Abstract: A synthetic surface, such as artificial turf, rubberized asphalt, concrete composition, particulate mixtures and the like, is applied on top of a subsurface base system, which in turn is on top of a subgrade. A liquid impervious membrane is positioned between the subgrade and the base system. The base system comprises an upper layer of sand-containing particulate material in which liquid characteristically moves in the vertical direction and a lower layer of gravel in which liquid characteristically moves well in the horizontal direction as well as downwardly. The material of the upper layer does not significantly penetrate into the gravel. The base system has a non-rutting upper surface. The non-rutting surface is accomplished by planting grass, cutting the grass at least once, and then killing the grass. The synthetic surface is then applied. A conduit system is positioned in the lower gravel layer of the base system, and a water reservoir is established in the base system.

Abstract: A rotary flooring cleaner-polisher wherein a shroud overlies a plurality of floor contacting rotating wands. The operator is able to selectively supply fluid, a vacuum or both to the area beneath the shroud permitting both application and extraction within the defined area via a hollow central drive shaft. At least one of the rotating wands which are flexibly mounted to the drive shaft includes an elongated slot along its lower surface in communication with the vacuum source such that the extaction is done through the wand and then through the drive shaft. The solution to be applied to the flooring surface may be sprayed in a general pattern beneath the shroud or in a controlled manner through the interior of one or more of the wands.

Abstract: A steel primary framing member, or truss, and concrete floor structure in which the top chord of the truss, regardless of cross-sectional configuration, is totally or at least partially embedded in the concrete to cause the concrete floor and steel truss to function together structurally as a composite system. The upper chord of the truss acts as a continuous or substantially continuous shear connector thus enabling the top chord to perform a multi-purpose function. Additionally, the top chord may be of any configuration and may be either a solid piece or contain perforations.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a tire debeading machine (10). A tire is supported on a guide apparatus (15) and raised to an operative position by the action of a support arm (21). A cutting blade (33) is moved against the sidewall of the tire, cutting off the bead. After the initial cut is made, the tire is raised slightly further by the combined action of an initially interlocking vertical arm (75), which extends from said support arm (21), and a roller (71) on an L-shaped arm (69). The further cut by blade (33) is closer to the bead. Another aspect of the invention is a granulating machine which includes three feed rollers (93) (95) (97) which feed the debeaded tires into a cylindrical cutting chamber (106). Inside the cutting chamber (106) are a plurality of rotary cutting blades (127) mounted on mounting plates (130), which cooperate with stationary cutting blades to produce granulated rubber particles and fiber particles.

Abstract: In the method, organic, i.e. carbon-containing, material, such as straw, wood chips, sawdust, or dead bacterial waste from a sewage treatment plant, is heated in a pyrolytic reactor, thereby driving off volatiles from the organic material, including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases, water vapor, and tars, while leaving charcoal (char) behind. The volatiles are then passed over a base material, such as hot char, which is at a temperature substantially above the pyrolizing temperature, e.g. 950.degree. C. and above, which causes a chemical reaction of the tars and volatiles, resulting in an output of a gaseous mixture consisting largely of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, characterized by an absence of tars. The apparatus includes a pyrolytic reactor in which an initial charge of charcoal is located. An inlet is provided for introduction of the organic material and an exit is provided for the resulting gases and ash products.

Abstract: An electronic position monitor (10) and readout device (72, 90) for trim tabs on boats in which the monitor and readout device are connected to the trim tab controls. The device is electronic and position display is based on the time required for trim tab movement. Signals from the trim tab controls produce signals from timers (62, 63) which in turn are directed to enabling circuits (58, 60). If the enabling circuits pass the timer signals, they are counted in counter circuits (44, 46) and thence directed to a decoder (64) and finally to the display panel (72-90). The display panel is arranged to show the precise angular position of the trim tabs to the boat operator.

