Abstract: A method of processing agricultural oil in which non-toxic reagents are used, so that a waste stream is evolved suitable for use as a nutrient source and wherein the non-toxic reagents include nutrient source and wherein the non-toxic reagents include nutrient components whereby the nutrient value of the waste stream is enhanced. A variation of convention refining is detailed in which potassium hydroxide is used as refining caustic instead of conventional sodium hydroxide. The resulting process exhibits improvements in waste wash characteristics, more complete oil recovery, less oil in the soapstock, reduced interlayer formation, more soap removed from the refined oil into the soapstock stream, and a less viscous soapstock.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily holding a button on a garment to replace a button which has been detached or lost from the garment. The apparatus includes a spring-like U-shaped clip that has an upper planar portion and a lower planar portion. The upper and lower planar portions are connected at their rear ends so that the front ends of the planar portions are resiliently moveable between a normal closed position in which the front ends of the planar members abut to an open position in which the front ends are separated. The front ends of the upper and lower planar members are biased toward each other in the closed position. The upper surface of the upper planar member is provided with a retainer for being connected to a button. More specifically, the upper the retainer with a retaining element having a receptive socket receiving a second retaining element.

Abstract: An article supporting device for use in a motor vehicle that is equipped with a pair of headrest supporting sockets in the backrest and a headrest removably mounted in the sockets. The article supporting device includes a horizontal supporting component, an article supporting fixture fixed to the front end of the horizontal component, and a pair of spaced posts fixed to the rear end of the horizontal component.

Abstract: A weight training and toning device that has a frame which supports a horizontal platform. A roller assembly is mounted on the frame for movement between an inactive position to an active position. When the roller is in the active position, the device is supported on the roller and can be rolled easily from one location to another location. More specifically, a pulley stand is attached to the bench and storage racks for weight plates and barbell assemblies are supported on the frame.

Abstract: A method is used to expose a fingerprint on the surface of a metallic object which is covered with a layer of a metallic oxide such as rust. The metallic oxide is dissolved with a reagent which reacts with the metallic oxide. The dissolved metallic oxide is removed from the surface of the metallic object by washing with water to expose the fingerprint and a permanent copy is made of the fingerprint. More specifically, rust from a ferrous object is dissolved with an aqueous acid, the acid and dissolved rust is washed away with water, and a photograph is taken of the exposed fingerprint. The rust can also be dissolved by spraying the rust with a Precision Brand Step #3 Aerosol Rust Inhibitor and Lubricant. The rust can be removed by contacting the rust with a reagent containing a complexing agent for Fe(III) ions.

Abstract: A breech plug assembly for a muzzle loading firearm. The breech plug assembly is screwed into the back opening at the breech end of the barrel of the firearm. The forward end of the conical projection has a tapered or conical projection for supporting the end of a pre-formed explosive pellet.

Abstract: A self-adjusting accessory for a table saw that includes a guide for sliding in the guide groove of the work supporting table of a table saw and which is biased against the edge of the guide groove which is closest to the cutting blade. The guide bar is used in conjunction with the plurality of table saw fixtures such as a miter gauge, an alignment gauge and a stop gauge. The alignment gauge also forms part of apparatus for carrying out a method of verifying the straightness of the arbor for the cutting blade, the alignment of the arbor relative to the guide groove of the work supporting table and the flatness of the cutting blade. The invention also includes an apparatus for adjusting the alignment of the arbor relative to the guide groove of the work supporting table.

Abstract: A floral container which is tapered from a relatively large horizontal cross-section at the upper end of the container to a relatively small horizontal cross-section at the lower end of the container. The container has a pair of forward walls, a pair of rearward walls, and a bottom wall. At least one of the forward walls has a transparent portion adjacent the upper end of the container which constitutes a viewing window for the contents of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for continuous physical integrity monitoring of large civil structures such as bridges and high-rise buildings . . . wherein the relevant sensor data stream is generated continuously and transmitted to the data gathering location without the need for an incoming triggering signal of any kind; i.e., it is a one way transmission system. Specifically, it is a concept for an interlinked multi-parameter Early Warning Sensor system with a full time data management capability for structures. The invention is also directed to both the system construction, with its communication capability, and also designs of specific sensors applicable to the system as a whole. As a practical example of application of the present invention to a structure, the description in this application is directed primarily towards system applications for bridge integrity early warning systems.

Abstract: An optical encoder for detecting movement of a first structural element relative to a second structural element. The encoder includes a transmitter portion connected to the first structural element and having first and second optical fibers arranged side by side. Each of the first and second optical fibers has an end surface which lies in a first plane. The encoder also includes a reflector portion connected to the second structural clement. The reflector portion has a plurality of spaced reflective surfaces which face the end surfaces and lie in a second plane spaced from and parallel to the first plane so that pulses of light from an interrogation source can be transmitted along one of the first and second optical fibers toward the reflective surfaces and pulses of light reflected from the reflective surfaces can be transmitted along the other of the first and second optical fibers toward the interrogation source.

