Abstract: A hinged golf ball container for mounting over the speed control resistance elements of an electric golf cart having a bottom opening through which heated air from the resistance elements can pass. A ball supporting baffle within the container protects the golf balls from radiant heat and causes circulation of the heated air around the golf balls for raising the temperature thereof. A downwardly depending deflector assists in directing heated air surrounding the resistance elements into the golf ball container.

Abstract: A spine for flexible aquarium air hoses includes a plurality of rib members, each having at least three radially disposed ribs, and each adjacent pair of rib members are connected at the centers by a substantially flexible connecting member. The spine is inserted inside the flexible hose at areas where the hose is to be bent, thereby preventing kinking of the hose.

Abstract: A trailer assembly is disclosed for transporting two vehicles. The trailer has an open-ended frame supported by at least two independent wheels so that one vehicle is merely towed and not supported by the trailer and the second vehicle is loaded on the trailer above the first vehicle and supported by the trailer's wheels.

Abstract: A seed planter of the type primarily intended for use in automatically depositing seeds into seedling flats. The seed planter basically comprises a support frame including a conveyor for moving the seedling flats containing a growing medium therealong. Operatively mounted on the support frame in communicating relation to the seedling trays are an automatic dibbler for preparing the growing medium to receive the seeds and a seed delivery station for automatically depositing seeds into the dibbled flat. Operation of the seed planter is entirely automatic, and its operating cycle as well as the structural elements of the dibbler and the seed delivery system may be modified to accomplish automatic planting of flats of various sizes and configurations, and to accomodate seeds of different sizes.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system includes a tank divided into a horizontal series of filtering sub-chambers by perforated plates. A series of graded filtration media, beginning with a coarse medium and progressing to a fine medium such as sand is disposed in consecutive sub-chambers. Various features are provided with this system to perform desirable system operations. For example, the system is provided with input and outlet pressure sensors, and means for detecting the pressure differential between those two sensors, to indicate the desirability of backwashing the filtration media contained within one or more sub-chambers. The system is further provided with plural pumps and valves to permit backwashing of the fine filtration medium in a direction reverse to the direction of filter flow, and transverse to that direction.

Abstract: A hub assembly for roller skates having a flanged hub with a cylindrical body portion, a flat ring, and a hub plug. The body portion of the hub has a concentric molded opening therein with the ring end thereof adapted to be forced onto the axle nut of a roller skate wheel. The flat ring is disposed over the hub body against the inner surface of the flange so as to permit a plurality of projections on the inside face of the ring to form a frictional connection to the side wall of the wheel, such that rotation of the wheel causes the ring to rotate with the hub acting as a bearing. The hub plug is inserted in the outer end of the hub opening thereby giving a finished appearance. The assembly is preferably of a nylon plastic impregnated with phosphorescent or fluorescent dyes such that the assembly will glow in bright colors under ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A multipurpose ratcheting wrench is disclosed for turning components such as fire hydrant valve stems and the like. The wrench includes a lever which defines cam surfaces between the distended ends thereof. A gripping head is movably coupled to the lever adjacent the cam surfaces for receiving the component to be turned therethrough and for automatically closing toward the cam surfaces so as to engage the component therebetween. As the lever is rotated, the cam surface is pressured into communication with the component to be turned and therefore increase the grip of the wrench thereon. Two separate cam surfaces are provided, one which is adjacent to the gripping head when in the opening mode, and another cam surface which is adjacent to the gripping head located in the closing mode. A spinning handle is provided at the opposite end of the lever and is oriented generally parallel with the axis of rotation of the component being rotated.

Abstract: A safety latch is disclosed capable of selectively locking an in swinging door in a closed position, permitting the door to open a predetermined angular displacement, or permitting the door to open freely. The latch includes a bracket with a projecting portion offset from the door, and a pivotable bar capable of limited vertical displacement, and having a slot with a long first portion of predetermined width abruptly expanding to a short second portion of greater width. The projecting portion is capable of selectively engaging the pivotable bar in either the first or second portion of the slot.

Abstract: A metallic convenience closure for a cylindrical container comprises a panel, an endless score line formed in the panel and defining a central removable portion and a peripheral fixed portion, means forming a part of the fixed portion for attaching a closure to the end of a container to close the end, a manually graspable pull-tab attached to the removable portion of the panel and having a nose portion movable upon lifting of the tab into position adjacent the score line for severing the score line, and stiffening means on the removable panel extending generally parallel to the direction of pull of the pull-tab such that said stiffening means will resist the tendency of the removable portion to bend transversely of the general pull direction.

