Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a roller skate, and preferably an in-line roller skate having a foot platform suspended between front and rear wheels for increased stability. One feature the present invention is a retractable wheel positioned between the front and rear wheels. Another feature of the invention is a contoured toe piece removably attached to the foot platform and a heel piece pivotably attached to the foot platform. A still further feature of the invention is that the heel piece is slidable to allow the skate to accommodate shoes of various sizes. A still further feature of the present invention is its effective and easy to use streamline brake system.

Abstract: A portable support assembly adapted for mounting on a pole, such as for permitting air drying of clothes, towels, or the like, is disclosed. The assembly comprises a first collar having a first aperture adapted for receiving the pole. A first set of arms extend from the first collar. Each arm of the first set of arms terminates at a distal end. A second collar having a second aperture adapted for receiving the pole is also provided. A second set of arms extend from the second collar. Each arm of the second set of arms terminates at a distal end, wherein each arm of the first set of arms corresponds to a respective arm of the second set of arms. A third set of arms is further provided. Each arm of the third set of arms has an end and is pivotally joined to the distal end of respective ones of the second set of arms. Each of the third set of arms are removably joined to the distal end of respective ones of the first set of arms.

Abstract: This invention provides a force neutralizing mechanism 500 coupled to a single lever control 10 and a transmission controlled by the lever 10 for overcoming the transmission linkage forces F.sub.2 associated with controls of a pair of mechanical transmissions 532 so that the mechanical transmissions 532 may be comfortably controlled by the single lever control 10.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for continuously monitoring the resistance of a grounding conductor to neutral conductor circuit of a power distribution system. The apparatus compares a parameter of a damped sinusoidal waveform from a shock excited resonant circuit coupled to the grounding conductor and neutral conductor at a branch circuit outlet of the power distribution system with a predetermined parameter from the same resonant circuit discharging into an external circuit having a predetermined resistance. The apparatus indicates an undesired grounding conductor resistance.

Abstract: An aquarium comprises a container for holding a main body of water, a discrete region of the water being defined as a separate upright column. A submersible pump is positioned within the main body of water for drawing water from that main body and spraying the water onto the top of the discrete region, to aerate the water. An outlet at the base of the column provides circulation of the resulting aerated water down through the column and into the main body of water. The aquarium of the invention allows the surface of the main body of water to be substantially undisturbed thus allowing use of the aquarium as part of a coffee table, for example having a transparent top.

Abstract: A roller for a window or door slidably mounted on a track is disclosed. The roller comprises a housing having first and second opposing walls and a shelf having a convex outer surface and extending between the first and second walls. A belt encircles the shelf. The belt has an inner surface having a low coefficient of friction for sliding engagement with the convex surface of the shelf. The belt further has an outer surface having a high coefficient of friction adapted for non-sliding engagement with the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for remediating soil contaminated with combustible pollutants comprising means for initially heating the contaminated soil to a temperature sufficient to vaporize contaminants present therein, means for feeding the contaminated soil to the initial heating means, means for reheating gases created by vaporizing the contaminants, means for introducing the gases to the reheating means, means for cooling the gases, means for removing particulate matter from the gases, and means for exhausting the gases to the atmosphere.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a processor comprising means for mixing a process material with a process liquid (such as water) and forming an emulsion or slurry. Means is provided for pressuring and heating the slurry, and the slurry is then fed to means for quickly reducing the pressure to a relatively low value and further increasing the temperature. The rapid drop in pressure and increase in temperature causes volatile components of the slurry to convert to a gas and separate from the remainder of the slurry which is removed from the processor in the form of solids. The gas is fed to one or more condensers which separate the gas into useful liquids such as various grades of oil.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for retrieving an object such as a golf ball. In one preferred embodiment, the retriever comprises a handle, a stationary member or loop that is rigidly attached to the handle, a reactive member or loop that is pivotally attached to the stationary member and a spring for biasing the reactive member substantially perpendicular to the stationary member. In a second preferred embodiment, a pair of mounting members and a clip are added to allow the stationary member to be rotated and lock into any desired position relative to the handle. Prior to capturing the object, the retriever is set such that the stationary and reactive members are substantially parallel. The retriever is then directed so that when the spring contacts an object, it trips the spring and causes the reactive member to pivot into a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the stationary member, capturing the object inside the stationary and reactive members.

Abstract: A side edge alignment system for pre-aligning side edges of sheet stock prior to feeding them into a printing press employs a sheet engaging vacuum suction member driven reciprocatingly across the feed path of the press. As the member travels towards a side alignment stop the engaged sheet is aligned upon engaging the stop. The suction level is adjustable so that the suction member disengages to slide over the top surface of the aligned sheet after engagement with the side alignment stop. Suction is terminated before the return stroke of the suction member. For stack feeding operations the side alignment stop is configured as a rail having planar upper and lower vertical wall surfaces, the upper being offset away from the suction member. Initial stack alignment is secured by lower elements of the stack engaging the lower face of the side alignment stop, leaving upper sheets at a standoff distance from the upper stop surface.

