Abstract: A portable Hibachi-type charcoal burning food grill has incorporated therewith a structure for kindling the charcoal and consists of two separate parts: the first part is a shallow upstanding Hibachi-type container for the charcoal, open at the top like a conventional Hibachi and also open at the bottom, the bottom opening being covered by a grate on which the charcoal is piled; and the second part is a tapered upstanding kindling enclosure below the Hibachi that may be integral with or separate from the Hibachi. When provided separately, the kindling enclosure is open at the top, tapers outward from the top to the bottom thereof and has a multitude of uniformly spaced air passage holes therein. The top of the separate kindling structure fits the bottom of the Hibachi so that flames from burning kindling material such as paper, in the kindling enclosure, fed by air flow through the spaced air passages therein flows upward through the opening in the bottom of the Hibachi and ignites the coals on the grate.

Abstract: A portable cooker for connecting to a pressurized gas supply and being adapted for easy assembly and disassembly. When assembled, a rigid gas delivery tube extends from a gas bottle and carries a ventilated support having a fixed burner disposed centrally of the support. A dished cooking pan is supported on the support rim and is shaped so that when the cooker is dismantled for storage, the pan can be reversed on the support to form with the support an enclosure to receive the tube when disassembled. A pair of support handles extend from the support to engage the pan periphery when the cooker is dismantled and the pan is reversed, so as to latch the pan and support together. A pair of pan handles extend from the pan and cooperate with the support handles to reduce movement between the pan and support when assembled.

Abstract: A connecting rod for the control and/or transmission of force, particularly for use in aeronautical construction, comprises a tubular body formed of high-strength fibres bonded together by polymerized epoxy resin. The body has frusto-conical end portions each surrounding a frusto-conical skirt portion of an end member which is adapted to receive coupling means. A ferrule, also formed of bonded fibres, is provided to tighten each frusto-conical end portion of the body against the frusto-conical skirt portion of the corresponding end member.

Abstract: An electrical control circuit is disclosed for controlling the operation of a pilotless gas system including an igniter and a gas supply valve, wherein the gas supply valve is initially opened a predetermined time after the igniter is activated, and the igniter is subsequently deactivated a predetermined time after the gas supply valve is opened. Specifically, a control first signal is produced to activate the appliance, which control first signal is delivered to a first logic circuit for activating the igniter, and to a first delay circuit which produces a second signal delayed from the first signal by a first predetermined time period. The second signal is delivered to a gas supply valve control circuit to open the supply valve, whereupon a detector produces a third signal in response to opening of the valve.

Abstract: A fuel burning stove or furnace wherein combustion of fuel is more complete resulting in a greater amount of heat generation and a cleaner combustion residue. The stove includes a stove housing defined by side walls and top and bottom walls and having an unobstructed combustion chamber. A flue has a flue passage to the combustion chamber at the lower portion thereof beneath the normal combustion area within the chamber. Unburned gaseous products of combustion rise toward the top of the chamber and are trapped and forced back downward through the chamber into the flue passage. As they pass again through the flame of combustion, the unburned products are burned. The result is more efficient combustion and a cleaner combustion residue. The residue is less pollutant and is safer in terms of avoiding chimney fires.

Abstract: An air tight wood burning stove (10) for heating a designated space comprises a housing (12) having an access opening (50) in the front wall (14) thereof and at least one glass panel (64) containing door (54, 56) hingedly mounted on the front wall for closing the opening (50). A latching mechanism (60) on the door (54, 56) engages with undercut flange means (52, 53) surrounding opening (50) for positively maintaining the door (54, 56) in the closed position. A firebrick lined combustion chamber (34) within the housing receives logs through opening (50) for burning and the production of hot combustion gases. An air chamber (48) is formed within the housing (12) in air flow communication with the combustion chamber (34) for feeding air thereto through openings (94, 96) in the air chamber walls (46, 90).

Abstract: A solar energy collecting apparatus comprises an elongated, trough-like reflector for reflecting solar energy to an elongated focal region. The reflector, which partially defines an enclosed space, includes adjacent first and second portions that extend in mutually parallel relation, each portion including an inner reflective surface having a generally parabolic cross-sectional shape that comprises a vertex and opposing side walls diverging from the vertex. One of the side walls of the first portion intersects one of the side walls of the second portion and thereby defines a peak or cusp that projects inwardly of the enclosed space. An absorber is mounted in the focal region in spaced relation to the peak to receive solar energy directly incident thereon and reflected thereto by the reflector and comprises a tubular member for conducting a heat transferring medium therethrough. Two vanes are associated with the tubular member, each vane making an angle of less than 180.degree. with the other.

Abstract: A portable barbecue grill which can be folded together to form a very flat package and the grill portion of which can be adjusted in different distances from the fuel tray. The device comprises a frame, two U-shaped double legs and two guide rails which can be folded parallel to the frame. It further comprises a rotisserie bar being capable of being inserted in the guide rails when in the unfolded position and by which the grill portion can be moved upwardly and downwardly with the aid of two chains.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit (20) is provided to be placed upon a fireplace floor (17) and attached to a heatalator or heat form (57) to enhance the heating efficiency of a conventional fireplace. The unit receives room air through apertures (33) in its front wall (21) and conducts the cool air through a plurality of upwardly angled tubes (40) toward the rear wall (25) of the unit as the air is continuously heated by the surrounding kindling wood (18), charcoal and ashes. Mounting holes (41) are provided on the rear wall of the unit in order to attach the heat exchanger to the rear wall (13) of the fireplace. Grate holes (30) are positioned along the bottom wall and are capable of being aligned with a plurality of shaker holes (52) formed in at least one shaker grate (51) slidable over the bottom wall which is positioned in at least one elongated aperture (37) formed in the front wall.

