Abstract: In a device to recover refrigerant from a refrigeration circuit and subsequently recharge the refrigeration circuit with the recovered refrigerant, the condenser and refrigerant storage means of the device is a cooled tank. Refrigerant vapor inputs the base of the tank through a one-way check valve so that the entering vapor is cooled as it bubbles through any liquid refrigerant in the tank and then condenses on the cool walls of the tank.

Abstract: A variable ratio transmission comprises a pinion with spring loaded pins mounted on a face gear which is a disc with one of the plate-like surfaces containing a plurality of grooves separated by crowns extending from the periphery of the disc. At intermittent radii on the face gear, the pins of the pinion mesh with every other groove of the face gear and missed grooves at one intermittent radius are the meshing grooves of an adjacent radius so that the number of meshing radii are increased compared with dimensioning the face gear so that the pins of the pinion mesh with every groove of the face gear at intermittent radii. The tops of the crowns, at least between meshing radii, are tapered to provide bearing surfaces which reduce wear and friction.

Abstract: A patterned gluing apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft supporting a plurality of glue nozzles arrangeable in different configurations about its periphery. The shaft has a hollow portion and holes communicating with the glue nozzles so that glue may be fed to the nozzles. The shaft is supported above an article conveyor so that the glue nozzles contact articles under the shaft as they are rotated past. The glue nozzles have depressable ball bearings closing off their tips so that they dispense glue on contact with an article. A controller monitors the position of the articles on the conveyor and controls rotation of the shaft so that lines and dots of glue are dispensed to programmed locations on the articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a product of predetermined shape from a vegetable, in which a cylindrical core is cut from the vegetable by forcing the vegetable against an annular cutting edge of a tube and cutting the product from the core by advancing a pair of opposed rotatable cutting elements into apertures in the side of the tube.

Abstract: A racquet for tennis or the like, which comprises a frame with an appended handle with a plurality of guides mounted in spaced relationship along the frame in its plane. Each guide has an outwardly oriented portion concave in a plane normal to the plane of the frame and each guide is constructed of a self-lubricating and shock absorbent material. A string laced around the guides forms a ball impact grid within the frame. In one embodiment the guides are spools positioned between a pair of laterally opposed members forming the frame and in another embodiment the guides are bosses fixed to the outside of the frame with tangential apertures through the frame. In a further embodiment the guides are spools resting in sockets, or in a circumscribing channel, on the frame in its plane.

Abstract: A device is provided for sampling the contents of a pressurized circulating fluid system of a machine. The device is incorporated in a parallel fluid circuit and comprises a housing with an inlet to, and outlet from, a cavity. A filter is received within the cavity. When the filter becomes clogged, a differential pressure sensor provides an indication for an operator to close the inlet to the filter cavity, drain the cavity by means of a valve, and then remove the filter by removing a plug. The drained cavity fluid and filter may then be shipped to a lab for testing and the filter replaced and the inlet to the cavity reopened.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for promoting the dispersion of fuel on atomization in order to permit more complete combustion. The device is installed in the fuel line proximate the fuel atomizer and comprises a core surrounded by a non-conductive sheath so as to provide channels through the device. The core is an alloy comprising over 50% copper, about 25% zinc, about 10% manganese, and over 5% nickel. The core is ridged to generate turbulence in the fuel in order to improve the exposure of the fuel to the core. Further, the configuration of the core may be chosen to provide a large surface area, again to improve the exposure of the fuel to the core.

Abstract: an inflatable packaging material comprises a plurality of flexible bladders formed of tubes sealed at one end and partially sealed at the other end to provide a passageway which may be closed by a stopper. In one embodiment, a protuberance extends from the sealed end of each bladder which may releasably engage the walls of a passageway of an adjacent bladder to join the bladders end-to-end. In a second embodiment, the sealed end includes an eyelet and the passageway end includes a stopper attached to such end by a flexible trunk such that the stopper of one bladder may releasably engage the eyelet of an adjacent bladder to join the bladders end-to-end. The bladders may line a carton to protect an article shipped therein.

