Abstract: A hydride fuel system is disclosed for use with a motor vehicle or other apparatus having a combustion unit and a mixing device for mixing hydrogen gas with air for introduction into the combustion unit. The system includes a hydride storage tank having a housing and a plurality of containers disposed in the housing for holding hydride material. The containers are spaced apart to enable the flow thereabout of fluid introduced into the housing of the hydride storage tank. Either exhaust gases or combustion unit cooling fluid is delivered into the hydride storage tank housing to heat the hydride material in the containers and cause the material to release hydrogen gas which is then conveyed to the mixing device. The pressure of the hydrogen gas in the containers is monitored and the amount of exhaust gases or cooling fluid delivered to the hydride storage tank is controlled accordingly.

Abstract: A two-piece tubular apparatus which when the two pieces are frictionally engaged forms a multiple cavity device for the planting and propagation of seedlings such as shrubs, trees, and the like. Each cavity is corrugated around the entire outer perimeter thereof. The lower portion of each cavity slopes inwardly terminating in an opening sufficient to allow for drainage but which is considerably smaller than the top opening. The device is freestanding and has an outwardly extending tab section near the top thereof so that said apparatus or device can rest in a container without the bottom of said device touching the floor of said container.

Abstract: A paper tray assembly for paper reproduction systems comprising a flat base, an upwardly extending backwall, paper guides and guide strips. Rectangular recesses are located in the corners of the base adjacent the backwall and coinciding recesses are found in the backwall. Longitudinal slots are contained in the rectangular recesses parallel the backwall. A paper guide is provided having floor, sidewall and endwall portions adapted to fit in the recesses. Transverse guide strips extend over the floor of the paper guide and across the base. The floor of said paper guides and said guide strips contain apertures which are in alignment with longitudinal slots. Fastening means are provided to fit through said apertures and slots thereby securing the paper guide and transverse guide strips in any desired position along the length of the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A game including a board with a polygonal playing area divided into a plurality of wedge-shaped segments, each for use by a different player. A pathway is included in each segment, each pathway being divided into a plurality of playing spaces over which a playing piece is moved. Each pathway has a finishing position which is common with the other pathways, and also a starting position. At various points along each pathway, the pathway branches into first and second paths which thereafter rejoin. The first path of each branching portion of a pathway contains a greater number of playing spaces than does the second path of the branching portion. Also included are a plurality of gate elements, each disposed adjacent a different one of the second paths for movement between a first position in which the gate element "blocks" the passage of a playing piece, and a second position in which the gate element does not block the passage of a playing piece.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting crops which grow as stalks or spears such as asparagus. The machine includes a frame having wheels to carry the frame along the ground, a stalk sensing mechanism for sensing stalks of a predetermined height in a certain pathway, and a cutting mechanism which is rotated into a cutting position beside each stalk sensed by the sensing mechanism. When it reaches the cutting position, a portion of the cutting mechanism is moved transversely of the pathway to cut the stalk below ground level. Substantially simultaneously with the cutting of a stalk, a grasping mechanism seizes the stalk and, coincident with the rotation of the cutting mechanism, carries the stalk to a holding bin.

Abstract: A ski clip device for securing a pair of skis together in a base to base relationship and for holding a ski pole. The device includes first and second generally elongate clip members, each of which is formed to present a generally arcuate cross section defining a channel therein, with each end of the clip members being open. The clip members are attached together in a back to back relationship so that the channels thereof face in generally opposite directions. The channel of the first clip member is dimensioned to receive thereinto a portion of the sides of a pair of skis and the channel of the second clip member is dimensioned to receive the shank of a ski pole.

Abstract: A bitless bridle of the hackamore type which comprises the supporting headgear including a headstall, browband, throatlatch and centerpiece and also comprising a noseband and a chinband. The bitless bridle contains novel sidepieces having a cloverleaf configuration with an eyelet at each end, and in the same plane has oppositely protruding side eyelets near one end of the sidepiece, one eyelet being slightly closer to the end than the other. The cheekstrap portion of the headstall is attached to the end eyelet nearest the side eyelets. The noseband is fixedly connected to the side protruding eyelet closest the end eyelet and the centerpiece is attached to the noseband. The chinband is attached to the oppositely protruding lower spaced eyelet and the reins are attached to the end eyelet on the other end of the sidepiece.

Abstract: An orthopedic canvas shoe containing a supporting arch and having a continuous flexible sole wherein the sole is formed such that the inside heel and arch portions of the sole are slightly elevated with respect to the remainder of the sole. The arch of the shoe is positioned such that the highest portion of the arch fits directly beneath the navicular bone of the foot. The arch is further supported and the foot held in proper position by extending the sole forwardly from the heel to the widest portion of the shoe supporting the ball of the foot in a straight line.

Abstract: A lug wrench having a gear housing with a fixed gear ratio with drive shafts protruding from either side fixedly connected to separate driving gears. The drive shafts have means on the outside ends whereby the handle and the wrench socket can be used interchangeably thereby providing a wrench with the torquing movement in one position and a speeding movement in the opposite position. The gear housing contains an extension rod at substantially right angles to the drive shafts adapted to brace against stationary surface preventing rotation of the gear box as the wrench handle is being turned.

Abstract: A stackable container lid for a bucket containing hot foods and the like comprising a generally circular lid having center portion surrounded by a series of polyhedrons, one plane of which extends upwardly at right angles from the lid surface thereby forming a perimeter into which the bottom of the bucket can be inserted. The lid may also contain vent holes in a rim on the outer perimeter of the container lid. The rim terminates in a downwardly extending lip adapted to snap over the top of the bucket in a sealing relationship.

