Abstract: Apparatus operative to selectively discharge substantially all or only a predetermined portion of the water within the flush tank of a toilet. The apparatus includes an open ended float having selectively regulatable venting ports for controlling float weight and buoyancy by the water-air ratio therein. The float is constructed in a size adaptable to most existing commode flush tanks and is assembled therein by attachment directly to the flush valve thereof. The float water-air ratio is then set into the desired flush mode by selective venting of the ports whereby an unweighted float will permit a full flush and a water filled float will drive the flush valve into a premature closure for discharging only a portion of the water within the flush tank.

Abstract: Contacts and receiving sleeves within a connector insulator are sized to permit the contacts to be inserted into the sleeves of the insulator and lightly held in position. Each contact includes a press fit shoulder portion which protrudes from the bottom of the insulator and is adapted for press fitting into a receiving aperture formed in a mounting substrate. After the contacts are press fitted into the mounting substrate, a flat blade-like contact portion protrudes from the top of the insulator for electrical engagement with a female contact (not disclosed) while a contact tail portion extends below the substrate for wire wrap termination. The assembled connector configuration permits removal of the insulator by lifting it from around the contacts which it lightly engages. Further, with the insulator in place, any individual contact may be removed from both the insulator and the substrate for replacement in the event of damage.

Abstract: Electrical contacts are stamped and formed into a right angle configuration for simultaneous insertion and housing in an effectively removable connector insulator. Linear receiving sleeves may be formed in each of two sections so the insulator, which sleeves meet at right angles, one to the other, when the insulator is assembled. Each linear sleeve is constructed to permit one of the linear portions of the contact to be inserted therein. The assembled insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting forces applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for inserting an extended portion thereof into a contact receiving aperture in a mounting substrate for rigid mounting therein, with the orthogonal portion of the contact lying generally parallel to the substrate. The contact of the assembled connector is then in a configuration for electrical engagement with a mating contact aligned generally parallel to the mounting substrate rather than perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A relatively short and improved multistranded rope member, commonly referred to as a pigging string, particularly adapted for rodeo applications and the like. The improved pigging string includes an integrally back spliced loop in one end thereof and is therein fabricated without twist bias to provide a smooth and reliable interconnection in a hard, yet pliable tying element for binding calves' feet during rodeo competition. The back splice is formed during twist fabrication of the pigging string in an intermediate section thereof and is so configured as to alleviate twist-ridges and loose strand lays which often interfere with maximum efficiency in use of pigging strings. Likewise, the pigging string is assembled in a taut configuration around the back spliced loop, then immersed in a preheated wax mixture prior to being post stressed during cooling.

Abstract: Remote control, day-night, outside rearview mirror control apparatus. The control structure includes a plurality of interconnection cables linking an orthogonally pivotable, double sided vehicle mirror and multi-axial actuation, operator control mechanism. Mirror movement in the form of yaw about the vertical axis thereof is facilitated via swivel motion of a control bat resulting in axial movement of cables terminating outwardly of the reference axis of the mirror. Mirror movement about the horizontal axis thereof, including 180.degree. flipping and control pitch adjustment, is facilitated through a single cable, double action mechanical servo which is responsive to axial and rotational control bat movement. The servo may be positioned adjacent the mirror or control bat and utilizes a spring loaded cam biased within a rotable casing to independently differentiate mirror pitch adjustment signals from day-night flip signals in a fashion which permits 180.degree.

Abstract: An edge connector for a circuit board includes a plurality of contact terminals each having a contact head, each contact head having a loop portion. The contact terminals are supported in a cavity in an insulative housing in such relation that the loop portion of the contact head bears against a shoulder portion of the housing. In one form of the connector, the contact terminals are fixedly mounted in a mounting substrate in such an arrangement that the loop portion of the contact heads bias the insulative housing against the substrate to hold the assemblage. In another form of the connector, the substrate may be eliminated, and the contacts include a lower flange portion adapted to bear against lower surface of the housing and an upper tongue portion adapted to bear against an upper shoulder surface of the housing between the tongue portion and the flange portion.

