Abstract: The present invention involves a central pivot assembly for a self-propelled, center-pivot irrigation system. The assembly includes an hydraulic slip ring arrangement, a pivot arrangement, and a support arrangement for the pivot pipe of the irrigation system. The hydraulic slip arrangement includes first and second concentrically positioned rings which permit hydraulic fluid to continuously flow along out and return paths between a stationary source and the moving, pivot pipe. The pivot arrangement of the present invention includes a pivot bar, sleeve member slideably positioned about the pivot bar and fixedly secured to the pivot pipe, and pillow blocks which slideably receive the ends of the pivot bar. This arrangement allows the pivot pipe to move in vertical planes to accommodate the up and down motion of the distribution pipe as it revolves about the central axis of the system.

Abstract: A solar heat collector having an elongated housing, a segmented absorber plate, inlet and outlet header pipes fluidly connected by a plurality of riser pipes for conducting heat transfer fluid through the collector, multilayered insulation for minimizing heat losses from the collector and at least one segmented, arcuate transparent cover for allowing passage of solar radiation therethrough while isolating the interior of the collector from the elements. The multilayered insulation is constructed so as to withstand temperatures of about 400.degree. F. without any attendant thermal degradation.

Abstract: A transport system for a dot matrix printing mechanism including an improved overall design for the transport system and improved designs for individual elements of the system and combinations of elements. The overall design of the present invention uses snap fits extensively throughout for ease of assembly and disassembly, integrates many previously separate parts into one-piece members, employs common part designs wherever possible, and uses single parts to perform multiple functions wherever possible. For examples, the strike bar and ribbon frame of the present invention are combined into one piece and the ribbon cartridge is releasably mounted to the ribbon frame using one end of a latch member while the other end of the latch member is used to bias a pressure roller against the paper advancing roller. The overall design also includes a common drive train interconnected between the moving parts of the transport system whereby all of the moving parts can be powered by a single motor.

Abstract: A highly efficient class-B current source audio amplifier with little heat generation having one amplifier half fixedly biased with the other amplifier half slave biased to the first. Each amplifier half contains a tandem chain of unmatched transistors. The first amplifier half has separate ambient and load temperature controls to substantially minimize distortion due to any change in the operating characteristics of the transistor chains and to substantially minimize the possibility of power transistor failures due to overheating.

Abstract: A specialty hand tool primarily for removing upholstery trim buttons from their spring steel retainers in an efficient and effective manner without destroying the ability of the retainers to be reused immediately. The tool has two elongated members pivotally mounted to each other in a general plier configuration. One of the opposing jaw members of the tool has a substantially flat surface with a dimple therein for engaging the apex of the trim button stud. The second jaw member is bifurcated into two, free-standing portions which straddle the shaft of the trim button stud. The second jaw members has first and second generally U-shaped edges of different sizes which are spaced from each other with the larger of the two edges being positioned closer to the first jaw member. An inclined surface extends between the two U-shaped edges giving the second jaw member an overall appearance of a horseshoe-shaped or open-ended sport's arena when viewed head on.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively adjusting the stiffness of a ski using prestressed, curved rod members. The rod members are positioned lengthwise of the ski in bores and the stiffness of the ski can be selectively adjusted by rotating the rod members about their longitudinal axes. For a stiff ski, each rod member is rotated so that the prestressed curve faces upwardly and for a soft ski, each rod member is rotated so that the prestressed curve faces downwardly. By rotating the rod members between these extremes, intermediate degrees of stiffness can be obtained. One or more rod members can be used and when plural rod members are used, the stiffness of the ski can be adjusted both lengthwise and crosswise. Indicating means are provided for showing the rotational position of each rod. The rod members can be placed directly in drilled out bores in the ski, in drilled out bores of a housing which can then be inserted in the ski, or in tubes mounted within or atop the ski.

Abstract: The present invention involves a portable taping tool for applying tape over joints in wallboard, sheet rock, gypsum board, drywall, and the like. The taping tool has a main frame which has a dispensing chamber for joint compound, a mounting for a roll of tape, main rollers, a second roller, and a tape cutting blade. In one embodiment, the second roller is a corner roller that not only creases the tape but also squares it in the corner. In another embodiment, the second roller is a substantially cylindrical roller which has a slightly concave shape to its working surface. The cylindrical, second roller is used to apply tape over flat joints and its slightly concave shape serves to concentrate the joint compound towards the middle of the tape so that joint compound will be more evenly distributed when the tape is wiped down. The second roller of each of these embodiments can be rigidly supported in a forward, extended position or spring biased in a forward, extended position.

