Abstract: A rail conversion module for a tractor allowing the tractor to be driven either on the ground or on railroad tracks wherein a hinged module frame fits under the tractor with front rail wheels on a frame front section being attached to the tractor and adapted to be raised for ground travel or lowered for rail travel and driven rear rail wheels on a frame rear section which by a hinge mounting can be raised for ground travel or lowered for rail travel.

Abstract: A water activated chiming device wherein a clapper floats on a stream of water spiraling upwardly out of an open upper end of a vertical pipe so that the clapper is randomly turned and moved laterally by the water to strike adjacent chime elements.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module capable of being oriented by hand with respect to the sun, including an infinitely adjustable stand system for locating the module at its optimum orientation with respect to the sun and a multi-volt controller for regulating the power flow between the module and one or more powered devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a bag on and alongside a barrel wherein an upper frame attachable to the barrel holds an upper opening of the bag, a lower frame attachable to the barrel supports the bottom of the bag, and a spanner element connects the upper and lower frames.

Abstract: An improvement in the making of a rectangular envelope by folding adjoining triangular corner flaps on a rectangular sheet, and also in the resulting envelopes themselves and the blank sheets from which they are made, whereby certain sheet edge sections on each pair of adjoining triangular flaps become exactly aligned and partially coincident and an overlap of the last-folded closure flap is of uniform width throughout its length, all by application of particular mathematical formulae.

Abstract: In intravenous fluid injection wherein a syringe needle and surrounding sheath are inserted into a vein so that blood flows through the needle into a transparent hollow push-pull element fixed on the needle remote from its point to indicate proper vein insertion, and the needle is then withdrawn from the sheath and from a vial on the end of the sheath through an opening in the vial so that blood back-flows into the vial before intravenous fluid is introduced through the vial and sheath into the vein, apparatus for preventing blood leakage from the vial opening wherein the opening is covered with an elastomeric diaphragm through which the needle is initially pierced and which resiliently self-seals when the needle is withdrawn therefrom, and further wherein intravenous fluid is introduced through a port in the vial separate from the opening covered by the diaphragm, the vial having a substantially fixed volume which remains substantially unchanged during operation, so that upon withdrawal of the needle from th

Abstract: A method for transporting a flexible resilient strip longitudinally within a processing station so that a nominally curved lateral cross section of the strip is substantially flattened wherein the strip is advanced along an arcuate path to bend longitudinally and by that bending cause the nominally curved lateral cross section to collapse to a substantially flat lateral cross section without longitudinal tensioning of the strip.

Abstract: These gloves are capable of preventing motor vehicle operators from falling asleep at the wheel, a dangerous condition that happens to frequently. With strategically placed pressure sensors in the lining of the glove, a driver's grasp force on the steering wheel is monitored and an alarm system activated when pressure readings fall outside of accepted range. Communication between left glove and right gloves allows for control of the steering wheel with either hand.

Abstract: A clip device for holding together a plurality of spaced plastic conduits containing optical fibers wherein one-piece first and second cover members are assembled about the conduits with integral male connectors fitted within female slots in the respective cover members to hold them snugly together.

Abstract: A chime activated by a clock to sound a pleasing sound every hour, by attaching a clock to an electrical controller that operates a striker mechanism. The striker mechanism, comprising a striker ball that strikes the chime elements when rotated provides an uniquely pleasing sound. The invention also includes means of disconnecting the sound independent of clock operations as well as chime activation for a varying period or a varying number of striker rotations to provide auditory indication of the time.

Abstract: In an intravenous catheter wherein a syringe needle and surrounding sheath are inserted into a vein so that blood flows through the needle into a transparent hollow push-pull element fixed on the needle remote from its point to indicate proper vein insertion, and the needle is then withdrawn from the sheath and from a vial on the end of the sheath so that blood back-flows into the vial before intravenous fluid is introduced through a side port in the vial into the vein, the vial opening being covered with an elastomeric diaphragm through which the needle is initially pierced and which self-seals when the needle is withdrawn therefrom, the improvement of a protective enclosure for the needle wherein a housing attachable to the vial surrounds the push-pull element so that the point of the needle is enclosed within that housing when the needle is withdrawn through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A composite elastomeric article for cushioning or mounting purposes including a mass substantially of tacky rubbery solid microspheres formed by suspension polymerization and agglomerated together in substantial contact with one another.

Abstract: In snowmaking apparatus having a fan which forces air through a tubular housing, an improved nucleator assembly wherein an air-water mixture is injected at an angle into the airstream close to the downstream side of the fan and remote from the housing outlet from nozzles on vanes designed to create turbulence and wherein the air-water mixture for the nucleator is formed in a multi-passage mixing block on the exterior of the housing with the pressure of both the air and water regulated.

Abstract: A coolness storage system for a closed loop refrigeration system having a fixed capacity compressor wherein a phase change material (PCM) in a plurality of chambers around conduit runs arranged in parallel in an evaporator in the system alternately freezes and thaws to modulate the cooling effect on process air flow through the evaporator when the compressor is not operating and to extend the duration of compressor off time.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module capable of being oriented by hand with respect to the sun including an electrically activated display device for generating a visual informational display which indicates at least the power generating effectiveness of the module for its instantaneous orientation with respect to the sun, and an array of photovoltaic cells for generating a first power output for a load and a second power output for activating the display device and a third power output signal for the display device indicating the power generating effectiveness of the module.

Abstract: In a dental unit which includes various devices, one being a dental handpiece, through which water and a lubricant-disinfectant solution passes, a water line flushing and disinfecting system wherein by an arrangement of double outlet and double inlet two-way valves pressurized air can expel all water and any loose material from the water lines and the devices, then pressurized air can expel the solution through the water lines and devices to disinfect them, and finally the solution can be expelled by the pressurized air through the water lines and devices.

Abstract: For use with a waste bin containing at least one bag for receiving a particular type of waste material, a bag engagement system for opening and closing the bag which includes an axially rotatable elongated gripper element for releasably gripping an edge portion of the bag, the bag being opened and closed by moving the gripper element back and forth over the opening of the bin, the gripper element capable of being locked to prevent its rotation so that the weight of the bag contents increases the grip of the gripper element on the bag edge portion.

Abstract: In a vapor compression refrigeration system an improvement for isolating the compressor from work on a substantial component of refrigerant flashing to vapor upstream of the evaporator, wherein refrigerant liquid from the condenser is collected in a holding vessel from which it is intermittently emptied into an expansion device thereby generating flash vapor in the holding vessel which is prevented from passing through the expansion device and evaporator for return to the compressor.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module capable of being oriented by hand with respect to the sun including an electrically activated liquid crystal display device for generating a visual informational display which indicates at least the power generating effectiveness of the module for its instantaneous orientation with respect to the sun, and an array of photovoltaic cells for generating a first power output for a load and a second power output for activating the liquid crystal display device and a third power output signal for the liquid crystal display device indicating the power generating effectiveness of the module.

Abstract: There is disclosed a recliner having back and seat portions connected by a hinge and supported on a base for progressive relative adjustment between a bed configuration in which back and seat portions are substantially aligned and horizontal and a chair configuration in which the back is raised and the hinge drops during the progressive adjustment so as to maintain the centre of gravity of recliner and occupant substantially at constant height whereby to facilitate adjustment by an occupant, the back being pivoted on the base at a pivot position spaced from the hinge, the pivot position being adjustable towards and away from the hinge to adjust the recliner to accomodate occupants of different body weights.