Abstract: A device for preventing the unauthorized use of a telephone for surveillance purposes when the telephone is not in use, consisting of a sound-proof housing of sufficient size as to completely enclose the telephone and its handset. The sound-proof housing has means for acoustically isolating the enclosed telephone from reception of outside sounds when it is closed. Further means are provided to generate sounds within the sound-proof housing when it is closed and the telephone is not in use, so as to prevent surveillance of those sounds which might penetrate the housing.

Abstract: A gasoline mileage indicator system gives instantaneous mileage readings. A sending unit attached to a flowmeter in the fuel line provides a signal to a gauge which registers fuel flow. One disc calibrated in miles per gallon is fastened to the speedometer needle shaft, and another disc having an indicator is fastened to the shaft of the fuel flow gauge. The discs are aligned so that the indicator on the fuel flow gauge disc will point to the proper miles-per-gallon calibration on the speedometer disc.

Abstract: A fastening device for securing articles together, the device including releasably connected male and female components. The male component comprises a pin and the female component comprises a retaining insert positioned in a housing for releasably clamping the pin. When joined, the pin can not be separated from the retainer except by a special tool. The insert is of magnetic material, and an actuating tool including an electromagnet is employed to actuate the insert to permit removal of the pin. The housed insert is attached to a tag, with the tag being attached to the article which is to be sold. The tag houses an electrical circuit which activates an alarm if the tag is not properly removed at the checkout point by means of the special tool.

Abstract: An assembly for manufacturing wood pallets including a pair of spaced jigs mounted to a table or like supporting frame at a convenient working height. Each jig is constructed and arranged to receive the wood components of the jig, and an upwardly extending center post is mounted on the table between the pallet jigs. A pneumatically operated nailer is pivotally mounted from the center post by a pair of swing arms whereby the nailer can be moved to any area above either of the pallet jigs for securing the pallet together during assembly thereof.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for extracting oil from oil shale. An excavating unit is driven by supplying steam to a plurality of steam engines mounted in an annulus between stationary outer and inner casings. A hollow center column and apertured screw vane are mounted for rotation in the inner casing and helical screw sections are provided outwardly of the inner casing at both ends of the apparatus for directing material to and from the inner casing. Steam is supplied to the unit for driving the center column and helical screws, with the steam supplied to the center column emanating through openings in the screw vane mounted in the inner casing for separating the oil from the oil shale by pyrolysis. The oil is withdrawn in the form of a vapor product by means of a vacuum applied to the inner casing for separation and condensation at the surface. Following excavation, the unit can be withdrawn to the surface under its own power.

Abstract: An animal shelter suitable for protecting a pet from loud and/or sudden external noises. The shelter comprises preferably a bag-like housing having at least one entrance and/or exit opening and is constructed of at least one sound absorbing layer and one sound barrier layer of flexible, non-rigid material. The preferred wall structure for the shelter consists of a flexible outer bag member of pliable, weather-resistant vinyl, an intermediate layer of sound and heat insulating material such as a natural or synthetic fibrous product, and an inner layer of fabric or leaded vinyl. The shelter is provided with means for attachment to a rigid base member to facilitate entrance and exit by the animal.