Abstract: A tree root deflector is installed in a ground planting location between a tree and a sidewalk or other static structure for training tree rootlets downwardly so as to emerge beneath the deflector for subsequent lateral growth and enlargement at a safe depth beneath such structure. The deflector includes a plastic panel having a plurality of vertical root deflecting ridges protruding abruptly from the tree side of the panel at horizontally spaced apart locations for deflecting tree rootlets downwardly, as well as a plurality of transverse abrupt ridges protruding from the same side of the panel at horizontally spaced apart locations disposed intermediate the vertical ridges to lock the panel with the tree roots and with the ground, the transverse ridges being relatively short so as to leave substantial spaces between them and the adjacent vertical ridges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact folding ladder having a lower runged ladder portion, the upper end of which is pivotally connected on a horizontal axis to the lower end of a upper open dual hand-rail ladder portion whereby the lower ladder portion nests in the upper open ladder portion in the folded position and may be pivotally deployed therefrom for use. One longitudinal edge of the upper open ladder portion is pivotally mounted on a vertical pivot axis to the inboard lateral face of one of the rear edge vertical posts of a structural cargo enclosure above a cargo bed whereby the folded ladder may be pivoted forward to a stowed position and rearward to an operative position outboard of the rear end of the cargo bed thereby to facilitate deployment of the lower runged ladder portion to its open position for ladder access by the user from ground level to the rear end of the cargo bed, hence to the structural cargo enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for hot forging an elongated cylindrical hot billet formed of lightweight metal alloy or metal matrix composite material into an integral high strength structural member having at least two extensive walls projecting outwardly in different directions from the billet axis, with principal metal grain structure running approximately parallel to the outward extent of the walls. The hot forging is accomplished by bringing a plurality of radially convergent hot die segments from a full open release position to an intermediate position where they first convergently engage the hot billet, and gradually further converging the die segments to a closed position to forge the billet by engaging them with a pyramidal or conical frustum cavity formed in a press member, which cavity conforms to the external configuration of the die segments in the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display sign holder in the form of a semi-rigid rectangular sheet of optically clear plastic having elongated flat spacing structures extending along its top and bottom margin areas on one side so as to space the plastic sheet from a supporting surface and guide the longitudinal insertion and removal of an elongated display sign therebetween. The spacing structures are flat strips printed with ink on one or both sides to permanently display marginal information or design, and relatively thin transparent adhesive layers are disposed on both sides of the strips to adhere them to the plastic sheet and to the supporting surface.

Abstract: An automatic gun comprises a barrel, a receiver connected to the barrel and a bolt and bolt carrier mounted in the receiver for recoil and counterrecoil movement between the barrel breech and a recoil position rearwardly of a shell pick up position and a casing ejection port. The bolt carrier has a cam track formed along it and the bolt has a pivotally mounted casing extractor and an ejection recess in an opposite region. The forward end of a cam follower is pivotally mounted to the receiver forwardly of the pick up position. The follower has a pair of belt feeding pawls mounted centrally, an inwardly-directed ejection tip at the rearward end and a cam track follower in engagement with the bolt carrier cam track. A belt feeding adaptor is detachably connected to the receiver above the cam follower for receiving an ammunition belt. In response to forward bolt carrier movement, the cam follower is pivoted outwardly, moving the feed pawls into engagement with a belted shell outboard of the pick up position.

