Abstract: A temperature actuated foundation ventilator comprises a rectangular housing with top, bottom and side walls, air permeable screens on the front and rear walls, a plurality of louvers extending between the side walls and a bi-metallic element for actuating the louvers into closed position in cold weather and into open position in hot weather. The bi-metallic element is exposed to the ambient temperature exteriorly of the housing and at the same time enclosed within a protective cover which includes means for positively supporting the bi-metallic element in operative position. Movement of the bi-metallic element responsive to changes in temperature causes corresponding movement of a control link connected to the bi-metallic element exteriorly of the housing and extending into the housing and into pivotal engagement with each of a plurality of louvers journaled in opposed side walls of the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a solar heater which may function as a humidifier and which has a reflector that is constructed to provide a window, and external thermal insulation. The window has a cover that is positioned to transmit solar radiation to the reflector. The top portion of the reflector has an opening, and a container is removably positioned in the opening. The reflector has a geometry that reflects a high percentage of solar energy to the container, which has a surface with high absorptance. The container has a removable lid for confining heat within the container for certain functions, such as boiling water or drying clothes. When used as a humidifier, the container is filled with water and the lid is removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plastic pipe fitting having a connecting portion for attachment to another fitting and a joining portion to be fuse bonded to a length of pipe, whereby successive lengths of plastic pipe may be releasably connected. The connecting portion consists only of plastic suitably reinforced to increase its mechanical strength, primarily the flexural modules above the flexural modulus of the joining portion of the fitting and compatible with the flexural modulus of a mechanical couplings to provide a reliably effective connection between adjoining pipe lengths. The connecting portion of the pipe lengths desirably shaped to conform with the configuration of a conventional coupling commonly used to connect metallic pipe lengths.

Abstract: An ornamental display container comprising a pair of hollow housing sections and a connecting ring for releasably joining the housing sections together to define a closed container. In one embodiment of the invention the assembled housing is a ball and the connecting ring comprises a circular rib with opposed outwardly extending flanges extending from opposite sides of the rib to frictionally receive and retain the housing sections. An inner portion of the rib projects inwardly from the flanges to define an annular support for two and three dimensional objects selectively displayed on the annular support.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel method and means for carbonating liquids in the container from which the liquids are served to the consumer with a minimum of carbonating gas and for maintaining and enhancing carbonation of the remaining liquid without expensive regulatory apparatus after withdrawal of a portion of the carbonated liquid. Inherent in the means and method to induce and regulate carbonation, the invention provides both means and method for regulating or substantially limiting the maximum volume of liquid introduced into the carbonation chamber as well as a means and method to purge air from the carbonation chamber. According to the invention, a fixed volume vessel and a dynamic capacity carbonating chamber, a pump and relief valves enable consistent carbonation and regulation of the carbonating pressure prior to and following dispensing of carbonated liquids while utilizing a finite, minimum quantity of carbonating gas.

Abstract: High purity water distribution systems are purged and disinfected by incorporating an outlet purge line into the conventional recirculating loop of the prior art. The purge line communicates with each outlet opening of the high purity water system and means are provided for intermittently and sequentially purging the outlets.

Abstract: A simulated belt buckle adapted for use with a belt including means for releasably connecting its ends when encircling the waist of a wearer, said simulated belt buckle including a decorative plate portion and an appendage which may be in the form of a knife, a retaining stud extending inwardly from the inner surface of the plate, one end of said belt having a hole for reception of said retaining stud and a sheath having an opening adjacent said one end of the belt to receive the knife or other appendage on the simulated belt buckle, and means pivotally connecting the plate and knife for movement relative to each other, whereby a single manual movement will pivot the plate outwardly to remove the retaining stud from the hole and withdraw the knife from the sheath.

Abstract: A barbecue oven including a housing containing a rotatable meat holder, a fire shield beneath the rotatable meat holder, at least one fluid containing compartment above the fire shield, a foraminated tray beneath the fire shield for supporting a desired wood to produce smoke for flavoring the meat, means beneath the foraminated tray for supporting combustion, and flues above the rotatable meat support providing communication between the interior of the housing and the atmosphere. The above described parts are arranged in relatively close relation to each other to provide the optimum smoke, heat and moisture for cooking the meat, whereby a large quantity of meat may be cooked with optimum flavor in a minimum length of time.

Abstract: A combined chimney cover and damper comprising an elongated sleeve having a closed end defining the cover and an open end supported within the chimney, support means extending laterally from the sleeve and engageable with the top of the chimney to support and maintain the cover and damper in operative relation to the chimney, at least one aperture in the sleeve between the support means and the closed end of the sleeve, a damper normally resiliently urged upwardly within the sleeve against its closed end to cover the aperture, and means for moving the damper across the aperture to establish communication between the interior of the chimney and the atmosphere. The cover preferably includes a flange spaced horizontally outwardly from and at least partially overlapping the aperture to protect it against wind blown rain and snow.

