Abstract: A display apparatus simulates a container of gaseous liquid. The display apparatus has a reservoir formed by closely spaced inner and outer walls, at least the outer wall being transparent or translucent and shaped to resemble the container. In use, a foamable liquid is held within the reservoir, and gas is introduced into the liquid at the bottom of the reservoir to thereby form bubbles which rise through the liquid and form a head of foam on the liquid. A foam regulating mechanism allows the gas from burst foam bubbles to escape from the reservoir, but returns the liquid component of burst foam bubbles to the reservoir. The display apparatus is suitable for simulating soda drinks, beer and other aerated beverages.

Abstract: A fence frame is disclosed that preferably comprises galvanized steel posts that provide an accessible flat surface or surfaces parallel with the surface of the transverse rails and through which are applied holding bolts for securing the post to adjoining ends of rail sections. The posts and rail sections are preferably made of standard length L-shaped galvanized angle irons that are readily available. The rails are stripped at their ends to fit over the posts and to present a flat plane of fence frame parts for the installation of a covering. Such covering can conveniently be paneling secured to the fence rails by self-tapping, self-drilling screws or by flexible galvanized wire tie rods.

Abstract: A protected swivel has first and second members connected in swiveling engagement and a sleeve overlaying and enclosing at least a portion of each of the first and second members. The sleeve is coupled in sealing engagement with the first member to swivel with the first member. A first seal is interposed between the sleeve and the second member for sealing engagement of the sleeve with the first member. A second seal extends between the first member and the second member. The second seal may include a barrier layer of a viscous material. A swivel bearing is interposed between the first and second swivel members, with the second seal extending between the bearing and the second swivel member.

Abstract: A ball joint generates play when wear of a ball sheet reaches a predetermined allowable amount so that the end of service life of the ball joint can be recognized by a simple inspection. A spherical portion of a ball stud is interposed between an upper sheet and a lower sheet. The upper sheet is displaced toward the lower sheet when the upper sheet or the lower sheet has been worn due to sliding of the spherical portion. The displacement of the upper sheet is restricted so that the upper sheet is supported at a predetermined position relative to the lower sheet.

Abstract: An adjustable column connector apparatus which provides for quick, easy and accurate installation of columns during building construction. The apparatus includes an inner connector member with a threaded socket, and an outer member with a corresponding threaded body which mates with the threaded socket. The inner connector member is attached to a column end by screws. The threaded body is engaged in the threaded socket, and the outer connector member is rotatably attached to an adjacent structure by a lag which slidably fits within a slot in the outer connector member. The outer connector member is rotated relative to the inner connector member to advance or retract the threaded body within the threaded socket and correspondingly draw down or push away the adjacent structure relative to the column end.

Abstract: An eyepiece adapter mechanism for providing a quick positive engagement to an interfacing instrument such as a B-styled endoscope. The adapter mechanism comprises a rigid back plate for providing a permanent attachment for the mechanism. A C-clip retainer positioned within a circumferential chamber of the back plate acts as a locking ring under the elastic force of the C-clip material itself to provide a grip around the interfacing instrument when installed into the back plate. An outwardly protruding portion of the C-clip, acting as a lever, releases the interfacing instrument when the level is moved toward a fixed post located a predetermined distance from the lever to facilitate single handed operation. An alternate embodiment provides a quick attach/release adapter without an eyepiece and employing a C-clip retainer.

Abstract: A counterbalancing mechanism for counterbalancing the weight of a door securing an opening in an enclosure. The mechanism has a pair of bearing plates mounted on the wall of the enclosure which rotatably supports a tubular shaft extending therebetween. A pair of spools, each having a cable wound thereon which is attached to the door, are mounted at the ends of the tubular shaft for rotation therewith. A pair of springs, each attached at one end to the tubular shaft and at the other end to a respective bearing plate, extend coaxially about the tubular shaft between the bearing plates to exert a counterbalancing force on the tubular shaft opposing the weight of the door which is transferred to the tubular shaft through the cables and spools. Since each of the springs generates approximately one-half of the necessary counterbalancing force, the door will remain partially counterbalanced even if one of the springs fails.

Abstract: A window blind (10) is disclosed having a headrail (12) housing a tilt assembly (18) and a plurality of slats (14) having opposed longitudinal edges (36). The blind (10) has a sleeve (28) extending from the tilt assembly (18) to a bottommost slat (14) along the longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). Each slat (14) has a clip (38) that engages the longitudinal edges (36) of each slat (14). A loop (40) is positioned around the clip (38) and through a pair of openings (48) in the sleeve (28) to connect the sleeve (28) to the each slat (14). A lift cord (30) extends from the headrail (12) to the bottommost slat (14) along the longitudinal edge (36) of each slat (14) where it is connected to the bottommost slat (14). The lift cord (30) is within the sleeve (28).

Abstract: In all three versions, the bottom rail has a flat, smooth bottom and does not tilt. In two versions, transverse horizontal holes receive ladder cords. In one of these versions, another horizontal hole opening at the rear of the rail extends obliquely into intersection with the transverse hole midway between the front and rear of the rail. A vertical hole extends down from the rail top to this intersection. A lift cord extends down through the vertical hole into the oblique hole where a knot on the lift cord fixes the end of the cord in the oblique hole. In too the other of these two versions, a horizontal transverse hole above each ladder cord hole receives a lift cord which extends out at the front and rear of the bottom rail. These lift cords, and the ladder cords, extend entirely up to the headrail. In this version, each slat has a notch at the front edge and rear edge, receiving the corresponding lift cord and ladder cord.

