Abstract: Direct voice communication with simultaneous two-way transmission is possible with a communicator having the earpiece of the communicator at one station connected by flexible plastic tubing to the mouthpiece of a communicator at another station, the two stations being connected by two independent voice channel tubes. The provision of cross-connected channels between the mouthpiece and the earpiece of two communicating stations permits normal conversation with simultaneous two-way transmission to occur in the manner of telephonic transmission rather than requiring sequentially alternating transmission between stations as necessary in using single voice tube communicators where destructive interference occurs between sound waves transmitted simultaneously in opposite directions in a voice tube.

Abstract: A metal cutting band saw equipped with blade twisting guides and pivotal, scissors-like mounting which enables the saw to be used as a cut-off or mitering tool, is configured to provide for maximum depth of cut by locating the blade guide mounting bar in a position which does not restrict clearance distance to less than the separation distance between the blade runs.

Abstract: A ligature for single reed wind instruments is configured with independently and adjustably loaded, resiliently urged posts for contacting and retaining the reed against the instrument mouthpiece, thereby providing enhanced vibrational and response characteristics to the mouthpiece assembly.

Abstract: A seedling transplanting implement is provided with increased versatility by substituting a yieldable rubber-like extremity portion on one of a pair of mechanical transplanting fingers. The yieldable finger portion can ride over the top of a planted seedling without causing injury to the planting and thereby enable seedlings to be planted in a row at spacings of two inches or less as compared to spacings of about fourteen inches necessary with similar implements embodying mechanically rigid planting fingers.

Abstract: A thermostatic control for electric cables used on overhanging eaves of pitched roofs in northern climates, and in rain gutters and downspouts, comprises a high temperature-limit switch and a low temperature-limit switch connected in series circuit for controlling energization to a narrow temperature range extending from the freezing temperature of water to several degrees colder. Above-freezing temperatures will melt ice and snow without supplemental heating, and sufficiently colder temperatures will not be raised sufficiently by heat loss through a building roof to thaw ice and snow accumulation on the roof and provide run-off water to the unheated eave, rain gutter and downspout where freezing can occur and result in the formation of an ice dam which will block drainage of further run-off water and which may grow in size to cause water to back-up and seep under roofing shingles to leak through the roof.

Abstract: Packaging for liquid or granular products is described which has a resealable pouring spout, the mouth of which is banded with rib configurations which engage in tongue-and-groove manner to enable the package to be opened and resealed repeatedly as the packaged contents are incrementally dispensed.

Abstract: In an elastic cable exerciser an improved bar is provided. The bar has a groove in its upper surface to receive the cable. The groove extends from one end to the other to provide a downward run of cable at each end of the bar. Finger-like projections at each end of the bar retain the cable so that the cable is wound up on the bar as the bar is rotated.

Abstract: Natural gas deposits vented by oil or gas wells may pressurize a well beyond the capacity of installed apparatus to contain damage in the event of equipment failure, blow-out, or fire with the result that a well may flow out of control. The means and method of this invention provide for emergency action to shear a well casing together with internal piping or tubing and to seal a well if blow-out preventers otherwise provided do not prove effective. The apparatus of this invention may be self-powering.

Abstract: An improved bar for elastic cable exercise devices is disclosed, the bar being segmented for disassembly into pieces of a size which may be easily transported in a valise or other small case for the convenience of travelers and commuters, the bar in an assembled state being grooved and bifurcated at the ends for engaging and guiding cable which, when the bar is rotated during use, is wound on the bar.

Abstract: A check valve equipped air vent and fuel pump by-pass member is disposed interconnecting the fuel supply tank of an internal combustion engine with the output of the fuel pump to equalize the pressure of fuel delivered to the carburetor throughout the range of engine speeds.

Abstract: A jump rope has tubular handles, each configured with a deeply set annular recess at one end to provide a bearing surface for receiving the knotted end of the rope, and a bell shaped curvilinear egress port at the opposite end on the handle adjacent to which is strung on the rope a substantially spherical bead for preventing jamming of weighting links on the rope into the handle.

Abstract: Cube or flake ice is provided by spraying atomized water against the bottom of a mechanically refrigerated plate or against a revolving disc disposed in facing contact with such a suface or with a wall of a freezing compartment of a household refrigerator, the water mist impinging on the surface freezing on contact to coat the surface and fill any concavities with ice, which is loosened to drop into a collecting bin by a defrosting cycle effected either by causing the flow of refrigerant in refrigeration tubing embodied in a stationary plate to be reversed in periodic, sequential order among several sectors in the plate, or by the action of a revolving disc carrying ice formed thereon continuously past a sector which is heated electrically or by incorporation of refrigerant condensing coils to produce in continuous or semi-continuous manner cubes, chips or flakes of ice.

Abstract: Precast reinforced concrete girder pairs are placed to pass in parallel along either side of multi-story poured-in-place reinforced concrete building construction columns and be supported on haunches or be keyed to the columns, and are fastened in face-to-face contact to provide a rigidly braced, evenly loaded and easily fabricated skeletal building structure.

Abstract: A ratchet tool is designed for one-handed manipulation by embodying push-pull biasing of the handle for selecting the direction of rotational drive and twisting or arcuate swinging actuation of the handle for rotationally driving the tool head.

Abstract: A bicycle with an articulated frame is described for novelty riding use. A rider may manipulate a clutch while riding the bicycle to cause restraint to be removed from a joint joining front and rear frame portions of the bicycle and maneuver in such a way as to cause the two frame portions to be angularly aligned.

Abstract: In an elastic cable exerciser an improved bar is provided. The bar has a groove in its upper surface to receive the cable. The groove extends from one end to the other to provide a downward run of cable at each end of the bar. Finger-like projections at each end of the bar retain the cable so that the cable is wound up on the bar as the bar is rotated.

Abstract: A skate sail is rigged with leading edge spars set by manipulation of a cruciform frame. The sail and frame assembly is suitable for mounting on a boat or vehicle as well as for being hand held, and is collapsible for compact stowing. When provided with a cinch line the sail assembly can be used for hang gliding. Rigging is set by joining separable lengths of a mast and advancing a transverse brace along the mast toward the mast head to deploy by toggle-like action head spars to which the sail is lashed thereby spreading and drawing taut a trapezium configuration of sail foil which is anchored to the foot of the mast. Laterally extendable wings may be provided and deployed separately to provide troughs which catch air spilling from the main sail foil and ease handling of the sail and enhance the ability of a user to trim the sail readily.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanical damper for the diaphragm of a fuel pump of a type in which the diaphragm is pulsated by fluctuations in engine crankcase pressure is provided to regulate the amplitude of diaphragm pulsations and the incremental volumetric change produced in the diaphragm-enclosed chamber by the pulsations. Provision of the damper renders the fuel pump self-compensating for changes in fuel head pressure and insures constancy in the output response of the fuel pump to crankcase pressure.