Abstract: A cotton boll gleaner is described wherein the elements for contacting the bolls are a plurality of rigid slender rods whereon barbs are randomly fixed, both axially and radially, so that the barbs extend away from the free end. At a point on the rods remote from the free end, the rod is pivotably coupled to an endless belt or chain. The belt revolves by engaging at least three rotating rollers so that there is a portion of the belt between two rollers moving parallel to and close to the ground, and there is another portion, also between two rollers, that is tilted from the vertical so that the rods depend freely from that portion of the belt. The belt preferably is rotated so that the rods move down along this tilted portion. When the rods are on the portion moving parallel to the ground, the rods are dragged along the ground with the barbs pointing forward so that any cotton bolls in their path are gleaned off the ground.

Abstract: An inflatable spherical device is disclosed made of two hemispherical shells or sections that are fastened together by a quick disengageable means, such as a zipper. Each hemispherical shell is made of an outer flexible skin and an inner flexible skin, concentrically spaced apart and having an annular circular flat member bonded by its outer periphery to the periphery of the outer skin and by its inner periphery to the periphery of the inner skin, forming a hemispherical air-tight compartment. Means are provided to inflate each shell. To maintain the outer and inner skins evenly spaced apart and to provide ventilation through the shells, a plurality of flexible wall tubes are disposed between the outer and inner skins. The respective ends of the tubes are bonded to suitable apertures in each of the outer and inner skins.

Abstract: A ball bearing assembly has an inner and an outer race ring. One of the race rings, preferably the inner race ring, is formed with one side wall relieved, i.e., a somewhat cylindrical surface is formed that is tangent to the torus surface forming the ball race surface. The somewhat cylindrical surface is made to extend to a slightly tapered surface with its apical adjacent to the end of the race ring. At the region where the tapered surface joins with the cylindrical surface, the tapered surface has a slightly greater diameter, forming a radially directed shoulder. The bearing is assembled by placing the balls within the outer race and the inner race is snapped into position. The taper is so designed that the metal at the shoulder yields to allow the balls to pass into the race surface; however, if any of the metal should deform, a circumferential groove is formed just inside the shoulder into which the deformed metal flows where it does not degrade the hardened polished ball race surface.

Abstract: Cylindrical water tanks, such as used for water softeners, inherently corrode at the bottom and herein is taught that the tanks are repaired by removing the bottom dish with the use of a novel tool that moves around the tank and bears thereagainst with a substantially uniform force thereby readily following the tank's contour, by sandblasting the interior for cleaning, by installing a new bottom dish to the cylindrical body with the use of a novel tool that automatically stops further penetration of the dish into the tank when a predetermined overall height of the tank is obtained, by welding the bottom dish to the body, by coating the interior with a non-corrosive plastic with the use of a novel spray gun apparatus that radially sprays the liquid plastic onto the inner walls of the tank as the spray nozzle moves axially therein and then the spray nozzle is adjusted to cause the spray to form an upward diverging cone to coat the underside of the top cover, and finally by allowing the plastic to harden.

Abstract: A novel bicycle neck has two sleeves disposed one over the other. A round handle-bar is rotatably mounted in each sleeve. The novel neck is placed into the front wheel fork of the bicycle after the standard prior art gooseneck has been removed. A flexible cable is attached by one end to the handle-bar in the upper sleeve so that the cable could be wound thereon by turning the handle-bar. The cable is then wound around the lower handle-bar and attached thereto to prevent slippage therebetween. The cable terminates at a whiffletree. Also attached to the whiffletree are two more cables disposed on opposite sides of the cable depending from the handle-bars. One of these other cables actuates the front wheel brakes, and the other actuates the rear wheel brakes when the cables are in tension. Tension is placed on the cables by rotating any one of the handle-bars within its respective sleeve.

Abstract: A glare shield assembly for use in combination with an auto sun visor, wherein a light filtering shield has means for attaching it to the sun visor to allow the shield to be moved up and down, sideways and pivotable, about a vertical as well as about an horizontal axis, with respect to the sun visor. In the preferred embodiment, the attaching means is comprised of pressure sensitive readily releasable engaging means having mating interengaging elements mounted on the sun visor and glare shield. To allow the visor and shield to pivot with respect to each other, the glare shield has its pressure sensitive readily releasable engaging means wrapped 180.degree. about a vertical edge and also about a horizontal edge thereof.

Abstract: A receiver for spent sheels is disclosed wherein a rigid compartment is formed and includes a mounting means for mounting one end of the compartment adjacent to the shell ejection slot of a gun, and for supporting the rigid compartment away from the body of the hand gun so as not to interfere with the operation of the hand gun. Since the opening in the compartment is disposed in register with the ejection slot of the gun, the ejected shells enter the compartment. A trap door is disposed within the compartment near the opening so that spent shells do not jump out of the compartment, for example, as when the gun recoils or when it is laid down. For use on a pistol the mounting means consists of opposing rigid panels or flaps which are disposed on each side of the pistol grip. The panel near the compartment is affixed to the underside thereof, while the other panel is formed to extend up over the pistol and to be fixed to the upper side of the compartment.

