Abstract: A fluid cleaning system for removing meat particles from a rotating roll of a meat stripping machine with a minimum amount of pressurized fluid and water by sequentially opening and closing individual groups of fixed fluid nozzles located closely adjacent the roll. An air manifold extends longitudinally along the roll and is formed with groups of nozzles, each group being supplied by its own air supply channel. The air supply channels terminate in an annular air distribution chamber which is connected to a source of pressurized air. A disc, formed with at least one opening, is rotated within the chamber for sequentially opening at least one of the supply channels while maintaining the other supply channels closed from the pressurized air source. The roll and disc are driven by the same motor but at different speeds. Since only one group of nozzles is connected to the source of pressurized air at any one time, the supply of pressurized air is less than that required to supply all nozzles at the same time.

Abstract: A capacitor bank installation for generating reactive power in high or extra high voltage electrical power systems, for example 345kV, to maintain the voltage level during heavy loading conditions or system contingencies. A three phase capacitor bank is connected between the high voltage line and the low voltage line by a first switching device which is connected between the high voltage line and the capacitor bank and by a second switching device which is connected between the capacitor bank and the low voltage line. The first switching device is a current interrupting device in series with a motorized disconnect switch which has a lower recovery voltage withstand capability than would be required if switching a shunt capacitor bank connected to the high voltage system. The second switching device is a motorized disconnect switch without any current interrupting capability.

Abstract: An abduction pillow used to immobilize a patient's legs after hip surgery has a wedge-shaped body constructed of a resilient deformable material which positions the legs in a forgiving, fixed divergent position. The body is wedge-shaped and preferably air filled, and has a pair of opposing sides which taper outwardly in a divergent manner from a narrow anterior end adapted to be located adjacent the groin area of a patient, toward a wider distal end. The body has an upper surface which inclines downwardly from the distal end toward the anterior end. A longitudinal arcuate recess is formed in the upper inclined surface and has a depth sufficient to support one of the patient's legs. The vertical distance between a plane in which the other of the patient's legs lies and the bottom of the longitudinal arcuate recess, is equal to the width of the wedge-shaped body at any transverse plane taken through the pillow.

Abstract: A trailer hitch guide with a first portion to be mounted on a tractor vehicle, and a second portion to be mounted on a trailer vehicle. The first portion having a guide telescopically mounted to the tractor such that it can be viewed by the tractor operator while the vehicle is in motion. The second portion having a hood telescopically mounted to the trailer drawbar at a height equal to that of the guide. The relative spacial relation between the hood and guide emulating the relative spacial relation between the tractor hitch ball and trailer drawbar, such that when the operator is attempting to couple the tractor to the trailer, he can position the tractor for coupled engagement with the trailer by viewing the relative spacial relation of the two portions of the trailer hitch guide.

Abstract: A container for shipping and storing an article such as a video cassette has a base formed by a pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced side walls. Integrally molded to the base is a lid having at least one destructible locking tang formed thereon which passes through an aperture formed in one of the side walls of the base. When the locking tang is inserted through the aperture, a shoulder on the tang engages the base wall and may only be disengaged from the wall by destructibly removing the locking tang from the lid. A tear groove preferably is formed in a hinge portion of the tang to facilitate removal of the tang from the lid. Also, provided on the lid and base are a plurality of projections to provide at least one snap-fit engagement between the lid and the base to latch the lid and the base together once the locking tang has been removed. A plurality of shock absorbing tabs are formed in the storage compartment to space the video cassette from the walls to reduce damage thereto during shipment.

