Abstract: An attachment which can be mounted on popular weight lifting exercise equipment, to facilitate workouts using hand-held weights commonly referred to as dumbbells. The attachment comprises a rack assembly on which an athlete can support up to two dumbbells simultaneously. Readily adaptable for use with any weight lifting bench, the attachment includes a pair of mounting legs rigidly attached to distal ends of the rack assembly and an extension bar slideably connected to opposing parts of this assembly for adjusting the span between these mounting legs. By utilizing the span adjusting means, one can align the mounting legs with the weight support columns of any particular weight lifting bench even though the spacing between these columns may differ substantially from that of other benches.

Abstract: A tool for supporting a rain gutter during its installation on a fascia board. The tool has a height-adjustable bracket and locking pliers with jaws having wide, flat working faces. Once several such tools are temporarily locked onto the lower edge of the fascia board, not only can they be used to support an elongated gutter but also each of the tools can be moved vertically without disturbing the pliers clamping it to the board, thereby making these tools especially handy for setting the height and slope of the gutter. For holding the adjustable bracket in position, each tool includes a mounting block which is rigidly attached to the back of a fixed jaw of the locking pliers and defines a pair of holes which extend parallel to the plane of the working face of the fixed jaw. The bracket is formed from an elongated rod bent to form an angular structure which terminates in a pair of parallel branches slideably insertable into the holes formed in the block.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for monitoring, in real time, the quality of a flowing fluid stream and of automatically taking samples therefrom when the level of particulate matter in the flow stream exceeds an acceptable limit for a predetermined period of time. The apparatus includes a particle monitor and at least one three-way valve electronically linked via a programmable logic controller to the particle monitor. Not only is the latter an instrument for continuously measuring, on-line, numbers known as particle indices which are indicative of particulate matter concentrations in the flow stream, but also the particle monitor generates electronic signals. Both these signals and the particle index are proportional to fluctuations in the intensity of a light beam traversed by particles which are present in a portion of the flow stream during a fixed interval of time. Importantly, the particle monitor can detect relatively short-lived "spikes" in the level of 0.

Abstract: A dumbbell support attachment which can be employed to modify a conventional weight lifting bench for use with dumbbells. A holder on which up to two dumbbells can be rested simultaneously at the beginning and end of an exercise routine is included in the attachment. This holder, which is part of a rack assembly which is rigidly attached to both a horizontal support bar and a pair of vertical mounting legs in the attachment, has a curved inner surface which opens upwardly and has a radius of curvature which is larger than that of the outer periphery of the heaviest dumbbell weights to be used. Generally "J"-shaped in transverse cross-section, the rack assembly includes an angular member rigidly attached to the horizontal support bar along its entire length and other features to strengthen it structurally. The holder itself defines two cutouts through which a user, as he lies on the weight bench, can reach to grab the dumbbell and lift it from its resting position.

Abstract: A horizontally-mounted, rotatable drum for mixing chemical additives with an aqueous suspension in order to promote agglomeration of suspended solids and for simultaneously separating water from them. With the drum, slurries of mining silt, clay, sludge and the like already partially dewatered to between about 50% and 60% moisture content can be further dewatered; reductions to 40% moisture content have been obtained. Supplied as a wet slurry to the drum through a hollow tube which also serves as an axle, the slurry is diverted, through a tubular branch fluidly connected to the tube, towards a vertical wall forming one end of the drum. Fed at a rate of between 200 and 300 gallons per minute, the slurry forcefully impinges against the vertical wall, simultaneously subjecting agglomerated particles in the slurry to high shear forces and freeing water. Downstream, before each of two spaced apart, annular retaining rings affixed to the drum, the slurry tends to pool.

Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of elongated, open channels for storing, displaying and dispensing rolled socks. Terminating at its lower end in a base, each channel defines an elongated viewing slot which extends vertically substantially the length thereof. So that socks inserted through the slot drop downwardly within the channel to be supported by the base, the minimum span of a transverse cross-section of each channel is somewhat larger than the diameter of a pair of rolled socks. At the same time, both the channel and the slot are sufficiently narrow to retain pairs of rolled socks in magazine type fashion. Socks located in any position within the confines of one of the channels can be readily removed therefrom through its respective viewing slot. The apparatus also includes a mounting frame so that the unit can be either flush or surface mounted on a wall.

