Abstract: A device for aligning flat bottomed rolls, in particular hotdog rolls, comprises a plurality of elongated parallel stalls for receiving flat bottomed rolls, a first conveyor movable over at least a portion of the stalls for distributing rolls into the stalls in a random manner, a second conveyor movable in a feed direction parallel to the stalls, under the stalls, for conveying rolls along the stalls, a third conveyor movalbe transversely to the feed direction over the second conveyor and under the stalls for flipping the rolls. The third conveyor has a friction surface which engages the rolls and causes them to roll until a flat bottom of the rolls engage the third conveyor. The friction surface is insufficient to thereafter rotate the rolls further. Drive motors are connected to the first, second and third conveyor. Each of the rolls in the stalls are thus rotated in a properly aligned upright position in which they can be transfered to a packing device.

Abstract: A roll slicer device having an endless belt with an upper run movable in a feed direction, including a fixed skid plate having a smooth lower surface spaced above said upper run and extending in the feed direction. The device also having a slicer horizontally movable in a space between the skid plate and the upper run for slicing a roll supplied between the skid plate and the upper run.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder Stirling engine comprises a stationary casing, working fluid, at least one heat source, a first heat exchanger for carrying the working fluid and for transferring heat from the heat source to the working fluid thereby raising the working fluid's temperature, and an output shaft rotatably supported by the stationary casing, which provides reaction surface members in at least one chamber where the working fluid is allowed to expand as the reaction members are allowed to move with respect to the casing. A bi-directional flow regenerator with two chambers, a second heat exchanger for further lowering the temperature of the working fluid to a predetermined temperature, and a compression device for returning the relatively cool and therefore dense working fluid back into the first heat exchanger at a lower expense of work are provided. The casing output shaft with reaction members, expansion chamber and compression device have a rotary engine configuration.

Abstract: A roller with a spray guard comprising a roller arm, a roller rotatably mounted on one end of the arm, a handle member connected to an opposite end of the arm, and a spray guard pivotally mounted to the arm one end, extending at least the axial length of the roller. The arm is of a length sufficient to permit the free pivoting of the guard whereby the guard pivotally hangs below the roller when in use. The guard is preferably planar in shape and, with forward movement of the roller across a surface to be painted, the guard pivots toward the surface with a trailing edge thereof so that it automatically is positioned in the best location to receive spray from the roller. A paint metering pan is also disclosed which utilizes a screen or grill structure biased upwardly and away from pain in a container which is moved downwardly by abutment with the roller to permit a selected amount of paint to come in contact with the roller.

Abstract: An integrated circuit tester, comprising switching means for adjusting the logic state of the pins of a test socket to a logic state of "1" and "0" and following a debounced pulsating signal, depending on the logic function and mode of operation of the IC chip under test. Electronic detection means serve to detect the logic state of each pin which is then displayed by luminus means. A card library of IC diagrams provides a diagram for each IC chip that can be tested by the invention with pin numbers, supported adjacent to the luminous display means, so that the significance of each pin is clearly demonstrated. The whole or part of the chip under test is detected as faulty if the pattern of the luminous display with the pulsating signal connected to predetermined input pins, does not obey the predetermined operation of the chip under test.The tester also provides extentions so that the pins of the test socket may be connected to a breadboarding strip and to in circuit operating IC chips.

Abstract: A roller with a spray guard comprising a roller arm, a roller rotatably mounted on one end of the arm, a handle member connected to an opposite end of the arm, and a spray guard pivotally mounted to the arm one end, extending at least the axial length of the roller. The arm is of a length sufficient to permit the free pivoting of the guard whereby the guard pivotally hangs below the roller when in use. The guard is preferably planar in shape and, with forward movement of the roller across a surface to be painted, the guard pivots toward the surface with a trailing edge thereof so that it automatically is positioned in the best location to receive spray from the roller. A paint metering pan is also disclosed which utilizes a screen or grill structure biased upwardly and away from paint in a container which is moved downwardly by abutment with the roller to permit a selected amount of paint to come in contact with the roller.

Abstract: A temperature control and monitoring device for a heater of a building having a plurality of separate areas comprising, a motor having a shaft rotatable at constant speed, a disc connected to the shaft having a pluraliity of radially extending slots, a pin slidably mounted in each of the slots, a temperature indicator having a shaft rotatable by a change in temperature and responsive to a temperature sensed by temperature sensing members, a plurality of temperature sensing members, each in one of the separate areas, for sensing the temperature in each of the areas respectively connected to the temperature indicator and a selector device connected between each of the temperature sensing members and the temperature indicator for selectively connecting one of the sensing members at a time for a predetermined time period and at predetermined intervals to the temperature indicator.