Abstract: A method for installing solar collector panels as part of the roof of a building. Chalk lines are scribed on the roof to define the center of each vertical roof joist and to define the upper and lower extremes of the roof over which the solar collector panels are to be mounted. Upper and lower mounting brackets are aligned along the upper and lower horizontal scribed chalk lines and are attached through the roof to the joists as determined by the vertical chalk lines. Vertical rails are then mounted between the upper and lower brackets, aligned over the vertically scribed lines and mounted to the joists. One or a plurality of the solar collector panels are then installed between the vertical rails and between the upper and lower brackets. Cover and weather sealing plates are then installed to protect the mounting system and the solar collector panels from the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a surface using a high velocity stream or streams of cleaning fluid. The high velocity stream or streams issue from one or more nozzles that are moving at a high velocity relative to the surface to be cleaned. In a preferred embodiment, three nozzles are mounted to a common hub member with two of the nozzles directed at the carpet so that they tend to move the hub member in a first direction about the axis of rotation. The third nozzle is directed at the carpet so that it tends to move the hub member about the axis of rotation in a second direction opposite to the first. The first two nozzles determine the direction of rotation and the third nozzle is then moved relative to the surface so that the velocity imparted to the stream issuing from the third nozzle because of its motion adds to the existing velocity of the stream due to the high pressure alone of the source of the cleaning fluid. This embodiment has been found to work particularly well on carpets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces using a high velocity stream or streams of cleaning fluid. The high velocity stream or streams issue from one or more nozzles that are moving at a high velocity relative to the surface to be cleaned and are directed at the surface at an inclined angle thereto. In one embodiment, the source of cleaning fluid is under a high pressure of about 200 to 700 pounds per square inch and the nozzles are moving in a direction so that the velocity imparted to the issuing stream by each moving nozzle adds to the already high velocity of the stream due to the high pressure alone of the source of cleaning fluid. In another embodiment, two nozzles are rotated at a high velocity about an axis perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned with each nozzle being directed at a different area of the surface and having a different flow rate, angle of inclination to the surface, spray pattern, and/or spraying arc.

Abstract: This invention involves a windmill apparatus and method of operation therefor. The windmill has a mirror-image pair of blade assemblies mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis. Each blade assembly has a vortex creating or directing means positioned substantially thereabout which serves to channel the incoming wind about the horizontal axis to create a vortex of whirling winds. The creation of the vortex intensifies the driving force of the incoming wind to increase the rotational velocity of each blade assembly and the efficiency of the windmill. A common aligning means for the pair of blade assemblies serves to continuously align the windmill into the incoming wind with the horizontal, rotational axis of each blade assembly substantially perpendicular to the direction of the incoming wind.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring density fluctuations in a spiralling flow within a hydrocyclone. The invention involves the use of a nuclear density gauge which directs a beam of radiation asymmetrically across the hydrocyclone away from the centrally located air column. This air column within the hydrocyclone is created by the spiralling or cyclonic action of the flow and exists when the hydrocyclone is in operation. In a preferred embodiment, the flow is particulate solids in a carrier liquid such as water which has a substantially constant specific gravity so that the fluctuations in the intensity of the radiation received at the detector are inversely proportional to the amount of particulate solids in the flow. In one embodiment, the radiation is directed along a path substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the hydrocyclone and in another embodiment, the radiation is directed along a path at an inclined angle to the axis.

Abstract: An animal behavioral control device having a microphone responsive to both ambient noise around the animal and to emitted sound from the animal such as barking for extending an electrical signal corresponding only to the emitted sound and a vibrating apparatus being activated in the presence of the electrical signal for vibrating the area of the animal's neck nearest the vocal cords to cause the animal to be distracted either in a first range of preferred vibration in a first embodiment of the invention, or to swallow in a second range of preferred vibration in a second embodiment of the invention thereby substantially preventing the animal from emitting the barking sound.

Abstract: The invention involves solar energy collecting units and a system for mounting such units on a support surface. Each unit has a solar radiation collecting panel through which a heat transferring fluid such as water can pass. Each panel can be connected to the panel of adjacent units so that the heat transferring fluid can pass among a series of units as it is being heated. A tapered fluid inlet manifold is provided at one end of the solar collecting panel with a similar tapered fluid outlet manifold at the opposite end. An inlet tube is in communication with the inlet manifold and an outlet tube is in communication with the outlet manifold. Male-female couplings are provided about the respective inlet and outlet tubes so that adjacent solar collecting units can be easily and quickly connected. The tapered manifolds allow the fluid to drain quickly and completely out of whichever end of the collector panel is lower when the panel is not in use.

