Abstract: A finger-stabilized eating plate such as a "paper" plate designed for use at picnics and other informal meals comprises a plate body and, on the underside of the plate centrally thereof, finger gripping means located and dimensioned for gripping between the fingers of the plate user, thereby stabilizing the plate as food is placed upon it and eaten from it.

Abstract: A hot water heater having upper and lower electric heating elements and associated thermostatic switch controls in their electric circuits is provided with an energy saving control circuit for maintaining the lower heating element deenergized at all times except when it is needed to assist the upper heating element to heat the entire contents of the hot water heater tank. The energy saving control circuit includes an energy saving switch in the electric circuit of the lower heating element. A full tank relay switch is connected in parallel with the energy saving switch and the relay coil is connected to a transformer secondary winding through a holding circuit provided by a holding relay switch the coil of which is connected to the transformer secondary through a momentary make switch. The holding relay switch serves to maintain the holding relay coil connected to the transformer secondary after the momentary make switch is opened.

Abstract: A bumper sticker holder comprises a base, base fastening means for fastening the base to an automobile bumper or other support, and a peripheral frame dimensioned to overlie the peripheral area of the base and with it defining a longitudinal guideway dimensioned to receive and mount a bumper sticker or like display item. Frame fastening means fasten the frame to the base. As an alternative application, the base fastening means may be employed as a stand for mounting the holder on a desk or other supporting surface. When combined with suction cup fasteners, the holder may be applied to mounting the display item on the interior of an automobile window or like location.

Abstract: A collapsible foldable boat comprises a plurality of waterproof structural plates arranged in spaced relation to each other in the form of a boat hull, and a plurality of waterproof, flexible connecting pieces sealed to the plates and hinging them to each other. The plates are arranged in spaced longitudinal and transverse rows to enable folding both longitudinally and transversely. Interlocking end bulkheads, keelboard, and side rails maintain the boat disassembleably in a rigid, stable, assembled condition.

Abstract: A solar-energy-collector and solar roof. The collector comprises a panel of solar-energy-absorbing material adapted to lie flat on a roof or other supporting surface. The panel has on its undersurface a plurality of projections serving as feet which support the panel. The projections are spaced from each other by an amount predetermined to provide channels dimensioned to receive a flexible conduit adapted to transport a fluid heat exchange medium in heat exchange relation to the panel. The panels may be cut to conform to roof configuration, chimneys, etc. and the conduit arranged accordingly in the channels. The solar roof comprises a plurality of the panels interconnected to each other.

Abstract: For use in pressurized fluid lines, an anti-siphon and back-flow prevention valve. A conduit is tapped into the line upstream of an outlet terminating in a ball-shaped housing. The housing receives check valve means arranged for insuring that fluid does not escape during normal operation of the line, but for admitting vacuum-breaking air in the event of line pressure loss.

Abstract: A lidded container for growing, transporting and storing nursery plants. The container assembly comprises in combination an open-topped container dimensioned to receive the root structure of a plant and a lid which fits within the open top of the container. The lid has a central opening dimensioned to receive the stem or trunk of a plant and a radial slot of predetermined width communicating the opening with the exterior. A slide block or other closure is mountable in the slot. It slidably engages the slot margins when the lid is in its operative position, closing the open top of the container. Frictional interengaging means, such as a plurality of parallel, closely-spaced ribs on the upper inner margin of the container, releasably maintains the top in the closed condition of the container.

Abstract: High strength, cellulosic-gel-containing kraft paper is made by mechanically refining kraft papermaking pulp to a freeness of CSF 500-800, mixing the resulting refined pulp with from 1 to 10% hydrated cellulosic gel binder, running the resulting fluid mixture into a felted sheet and pressing and drying the sheet to form the kraft paper product.

Abstract: An adjustable lock for sliding patio doors and other closures comprises first and second rigid, bar-shaped links arranged end to end and pivotally interconnected. The outer end of one link is pivotally connected to a bracket which in turn is mounted on a structural member. The outer end of the other link is pivotally connected to a second bracket which in turn is mounted on a sliding closure, for example a sliding patio door. The links are adjustable between a straight-line, locked position, and a jackknifed, unlocked position.Means are provided for adjusting the length of one of the links to tension the assembly and to adapt it to openings of various dimensions as well as to provide, when desired, a partially open position of the closure while still in locked condition for ventilating purposes and also to permit the entry of pets.

Abstract: A damping device for controlling the vibration of skis. The device comprises a damper, preferably a pellet packed damper, and a fastener for fastening the same to a selected area of the ski, preferably to the upper surface of the ski tip.