Abstract: A sun tracking solar energy collector system comprising a plurality of light focusing elements disposed side by side in the form of a surface array, providing a linear array of foci; and a metallic heat exchanger tube having externally a high absorbtivity, low reflectivity coating containing a working fluid such as water, air, hydrogen or helium, to which a substantial portion of the energy in the focused light is imparted.

Abstract: A sandwich oven comprising, a base plate having a first plurality of sandwich sized mold indentations therein, a top plate pivotally mounted to said base plate having a second plurality of sandwich sized mold indentations therein, corresponding to said first plurality of indentations in said base plate, and a heating device connected to said top and base plates. The first and second indentations define a plurality of sandwich molds when the top plate is pivoted into its closed position with the base plate. The heating device heats the plurality of sandwich molds causing a sandwich construction therein to be cooked. A timer is connected to the heat means for determining the duration of heating of the molds and a resistive heating element with a selected configuration is provided in the base of each indentation in at least one of the top and base plates. The resistance heating element is energized, causing a branding or marking of the sandwich with the selected configuration.

Abstract: A soccer training goal comprising, a goal frame with a net connected thereto which defines a goal space with a goal opening. An inclined plate is connected to the goal frame at the bottom of the goal space and is inclined downwardly toward the goal opening, whereby a soccer ball kicked into the goal space will initially be retained within the goal space by hitting the net, whereby the net absorbs the impact of the ball and then rolls out of the goal back to the practicing kicker. An adjustment device may be connected between the inclined plate and the goal frame to allow for the variation of the incline on the inclined plate to vary the speed at which the soccer ball leaves the goal space. The inclined plate may further be positioned vertically and provided with markings such as for example, numbers 1 to 10 to act as a soccer ball target to be utilized in accuracy shooting practice.

Abstract: A tri-rotor ballistic engine comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on the frame having an output shaft, with a power cavity and an energy absorbing cavity defined therein. A power shaft is rotatably mounted in the drum. A reaction shaft is also rotatably mounted in the drum and axially aligned with the power shaft. A differential gearing or linkage device interconnects the power shaft, reaction shaft and drum.A pair of inner power pistons are connected to the power shaft and extend radially outwardly thereof and into the power cavity of the drum. The drum includes a pair of outer power pistons which are integral with the drum and extend radially inwardly into the power cavity to define four power chambers with the inner power pistons. Two or more energy storing paddles extend radially outwardly from at least one of the power and reaction shafts and into the energy storing cavity of the drum.

Abstract: A device for depanning freshly baked goods, and in particular pizza, soon after they leave an oven comprising, a pan conveyor adapted to extend from the oven with at least one baking pan disposed thereon, with the conveyor then moveable in a feed path from the oven. The baking pan has a plurality of perforations therethrough. A pin-block conveyor is associated with the pan conveyor and includes at least one pin-block connected thereto and moveable substantially parallel to the feed path of the baking pan. A plurality of pins extend from the pin-block and are arranged in a pattern and number equal to that of the perforations in the baking pan. Each pin has a diameter which is at most smaller than the diameter of each perforation so that each pin can extend through each corresponding perforation.

Abstract: An educational device for training in arithmetic utilizing rotatably mounted hand like members which simulate a pair of hands which exhibit a selected numeral on each finger like portion of each hand. Each finger like portion of each hand member is alignable with a finger like portion of the other hand member and with a reference line. In an arcuate area below the reference line and under each hand like portion is disposed a row of tens which are circumferentially aligned with a row of five apertures on each hand like member with each aperture being aligned with a single finger like portion on each hand like member.Adapters are provided for covering the numerals of each of the finger like portions and displaying a numeral which is a multiple of the numeral appearing on each of the finger like portions respectively. Adapters are also provided for covering each of the arcuate portions and displaying two rows of numerals corresponding to twice said multiple of tens.

