Abstract: An improved safe is provided which offers the security of currently known more complex safes at substantially less cost. The safe preferably includes a cabinet having apertured door frame structure, with a door having inner, outer and sidewalls. Locking apparatus located within the door includes a series of selectively operable toggle mechanisms, each having a pair of pivotal links coupled to a locking bolt. The locking bolts are designed to extend through the aligned frame and door apertures to lock the door. The frame structure is formed of interconnected, seamless webs integral with the cabinet walls and presenting a recess to receive the door lip. Additional security is achieved by reinforcing the door lip with flange structure forming a part of the marginal door frame and by attaching the handle to the actuator for the toggle mechanisms so that excess force renders the handle inoperative.

Abstract: An improved process for producing baked products such as breads and rolls is provided which gives the products an extremely long shelf life and essential batch-to-batch uniformity. Moreover, the process is susceptible to a high degree of automation, thereby lowering costs. Broadly speaking, the process of the invention is an improvement over conventional sponge methods and involves initially setting the sponge fraction at a temperature of about 72.degree.-80.degree. F. and a pH of 5.2-5.6; the sponge is fermented for a period of about 11/2-21/2 hours in order to elevate the temperature and reduce the pH of the sponge. The sponge is then cooled to eliminate yeast activity, and is mixed with dough fraction components to yield a final dough. The final mixed dough is quiescently held and proofed in an intermediate proofer for 6-8 minutes. Final processing involves molding, baking, cooling and packaging. The process is also characterized by a complete absence of synthetic yeast foods in the sponge fraction.

Abstract: A compact, easily transportable hunting stand for use by archery hunters or the like is provided which exhibits a high degree of stability when attached to a tree trunk and includes a unique mechanism for permitting precise leveling of the stand. Preferably, the tree stand of the invention includes a platform together with platform mounting means including a leveling screw mechanism permitting the stand to be attached to irregular tree trunks. Further, the mounting structure for the stand platform comprises compression struts and essentially eliminates tensile chains or cables extending about the stand platform; as such, the hunter is allowed complete freedom of movement and the stand seat may be rotated for a full 360 degrees to afford maximum visibility and freedom of action. In its collapsed condition, the stand may be carried on the back of a hunter in the manner of a backpack.

Abstract: An improved, high efficiency rotary drum dryer and method is disclosed which achieves outstanding thermal efficiencies by provision of a multiple-pass rotary dryer designed so that the product to be dried is first conveyed through an outermost drum of relatively large cross-sectional area and then through succeeding internal drums of progressively smaller cross-sectional areas. In this way, the velocity of induced air currents traveling through the dryer increases from pass to pass, with the result that the net velocity of product through successive passes also increases. The preferred dryer also includes housing structure in surrounding relationship to the innermost drum permitting introduction of relatively low humidity ambient-derived air into the central drum so as to lower the partial pressure of moisture in the drying atmosphere, thus promoting the final stage of drying.

Abstract: Waste water containing organic materials is first subjected to electrolysis to encourage flocculation of particles contained in the water and is thereafter introduced into an aeration tank where the contents experience aerobic action to reduce their biological oxygen demand before being discharged from the system. During electrolysis, oxygen released by the electrolytic action is captured within an accumulation space above the water level and is drawn off to a heater where it is dried before being introduced into an ozone generator. Ozone from the generator is in turn injected into the aerating tank to promote the aerobic action taking place therein.

Abstract: An improved, low cost, energy efficient extrusion device and method for processing of cellulose, hemicellulose, and like fiber-bearing materials is described which includes a pretreatment extrusion zone and a reaction extrusion zone separated by a pressure sensitive variable die. The method hereof includes the steps of extruding cellulosic material through the pretreatment zone at an elevated pressure and temperature, passing the material into the reaction zone where it is mixed with an acid and is processed at a lower pressure and temperature than in the pretreatment zone, and extruding the material through a final extrusion die. The surging and blowing usually experienced with extrusion of fibrous material is drastically reduced by the unique construction of the extruder die members. The cellulosic material may be hydrolyzed to simple sugars in accordance with the method and apparatus hereof with a minimum of acid degradation of the extrusion equipment.

