Abstract: A sewer catch basin assembly for preventing gases from being discharged from a sewer of a petroleum refinery or chemical processing plant and for preventing the ignition of gases in a sewer by flames and sparks in the area adjacent to the sewer inlet. The catch basin assembly may be connected to a vertical pipe or "Tee" inserted in an existing or new horizontal sewer pipe, and can be used to replace an existing sewer inlet or catch basin. The catch basin assembly provides a water barrier between gases contained in the sewer and the ambient air adjacent to the sewer inlet which prevents the flow of gases from the sewer to the ambient air surrounding the sewer inlet.

Abstract: A valve assembly for attachment to a pressurized aerosol can which automatically releases a measured amount of spray at preset time intervals utilizing the pressure of the contents of the aerosol as the sole energy source to drive the valve assembly of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for saving energy in a chilled water air conditioning system employing secondary pumping for supply chilled water and primary pumping for return chilled water wherein the primary pumping is eliminated comprising directing all of said supply chilled water to the secondary pumps and eliminating any flow of return chilled water through the secondary pumps.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a backpack for holding and carrying a skateboard. The skateboard backpack of the invention includes a flexible frame for receiving and holding a skateboard and a harness connected to the frame for securing the rigid frame to the back of the user.

Abstract: A compact and inexpensive meter for measuring and recording the time an engine driven apparatus has been running. The apparatus includes a signal generator such as a piezoelectric transducer which produces an electrical current when the engine driven apparatus is operating, a rectifier for converting the electrical current produced by said signal generator to direct current, a transistor for receiving the electrical current from the rectifier and switching on a stopwatch timing unit when the voltage received from the rectifier reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A noise making fishing lure including a two piece plastic shell assembly having two chambers therein. Each chamber contains a plurality of metal spheres which move as the lure is pulled through the water. The lure has an internal sleeve therein for receipt of a fishing line. The lure of the invention can be connected and used in conjunction with conventional fishing lures and enhance the fish luring capability of an existing fishing lure by the addition of a noise production element. The rattling fish lure of the present invention may be inserted into other artificial lures such as plastic worms, by cutting the worm to provide access for the rattling lure. The two piece shell assembly is made of plastic and can be manufactured in any desired color to be incorporated into or used with almost any type of fishing lure or rigging.

Abstract: A three part apparatus for exercising and conditioning the hand of the user including a first metal sphere, a second metal sphere and a pivot ring positioned between, and touching, the first and the second sphere, the pivot ring being generally circular in shape and having a hole in the center thereof for receipt of a portion of each sphere, the pivot ring having two parallel faces which are perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the pivot ring and a magnet therein for holding said pivot ring to one of the spheres.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of energy consumed in heating a building with a direct fired boiler having a supply reheat line and return reheat line including operating the direct fired boiler at full capacity until the supply reheat water temperature reaches a preset temperature, and varying the total water in the return reheat line and the supply line to maintain the temperature differential between the temperature of the water in the return reheat line at a preset value. A method and apparatus for turning off one or more direct fired boilers utilizing two or more direct fired boilers connected in parallel when one or more of the direct fired boilers is not needed to heat the building is also disclosed. Each of the direct fired boilers having a supply reheat water line and a return reheat water line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting trees and bushes including a circular disk having cutting teeth connected thereto, a motor for rotating the disk and an arm connected to the motor for moving the disk into contact with trees and bushes.

Abstract: A method and composition for solidification or semicolidification of single or multi-phased waste including mixing the waste with a composition including having as its major component a cement, and, as lesser components, a fixative, an absorbant, and optionally an emulsifier. The composition of the invention is mixed with the waste and dried.

Abstract: A gun sight attached to the rear end of the gun barrel near the eye of the shooter including a semi-circular ring through which the shooter can observe a flying target. Two horizontal arms may be attached adjacent to the sight or located at the front end of the gun barrel for alignment parallel to the earth and with for a target traveling through the air.