Abstract: A water and energy conserving apparatus for supplying pre-heated water to a hot water heater and for cooling at least one refrigeration unit using a compressible medium in a food serving establishment comprising, a pre-heater tank adapted to receive water from a cold water source and having a cold water inlet line connected to the cold water source and a cold water outlet line. A heat exchanger which is associated with the refrigeration unit is connected to the cold water output line coming from the tank. A hot water output line is connected between the heat exchanger and the tank for returning water from the heat exchanger to the tank. The compressible medium which is hot is supplied from the refrigeration unit to the heat exchanger and the water flowing through the heat exchanger cools the compressible medium thus picking up heat. A circulator is connected into the hot water output line for circulating water from the tank to the heat exchanger and back.

Abstract: A digital drafting machine for measuring and displaying a distance on a drafting surface comprising a first triangle with a vertical straight edge and a second triangle with a horizontal straight edge slidably engaged with the first triangle along the vertical straight edge. A drive in the form of a drive wheel and pulleys with a cable rapped therearound disposed in the first triangle with the cable connected to the second triangle, the drive wheel being rotatable to displace the second triangle with its horizontal straight edge along the vertical straight edge of the first triangle. An optical horizontal displacement measuring device is connected to the first triangle and includes a light sensor for sensing the passing of the drawing surface to measure the linear displacement of the first triangle when it is drawn horizontally across the drawing surface.

Abstract: A Digitizer for determining the location of a point of contact between a stylus and a surface comprising a rotating light projector for projecting a single light beam having two spaced apart light boundaries, a light sensing stylus spaced from the rotating light projector for sensing the passing of the light boundaries emitted from the rotating light projector, and a logic circuit connected between the rotating light projector, and the light sensing stylus for converting information coming from the rotating light projector, as to the angular position of the light beam and information coming from the sensing stylus, as to the time of the passing of the light boundaries, into digital information. The rotating light projector includes a rotating turntable having at least one light focusing lens thereon with a fixed shielded light source spaced from the turntable and cooperating with the rotating light focusing lens to produce a light beam having a predetermined angle of convergence.

Abstract: A three way garden tool comprising a hollow handle having an opening, a trowel and tamping member connected to one end of the hollow handle with the hollow handle being closed at its other end. A sleeve is slid over the hollow handle adjacent to the opening in the hollow handle to selectively cover the opening, expose a portion of the opening or expose the entire opening. The trowel and tamping member is flat and includes a plurality of digging teeth on at least one edge thereof to be used for digging up for example a bare spot in a grass lawn. Seed, for example grass seed, can be loaded through the aperture and into the hollow handle and retained therein by sliding the sleeve over the aperture. When a bare spot in a lawn is to be treated, the trowel and tamping tool is used to score and dig up the bare spot, the sleeve is moved over the hollow handle exposing a slot shaped portion of the opening and seed can be dropped from the opening and distributed over the bare spot.

Abstract: A portable canine toilet having a frame with foldable arms for the holding of waste receiving bags, a first container removably attached to the frame for storing a multiplicity of clean bags which slide along the extended arms when ready for use, a second container attached to the frame for temporary storage of used bags, a telescopic handle for retracting and thereby facilitating the removal of the used bags, and rubber type feet attached to the frame to provide non-slip lever action for optimum control of positioning the toilet apparatus when in use.

Abstract: A time variable thermostat for controlling a heater comprising, a temperature activated switch connected to the heater for deactivating the heater at a selected temperature having a movable contact and at least one fixed contact, the movable contact being moved into abutment with the fixed contact when a temperature other than the selected temperature is reached to activate the heater and moved into abutment with the fixed contact to deactivate the heater when the selected temperature is reached. A temperature selection arm is connected to the movable contact and associated with a scale for selecting the temperature at which the movable contact is moved out of abutment with the fixed contact.

Abstract: An angular cylinder piston combination is disclosed for providing compression and expansion chambers in a large number of items, such as compressors, pumps, internal and external combustion engines, hydrostatic generators, air motors, and the like, in which compression and expansion chambers are formed angularly, inside a cylindrical drum which rotates at substantially uniform velocity "Wo" and connected to the output shaft. The chambers are formed between N outer radial pistons provided by the drum and N inner radial pistons attached to an inner rotor which accelerates and decelerates from zero velocity to a velocity "2Wo" with respect to a stationary housing. The inner rotor comprises a sleeve overlaying the output shaft and rotatably displacable in relationship therewith. A single port per chamber provides intake and exhaust as it comes into juxtaposition with slots, azimouthally cut on the base of a stationary housing.