Abstract: An antenna support structure has the outward appearance of a palm tree. The antenna support structure has a vertical support pole with an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is of a color and texture to resemble the trunk of a palm tree. Disposed outwardly from the intermediate portion is a plurality of antenna receptor members appropriately configured to receive desired electromagnetic signal waves. At the top of the support pole is a plurality of green members having the appearance of new palm fronds. Below the green members are a plurality of drooping members disposed downwardly about the intermediate portion of the support pole and covering the antenna receptor members. The drooping members have colors and textures to resemble a palm tree skirt.
Abstract: A process for the low temperature, non-incineration decontamination of contaminated materials, such as chemical weapon components containing residual quantities of chemical warfare agents. The process includes the steps of (a) preparing a feed mixture containing the chemical weapon components and organic materials; (b) contacting the feed mixture with steam at substantially ambient pressure in a substantially dry first heated vessel for a period of at least about 15 minutes, the steam being at a temperature of at least about 560° C., (b) removing condensible and non-condensible gases from the first heated vessel and heating them in a second vessel at substantially ambient pressures to temperatures of at least about 500° C.
Abstract: A water recreational apparatus has a water basin, a filter and a pump. The side walls of the water basin have side doors to allow the flow of water from the water basin to the filter. A spring or other biasing means is provided to bias the side wall doors to a closed position when the pump is not operating, but allowing the side doors to open when the pump is operating.
Abstract: An injection mold apparatus for the injection molding of plastic articles. The mold apparatus has a plurality of take-off plates. Each of the take-off plates comprises a plurality of article acceptors. The take-off plates are movable between positions wherein the article acceptors can accept molded articles from the mold and positions wherein the molded articles are moved away from the mold. In a preferred embodiment, each of the article acceptors consists of opposed half-cylinders which can be separated to accept and discharge the molded articles. Also in preferred embodiments, each of the article acceptors is internally cooled so as to be able to cool each article acceptor after it has been moved away from the mold.
Abstract: A barbecue grill has a heating compartment and a plenum chamber disposed proximate to the heating compartment. The plenum chamber has a central vent for providing access to the central portion of the heating compartment and a pair of opposed side vents to provide access to the two opposed side portions of the heating compartment. A recirculation fan is disposed proximate to the central vent. The recirculation fan is adapted to draw hot gases from the central portion of the heating compartment into the plenum and drive those gases via the plenum into the side portions of the heating compartment via the pair of opposed side vents.
Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of traffic intersections comprising (a) storing traffic flow data and related time data at each traffic intersection in a data storage unit; (b) periodically downloading the traffic flow data and the time data to a computer; (c) using the computer to generate a new set of operating parameters based upon the traffic flow data and the time data; and (d) controlling the plurality of traffic intersections with the new set of operating parameters.
Abstract: A hanger combination useful for the display of merchandise items has a base plate and a hanger rail. The hanger rail is attached to the base plate such that the hanger rail can be alternatively moved between a retracted hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is proximal to the base plate and an extended hanger rail position wherein the hanger rail is spaced apart from the base plate.
Abstract: An improved tilt rate control mechanism for a tilt back chair has an adjustable torsion spring, a tilt rate adjustment actuator and an actuator movement mechanism. The torsion spring has an adjustment lever for adjusting the tension on the torsion spring. The tilt rate adjustment actuator is disposed in contact with the adjustment lever such that the movement of the adjustment actuator causes movement of the adjustment lever. The adjustment actuator is moveable between (i) a first actuator position wherein the actuator is proximal to the torsion spring and the adjustment lever is in a minimum tension position, and (ii) a second actuator position wherein the actuator is distal from the torsion spring and the adjustment lever is in a maximum tension position.
Abstract: A weir-type diaphragm valve having a valve body, a flexible diaphragm and a valve stem. The valve body has an inlet end, an outlet end and an internal flow path disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end. Within the valve body is a weir disposed transverse to the flow path. Along the top edge of the weir is disposed a raised bead extending substantially along the entire length of the top edge of the weir. The flexible diaphragm is disposed above the valve seat. The diaphragm is flexible between a closed diaphragm position wherein the diaphragm is in tight abutment with the valve seat (so that the valve path is sealed closed) and an open diaphragm position wherein the diaphragm is spaced apart from the valve seat (so that the valve path is open). The valve stem and handle assembly is adapted to alternatively flex the diaphragm between the closed diaphragm position and the open diaphragm position.