Abstract: An improved system is disclosed for the growing of plants, especially fruiting plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers, which enables the bearing vines to be supported on pervious ventilating surfaces forming a V-shaped valley, the bottom of which is the row of plants flanked by impervious, gently inwardly sloping panels substantially preventing weed growth and delivering rain or spray falling onto the vines into the row. Such valleys can be advantageously arranged parallel and separated by a walkway of mowable turf.

Abstract: A neckerchief clip adapter is disclosed comprising a front, generally-planar member fastened by a hinge to the rear member, also generally planar. The rear member has a large opening therethrough to accommodate the ends of the neckerchief with which it is to be worn in the usual manner. The hinge structure attaching front and rear members to each other includes a flange-and-lug camming mechanism which allows the two members to pivot freely over the "open" part of their relative movement but provides a spring force urging them together over the "closed" part thereof. According to the invention the rear surface of the front member carries a mounting element for the conveniently-removable attachment of an ornament to adorn the front surface of that member and thereby the neckerchief with which it is worn.

Abstract: This invention relates to portable air-conditioning units for through-hatch marine use which have their conventional air-conditioning mechanisms carried on a base member above the hatch opening and which employs a cover shell enclosing said mechanisms divided into two compartments internally, one compartment not communicating with the outside air which contains a cooling coil and a fan for moving air from a duct which has an opening below the hatch through the coil and back through another duct which also has an opening below the hatch and the other compartment not communicating below the hatch which contains the compressor, a heat exchanger, and another fan for moving outside air through the exchanger. Various shrouds, adjustable supports, and level indicators may be included in the units.

Abstract: An elliptical finger ring splint comprising two elliptically shaped rings joined at an apex which, when worn, is positioned directly beneath a finger joint when the palm is turned downwards. The tops of the rings are spread such that the planes of the rings form a V, with the top of one ring impinging upon the top of the more distal phalanx of the finger, and the top of the other ring impinging upon the top of the more proximal phalanx, when the finger is fully extended without hyperextension. The rings are made of a rigid but slightly deformable material which in the preferred embodiment is silver or gold to give an attractive appearance while retaining and enhancing the therapeutic orthotic values. The elliptical shapes permit the apex to be positioned directly beneath the finger joint with the rings canted at approximately a 45.degree. angle to the axis of the finger thus impinging upon the tops of the adjacent phalanges urging the finger towards flexion and inhibiting hyperextension.

Abstract: Driver's knee guard in cab of tractor-trailer rig. A metal sheet extends around the steering wheel and controls and is secured at its opposite ends to the dashboard. Foam rubber separates the inner side of the metal sheet from the steering wheel and controls, and leather-like material covers the outer side of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A wooden spiral staircase having a hollow central support column, treads which abut but do not attach to such column, tread supports ending in tenons which completely intersect the column and are secured by a wedged-through mortise joint, spacerblocks between every two adjacent treads and under the bottommost tread, and an optional laminate bent handrail and optional balusters which serve no support function, enabling the manufacturer to construct and ship the main body of the staircase as a single unit that can easily be installed through "screwing" it through the doorway(s) of the intended site. The method of constructing such a staircase in which the placement of the mortises on the central column is determined by the use of a computer generated template, thereby allowing for every staircase to be custom-designed as well as ensuring extreme precision in the final product.

Abstract: A device is disclosed formed in one piece from a flexible material, such as stainless steel, which wraps around the outside of a large rectangular side-mounted rear view mirror, of the type commonly found on tractor trailer trucks and similar vehicles, and comprises a visor portion which extends rearwardly from the top of the mirror and a side portion which extends downwardly from the visor portion to provide a tapered shield along three-quarters of the cab side edge of the mirror, such that rain, snow, slush and the like, as well as road chemicals, are successfully prevented from falling down on or splashing up on the face of the rear view mirror.

Abstract: A wooden spiral staircase having a hollow central support column, treads which abut but do not attach to such column, tread supports ending in tenons which completely intersect the column and are secured by a wedged-through mortise joint, spacerblocks between every two adjacent treads and under the bottommost tread, and an optional laminate bent handrail and optional balusters which serve no support function, enabling the manufacturer to construct and ship the main body of the staircase as a single unit that can easily be installed through "screwing" it through the doorway(s) of the intended site. The method of constructing such a staircase in which the placement of the mortises on the central column is determined by the use of a computer generated template, thereby allowing for every staircase to be custom-designed as well as ensuring extreme precision in the final product.