Abstract: A modular valance assembly (10) is disclosed that is both easy to assemble and to disassemble. The assembly (10) includes a front valance member (20b) interconnected at each side (21) to a side valance member (20a) by a corner member (40) disposed therebetween. The valance members (20) include, near their top edge (23), a rearwardly-extending mounting flange (27) with a projecting rib (31) and, adjacent their bottom edge (24), a frontwardly-extending cantilevered portion (32). The corner member (40) includes means for connecting (43,44) the top part of each valance member (20) and means for being connected (55) to the bottom part of the each valance member (20). The corner member (40) is arcuate (41) so as to hold the interconnected valance members (20) at right angles to one another.

Abstract: A device for providing an orderly shut-down of a system of interconnected traffic lights upon loss of its primary electrical power is disclosed. A device for permitting consistent reapplication of power to a line conditioner having a ferroresonant transformer is also disclosed. Further, a battery charger for charging a battery system including a plurality of battery cells coupled in series is disclosed. Additionally, a device for determining proper operation of a power transistor by monitoring its saturation voltage and emitter current is also disclosed. Finally, a device for generating a first alternating signal in-phase with a separately generated second alternating signal is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for merchandising a plurality of discrete products is disclosed. The system comprises a frame comprising a front and rear support assembly, a front cross-member and a rear cross-member. An outer pair of spaced, inwardly tapered, parallel roller tracks extend between the front cross-member and the rear cross member. A plurality of bi-directionally tapering roller tracks are disposed in parallel between the outer pair of roller tracks and extend between the front cross-member and the rear cross-member. Each of the roller tracks cooperate with an adjacent one of the roller tracks to form a generally V-shaped guide for sequentially delivering product. The bi-directionally tapering roller tracks are laterally adjustable to selectably adjust the width of each of the guides.

Abstract: A holder is disclosed which comprises a body having a cavity with an opening for receiving an object to be held, for example a pen, a spring member is disposed in the cavity and the spring member is deformable by the object inserted into the cavity to hold the object against the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: In particular for cutting working of especially hard rock such as granite, an additional cooling medium is supplied to a pressure medium which is at a high pressure of especially more than 1500 bar. The pressure medium is ejected particularly in the form of discrete narrow jets from a nozzle head (5) and the directional jet (5g) of the cooling medium is directed towards at least some of the jets (5b) of the bundle of jets of the pressure medium so that together with the pressure medium a cooling effect is caused on the object to be worked, thus resulting in an improved crushing effect.

Abstract: A device including a pair of superimposed pliable sheets that are interconnected or sealed along peripheral edges. The device includes an enclosed, liquid-containing inner chamber defined by the sealed peripheral edges and by the pair of superimposed pliable sheets. The liquid is freely movable within the chamber. At least one discrete article is suspended within the liquid, and the article is manipulatable by causing displacement of the liquid medium. Graphics are included on one of the sheets. These graphics correspond in shape to the discrete article, and that discrete article is alignable with these graphics.

Abstract: A method of hot filling a plastic container includes the steps of introducing a heated product into the container at a temperature of about 190.degree. F., introducing liquid nitrogen into the container and sealing the container before any significant thermal distortion occurs and cooling the container to room temperature, while maintaining a positive pressure within the cooled container.

Abstract: A pivot corner adapted for operative engagement with a sash balance brake assembly of a pivotable sash window is disclosed. The pivot corner comprises a housing having an axial bore and a pivot pin. The pivot pin has a first portion disposed within the bore and a second portion extending outwardly therefrom and adapted for operative engagement with the brake assembly. The axial bore and the first pin portion are complementarily octagonal in cross-section. The first pin portion has a cross-section sufficiently smaller than the cross-section of the axial bore to permit non-destructive rotation of the pin relative to the housing upon application of a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A security lock for a double-hung sash window assembly which is to be mounted in a stile of a sash frame to limit movement of a lower sash frame relative to an upper sash frame. The lock includes a casing adapted to be mounted within a recess formed in the upper sash frames, and a faceplate on the casing having an opening therein communicating with an interior casing cavity. A tumbler pivots in the cavity and is spring biased by a leaf spring to normally project through the opening to engage the lower sash in a locking position. The leaf spring is mounted completely within the casing cavity normally to bias the tumbler into its extended, locking position, but permitting the tumbler to be completely retracted within the casing cavity so that the lower sash frame can be raised and moved past the tumbler. The tumbler and casing wall include interlocking protrusions to prevent over-rotation of the tumbler during engagement with the lower sash frame. The lock can be supplied as an assembled unit for installation.

Abstract: A portable, modular refrigeration unit is disclosed. The portable, modular refrigeration unit comprises an insulated structure including a floor, a roof, and a plurality of wall panels. Latches contained in the wall panels interconnect the wall panels to form a continuous wall disposed between the floor and the roof. A U-shaped channel is adapted for supporting a refrigeration evaporator unit within the structure. A frame horizontally supports the floor of the structure above the ground. The frame extends beyond the floor and is adapted to support a refrigeration compressor unit coupled to the evaporator unit.