Abstract: A process, and the product produced thereby, for the preparation of a waste solidification material from hardened fluorogypsum as a by-product of the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid by reacting fluorospar with sulfuric acid, removing hydrogen fluoride from the reaction product, slurrying the by-product with water, placing the slurried by-product fluorogypsum in settlement ponds until the fluorogypsum hardens, the hardened fluorogypsum having a pH of about 3 to about 5, including heating the hardened fluorogypsum to evaporate substantially all water physically mixed with the fluorogypsum and further heating the fluorogypsum to reduce the water chemically bound to calcium sulfate in the fluorogypsum to from about 0.5% to about 9% by weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in the operation of a conventional air conditioning system in a large building employing a condenser, an evaporator, a chilled water circuit, and a refrigerant compressor or heat source in an absorption-type air conditioner wherein the chilled water flow is modulated to match the actual cooling load needed in the building, and when utilized in an air conditioning system having multiple air conditioning units one or more of the air conditioning units is turned off along with associated pumps and valves.

Abstract: A recharging network for a solar powered construction light, including a solar powered battery, that recharges a storage battery at a constant rate and can be selectively operated to burn the light continuously to produce a continuous light or to burn intermittently to provide a flashing light. The network allows a solar cell to recharge the storage battery when sunlight is impinging upon the solar cell to provide virtually maintenance free and long term operation of the construction light during the dark or twilight hours when construction lights are commonly employed to warn motorists of road hazards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining sub-atmospheric pressures including a venturi tube having a first end and a second end, a nozzle located in the first end of the venturi tube for spraying fluids, a collection chamber connected to the second end of the venturi tube for receiving fluids sprayed from the nozzle, a vacuum chamber connected to the first end of the venturi tube, an outlet connected to the collection chamber for removing fluids from the collection chamber, and a pump connected to the outlet for pumping fluids from the outlet to the nozzle.

Abstract: A solar powered illuminated yard maker including a solar powered battery recharging network that recharges a storage battery at a constant rate and can be selectively operated to burn continuously to produce a continuous light or to burn intermittently to provide a flashing light. A solar cell recharges the storage battery in the light when sunlight is impinging upon the solar cell to provide virtually maintenance free and long term operation of the illuminated yard marker during the dark or twilight hours.

Abstract: A pipe and flange assembly including a flange having a front surface and a rear surface, the flange having a substantially cylindrical aperture therethrough, the front surface of the flange being substantially planar, the rear surface of the flange having a cylindrical recessed portion therein for receipt of a pipe, the recessed portion having a chamfer extending around the circumference thereof between the recessed portion and the rear surface of the flange, a substantially cylindrical pipe seated in the recessed portion, and an interface portion connecting the pipe to the flange, the interface portion including the chamfer and weld material disposed between the pipe and the flange at said chamfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a railroad gondola car having spaced apart, parallel side walls with upper surfaces, the apparatus including a hydraulic excavator for excavating, loading, and unloading materials, the hydraulic excavator having a boom structure and a material engaging device rotatably mounted on two tracks for moving the hydraulic excavator from one location to another, each of the two track means having an inside set of rollers and an outside set of rollers for supporting the track over its entire width, adjusting structure for moving the tracks inwardly and outwardly to vary the distance between the tracks, and track support apparatus for supporting the track connected to the adjusting structure, a plurality of arms connected to the outside of each of the track support apparatus for preventing the hydraulic excavator from falling off of the gondola car when the two tracks are resting on the upper surfaces of the gondola car, the arms being adapted to extend downwardly adjace

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in the operation of a conventional air conditioning system in a large building employing a condenser, an evaporator, a chilled water circuit, and a refrigerant compressor or heat source in an absorption-type air conditioner wherein the chilled water flow is modulated to match the actual cooling load needed in the building, and when utilized in an air conditioning system having multiple air conditioning units one or more of the air conditioning units is turned off along with associated pumps and valves.

Abstract: A closure assembly for conveying air to the interior of an inverted water bottle and for conveying water from the interior of an inverted water bottle having a downwardly pointing spout including a closure connectable to the spout of a water bottle, the closure having an opening therein through which water may flow from the inverted water bottle, a hollow cylinder having an open first end and a partially closed second end, the first end being connected to the closure, the second end being located in the interior of the water bottle and having an air inlet for conveying air from the interior of the hollow cylinder to the interior of the water bottle, the second end having a water inlet for conveying water from the interior of the inverted water bottle to the interior of the cylinder the closure having an opening therein in alignment with first end of the hollow cylinder, and a float slidably received in the cylinder for sealing the water inlet.