Abstract: A method and apparatus for making organic based fertilizer, the method including mixing organic material with phosphate, potash, or other inorganics and water if necessary. Acid is mixed with the organic and inorganic material mixture and the resulting mixture is permitted to cure for a sufficient period of time to allow the acid to chemically break down the material of the mixture. A first quantity of ammonia is then added to the mixture, and a second quantity of ammonia is added to the mixture to produce the finished fertilizer product. Quantities of the various ingredients are adjusted to provide a fertilizer that has a desired percentage make-up of the major fertilizer elements for a specific crop.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in supporting a plurality of override control handles of a control valve assembly, the control handles supported for movement in a first direction between engagement and disengagement with the control valve spools and supported for movement in a second direction to cause controlled movement of the valve spools. The apparatus includes a plate having slots housing the control handles and the plate being supported for slideable movement such that movement of one control handle between a valve spool engaging position and a disengaged position causes movement of the other control handles between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splitting leather wherein the leading end of a length of leather is held between a pair of calendar rolls, and a focused laser beam is caused to sweep across the leading end of the length of leather to cut a first layer of leather away from a second layer. A rotating mirror assembly is provided for directing the focused laser beam against the face of the leather and for causing the beam to sweep across the face of the leather.

Abstract: A thick-film circuit module including a monolithic ceramic cross-over device, wherein the thick-film circuit includes a first conductive path and a second conductive path, transverse to the first conductive path and having spaced apart ends, and wherein the monolithic ceramic cross-over device is used in the second electrically conductive path as an electrically conductive device and for providing an insulative barrier between the first and second electrically conductive paths. The monolithic cross-over device comprises a ceramic chip including a plurality of stacked generally planar layers of ceramic material and electrically conductive metalized paths sandwiched between the respective layers of ceramic material, the ceramic chip having each of its opposite ends supporting an electrically conductive termination end cap, and the opposite ends of each of the electrically conductive metalized paths being connected to the respective termination end caps.

Abstract: A device for use in supporting lead-acid batteries in vertically spaced apart stacked relation and particularly for use with limited maintenance batteries of the type which include a pair of upwardly extending battery posts projecting through the battery cover and of the type not having vent caps or other devices extending above the surface of the top cover. The invention includes a spacer which is intended to be positioned between two vertically stacked batteries and to provide support for the upper battery. The battery stacking spacer is adjustable so that it can be used in connection with batteries having various sizes and different dimensions between the battery terminal posts.

Abstract: A rechargeable portable lead-acid battery for use in providing electrical power to portable devices such as lanterns and the like, the battery particularly including an improved container and cover, an improved battery post construction and an improved electrical assembly.

Abstract: A ladle gate for use with casting apparatus including a mold of the kind used in casting battery plate grids and including a ladle of the type used in holding a supply of molten lead alloy and being pivotable into a pouring position wherein a quantity of the molten lead alloy can be poured into the mold. The ladle gate is positioned adjacent the ladle spouts and functions to permit flow of molten lead alloy through the ladle spouts when the ladle is in a pour position, and to interrupt the flow of molten lead alloy through the spouts at the completion of the pour, when the ladle pivots to its rest position, to thereby prevent the formation of solidified drippage at the spouts.

Abstract: A battery and battery container having air-flow passages therethrough. The container includes partitions separating the cells of the battery, the partitions each being comprised of a pair of spaced apart parallel partition walls defining a narrow generally planar air flow passage between the cells of the battery. The spaced apart partition walls are integrally joined together at a location adjacent a central portion which includes an aperture to permit intercell welding of adjacent cells.

Abstract: A deferred action battery including a plurality of stacked electrode plates functional to produce an electrical potential when immersed in seawater, the battery having a bottom port cover including an opening for admitting seawater into the battery and a cavity in communication with the opening and intended to facilitate migration of precipitate waste material from the battery during its operation.

Abstract: A membrane switch in which a membrane layer is supported in a spaced relation from at least one contact of one or more pairs of electrically conductive switch contacts. The contacts are mounted on an insulated substrate. The membrane surface adjacent the contacts has an electrically conductive bridging surface supported thereon such that depression of the membrane will bridge the contacts to complete a circuit. The membrane is mounted on the substrate and is held in a normally spaced relationship with the contacts by a plurality of projections formed on the membrane surface adjacent the substrate or one or more of the contact surfaces. The projections may be integrally formed by puncturing the membrane surface with a sharp object or projections may be formed by permanently deforming the membrane without rupturing the membrane itself. Additionally, the projections may be formed by applying individual spacer elements to the membrane surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for enveloping battery plates within porous separators and for feeding a separator sheet to form a fold at the approximate midpoint of the separator, simultaneously positioning a battery plate with an edge adjacent to the fold line, passing the plate and separator through rollers to press the separator against both sides of the battery plate, and passing the folded separator and enclosed battery plate through an ultrasonic sealing unit for sealing opposite edges of the separator to form an envelope. The apparatus includes a separator sheet dispenser for dispensing individual separator sheets into an elongated passageway. The end of the passageway is blocked so that a separator reaching the stopping point buckles to form a fold at the approximate midpoint of the separator.

Abstract: A keyboard membrane switch including the standard three layer resilient flexible diaphragm switch construction. Threshold pressure is applied to the membrane prior to engagement of the membrane contact with at least one fixed contact. This phenomenon is achieved by applying variable thicknesses of nonconductive threshold paint or glass to the substrate, flexible membrane, a first layer of threshold material or any combination thereof.