Abstract: A phase-change heat transfer system which is self-controlled, self-pumping, and uses no moving parts. A heat collector device is connected in series with a condenser and an accumulator. The accumulator includes apparatus for regulating the pressure therein. A fluid capable of phase change within the system travels among the collector, condenser, and accumulator.

Abstract: A gate latch in which a latch bar and/or latch body are adjustably mountable so as to allow repositioning thereof when such repositioning might be required, for example, as a result of misalignment of the gate structures due to sagging, etc. The locking bar may be provided with a plate fixed to a gate structure and have a plurality of paired apertures which are alignable with a pair of apertures in the bar. Thus, the locking bar may be adjustably positioned with respect to any given pair of apertures on the plate. The latch body may be adjustably mounted in a housing mounted on a gate structure. The housing may have portions which overlap the normal mounting flanges on the latch body. A pair of oppositely directed, opposed bolts may be threadedly mounted in flanges on the housing so as to cooperate with opposed surfaces on the latch body. When the body is to be vertically adjusted, one bolt can be loosened and the other tightened.

Abstract: The illustrated gate latches include an anchor plate and a latch plate. The latch plate is pivotally mounted relative to the anchor plate by means of a screw which also serves to hold the anchor plate in place. The anchor plate is shown to include one or more alignment flanges, one or more nailing points, and means to limit pivotal movement of the latch plate such as a pair of pivot stop flanges, all formed integral with the anchor plate. The latch plate includes a cam surface which cooperates with a detent bar to pivot the latch plate until the bar is located within a detent gripping or latching section, allowing the latch plate to pivot in the opposite direction and temporarily fix the bar and the latching plate to one another. The trailing end of the latching plate cooperates with the pivot-stop abutments to limit the pivotal movement of the latching plate in one embodiment. A pin and slot arrangement is employed for the same purpose in a second embodiment.

Abstract: A device for eliminating the need for a guitar player to utilize his index finger for fretting guitar strings at different frets. A preferred embodiment comprises a metallic frame having three sections extending equiangularly from a central, common edge. A second element may comprise a barr which may be placed in contact with the strings on a guitar and held tightly thereagainst by means of a tension-exerting member which releasably grips the ends of the barr and is passed across one section of the frame. The frame may comprise a single metallic element constructed in one or more various shapes. Preferably, both the frame and the barr are at least partially covered with a low friction, relatively soft material, such as Teflon.

Abstract: A knee joint which locks when the weight of an amputee is imposed upon the prosthesis, such as when taking a step. The joint includes a housing which is rotatably mounted relative to a shaft. A plurality of metal discs are mounted on the shaft so as to be axially moveable but non-rotatable relative thereto. Interleafed with the metal plates, a plurality of fiber discs may be mounted so as to be both rotatable and axially moveable relative to the shaft, but fixed against rotation relative to the housing. A pair of wedge-shaped reaction discs may be mounted on the shaft at approximately the center of the housing. A double-wedge-shaped actuating disc may be mounted between the two reaction discs for radial movement relative to the shaft. An actuator rod connected to the stump-receiving portion of the prosthesis presses against the actuator when the amputee puts weight on the prosthesis. This causes the interleafed discs to engage in friction contact to prevent rotation of the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding perforation sealer balls into a stream of well treating fluid being pumped through a fluid flow line into a well, the apparatus having a housing, a tube in the housing for receiving sealer balls, the tube communicating with the fluid flow line for the passage of sealer balls from the tube into the flow line. There is provided a tubular sealer ball magazine that communicates with the tube for the transfer of sealer balls from the magazine into the tube. A plunger is reciprocably mounted in the tube for movement between a retracted position, in which the plunger is clear of the juncture of the magazine with the tube to allow a sealer ball to move into the tube, and an extended position, in which the plunger closes the juncture of the magazine with the tube and also ejects a ball from the tube and into the fluid flow line.

Abstract: A searchlight apparatus which may be mounted on an aircraft, such as a helicopter. The exemplary apparatus comprises a tubular post which may be mounted in the craft for rotation about its axis. A control rod may pass through the post, extending between a bracket which is hinged to the post at the outer end and a handle at the inner end of the post. This control linkage system allows an operator in a helicopter to aim the lamps on a one-to-one ratio merely by aiming the handle.