Abstract: A container construction and method for displaying a compact disc for sale and for subsequent storage thereof after purchase by a consumer. The container comprises a base having a storage compartment, a tray pivotally mounted on the base for releasably holding a compact disc, and a lid pivotally mounted on the base for enclosing the tray and disc within the storage compartment of the base to protect the compact disc when not in use after purchase. A locking mechanism is provided on first ends of the base, tray and lid and lock the base, lid and tray in a generally flat extended end-to-end relationship for display with the tray being pivoted into the lid so that the compact disc is secure between the lid and tray. Graphic sheets are placed over the base and lid when in the extended and locked position, and then covered with a clear plastic wrapper for display. After purchase, the wrapper and graphic sheets are removed and the base and lid pulled slightly apart to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A lightweight portable device for supporting a pistol in a stable shooting position on the ground or stationary object. A base has a smooth convex top surface which is slidably received in a concave recess formed in the bottom of a pistol butt supporting member for moving a top surface of the supporting member to a level position. The top surface is configured to match the contour of a bottom surface of a pistol butt to be seated thereon. An elastic strip movably secures the supporting member on the base. Removable inserts may be individually mounted on the supporting member each having a different configured top surface matching the bottom surface of a pistol to be used with the support enabling the device to be used with various pistols.

Abstract: A safety control system for power operated equipment which ensures operator safety by immediately disconnecting the power drive from a power driven rotating member, such as a toothed feed shaft of a meat skinning machine or a moving blade of a band saw, and then positively stops and then reverses the direction of movement of the rotating member, upon a metal conductive glove worn by the operator, contacting the blade or toothed shaft. The operator's glove is electrically connected to a safety mechanism and upon the glove completing a circuit upon contact with the rotating member or equipment immediately disconnects the power drive from the rotating member by actuating a clutch or tensioning cylinder. A trigger mechanism then is actuated and permits a positive stopping element to engage and stop the moving element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process and partible mold for forming a light-weight synthetic ceramic log for use in natural gas, propane and wood-burning fireplaces and stoves which are both fully-vented and non-vented depending upon the particular design of the heat generating equipment. In the subject process, a flexible porous patterned screen is formed simulating the exterior bark portion of a tree or log having a reverse image. Such screen is designed with both porous and non-porous surface characteristics for mounting as a separate element within the partible mold. The flexible porous patterned screen is mounted within the partible mold having major interior surface areas which are capable of connection to a vacuum source for withdrawing water from a liquid composition containing ceramic fibers to rapidly form the ceramic log within the mold during short periods of vacuum molding.

Abstract: An electronic terminal of the type employing a card reading device mounted within the interior thereof accessible through an input port formed in a wall of the terminal. A one-piece shield formed of an elastomeric material is mounted adjacent the input port of the card reader to prevent the entrance of debris into the interior of the terminal. The shield provides at least two opposing movable flaps extending over the card reader input port. The flaps are readily flexible to allow a card to slide therebetween, and to allow the flaps to flex back into a closed shielding position once the card is withdrawn from the input port. Surrounding portions of the shield form a more rigid body for securing the shield within the input port of the electronic terminal.

Abstract: Headwear that produces sound from a signal is provided by an audio device in addition to the normal features of the headwear. The audio headwear of the present invention may be configured as a visor, goggles or a headband. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an audio visor comprising a flexible body, a protective layer and two speaker elements. The speaker elements are attached between the flexible body and the protective layer attached to cover the bottom side of the flexible body. Thus, the speaker elements do not interfere with the operation of flexible body as a visor. The preferred embodiment also comprises conductor leads and an amplifier to adapt the output of the audio device for the speaker elements. In the second embodiment, the audio headwear further comprises a lens attached to the flexible body to form goggles or sunglasses.