Abstract: Hand held sharpening device for tools and instruments having single cutting edge type blades such as lawnmowers and the like. A hand grip body has a forward nose section in which is located a recess for a single blade having two sharpening edges. A retainer member attaches to the body and holds the blade in the recess. The retainer member and the cutting edges of the blade extend beyond the front end of the nose such that two sharpening slots are defined. The device is also provided with a hand guard.

Abstract: A feed tank portion (11) of a conventional shrimp processing apparatus is divided into forward (35) and rear (33) sections by an intermediate baffle (31), which extends across the full width of the feed tank (11). The baffle (31) is configured so that the rear tank section (33) can function as a feed tank for raw shrimp for the processing apparatus. A feed belt (17) moves the raw shrimp out of the rear tank section (33) to a cooker (23). The warm condensate liquid from the cooker (23) and water at ambient temperature from the sprinklers (27) at the upper end of the feed belt (17) runs off into the forward tank section (35). The water in the rear tank section (33) is continuously recirculated and maintained at a desired low temperature, with a specific concentration of chemicals, such as phosphate, if desired.

Abstract: The slide projector includes side-by-side image-projection systems and a circular slide tray, with slides passing in operation directly between the slide tray and either of two slide gates, the slide gates moving between a first position in which slides are acquired and released, and a second position in which slides are projected onto a screen. A slide lifter, a slide tray lock, slide clamps on each slide gate, and the slide gates are operated in a particular sequence relative to the movement of the slide tray to insure proper handling of the slides in the projector. The slide tray fits on a central hub which in turn is independently driven. Sensors are provided to continuously detect the position of the lifter, the slide gates, and the slide tray. A front end assembly which incorporates lenses which move laterally and vertically, with the longitudinal axes of the lenses remaining parallel at all times, provides precise image alignment, including image overlap and separation.

Abstract: Decorative and ornamental hanging and mounting system for art work, graphics and the like utilizing a fabric base material, a cloth edging material and decorative edge strips together with a decorative hanging means at the upper edge of and a decorative weighted member at the lower end of the base fabric both of which weights are detachably secured to the base fabric.

Abstract: Electrical power at microwave frequencies produced by solar cells or similar devices on satellite stations in space is phase modulated prior to its being beamed to earth. At the receiving station on earth, the power in the beamed signal is recovered at the modulation frequency. In the first embodiment, the microwave signal from the power originating device drives a circularly polarized antenna; the modulation is achieved by reversing the phase of the drive signals so that the polarization of the propagated wave alternates between right hand and left hand polarization at a 360 Hertz rate. On earth, the detected outputs of the receiving antennas are combined in such a manner to produce a 60 Hertz three phase power signal. In the second embodiment, the microwave signal drives two orthogonal, linearly polarized antennas; the modulation is achieved by gradually changing the phase of the microwave drive signals so that the polarization of the propagated wave rotates at a 60 Hertz rate.

Abstract: The slide projector includes a side-by-side image-projection systems and a circular slide tray, with slides passing in operation directly between the slide tray and either of two slide gates, the slide gates moving between a first position in which slides are acquired and released, and a second position in which slides are projected onto a screen. A slide lifter, a slide tray lock, slide clamps on each slide gate, and the slide gates are operated in a particular sequence relative to the movement of the slide tray to insure proper handling of the slides in the projector. The slide tray fits on a central hub which in turn is independently driven. Sensors are provided to continuously detect the position of the lifter, the slide gates, and the slide tray. A front end assembly which incorporates lenses which move laterally and vertically, with the longitudinal axes of the lenses remaining parallel at all times, provides precise image alignment, including image overlap and separation.

Abstract: A satellite in geosynchronous orbit includes a source of signal illumination which is directed toward the earth, covering a given area thereof. An airborne vehicle, such as a missile, traveling over the area covered by the signal illumination from the satellite, includes a first antenna for receiving an incident set of signals from the satellite directly, and a second antenna for receiving the same signals from the satellite after they have been reflected from the earth's surface, referred to as a reflected set of signals. The altitude of the airborne vehicle may be ascertained by comparing the relative times at which the two sets of signals are received at the airborne vehicle, while the remaining location information, referred to as ground map information, may be ascertained by first determining range and angle data from the reflected signals and then comparing that data with ground map data stored aboard the airborne vehicle.