Abstract: A treater for electrostatically and/or mechanically separating emulsified brine from oil during longitudinal flow through a horizontally elongate metal tank, wherein coalescer elements are provided for enhancement of the de-emulsification process. Following the diffusion and distribution of the flowing emulsion across the transverse area of the treater, the emulsion is directed through electrical fields where the brine droplets take on an electrical charge, then moved through an electrically-grounded coalescing element comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally-extending downwardly-inclined open-ended tubes arranged in bundle-fashion. Individual tubes present opposition to the flow of emulsion for contact between brine droplets of the emulsion and the interior surfaces of the tubes, the brine droplets adhering to the tube surfaces where they lose their charge and accumulate, trickling downwardly by gravity to a brine sump. De-emulsified oil is removed in a stream separate from the brine stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet seat cover in the form of a composite paper sheet which disintegrates when immersed in water, the paper sheet being of general rectangular configuration, of adequate size to cover the toilet seat, and having an opening formed centrally therein; the sheet includes a top layer of dry creped paper, emboss laminated with a bottom layer of flat machine finished or machine glazed finished paper. The sheet has opposite rear and forward margins and opposite lateral margins extending therebetween. A piece of double-sided adhesive tape is disposed on the bottom layer of paper proximate the rear margin of the sheet for releasably anchoring the cover to the rear portion of the conventional toilet seat. The sheet is folded into a compact configuration in which the adhesive tape is accessible for exposure and application and opposite margins of the sheet are accessible for manually deploying the sheet over the toilet seat preferably with the assistance of the anchor provided with the adhesive tape.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: Described is a dewatering apparatus for insertion into and retrieval from an engine fuel tank through the tank inlet for removing water from the liquid fuel contained in the tank. The apparatus includes an elongate cylindrical container of fixed capacity and an elongate tie connected thereto and accessibly anchored near the fuel tank inlet. A volume of dry particulate hygroscopic material, principally cross-linked polyacrylamide co-polymer fills a minor portion of the container capacity, and is expandable to many times its dry volume in the presence of water without absorbing the liquid fuel, so as to remove water therefrom within the capacity of the container. The dry volume is selected to limit the fully expanded volume to within the capacity of the container.

Abstract: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: A germicidal toothbrush holder includes a substantially closed, upright cylindrical housing having a detachable top lid. The lid has an annular array of openings through which the bristled ends of toothbrushes may be inserted and removed. A UV lamp of low intensity is operably mounted within the housing for emitting ultraviolet radiation in the 200 to 300 nanometer wavelength range, as well as some radiation in the visible range above 300 nanometers and in the ozone producing range below 200 nanometers. A removable cup structure supports the bristled ends of the toothbrushes in an annular array immediately surrounding the lamp, and has an annular interior surface coated with aluminum for high reflectance of UV radiation. The UV lamp is on continuously to expose the toothbrushes to germicidal radiation and to generate small quantities of ozone which accumulate to have some sterilizing effect.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A lightweight ammunition belt link comprises first, second and third elongate, tubular shell holding rings sized to slidingly receive cylindrical, telescoped amunition. First and second webs interconnect the three shell-holding rings so that the first and second rings are axially spaced apart on a first longitudinal axis and the third ring is on a second longitudinal axis, which is laterally separated from the first axis by slightly over one shell diameter, the third ring is offset between the first and second rings which are spaced apart so that in forming the ammunition belt, the third ring of one link fits between, the first and second rings of a next link, and can be axially aligned therewith. A shell installed into the first and second ring of one link and the interposed third ring of an adjacent link connects the two links together and forms a pivot point enabling one link to hinge around the adjacent link for belt storage.

Abstract: An externally powered automatic gun or cannon system includes a gun with a pivoting chamber, a shell supply and a shell indexer and a shell rammer for feeding shells from the supply into the gun chamber for firing. Fluid pressure actuators are connected for operating the gun chamber, shell indexer and shell rammer and sensors are provided for sensing extreme operating positions thereof. Timing means are responsive to the sensors for determining lengths of operating times. Electronic control means, responsive to the sensors and timing means, control, on a step-by-step basis, operation of the actuators and firing apparatus according to a pre-established sequence of operational steps causing the automatic loading and firing of the automatic gun.

Abstract: Shell feeding apparatus for a rapid fire, gun, such as a medium caliber cannon, comprises an elongate, linear shell rammer having a relatively small diameter, surrounded by a carousel-type shell magazine configured for holding several, for example, about six, shells. The shell rammer includes a pressurized fluid actuation cylinder having two transversely separated bores and two pistons mounted in the bores. Protruding ends of the pistons are interconnected by a motion multiplier which comprises a T-shaped member, to opposite sides of which are mounted two pairs of sprockets. A shell ramming member is fixed to two drive chains entrained over the two pairs of sprockets. The drive chains are fixed to the actuator cylinder so that when pressurized fluid moves the pistons, relative to the cylinder, a distance, "d", at a velocity, "v," the shell ramming member, and hence a shell engaged thereby, is moved a substantially greater distance, "D," at a substantially greater velocity, "V.

