Abstract: A mount for attachment of a pair of cables to a side terminal of a battery has a stud releasably connected to the terminal for receiving the perforated lug of one of the cables with the stud having a fastener for releasably attaching thereto the perforated lug of the other cable.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and sequentially dispensing flexible synthetic resin disposable lids or other similar flexible, generally flat articles has an elongated, upright container with an abutment shelf extending partially across its lower end. A dispensing aperture coplanar with the shelf is disposed between the latter and a front wall of the container. The weight of the stacked lids automatically forces the exposed portion of the flexible, lowermost lid through the dispensing aperture toward a hand engageable position. As the lowermost lid is pulled through the opening, a front wall portion of the container engages the next adjacent lid to retain the same within the container. In preferred forms, an inclined lip segment extends downwardly from the abutment shelf below the aperture to limit the flexure of the lids as the latter are singularly dispensed in response to user demand.

Abstract: A filter for removal of suspended solids from fluids utilizes pressurized air for fluidizing filter media as the latter is exposed to backwashing water. The filter includes a casing having upright walls defining an annular chamber in horizontal cross-section, and a portion of the walls have openings that are pervious to liquid and substantially impermeable to the media particles. The flow of the backwash water is directed toward the upright, outer casing wall such that the backwash water flows at a direction at an angle relative to the upward flow of the pressurized air in the bed as the particles are fluidized, to facilitate removal of the accumulated solids without enabling escape of the media particles. Desirably, pressurized air is introduced into the chamber at vertically spaced locations to insure complete fluidization.

Abstract: An electrically insulated aerial platform assembly for use by a lineman on or around utility poles is provided which is constructed to maintain the actual work platform in an electrically insulated condition relative to the utility pole itself and the pole connection hardware associated with the assembly. In preferred forms, the platform assembly includes a work platform presenting an elongated, substantially flat upper work surface where a lineman may by stand, sit or kneel, together with means for temporarily attaching the platform to the utility pole with the platform being electrically insulated from the pole during normal working conditions. Attachment of the platform to the pole is effected by means of an elongated, electrically insulative member secured to the platform and extending toward the pole, with the pole-connection structure coupled to the insulative member at the end thereof remote from the platform.

Abstract: Flexible skirts which engage the tops of the belts of conveyors are suspended from the sidewalls of the cover of conveyor by vertically adjustable skirt holders. Elongated plates engaging the walls have outwardly extending, U-shaped humps. U-shaped skirt clamping jaws are looped over the humps. Fasteners include eyebolts passing through the bights of the jaws with their eyes disposed in slots formed in the bends of the humps. The eyes are free to rock about a rod secured to the humps at their bends.

Abstract: An improved aircraft marker beacon receiving and indicating system is provided, which automatically responds to the amplitude of the received signals to provide reduced sensitivity and muting of audio output after initial sensing and indication of proximity to the beacon and during a timed period of passing over the beacon in closest proximity thereto. The improved system employs an electrically controllable radio frequency attenuator between the antenna and the input of the receiver. The attenuator is controlled by a control voltage of predetermined duration from a trigger actuated, timed control signal generator. The control signal generator is triggered by direct current trigger pulse signals from an audio frequency peak detector. The peak detector derives its input from an operational amplifier coupled to receive audio frequency signals from the demodulator output of the tuner portion of the receiver.

Abstract: A bracket between the head of a tripod and a primary surveying instrument has a bottom ring provided with a disc, a collar rotatable on the disc and a top collar-retaining ring releasably attached to the bottom ring. A plate, integral with and extending laterally of the collar has a lip which supports an inclined, removable shelf which is, in turn adaptable for having a secondary instrument detachably mounted thereon. A fastener is interposed between a boss on the primary instrument and a stud rigid to the tripod head within a cavity of the latter that receives a flange on the bottom ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining fishing rods in a boat includes an elongated, flexible belt to which is stitched a pair of opposed, spaced, flexible tapes of the type which includes hook and loop fasteners that matingly interlock when face-to-face. The holder is wrapped around the article in a snug fit relationship and is provided with connectors for mounting on the boat or other support.

Abstract: A bending machine is provided to form a multiplicity of predetermined types of bends within several planes in elongated, heavy gauge workpieces of various sizes and shapes by pressure between a stack of dies and a pair of swingable anvil plates carried by elongated wings each of which is, in turn, swingable to adjust the distance between the anvils. Slide rails for the workpiece are readily accessible for loading and unloading. The die stack includes releasable vise-like clamps which grip the workpiece to preclude distortion during bending, and the stack can be raised or lowered to provide proper alignment of preselected die units of the stack.

Abstract: Standing crops severed by sickle mechanism at the leading edge of the machine are swept upwardly and rearwardly along a platform by a rotating reel to a lower, center-gathering auger and an upper, spaced distributing auger that converge the materials centrally and distribute them evenly across a discharge opening ahead of rearwardly positioned conditioning rolls. As severed materials pass through the machine, the flow is gently and progressively converged vertically due to the distances between the reel and the underlying platform, the two augers, and the conditioning rolls becoming progressively smaller.

Abstract: The discharge hood of an agricultural combine has a housing suspended from the bottom thereof in disposition for receiving straw from straw walkers of the combine into a rotary chopper which impacts the straw and propels it rearwardly out through a spreader, while at the same time creating a current of air flowing through the housing. A second inlet positioned forwardly adjacent the straw inlet of the housing is located to receive a stream of chaff from a forwardly disposed chaff discharge of the combine so that both the chaff and the straw are passed through the chopper, admixed into a single stream, and propelled upwardly and rearwardly from the combine to be strewn and scattered across the ground behind the advancing machine. A booster fan adjacent the chaff discharge augments the air suction created at the chaff inlet of the housing by the high-speed chopping rotor to assure conveyance of the light chaff particles across the free space between the chaff just discharged and the chopper housing.

