Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the tension of flexible drive belts, or a single drive belt, connecting a drive pulley to a driven pulley. The apparatus includes a first idler assembly for engaging the slack run of the drive belts, a second idler assembly for engaging the drive run of the drive belts, and a tension member for adjusting the distance between the first idler assembly and the second idler assembly to a distance sufficient to cause the apparatus to maintain a position between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The apparatus requires no external support or positioning member to maintain the position of the apparatus on the belts while the apparatus is controlling the tension of the moving belts. The method includes placing a first idler assembly on the slack run of the drive belts, placing a second idler assembly on the drive run of the drive belts, and forcing the assemblies together to increase the tension of the drive belts.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a dispensing device including a cap for engagement with a container neck, the cap having a series of flats therein, an operable dispensing button with a discharge orifice, the button having a series of flat sides with a series of tabs thereon, a cover piece enclosing the button which exposes a portion of the button for finger engagement, and a guide slot in the cover piece to prevent relative movement between the button and the cover.

Abstract: A finger-operated spray pump assembly adapted to maintain a seal against leakage under substantially all conditions normally encountered by the pump. The assembly includes a compression chamber, a piston slidable in the compression chamber, a stem slidable in the piston, and a seal member abutting the piston. The lower end of the valve stem contacts the seal member to open the seal slightly before the piston starts its downstroke. A closure member for the container to be used is permanently attached to the spray pump.

Abstract: A finger-operated spray pump assembly adapted to maintain a seal against leakage under substantially all conditions normally encountered by the pump. The assembly includes a compression chamber, a piston slidable in the housing, a grommet for holding the piston in the compression chamber, a stem slidable in the piston, and a seal member abutting the piston. The lower end of the valve stem contacts the seal member to open the seal slightly before the piston starts its downstroke. A closure member for the container to be used is permanently attached to the spray pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrolytically extracting metals from salts in solution including a novel cathode structure which greatly increases the rate of extraction is disclosed. More specifically, the novel cathode structure comprises a shaft having a plurality of flexible circular members mounted in spaced relation thereon. The members have impellers thereon for circulating the solution about the anodes and cathodes. The concave members are sufficiently flexible that they may be easily everted so as to cause the metal deposited thereon to pop off. One preferred embodiment includes a tube inlet which prevents plating of silver in a connected feed tank.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkali metal aluminum hydrides including reacting aluminum and an alkali metal or alkali metal hydride with hydrogen at elevated temperatures and under super atmospheric pressure in the presence of an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Impact resistant polymers having low permeability to gases and vapors are prepared by polymerizing an olefinic nitrile such as acrylonitrile with an olefinic ester such as methyl acrylate in an aqueous medium in the presence of a diene rubber.

Abstract: A finger-operated spray pump assembly including a compression chamber, a generally cylindrical valve slidably fitted inside the compression chamber, a piston slidably fitted inside the valve, and a spring fitted inside of the valve for urging the piston away from the bottom end of the valve.

Abstract: A lawn sprinkler adapted for spreading chemicals over a broad area. The sprinkler includes a pump for pumping fluid solutions, suspensions, or mixtures of chemicals through the nozzle of the sprinkler.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for controlling the operational circuitry of the television or other electrical appliance whereby the duration of time during which the television or appliance may be disconnected from a voltage supply is limited to a pre-set period. Means are provided for energizing the locking mechanism after the appliance is connected to a voltage supply.

Abstract: Projectable sprinklers which rise automatically from the ground when water is supplied under pressure to the sprinklers, sprinkler heads, stationary sprinklers employing the sprinkler head of the present invention for use on the surface of the ground, and a lid apparatus for increasing the area wetted by a sprinkler head. The projectable sprinklers include a generally cylindrical housing closed at the bottom and sunken in the ground, a projectable float which floats upward within the housing when water is supplied under pressure to the sprinkler, and a sprinkler head including a rotating nozzle or nozzles attached to the top of the float. In one embodiment, the projectable sprinkler contains means for spreading chemicals over the surface of the ground. The sprinkler heads include means for pumping solutions or liquid mixtures of chemicals through the nozzle or nozzles of the sprinkler head, and may be used in a stationary or projectable sprinkler system.

Abstract: A projectable lawn sprinkler which rises automatically from the ground when water pressure is applied to the sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a housing, a pipe rigidly connected to the housing, a projectable conduit connected to the pipe, a projectable cover rigidly connected to the projectable conduit, and a sprinkler head attached to the projectable conduit.

