Abstract: A corner stair and a corner wall of a pool are molded into an interal structure. A top step and riser are located at the required height to permit the lead bar of a swimming-pool automatic cover to be positioned over the step and against the riser such that the cover is completely over the pool including the top of the stair. Only an operation of the automatic pool cover is required to prevent rubbish from entering the pool and to eliminate the danger of small children entering the pool unattended.

Abstract: A check valve has a pivotal arm for striking a flap against a seal that has a knife edge for cutting occasionally lodged debris. The flap without an integral arm is light to provide minimum resistance to flow of fluid in a normal direction. Greater efficiency permits a spring for biasing an actuating mechanism that is aligned with the pivotal arm to be weaker so that fluid can flow more readily in a normal direction and the spring can be reset easier.

Abstract: A reinforcing fixture that is to be connected in multiple to an end wall also has a U-shaped section in and upper horizontal member for supporting a receptacle for a swimming-pool cover and rolling mechanism. Each of the fixture is readily and accurately positioned on the end wall for positioning the receptacle mechanism accurately at the required height relative to the upper edge of adjacent side walls.

Abstract: A collar attached around a nozzle has a pivot from which an arm extends. In a contracted position, the arm extends close along the nozzle toward the discharge end thereof to facilitate insertion of the nozzle into an opening of a tank. While in the opening, the arm is turned far enough, by an extension outside the opening, through an acute angle to contact the inside edge of the opening and therefore to force the nozzle in an opposite direction against the inside edge. A latch connected to the arm maintains, until the latch is released, the arm in an expanded or wedging position for retaining the nozzle in the opening. Another embodiment uses three arms evenly spaced for wedging the nozzle in a centered position in an opening.

Abstract: An extensible stabilizing tower similar to those positioned about hydraulic cylinders having multiple extensible stages is modified to effectively connect cylinders vertically in series. An upper stage of the stabilizing tower supports an upper cylinder or parallel cylinders, and base parallel cylinders connected to the base of the stabilizing tower are operative to lift the upper stage supporting the upper cylinder. A load connected to the header of the upper cylinder is lifted a distance equal to the sum of the extension of the base cylinders and the subsequent extension of the upper cylinder.

Abstract: The housing of an air valve, the valve controlling the height of a vehicle seat supported on a suspension having an air spring, is pivotally connected to one of the frames of the suspension supporting the seat. A manual control lever connected to the housing is operative to change the angle of inclination of the housing for selecting a desired height of the seat. A control arm of the valve is connected by a linkage to the other frame of the suspension. These connections to the air valve control the valve for selecting a desired height and for automatically restoring the height for different weights on the seat.

Abstract: A bag holder has a base to be attached to a vertical surface and has two hinged arms to be latched perpendicular to the base in useful positions for holding an open bag. Nestable spaces for the arms are provided within the surface of the base, and hinges connecting the arms to the base permit the arms to be turned from the nestable spaces to the useful positions. The upper edge of each arm is contoured to provide an intermediate upright portion about which a loop, or handle, of a bag is suspended. The arms are biased to be urged to the nestable positions, and latching means between the base and the arms retain the arms in the useful positions.

Abstract: To a controller utilizing thyristors have been added delayed resetting circuits connected to timing circuits for enabling delayed firing, and also circuits for inverting polarity of error signal in order to accommodate regenerative and reverse-plug braking. Other additional circuits include circuits for controlling a ramp generator for developing different segments of a ramp required for different modes of operation of a motor. Sequence switching circuits in the circuits controlling operation of the motor determine that full acceleration or deceleration of a selected mode is completed before a newly selected mode is started.

Abstract: Horizontal pneumatic shock absorbers are connected through gears and levers to convert the longitudinal control of the shock absorbers to vertical control of seat frames of vehicles. Particularly, a preferred embodiment of a resilient support has sufficiently low height to permit placement of the support between the seat and the frame of a motorcycle for supporting the seat at a normal level. The preferred embodiment has, in addition to a pneumatic shock absorber for support, a shock absorber applying an opposing force for controlling bounce. Also, spring couplings connect the levers for supporting the seat to provide resilience for cushioning rapid shocks of moderate intensity while the shock absorbers function more flowly for longer excursions.

Abstract: An adjustable slide in a seat suspension is connected through a plate to a link of a parallel linkage, and one end of a shock absorber is connected to the slide. The other end of the shock absorber is connected either to a support for a seat guided by the parallel linkage of a suspension or to a base to which the parallel linkage is connected. Means for changing the distance of the slide over the plate from an adjacent pivot adjusts stiffness or quality of ride.