Abstract: A transparent safety layer for a transparent candle comprising a thermoplastic polyamide resin and a solvent for said polyamide resin which is also compatible with said transparent candle; said polyamide resin and said solvent being present in amounts to give said transparent safety layer a higher viscosity and melt temperature than said transparent candle composition.

Abstract: A gas-fueled oven which is capable of safely assuming high temperatures such as occur during pyrolytic self-clean cycles and which employs a single multi-purpose fan for directing cool air flows over wall surfaces, for providing aspiration and temperature dilution of hot flue products, and for providing combustion air for a power broiler burner.

Abstract: A heating stove including a pair of opposite side walls and front, rear and top and bottom walls interconnecting and extending between front, rear and top and bottom marginal portions of the side walls. A pair of inner side panels are provided and spaced inwardly of the side walls and extend between the top and bottom walls defining interior side wall hollow areas. A rear inner panel is spaced inward of the rear wall and extends between the rear marginal portions of the inner side panels defining an interior rear wall area. A firebox is defined between the side panels and the rear panel and front wall and includes a flue outlet opening outwardly from an upper rear portion of the firebox. Combustion air inlet structure is provided operative to admit combustion air into the lower portion of the interior rear wall area and the upper portion of the interior rear wall area and the rear upper portions of the interior side wall areas are communicated.

Abstract: A wood and coal burning heating unit is provided for heating a residential building or the like. The unit includes a firebox having a double wall on its rear and top sections, with the back chamber and top chamber, which are formed between the respective double walls, being connected in flow communication. Air is blown into the back chamber, flows through the back chamber and top chamber and is expelled through a substantially horizontal, rectangular opening at the front of heating unit. A plurality of elongate, upstanding fins are provided in the top chamber so that the air flowing through the top chamber flows along the upstanding surfaces of the fins. Heat is conducted through the fins from the inner top wall of the firebox and is then transferred from the fins to the air flowing along the surfaces of the fins.

Abstract: Provided is an orchard heater adapted especially to radiate heat directly to the bole and middle portions of the trees, the heater comprising an upright, generally elongated and cylindrical combustion chamber having formed therein a vertically extending looped main burner, a pilot burner disposed beneath the main burner, and a divider plate interposed between the former two burners. The burners are positioned such that the discharge orifice of the main burner lies in the plane of the axis of the combustion chamber and is oriented downwardly at the center of the divider plate. The discharge orifice of the pilot burner, in turn, is oriented upwardly to the bottom of the divider plate, the latter being apertured, typically with louvers which enable communication between the discharge orifices of the two burners. Upon ignition of liquid fuel supplied by the main burner in the chamber, the generated heat is initially radially outwardly directed by the divider plate, this heat being oriented in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A pilot assembly includes a base having a cylindrical side wall which holds an electrode subassembly and glass preforms in place for fusing the glass to secure the electrode subassembly to the base. Prior to fusing, a spark electrode is assembled by inserting it into a metal clip receptacle held in a ceramic insulator body forming a part of the electrode subassembly. A pilot tip and orifice subassembly are secured to the base. Fusion of the glass and brazing of the metal including the high tension clip to bring it to spring temper for connection to a plugged wire are accomplished in a single step of heating. The pilot tip includes a locator member which holds the spark electrode in place during fusing and establishes the spark gap. It is removed after fusing.

Abstract: A charcoal starter-burner of the general type exemplified by Byars and Johnson U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,704, has a perforate grate hinged at one side and spaced inwardly from the inner wall of a tubular housing, a leg connected to support the grate in charcoal retaining position and a foot connected to the lower end of the leg. The foot has a trigger part projecting beyond the periphery of the tubular housing and a latching arrangement for engaging and holding the trigger in leg-supporting position and for releasing the trigger to permit the foot to swing free of the bottom edge of the housing. The foot extends in paper-retaining position adjacent the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A structure for impounding liquid is disclosed below the combustion chamber of a steam generator. The structure divides the impounded liquid in two sections, or pools. The first section, or pool, receives the hot residue gravitated from the combustion chamber and absorbs the thermal and mechanical shock of the residue. The second section, or pool, is connected to the first pool through a gate valve and contains a continuous conveyor which transports the cooled residue, received from the first pool, to a point of ultimate disposal.

Abstract: A coal or wood burning stove or fireplace including a fire chamber, the upper part of which is defined by a cooking surface having a horizontally disposed top portion and an arcuate portion extending forwardly and downwardly from the top portion. A flue is disposed within the fire chamber parallel to the top portion and has an open end terminating at the midpoint of the radius of the arcuate portion. The position of the end of the flue with respect to the arcuate portion permits slow, even and complete burning of the fuel in the fire chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-piece potable oven having a base plate, an oven body, a cover, and any of a skillet, "mess tray", steamer, or funnel lid. The base plate has a circular bottom portion and an upwardly extending frusto-conical opening at the center. The oven body has an upwardly extending cylindrical sidewall and a substantially flat bottom with an upwardly extending frusto-conical opening at the center thereof which is adapted to fit on the upwardly extending frusto-conical opening of the base plate. The skillet is placed over the oven body for frying or broiling. The "mess tray" is placed over the oven body when additional space is desired for baking, roasting, and general heating. The steamer is placed over the oven body when vegetables or seafood are to be steamed. The funnel lid covers the upwardly extending frusto-conical opening at the center of the oven body when the portable oven is used for steaming or popping corn.

Abstract: This stove invention relates to wood and coal burning stoves employed for heating. More effective draft control and heat transfer is achieved by a stove (11) employing straight and serpentine flues (46, 48), a control rod (43) to coordinate movement of a baffle (38) and damper (41) for defining passageways to the flues, and a channel (33) for apportioning air above and below the fuel and into first and second combustion chambers (26, 27).