Abstract: A gate valve, mounted in a drain pipe connected to a downstream exposed end of a part of a plumbing system subject to occasional freezing, is controlled to open and close by opposed pressures of a spring and a temperature controlled pressure of a refrigerant fluid in an expansible and contractable bellows, the respective pressures being equalized at 33 degrees F. with gate valve closed, the pressure differentials therebetween resulting from temperature changes progressively opening and closing valve at temperatures below 33 degrees F. and closing it and keeping it closed at 33 degrees F. and above, and thereby preventing the plumbing from freezing, by allowing water to flow therethrough at and below freezing.

Abstract: Including in an upper combination electrical circuit, hold-down bolts securing an upper combination of a pop bumper to a playing table for additionally engaging and disengaging the upper combination electrical circuit, so that by merely turning the hold-down bolts both the upper combination and its electrical circuit is connectable and disconnectable to and from the playing table and the lower combination electrical circuit for easy replacement of ball wearable parts.

Abstract: A heat-triggered, mechanically-actuated apparatus comprising a heating and conducting linkage connected in parallel with an automatically resetting safety control switch across the power supply of electrical equipment, an initial opening of the control switch being indicated by the steps of heating of a heat-softenable rigid rod by the power supply passing through the heating and conducting linkage supported thereby, and breaking the linkage by a spring biasing the heat-softened rod to collapse and release a frictional connector in the linkage, and oppositely biasing an indicator, normally concealed a part of the linkage, into view.

Abstract: In a self-propelled, hydraulic four wheel drivetwo row cane harvester having a four-row piler with a main power source driving variable volume pumps for propulsion and operation; structural and operational improvements of a shortened wheel base, outward extension of right rear center carrier, individual suspension of rear wheels for stability on uneven ground, steerable rear wheels differentially linked by means of bell crank linkages, single articulation pilers having multiple row piling capacity, adjustable cane butt deflectors, and a combination range and speed controls with independent adjustments of ranges ground chain speeds and unit control of the cut cane carrier chains of all speeds within the set range.

Abstract: A flexible esophageal tube is provided for insertion through the mouth, downward past the tracheal entrance and into the esophagus to a lower limit opposite the tracheal carina. Inflatable cuffs are respectively fixed, above and below the tracheal entrance, on the esophageal tube for sealing the tracheal entrance against leakage around the tube. A ventilating tube is sealed in the esophageal tube against the anterior wall of the upper part thereof with an open distal end projecting out of the esophageal tube and mouth and a closed distal end extending past the tracheal entrance. Perforations defined in the common anterior surface of both tubes between the cuffs admits anesthetics, introduced at the distal end of the ventilating tube, to pass into the tracheal entrance, trachea and lungs.

Abstract: In combination, a directional tree feller a mounting pedestal for pivotally mounting the feller on the free end of a prime mover boom, a tree grapple pivotally mounted with the pedestal on the prime mover boom to depend therefrom behind the feller short of the lowest part thereof when in a horizontal tree cutting position, and an hydraulic cylinder mounted on the boom and adapted to pivot the feller upward clear of the grapples for a normal use thereof, and downward and rearward for cutting a tree below horizontal, the back of the feller pushing the grapple out of the way until swung forward and upward to allow grapple to return to normally depending operating position.

Abstract: An improved tree harvester and buncher of the horizontally articulated type with stump gripper, as described in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,991,799 and 3,946,775, and 4,013,106, wherein the tree cutting device is lowered to reduce stumpage waste and the actuating motor thereof is raised to prevent trash interference therewith. Also a tree chock is independently pivoted to follow the the tree cutting device into a tree cut as the cut is opened by horizontal articulation of the harvester and buncher to chock a tree against vertical slippage in tree supporting grapples and the stump gripper on the stump for preventing the cutting device from binding in the cut or being bent therein. Also a stump penetrating member is mounted below the tree cutting device for penetrating the stump, and in cooperation with the stump gripper, assist in preventing movement of the harvester and buncher relative to the stump.

Abstract: A cylindrical body defines a through passage for a pipe bailer and its contents, and a side exit for the contents. A circular concave element is fixed adjacent its perimeter to a shaft journaled in the cylinder body transverse the through passage and below the side exit, for swinging the circular concave element upwardly to close the through passage and simultaneously engage a "stinger" to trip a bottom valve in the bailer and thereby releasing the contents on and into the circular concave element for channeling to and out of the side exit, and for swinging the circular concave element downwardly to open the through passage for the travel of the pipe bailer up and down the shallow well. A crank is fixed to the shaft and actuated by a hydraulic cylinder controlled by limit switches responsive to bailer travel.

Abstract: A conventional plasma arc cutting torch in which the plasma gas passageway of a cutting tip is flared about 90 degrees outwardly, the cutting torch angle-to-work is about 45 degrees, the torch stand-off from the work is about 3/16 inch, and the torch travel speed is about 60 inches/minute to obtain metal preparation of consistent width and depth dependent on the work metal and its thickness. Changes in these characteristics, when limited to established parameters, varies the width and depth of the resulting metal preparation which remains constant for each combination of changes.

Abstract: A flexible plastic strip having oppositely disposed faces, one of said faces being smooth and the other defining a smooth middle portion and opposite end portions diagonally coated with an abrasive. The width of the finishing strip is made approximately the same as an average distance from gum line contact point of two adjacent teeth, that is about 7 millimeters. The diagonal coatings make it possible to reduce and smooth to tooth level repairs of any size without ridging the repairs.