Abstract: A decoy for a fowl has a large socket in the bottom of a moderately flexible body and a mating plug on a removable two-legged foot assembly, the plug and socket being shaped to distribute weight and force from wind and to interlock for firm connection. Preferably, the socket is a recess in the moderately flexible material of the body, and the plug supported by two legs is quite rigid. Protrusions on the side of the socket fit into corresponding notches within the inside surface of the socket.

Abstract: To prevent breakage, an end section that can be positioned across a roadway is connected through a slanting pivot to a supporting section, the raised and lowered positions of the supporting section being under control of a usual standard. The pintle of a hinge for the pivot lies along slanting abutting ends of the supporting section and the end section such that the end section while the sections are horizontal is maintained in position by gravity. An L-shaped latching device has a weight at one end, an intermediate pivot, and a latch at the other end to latch the sections together by gravity while the sections are raised from a horizontal position, the latch retaining said end section upright while the supporting section is fully raised.

Abstract: A passive solar heating system is disclosed which is used in conjunction with doors and windows exposed to solar radiation and having at least partially transparent glazing. Said system comprises a blind having rotatably adjustable slats disposed in a plane substantially parallel to a panel of glazing, a first absorptive screen for converting light energy into thermal energy. Said screen having a plane substantially parallel to that the glazing and a shade or curtain for selectively covering said system having a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the glazing. Adjustment of the blinds, screens and shade permits the desired degree of immergent light to be converted to heat. Alternatively, more than one absorptive screen may be added to increase the efficiency of thermal conversion.

Abstract: In place of one of the usual blunt seats, a sewer check valve has a knife-edge extending from one of the seats to eliminate holding of compressed, relatively tough chunks of sewage between seats by cutting through the chunks, and has room for the cut pieces to move away from the seats. The flap of the valve has a lever extending therefrom, and a spring actuated rod retained by a catch is released to strike against the lever for forcing the flap against the knife-edge. The catch may be released manually, but is preferably released by slightly delayed operation of a solenoid in response to operation of a level sensing device in the housing of the valve.

Abstract: Horizontal pneumatic shock absorbers are connected through gears and levers to convert the longitudinal control of the shock absorbers to vertical control of seat frames of vehicles. Particularly, a preferred embodiment of a resilient support has sufficiently low height to permit placement of the support between the seat and the frame of a motorcycle for supporting the seat at a normal level. The preferred embodiment has, in addition to a pneumatic shock absorber for support, a shock absorber applying an opposing force for controlling bounce. Also, spring couplings connect the levers for supporting the seat to provide resilience for cushioning rapid shocks of moderate intensity while the shock absorbers function more slowly for longer excursions.

Abstract: A portable dispenser especially suitable for blending and dispensing bacterial solutions includes within a single housing a reservoir, a pump, a valve, self-contained batteries, and timing relays. The relays are readily adjustable for determining over a wide range the length of the dispensing periods and the length of time between them. A small, efficient pump is used for blending just before it is used for dispensing. For applications requiring small quantities of additives, the dispenser can function long periods unattended between refills of additives and replacements of batteries.

Abstract: A pickup is connected to a system of sheaves of a mobile hydraulic hammer for providing a signal proportional to velocity of a hammer weight. The pickup is connected to the input of a differentiating circuit, and the output of the differentiating circuit is connected to the starting input of an electronic timer. Two-level output of the timer is connected to hydraulic valves that control the lifting and dropping of a hammer weight. The signal applied to the starting input of the timer has two states, one state resulting from any noticeable acceleration of the hammer weight and the other state resulting from zero acceleration. The timer starts in response to zero acceleration at the time of impact of the hammer weight and provides a signal to cause the hammer weight to be lifted without delay to a predetermined height according to a predetermined timing period, the height always being with reference to the level at which impact occurred.

Abstract: An attachment for a front lift of a farm tractor comprises an elongated tool bar extending forward and supporting at its far end a large claw having three spaced downwardly curved, sharpened tines. The end of the tool bar nearest the lift is welded both directly and through braces to the front side of a rectangular hitch-and-tool-supporting frame, and drilled plates welded to the back side have properly spaced holes for coupling to the front lift.

Abstract: A cylindrical body resembling a piece of pipe has the sharp edge of a utility-knife blade extending into the bore of the body to cut a longitudinal slit in the wall of a piece of plastic tubing that is pushed or pulled through the bore. A removable stop protruding into the bore momentarily stops the piece of tubing until another utility blade, connected to a guide and handle positioned at an angle across the cylindrical body, is pulled into the slitted end of the tubing to cut on a line that intersects the longitudinal slit. A pointed angular piece is thereby cut out and removed to leave in the end of the piece of tubing a notch with a surface slanting outward toward the end of the piece of tubing for functioning as an inclined plane to spread the tubing. A linkage connected between the angular guide and the stop removes the stop to permit completion of slitting. A handle with a triangular blade is also connected transversely to the cylindrical body for cutting the slitted tubing into lengths.