets. It is also effective for spot dyeing light-color (off-white) carpets. The method can also be employed to repair stained areas of a carpet by simply bleaching the stained area and redyeing the bleached area. Prior to the redyeing process, the area to be treated is subjected to several rinse and extract steps. A bleach neutralizer is then applied, allowed to remain on the area to be treated for about 5 minutes, then extracted without further rinsing.

Abstract: An emergency control system permits an aircraft to recover from a catastrophic loss of cabin pressure even if the pilot becomes incapacitated before he is able to activate an emergency oxygen system. An autopilot system is programmed for rapid descent, in response to a cabin depressurization condition detected by an air pressure sensor, to a flight level where there is sufficient oxygen in the atmosphere to sustain full consciousness. When in the rapid descent mode, the autopilot cuts engine power to idle, reduces the angle of attack, maximizes parasitic drag, and initiates a maximum descent rate without exceeding the aircraft's design limitations. As the aircraft approaches a lower altitude capable of sustaining full human consciousness, the autopilot system increases the angle of attack, reduces parasitic drag, and increases engine power, thereby causing the aircraft to fly level at the lower altitude until the pilot reasserts control of the aircraft.

Abstract: A cleaning brush suitable for use in connection with automotive cleaning tasks, incorporates back-to-back bristle heads at one end of an elongated handle. One of the bristle heads features a concave, or dished, face; the other bristle head has a planar face. The concave brush head is intended for use on tires, and as such, is fabricated from fewer, coarser bristles than is the planar brush head, which is intended for use on wheels and body parts. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle is about 61 cm (24 inches) in length, and includes an elongated portion of square cross section and a flattened, largely disk-shaped portion in which bristles of both heads are imbedded. Optionally, the handle at the end opposite the disk-shaped portion includes an aperture which may be used to hand the brush on a hook.

Abstract: A spike, drivable into the trunk of a tree, includes a hollow body which provides a storage chamber for a water soluble compound such as a pesticide or fertilizer. The spike has a generally pointed first end which facilitates driving the spike into a tree trunk. The hollow body is equipped with bleed apertures near the pointed end, so that when the spike is driven into the trunk of a tree, the storage chamber is coupled to the vascular system thereof. The spike is supplied with a resilient sheath that seals the bleed apertures during shipping and handling. As the spike is driven into a tree trunk, the sheath is peeled off the body, thereby exposing the bleed apertures to the tree's vascular tissue and forming a gasket between the spike body and the aperture created by driving the spike into the trunk.

Abstract: A protective cover for the head of a golf club having a main body formed a single piece cut from a sheet of foam rubber material, and a stretchable nylon or polyester fabric is bonded to the opposing surfaces of the foam rubber sheet. The single piece of sheet foam rubber material is folded along a substantially straight first edge and stitches along second and third edges to form a cover having a profile similar to that of the club head which it is to cover. The cover has an opening at the top thereof. The opening can be expanded in size to fit over the head of a club. The cover is also preferably equipped with a pocket. The pocket is sized to received a turf comb, which can be used to dress the grass on which the participants ball rests. The turf comb may be connected with a line or string to an anchor point within the pocket to reduce the possibility that the comb may fall from the pocket and become lost.

Abstract: Several methods and multiple apparatus are disclosed for atomizing or vaporizing chlorpropham or any other organic compound that is a solid at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, without the need for converting the compound to a liquid which must be contained and transported by the aerosol-generating apparatus. The method provides an air stream that can be nearly saturated with chlorpropham vapor and free of both combustion products and carrier solvents. The process includes the steps of forming minute particles of solid CIPC particles from a larger block or chunks of solid CIPC, and inducting the particles into an airstream wherein the particles are provided with sufficient thermal energy to convert them into an aerosol. The process may be implemented by abrading a block of solid CIPC with a wire brush, by shaving a block of solid CIPC with a blade, or by pulverizing chunks of solid CIPC to convert it to a powder.

Abstract: An infant wrap having a quadrangular, generally bilaterally symmetrical sheet of fabric material, the sheet having a generally rectangular central region for covering the back side of an infant's torso, overlapping upper and lower flaps attached to first and second opposing sides, respectively, of the central region, and overlapping right and left side flaps attached to third and fourth opposing sides, respectively, of the central region, the flaps providing a covering for the front side of an infant's torso, each flap being continuous with the central region.

Abstract: The present invention includes several new embodiments of corner trim for use with vinyl or aluminum siding, which provide an appearance similar to that provided by the use of cast concrete corner stones at a fraction of the cost. The new corner trim is essentially a shell formed to have the appearance of a corner stone. Like the cast concrete stones it emulates, it is designed to fit over the corner of a structure. It may be manufactured from polymeric vinyl material via either injection molding or sheet forming process, or it may be formed by stamping sheet aluminum sheet. If aluminum is used, some welding may be required at the corners of the trim. A first embodiment of the corner trim incorporates a laminar, perimetric rim at the edges of the shell. When mounted on the building corner, the rim is perpendicular to the walls. A separate perimetric mounting strip is stapled to the wall sheathing on both sides of the building corner.

Abstract: An improved interconnection system for attaching an improved cylindrical magnetron target to a rotatable flanged spindle incorporates an annular extension on the target, which fits over the edge of the spindle flange, facilitates centering the target on the spindle, and helps shield target sealing surfaces. The annular extension terminates in an inwardly-angled circumferential step. The target-spindle interconnection system includes a split clamping collar and generally annular retainer ring that slidable over the spindle shaft and rotatable against the spindle flange, the retainer ring having external circumferential threads that are angled away from the flange. The split clamping collar has, at one end, an inwardly-angled lip that engages the overhanging step and, at the other end, inwardly-angled, internal, circumferential threads that engage the threads of the retainer ring to draw the target and spindle together as a unified assembly as the retainer ring is rotated.