Abstract: A cap for installation over the open end of a tubular member that has a pipe or pipes of smaller diameter projecting through the open end of the tubular member. The cap has a rubber discoid portion that covers the open end of the tubular member and a rubber apron extending from the discoid portion and adapted to encircle the tubular member adjacent to its open end. An aperture or apertures for the pipes of smaller diameter are provided in the discoid portion. The cap is split except at the back where a portion including the apron provides a hinge. The split intersects the aperture or apertures. A split, flexible metal band is embedded in the apron and has a latch for tightening and locking the apron about the tubular member. To install the cap, it is hinged open and placed over the end of the tubular member with the smaller diameter pipes passing through the apertures, and is then closed around the tubular member and locked.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine mounted on a truck or van for transport to the work site. The main power for the machine is developed by an internal combustion engine which drives an injection pump, a vacuum pump, and a sump pump. A reservoir maintains and stores a supply of cooling water-cleaning fluid for removing heat generated by the engine. Coolant-cleaning fluid is drawn from the engine by the injection pump for transmission to the carpet cleaning injection nozzles. The coolant may be further heated as it is drawn from the engine by means of a heat exchanger which removes heat from the engine exhaust gases. The coolant may be further heated by deliberately employing an inefficient injection pump. The vacuum pump draws water from the carpet through a filter or sump which may be discharged through the sump pump when a predetermined coolant level is achieved in the sump.

Abstract: Food products are cooked by immersing them in a body of hot liquid contained in a vat, and in order to maintain the liquid at a temperature level suitable for cooking purposes a gas burner underneath the vat is turned on periodically. Gas consumption is conserved, each time the gas burner is turned off, by interrupting the air passageway associated with the burner, to prevent cold air from flowing through the passageway and hence drawing off the heat energy that was previously stored in the body of hot liquid.

Abstract: A gate latch in which a locking bolt is located so as to extend through vertical guides at the opposite ends of a latch body. A keeper is mounted on the latch body at the end thereof distal from the free or latching end of the bolt and an offset portion of the bolt is located so as to be slidable along the keeper. Additionally, the bolt is pivotable about its line of contact with the keeper so that the gate may be latched and unlatched. The keeper is provided with a deformation resembling an S-shaped curve in the horizontal plane to provide obstruction to the free sliding of the bolt and thus prevent inadvertent movement thereof.

Abstract: An enclosure, for housing a manually operated lock, comprising a wall which may be mounted on either the lock or a door to surround the lock and, if necessary, its striker plate. A cover is pivotally mounted on the wall and provided with a key-actuated lock to prevent unauthorized operation of the manually operated lock.

Abstract: A template of predetermined size and shape for receiving a human breast and having a seal about the periphery thereof for contact with the skin of a patient. A pair of conduits extend through the template; one conduit may be attached to a syringe or other device for injection of a measured volume of fluid into the cup. The second conduit allows air to be exhausted from within the cup as the fluid is injected and allows the person injecting the fluid to ascertain when the cup is full.

Abstract: Apparatus for locking and holding structures to one another in a releasable manner, including a separable element which may be fastened to each of the structures. One of the elements may be a generally spherical member, similar to the ball fixture utilized in cooperation with a trailer hitch. The other fixture includes a housing with a dual-acting or compound motion mechanism pivotally mounted therein. The mechanism may comprise a gate having a locking surface which cooperates with a locking seat in the housing to receive and lock the spherical element therebetween. A locking mechanism may be movably mounted on the gate to limit the movement of the latter as well as to fix it in the locking position.

Abstract: A reactor plate having a plurality of openings equal to the number of bores of a carburetor and positioned between the carburetor outlet and the engine intake manifold. A plurality of ribs or spokes radiate outwardly from, and are fixed between, a central hub in each opening and the plate at the periphery of the opening. Each spoke has a plurality of machined surfaces thereon so located as to stimulate turbulence in the fuel-air mixture flow and increase the percentage of fuel completely mixed with air. The total remaining area of each opening, between the spokes and the hub, is equal to the area of the carburetor bore outlet.

Abstract: A gate latch including a body-mounted latch bolt which may be actuated to an elevated position from outside the gate by a lever extending through the gate to disengage the bolt from the latch strike. A lock device is provided which may be key-operated on the outside of the gate to locate a detent or cam element in a position to prevent movement of the lever, thus preventing the gate from being opened from the outside. Additionally, or alternatively, a cam or crank-like element may be actuated by the lock to prevent rotation of the latch bolt to unlock the gate. The element may be mounted so as to have a relatively slidable portion thereon which is actuatable, against a spring biasing force, to allow the bolt to be rotated, by one of the inside of the gate, to open the gate.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment discloses a compressive force application device, which might be used on a gate to prevent sagging thereof, including a plate having eyelets therein through which the tensioning cord or cable may be threaded so that it adjoins itself; thus, the threaded relationship is maintained by the cable's frictional contact with itself.

Abstract: Cementing plug launching apparatus for use in cementing a casing string in a well in which a casing closure is releasably attached to the upper end of the casing string, the closure having a cement conduit opening therethrough and in which a cementing plug is releasably supported below the closure by the cement conduit, the plug being separable from the cement conduit upon introduction of a ball into the cement flowing into the casing through the conduit.