Abstract: A greatly improved aseptic processing apparatus and method for pumpable foods is provided which gives accurate, uniform aseptic cooking conditions (e.g, time, temperature and pressure) while at the same time preserving the integrity of particulates in the food product. In preferred forms, the apparatus includes a reciprocating piston food pump which generates a continuous product stream at a substantially constant nominal pressure. This stream is fed to a heat exchanger in order to elevate the temperature of the product, whereupon the stream passes through a holding tube to complete the aseptic cooking process. A metering device such as a rotary pump is located downstream of the holding tube for creating a substantially constant flow rate of product from the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved thermoluminescent ionizing radiation dosimeter of solid, extremely thin construction for more accurate low energy beta dosimetry is provided, along with a method of fabricating the dosimeter. In preferred forms, the dosimeter is a composite including a backing support (which may be tissue equivalent) and a self-sustaining body of solid thermoluminescent material such as LiF having a thickness of less than about 0.25 millimeters and a volume of at least about 0.0125 mm.sup.3. In preferred fabrication procedures, an initially thick (e.g., 0.89 millimeters) TLD body is wet sanded using 600 grit or less sandpaper to a thickness of less than about 0.25 millimeters, followed by adhesively attaching the sanded body to an appropriate backing. The sanding procedure permits routine production of extremely thin (about 0.05 millimeters) TLD bodies, and moreover serves to significantly reduce non-radiation-induced thermoluminescence.

Abstract: A method of lifting and supporting structures, such as buildings or the like, which includes the steps of exposing the base of the structure; attaching a shoe to the base of the structure and then attaching a driving assembly to the shoe whereby the assembly may be utilized to successively and individually drive piers beneath the structure. After the piers are driven a separate pier plate unit is fitted over the end of each of the piers, which piers have been cut off at ground level. Once in place, the pier plate unit is used to support lifting means which operate between the pier plate unit and the structure to lift the structure to the desired position. After the structure has reached this position permanent, adjustable supporting means are placed between the pier plate unit and the structure whereby to retain the structure in the desired position.

Abstract: An improved, low cost, energy efficient extrusion device and method for processing of cellulose- or fiber-bearing materials (e.g., wood chips, crop residues, whole or ground soybeans) is described which includes a transition screw section designed to smooth out material flow through the extruder and allow creation of increased barrel pressure and temperature levels. The transition section includes first and second alternating flights, with the depth of the first flight being less than that of the second flight and preferably gradually increasing until it equals the second flight depth. The overall extruder apparatus also advantageously includes a single flighted inlet screw section and a double flighted compression screw section respectively disposed on opposite sides of the transition section; in addition, the extruder has a pressure responsive adjustable die so that the effective dimensions of the die opening can be varied during the extrusion operation.

Abstract: A ventilating, patient-supporting mattress apparatus is provided which provides full patient support solely by means of pressurized airflow and with the complete absence of internal solid support structure which can cause pressure sores or the like on a patient's skin. In preferred forms, the mattress apparatus includes a lower inflatable chamber having an air-pervious upper wall, together with a secondary, air-pervious, overlying suede or un-buffed leather wall secured to the chamber to define an upper inflatable compartment between the upper and secondary walls. A fan assembly is operatively coupled with the lower chamber to supply pressurized air thereto; such air is passed into the chamber and thence through the upper and secondary walls in a throttled fashion so as to inflate the mattress. Continuous airflow through the mattress also provides soothing ventilation for sensitive skin.

Abstract: An improved method of applying an artificial fingernail to a natural fingernail is provided which results in a strong, durable artificial fingernail having a natural appearance. The method preferably includes the steps of securing an artificial fingernail extension to a natural fingernail and then adhering a strengthening layer of linen over the entire upper fingernail surface. An adhesive coating is applied over the linen layer and is buffed to present a smooth, thin, finished fingernail surface.

Abstract: A sharp imaging, non-smearing system for latent imaging and subsequent visual development of printed text or the like is provided which can be used on a variety of substrates (e.g., paper, metal, cloth, synthetic resins) and is extremely stable and easy to use. The system involves first imaging a substrate with an invisible ink containing a dissociable transition metal salt such as CuSO.sub.4, with subsequent application of a liquid developer containing a solubilized color precursor such as thiooxalic amide which complexes with dissociated transition metal ion to give a sharp, virtually instantaneously developing, long lasting color. Depending upon the metal salt selected, different colors can be obtained upon development. The system of the invention can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in self-testing materials or novelty items.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for a fluid resistant electrical device includes a solderable insulating tube end cap and an insert having a solderable cylindrical body portion positioned within a tubular opening of the end cap. The body portion of the insert has a circumscribing groove containing a quantity of solder. During assembly, the walls of the end cap defining the tubular opening are magneformed inwardly to tightly engage the body portion and thus provide limited frictional resistance to movement of the insert relative to the end cap. Next, the end cap and insert are heated until the solder melts. The end cap assembly provides a strong, torque resistant connection between the insert and the end cap while also maintaining a highly effective seal to preclude fluid leakage when the device is immersed.

Abstract: A connecting member slidably couples an elongated, resilient rod to a movable frame of a variable speed friction drive mechanism. The member is elongated and has an elongated bore non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member which slidably receives the resilient rod. The member is selectively rotatable on the frame, and thus the restoring force of the rod adjustably positions the frame at any one of a number of preselected positions wherein the resilient rod is unstressed and in its normal configuration. The member provides means for precise, selective adjustment of the control linkage for the drive mechanism while preventing stress-related failure of the rod.