Abstract: An automatic contact lens cleaner, generally shaped in an inverted U, comprises a battery holder, an electric motor, a speed reduction gear, an intermittent reversing gear using levers which engage a boss on the drive gear, and a pair of contact lens holders suspended from the reversing gear into a dish containing cleaning fluid. The bottom of the dish (one end of the U) is level with the bottom of the motor/battery-holder housing (the other end of the U), allowing the cleaner to rest upon any convenient supporting surface.

Abstract: A telescoped ammunition round utilizing nonstrategic materials is light-weight and enables the use of conventional particulate propellants as well as conventional components such as projectiles and primers if desired. Webs molded into the case interior facilitate molding of the case and provide for supporting the projectile therein before and during the loading of particulate propellant into the case. In addition, the webs are operative for decreasing the longitudinal resistance of the case thereby reducing inward movement of the primer when struck by a firing pin thereby reducing the possibility of misfire. The projectile is prevented from debulleting during handling and is provided with preselected shot-start characteristics by an opening formed through the cap and a plurality of holes formed in the cap to provide proper resiliency in the cap for holding the projectile before firing and retarding the projectile momentarily upon firing.

Abstract: A utility rack for a pickup truck includes front and rear stanchions, each generally in the shape of an inverted "U", and left and right side rails extending between hinges at the upper corners of the stanchions. The front stanchion is permanently mounted at the front of the truck bed. The rear stanchion is movable between an extended position at the rear of the truck bed and a proximate position just behind the front stanchion. The side rails collapse vertically into a "V" (seen from the side) as the rear stanchion is moved to its proximate position, giving the rack an overall appearance of an "M". When the rack is fully collapsed, it looks like an "I".In one version, a second pair of rails extends over the cab, vertically rotating on a second pair of hinges on the front stanchion. A cross member joins the front ends of these rails.In another version, the side rails are not mounted onto the stanchions by hinges, but by removable brackets; and the rails collapse horizontally rather than vertically.

Abstract: A rope cleat includes a rectangular plastic bottom plate and a nesting sheet steel top plate. Bolt holes in the corners of the plates allow bolts to retain the plates together and to mount the cleat onto a mounting surface. A pair of cam spindles and back-to-back rope abutments, integral to the bottom plate, protrude through matching cam spindle openings and rope abutment openings in the top plate.The edge of each cam spindle opening is rounded upward into a cam spindle boss to support the cam spindle. A cam, with rope gripping teeth on its rise, rotates on each cam spindle, is retained thereon by a washer and self tapping screw, and is biased by a C-shaped leaf spring.The front of each rope abutment also has rope gripping teeth. The back of each rope abutment is reinforced by a boss, bent upward from the top plate to leave the rope abutment opening. Each boss is strengthened by a vertical crimp, the apex of which supports and is supported by the apex of the crimp in the other boss.

Abstract: An open framework merchandise display system consists of triangular trusses joined by junction plates and junction flanges. Three rods protrude from one side of each junction plate and into the hollow longitudinal tubes of the truss. A post with a square cross section protrudes from the other side of the junction plate and fits between horizontal parallel plates of the junction flange.The flange plates have an octagonal system of pins and bolt holes, which fit against matching slots and holes in the posts, allowing the horizontal trusses to join the flange at 45 degree increments. A similar set of vertical plates is welded to the top and bottom of the flange, allowing vertical trusses to join the flange as well.The tubes of each truss are joined by "Z" shaped cross members, allowing display from the truss itself. The cross section of each truss is an isosceles triangle formed by inscribing same within a square, allowing shelves to be attached at 90 degree increments.