Abstract: Ice is broken with expenditure of less energy by pumping water from beneath the ice and discharging it in large quantities onto the surface of the ice. Breaking stress is provided by the weight of the water and by thermal shock. A conventional ice breaking apparatus can also be run up onto the ice to provide a breaking force in which case friction between the ice and the ice breaking apparatus is lessened by the water.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the winding of a self-winding mechanical wrist watch during intervals when it is not worn on the wrist and would otherwise run down and stop. The apparatus comprises a detachable, padded mandrel over which the self-winding wrist watch is placed and securely held by its own strap or band. The mandrel holding the watch is attached to a revolving winding shaft driven at slow speed by a motor wherein the relationship of the watch to the winding shaft is such that the axis of rotation of the stem of the internal self-winding rotor of the watch is generally coincident with the axis of rotation of the winding shaft.

Abstract: A metal voltage plate is drilled or punched first with alignment holes, placed upon a jig and drilled with contact clearance holes in preselected locations. A metal ground plate is also drilled or punched first with alignment holes, placed upon a jig and drilled with contact clearance holes in preselected locations. The clearance holes are preferably in the range of 80-90 mils in diameter and located in positions where contacts are to pass through a plate without making electrical connection therewith. Next, both the voltage and ground plates are coated, including the inner walls of the clearance holes, with a relatively thick layer of an insulative dielectric material, such as teflon, polyurethane, p.v.c., or the like. The coated voltage plate is then drilled or punched with an array of smaller connecting holes, on the order of 40 mils in diameter, through which contacts to be electrically connected with voltage will be pressed.

Abstract: Electrical contacts are stamped and formed into a right angle configuraton for simultaneous insertion and housing in an effectively removable connector insulator. Linear receiving sleeves may be formed in each of two sections of the insulator, which sleeves meet at right angles, one to the other, when the insulator is assembled. Each linear sleeve is constructed to permit one of the linear portions of the contact to be inserted therein. The assembled insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting forces applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for inserting an extended portion thereof into a contact receiving aperture in a mounting substrate for rigid mounting therein, with the orthogonal portion of the contact lying generally parallel to the substrate. The contact of the assembled connector is then in a configuration for parallel to the mounting substrate rather than perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: An improved playing figure for use in a table soccer or football game structure. The figure is rigidly mounted to an actuating rod which is, in turn, journaled in bearings near opposing ends for both rotational and axial movement above the playing surface of the game structure. The playing figure includes a foot portion depending above the playing surface and having smooth, flat vertically extending side portions and pebbled inwardly and downwardly tapering front and rear surfaces. The front surface of the playing figure foot is pebbled over its entire surface and lies in a plane angled rearwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the figure. The rear foot surface is also pebbled over most of its entire surface and lies in a plane angled forwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the figure except for an unpebbled control corner extending horizontally along the lower rear edge of the foot in a plane parallel to both the vertical and horizontal axes of the figure.

Abstract: Press fit contacts having upper mating portions are stamped, formed and oriented out of sheet material for simultaneous insertion and housing in a removable connector insulator. Receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contacts to be bottom loaded into the sleeves, seated and lightly held therein. Each contact includes an intermediate press fit collar portion which engages a mating shoulder in the insulator. The insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting insertion force applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for press fitting them into contact receiving apertures in a mounting substrate. The contacts held by each insulator are all simultaneously press fitted into the substrate by continuing to apply pressure to the top of the insulator until it is mounted flush upon the substrate.

