Abstract: Multiple leg rope assemblies formed from a single rope. In one embodiment, the single rope is doubled into equal length legs lashed side-by-side forming a looped eye at one end of the assembly, the ends of the rope at the other end of the assembly being formed into a pair of adjacent eyes which together create a clevis for connecting the rope assembly to other rope assemblies or fixtures. In another embodiment, a single rope, the ends of which are spliced together end-for-end to form a continuous loop, is doubled into four equal length legs lashed side-by-side to provide, at each end of the assembly, a pair of adjacent looped eyes which together create a clevis for connecting the rope assembly to other rope assemblies or fixtures. Several rope fittings or fixtures for use with the rope assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved emission control apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine having a housing with an inlet and outlet, the outlet being connected to the exhaust of the engine. Mounted in the housing at spaced locations are first and second catalytic cells through which the engine exhaust gases pass for conversion to less noxious compounds. Some of the gases passing through the first catalytic cell are returned upstream thereof for recirculation through said first catalytic cell. All of the gases pass through the second catalytic cell.

Abstract: Service station for dispensing fuel to vehicles from fuel dispensers connected by fluid conduits to one or more fuel storage tanks characterized in that the fuel storage tanks are self-contained, flexible and collapsible bladder type tanks supported in an elevated position above the fuel dispensers and the vehicles to which fuel is to be dispensed. An open top containment vessel may also be supported at an elevated position and into which the bladder type tanks may be preferably lowered for non-attached disposition therein.

Abstract: An improved food container for maintaining food at reduced temperatures having an upper opening inner shell surrounded by an outer shell between which is a cavity filled with a gelatinous blend of amorphous natural high-polymer carbohydrates. In a preferred embodiment the inner surface of the outer shell is at least partially covered by a material of closed-cell plastic foam.

Abstract: An improved electrothermally operated actuator of the type in which a piston is translatable in a piston housing in response to electrical heating of an expandable working fluid in fluid communication with one end of the piston. The working fluid is at least partially disposed in a tube assembly which is connected in an electric circuit which is closed and opened, in response to selected events, to heat or cool the working fluid to effect movement of the piston between retracted and extended terminal positions. An improved sealing assembly prevents leakage of working fluid from the piston housing. The actuator may be connected through a power translating assembly to a rotating element of an operable device translating linear movement of the actuator to rotating movement of the rotating element.

Abstract: Apparatus for aerating fluids passing therethrough including an elongated housing having a cylindrical inlet section and a cylindrical outlet section connected by a chamber section having at least one air port through the walls thereof. A converging frustoconical nozzle is concentrically disposed within the inlet and chamber sections so that fluid passing therethrough mixes with air drawn through the air port for discharge through the outlet section.

Abstract: A stilt for use in paris to elevate the user thereof. Each stilt includes a ground engaging portion attached to the lower end of an elongated upstanding support. A foot support assembly is attached to the elongated support at a vertically elevated position from the ground engaging portion. The foot support assembly is attached to the elongated support by a single pivot connection. The ground engaging portion is attached to the elongated support by a single pivot connection. The elongated support may be attached to the user's leg when the user's foot is supported on the foot support assembly.

Abstract: Improved radar reflector apparatus which includes a collapsible and inflatable radar wave permeable envelope which when inflated assumes the shape of an ellipsoid. The ellipsoid envelope surround a radar reflective array having a number of radar wave reflectors which, when the envelope is inflated, are arranged to form a plurality of corner reflectors. The reflectors are in the shape of right multilaterals having two sides perpendicular to one another and the other sides forming obtuse angles where the apexes of these angles may provide points of attachment to the inner surface of the inflatable envelope.

Abstract: A security container including a housing and a drawer disposed therein for movement from a recessed position, in which any contents of the drawer are inaccessible, to an extended position in which the contents of the drawer are accessible. A latch assembly carried by the housing and drawer is operable externally thereof to release the drawer for movement from the recessed to the extended position. A blocking device, carried by the housing, prevents operation of the latch assembly unless the blocking device is properly positioned.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing operations in a well near the surface of which is a blowout preventer stack. The apparatus includes a bell nipple assembly extending upwardly from the blowout preventer stack and a lubricator assembly for central disposition within the bell nipple assembly. The bell nipple assembly includes a flange member for attachment to the blowout preventer stack having locking pins radially movable between retracted positions and extended positions in which the pins penetrate the flange bore. The lubricator assembly includes a tubular mandrel which may be lowered and locked in the bore of the bell nipple flange member in nonsealing engagement therewith by the locking pins thereof. At least one flow passage through the body of the mandrel assures that no pressure seal is established in the annular spaces between the bell nipple assembly and the lubricating assembly.

