Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal with a lift cable and winch for raising and lowering the basketball goal. The cable provides for raising and lowering the goal for use by basketball players of various heights, and includes a height indicator assembly thereon for indicating the height of the basketball hoop above the playing surface. Also, a safety cylinder prevents rapid descent of the backboard portion to prevent injuries.

Abstract: A cell assembly for determining the conductivity and permeability of proppants in simulated subterranean formations comprising a plurality of vertically stacked cell units interconnected such that upon application of a compressive force the compressive force is transmitted equally throughout each of the cell units. Each of the cell units comprises a cell body member having a passageway extending therethrough; a lower piston connected to the cell body member such that one end thereof extends a selected distance into a lower portion of the passageway and an opposed second end extends outwardly therefrom for reciprocal movement within a cell body member of a second cell unit placed therebelow; and an upper piston member positionable in an upper portion of the passageway for reciprocal movement therein in response to force directed thereon, the upper piston member functioning as the lower piston member for a cell unit disposed thereabove.

Abstract: A swimming pool cover assembly is provided which can easily be installed and removed, and which is adapted to be supported above the surface of the pool without bulky reinforcing or structural members. The swimming pool cover assembly includes an air impervious cover member having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the pool so as to span the pool, an anchor assembly disposed about the perimeter of the pool for securing the cover member over the pool and forming fluid-tight seal therebetween, and a blower assembly for supplying a sufficient volume of air so that a cushion of air is formed between the cover member and the water in the pool for maintaining the cover member in an elevated positioned relative to the surface of the water in the pool.

Abstract: An improved characterizing linkage assembly of the type utilized to proportion the flow of fluids in response to motor controls, such as in the control of fuel and air mixtures in industrial combustion systems. The linkage system comprises a cam assembly having an adjustable curvilinear cam band, which is rotatable by a drive shaft. A biased follower rod is urged against the cam band, and upon movement thereby, pivots a linkage actuator arm which is bearingly supported on the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft in response to a change in a selected process parameter imparts movement to the cam band, the follower rod and thus the linkage actuator arm in proportional travel.

Abstract: A modulating flow control valve comprising a central valve body with a tubular body member detachably supported at an inlet port thereof and providing a valve seat; a plug member is detachably supported in an access bore of the central valve body; and a valve stem, biased toward the valve seat, is extensive through a bore in the plug member. A valve seating member is supportable by a spring stop portion of the valve stem, and with spring biasing of the valve stem, is urged in restricting or sealing relationship with the valve seat, the valve seating member having a valve seating portion of a selected diameter to permit a predetermined maximum flow rate through the valve seat. A stem modulator assembly is provided to move the valve stem in response to a characterizing linkage assembly. Valve setting is provided by an indicia plate and an indicator pin supported by the valve stem.

Abstract: A metal chimney assembly with floating casing walls supported by expansion clips that allow differential expansion longitudinally and radially of banded together chimney wall sections. The clips are attached to interior flue walls and extend outwardly for engagements into retainers on inner circumferences of exterior casing walls and adjacent thereagainst for holding the casing walls in a spaced relationship with the flue walls during expansion and contraction of the chimney wall sections.

Abstract: A portable, multiple purpose drain cleaning apparatus comprising a payout drum supporting a snake hose wound thereon and supported for rotation on a portable support frame, a plurality of fluid tanks in selective fluid communication with a powered pump connected to the snake hose, and a spray hose assembly for providing a source of high pressure fluid for external cleaning operations. A valve assembly is provided for alternately directing the pressurized fluid to the snake hose or to the spray hose assembly. A pressure sensing unit communicates with the spray hose assembly for selectively activating and deactivating the power source powering the pump in response to the pressure of the fluid in the spray hose assembly. In another embodiment a valve assembly is provided to define an open flow path of the fluid during start-up of the pump.

Abstract: An improved self-loading magnetic head slider for recording and reading data on a magnetic storage disk, is characterized by the addition of aerodynamically designed wings used for lowering the slider close to the surface of the disk to a designed head-to-disk separation as the disk is rotated. The magnetic head slider does not contact the magnetic storage disk surface.

Abstract: An improved sanding and dust collecting apparatus connectable to a pneumatic powered actuator is provided which permits one to control and collect the dust and particulate residue generated during the sanding of a surface without the use of external vacuum equipment. The apparatus comprises a housing assembly attachable to and supported by the actuator assembly, an impeller blade assembly rotatably supported within the housing assembly for creating a vortex-like suction within the housing assembly when rotated by a driver spindle of the actuator, a spindle member connected to the driver spindle for rotation thereby, and a sanding disc assembly connected to and supported by the spindle for producing a sanding motion on a surface in response to actuation of the power actuator assembly.