Abstract: A cuttingboard for kitchens and the like is provided wherein a generally planar cutting surface is adapted for positioning directly over a sink basin. A flange depends from the front side of the cuttingboard for abutting engagement with the counter top of a conventional kitchen sink area for purposes of stability. An aperture is provided adjacent the aft side of the planar portion and in a position to underlie a conventional faucet of a kitchen sink when the cuttingboard is appropriately positioned. A wire basket is similarly provided for secured positioning in the aperture while depending into the sink for holding foods therein. In this manner, the foods being prepared may be stored, washed and/or strained with maximum efficiency and minimal inconvenience.

Abstract: Contacts and receiving sleeves within a connector insulator are sized to permit the contacts to be inserted into the sleeves of the insulator and lightly held in position. Each contact includes a press fit shoulder portion which protrudes from the bottom of the insulator and is adapted for press fitting into a receiving aperture formed in a mounting substrate. After the contacts are press fitted into the mounting substrate, a flat blade-like contact portion protrudes from the top of the insulator for electrical engagement with a female contact (not disclosed) while a contact tail portion extends below the substrate for wire wrap termination. The assembled connector configuration permits removal of the insulator by lifting it from around the contacts which it lightly engages. Further, with the insulator in place, any individual contact may be removed from both the insulator and the substrate for replacement in the event of damage.

Abstract: A generally improved rectangular fussball game table having raised side walls and end walls with goal openings and a pebbled glass playing surface for improved ball handling. The game table includes four vertical legs of rectangular cross-section having table leveling feet and a plurality of rod-mounted, balanced and weighted playing figures each having the foot thereof configured for improved ball handling characteristics.

Abstract: A sweeping apparatus is provided with means for coupling to a motorized vehicle for towing therebehind and brushing dirt, debris, and the like off a surface over which the vehicle may pass. The sweeper comprises a housing having a transversely extending sweeping brush rotatably mounted in a generally horizontal surface engaging configuration adjacent a bin structure for collection of the sweepings. The brush is directly driven by the surface engaging wheels through a frictional engagement between one or both of the wheels and expandable drive capstans coaxially affixed to the brush. A tow frame is pivotally mounted to the housing at the forward end, which frame is adapted for releasable coupling to the towing vehicle. Means are provided for controlling the pivotal angularity between the tow frame and the housing which provides selectivity in adjusting the degree of interengagement or nonengagement between the brush and the swept surface.

Abstract: A contact for electrical component leads is formed by first stamping an outline design from a sheet of relatively thin metal stock. The stamped piece is then bent and folded in four substantially right angle bends about the longitudinal axis of the contact. The folded contact is generally rectangular in cross-section with planar side walls including a four-sided open top lead-receiving socket portion, a four-sided press-fitting central portion and a three-sided tail portion generally square in cross-section. Each planar side of the lead-receiving socket portion also includes a tine extending angularly inwardly and downwardly to mechanically and electrically engage an axially aligned component lead when inserted down into the open top lead-receiving socket portion of the contact.

Abstract: A low profile connector for electrical components having a plurality of leads extending therefrom, such as integrated circuit packages. Rectangular folded contacts, each having an open top lead receiving socket portion, are press fitted into aligned apertures in a substrate with the socket portions lying above the substrate surface. An insulative housing having recesses therein open at each end is laid over the ends of the contacts to receive each one of the socket portions up into a recess in the housing. A component is receiving onto the top surface of the housing with the leads therefrom extending down through the top openings of the recesses into the lead receiving socket portions of the contacts.

Abstract: A grooving bucket for forming grooves or bells in the ground around a previously drilled hole to allow casting of a concrete pile, the grooving bucket consisting of a cylindrical bucket portion fitted at the upper end with a boot or connecting box to fit the appropriate drilling machine kelly bar. Pivoted cutter arms protrude from each side of the bucket and are held in the horizontal or cutting position preferably by heavy duty tension springs. The cutters are hollow or channeled and are angled to cut a groove or bell in the ground on rotation of the bucket and to lead spoil or rock cuttings into the interior of the bucket. The bucket may be provided with a bottom hinged door to facilitate removal of spoil from inside the bucket.