Abstract: A powered wrench for connecting links of pipe, the wrench including means for operatively engaging a length of pipe with a power driven toothed roller to rotate the pipe in a desired direction. The wrench includes idler rolls for applying supporting and smoothing pressure to the pipe responsive to the actuation of pressure applying means carried by the wrench.

Abstract: Lumber cutting attachments for use with a portable chain saw comprising a depth gauge or tip bracket for making a preliminary guide channel longitudinally of a lot to be cut into lumber, a stabilizing bracket including means for following the guide channel and directing the saw chain into the channel, and a guide bracket for cutting lengths of lumber of a desired width. The invention includes the method of cutting straight lengths of lumber from a log with a chain saw utilizing a chalk line to delineate the path of the guide channel.

Abstract: A hydraulically operable elevator having a vertically reciprocable cab suspended from an overhead structure by differential hydraulic piston systems which are responsive to introduction of hydraulic fluid to decrease the overall length of the differential pistons causing the cab to ascend, and which are responsive to withdrawal of hydraulic fluid from the piston assemblies to increase the overall length of the differential pistons, allowing the cab to descend. Only one differential piston assembly is required on each side of the transverse axis of the cab to increase its stability and to provide maximum cross-sectional area for the interior of the cab.

Abstract: A preform of a resilient thermoplastic polymeric material is first fabricated then folded into a complex tubular shape corresponding to the shape of a pipe fitting, heated while in said configuration to soften said polymeric material, and then cooled while maintained in said configuration.

Abstract: A pivoted stop motion particularly adapted for each of a plurality of ends of sliver or the like is operatively associated with a rotatable guide for sliver having little tensile strength to stop the drawing frame if an end of sliver breaks or becomes slack. An electrically charged contact rod extends over a row of pivoted sensors perpendicularly to the path of the sliver, the several ends of which are separated from each other by discs fixed to a rotatable shaft. Breakage of an end of sliver causes its corresponding sensor to engage the contact rod to stop the machine.

Abstract: Closing the toe opening of a stocking, or the end of a tube by providing a two ply welt defining the toe pocket, and constricting the fabric of at least one of said plys about the axis of the toe opening to obstruct the same. The constriction or gathering of the fabric is effected by winding a thread about the fabric. The knitting of the stocking and the welt and the closing of the opening are carried out automatically, as an integrated operation and on a single machine.A stocking, the toe pocket of which is defined by a two ply welt having an end opening, said opening being closed by gathering fabric there-across.

Abstract: A method for producing double knit fabric of a given gauge (usually fine gauge) with an inlay of a coarser gauge yarn on a knitting machine with two needle beds. One side of the fabric is formed of only relatively fine gauge yarn and the relatively coarser inlay yarn is confined to the other or surface side of the fabric. Selected needles in one of the needle beds are replaced by drive elements. The inlay yarn is laid in by an inlay wheel driven in synchronization with the needle bed by said drive elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading tobacco into containers and for loading containers of tobacco into barns having a guide for facilitating evenly distributed loading of tobacco in containers, and structure for rotating the container from a first loading position to a second curing position. The container can be rotated 90.degree. and positioned on wheeled tracks within a loading fixture and which align with corresponding wheeled tracks within a tobacco barn adapted to receive filled containers of tobacco for curing.

Abstract: A plurality of machines, such as circular hosiery machines, are controlled at preselected times during a knitting cycle by a central control unit. Each machine includes, in addition to the needle cylinder, a revolutions counter and angular position detector cooperatively connected to the cylinder, as well as actuators which change or vary the operations performed on the article by the cylinder. If desired a size-change unit may be provided for each machine to vary the sizes of the body, leg, and foot of articles produced. A cyclical switching generator successively and individually feeds information from the angular detector and revolutions counter into a central control unit from each machine as well as feeding information from the central control unit to the actuators of each machine, so that, for any position and after a prescribed number of revolutions of each machine, prescribed knitting functions may be directed.

Abstract: A continuous tubular one-piece panty hose is formed on a circular knitting machine, wherein the waist opening extends transversely of the direction of knitting and is surrounded by a reinforced elastic section with stitches that resist raveling or breakdown.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the forming of a continuous tubular one-piece panty hose on a circular knitting machine wherein the waist opening extends transversey of the direction of knitting and the marginal edges of the waist opening are at least partly finished with a tubular welt construction.