Abstract: A launching and recovery apparatus for a lifeboat, rescue launch or like small boat fitted to a ship, floating or fixed marine platform or other vessel which is controlled by a single fall comprises a launching and recovery cradle 7 from which a boat can hang freely on a releaseable support. During its travel between a fully hoisted and a partly lowered position the boat and cradle are supported on trackways 2 extending inwardly and upwardly from the deck of the vessel by roller assemblies 31, 32 at the base of the cradle which run on respective trackways. The cradle 7 has a symmetrical upwardly convergent frame 35, 36, 37 whose apex is arranged for connection of the single fall wire 43 by which the cradle is held in a stable attitude during launching and recovery with the boat suspended freely from the cradle on a single releaseable support 38. A single sheave 15 located above the cradle symmetrically between the trackways 2a takes up or pays out the fall wire 43, to raise or lower the cradle 7.

Abstract: A striker assembly for operating the printing hammer in a high speed impact-type line printer. The assembly is a simple, low cost unit having a minimum of components. The striker body is of one-piece molded construction having a head and neck portion. An armature backstop is carried in the head portion which may be externally adjusted for printer character alignment during operation of the line printer by exerting pressure on the head portion with resulting flexure of the neck. The backstop is self-aligning during such adjustment. The striker assembly is mounted to permit adjustment of printed character density during operation of the line printer.

Abstract: A mannequin head form having human or artificial hair in which the hair bearing surfaces are marked to permit demonstration of hairdressing techniques by an instructor and to guide a student in learning and practicing such techniques. Respective ones of a group of head forms may have markings and indicia to show: areas for blocking for permanent waving; shapes and loctions of curls; direction of finger and tool placement for waving and the like; directions for partitioning the hair for cutting, parting, bleaching, and coloring; and other general or specialized instructional markings. The markings and indicia are visible to the user as the hair is manipulated.

Abstract: A torsionally loaded treble hook is disclosed characterized by the fact that the torsion is provided by a torsion member in the form of a wire which is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the shanks of the hooks. The shank of the hooks and the major portion of the torsional member are enclosed in a sleeve in a closely packed configuration so that the width of the shank portion of the treble hook is minimized. The trigger mechanism disclosed is a pivotable and collapsible weed guard. A method of making the novel treble hook is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for use with switching power transformer circuits for balancing and compensating for core flux caused by unswitched D.C. current flowing in the transformer. A method and apparatus for adjusting the duty cycle of the switching portion of the power transformer circuit serves to balance the flux present in the transformer core during each half cycle of the operation of the circuit.

Abstract: A method of developing waveforms having the energy therein concentrated within a limited bandwidth and modems for generating, transmitting, and receiving digital data utilizing such waveforms as carriers. A set of mutually orthogonal basis signals are selected to maximize their energies within the channel, each is binary coded and stored in the modem. A set of optimized coefficients is stored and utilized to weight each basis function in a coding arrangement to define bytes of digital data. The coded and weighted basis functions for each successive byte are summed to form a composite signal and transmitted over the channel as an analog waveform. Stored basis signals at the receiving end are correlated with the received waveform to thereby extract the coefficients which are decoded to reproduce the transmitted bytes. Both coding gain and reduction of intersymbol interference is achieved.

Abstract: A hand-held holder for pressurized chemical cartridges includes a casing having an opening therethrough between first and second ends and a cartridge-carrying frame member dimensioned to slide through the opening. A valve at the first end of the frame member is adapted to engage the cartridge for dispensing the chemical therein, and a lever pivoted at the second end of the casing holds the cartridge in a relatively fixed position while driving the frame through the casing toward the rearward, second end of the casing to cause movement of the valve toward and into engagement with the cartridge to effect the dispensing of the pressurized chemical contained in the cartridge.

Abstract: A granular fertilizer and insecticide carrier-filler material which is produced from phosphatic clays is disclosed along with its method of production. The granular carrier-filler material is water-degradable, and is prepared from waste phosphatic clays by tilling the source material, allowing it to dry, crushing the dried material into granules, heating the granules at a temperature of about 450.degree. F. to less than 1600.degree. F. to obtain a granular carrier-filler material having a moisture content of no more than about 15% by weight. Depending upon end use applications, the granular carrier-filler material may be sized as by screening.

Abstract: A cremator having a pivotable hearth and a secondary moveable hearth displaceable along a primary chamber and a secondary chamber is disclosed. The pivotable hearth is rotated by means of an exterior hydraulic cylinder coupled to a pivotable hearth. The primary and secondary chamber are separated by an interior wall having a lower portion in close contact with the secondary moveable hearth. Means are provided for moving the secondary hearth from an initial position to sequentially a downward position, a sideways position, an upward position and a final sideways position corresponding to the initial position.

Abstract: Electrode catheters for rapid endocardial insertion and for interconnection with a pacemaker include a flexible conductor having an outer, electrically insulating sheath about the conductor with a curve, bend or other portion at the distal end of the catheter. A wing extends laterally from the catheter at the proximal end, and has an established relationship between the lateral direction of the wing and the curve, bend or other portion allowing the physician to control the orientation of the distal end after insertion to permit the desired positioning of the curve, bend or other portion within the heart. The wing may then be used to stabilize the electrode by taping to the patient's skin.