Abstract: A leveling device with which to orient a workpiece--or tool--affixing upper part relative to a lower part connected to it, the device having at least one adjusting screw of which the shank rotatably passes through the upper part and engages a thread in the lower part. To permit economical manufacture of the device without degradation in accuracy, the invention anchors the upper part in the lower part at a specified spring loading and at a spaced apart distance from the adjusting screw.

Abstract: A carrier (10) for an electronic identification device which permits the electronic device to be attached to an object to be identified. The electronic device is integrally moulded into the carrier (10). The electronic device is associated with a housing (14) which is moulded into the carrier. The housing (14) can be annular and coaxially located with an opening (12) in a panel (11) whereupon the housing (14) is encapsulated within encasing material (15) during actual moulding of carrier (10). Carrier (10) is preferably a female component of a two piece animal ear tag.

Abstract: A ground rod connector includes first and second connector portions that are pivotably mounted together to move between an open position and a closed position. The connector portions include tail portions that are positioned adjacent one another in side-by-side orientation when the connector portions are in the closed position, and a threaded fastener is coupled between the tail portions to hold the connector portions in the closed position. The connector portions cooperate to form a ground rod receiving passage and at least one ground wire receiving passage. These passages are formed in part by the first connector portion and in part by the second connector portion and are oriented such that movement of the connector portions to the closed position clamps a ground rod and a ground wire in the respective passages.

Abstract: An adaptable mounting arrangement is provided for securing a shaft to a hub of a speed reducer or other mechanical power transmission device. The hub is configured having a pair of tapered interior surfaces converging to a location approximately at the midpoint of an axial bore defined in the hub. A pair of counterbores are also defined in the interior surface of the hub at opposite axial ends thereof. One or more tapered sleeve members may be provided to engage the tapered interior surfaces defined in the hub. Alternatively, annular bushings may be provided in each of the counterbores when the hub is to be secured to a screw conveyor drive shaft or the like.

Abstract: The fence-line grass barrier, is a substantially impermeable, flexible member. A series of score-lines are positioned along the flexible member at regular intervals, along the length of the flexible member. The score-lines are stamped into the flexible member to facilitate separation of regions within the score-lines from the barrier member. The score lines or other distance indicators are positioned along the length of the barrier thereby indicating the placement of the fence posts. The score lines have peripheral configurations which correspond to the peripheral configuration of fence posts, such as round, half-round, and square. The barrier has a width substantially greater than the width of the fence, thereby extending beyond the fence and preventing vegetation from growing under and around the fence. The score-lines separate from the flexible member under pressure, thereby forming a hole having a shape which conforms to the shape of the fence post.

Abstract: A fastener connects panel members in a flush position. The fastener includes a pair of connecting members which are snap-fit within apertures provided within each of the panel members for securing the panel members together. The fastener also disconnects the panel members when secured together. For this purpose, at least one of the connecting members is removable from the panel member aperture to disconnect the panel members. The fastener allows the panels to be assembled together and disassembled quickly and with little or no tooling.

Abstract: A support device of information for the identification of hospital in- or out-patients is provided in the form of a strip of flexible material that can be wound on the end of limbs or round the neck of the patient like a bracelet or collar. The device includes an element for clamping the two free ends of the strip together formed from a first part and a second part cooperating one with the other and with the free ends of the strip to ensure a permanent adjustable clamping of the bracelet or of the collar. The first part of the element has a flat surface suitable for receiving and storing for a subsequent reading information suitable for the identification of the patient.

Abstract: A silt fencing for use at a construction site to prevent soil erosion by wind and water forces and comprises in combination a flexible plastic fencing material, a plurality of post units comprising about three contiguous elongated hollow tubes, consisting of a central tube adapted to receive a retractable stabilizing component such as a steel rebar for insertion in the ground and two outer tubes each having a slit along their length to accommodate the rigid rods attached to the fencing material.

Abstract: An add-on control device is shown that is used in conjunction with existing garage door opener systems. The device includes an electronic control device that will automatically close the door if left open, or can be programmed to stay open, and will automatically close an open door when it gets dark. The device includes a control circuit, connected in parallel with the push button control of the garage door opener, actuated when the garage door is opened. A timing circuit having at least two selectable timing cycles is actuated when the garage door is opened and closes the garage door after a selected timing cycle. A cancel circuit cancels the selected timing cycle when the garage door is to remain open. A reset circuit, called the cancel switch is used for re-initiating the selected timing cycle to close the garage door.

Abstract: A multi-color illuminated panel is made up of a decorative frontsheet having windows cut therein and which may include decorative patterns printed thereon, a transparent supporting sheet, which may also have decorative printing thereon, and a pre-wired backsheet in the form of a printed circuit board having multiple individual electro-luminescent light panel segments of different colors affixed thereto and electrically connected to traces on the circuit board, the electro-luminescent light segments of different colors emitting light which shines through corresponding windows and thereby provides a spectacular multi-color lighting effect.

Abstract: A coupling for a cable routing system includes wall guides spaced apart by a thickness equal to a thickness of the walls of fiber troughs to be joined by the coupling. The wall guides carry a fastener system including a bracket disposed to oppose an external surface of a trough or fitting attached to the coupling. A fastener is carried on the bracket and is axially drivable to pierce and penetrate into the wall thickness of a coupled trough.