Abstract: A signal source in the form of a 60 Hz voltage generator provides a 12 volt peak-to-peak signal to the primary winding of a transformer which has a secondary winding with upper and lower leads and a center tap lead. The voltage between the center tap lead and each of the upper and lower leads is 6 volts when the secondary winding is not loaded. A 5 ohm resistor is connected between the upper lead and ground, while the lower lead is connected to a first test lead. The other test lead is connected to ground. In operation, the test leads are placed across the junction of the semiconductor to be tested. The junction of the lower lead and the first test lead is connected to the input of a first amplifier, the output of which is applied to one of the horizontal deflection plates of an oscilloscope.

Abstract: Continuous paper sorter mechanism in which a receiver section is comprised of at least two columns of inclined side-by-side stacks of paper storage bins or shelves with entrances for receiving paper sheets from the feeder. The receiver is mounted for lateral movement relative to a feeder mechanism, such that the bin entrances move past the feeder in a generally vertical plane. The feeder has an in-feed conveyor which takes paper from a copy making device such as a press or duplicating machine and feeds the sheets of paper either to an intermediate downwardly inclined conveyor or onto an intermediate upwardly inclined conveyor, depending on whether the feeder is distributing paper sheets from the top or from the bottom. Sheets from the intermediate conveyors in turn are transported to a generally vertically disposed, reversible feeder conveyor.

Abstract: A dispenser for use with bulk containers of milk or other refrigerated liquid products having a gravity feed, dispensing nozzle extending from the bottom of a bladder or other liquid container. The valve, through the use of an articulated linkage, serves to both open and close the flexible nozzle and further to retract the nozzle and the liquid contained therein up into the refrigerated main storage area. A basket pivotally mounted upon a track system receives the bladder and is capable of both pivoting about a horizontal axis and moving outwardly with respect to the box to permit easy removal and replacement of the liquid containing bladder.

Abstract: The cylindrical lens eccentrically mounted to a rotating shaft having a predetermined RPM for reciprocal movement in front of the laser beam generating and projecting a visually continuous line perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: The geometric pattern for the support framework is obtained by projecting a subdivided icosahedron onto a parabolic surface. The resulting framework has forty primary planar triangular faces or sections, each of which are, in the embodiment shown, subdivided equally into 4 secondary planar triangular sections. At the dead center of the framework pattern is the outline of a pentagon, formed of five equal-size triangular sections. The framework terminates in a rim which lies completely in a single plane. Triangular reflecting members, which comprise the reflecting surface portion of the apparatus, are supported interiorly of the framework by standoff elements. Intermediate along each edge of the reflecting members is a tensioning element which bends the reflecting member so that the intermediate edge points, as well as the vertices of each reflecting member, lie on the surface of an imaginary paraboloid, the reflecting members thus approximating a parabolic curve.

Abstract: The system includes an elongated support structure positioned substantially central of the carrier missile, wherein the support structure includes a gas-actuated piston-like device which moves between a start position and an extended position. A series of elongated launch tubes, in which submissiles are positioned, are arranged around, and parallel to, the support structure. The forward end of each launch tube is pivotally connected to the central support structure. The other end of each launch tube is connected to the piston-like device through levers which are hinged at both ends, so that as the piston-like device moves, the rear end of the launch tubes move radially relative to the support structure, so that the launch tubes are at an angle relative to the carrier missile. In this position, the submissiles in the launch tubes may be ejected rearwardly of the carrier missile by an explosive charge or similar means.

Abstract: A motorcycle helmet having a modified exterior configuration to attenuate noise generated when passing through the air. The modified helmet begins flaring outwardly from the traditional helmet configuration at a point adjacent to the chin of the wearer, terminates at a location generally behind the ear of the wearer and is spaced from the exterior shell of the helmet at the central portion of the rearward edge. The trailing edge of the sound attentuating device is open so that the wearer retains the ability to hear noises from behind and beside him.