Abstract: This invention provides immediate feedback to students as to their correct and incorrect responses by the incorporation of: a computer; electronic visual and/or audio feedback means; and a holding frame that contains a printed instructional sheet that is located above two sets of electroconductive strips, where the first set is located at a 90.degree. axis with the second set, and overlies the second set in a different but parallel plane. The centers of the conductive strips form the vertical and horizontal coordinates of a grid pattern. The instructional sheets contain response areas that are located above some of the points of intersection of the coordinates in this grid. Each strip in the two sets of conductive strips is connected to the computer, and the computer is programmed to know which points of intersection are correct response areas and which are incorrect response areas. At least one set of conductive strips is flexible or elastic.

Abstract: A carburetor attachment is designed for replacing a main jet(s) found in the float chamber of a carburetor. The attachment comprises an elongated tubular member with a bore running therethrough and presenting an opening at the lower end thereof. Threads at the lower end of the tubular member fasten the attachment to the threaded socket presented by removal of the normal main jet. In place, the upper end of the attachment extends above the normal level of the fuel found in the float chamber and has a port thereat providing communication between the internal bore and the surrounding ambient air. An inclined port adjacent the lower end of the tubular member provides a conduit between the surrounding fuel and internal bore. Upon actuation of the carburetor the resulting suction presented within the bore draws the surrounding ambient air and fuel through the respective ports for admixture therein.

Abstract: A molecular diffuser assembly is adapted to replace the carburetor of an internal combustion engine and is provided with a venturi-type passageway in communication with the internal combustion engine for drawing an airstream therethrough. A thermistor-type heater/evaporator assembly operates at a selected temperature to evaporate all the volatile constituents of the liquid fuel introduced thereto and provides a substantially complete vapor fuel for delivery to the venturi for diffusion with the airstream passing therethrough. A regulator assembly controls the amount of vapor fuel discharged into the venturi in response to parametric information delivered thereto, such information indicative of the mass flow rate of the airstream flowing through the venturi. The vaporized fuel in the venturi throat represents the fuel molecules at an optimal degree of separation so as to optimally react with the oxydizing airstream.

Abstract: A target practice apparatus for improving the shooting accuracy of a basketball player is releasably mounted to a basketball goal to present a target clearly above the rim and aligned along a vertical centerline of the horizontal plane containing the rim. The target also contains a point of a desired curvilinear path of a shot basketball between the player and goal. Upon proper contact by a shot basketball, the target swings to a position away from the desired path to allow passage of the basketball through the underlying goal. The displaced target is spring biased towards its centerline position so as to offer a proper and easily viewed aiming point awaiting the next shot of the player.

Abstract: A vehicular bale retriever and stacker including a multistage hoist assembly which picks up and stacks a plurality of huge first and second hay bales on a transport platform. The hoist assembly comprises a rigidly reinforced support column having a cylindrical lift member slidable along the column and rotatable about a vertical axis passing therethrough. Pivotally attached to this lift member is a hoist arm having an operable grapple assembly mounted thereto. Operator control of the elevation and rotation of the lift member and the pivotal movement of the hoist arm presents a multistage hoist which enables the operator to maneuver the grapple assembly through generally vertical and horizontal arcs at different elevations, relative to the platform, so as to seize first and second ground-adjacent hay bales and stack the same in the loading area of the transport platform.

Abstract: A chiropractic apparatus employs first and second measuring devices to determine the amount of anterior/posterior, superior/inferior and lateral displacement of selected skeletal features, particularly the ilia notches, from predetermined reference positions. A patient support assembly employs left and right sole and heel pedal plates rotatable about lateral and longitudinal axes, which allow the operator to position the patient, so as to negate any measured deviations of the skeletal features from the predetermined reference position. A separate upper body alignment device utilizes an overhead target which displays thereon preferred and actual intersections of the major vertical axis running through the skeletal frame of the patient with the pedal plates operated to further position so as to bring the axes into correspondence.

Abstract: A wiper bar system, transversing a tractor's path, comprises a fluid housing with open fluid channel therein, a wiper blade and a moisture absorbent wick surrounding the wiper blade. The fluid housing is mounted to the rear face of the wiper blade with a portion of the wick interposed therebetween. The spatial relationship between the fluid housing and wiper blade is adjustable by the user to control the amount of fluid/herbicide flowing from the fluid channel to the interposed wick and ultimately the amount of fluid/herbicide delivered to the portion of the wick surrounding the weed-contacting surface of the wiper blade.

Abstract: A locking device for a toilet seat lid comprises a rotatable lever arm having a downwardly extending flange mounted adjacent the free end thereof. The lever arm is rotatably mounted on a mounting plate with the latter being fastened to the toilet bowl to the rear of the toilet seat by means of the conventional seat-fastening bolts. The flange cooperates with the free end of the lever arm to present a jaw-like structure for receiving a portion of the rear of the closed lid therein. Upon movement of the closed lid towards an open position the lid engages the jaw-like structure in a manner which opposes movement of the lid towards a fully open position. The lever arm is user-rotatable to a position free of the closed lid to allow opening of the lid and access to the toilet bowl. A spring bias on the lever arm returns the lever arm to the original lid-receiving position upon the lid being returned to its closed position.