Abstract: A hand-operated, spray dispenser pump assembly for use on a container having an outwardly extending bead adjacent its top opening, for example, an aerosol-type can. The pump is attached to the container by means of a special snap-on closure member. The closure member is molded from a somewhat resilient, strong, thermoplastic material and includes a top wall having an opening for the stem of the pump and a depending skirt which is provided with an inwardly facing, annular bead on its inner walls adapted to be snapped over the outwardly extending, complementary bead on the top of the container. The pump is provided with an integral annular flange adjacent its top opening, which flange is snap fitted inside the special closure member. An annular rubber gasket is provided around the periphery of the pump flange and makes a leak-proof sealing engagement with the top opening in the container when the special closure is snapped down over the top of the container.

Abstract: A method for rapidly filling an aerosol spray dispenser containing a liquid with a soluble gas propellant including lifting the cap off the container and injecting the propellant into the container at a velocity sufficient to substantially saturate the liquid with the propellant.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving fuel economy and abating exhaust gas pollution for four cycle, reciprocating piston, internal combustion engines or rotary engines, including a water reservoir, a heat exchanger for converting water from the water reservoir to steam, a conduit for conveying steam to a water trap in which steam from the heat exchanger is separated from liquids in the steam, a conduit for conveying steam from the water trap to the carburetor, a mixing chamber attached to the carburetor for mixing the steam with fuel, and a heat exchanger for heating fuel prior to the entry of fuel into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum embossing sheet thermoplastic material which utilizes an endless, seamless structure as the embossing surface. A sheet of heat-softened thermoplastic film is passed over an embossing screen, the embossing screen being supported by a support roll, a drive roll and two seal rolls. A vacuum is applied to the screen between the seal rolls to pull the film into contact with the screen thereby producing an embossed pattern on the film corresponding to the outer surface of the screen. After the film is removed from the endless, seamless screen the film is cooled to set the pattern in the film. The process produces an embossed film which has high strength, low surface gloss or light reflectance, and a deep embossed pattern.

Abstract: A self-supporting, ornamental, artificial tree is disclosed which comprises: a base; a plurality of elongated members attached at one of their ends to the base by attachment means and attached at their other ends one to the other, these attached support members together forming a cone-shaped ornament support frame; and ornaments attached to the cone-shaped, ornament support frame.

Abstract: Projectable sprinklers which rise automatically from the ground when water is supplied under pressure to the sprinklers, sprinkler heads, stationary sprinklers employing the sprinkler head of the present invention for use on the surface of the ground, and a lid apparatus for increasing the area wetted by a sprinkler head. The projectable sprinklers include a generally cylindrical housing closed at the bottom and sunken in the ground, a projectable float which floats upward within the housing when water is supplied under pressure to the sprinkler, and a sprinkler head including a rotating nozzle or nozzles attached to the top of the float. In one embodiment, the projectable sprinkler contains means for spreading chemicals over the surface of the ground. The sprinkler heads include means for pumping solutions or liquid mixtures of chemicals through the nozzle or nozzles of the sprinkler head, and may be used in a stationary or projectable sprinkler system.

Abstract: Projectable sprinklers which rise automatically from the ground when water is supplied under pressure to the sprinklers, sprinkler heads, stationary sprinklers employing the sprinkler head of the present invention for use on the surface of the ground, and a lid apparatus for increasing the area wetted by a sprinkler head. The projectable sprinklers include a generally cylindrical housing closed at the bottom and sunken in the ground, a projectable float which floats upward within the housing when water is supplied under pressure to the sprinkler, and a sprinkler head including a rotating nozzle or nozzles attached to the top of the float. In one embodiment, the projectable sprinkler contains means for spreading chemicals over the surface of the ground. The sprinkler heads include means for pumping solutions or liquid mixtures of chemicals through the nozzle or nozzles of the sprinkler head, and may be used in a stationary or projectable sprinkler system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum embossing sheet thermoplastic material which utilizes an endless, seamless structure as the embossing surface. A sheet of heat-softened thermoplastic film is passed over an embossing screen, the embossing screen being supported by two support rolls, a drive roll and two seal rolls. A vacuum is applied to the screen between the seal rolls to pull the film into contact with the screen thereby producing an embossed pattern on the film corresponding to the outer surface of the screen. After the film is removed from the endless, seamless screen the film is cooled to set the pattern in the film. The process produces an embossed film which has high strength, low surface gloss or light reflectance, and a deep embossed pattern.