Abstract: Structure for guiding a submersible pump along an upright path of travel includes a wire-like connector coupled to the pump unit, and the connector is shaped to slidably engage two outwardly extending portions of an upright guide rail which is I-shaped in transverse configuration. The wire-like connector cleans debris from the rail during vertical movement of the pump and also enables the unit to be tilted as necessary. When the pump unit is shifted to approach a lowermost position for pumping fluids, a directing means comprising outwardly extending plates with inclined surfaces thereon engages horizontal arms connected to a pump outlet flange so that the pump is precisely guided both vertically and horizontally to a position wherein the pump outlet flange is in flat, parallel, face-to-face relationship with an inlet flange of a stationary discharge pipe.

Abstract: A beverage receptacle holder for mounting in the interior of a passenger vehicle and which serves to securely hold a beverage receptacle such as a coffee cup, soft drink can, or the like within convenient reach of the vehicle driver or passenger. The holder includes a receptacle receiver having a plurality of spaced-apart, flexible, receptacle-engaging fingers which extend inwardly from the receiver sidewall; a positioning member adjustably coupled to the receiver and adapted for coupling to the vehicles's cigarette lighter socket; and a threaded, stabilizing element coupled to the receiver normal to the axis thereof and adapted for contact with the vehicle dashboard.

Abstract: An amusement device is provided in one embodiment with two annular elements that are integrally connected in coplanar relationship to each other. Each of the annular elements has a diameter within the range of 8 inches to 24 inches for enabling one foot of the user to be readily inserted and thereafter rotated to horizontally swing the device in a horizontal arc, causing the user to intermittently hop on the remaining foot to clear the opposite element during each rotation of the device. Both of the elements are preferably integrally coupled to smooth, rounded, depending bosses which retain the elements in spaced disposition from the ground so that the user can readily insert his or her foot underneath the device to initiate swinging movement thereof. In another form of the invention, a third annular element is coplanar with and interconnects the first and second elements, for increasing the variety of bodily motions and exercise patterns that may be employed.

Abstract: A track guided transportation system for shelf servicing within warehouses. A lower guide track provides a narrow channel defined between a track bottom face and a pair of track side faces, and an upper guide track extends above and parallel to the lower guide track. A transportation vehicle with a plurality of mounting assemblies is mounted to and between the lower and upper tracks for travel therealong. Each mounting assembly of the lower guide track includes a single supporting wheel for rolling centrally along the track channel on the bottom face to support the vehicle and at least one stabilizing element is provided in the track channel extending generally between the inner side faces and engaging one or other of the side faces at any one time in order to laterally stabilize the vehicle.

Abstract: A distribution system for a water cooling tower directs incoming hot water to particular regions of a fill assembly which are determined by the magnitude of the hot water flow rate, and structure is provided for maintaining an equal head of water above all of the nozzles in current operation. During periods of relatively low flows, a weir member mounted within a distribution box of the system directs all of the incoming hot water to an outer distribution zone which is located over four outer regions of the fill assembly. Once the hot water flow rate is increased above as certain, predetermined value, a portion of the water spills over the weir and is conveyed to an inner distribution zone located over a central region of the fill structure while the remaining portion of the water is directed toward the outer zone so that water is directed to the entire horizontal area of the fill structure.

Abstract: An initially flat sheet of a fan cylinder assembly is formed to an exact cylindrical configuration in such a manner that less than 20% of the material comprising the sheet in a direction along the thickness of the same is exposed to stress above the yield strength of the material. The sheet is provided with tabs bent to a perpendicular orientation relative to remaining regions of the sheet, and holes are punched in certain of the tabs at precise, predefined locations and which are related to precise, predefined locations of apertures spaced around the periphery of an exact circular opening in an upright support panel of the tower housing. The sheet is formed to a true cylinder by causing the major region of the sheet to bear against the periphery of the circular opening of the support panel so that the flat panel functions as a guide both during forming of the cylinder and also thereafter to retain the sheet in its proper cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: The farm implement for distributing particles such as seeds or granular fertilizers has an apparatus for splitting a single particle-entraining air stream into a plurality of individual streams containing uniform and randomly divided quantities of particles. The apparatus has a horizontally disposed corrugated pipe in downstream communication with the conduit for providing a uniform flow of particles to a horizontally disposed, tubular, stream splitting distribution body. The distribution body has a transition section that progressively and symmetrically changes in a downstream direction from a circular configuration toward a generally flat, rectangular configuration, a generally flat transfer section that leads from the transition section and spreads symmetrically laterally outwardly in a downstream direction, and a single layer of generally horizontally disposed outlet tubes at the downstream end of the transfer section.

