Abstract: A child's portable toy having an audio signal producer is provided with a plurality of pressure switches designating different tones of a fixed interval scale. When one of the pressure switches is depressed, the sound of a corresponding tone is produced through a speaker provided in the toy so that a child may play a melody thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is a brine-maker of a two-tank arrangement specifically designed for efficient removal of salt sludge. The first tank is a salt-hopper into which water flows from the bottom and up through salt to form brine and leaves mineral impurities called sludge on the bottom of the hopper. The brine then overflows through strainers into a brine containment tank. The outside of the salt hopper has bracketing means attached. When the sludge needs to be removed, a lifting device is attached to the bracketing means and the hopper is disconnected from the water supply by a quick-fit coupler and removed to a dumping site where it is turned on its side and the sludge is poured out. The salt hopper is then returned to its position and coupled to the water supply. The salinity level of the brine in the containment tank can be adjusted either by adding fresh water or by running the brine back through the salt in the salt hopper. The brine is stored in the brine containment tank until discharged for use.

Abstract: An insulated concrete form wall building system wherein a first embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart elongated expanded polystyrene sidewalls, each having opposed inner surfaces that are formed with longitudinally spaced apart vertically oriented ribs that terminate in substantially flat surfaces to abut against one another to serve as a concrete wall form. A second embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart elongated expanded polystyrene sidewalls and divisional members with flat sides which are attached to said sidewalls to serve as a concrete wall form. The ribs define channels for receiving concrete poured therein to form a composite polystyrene and concrete wall structure in the first embodiment and the divisional members serve the same function in the second embodiment.

Abstract: An apparatus used to deliver light from overhead to stimulate plant growth in a controlled environment. The distance between tops of the plants and the lights can be adjusted to correlate with plant growth by a motorized assembly for raising and lowering a bar suspended from an upper support and upon which are mounted growth lights. Horizontal sway of the bar upon which the growth lights are mounted is minimized by a guiding structure for one end of the bar. When florescent growth lights are used, bulk and heat produced by their ballasts are eliminated by locating all ballasts remotely from the apparatus.

Abstract: A device and method for molding integrated circuit packages including a semiconductor integrated circuit chip and a lead frame with a plurality of leads is disclosed. The device is formed of top and bottom mold dies having intermating teeth that provide a sealed mold cavity around the integrated circuit chip and the lead frame leads. The teeth of at least one of said mold dies are formed with inclined surfaces that assist in compensating for any misalignment between the lead frame and the dies.

Abstract: A storage, display and dispensing apparatus for tickets of various sizes that accounts for the tickets dispensed during a selected time period. The dispensing apparatus includes a bin housing for storing a pack of tickets, a ticket dispensing assembly through which the tickets are dispensed and includes a friction wheel assembly that is actuated as tickets passed through the tear bar assembly so that a count of such tickets is provided. A piezo electric sensing element is also employed to sense perforations between the tickets and to reset the friction wheel assembly count as a result thereof.

Abstract: A guidance system for providing a steering control for a swing arm on a center pivot irrigation system is provided through the use of two satellite signal receivers. A first signal receiver is located at the center pivot to provide calculated position information for a comparison with the known position of the center pivot. An error signal is generated and is utilized to adjust position information provided by the second signal receiver to produce an improved position information for the swing arm. Such improved position information is compared to the desired path of travel for the swing arm and a steering signal is generated therefrom, which steering signal controls the steering of the swing arm along its desired path of travel.

Abstract: A storage, display and dispensing apparatus for tickets of various sizes. The dispensing apparatus includes a bin housing for storing a pack of tickets, a ticket dispensing assembly through which the tickets are dispensed and a piezo electric sensing element employed to sense perforations between the tickets as they pass through the dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A golf putting practice device adapted to serve as a substitute for a floor vent that fits into a floor duct of a forced air circulation system of a building and includes a cup shaped ball receiving enclosure and at least one flat support plate member extended outwardly from the ball receiving enclosure. A bottom of the receiving enclosure includes a ball return mechanism that ejects a ball from such enclosure. A plurality of apertures are formed in the support plate member to allow for air flow through the plate.

Abstract: A toy in the form of a doll includes an associated radio within an interior cavity of the doll body, which radio is controlled by various switches located on the feet of the doll and utilized for turning the radio on and off and tuning the radio to a desired frequency. The doll includes a simulated headset attached in such fashion to its head so as to provide a strap for conveniently carrying the doll from place-to-place.

Abstract: A new game is disclosed, involving objectives similar to American baseball but with equipment and rules of play tailored for young children. In this new game, there is a bat and a ball that is hit off a tee. The boundaries on the playing field are defined as a right boundary, which is a visual line between teebase and the base placed in a position similar to that of first base on a regular baseball field and a left boundary, which is a visual line between teebase and a boundary marker placed in a position angled to the left of teebase and selected according to the number and skill level of the players. There is only one base and when a batter hits the ball off the tee, he runs to a base placed on the right boundary. The base includes an air bladder that is connected to a sound generating device to produce a sound when the base is stepped on.

Abstract: A floating dock section that is secure, economical and durable and can be coupled together with a similar type section by a connecting member that fits into a socket of the dock section. Each connecting member has flanges that fit into receiving sockets of two adjacent dock sections to form a dock of a preferred configuration so that the dock sections can be arranged in a plethora of configurations. Modular pieces for end posts and other accessories can be added. The bottom surface of the dock section includes a plurality of rectangularly shaped closely spaced apart troughs that are in a parallel alignment with one another.

Abstract: An application device used to deliver anhydrous ammonia gas from the manifold on an applicator to the soil and including an ammonia injector. The ammonia injector consists of a smooth, metallic tube capped on one end by a metallic cap which is a precisely hollowed out metal shaft. The ammonia is applied through bores precision-drilled in the cap. The components of the ammonia injector greatly increase the accuracy with which the anhydrous ammonia can be applied, reduce the pressure at which the ammonia must flow through the injectors resulting in better and more even distribution in the soil, and increase the useful life of the injector.

Abstract: An insulated concrete form wall building system includes a pair of spaced apart elongated expanded polystyrene sidewalls, each having opposed inner surfaces that are formed with longitudinally spaced apart vertically oriented ribs that terminate in substantially flat surfaces to abut against one another to serve as a concrete wall form. The ribs define channels for receiving concrete poured therein to form a composite polystyrene and concrete wall structure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a floating dock that is secure, economical and durable. The dock is comprised of modular floating dock sections coupled together with flanges that fit into receiving sockets on the docking sections. The versatile dock sections can be arranged in a plethora of dock configurations, and modular pieces for end posts and other accessories can be added.

Abstract: A lure and bait harness for securing bait to a lure or hook which allows for quick and efficient attachment. The lure and bait harness comprise a retainer secured to an overcenter spring. The spring includes a first arm and second arm which are secured to one another in a manner which allows the spring to be biased in an open position away from the retainer which allows for placement of the bait in the harness and biased in a closed position retaining a piece of bait between the retainer and the spring. By providing the retainer or spring with a spur the bait is securely held against unintentional dislodgment. Where desire the lure and bait harness is provided with a first fin and a second fin pitched in a similar manner to provide the lure or harness with rotation as the lure or harness is pulled through the water.