Abstract: A mobile antenna circuit for resonant transmitting from an RF signal source may comprise: an antenna having a base and at least first and second conductive sections one of which is extendable and retractable to lengthen and shorten the antenna; a motor operatively connected to one of the conductive sections for extending and retracting the antenna in response to control signals thereto; an impedance matching circuit coupling the RF signal source to the base of the antenna for matching impedance thereof at a specified frequency; and control components connected to the motor to produce control signals for extending and retracting the antenna section so as to resonantly tune the antenna at a specified frequency. The circuit may include a phase angle detector connected between the RF signal source and the impedance matching circuit for developing a voltage differential being fed to the control components for producing the control signals for extending and retracting the antenna section.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for receiving at least one arch wire may comprise: a base portion adapted for attachment to the outer surface of a tooth and first and second wing portions propecting outwardly from the base portion. Disposed between the two wing portions and opening away from the base portion is a channel for receiving an arch wire. At least one of the channel walls is stepped so as to form two slots of differing widths.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing birds and other animals may comprise: a pair of carrier poles the proximal ends of which may be anchored to the ground for pivoting from first parallel positions against the ground to second parallel positions against the ground. A semicylindrical net is provided one longitudinal edge of which is affixed along the ground and the other longitudinal edge of which is fixed between the distal ends of the carrier poles so that upon movement of the carrier poles from their first to their second positions the net is deployed in a semicylindrical configuration to envelope animals beneath the net.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing birds and other small animals which may include: an elongated support member; a pair of flexible rod members bent into loops and the ends of which are attached to the support member forming a pair of hoops for supporting a pair of sock type nets. The hoops are normally in positions in which the net openings interset to form an enclosure for capturing of birds and other small animals. The distal edges of the hoops may be forced, through opposing arcs, from normal positions to set positions, in which the distal edges are displaced less than one hundred eighty degrees for engagement with a release assembly. The release assembly is remotely operable to release the hoops for self imposed return to the normal positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling and simulating certain aspects of the game of football which includes: a housing for portably housing components of the apparatus; a micro-processor for processing singals representative of designated time elements of a football game; a power device for supplying operating power to the micro-processor; and a switch connected to the micro-processor for initiating specific functions thereof in response to movement of a football placed on the housing or removed thereform.

Abstract: A corner retainer for securing and maintaining bed covers on the mattress of a bed formed by first, second and third planar portions which intersect each other at substantially right angles and which meet at a point to form a trihedral corner. The corner retainer is positionable at the corner of the mattress and when bed covers are placed thereover wedge the bed covers between the retainer and a surrounding portion of the bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing the skills of a surgeon in performing laser surgery by supporting a specimen of a body organ for practice thereon. The apparatus may include a base member and first and second support members extending upwardly therefrom. First and second ring members are supported by the first and second support members at predetermined axial spacing. Radially adjustable holding elements are carried by each of the ring members for centrally holding the specimen therein.

Abstract: A clamping shaft for clamping a surrounding socket component comprising: a tubular shaft characterized by a tubular body provided with radially spaced slots through which expansion wedges may be extended and retracted for engagement with and disengagement from, respectively, the socket component. A connecting rod, concentrically supported within the shaft, is provided with sloping surfaces thereon engageable with corresponding sloping surfaces on the expansion wedges for effecting movement of the expansion wedges in response to axial movement of the connecting rod. Shifting apparatus carried by the shaft effects axial movement of the connecting rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a bag open to assist in the filling thereof. The appartus may include a relatively rigid middle panel at the opposite edges of which are attached relatively rigid side panels. The side panels are attached by hinges which allow them to move, relative to the middle panel, from coplanar flat positions to positions substantially perpendicular thereto, allowing insertion of the apparatus into a bag. The side panels are preferably biased away from the perpendicular positions toward the coplanar flat position so that when inserted into the bag, the bag is automatically held open by the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable machine for field facing and threading of pipe including a housing in which is carried a shaft for rotation about a central axis. Attachment apparatus attaches the housing to the end of a pipe so that the central axis of the machine and pipe are substantially coaxial. Attached to the shaft is a cutting tool assembly which rotates with the shaft to cut the end of the pipe. Linear and radial feed components provide, respectively, generally longitudinal and transverse motion to the cutting tool assembly relative to the central axis of the machine.