Abstract: An alignment device in which two plugs are rigidly fixed to the opposite ends of a spacing bar at a distance substantially equal to the distance between the inlet and outlet ports of the gas meter to be connected to the system is formed from a rust-free material such as nylon, preferably with an I-bar configuration and reinforced with fiberglass cords for strength. The riser is installed with one plug of the device mounted on the supplier riser so that, when the consumer riser is installed, it can be properly aligned with and connected to the other plug to later conform to the meter. Alternatively, the device could be installed between the risers by the consumer riser installer.

Abstract: The present invention is a clipboard which attaches by means of a lip provided on a lower edge of the clipboard to a front edge of a typical school desktop so that the clipboard lies flat against the desktop. The clipboard is provided with an upper area which is tilted either left or right with respect to the front edge of the desktop, the angle of the tilt being that required for proper paper placement for writing and the direction of the tilt being dependent upon whether the clipboard is designed for a right-handed or left-handed student. The upper area is provided with horizontal writing lines and is preferably made of an erasable material so the student can mark directly on it. A clip is provided for securing paper to the clipboard. A number line and an alphabet are also provided on the clipboard, with each numeral and each letter being provided with a dot and one or more arrows to indicate proper initial placement and proper movement of a writing instrument to correctly make the numeral or letter.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-contained hydraulic hammer which is mounted on a hydraulically mobile frame. The hydraulic hammer is capable of travelling in either forward or reverse directions and is provided with liftable weights to which a tool for digging or breaking up a surface is attached. The hydraulic hammer is equipped with time delay controls which: 1) momentarily stop the travel of the hydraulic hammer as the weights and the attached digging tool free fall from a raised position until the digging tool impacts the surface to be busted up, and 2) cause the hydraulic hammer to resume travel as the weights are again raised in preparation for another impact. The hydraulic hammer rapidly repeats these cycles of impact and travel to break up a surface. Adjustments are provided on the hydraulic hammer for regulating the force of the impact and the distance travelled between impacts in order to match the hydraulic hammer's impact and travel cycles to the break characteristics of the surface to be removed.

Abstract: A trolling motor automatic disconnect interrupts power to a trolling motor and controller from an electrical power source when the trolling motor is not in a trolling position. A relay operated switch between the trolling motor and controller and the power source connects and disconnects the trolling motor and controller to and from the power source. Contacts mounted on and inserted into and withdrawn from the water with an immersible portion of the trolling motor sense when the immersible portion of the trolling motor is disposed in the water. An inverting amplifier responsive to the status of the contacts energizes the relay to pull the switch to the connect condition when the immersible portion of the trolling motor is disposed in the water and deenergize the relay to pull the switch to the disconnect condition when the immersible portion of the trolling motor is not in the water.

Abstract: Live loading is applied on each end of both the secondary and the primary packing of a packing gland. After installing the primary packing assembly and a lantern ring, the primary packing is compressed to proper specifications. While the primary gland is so compressed, it is locked into place using lantern ring lock bolts. The secondary packing assembly and a follower are then installed. The secondary gland is also compressed to proper specifications and the follower secured in place. The lantern ring lock bolts are then removed, both internally and externally live loading the packing gland. A single assembly of the present live loaded packing can also be installed in the gland from the process side, eliminating the need for purging and resulting in a most efficient purgeless gland.

Abstract: A gas line override valve for connecting an external gas source to an operational gas line includes a sleeve having an inlet end and an outlet end adapted for series connection of the sleeve in the operational gas line, a hole through a wall of the sleeve and a coupling secured in the hole having a passage in pneumatic communication between a first port in the coupling external of the sleeve and a second port in the coupling internal of the sleeve, the second port having an annular seat along a perimeter thereof. A cage extending from the second port into the sleeve loosely contains a ball of diameter greater than the diameter of the annular seat. The cage has openings therethrough for continuous pneumatic communication between the inlet and outlet ends of the sleeve.