Abstract: A three dimensional reproduction of an object is made by photographing the object at predetermined intervals by rotating the camera in a fixed plane 180.degree. about a fixed axis which is at right angles to the plane of rotation. Each photograph is divided at a point perpendicular to the photograph and along the axis of rotation. Each photograph is then embedded in or affixed to a wedge shaped carvable material, the angle of the wedges being the same as the angle of rotation between photographs. The wedges are fitted together such that the dissected portions of each photograph meet each other at the common axis in a linear plane, and all wedges, when fitted together, form a 360.degree. circle. The outlines of the photographed article in the composite of wedges represent substantially a three dimensional reproduction of the article. Each wedge, when carved along the outline, represented by the photograph, thus produces a substantially accurate three dimensional reproduction of the image photographed.

Abstract: The hydrogen engine hereof introduces water as vapor with inlet hydrogen and air, as a mixture proportioned for practical internal combustion and efficient power output. Water vapor is a substantial component of the exhaust of hydrogen fueled engines. In one embodiment of the invention, water vapor is condensed from the exhaust, and thereupon arranged to provide the input water as a continuing self-supporting process. The resultant emissions are very low in oxides of nitrogen, and readily meet the EPA Standards on pollutants as presently set for 1976. Further, and importantly, engine backfire is eliminated in the operation. Also, engine output power and efficiency are improved with the invention principles.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning conveyor belts includes a cylinder, and drive means for causing the cylinder to rotate. A plurality of fingers extend from and are spaced about the curved exterior surface of the cylinder with the fingers being inclined in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cylinder. To clean a conveyor belt, the cylinder is positioned adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt so that the fingers of the cylinder contact or nearly contact the surface of the belt and, as the cylinder is rotated, the fingers are forced outwardly to make greater contact with the surface of the belt. To enhance the cleaning process, the conveyor belt is driven in a direction opposing the direction of movement of the fingers.

Abstract: A method of seizing and implanting fiber in a base includes the steps of positioning a number of fibers together, moving a hollow needle into contact with the fiber ends so that a fiber end is received into the hollow of the needle, and inserting the needle into the base to implant therein the fiber carried by the needle.

Abstract: An automated system for implanting hair in a scalp base includes a hollow needle, a linkage arrangement for holding and moving the needle along an arc-like path between a first and second position, and apparatus for holding and positioning a bundle of hair in the path traversed by the needle so that the needle contacts the bundle hair ends to receive into the hollow at least one hair as the needle is moved from the first position to the second position. A shoe element is disposed at the second position for supporting the scalp base so that as the needle is moved to the second position, the needle penetrates the scalp base placed on the shoe element to thereby implant a hair carried by the needle. Also included is a projector for projecting a narrow beam of light to the shoe element to mark a spot through which the needle will pass.

Abstract: A dialyzer cartridge includes a resilient gasket defining a central hollow area, and first and second cross members affixed in and extending between the interior side walls of the gasket to divide the hollow area into first, second and third portions. The ends of a plurality of hollow fibers are embedded in respective cross members to extend across the second portion of the hollow between the first and third portions. A first fluid is introduced into the first portion to be transported through the fibers to the third portion and a second fluid is introduced into the second portion to flow about the fibers and thereby facilitate the process of dialysis between the interior and exterior of the fibers. The second portion of the hollow is sealed from the first and third portions by a pair of plates secured together with the gasket sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: Photopolymeric image inlay articles comprising a photopolymeric image inlaid into a resilient polyester resin coated matrix of a solidified synthetic rock-like mixture.

Abstract: A method of preparing metal proteinates from natural proteinacous material without destroying naturally occurring vitamins and hormones which comprises neutralizing a protein containing material, subjecting said material to enzymatic hydrolysis, adjusting the enzymatically digested hydrolysate to a slightly basic pH and adding a metal salt thereto to form a metal proteinate precipitate. The proteinate thus formed is a chelate of polypeptides with metals and is substantially free from metal salts and single amino acid proteinates.

Abstract: A composite identification band having multiple identification indicia, the assembly of which comprises a strap with a lower pocket overlying an upper or exposed surface and opening at one end to receive a pressure-adhesive or any other type label adapted to have writing thereon; an upper pocket superimposed on said lower pocket and opening at both ends to receive and store an encoded identification plate. The upper surface of the upper pocket is partially folded back over a portion of said upper surface to form a pocket adapted to receive one or more pressure-adhesive indicia labels. An additional pocket, adapted to receive other indicia, is spaced in longitudinal alignment adjacent to said upper and lower pockets along the strap, an end of the strap nearest the upper and lower pockets contains a stud projecting upwardly from the underside and through the band.

Abstract: A game including a board with an hexagonal playing area having a plurality of contiguous, uniformly distributed hexagonal playing spaces thereon and adapted for use by either two or three players using two or three sets of playing pieces respectively. The periphery of the board playing area has six equal length sides each composed of seven playing spaces. Indicia on the playing area divides the outer row of playing spaces from the remaining interior playing spaces, with the interior spaces being used when two players play the game and with all spaces being used when three players play the game. The playing spaces are each one of three colors with no two adjacent spaces being of the same color. The sets of playing pieces are also differently colored and different playing pieces of subsets of a set are formed to include common features which define the way in which the playing pieces in a subset may be moved.