Abstract: A recessed electrical box with a closeable cover member and at least one outward extending flange. The flange serves as a positioning arrangement to recess the electrical box at the correct depth with respect to the surface in which it will be mounted. The recessed electrical box is includes of two pieces, including a one-piece electrical box and a one-piece cover member. The cover member is of minimal size with respect to the electrical box to minimize the cost of construction. The electrical box can be installed on an exterior wall, including either a finished or an unfinished wall. The outward extending flange may include an inner flange for positioning the recessed electrical box with respect to the outer surface of the substrate on an unfinished building. The inner flange is removable to facilitate installation on a finished building, in which the finish layer such as siding or stucco is installed.

Abstract: A method for controlling both the scattering and absorption of electromagnetic waves. The method is based on prescribing the sizes of the particles that are suspended in a specified medium and a ratio of the refractive indices of the particles and the medium. This method can be used in applications that require maximizing or minimizing scattering of electromagnetic waves. The present method can also be used in applications that require maximizing or minimizing absorption of electromagnetic waves. Further, the invention provides control of backscattering (radar cross section) and, controlling any combination of scattering, absorption and backscattering of electromagnetic waves. Applications for the present method include stealth technology, friend or foe identification, and defensive screening.

Abstract: An improved bag carrier for carrying bags or parcels having one or more loops or handles. The bag carrier is of essentially flat design to allow for inexpensive manufacturing and distribution, as well as providing space for advertising indicia and customer identification information. The bag carrier is comprised of a horizontal upper handle section 26 (FIG. 1) connected to a horizontal lower hook support section 30 (FIG. 1) by connecting vertical members 28 and 29 (FIG. 1). A plurality of hook bases 31 (FIG. 1) and hook sections 32 (FIG. 1) extend down from horizontal lower hook support section 30 (FIG. 1). Areas are included on the surface of the carrier which are unlikely to be handled or rubbed excessively during use, allowing for preservation of important indicia, such as bar codes and magnetic strips. Multiple hooks on the bag carrier allow for bags to be attached or removed from the carrier one at a time without tangling.

Abstract: A spring steel adaptor (20) that improves the ease of use and reduces the time involved in securing electrical connectors to electrical junction boxes (34). Several embodiments are disclosed which require the use of a zinc die-cast connector (26) having a smooth central section (32) to accommodate the spring steel adaptor (20). A separate embodiment employs a spring steel adaptor (20) that is designed to be used in conjunction with any of the standard size threaded electrical connectors that are presently in use in the electrical industry.

Abstract: A sound producing instrument is shown having a plurality of vibrating strings supported over an elongated aluminum sounding board. The strings are solid wires of brass, bronze or steel that are tensioned to produce a range of vibrations within the audible sound range. The strings may be manipulated along their lengths in various ways to control the mode of vibration of each of the respective strings. An electronic means such as a crystal or magnetic microphone is provided adjacent to the sounding board to pick up the vibrations resulting from activating the vibratory motion of the strings, and amplifying means are used to reproduce the sounds developed by the instrument. In one embodiment, the microphone may be caused to move during the pickup by a remote controller, so as to provide different sound effects. A special cylinder is provided for creating special sound effects when used to agitate the strings.

Abstract: A heavy duty structure that forms a mobile loading system is shown that is comprised of a ramp means, a dump means and crawler undercarriage for use in loading trucks by making use of bulldozers. The crawler undercarriage supports the carrier or platform which provides the base for the superstructure, power units and hydraulic systems. The system's power unit supplies the source of power to move the crawlers so the structure may be moved to any locality on the job-site. The system's power unit also supplies power to the hydraulic systems provided to raise and lower the ramp and dump means. The carrier supports a mast means which supports the ramp means and dump means. The ramp means provides a bridge or lifting means onto which a pair of bulldozers may be alternatively driven to move the overburden to the dump means.

Abstract: A bearing pad for supporting a strut serving to sustain a highway fence or the like and method for using it is shown wherein the pad is adapted to be driven into the soil to support the strut. The pad has a large planar bearing surface for engagement with the soil and is provided with a driving point and a strut engaging socket. The pad also has integral guide fins for directing its movement into the soil so that the pad can be accurately positioned in the soil at a right angle with respect to the length of the strut to provide a maximum bearing surface against which any thrust directed against the fence can be transferred to the strut to be dissipated in the soil.

Abstract: A thermostat or controller for controlling water circulation in a solar heating system is disclosed as including a resistant bridge circuit with a solar panel temperature responsive resistance and a storage tank temperature responsive resistance in opposite arms joined at one power input node with a differential comparator connected across the sensing nodes of the bridge. There are also disclosed optional features including additional fixed resistance divider circuits together with respective additional comparators sensing low-limit solar panel temperatures and/or high-limit storage tank temperatures for turning on or off the circulation pump, and/or for running cool water into the storage tank. In still another disclosed feature a sun switch produces periodic operation of the circulation pump to cause a sensor in the outlet of the solar panel to produce a true reading of solar panel temperature.

Abstract: A controller for a solar heating system includes a differential thermostat which responds to a preselected temperature differential between fluid in a solar collector and in a storage tank to operate a motor to pump fluid therebetween. The particular circuitry of the thermostat allows the use of non-linear sensing devices. Safety features includable in the controller provide for sensing of high and low extreme temperature conditions to prevent excess pressure in the storage tank or freezing of water in the collector.

Abstract: The invention is a time variable thermostatic device adapted for direct connection into a low voltage, two-wire, alternating current control circuit of a heating or cooling unit arranged to vary the temperature set point of a thermostat at selected times to control the operation of the heating or cooling unit. Circuit means including a transformer having primary and secondary windings interconnect in the two-wire control circuit a thermostat having a thermostatic switch, a starting relay or gas valve actuator and a timing means having a timing means that is a multiple of the frequency of the AC voltage in the control circuit together with mechanical means for changing the temperature set point at the desired time of day. The circuit permits actuation of the starting relay and operation of the heating or cooling unit only when the thermostatic switch is closed.

Abstract: The invention is a time variable set point thermostatic device adapted for use in a two-wire circuit of a heating or cooling system without additional wiring. Electric timer means interconnected with a thermostatic switch and starting relay means of a transformer having a primary and secondary winding periodically changes the set point of the thermostatic switch at selected intervals. The circuit is arranged to limit the current in the two-wire control circuit to a value less than that required to actuate the starting relay of the heating or cooling system in the two-wire control circuit with the thermostatic switch open and to actuate the starting relay when the thermostatic switch is closed when the ambient temperature to be regulated varies a determined amount from a selected temperature set point and the thermostatic switch is closed.

Abstract: The invention is a temperature control circuit which time shares a temperature sensor and related circuit elements in order to switch two control signal outputs, each output at one of two preselected temperatures. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is used to control a self-cleaning oven.

Abstract: An automatic defrost timing circuit includes facilities for selectively varying the compressor running time between defrost cycles to allow the circuit to be set in accordance with varying factors such as a humid or a dry climate.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a timed pet food dispenser wherein a plurality of insulated and covered food containers are rigidly and removably mounted to a rotating dispensing wheel for periodic automatic dispensing of the pet food at predetermined times by gravity to a pet food pen.

Abstract: This is a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to an internal combustion engine in response to engine coolant temperature thereby preventing engine operation at full load above a selected coolant temperature.