Abstract: A steer wrestling dummy towable by a motorized vehicle includes a body, a lower neck hinged to turn laterally on the body, an upper neck hinged to turn laterally on the lower neck in the same direction as the lower neck turns on the body and a head hinged to rotate upwardly on the upper neck. The body is mounted in an upright position on top of a support and the bottom of the support is mounted on a frame with at least two spaced apart tires for transporting the support with the body positioned laterally of and above the frame and aligned for forward movement therewith.The head, the upper and lower necks, the body and the support are biased to resist the proper training, testing and rotating motions characteristic of a steer responding to the steer wrestling technique of a cowboy.

Abstract: A computer is used to calculate the location of a target, customize the target to conform to the lens, frame and patient characteristics of each individual job and automatically compensate for parallax in the apparatus. A convenient open work surface is provided for the operator to position the lens blank on a non-skid surface. The block is applied at a constant limited force in a manual or automatic mode of operation on either frame or optical center. The offsets for positioning the lens blank are calculated within the blocker based upon frame and patient data. This data can be input directly or can be downloaded from a database. These offsets determine the location of the target relative to the optical markings on the lens blank. The amount the target is offset is scaled automatically to compensate for the fact that the lens blanks are on a work surface above the electronic display. A customized target is displayed.

Abstract: A preconditioned signal that is applied to the input of an audio power amplifier for providing a perceived control of reactance simulation (or the Damping Factor) of the amplifier. A low frequency fundamental resonance is combined with a slowly rising high frequency preemphasis to mimic or simulate an audible interaction with the impedance plot of the loudspeaker, without increasing the output impedance of the amplifier.

Abstract: A circuit for conditioning an input signal containing audio and noise components is provided in which a first circuit branch is used for deriving a first DC signal proportionate to the decibel level of high band information in the input signal and a second circuit branch is used for deriving a second DC signal proportionate to the amplitude of the input signal. A preselected maximum threshold reference is provided when the second DC signal drops below a preselected threshold and also for a predetermined time period when the second DC signal rises above the preselected threshold. The first DC signal and the maximum threshold reference are used to provide a peak detector signal input which is maintained at a level equal to the most negative level of the first DC signal when the maximum threshold reference is not provided and at a level equal to the most positive level of the first DC signal but not greater than the preselected maximum threshold reference when the maximum threshold reference is provided.

Abstract: A trap for receiving a projectile travelling along a substantially horizontal axis of travel at high velocity includes a pair of side walls, and primary, secondary and tertiary deflecting plates. The primary plate obliquely intersects the axis of travel of the projectile to downwardly deflect the projectile or particles thereof to approximately a second axis of travel. The secondary plate obliquely intersects the second axis of travel to further downwardly deflect the projectile or particles thereof to approximately a third axis of travel. The tertiary pate obliquely intersects the third axis of travel to further downwardly deflect the projectile or particles thereof to approximately a fourth axis of travel. Each deflection shows particle velocity. A bottom surface extends below the plates so that the plates, the sides and the bottom surface define a rectangular mouth for receiving the projectile and a chamber for containing the projectile or particles thereof.

Abstract: A quick disconnect pressure relief valve for a tire mounted on a rim includes a manually operated on/off valve mountable on the rim to provide a discrete pneumatic path between the tire interior and the outer atmosphere. The on/off valve is normally closed. A normally closed pressure operated valve insertable into the on/off valve opens the on/off valve to the passage of air through the inserted pressure operated valve to the exterior atmosphere. A plurality of such pressure operated valves calibrated to release air at different preselected tire pressure levels may be interchanged in the on/off valve. A latch is provided for securing the selected pressure operated valve in the manually operated on/off valve. Thus, to rapidly change the tire pressure level, the user need only insert a pressure operated valve calibrated to the desired tire pressure into the manually operated on/off valve.

Abstract: An insulated structural wall panel includes a monolithic concrete shell poured to conform to a structural reinforcing grid embedded in the shell with insulation panels fixed within the grid spaces. The layers of concrete which sandwich the insulation panels are rigidly tied together by use of tie rods extending through the insulation panel. This monolithic construction results in a lightweight panel with superior structural qualities, the concrete, the reinforcing grid and the insulation panels having been blended together into one homogeneous member. The panel may incorporate extraneous assemblies including doors, windows, vents, pipes, electrical junction boxes and the like. The reinforcing grid may also include various adaptive devices for suitable attachment of the concrete wall panel to concrete footings, floor slabs, roof members, temporary supports and the like.