Abstract: A water drip device used for providing intermittent or continuous watering of row crops, such as vegetables, fruits and other plants and enhancing crop growth. The water drip device is made of plastic tape adapted for burial along the length of a crop row. One end of the device is connected to a main water supply source, and the device is constructed to provide water at a reduced water pressure so that water drips or weeps into the ground adjacent a plant or plant seed to avoid soil erosion and plant damage.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting and storing recreational vehicles, such as three and four-wheeled motorcycle-type vehicles, is provided which comprises a substantially horizontally disposed lower frame assembly; wheel assemblies connected to and supporting the lower frame assembly; and an upper frame assembly spatially disposed above the lower frame assembly. The upper frame assembly is moveable between a substantially horizontally disposed first position and an angularly disposed second position. In the horizontally disposed first position the upper frame assembly is disposed a distance above the lower frame assembly so as to be substantially parallel with the lower frame assembly; and in the angularly disposed second position the upper frame assembly is angularly disposed above the first frame assembly such that a rearward end of the upper frame assembly is positioned substantially adjacent the lower frame assembly, in close proximity to a rearward end of the lower frame assembly.

Abstract: In a disk cartridge having a housing containing a rotatable data storage disk and hub assembly, the hub having a centered circular plate portion accessible through a housing aperture, a disk cover collar having a flexible removable bottom cover supported by the housing to cover the housing aperture and having an annular ring portion which provides a confinement ring for centering the hub and data storage disk as the disk cover collar flexes during normal handling of disk cartridge.

Abstract: An external axis parallel alignment sytem is provided for monitoring and adjusting the alignment of conduits employed to form substantially vertically disposed pipe strings prior to joining a conduit to a previously installed conduit so that the conduits are aligned and have a common central axis extending therethrough. The apparatus employed in the alignment of the conduits includes a signal generating unit capable of producing a signal representative of a vertical plumb line of the conduit being joined to a previously installed conduit, and a target element adapted to receive the signal from the signal generating unit. The apparatus further includes support and connecting assemblies for connecting the signal generating unit and target element to the conduits being aligned and joined.

Abstract: An improved downstacker assembly in which paperboard blanks, received from a die cutter station, are passed sequentially through a trim removal station, a feed station, a stacker assembly partially disposed in a pit, and a stack retrieval assembly. The stacker assembly is disposed in a drop chute beneath a vacuum conveyor assembly which drops the blanks from the feed station into the drop chute, assisted by an impacting assembly which selectively separates the blanks therefrom. The stacking blanks are tamped against flexible curtains on a descending elevator assembly. A stack staging assembly serves as a temporary cradle to catch the falling blanks once a predetermined stack height is achieved until the stacks can be removed via a stack retrieval assembly.

Abstract: An improved roof insulation structure and method of making the structure for greatly increasing the insulation quality of a metal building roof. The structure includes a self-supporting low to medium density thermal insulation blanket having elongated lines of weakness in the top thereof. The blanket spans the width between a pair of adjacent and parallel roof purlins with one end of the blanket folded up one side of the purlin, folded across the top of the purlin and folded down the opposite side of the purlin, thereby enclosing the top and opposite sides of the purlin. The blanket provides means for receiving a thick blanket of low density thermal insulation inside thereof and between the purlins for increasing the insulation "R" factor of the insulated roof.

Abstract: An electric motor run and brake control circuit for controlling alternating current to a three-phase motor in which the circuit is operated by a single logic level input signal. When the input signal is low, a run relay is closed and AC power is applied to the motor. When the input signal goes high, the run relay is opened and the motor is braked for a fast stop. A brake capacitor and charge resistor limit both the time during which braking current is applied and the repetition rate of braking cycles.

Abstract: A foot protector apparatus for a multi-wheeled motorcycle type recreational vehicle which substantially prevents contact of the operator's feet or legs with the rear wheels of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises a grille assembly positioned on opposing sides of the vehicle for supporting each of the operator's feet in a traveling position, and a bracket assembly for mounting each of the grille assemblies to the recreational vehicle. Each of the grille assemblies, when connected to the recreational vehicle by the bracket assembly an effective distance from the adjacent rearward wheels, prevents the passage of the operator's feet beyond a barrier plane formed by the grille assemblies.

Abstract: An expansion and length adjustment joint for use with a double walled metal chimney, the chimney having an inner flue wall and an outer casing wall, the adjustment joint having an inner sliding sleeve with a flange at one end thereof. An upper flue wall connecting band is sealingly disposed around the inner sliding sleeve flange and a flange of the inner flue wall. A gasket retaining collar is secured against the inner sliding sleeve, thus retaining a flue gas seal therealong with thermal expansion.