Abstract: A snap-action piloted fill valve for controlling the level in a liquid storage tank, the valve having a float and a weight cup that are adjustably interconnected by an elongated sleeve slidably disposed on a stem extending upwardly from a valve body mounted inside a tank, the weight cup being further connected to a snap-action beam attached to the valve body. The snap-action beam controls operation of a pilot, which in turn causes the fill valve to open when the beam is in its upward position and to close when the beam is in its downward postion. Use as a toilet valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sharps bagging apparatus has an access member with one or more conforming openings which conform to the profile of a retracted medical device to allow bagging collected retracted medical devices with a satisfactory degree of assurance that all or virtually all the devices are in the safe retracted condition. The access member is used with a collapsible disposal bag which may removably fill a disposal container or in one embodiment be fixedly secured to the access member. The access member is adapted to fit plastic or wire containers removably or lockedly. Sloping sides in the access member create a centering well which tends to center a retracted device and may include a triggering wall which can activate the retraction mechanism of an unretracted device. When the access member is provided with an attached collapsible bag, they can be stacked for economical transport and storage.

Abstract: A drill bit sub attachable to a drilling string above the drill bit, the sub having an oscillation chamber with at least two radially and axially spaced, annular impingement surfaces interconnected by an inclined annular surface. The oscillation chamber is preferably coaxially aligned and in fluid communication with upper and tubular bores that each have diameters less than the diameter of the chamber. The oscillation chamber preferably has a diameter from about three to about five times the diameter of the upper tubular bore and a height between 1.6 and 5.6 times the diameter of the upper tubular bore. The diameter of the lower tubular bore is preferably about 1.3 times the diameter of the upper tubular bore.

Abstract: A toy bank having a base structure to store coins. A basketball player is mounted above the base structure, the basketball player having a coin holder generally shaped as a basketball. After the coin is placed in the coin holder, a lever arm is pushed thereby operating a rotation mechanism to cause the basketball player to elevate, rotate and pivot its arms to deliver the coin to a coin receptacle. The coin receptacle resembles a basketball goal and is designed to receive and direct the coin inside the base structure. Thus, when the lever arm is pressed, the toy bank simulates a basketball player shooting or “dunking” a basketball.

Abstract: A mobile system for processing raw ears of corn includes a first mobile processing trailer for receiving raw unhusked ears of corn, holding the ears and disbursing them to a husker for removing corn husks and corn silk from the ears. A conveyer takes the husked ears of corn to a second trailer for further processing. The second mobile processing trailer includes multiple cutting machines to remove the corn kernels from the cob and a saw to slice the fresh ears of corn into mini cobs. A conveyer takes the sliced cobs to a holding bin for transportation to a cannery while a second conveyer removes the corn kernels from the second trailer to a third trailer for washing and cooling. The third trailer includes a pair of rotating sieves and a cooling tank to clean and chill the corn kernels. The chilled kernels are then transported via a conveyer to transportation receptacle for transportation to a cannery for further processing.

Abstract: A hand-held, pneumatically propelled, metering dispenser for powdered or granular products such as pesticides, the dispenser having a manually operated pneumatic pump, a product canister, a metering scoop insertable into the product canister in operative alignment with the pneumatic pump, and a discharge line into and through which powder or granules supported in the scoop are blown by operation of the pneumatic pump.

Abstract: A damper-controlled gas delivery system for use with gas-fired fireplaces, the system having a solenoid valve controlling the supply of gas to a burner, a manipulable damper control lever, and a wire linkage connecting the damper control lever to a switch that controls the supply of electrical power to the solenoid valve, the damper control lever and switch, thereby preventing operation of the burner unless the damper is open.

Abstract: An economical method of making a net or mesh light with light nodes includes the step of providing a light set having a common wire collection extending in a first direction, the common wire collection including an active wire and a return wire. A plurality of series-connected light strings extend physically parallel to each other and in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction, each light string including a plurality of lamp sockets and a plurality of intermediate lengths of wire connecting the lamp sockets in series. Plug means are disposed at one end of the common wire collection and include the active and return wires. Then at least one non-electrical rope is physically fastened to the lamp sockets of the plurality of light strings removed a common distance along the second direction from the common wire collection, thereby forming a net or mesh.