Abstract: A valve assembly for the control of pressurized fluids. The assembly comprises a casing housing a valve chamber with communicating inlet and outlet ports. A valve seat and valve-operating subassembly is associated with one of the ports. The valve-operating subassembly comprises a valve body threaded into the casing adjacent the valve seat. The valve body has an axial bore which receives a headed shaft having a seal washer mounted on its head in separable engagement with the valve seat. Resilient means, e.g. a coil spring, urges the washer in the direction of engagement with the valve seat with a force less than the force of the pressurized fluid introduced into the chamber. The shaft and/or seal washer preferably are mounted for free rotation to minimize scuffing of the washer during operation of the valve.

Abstract: A collapsible table, particularly a book-simulating collapsible table, comprises a central support component having hinged to its opposite sides a pair of leaves which in their extended position form a table top and in their collapsed condition form a container, for example a container of small compass resembling a book in its external appearance. A plurality of legs is pivotally connected to the support member. In the collapsed condition of the leaves, the legs are contained in collapsed condition within the container. In the extended, or table top, condition of the leaves, the legs are extended to perform their usual support function.

Abstract: A rotary, Perkins tube heat exchanger for processing hot contaminated gas flows emanating from appliances such as laundry driers, grain driers and the like. The case of the heat exchanger is located relative to the rotor so as to lie in the gas flow boundary layer established by the latter. The case is provided with a boundary layer purge port in the hot gas chamber. An airfoil extends inwardly from the case into the gas flow boundary layer. It causes increased local turbulance in the boundary layer gas. It also diverts a predetermined proportion of the boundary layer gas and its burden of contamination products out through the purge port. The boundary layer airflow cleans both the interior of the case and the rotor, even through the rotor is characterized by the presence of a multiplicity of small openings. The device thus is rendered self-cleaning and may be operated for extended periods of time without buildup of contaminants within the heat exchanger case.

Abstract: A door lock for use particularly with sliding patio doors. The lock assembly includes a rotary actuator (door knob) connected to a shaft which drives a crank connected, in turn, to one or more spring-biased bolt rods and operable through the crank to shift the bolt rod to its spring-biased, door-locking position. Stops are positioned to stop the movement of the crank in the locking and unlocking positions of the bolt rod, respectively. Rotary interengaging means such as a pair of meshing gears releasably connect the crank to the shaft assembly. A latch maintains the spring-biased bolt rod releasably in its door-locking position when the gears are meshed. A trip disengages the gear when the bolt rod is in its spring-biased, door-locking position, thereby actuating automatic unlocking of the door.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying individuals through the ocular reflectance pattern from the fundus of the eye. A fixation target is provided for positioning and focusing the eye of an individual along its visual axis, being centered on the fovea of the eye. An infrared source provides a substantially collimated source beam of infrared radiation. A scanner directs the infrared radiation into the fixated eye from a plurality of sequential angularly divergent positions forming a substantially circular locus of points substantially centered on the fovea. The light is reflected in part out of the eye and forms a reflected beam. A detector measures the intensity of the radiation reflected from the eye at each sequential location, the intensities being recorded as an identification pattern. At a later date the eye may be presented again to the apparatus in a different rotational position about its visual axis and another pattern generated.

Abstract: A damped boring bar assembly for damping the vibrations encountered during the high-speed boring of titanium, zirconium, and their alloys and the like, as well as steel and other metals, especially when the overhang, or ratio of the diameter to depth of the bored hole, is very small. The boring bar assembly has a weighted damper body contained within a hollow elongated case, the tool-holding end of which is closed and incorporates a shaped inner face with a frictional sliding surface. The damper body also has a frictionally slidable element which, with the damper body, holds a resilient element in compression in an internal cavity. The frictionally slidable element has a shaped face having a frictional surface thereon which engages the frictional surface of the inner face of the elongated case during vibration. The damping mechanism can be adjusted to handle different machining conditions.

Abstract: An automatic electric switch assembly with associated timers re-synchronizes a time clock with real time after a power interruption.

Abstract: The presently described apple tree originated as a genetic bud sport on a Summerland strain of non-spur, unpatented, Granny Smith apple tree in the Calvin L. Cooper orchard located near Brewster, Wash. The new variety of apple tree is somewhat more compact in structure than is its parent, but otherwise is generally similar to the latter with respect to trunk, branches, leaves and flowers. However, its fruit is uniquely characterized by its property of maturing early, i.e. up to 14 days earlier than the fruit of its parent regular Granny Smith variety. This property is evidenced by early loss of the characteristic white spots from its skin, and in particular by early and substantial rise in soluble solids content and early, rapid, and substantial drop in total acidity. It also is noticeably lighter in color.