Abstract: A method for restoring worn or damaged sun visors for a vehicle to a like-new appearance typical of original sun visors. Any deteriorated upholstery and padding material that covers the core/frame of an original sun visor may be removed and discarded. A new cover is fabricated with an appropriate size to slip over the old visor. The cover is made by sewing together front and rear panels along about 50 percent of their juxtaposed edges. Each panel is shaped like the original core, and has a structural base made of a thin sheet of chipboard or the like; each panel is sufficiently stiff as to be self-supporting. Each panel is cosmetically completed by providing it with an outer covering of finished upholstery material or the like. The slip cover may be placed about a visor core, or about an entire visor, to provide a new outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for attachment to the frame of a truck, usually within a bed of a conventional pickup truck. A generally planar base is rigidly attached to the truck frame with bolts. A platform is rotatably connected to the base with a pair of four-bar linkages, one on the right side of the platform and one on the left. The platform has a low position close to the base, and a high position that is typically 15 or 20 inches higher. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is anchored at one end to the base and connected at its other end to the platform. Pressurizing the cylinder one way causes the platform to be raised and translated backwardly with respect to the base. Pressurizing the cylinder the other way causes the platform to be moved toward the base in a relatively slow and deliberate manner.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe apparatus characterized by having an after-use condition which fosters safe handling--by virtue of the fact that the needle-part of the apparatus can be easily enshrouded in a protective member that is at least semi-rigid. A syringe has an elongated barrel with a generally cylindrical shape and a smooth longitudinal bore that is sized to receive a plunger; the barrel's outer surface is not circular. A protective shroud that is at least semi-rigid surrounds the barrel. The shroud has a length that is about the same as that of the barrel, and it has an internal shape that closely complements the external shape of the barrel. The shroud is designed to move with respect to the barrel only in a direction that is parallel to the barrel's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A user-adjustable control system monitors an electrical signal indicative of manifold pressure in an internal combustion engine that powers a wheeled vehicle. The engine simultaneously powers the drive train of the vehicle and, when a thermostat so dictates, an air conditioning compressor. This system improves vehicle driving performance by selectively restricting the diversion of engine power from the drive train to operate the air conditioning compressor, based on threshold changes in a monitored electrical signal. With electronic circuitry the system selectively disengages power to the compressor when the difference between manifold and atmospheric pressure drops below a preset value. The system includes a transducer connected to provide an electrical output signal that is indicative of pressure changes in the engine manifold. The manifold pressure changes are, in turn, indicative of changes in the engine's load conditions.

Abstract: A locking apparatus that includes first and second structural elements that are adapted to be juxtaposed and positioned next to one another in a "locked" mode, and physically separated from one another when "unlocked." When in its locked mode, the locking apparatus is restrained against separation until a manual force is simultaneously applied to appropriate levers, ends of which are accessible on the exterior of the apparatus.A plurality of levers are mounted on the first of the two structural elements for rocking movement about a pivotal axis carried by the first element. Each lever has a first end that protrudes externally of the apparatus, and a second end that is sized and shaped so that it may be engaged with a lip surrounding an associated aperture in the second structural element.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit module having first and second pairs of input terminals and four output terminals. First, second, third and fourth baluns each include first and second transmission line wires. The baluns are configured between the input and output terminals to isolate sources when placed across pairs of input and output terminals. An antenna system is formed with the hybrid circuit module and a plurality of radiators. The circuit module may be configured to simultaneously generate or receive two or more independent radiation patterns. A method is provided for feeding a multiarm antenna structure with a hybrid circuit network. The method includes the steps of symmetrically positioning a conductive element with respect to all of the arms, and coupling terminals of the antenna arms to the network through a conductive element. Alternately the second terminals may be electromagnetically coupled to the network without requiring the conductive element.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a shredder that converts plastic containers, packages and cups into relatively small fragments (e.g., about one to two square inches) to promote cleaning. The shredder intake may be located below the discharge end of a conveyor upon which plastic items are placed after being separated from other refuse in a salvage operation. Fragments produced by the shredder are delivered to a reservoir containing many gallons of cleaning liquid, e.g., water and a detergent. A pump propels the liquid and light-weight plastic fragments (typically foamed polystyrene) to an elongated chamber that serves to turn and twist the fragments with sufficient turbulence so as to clean them during their excursion through the chamber. Turbulence is preferably achieved by providing a plurality of static devices constituting fixed obstructions around which the pumped liquid flows.

Abstract: A portable apparatus adapted to be moved to the edge of a concrete pad that needs to be restored to a horizontal condition. The apparatus includes a generally upright frame and a lifting platform that is attachable to the bottom of the frame (with bolts or the like). The platform has a forwardly projecting shelf that is placed under an exposed edge of the pad. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are mounted on the frame for selectively pushing downward on a yoke. Reaction loads from the downward push on the yoke are accommodated by the concrete pad. A chuck is mounted on the yoke for the purpose of engaging a generally linear member that is pushed into the ground to create a deep "foundation" for lifting the concrete pad with respect to the surface. A preferred linear member for this purpose is one or more sections of heavy reinforcing rod of the type that is commonly used to reinforce large concrete structures.

Abstract: A chord-generating synthesizer system including an electronic keyboard instrument and a remote control unit operable by a musician's foot--while the musician is using both hands to simultaneously play an instrument such as a guitar. The keyboard instrument is formed with circuit electronics for generating polyphonic music, and has internal wiring that provides a plurality of normally open circuit loops. Each circuit loop includes a pair of connector output terminals for closure of the loop. The circuit electronics is responsive to closure of the loops for generating a note or chord. The remote control unit is separate and external from the instrument, but is selectively connected to the instrument by a multi-lead cable; the unit includes multiple connector inputs and a plurality of switches. Each switch is wired between at least a pair of the connector inputs for remote control of the chord-generating function of the keyboard instrument.

Abstract: A rigid mounting apparatus for attaaching an auxiliary sighting aid to a pistol. In one embodiment, two major shapes are utilized, one of which has a transverse cross-section that is generally U-shaped; the second shape forms an L-shaped bracket that fits below the barrel of a pistol and lies ahead of the trigger guard. In another embodiment, three elements are designed to fit in such a way that, in combination, they establish a U-shaped body for mounting a sighting aid above the barrel. Two side plates of this embodiment are configured so that they can be extruded from a common die; one of them is rotated so that the two plates form mirror images of each other when they are attached to a pistol. A bracket cooperates with some structural element on the pistol (such as the slide latch pin) to securely hold the mounting apparatus in place when the pistol is fired, so that recoil forces from firing will not cause the mounting apparatus to shift with respect to the pistol.

Abstract: A spatial guide adapted to be affixed to a gasoline-powered line trimmer (also called a string trimmer) to serve as a stand-off device, such that the cutting head of the trimmer cannot come any closer to an obstacle than is permitted by the length of a rigid arm. A rigid block of material having a central bore is configured to be attached to the trimmer's tube near the cutting head. The rigid arm attaches to the block of material, preferably by use of the same fasteners that hold the block to the tube. A slot in the arm permits selective adjustment of the distance by which the arm protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the block and hence from the tube. A large roller is mounted at the distal end of the rigid arm and serves to foster sliding and/or rolling movement between the arm and any obstacle adjacent which vegetation is to be cut--as the cutting head is manually moved past the obstacle.