Abstract: A wall assembly comprising exterior and interior severally insulated wall sections combined to present a jointly insulated wall. A continuous sheath of cured foam insulates the exterior wall section and isolates the bracing studs therein from those of the interior wall section. The latter section is insulated with conventional fiberglass batts and is laterally adjacent the first wall section resulting in a jointly insulated common wall assembly impervious to air infiltration and highly resistant to thermal flow therethrough.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly especially suited for oil wells has a wide working pressure range and employs three components which fit together to seal the well casing, hold the tubing against high wellhead pressures, and provide a connection to the tubing through which the sucker rods are operated. The primary casing seal is formed by the mating contact of metal surfaces that are not subject to deterioration. The actuator for the subsurface pump is a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder unit aligned with the sucker rods and forming the uppermost section of an elongated cylindrical housing, which also has a lowermost section on the wellhead that provides the outlets for the fluid pumped from the well, and an intermediate, control section that contains a spool valve for controlling the hydraulic actuator. The spool is shifted by the piston and rod of the hydraulic actuator at the upper and lower limits of their stroke to thereby reciprocate the sucker rods and operate the subsurface pump.

Abstract: A creosote detector for ascertaining a critical amount of creosote buildup on a chimney flue includes a collector probe mounted contiguous to the chimney flue for a buildup of creosote material thereon. An electrical resistance is variously detected corresponding to the deposit level of the creosote across two conductive plates of the collecting probe. A silicon unilateral switch is designed to operably respond to a certain resistance presented thereto causing the silicon unilateral switch to conduct which triggers the alarm circuit including a flag alarm mounted to the exterior of the chimney proper. Thus, the homeowner is warned of a critical creosote buildup within the chimney flue so that preventive maintenance can then be performed.

Abstract: An instructional apparatus is disclosed comprising a holding frame having a grid of shallow and deep depressions or holes, the bottoms of which are defined by electrical contacts; a printed instructional format that contains circular response areas or zones that are precisely located over some of the shallow and deep depressions when the format is properly positioned on top of the holding frame; an electroconductive stylus with a cone shaped tip; a punching sheet that is sandwiched between the printed format and the holding frame and that obscures the depth of the underlying shallow and deep depressions from the student; and the necessary electrical components and connections to register and indicate when the tip of the stylus completes an electrical circuit by contacting the electroconductive contact material in the bottom of each shallow and deep depression.

Abstract: A chemical pump actuator utilizes a variable pilot for operation of the piston power unit and an attached chemical injector. The pilot structure includes a pair of valve assemblies for regulating the flow of a power fluid into and from the piston cylinder. Pressurization and depressurization of the diaphragmmatic pilot, as regulated by a control fluid flow independent of the power fluid flow, operates the power fluid inlet and outlet valve assemblies. This pressurization and depressurization of the pilot is regulated by control fluid inlet and outlet valve assemblies, these assemblies being cam actuated by the piston upon completion of the power and return strokes. Exhaust of the power fluid from the cylinder is regulated by a throttle assembly with the length of the stroke of the piston determined by a stroke control assembly. Accordingly, the piston cyclic rate and stroke can be independently adjusted presenting a pump actuator capable of a finely tuned control of the chemical injector attached thereto.

Abstract: Instructional apparatus of two parts to be used in conjunction with previously patented instructional apparatus, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,902,255, 3,964,176, and 4,065,858, which have a grid of depressions of two or more different depths. The first part of this invention is a sheet of material that contains a series of pre-punched holes that correspond to some of the shallow and deep depressions when this sheet of material is precisely positioned on the upper surface of the grid of underlying depressions. The first part of this invention provides a "blank" sheet that has a minimum of printing on its upper surface, this "blank" sheet has a pattern of pre-punched holes that correspond to correct or incorrect responses. The second part of this invention is a printed sheet that has printed large dots or other indicating means, that when accurately alligned and positioned under the first part reveal which of the holes in the first part correspond to correct responses, and which holes correspond to incorrect responses.

Abstract: A suspension system for an electric heating element array of a furnace comprises first and second suspension arms with a hanger element support member extended therebetween. The suspension arms are pivotally mounted to a support rod passing through the insulation module and linked to the furnace wall via the module attachment system. Upon affixation of the insulation module to the furnace wall the suspension arms are pivoted until the support member contiguously transverses the hot face of the module. A plurality of hanger elements are suspended from the support member with the heating elements then hung therefrom.

Abstract: An air conditioning system utilizes a novel air thermodynamic cycle and performing apparatus for simultaneous and efficient removal of the sensible and latent heats from the room return air. The system employs a pair of heat exchangers having a desiccant material thereon, the refrigerant, room and outside ambient air flows being selectively routed to the heat exchangers to allow one heat exchanger to operate as an evaporator to effect cooling and drying of the room return air while the other heat exchanger acts as a condenser of the refrigerant and regenerates the desiccant material thereon. The heat exchangers are switchable between evaporator and condenser modes allowing for continuous conditioning of the room return air.