Abstract: An air transfer system for conveying air from the heater-air conditioner of a vehicle to the interior of an accessory such as a camper, trailer, and the like attached to the vehicle. The air transfer system includes a main conduit that is attached at one end to the air spreader of the heater-air conditioner of the vehicle to receive conditioned air therefrom. In one embodiment, the main conduit is positioned under or over the front seat of the vehicle and the other end of it passed through a hole in the back window of the vehicle and mounted to an adaptor positioned adjacent a hole in the front window of the camper. In two of the embodiments, the ends of the main conduit have collars that are slideably receivable within adaptors mounted to the air spreader and the window of either the vehicle of the camper. A third embodiment has a collar mounted around the main conduit adjacent its second end.

Abstract: A postural drainage device for supporting a patient comfortably in a position in which mucus and other matter can drain by gravity from his respiratory system. The invention includes a first embodiment which is portable and collapsible and assumes a substantially A-shape when in use. The two side members of the A-shape are pivotally mounted to each other adjacent the apex of the A-shape and provided with an adjustable knee support mounted on one of the side members, a pair of spaced-apart hand grips positioned adjacent the apex of the A-shape, and a pair of adjustable shoulder supports mounted in a spaced-apart relationship on the other side member with a hole cut through that side member into the interior of the A-shape providing access to a tray placed on the transverse member of the A-shape. The hand grips extend slightly above the apex of the A-shape to help maintain the patient therebetween on the apex.

Abstract: An energy demand controller having a sensor for measuring the instantaneous power being delivered to a building, a thumb wheel switch for preselecting a power limit for use in the building, and circuitry for comparing the instantaneous power to the power limit and to switch off power to various heating zones within the building in order to maintain the instantaneous power below the preselected power limit. The control circuitry includes a cycling circuit only operative when the instantaneous power exceeds the measured power to deactivate a sufficient number of heater circuits in order to drop the instantaneous power below the preselected power limit for a predetermined time interval only. At the end of the predetermined time period, the deactivated heater circuits are turned back on. If the instantaneous power still exceeds the preselected power limit, then other zone heaters of sufficient number are likewise deactivated in a second predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A shot compressor device for use in a shotgun cartridge containing shot wherein in a first embodiment or wad includes an upstanding tube centrally disposed on the bottom wall and parallel to the side walls of the cartridge with the shot being disposed in an area defined between the tube and the side walls above the bottom wall and wherein the tube is capable of being collapsed and compressed inwardly when the cartridge is fired by a shotgun. A collar for use in a shotgun cartridge containing shot having a cylinder integral with the base of the tube with an outer diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cartridge wherein the cylinder is disposed between the shot and the cartridge and a plurality of flaps radially extending inwardly from the upper edge of the cylinder with each of the flaps being oriented above the upper surface of the shot wherein the flaps cooperate to prevent the shot from abrading the interior surface of a shotgun when the cartridge is fired.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of material in a duct such as a pipeline, outlet of a cyclone, nozzle and the like. The assembly is particularly suitable for controlling spiralling flows and includes a plurality of elongated valve members pivotally mounted at a first end to a support. Each valve member has at least two elongated and substantially planar sides extending from the first end to a second end. The two planar sides are joined to form a leading edge. The valve members are supported in an overlapping relationship and a mechanism closes the valve assembly by moving the second ends of the valve members toward each other. As the valve assembly closes, the leading edge of each valve member pivots about an axis and moves in a path along a plane extending radially from the axis of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve cover for an upstanding pipe leading to a buried valve. The valve cover has a clamping portion and a lid portion. The clamping portion includes a C-shaped member with back portions that abut each other when the C-shaped member is secured about the pipe. Each back portion has first and second sections which meet at a substantially right angle and the two, abutting back portions form a substantially U shape. The lid portion is pivotably mounted to the clamping portion and has a first, circular section and a tail section extending at an angle therefrom. The tail section is received within the U shape formed by the back portions and has two, axially aligned arm members extending outwardly therefrom. The arm membes are received in a pair of axially aligned holes in the back portions to form a hinge. A resilient latching arrangement allows the lid portion to be quickly and easily opened and closed.