Abstract: A speed reducer (or increaser) has a group of planetary members with a major diameter bearing on a central annular member in rolling contact. The minor diameters of these members bear preferably on the inside surfaces of axially-spaced ring sections in rolling engagement on flared surfaces provided on either the ring sections of the planetary members, or both. The rolling engagement is under pressure generated preferably by urging one ring member axially in a direction to grip the planetary members between the ring sections and the central annular member as a result of change of the rolling position on the flared surfaces. An intermediate member is associated with the axis of the planetary members to provide peripheral spacing of the planetary members, and control of their position.

Abstract: A perforate member is laid over a windrow of cut plants to confine it against the action of the wind. The member is open over a major portion of its area to sunlight and the passage of air. The member is held against the ground preferably by the weight of water in flexible tubes extending along opposite sides of the windrow.

Abstract: A bow sight has a range-finding function that automatically aligns the trajectory path of the arrow to correspond to the range. The range is established by providing a sighting frame that establishes vertically-spaced reference lines that give the apparent height of a known object at a known distance. Rotation of the frame about a horizontal axis reduces the apparent spacing between the top and bottom of the frame, which is correlated to increased distance. As the frame is progressively rotated to the point that the apparent height corresponds to the observed height of the known object, the placement of the sighting frame with respect to the bow is altered vertically to align the bow with the correct trajectory for that distance.

Abstract: A water closet has an intake manifold interposed between the seat and the top periphery of the bowl. A suction blower is arranged to draw gases from the manifold, and deliver them to the sewer connection beyond the water trap. The components, including the ventilation connection, are within, or secured to, the bowl and tank structure.

Abstract: Seat and back sections of the unit are pivotally interconnected so that they may be placed in selected angular relationships, including coplanar. Links interconnect this sub-assembly to a base frame so that the subassembly can be supported in either of two positions which are spaced horizontally. This arrangement permits a pair of units to be installed on opposite sides of a removable table to function as seats, and then be shifted together, after removal of the table, to eliminate the leg space and form a continuous bed surface when the seat and back sections are in coplanar position. A locking system secures the selected position determined by the links, and also the angular relationship of the seat and back sections.

Abstract: The filtration module is adapted to be installed in groups occupying all or a substantial portion of a wall or ceiling area in a room. The filter elements are replaceable from inside the room without disassembly or removal of the housing structure. The filter elements are held in secure sealing relationship against recessed edge surfaces by an easily removed retaining frame normally secured to the housing with fastenings accessible from within the room.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids in spray form has an outer resiliently deformable housing surrounding a more readily deformable inner container of liquid, with an airspace in between. Manual pressure on the housing generates pressure in the airspace, which compresses the container and causes it to discharge some of its contents. Part of the pressurized air is conducted to an orifice adjacent to the point of discharge of the liquid to assist in atomizing the discharge. Vent holes in the housing for return air into the airspace must be covered for generating the pressure, and these are spaced to minimize the danger of operation by children. The discharge nozzle assembly is constructed for simplicity of plastic molding, and for replaceable nozzle components to adapt the device for a variety of liquids. The assembly also provides for a substantial fill opening for the inner container, and adequate sealing after filling.

Abstract: A C-clamp has a bearing pad formed on a plug having a body portion removably received within a bore in one extremity of the clamp frame. The bore is coaxial with the clamping rod movably mounted in the opposite extremity of the frame. The bore is intersected by a slot receiving a cable connector, with the usual hole in the connector normally traversed by the plug, and in firm electrical contact therewith.The clamp is also preferably provided with a tubular member having the exterior thereof in threaded engagement with the opposite frame extremity. The clamping shaft is slidably received in the tubular member, and a one-way rotative interlock is provided between the shaft and the tubular member in the direction to induce movement of the tubular member toward the pad in the thread system. A brake is incorporated for restraining the rotation between the tubular member and the frame.

Abstract: The output of a test light of a densitometer is divided into a test beam and a reference beam. The test beam is caused to traverse film samples, and impinge on a detector that produces a signal responsive to the intensity of the received light. A second detector is arranged to receive the reference beam, which does not traverse the film sample. A measuring system is responsive to the output of the first detector, and utilizes the output of the second detector to compensate for variations in the intensity of the test light.

Abstract: A vehicle has a moveable bail adapted to engage articles lying on the ground and pull them up unto one end of a storage deck, and also eject them normally from the opposite end. The bail is reversible to provide a full sweep over the deck area at a position spaced above the deck.

Abstract: This oven has a primary heating chamber containing heat-generating equipment producing hot gases. These gases pass from the primary heating chamber to a secondary heating chamber occupied by an indexing rotary magazine in object-exchanging relationship with a mechanism for inducing movement of the objects through the oven. The secondary heating chamber can be used for either pre-heating or heat-soaking the objects, depending on the direction of movement of the objects through the oven. The objects are loaded on the carrier (or removed, according to the application of the oven) radially at a position angularly spaced from the position of exchange with the movement-inducing means.

Abstract: A wind-driven rotor for generating power has a central normally vertical column mounted in a base structure for rotation about the column axis. In the preferred form of the invention, a plate is secured to the top of the column perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and functions both as a aerodynamic end plate and as a bracket supporting a group of articulating airfoils. These are rotatable about a pivot connection to the end plate with freedom of movement within a limited sector of articulation providing driving and feathering airfoil positions. The airfoils are preferably triangular, with an apex downward, and pivotally connected to a member fixed with respect to the column at a position relatively close to the column axis, so that one side of the triangular configuration approaches parallelism with the column.

Abstract: A lathe is designed to accommodate a variety of machining operations, and provide automatic feed and accuracy of alignment at a minimum of cost. The preferred form of the machine is adapted to function either as bench lathe with its own speed-reducer, or in conjunction with a base machine providing support and power at variable rotational speeds.

Abstract: A translucent panel is made up of one or more pieces of translucent wood. Each piece of wood is cut to less than one-half inch in thickness in the direction of the grain of the wood and is then impregnated with an initially liquid polymerizable material curable to a translucent solid. The influx of this material into the cells of the wood is induced by a sequence of intermiscible liquids, and/or by vacuum, with provision being made for the clearing of air bubble accumulation as the liquid displaces the entrained air in the wood. The absorbed material is cured so that the tubular cell structure of the wood is filled with a translucent solid, thereby causing the wood to become translucent. The completed panel is installed in proximity to a light source to form a light fixture.

Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials has an outer housing surrounding a readily deformable inner container holding the material to be dispensed. The housing is resiliently deformable under manually applied forces, and has an air inlet covered by the hand of the user, or controlled by a check-valve providing for inflow exclusively. Constriction or compression of the housing by hand increases the pressure of the air occupying the space between the housing and the inner container, compressing the inner container, and expelling some of the contents via an outlet. Release of gripping pressure permits the resiliency of the housing to restore its original configuration, and produces a suction causing inflow of air at the air inlet in a volume corresponding to the volume of the discharged contents of the inner container. A modification of the invention utilizes the air pressure to additionally produce one or more jets of air at the outlet to increase atomization.