Abstract: A practice device for improving the shooting skills of basketball players is provided which effectively trains players in proper arm movement and follow-through for free throws and provides a realistic shooting "feel". The practice device advantageously includes a basketball rotationally coupled to an elongated support arm, the latter being pivotally mounted to an upright, adjustable frame. A shooting arm guide is also provided adjacent and generally below the basketball in the form of a pair of laterally spaced apart upright plates. In use, the shooter positions himself with his shooting arm within the guide and his hands in engagement with the ball in the normal shooting fashion. The ball is then pushed upwardly as in free throw shooting with the shooter's arm being maintained in a desirable upright orientation. The rotational mounting of the basketball also permits the shooter to practice the proper follow through as the ball leaves his hands.

Abstract: In a manually operated dispenser especially suited for striped toothpaste products and the like the reciprocable pumping piston is provided with a concave, product-engaging face that gently, yet forcibly, directs the product in a smooth, laminar flow out of the pump chamber and into the discharge spout when the piston is depressed through a pumping stroke so that stripes in the ribbon of toothpaste issuing from the spout are well defined and maintained in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The cooperating floating takeup piston at the opposite end of the chamber from the pumping piston is provided with a convex dome that becomes complementally received within the concavity of the pumping piston when the contents of the dispenser are nearly depleted, thereby maximizing the degree to which the dispenser is emptied.

Abstract: A combination corrosion/scale inhibitor composition for use in oil or gas wells is provided which is in the form of a substantially homogeneous dispersion so as to facilitate use and well coverage of the composition, and to minimize well downtime. The overall composition preferably includes a preblend having an imidazoline-based corrosion inhibitor and an organophosphonic scale inhibitor, together with an organic solvent and an alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactant; the preblend is then field-mixed with water or crude oil to yield a final treating composition. In practice the final composition may be introduced into the well in bulk or over time so as to achieve full coverage of down-hole equipment with both the corrosion and scale inhibitor.

Abstract: A lightweight boom supported by a rotatable jib of a tower crane for introducing flowable concrete mix to form systems has a concrete conveying conduit which functions also as a structural member of the boom, in order that the overall weight of the latter is minimized. The elongated boom has a triangular configuration in transverse cross-section, with two parallel, co-planar, spaced upper members and a hollow, concrete conveying bottom member that is generally parallel to the two upper members and spaced below the same. Horizontally extending brace members interconnect the two upper members, and spacer bars depending from the two upper members are secured to the bottom member.

Abstract: The velocity of a snap action, spring loaded vacumm switch closing mechanism is substantially reduced by impacting a lever of the mechanism against a first swingable energy absorbing arm which, in turn, pivots to contact a pair of second energy absorbing arms. The pair of second arms are lightweight relative to the first arm and swing through a greater arc than the latter to permit oscillations to subside in remaining components of the switch before rebounding against the first arm. The swingable arms absorb a significant portion of the kinetic energy of the mechanism during closing of the contacts so that shock waves which are normally experienced in various components of the mechanism cannot combine to a value sufficient to snap the mechanism to an open circuit orientation. The anti-bounce device is particularly useful for three phase switchgear wherein a single, common mechanism functions to simultaneously close three pairs of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A simple, easy-to-use astrological/educational tool is provided which allows a user to readily obtain information regarding those individuals or groups who are compatible or incompatible with the user, in accordance with astrological principles. In preferred forms, the tool of the invention includes a central circular section bearing circularly arrayed astrological sign indicia on both faces thereof, together with a compatibility wheel and an incompatibility wheel respectively rotationally coupled to the central section and oriented adjacent the separate faces of the latter. The compatibility wheel includes three equidistantly and circumferentially spaced indicators, whereas the incompatibility wheel includes four such indicators. In particularly preferred forms of the invention, the device includes a pair of planet wheels bearing circularly arrayed planet information, with a planet wheel being interposed between the compatibility and incompatibility wheel and the adjacent faces of the central section.