Abstract: A monohull, sport, sailing boat with fixed mast, centerboard, and rudder, cat-rigged with righting moment provided by manipulation of a trapeze attached high on the mast by a support line of adjustable length. Steering lines running forward from a thwartship steering bar affixed to the rudder lead to a slide car carried on a thwartship track forward of the mast. The tiller is connected to this car by a universal joint. The mainsheet is led forward of the mast and its forward location with the tiller and trapeze permit the sailor to cross in front of the mast when tacking without having to release the tiller or the sheet or to change trapeze adjustment. This arrangement also permits use of a larger said area.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system for use in stereo sound reproduction which is adapted to reflect all higher frequency sounds off a reflecting surface before the sounds reach a listener. The system comprises two enclosures, each having two compartments. The lower compartment houses the woofer; the upper compartment contains at least two arrays of at least two acoustic speakers, each array being positioned vertically relative to each other and projecting in the same general direction. The arrays are positioned in the enclosure such that the arrays project at a moderately divergent angle relative to each other and are spaced at least one array width from each other. The portion of the enclosure between the arrays is essentially pervious to sound and thus permits sound generated by the speakers which has been reflected from the reflecting surface to pass through the enclosure.

Abstract: A novel construction of the regenerator element of regenerative thermal machines, particularly Stirling-cycle engines, is disclosed. The new regenerator construction makes specific use of the physical anisotropy of certain materials such as pyrolytic graphite to improve regenerator heat transfer and storage performance characteristics.

Abstract: Advantageous specific applications of copper matrix composites, manganese-copper alloys, and structural ceramics to the design and construction of improved Stirling-cycle, reciprocating, thermal machines are disclosed which provide both high temperature strength and high or low thermal conductivity in components with matched thermal expansion coefficients.

Abstract: New thermodynamic working fluids with primary application to Stirling-cycle, reciprocating, thermal machines are disclosed which possess a greater dynamic heat transfer coefficient than either hydrogen or helium and which are both chemically inert and easily liquefied. A novel power level control subsystem based on the thermophysical properties of these fluids is disclosed for use in conjunction with Stirling-cycle machines; this new approach greatly simplifies procedures for changing the mean system working pressure, and thereby the instantaneous power level in such machines, during their operation.

Abstract: Mechanical arrangements with primary application to single-acting, multiple-piston, Stirling-cycle machines providing a dramatic reduction in mechanical complexity and production cost. Two specific new machines are disclosed in detail, a single-acting, two-piston "ducted axle" machine and a quasi double-acting, four piston "drum cam" machine. A power level control subsystem inherent in the ducted axle machine permits engine output to vary from maximum positive through zero to maximum negative under full load conditions by means of the simple rotation of a single moving part.

Abstract: A firewood carrier which is front mounted, enabling the wearer to both load and transport firewood with ease. One pair of the curved ends of this two S-shaped tubes device is padded and placed over the wearer's shoulders, leaving the other end of the device, which is braced by a plurality of crossbars and preferably covered in canvas, positioned in front of the wearer. This arrangement leaves the wearer's arms free to stack firewood onto the carrier.

Abstract: A dulcimer constructed primarily of wood, wherein the traditional heavy internal wood bracing structure, which is parallel to, and resists the compressive force of, the tuned strings and is connected to the back panel, is replaced by light metallic bracing, of tubular or other suitably engineered cross-section, which is also parallel to, and resists the compressive force of, the tuned strings, but is not in contact with the back panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for cooling and muffling one or more pieces of exhaust emitting industrial equipment, such as a pair of vacuum pumps, is herein disclosed. The apparatus comprises a water cooling tank, an automatic water level control means for automatically maintaining the water in the tank to between a predetermined maximum and minimum level, and a thermostatically controlled refrigeration coil concentrically disposed within the tank for maintaining the temperature of the tank water to between a pre-selected range. The tank includes one or more muffling units substantially submerged in the water within the tank and pneumatically connected to the exhaust ports of the industrial equipment for muffling the exhaust noise of the equipment.