Abstract: An automated system and method is provided for cultivating bacteria in a fluid medium and thereafter selectively discharging the fluid medium, wherein an initial supply of the selected strain or strains of bacteria is combined with nutrients and water in a biogenerator in the presence of air to promote mixing and bacterial cultivation. The system and method utilize a vortex created by recirculation of the fluid medium to achieve aeration and mixing without substantial foaming. The system and method are particularly useful for supplying bacteria to control grease accumulation in restaurant grease traps. The system and method use a biogeneration chamber which has a cylindrical sidewall and surface on the inner side. Further, the chamber has a top and a conical bottom. The top has inlet ports and a vent port. There is also a outlet port in the conical bottom.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic hanger that, in the preferred embodiment, has a generally triangular body with a unitarily molded hook member at one corner and suction cup attachment devices at the other two corners. The hanger is constructed to have a low profile relative to a smooth support surface, meaning that the body and suction cup attachment devices are specially adapted to permit attachment of suction cups to the body in such manner that the body remains close to the support surface when the suction cups are subsequently attached to the support surface. The suction cup attachment devices include a retainer ring and a stud support member that assist in retaining engagement between the hanger and the suction cup when the hanger is subjected to a shear force.

Abstract: A quick-release attachment device having a receiver assembly mountable in a concealed position under the rear fender of a motorcycle, the device being useful for quickly connecting and disconnecting load-supporting apparatus such as, for example, a trailer hitch, carrier platform, golf club carrier, or the like. The concealed receiver assembly desirably embodies two laterally spaced, longitudinal support members attachable to the motorcycle frame in a position that is hidden by the rear fender, a transverse support member interconnecting the longitudinal support members, and a downwardly inclined receiver member depending from the transverse support member to receive an upwardly inclined, projecting portion of a load-supporting apparatus that is insertable into the receiver member.

Abstract: A tub waste overflow assembly that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. The retaining body is provided with an annular flange larger than the aperture, a plurality of lugs circumferentially spaced around the tubular bore and extending forwardly of the flange, opposite the male threaded end, and a selectively removable test plug molded in place across the tubular bore at the flange end.

Abstract: A tub waste overflow assembly that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. A chamfered washer is provided to cooperate with the retaining body and an annular sealing gasket to produce a fluid-tight seal on the interior surface of the tub wall. A forwardly projecting fulcrum member on the pipe fitting preferably contacts the exterior tub wall outwardly of the aperture to facilitate connection of a drain pipe to tub walls over a range of included angles, and no seal is required around the overflow drain aperture on the exterior tub wall. A unitarily molded, knock-out test plug is provided across the bore of the retaining body and a handle desirably attached to the test plug projects into the tub to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A tree stand having a unitarily molded plastic body having a pentagonal reservoir with a downwardly curved buttress extending radially outward on each side of the reservoir to a peripherally extending base flange defining inwardly curving arcs between adjacent buttresses, upwardly directed retaining walls disposed along said arcs between said buttresses; and a bolt receptacle elevated above the reservoir at the top of each buttress.

Abstract: An automated and seemingly animated door knocker is disclosed that includes a housing with a pivotably connected knocking member, the housing being releasably supported on the door by an over-the-door hanger or other similarly satisfactory attachment device, and the knocking member being reciprocated by a battery-powered, motor-driven linkage that is controlled by an integrated circuit and activated by a difference in light intensity as sensed by a photocell when someone approaches the door. A sound generator controlled from the circuit board is also desirably activated contemporaneously with the motor-driven linkage to play a prerecorded sound sequence.

Abstract: A barrel toy having a semi-rigid, generally cylindrical but slightly convex plastic sidewall with open top and bottom ends, interior and exterior surfaces, at least one unitarily molded, circumferentially extending rib, and an interior space sufficiently large to accommodate a child, a padded exterior surface section, a foam pad adhesively attached to the interior surface of the sidewall, and a decorative exterior covering. Also disclosed is a kit including a clown barrel toy in combination with a clown makeup case containing at least two different colors of facial makeup that can be safely applied to the facial skin of a child to emulate clown makeup, at least one makeup applicator device and at least one bulbous clown nose that can be temporarily applied to the nose of a child as part of the makeup.

Abstract: A device useful for supporting decorative light strings or other articles from a brick wall, the device having an expander, retainer, hook and threaded fastener, the expander being insertable into a mortar groove, the retainer having teeth adapted to engage bricks surrounding the mortar groove when the retainer is tightened against the expander by the fastener, and a support hook attached to the retainer.