Abstract: A container construction and method for displaying a compact disc for sale and for subsequent storage thereof after purchase by a consumer. The container comprises a base having a storage compartment, a tray pivotally mounted on the base for releasably holding a compact disc, and a lid pivotally mounted on the base for enclosing the tray and disc within the storage compartment of the base to protect the compact disc when not in use after purchase. A locking mechanism is provided on first ends of the base, tray and lid and lock the base, lid and tray in a generally flat extended end-to-end relationship for display with the tray being pivoted into the lid so that the compact disc is secure between the lid and tray. Graphic sheets are placed over the base and lid when in the extended and locked position, and then covered with a clear plastic wrapper for display. After purchase, the wrapper and graphic sheets are removed and the base and lid pulled slightly apart to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A reusable molded plastic package for securely holding and displaying cassettes and in particular audio cassettes. A housing forms a storage compartment and has two pairs of spaced ramps adjacent a front end opening which permits a cassette to be forced past the ramps and into the storage compartment, yet prevent removal of the cassette back out of the compartment through the front end opening. A lock retaining plate is movably mounted on the housing and is movable between a lock position where it covers another opening formed in the top wall of the housing and an unlocked position which enables the cassette to be removed from the storage compartment when sold at a retail store. After sale, the retaining plate can be moved to the locked position enabling the package to be reused with another cassette being loaded into the package by automatic loading equipment through the front end opening.

Abstract: A sleeve for storing and displaying a videocassette comprises a clear flexible plastic, elongated rectangular one-piece member, formed with an interior storage chamber completely enclosed except for an end opening through which a videocassette is inserted into and removed from the chamber. A chipboard cover having printed indicia thereon identifying a prerecorded program on the videocassette is retained within the chamber and slidably receives the videocassette therein. A pair of juxtaposed, elongated, preferably convex flanges, is formed on a spaced-apart pair of front and rear walls of the sleeve and extend partially across the end opening to retain the videocassette within the chipboard sleeve.

Abstract: A reusable plastic package for securely holding and displaying a compact disc. A housing forms a storage compartment having an access opening for receiving and retaining therein a plastic storage box containing a compact disc. A slide plate is mounted on the housing and is slidably moved across the access opening between locked and unlocked positions to retain the box within the storage compartment. The slide plate has locking projections which engage locking tabs on the housing to maintain the slide plate in locked position until released by a manually operated key. A pair of orienting tabs are formed on the slide plate and move through openings formed in a rear wall of the storage compartment and into offset openings formed in the compact disc storage box when the slide plate is moved to the locked position to ensure that the storage box is oriented in the desired position in the storage compartment for viewing of graphics cards contained thereon.

Abstract: A pneumatic vibrator is disclosed including a tubular housing having closed ends, an inlet port in the housing through which a fluid, such as air can flow into the housing, and a free-floating piston in the housing having two passageways through which the pressurized air entering the housing through the inlet port flows to act alternately against opposite ends of the piston and cause the piston to reciprocate in the housing. Exhaust ports are located in the housing through which the air ahead of the moving piston is exhausted from the housing. A plurality of relatively small openings is located in the housing through which pressurized air can flow into the housing and provide a fluid bearing between the piston and the housing, and means are provided to supply the inlet port opening with air under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variation of the traditional American football game concentrating on the passing aspects which demands virtually all of the athletic skills of traditional football, but capable of being played by a minimal number of players, preferably varying from three to five players. The subject game including new apparatus and method of playing employs a number of the refinements of the professional football passing game, based upon its timing and spacing aspects to provide a real athletic challenge, which game may be played on a smaller field, on both inside and outside facilities, the playing field consisting of a level open space at least 40 yards long and 30 yards wide. Spaced-apart markers are used to designate the offensive receiver positions for thrown passes and varied defensive alignments to prevent successful passing into a plurality of stationary nets or baskets.

Abstract: A security container for holding and displaying an article such as a package containing a compact disc, audiocassette or videocassette, comprised of a base and a pivotally mounted lid. The base has an external size and shape generally equal to that of the article to be secured within an interior compartment formed by the base. The lid is pivotally mounted on the base by a pair of posts located on side walls of the base which are spaced from one of the end walls a sufficient distance to provide an end of the container having a thickness equal to the thickness of the article contained therein. This thickness of the end of the container enables the container to be placed within a display rack heretofore useable only for an unsecured package. A recess is formed in an inside surface of the lid for receiving and protecting a security detection device within the container.