Abstract: Each valve of the present invention is comprised of a hollow valve body, an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized water, a first outlet disposed at the top of the valve body for emptying into an irrigation basin, a second outlet for connection to the inlet of a second valve; a float activated valve gate loosely guided within the hollow valve body, which gate is capable of sealing and holding closed the first outlet against liquid flow as long as water pressure is being applied to its inlet. In the open position of said first outlet the gate is capable of blocking water flow to the second outlet to prevent water flow to said second valve.

Abstract: A family of embodiments of mechanical, electromechanical and electronic for the control of intake and exhaust cylinder valves applicable to both spark and compression ignition engines. Electronic control or programming of valves in respect to their opening and closing times is effected in accordance with predetermined relationships based on data such as air density, engine temperature, engine speed, vehicle speed, fuel octane, automatic transmission data and operator control commands and operating mode selections is provided. The operator control commands include acceleration and deceleration; and the operating mode selections include "computer starting" (without cranking as by a starter mechanism); and constant speed, constant torque, engine reversal, low nitrogen oxide emission, high performance, optimum fuel economy and service modes.

Abstract: A motor, preferably in the form of a pump, is primarily designed to be activated by the oscillating motion of waves and has a paddle disposed to oscillate about a stationary horizontal axis located in the plane of the paddle. The paddle is placed in the surf and so positioned where the wave action is greatest so that the force of the waves can act on the paddle to cause the paddle to oscillate back and forth, one cycle with each wave. Preferably, the paddle is disposed to depend from the stationary axis. This oscillating motion of the paddle is coupled to a suitable pump which pumps sea water. Preferably, the pump has a cylindrical housing concentric with the stationary axis. A radial vane is fixed to a shaft within the housing while the paddle is fixed to the shaft and disposed outside the housing. Suitable valves are provided in the housing to allow sea water to enter and exit under action of the oscillating vane.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic system capable of high speed and precision timing, is disclosed, particularly adapted to the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine under computer control. The actuator is powered by pressurized crankcase oil which is discharged on the engine valve stems for lubrication. The system employs hydraulic cushioning to reduce engine valve seating velocity, and recovers energy on the return stroke of the valve to improve efficiency. High speed is achieved by rapid de-energization of electromagnets which hold the fluid control valves closed against the force of the pressure of the hydraulic supply. These electromagnets latch the valves in their most power-efficient mode, that is, with the magnetic circuit gap at or near zero.

Abstract: A game, of the travel type, is disclosed wherein a square playing board has a course going around the periphery thereof, and the course is divided into a plurality of segments. The number of segments on one side is equal to the number of segments along each of the other sides. One of the corner segments is the starting place for play, and the other 3 corner segments represent havens or obstacles for the traveler (player). Alternate segments on each respective side are marked with geographical destinations, with segments therebetween marked with indicia, which the rules of the game provide direct the picking of either a flight or a landing instruction card. The flight and landing instruction segments also alternate. The game includes additional apparatus, such as a plurality of playing pieces simulating aircraft, flight instruction cards, landing instruction cards, and four playing pieces, which the players move around the board on the course in response to a chance device.

Abstract: A chair, especially useful for children with cerebral palsy, which has a board-type backrest integral with a board-type seat which are mounted on suitable legs that have adjustment means to adjust the height of the seat. The backrest is provided with a chest strap for strapping a child's chest erect. Means are provided for moving the chest strap vertically along the backrest. Arm rests are adjustably fastened to the backrest to be adjusted in and out, and up and down. The seat is provided with a post to inhibit leg adduction and is movable towards and away from the backrest.

Abstract: A can sealer (for closing an opening in the top cover of a metal food or beverage can) is disclosed wherein a resilient rubber-like cup is adopted to be placed over and covering the opening, and means are provided that reach down through the opening to engage the cover so that a compressive force is exerted on the resilient cup. In the preferred embodiment, the means includes a T-shaped member the stem of which protrudes through a central aperture in the cup. A rigid backup member is placed over the resilient cup and a camming lock means is coupled to the end of the stem so that, in one position of the lock means, the end of the T-shaped member is urged toward the cup and, in the second position this urging force is removed so that the cup is free to move along the stem of the T-shaped member.

Abstract: This pollution eliminator is comprised of three concentric vertical stacks or chimneys, wherein the outer stack is higher than the inner stack. Exhaust flue gases primarily from a furnace is directed up through the central stack, wherein the hot flue gases rise, as in a conventional chimney. The flue gases, on exiting the central stack, expand laterally wherein the fly ash is captured by the intermediate stack and drops down the annular space formed therebetween. The flue gases, on exiting this intermediate stack, further expand within the outer stack. Means are provided in the annular space between the outer and intermediate stack to cause water vapor to rise therein. The vapor reacts with some of the oxides of the gases from the flue to form acid molecules which are condensed on the upper inner wall of the outer stack. Means are provided, also in the outer stack, to cause the flue gases to spin, to enhance the capture of acid molecules on the wall thereof.

Abstract: A kite is disclosed having a main body portion fabricated of a flexible material and having a pair of leading edges diverging generally rearwardly from a forward apex, with a strut fixed to each edge to hold it rigid. The body portion is folded to provide a central longitudinal double-ply pleat, and another central strut is disposed and fixed along the pleat. The pair of diverging struts each have a pocket wherein the respective end of a cross-strut is disposed. The cross-strut is secured to the central strut at the point where the two cross. For added strength with decreased weight the portions of the kite are held together with a suitable adhesive tape.