Abstract: The filter is made of monofilament polypropylene, a comparatively fragile material but chemically adapted for the purposes, in the shape of a pillow case with a long edge opening and oppositely, adjacent an end thereof, a conduit opening. All edges are reinforced with a strip of felted polypropylene, a comparatively heavy and strong material and also chemically adapted for use with caustic chlorine. The filter is additionally reinforced with pads of the same felted material where supported in a container. In use, a flat filter leaf with a conduit is inserted into the filter through the opening with the conduit opening coinciding with the conduit, and the long edge opening tightly sewn together. Caustic chlorine is introduced into the filter through the conduit opening and filter leaf, and escapes into the container through the filter free of salt. Both the monofilament and felted polypropylene define minute interstices that are impervious to salt but not to chlorine.

Abstract: Two pairs of cane gatherers are mounted forwardly on a four-wheeled power train, for driving a plurality of constant and variable volume hydraulic pumps, the cane gatherers being provided with gathering chains for holding and moving cane through a pair of cane passageways defined thereby and by sticker and moving chains mounted for endless rotation for guiding two rows of cane to cane toppers and cutters mounted in each passageway, and then to a pair of articulated pilers mounted on the rear of the power train. Cut-cane passageways through the pilers are defined by cane moving chains and rub bars. The pilers in one articulated position lay the cut cane of one row just behind the cut cane of the second row in a continuous transverse windrow across the cut rows and behind the power train and in a second articulated position lay the cut cane across adjacent cut rows. Front wheels are pivotable up to 90.degree.

Abstract: An improved harvester and buncher of the horizontally articulated type having base and upper structure such as described in my prior invention of Apparatus and Method of Felling and Bunching Trees, U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,799. Base structure has been reshaped forwardly as a three dimensional wedge for the removal of fallen trees, debris and snow from the cutting path of a chain saw mounted therein and from around a tree, and enclosed for better protection of the chain saw and hydraulic apparatus therefor. The three dimensional wedge defines a center front recess for receiving a tree, and a contact point above the cutting line of the chain saw for limiting tree movement relative to the base. An annular ball bearing connects the invention to a power train while providing for side tilt and pickup, and the center hole of the annular ball bearing allows entrance of hydraulic and control lines where the relative movement is axial.

Abstract: A generally rectangular basket, having a two-level bottom with lower level forward, is supported on a wheelchair, having horizontal foot and arm rests vertically spaced apart. Vertical legs are adjustably fixed to the forward and lower bottomed end of the basket to extend downward therefrom and engage the horizontal foot rest. Horizontal arms are adjustably fixed to opposite sides of the basket and extend rearward and over the wheelchair arm rests, the adjustable arms being recessed to fit over and around the wheelchair arms. The basket is thus displaceable only by a lifting force. The depending lower bottom increases carrying space without interfering with the line of sight of an occupant, and also without decreasing the stability of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A horizontal piston-type compactor is mounted in a housing, having an open end, that is diagonally joinable to a trash container, also having an open end, the open ends coinciding in horizontal alignment to form the unit. A trash receiving port, surrounded by a combing, is defined in the top of the housing and overhangs the bottom of the trash container owing to diagonal joint between the housing and the container, to provide an interior spillage area and use of higher trash compacting pressure in the container. Side liners are pivoted to the respective sides of the container adjacent its open end and extend oppositely therefrom short of an opposite closed end thereof.

Abstract: A reciprocating pneumatic piston vibrator for flowing granular materials is cushioned at an impact and by an elastomer and at the other end by air for reducing the decibel level while transmitting sufficient impact force to begin and maintain granular material flow.

Abstract: A multiple filament lamp has one set of ends of all filaments connected to a common conductor and the end of another set individually connected to separate conductors. The conductors are mounted in a non-conducting lamp base with the common conductor projecting centrally beyond the bottom of the base, and the separate conductors recessed into the side of the base and equally spaced around its circumference. The base is slidable into a socket-adapter having an outer conducting shell defining standard electric socket screw threads fixed to an inner non-conducting cylinder that is recessed interiorly at the top to receive a retainer ring for engaging a similar recess around the top of the lamp base, and recessed exteriorly to receive a conductor contact spring for biasing a spring end extending through the non-conducting cylinder inwardly into separate engagement with the respective conductors recessed in the lamp base as the lamp and its base are turned in the socket-adapter.

Abstract: An inflatable cuff of an endotracheal tube, having multiple lumens, is connected through a lumen to an exterior collapsible container; the cuff, lumen and collapsible container defining a closed pneumatic system that is adapted to receive a metered amount of gas sufficient to inflate the cuff, when the collapsible container is fully collapsed, to seal at a pressure, responsive to said metered amount of gas, undamaging to a trachea in which the tube is inserted. A relatively rigid and larger container encloses the collapsible container and is connected together with another lumen to a common source of air at lung inflation pressure in normal breathing pulsations whereby the trachea is invariably sealed at undamaging pressure unaffected by the amount of, and variation in, the lung inflation pressure of the supplied air, the sealing being in synchronization with lung inflation by the normal breathing pulsations.

Abstract: A plurality of diesel motor AC generator units, or power producing units, connected in parallel to provide a AC power pool that is rectified and voltage controlled by a plurality of silicon control rectifiers, or power control units, for activating any of a plurality of DC shunt wound motors, or power using units, singly and in combination to drive any plurality of propellers and auxilliary equipment in minimum numbers at maximum loads and effect a fuel economy of at least 18% over reduction-gear driven vessels.

Abstract: A power driven circular saw blade for cutting brush is extensible with scythe tips mountable diametrically thereon for cutting grass. The saw blade is horizontally mounted in a recess defined between forwardly extending sides of a wheeled cart, the sides acting as brush guides and stabilizing against a directional pull generated by the rotation of the saw blade in heavy brush, as well as providing a safety factor in shielding the operator and others from the rotating saw blade and scythe tips, and matter flung thereby.