Abstract: The invention describes a device for recovering oil floating on the surface of water. The device is a floating vessel which is maneuverable at will in order effectively to recover all of an oil slick floating on the surface of the water. The device includes paddle wheel means to skim the oil from the surface of the water. The oil so picked up is propelled up guide plates, and over weirs, with a plurality of said wheels being arranged in sequence. The wheels are of different diameter but rotate at the same speed in order to provide separation of oil and water picked up by the device, and the device is also arranged to discharge the oil into a means from which the oil can readily be transported away from the device.The device may be provided with an additional wheel and screen for picking up debris floating on the surface of the water, and to separate that debris from the oil and water picked up by the device by leaving it on the screen.

Abstract: A solid state network for subscriber stations which uses a first active element to couple both the transmitter and the receiver to the telephone lines and uses non-inductive component for compensation to minimize costly heavy components and to facilitate transmission and reception of communication signals almost independently of variations in line length.

Abstract: An emergency pipeline shut-off apparatus for interpositioning within a fluid transmitting pipe circuit in which a resilient plug stopper is capable of alternative placement between an open and closed position to allow or block passage of the fluid respectively. Remote stopper activation elements cooperate with control members and locking features to position the stopper in the desired open or closed configuration followed by the automatic locking of the stopper in that particular position. The remote stopper control device can be expressly reactivated to be withdrawn from its locked position.

Abstract: A low profile seat for vehicles features structural geometry which enables the use of an air spring to control seat height and rate in vehicles whose interior dimensions does not provide for the placement of a more conventional air spring vehicle seat. A fore-and-aft vibration absorbing system may be selectively engaged or disengaged to provide for further driver comfort.

Abstract: A fertilization system using the contents of the manure pits on farms to supply the fertilizer. The system comprising a pump for forcing the contents of the manure pits either directly through the irrigation piping system to the fields or for spraying the contents of the pits onto the fields. A unique pulverizer is used between an intake pipe set in the pits and the pump to assure that the contents of the pits do not clog the pump.

Abstract: A miniaturized bowling ball game comprising a simulated lane assembly having an automatic pin status indication, a scoring readout device and a noise generator operated responsive to a ball propelled over the lane assembly by an aimable shooter striking operating contacts simulating the ball striking and knocking down pins. The scoring read out device not only provides the score, but also the frame, and indicates if the prior frame resulted in a spare or strike. Electronically generated noises simulate the noises that occur when pins are knocked down in an actual bowling ball game. Also, the electronic controls randomly provides data which results in different scores, even though balls traverse the same routes.

Abstract: An improved smoking device comprising a container of smoking material, positioned juxtaposed to a viewing chamber that enables the observation of the trails of entrapped smoke and the determination of the amount of smoke in the viewing chamber. The smoke in the viewing chamber is forced into a smoke storage bag removed from the viewing chamber, when the smoker blows into a pipe stem. The blowing action mixes the smoke with the smoker's breath and provides an ideal smoke filled atmosphere in the bag which the smoker can then inhale.

Abstract: A modular chair apparatus designed for easy home assembly comprising two frame elements and a connection bar which securely fastens together to form a modern and handsome chair. The interlocking frame elements are securely joined to each other with a frame attachment element locking the frames together. The chair may have an upholstered back and seat thereby producing a comfortable and secure seating apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for safely dispensing flammable liquids from containers. A reciprocating piston, slidingly positioned within a cylinder, draws flammable liquid from a sealed drum and dispenses the liquid from a spout member extending from the apparatus. A flame-arresting device operably positioned within the apparatus disperses any flame advancing into the cylinder. A dip tube extends from the apparatus into the flammable liquid within the drum. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reciprocating piston dispenses flammable liquids on the upstroke only, thus preventing accidental or inadvertent discharge of the liquid.

Abstract: A seat leveling apparatus for air-suspension seats of the type used in over-the road vehicles moves the seat to its lowermost position when the driver alights therefrom. When the driver reenters the seat, apparatus is provided to raise the seat to a preselected driving position responsive to the weight of the driver on the seat.

Abstract: A safety cabinet for the storage of flammable or combustible materials has doors and a closure mechanism designed to automatically close and latch the doors in the event of fire. In one version, apparatus is provided to time the closing of the doors to insure a complete seal and lock. In a second version, apparatus is provided to seal the cabinet independently of the closing sequence of the doors.

Abstract: A knock-down container assembly for packaging and containing ice-cream products wherein an articulated carton portion co-operates with an articulated cover portion through closure features which effectively lock the cover portion in place on top of the carton portion. Various protuberances or locking flaps in the carton portion co-operate with recesses or notched regions in the cover portion respectively to provide these locking features. The carton itself is constructed to contain either a standardized half-gallon volume of ice-cream products or, alternatively, is capable of containing a one-quart volume of such products, and the container is especially adapted for utilization on standard existing ice-cream product packing machinery.

Abstract: A safety knob for preventing unauthorized persons, such as small children, from operating the knobs in a given direction; but enabling even the unauthorized persons to operate the knob in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A family of games utilizing figurines that are also pneumatic pumps used for actuating miniaturized pneumatically operated equipment.

Abstract: A game comprising an air tube transportation system energized by a unique air pump system. The air pump system includes an air pump manifolded into a plurality of tubes wherein each of the tubes is selectively connected to the air pump through individual valves which control the direction and force of the air flowing through the tubes.

Abstract: The nibbler apparatus comprises a quickly changeable rotating cutter having a modified sinusoidal groove of a predetermined width and depth. The rotating cutter is mounted in a die with the modified sinusoidal groove largely enclosed within the die. The modified sinusoidal grooved cutter picks up the material to be cut, carrying it upward into the die opening and there the material is sheared. Flat material can be cut in any direction and the direction of the material being fed into the cutter can be changed at any time.

Abstract: An improved lid for covering containers, sucn as tumblers or the like, has a mouthpiece with at least a portion of the mouthpiece shaped to fit within the lips of a person drinking from the container. The mouthpiece has a valve therein operated by the drinker's lips or by the application of pressure on opposite sides of resilient walled containers. The mouthpiece with valve on the lid prevents spilling of the liquid, if the container is accidentally dropped, precludes spilling of the liquid during the time the drinker is engaged in drinking the liquid from the container, even when the drinking is done under adverse conditions, and provides facilitated means for adding condiments to a hot beverage for consumption by a user. Features are further provided for more effectively securing the valve to preclude inadvertent spilling from "wave action" of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: A novelty game drinking glass for containing beverages as well as entertaining, amusing and interesting the user. The glass itself has a transparent partition positioned upwardly from the bottom end to form a bottom recess portion at the bottom end. A novelty game is positioned into this bottom recess so as to be visible by a user through the transparent partition and the novelty game is restrainably positioned on the bottom by a recess closure which also provide a liquid-tight seal to the bottom recess portion.