Abstract: A intermediate floor which shields a cementitious or tile top floor from the cracking of the original floor and comprises an asphaltic layer having on its upper surface finely divided stone and an open mesh layer on the stone layer. Where the original floor is concrete, the mesh layer is flexible plastic. Where the original floor is wood, the mesh layer is galvanized metal, staples being provided to hold the asphalt and mesh layers on the original floor.

Abstract: A clutch to permit engagement and disengagement of a splined axle with a power drive means which has an inner axle hub, internally splined to engage with said axle and externally splined, and a body with internal ridges and grooves and external grooves and ridges connectable to a power source, comprising a clutch ring having exterior ridges and grooves, interior ridges and grooves and a plurality of rearwardly extending ramps; wherein said exterior ridges and grooves are engaged with said body internal ridges and grooves; a movable control body having a plurality of forwardly extending leaf springs registerable with said ramps; and a spring forward of said clutch ring; whereby rotation of said body causes said clutch ring to move forward so that its interior ridges and grooves engage the inner axle hub while reverse rotation causes the clutch ring to move rearward so as to disengage.

Abstract: A ring can be attached to a sheet such as fabric, sailcloth or tent canvas without sewing by the use of the combination of a U-shaped, stiff filament and an open tube to which the ring is attached. The legs of the filament are passed through the sheet then through the tube to the other end where they are fixed by holding means.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve and regulator in which the valve chamber has a side port for connecting to the pressure line to be monitored. The valve seat opens to an exhaust and has a diameter slightly larger than the chamber diameter. The valve incorporates a double ended piston, spring, and cam whereby the cam offsets the normal compression gradient of the spring by rotating as the piston moves in and out.

Abstract: In a process for preparing glass flowers having petals, the steps of preparing petals which comprise providing a blown elongated enlarged hollow bulb on a hollow glass tube, heating and manipulating the bulb so as to separate it into two vertical dish-like pre-petal members, removing the pre-petal members from the tube, elongating the ends of the pre-petal members so as to form solid tips, attaching the members to a glass flower stem at the tips and heating and manipulating the members so as to refine the shape of the petals.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing the pollution of the air in a room equipped with a ceiling fan having one or more rotating blades comprising covering at least one blade of the fan with porous dust-absorbent material whereby movement of the fan blades removes pollution from the room air.

Abstract: A support comprising generally a plurality of stiff wire or rod members in detachable combination with a sleeve and locking ring. Each wire or rod has a generally vertical intermediate portion, and is bent outwardly on its lower portion. The sleeve holds the lower bent portions in place so that they act as support legs which can have additional appendages on their feet. The upper portion of each wire rod member is likewise bent outwardly to accomodate the supporting structure such as a plant pan or table top. On the intermediate portions adjacent to the upper bent portions is a similar sleeve and locking ring.

Abstract: A device is described for ligating a selected section of a blood vessel and then dividing the section. It comprises a resilient, flexible holder. The holder has a first portion foldable on to a second portion. A pair of foldable surgical clips is spaced apart in the holder but not permanently attached. Cutting means are attached to said first holder portion between said clips. Pressing said first and second holder portions together on a section of a blood vessel or the like, causes each said clip to clamp on to said blood vessel and then the cutting means to divide said blood vessel. When pressure is released on said holder, the holder and cutting means are retracted from said blood vessel leaving the clips in ligated position on the vessel.

Abstract: Oxalic acid, dispersed in glycerol is heated to form formic acid which is then heated at a higher temperature to form hydrogen. By-product carbon dioxide is absorbed. The hydrogen is used directly with a fuel cell to produce electricity or as fuel for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention comprises a refrigerated water cooler having seat for supporting an inverted water bottle and an interior inverted funnel whose narrow upper portion terminates in a knife edge. Insertion of the inverted water bottle causes the sealed mouth to engage the knife edge, open the seal and permit water to flow into the funnel and then into the cooling and dispensing portion of the cooler.

Abstract: A solar collector in which an elongated focusing means transmits the sun's rays to a dark, heat-absorbent fluid within a conduit surrounded by an evacuated chamber having a reflector.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of a liquid in a tank comprising a manually-operated spring-loaded piston in a piston chamber, wherein the chamber is connected to the tank and a gauge. Pressing the piston causes the gauge to reach the pressure at the bottom of the tank, which is calibrated to give the height or level of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A novelty alarm clock having an alarm clock means with an external push-button alarm shut-off and a resilient air filled flexible casing surrounding the clock means; the casing including a trigger means connected to the alarm shut-off and terminating in a portion of the exterior of the casing; the portion being manipilable so as to permit pushing or pulling of the shut-off.

Abstract: A regulator-unloader for fluid systems comprising, in a housing; an inlet passageway; an outlet passageway connected to said inlet passageway; a piston movable within said outlet passageway; an outlet valve connected to said inlet passageway and to said outlet passageway outwardly of said piston; a bypass passageway connected to said inlet passageway; a main bypass valve spaced within said bypass passageway; and a rod spaced within said inlet passageway and connected at one end to said piston and at the other end to said bypass valve; said rod being pivotally mounted in the housing at a point intermediate its ends.

Abstract: A telephone based automatic audience survey system for polling an audience to obtain data representative of the opinion regarding a question of interest is disclosed having a first means responsive to incoming calls for answering the calls with an analog voice signal that both identifies the telephone based automatic audience survey system and queries a response in regard to the question of interest, and a second means connected to the first means and responsive to the answers provided to the query portions of the analog voice signal for providing data representative of the consensus regarding the question of interest. Third means connected to the second means are operative to display the data in real-time. The third means includes a video character generator, an audio signal generator, and an operator display.

Abstract: Fishing line release mechanism for a downrigger or the like in which there are two claims for holding the fishing line and a cam. Each clip is separately tensioned, preferably adjustable. The clip engaging the upper fishing line segment is pivotally and eccentrically connected to the cam while the clip for the outward segment of the fishing line is fixedly connected to the center of the cam. The line is guided by grooves from the upper to the lower clip. Release of either clip causes the other clip to release, thus causing the entire fishing line to drop free from the mechanism.