Abstract: In general, the invention consists of a staff holder that includes a supporting base, a vertical post attached to the supporting base and a hand actuated chuck at the top of the post. The chuck includes an inner ring fixed to the post, a plurality of gripping jaws supported in the ring for transverse movement relative to the central vertical axis of the post, an outer ring mounted on the inner ring for rotation about the vertical axis of the post and a camming mechanism for causing the gripping jaws to move transversely relative to the inner ring upon manual rotation of the outer ring. More specifically, the post of the holder is removably connected to the base.

Abstract: A striking bag assembly which includes a primary bag suspended from a fixed support and an anchor bag suspended from the primary bag. The anchor bag is smaller and heavier and, therefore, considerably denser than the primary bag. More specifically, the anchor bag is pivotally connected to the primary bag and the primary bag is pivotally connected to the fixed support.

Abstract: The inventive developments disclosed in this application include the following features and combinations thereof: extracting oil from spent bleaching earths for animal feed; using earths and acid water as soil amendment/fertilizer; efficient extraction of substances valuable to plants, animals, and humans from plant, animal, and fish oil soap stock, especially using the “inter phase” emulsion from soap stock accumulation; use of “black paste” from oil refining as fertilizer component (nutrient source); use of inter phase from agricultural oil refining, especially refining of non-drummed oils, as animal feed; use of “oil refining by-products to fertilizers” process and/or KOH refining in conjunction with “Miscella”-type hexane refining or “Zenith” process refining; fertilizers containing silica/silicates from by-products of agricultural oil refining; use of higher-sodium oil refining by-products as fertilizer for sodium-tolerant plants; using by-produ

Abstract: A jump rope consisting of an elongated cord extending between a pair of handles. The cord has a pair of end portions connected to the handles, a mid portion and a pair of intermediate portions between the mid portion and the end portions. Each of the intermediate portions has a weight per unit length that is two to four times that of the remaining portions of the cord. More specifically, the length of each intermediate portion is from 10% to 24% of the total length of the cord and the length of each end portion is from 8% to 12% of the total length of the cord. In one embodiment, the extra weight of each intermediate portion is achieved by having the thickness of the intermediate portion greater than the other portions of the cord. In another embodiment, the extra weight of each intermediate section is achieved by having beads strung on the intermediate sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of developing fingerprints on an object by cyanoacrylate fuming. The apparatus includes a container having a chamber, an opening to the chamber and a mechanism for evacuating air from the chamber. The apparatus also includes a cover for hermetically sealing the opening, an exposed upper surface in the chamber for receiving drops of cyanoacrylate and an electrical heater for heating the exposed upper surface. More specifically, the electrical heater is located in the chamber and supports a receptacle which has the exposed upper surface. The electrical heater has an electrical cord that extends through an airtight fixture which is attached to the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of extruding a metal pipe having a substantially uniform inner diameter. The forward and rearward end sections of the pipe are thicker than the middle section of the pipe. A heated metal billet having a cylindrical longitudinal bore is inserted into the rear opening of a cylindrical bore of a stationary container. A two-part removable inner die is located within the bore of the container adjacent the forward end of the container and an outer die is located outside of the container adjacent the front end of the container. The inner die has a relatively small diameter cylindrical bore. The outer die has a relatively large diameter cylindrical bore. The billet is moved along a central longitudinal axis within the bore of the container by a press which includes a circular forward pressing surface and a mandrel extending forwardly from the pressing surface toward the billet.

Abstract: A therapeutic exercise apparatus having a weight and pulley system mounted on a supporting frame. The pulley system includes upper and lower pulley blocks slidably mounted on a vertical post. Either of the pulley blocks can be releasably fixed to the post. The pulley blocks and weight are connected to a cord and pulley system so that when one pulley block is fixed to the post and the other pulley block is free to slide on the post, the free pulley block moves toward the fixed pulley block and the weight is lifted when the end of a cord at the free pulley block is pulled forwardly.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an apparatus for temporarily holding a button on a garment to replace a button which has been detached or lost from the garment. The apparatus includes a spring-like U-shaped clip that has an upper planar portion and a lower planar portion. The upper and lower planar portions are connected at their rear ends so that the front ends of the planar portions are resiliently moveable between a normal closed position in which the front ends of the planar members abut to an open position in which the front ends are separated. The front ends of the upper and lower planar members are biased toward each other in the closed position. The upper surface of the upper planar member is provided with a retainer for being connected to a button. More specifically, the upper the retainer with a retaining element having a receptive socket receiving a second retaining element.

Abstract: A gas valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber. The gas valve apparatus includes a rotary intake valve located between an outer intake port and inner intake port at the combustion chamber and a rotary exhaust valve located between an outer exhaust and an inner exhaust port at the combustion chamber. Selectively actuatable gates are located at an outer intake and exhaust ports for controlling the opening, closing, and duration of opening of the outer intake and exhaust ports.