Abstract: An improved washable diaper is provided with an absorbent liner that is folded within the diaper during use for improved absorbency and, following use, extends from the diaper for improved efficiency of cleaning and drying. An additional liner may be secured to the liner in cases where extra absorbency is required, such as for overnight use, and removed from the liner for cleaning and drying. The liners provide additonal layers of absorbent cloth while their separation from the diaper body following use avoids the difficulties of cleaning and drying presented by a number of cloth layers permanently secured to one another.

Abstract: A saw is designed to support and drive saw blades such that the cutting edges of the saw blade will travel in an orbital path. The cutting edge of the saw blade is formed with first and second portions of its length which are angularly inclined with respect to one another and extend from opposite sides of an apex such that when the proximal end of the saw blade is driven the first and second portions of the saw blade will orbit in opposite directions. The saw teeth which are formed in the first and second sections are angularly inclined away from the apex so that cuttings are displaced from the apex toward the proximal end and from the apex toward the distal end of the saw blade. Two saw blades are mounted side-by-side with their proximal ends mounted on eccentric shafts which are spaced 180.degree. from one another.

Abstract: The specification describes a dispenser mechanism for use with fluid filled pouches. The mechanism includes a pair of upper jaws and a pair of lower jaws in order to pinch the spout of the fluid filled pouch. Each of these pairs of jaws, in turn, has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, each of which are aligned on opposite sides of the spout. A hammer mechanism is integrally mounted to the mechanism, between the pairs of jaws, and operates to expel the fluid from the spout.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ball support practice tee whereby a ball is suspended on a column of air. The apparatus involves a housing having an annular cone shaped nozzle extending upwardly therefrom. Within the nozzle is placed a blind core which prevents axial flow of air from the nozzle, but will cause air to flow between the nozzle and the inner surface of the nozzle to produce an annular flow of air from the nozzle, thus suspending a ball. A compressor is placed within the housing for producing a supply of air under pressure through the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for suspending a tire from the edge of a structure used for docking boats, and comprises: a hook retainer; a hook mounted on the hook retainer; the hook having a cradle to accept the edge of a tire wall and a free end to enter the interior space between the walls of the tire; and the hook retainer being formed for securement to the docking structure.

Abstract: A domestic carbonator for gasifying liquid in a container comprising a cap for the container having an injector passage closed by a one-way non-return valve in combination with a main body having pressure-reducing discs, an injector piston for initiating a gas flow, a pressure relief valve and a pressure gauge. The main body is provided with an opening for receiving a CO.sub.2 cylinder with a further piston for cutting off the gas supply under the effect of the back pressure from the container.

Abstract: An integrally formed small animal cage feeder has resilient tabs extending from the side of the feed cup. Each tab comprises a narrow neck joined at one end to the feed cup and at its other end to a head which is enlarged transversely of the neck. The tabs may be deflected and snapped between adjacent bars of a vertical bar cage. In a horizontal bar cage, the tabs may be placed between horizontal bars and, in one embodiment, the head of the tabs turned through ninety degrees to twist the neck of each tab beyond its resilient limit. In a second embodiment, the tab may rest on one horizontal bar and be deflected so that it passes back over the adjacent lower horizontal bar and, due to its resilience, remain so deflected.

Abstract: In a propeller driven outboard or inboard-outboard marine motor, the typical transmission comprising a transmission shaft coupled to the propeller shaft by bevel gears is replaced by a chain drive between the propeller shaft and a parallel output shaft coupled to the power plant of the motor. Torque is applied to the chain drive through a torque dependent variable pulley coupled by a belt to a speed dependent variable pulley which allow for a variable gear ratio. A chain tensioning means maintains tension on the chain.

Abstract: A bumper assembly, for use with a tailgate assembly on a motor vehicle frame, comprising: a bumper bar carrying a pair of laterally projecting, spaced arms, one end of each of the arms being fixed to the bar and the other end being pivotally mounted on the frame of the vehicle; and rigid links connected at one end with the bar and adapted to be connected at the other end with the tailgate assembly, whereby upon lowering the tailgate the bar swings out of the path of the tailgate into a position suspended beneath the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating the braking system of a vehicle, in which the system is automatically, on movement of the vehicle, pneumatically armed for actuation by a detector signal to cause brake application, and the armed brake system is actuated by a contact of the moving vehicle with an obstruction to generate a pneumatic signal, the braking system being releasable and automatically rearmable. In another mode the braking system is constantly armed.