Abstract: A sling assembly for hands free carrying of a compound archery bow. Weight adjustment screws, components of a conventional bow, are employed to attach the sling assembly thereto without structurally modifying it. However, once the sling assembly has been so attached, the bow must be retensioned prior to use. Included in the sling assembly are two small brackets which are mirror images of each other and have first and second arms set at an obtuse angle to each other. Each bracket defines a pair of longitudinally extending prongs which can be slid into position around a weight adjustment screw without actually removing it from the bow. The sling assembly also includes a flexible strap secured to the brackets with the use of elongated slots formed in each of them. In use, the brackets are mounted on a bow in such a way that the elongated slots are disposed close to the bow.

Abstract: A recyclable pallet includes a plurality of layers of boards securely engaged in series, each board having a plurality of protrusions projecting from an under side thereof to form a pallet with a plurality of recesses between adjacent protrusions.

Abstract: A microtome having a rotatable platform and a fixedly mounted cutting blade which is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of a shaft about which the platform rotates. With each rotation, it carries the specimen holder beneath the blade. The height of the cutting edge of the blade relative to a specimen mounted atop the holder determines the thickness of any section cut therefrom. After each cut, the holder can be automatically raised in height by a predetermined increment to allow another section of the same thickness to be cut. Mechanisms are also provided which eliminate play in both the radial and axial directions between a cylindrical housing supporting the platform and the shaft, so that the microtome can be used to make extremely precise cuts of specimens.

Abstract: A dumbbell support attachment for holding a dumbbell from a barbell cross bar so that the dumbbell can be used with a typical weight lifting bench. Suspended from the barbell cross bar when it is supported, in the usual manner, above the weight lifting bench, the attachment provides the user with a convenient support on which to mount a dumbbell at the beginning and end of an exercise routine. The attachment includes a segmented section and an elongated hook, which together form an integral unit preferably fabricated from steel or the like. Adapted for mounting over the cross bar, the hook opens downwardly and has an inner surface disposed generally along a semicircular arc of slightly larger diameter than that of the crossbar. The segmented section, on the other hand, opens upwardly and has a curved inner surface with a radius of curvature which is larger than that of the outer periphery of the heaviest dumbbell weights to be used.

Abstract: A measuring cup with a thermometer mounted on an exterior surface thereof for measuring the temperature of a liquid prior to placing it in the cup. The cup can be used in many operations involving a liquid which have a critical temperature requirement. One such operation is breadmaking in which water, once it has been warmed to a desired temperature, is added to yeast or, alternately, to a flour mixture containing yeast. To use the cup in breadmaking, the cup is placed under a stream of warm water and, when the thermometer indicates the water has reached the desired temperature, the water in a measured amount is added to the cup.

Abstract: A pair of wheel safety chocks for blocking the rear wheels of a vehicle having a boat trailer or the like in tow, the safety chocks being connected together by a rope which, in use, is positioned so that it passes over the trailer hitch and between it and the vehicle bumper. So positioned, the rope is long enough to allow the chocks to block both rear wheels simultaneously. Moreover, without anyone repositioning either the chocks or the rope, the rope interacts with the vehicle bumper, as the vehicle is being driven forward, releasing the safety chocks and pulling them out of the path of the wheels of the oncoming trailer.

Abstract: An improved method of monitoring condensate quality in a condensate return system and of controlling the level of particulate matter in the condensate flow so that when this level exceeds an acceptable limit, valves for discharging the condensate flow from the system open automatically or, alternately, an alarm is sounded. Utilization of the method facilitates the conservation of hot steam condensate for reuse in a boiler while preventing water contaminated with particulate matter from returning to the boiler, thereby protecting it from certain types of deposits and corrosion. The improved method includes measuring, on a continuous basis, relative numbers of particulate-type impurities under conditions in which rust or other particles large enough to block flow into a particle counter can be produced in sudden surges. Tests show that a suitable instrument for measuring the impurities under such conditions is a particle monitor.

