Abstract: An attachment for use with an agricultural implement to protect a row of emergent plants growing in a field. The device includes a shield which protects the plants from accumulations of soil, trash, and other debris. The shield is mounted between one or more claws of the implement, on one hand, and the row of plants to be protected on the other hand. Means, such as a motor, are provided to drive the shield in a plane generally parallel to the row of plants. As the shield is positively rotated, a periphery of the shield passes closely proximate the surface of the ground in which the row of plants is located. Such driving of the shield is in a direction in which the shield would rotate if it were allowed to freewheel and were made to rotate as a result of its engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A siphon drain system for removing condensate from a central air conditioning unit to a floor drain includes an overhead siphon line which passes between the air conditioner and the drain. The siphon line includes a first siphon end passing into a source container that holds a quantity of the condensate. The siphon line includes a second discharge end that is longer than the siphon end. When the line is primed, condensate will drain through the second discharge end at the same rate as it passes into the siphon end. Use of an overhead siphon line does not obstruct the floor of the building in which the air conditioner and drain are located.

Abstract: An improved door sill construction. The sill includes a core including a form made from spun class fibers treated with a polyester resin. The spun glass fibers are oriented in both lineal rows and random mats in order to maximize strength. The sill further includes a cladding coating the form which is stable to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A low temperature vacuum distillation apparatus. The distillation apparatus includes an evaporation section and a condensation section. Fluid flow throughout the system is assisted by an appropriate pump, and heat exchangers, one in each of the evaporation and condensation sections, are interconnected by employment of a heat pump.The condensation section includes a condensation chamber downward from which bubble tubes extend into a collection chamber. Collection chamber is provided with a pump to effect transfer of distillate having volatile impurities entrained therein to a final collection vessel. A pump communicates with vessel to create a partial vacuum therein to ensure venting of the impurities.

Abstract: Structure for electrically interconnecting a lead of an integrated circuit device to a terminal spaced at a distance from the lead. The apparatus includes a housing which is intermediate the lead and the terminal. The housing has a slot to receive one of each of the one or more contacts. A contact-receiving slot extends substantially parallel to an axis which extends between a corresponding integrated circuit lead and terminal. The housing further includes oppositely facing first and second surfaces. The first surface has a trough formed therein proximate the integrated circuit lead, and the second surface has a trough formed therein proximate the spaced terminal. A first elastomeric element is received in the trough formed in the first surface, and a second elastomeric element is received in the trough formed in the second surface. The first and second elastomeric elements have a measure of compressibility and tensile extendability. A generally planar contact is received within each slot.

Abstract: A roofing shingle. The shingle includes first, second, and third substrates. The first substrate includes a woven polyester mat, treated to make it fire-resistant and to keep it from stretching, embedded in an asphalt lamina.

Abstract: This invention relates to a complex sound-insulating material comprising a first lower sub-assembly, itself comprising at least one layer of a bituminous product, and a second upper layer which covers said first sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly comprises a first upper layer, a first intermediate layer and a first lower layer, whilst a) each of the first upper and lower layers is made of oxidized bitumen reinforced with first fibers and has a surface mass of between 500 and 1000 g/m.sup.2 ; b) the first intermediate layer is made of an organic binding agent, such as a bitumen, and by second fibers which are embedded in said binding agent and are in a non-woven form; and c) the second upper layer is made of an elastic foam.One application of the invention is the production of a sound-insulated tiled flooring.

Abstract: A fastener for securing an attachment such as a guiderail to a surface of a wall. Such an attachment is provided with an internally-threaded aperture to receive the externally-threaded shank of a bolt passed through an aperture in the wall to which the attachment is to be mounted. The fastener includes a hardened washer and a bolt. The bolt is passed through registered apertures in the washer and the mounting wall and then threaded into the internally-threaded aperture in the attachment. The aperture in the washer can be conical in shape so that the shank of the bolt can be accommodated even where the aperture in the attachment is mis-tapped so that the bolt does not extend perpendicular to the wall of the attachment. The outer peripheral surface of the washer is threaded, and a cap is provided with internal threading compatible with the threads formed in the outer peripheral surface of the washer.

Abstract: A mixer fin such as those fixedly mounted within rotatable drum mixers. More specifically, a mixer fin comprising of a substantially non-metallic, e.g., polymeric, mixer fin such as those used within rotatable drum mixers, for example to mix concrete. The mixer fin having a non-stretchable cord disposed within the fin so as to minimize fin deformation during the mixing process.

Abstract: A mechanism for tensioning the chain of a chain saw. The apparatus includes a cutting bar around which the chain extends. The cutting bar has a base portion mounted to an operating housing of the chain saw, and a distal portion carried by the base portion at an end thereof remote from the housing. The distal portion of the cutting bar is disposed for sliding extension relative to the base portion of the cutting bar. The distal portion of the cutting bar mounts a sprocket, around which the chain passes, at an outer end thereof. The sprocket is disposed for rotation about an axis. Structure is included to effect extension of the distal portion of the cutting bar relative to the base portion thereof. Tensioning of the chain saw is, thereby, accomplished.