Abstract: A machine for conditioning a flocculated mixture formed by adding high molecular weight polymer to a slurry of ultrafine particles such as are found in mining silts, clays, sludges and the like. With this machine, such mixtures, which have already been partially dewatered, can then be substantially further dewatered. Reductions to between about 27% and 30% moisture content have been obtained. The machine includes a perforate endless conveyor belt onto which a continuous flow of the mixture is deposited and an array of stationary inverter plates and rollers in which pairs of rows of plates alternate with the rollers, both the plates and the rollers extending downwardly into the mixture as it is being moved on the belt. The rollers in the array squeeze water out of the mixture without disrupting bonds between the polymers and ultrafine particles and, in the process of applying pressure, contribute to the formation of new bonds.

Abstract: A harness having four sets of straps extendable around a dog's torso, with one of these strap sets being disposed proximate with the dog's neck and another with its hindquarters, at least one longitudinally-extending upper strap member, and a flexible truss including a pair of strips of unequal length coupled together by a connector such as a D-ring slidably received by the strips and movable along substantially the length of the shorter strip. The pair of strips so coupled define a branched structure having branches of continously variable length. The strap sets, as well as the ends of each strip, are attached to the upper strap member, the distal ends of each strip being spaced apart from each other and from the ends of the other strip. Moreover, the distal ends of the shorter strip are disposed proximate with a contiguous pair of sets of straps and with one end of the shorter strip on one side of the midpoint of the upper strap member and the other on the other side of this midpoint.

Abstract: A system of precision, precut joints developed for tubular-framed, modular furniture enabling a user to assemble furniture pieces quickly and easily with the use of ordinary hand tools. In the primary joint of this system, a truncated corner of a horizontal panel or shelf is fastened to a vertically-disposed, grooved section of tubing. Receiving the corner is a groove which is cut in the tubing section transversely to the longitudinal centerline thereof and which has a height slightly greater than the thickness of the shelf or panel. Opposite the groove and midway between opposing distal ends of the groove, the section has a first hole formed therein for receiving a screw threadedly engageable with a second hole formed in the truncated corner. As the screw is tightened, it pulls the truncated corner into the groove, forming a strong joint.

Abstract: A mounting device for a laser light source comprising fixed and mobile platforms which are generally cylindrical in shape, the fixed platform being slideably receivable within an optical tube. Each of the platforms has both one closed and one open end, the closed end defining a centrally-located socket for receiving a spherical bearing and at least three holes spaced equidistant from each other. The holes in the fixed platform are alignable with those in the mobile platform. In assembled relation, the spherical bearing is juxtaposed between the two platforms and held in place by three clamping screws. The shank of each of these clamping screws extends through one of the holes in the fixed platform, past the spherical bearing, and threadedly engages a hole in the mobile platform. Adjustment of the boresight, or alignment with a target, of the laser beam is accomplished by tilting the mobile platform so that its longitudinal axis is disposed at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the fixed platform.

Abstract: A cover for a portable pet carrier which can be utilized to convert the carrier into an outdoor shelter. When mounted for use on the carrier, portions of the cover overlay ventilation openings formed in the carrier which, in the absence of the cover, rain could enter. These portions define a pair of laterally protruding awnings which, while they keep out rainwater, allow air to circulate freely through the ventilation openings. In addition, a hood extends longitudinally from one end of the cover and serves to shield an entrance to the carrier from rain and the like while allowing an animal unobstructed ingress and egress through the entrance. In general, exterior surfaces of the cover are sloped so as to cause rainwater to run off of the cover rather than to accumulate on it. To facilitate shipping the carrier with the cover mounted thereon, the cover is sized so that its greatest transverse width does not exceed that of the carrier.

Abstract: A multi-purpose combination tool for forming an enlarged T-square or, alternately, an elongated carpenter's level to facilitate installation of wall panels, doors, windows, signs and the like. The tool comprises an arm and a cross member rigidly mountable perpendicularly thereon. The arm and the cross member each have a central web portion with parallel flanges at opposite end edges of the web portion and spaced apart level vials secured within cutouts formed in each of the respective web portions. Ruler scales are situated along the end edges so that when the arm is rigidly mounted perpendicularly to the cross member, the scales share a common point of origin. In addition, the cross member, when so attached to the arm, forms a shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom against which the straight edge of a workpiece can be abutted while the arm itself is used as a guide for marking or cutting.