Abstract: A dc motor switching circuit is disclosed, and the circuit includes: a forward revolution switching circuit section 1; a reverse revolution switching circuit section 2; a constant voltage section 3; a switching circuit section 4; an automatic circuit section 5; a manual circuit section 6; a resetting circuit section 7; and upper and lower limit detecting sections 8a, 8b. The dc motor switching circuit of the present invention can be applied to the power window switch of an automobile in a simple manner. Even in the case where upper and lower limits are set up as in a closing/opening device of a garage shutter, a universal application is possible. In all such cases, its constitution is simple, and the circuit is capable of preventing any undesirable result (such as degradation, burning and the like). Further, the automatic and manual operations can be carrier out in a convenient manner.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a fast shooting pistol is disclosed, and the mechanism includes a hammer 1, a plunger 4, a hammer cam 8, an elastically sear 23, and a firing pin push rod 15. The hammer 1 is provided with a first engaging step 1' and a second engaging step 1" at the lower front and rear portions thereof respectively, and is also provided with an actuation slot 2 and a recess 3 in the interior thereof. The plunger 4 is eleastically installed within the recess 3 by means of a spring 5. The hammer cam 8 is installed within the actuation slot 2 by means of a shaft and pushed by the plunger 4 on its circumferential surface. The elastically sear 23 is elastically supported by a spring 21 in front of the hammer cam 8. The hammer push rod 15 is elastically installed under the hammer 1 by means of a compressed spring 14. The advantage of the mechanism is that spring 14 may be held in the compressed "ready" position by the cam 8 while the hammer 1 is positioned in the forward position.

Abstract: A device for use in transporting and storing materials. The device includes a housing which is defined by a bottom panel and four generally planar panels extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. A generally rectangular compartment is defined within those four panels which extend perpendicular to the bottom panel. Upper edges of two opposite of the panels perpendicular to the bottom panel are convexly arcuate and parallel to one another. The upper edges of the other two panels are also convex and parallel to one another. The device further includes a generally planar closure panel including a lower surface which carries a compressible seal. The seal is of a size at least as great as an area defined by the upper edges of the four panels which are perpendicular to the bottom panel of the housing.

Abstract: A sterile, medical dressing package (10), a method of applying the dressing (10) to a patient, and a method of configuring and packaging a sterile, medical dressing (10). The package (10) includes a dressing sheet (12) and a pair of cover sheets (14). Release portions (38) of the cover sheets (14) overlie, and are adhered to, lateral portions (36) of an adhesive face (16) of the dressing sheet (12). Tab portions (40) of the cover sheets (14) are folded back upon their respective release portions (38). The tab portions (40) extend away from a central portion (34) of the dressing sheet (12). The central portion (34) of the dressing sheet (12) is folded back upon, and adhered to, a tab portion (40) of one of the cover sheets (14).

Abstract: A ceiling runner comprised of an elongated generally U-shaped channel member having longitudinally spaced openings in its web, each with one end portion shaped and sized to confine a transversely arranged upright C-stud therein. The remainder of the opening is of such size and shape as to permit the C-stud to be initially inserted therethrough with the web of its cross-section extending longitudinally of the web of the channel member and to be thereafter twisted about its longitudinal axis to a relatively transverse position to snap into place within said end portion, the web of the channel member having a retaining tab at one side and a detent and camming surface at the opposite side of the opening to cause the C-stud to flex sufficiently to snap into said end portion and to retain the C-stud within said end portion once it has snapped into place.

Abstract: An auxiliary weapon, such as a grenade launcher, is mounted on a main weapon, such as a rifle. The trigger member of the auxiliary weapon includes a pivotal extension that may be moved to a locked position to retain the safety in its on position. The extension in its unlocked position is adjacent the trigger member of the main weapon to allow both weapons to be easily fired using the same hand.

Abstract: An assembly for immobilizing the head of a trauma victim intended to be positioned on a stretcher board. The device includes a first sheet of flexible material which is to be mounted so that, when it is affixed to the board, a pair of normally-flaccid, open-sided loops are defined therein. The loops are intended to be at locations which straddle an intended location of the trauma victim's head. A pair of compressible blocks are also included. Each block is intended to be received within one of the normally-flaccid, open-sided loops. A block can be easily inserted into, and removed from, its corresponding loop because the loops are open-sided in nature. When the compressible blocks are received within the loops and constrained thereby, the blocks, together, define a seat in which the head of the trauma victim can be positioned.

Abstract: A conveyor/elevator for moving bulk granular materials from a first location, at a designated height, to a second location, at an elevated height. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor web which is tensioned and has oppositely facing elevating and return runs. A plurality of carriages or buckets are attached to the conveyor web, and, as the web is driven, the granular material is introduced into the buckets at the first location proximate the bottom of the elevating run. The carriages or buckets into which the material has been introduced move, thereafter, upwardly along the elevating run and over the apogee of the structure. Each bucket has a floor which, when the bucket is moving along an elevating run, extends, at an acute angle, upwardly and away from the conveyor web. When the bucket moves along the return run, the floor extends, at the same angle, downwardly and away from the conveyor web.