Abstract: With push button operated switches having at least one movable and one stationary contact carrier, problems may occur when the push button is not actuated properly and centrally. This problem is overcome by a switch having corresponding annular contacts and concentric guide means.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, which includes a bridge which does not stress the top of the guitar either vertically or laterally. Vertical and lateral forces due to string tension are balanced out within the bridge assembly. Also disclosed is an adjustable height tailpiece and means for adjusting the intonation of the instrument by adjusting the distance that the neck projects out of the body.

Abstract: A direct forced counterflow cooling tower apparatus includes concrete side walls having L-shaped troughs located at the lower ends thereof. The cooling tower includes a liquid distribution system, fill material located below the liquid distribution system, a drainage collection system located below the fill material and a fan located below the drainage collection system. Liquid is supplied to the tower and is distributed on top of the fill material. The liquid will pass downward therethrough and will be collected by the drainage collection system. The drainage collection system will communicate the liquid to the troughs located at the lower end of the longitudinal side walls. A modular cooling tower construction includes the cooling tower apparatus in combination with at least one additional cooling tower apparatus.

Abstract: An air duct boot useful for connecting a heating and air conditioning duct to an air register grate to permit air to be circulated into a space to be heated or cooled. The air duct boot includes a housing of right parallelepiped configuration constructed of a synthetic resin and having an internal support for preventing excessive deflection of opposed walls of the housing when concrete is poured therearound. Reinforcing ribs are molded into the opposed walls. The housing also includes an integrally molded top or upper portion which can be quickly and easily removed after the boot is installed in a concrete pad or other foundation structure. A protuberant, generally cylindrical neck portion extends from one side of the housing near its lower end for connection to the duct. The entire air duct boot is molded as an integral unit.

Abstract: A portable power distribution panel for disposition in a sealed, isolated space to receive primary power input from an external source and to distribute reduced or secondary voltage operating power to each of a plurality of output power receptacles while including a circuit breaker with ground fault indicator in each respective power output circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering or modifying fishing lures to vary the normal action of the fishing lure during retrieval and to achieve a desired modified action. The apparatus includes a kit of substantially identically sized and uniformly shaped weights. The method consists of affixing any number of the weights to the body lure at any location to achieve the desired modified action, which may include suspending the lure, changing the rate of vertical displacement of the lure or causing the lure to swim or track to the left or right of the fisherman.

Abstract: Power demand is monitored and temperature control effected in response. If monitored power demand is below a predetermined power demand limit, a selected desired temperature setpoint is used as the temperature to be attained. If monitored power demand is above the power demand limit, a modified temperature setpoint is used. The modified temperature setpoint preferably is determined to maintain a still comfortable temperature while also reducing power demand.

Abstract: Artificial lumber module which may be joined with like modules to create artificial lumber of conventional lumber sizes includes an elongate channel; a plurality of dividers integrally formed within the channel and spaced along the channel; and braces integrally formed with and between adjacent dividers. A plurality of the modules may be connected together substantially in parallel with the open side of the channels facing the closed side of adjacent channels in order to form modular lumber of selected sizes.

Abstract: A locking unit for a missile launching device comprises a pivoting pawl. The pawl has two locking lugs to clamp a shoe on the missile. The pawl is preloaded by a spring towards a locking position in which the shoe of the missile is held by the lugs. A locking lug on the pawl co-operates with a safety pawl against which the locking lug bears in the locked position. The pawl is thus held in the locked position in which the shoe is gripped by the lugs. A safety pin can be fitted through a housing of the locking unit with the pawl in the locked position. This provides a check whether the system has been properly fitted and the pawl is in the correct position. To prevent errors during this check, there is a connecting link on the pawl projecting into the path of the safety pin if the pawl is not in its proper locking position.

Abstract: A method of freezing a product, a frozen product produced thereby, and a freezing apparatus useful for performing the inventive method. The inventive method comprises the step of compressing a product to be frozen between a cooled first contacting surface and a cooled second contacting surface for a time effective for at least partially freezing the product. The inventive freezing apparatus preferably comprises: a first plate belt comprising a series of first belt freezing plates, each first belt plate having a contacting surface; a second plate belt comprising a series of second belt freezing plates, each second belt plate having a contacting surface; and a driving system for driving the plate belts.

Abstract: A sprig harvester apparatus for harvesting sprigs of grass, such as Bermuda grass, from a ground surface and conveying the grass sprigs to an awaiting receptacle. The apparatus includes a harvesting portion mounted on a rolling chassis. The harvesting portion includes blades for cutting the grass sprigs from the ground surface and a first elevator chain for moving the grass sprigs upwardly, while providing sufficient vibration to shake soil therefrom. The grass sprigs are discharged from the harvesting portion into a hopper section of a hopper/elevator portion. The hopper/elevator portion is mounted on a pivot assembly attached to the chassis. The hopper/elevator portion also includes an upper elevator section pivotally connected to the hopper section so that it can be raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A pallet used for stacking various types of catering and food service equipment is disclosed. The pallet has a floor which includes an upper surface and a lower surface. A forward wall and end wall and a pair of side walls extend upwardly from the top surface. A pair of rear legs, a pair of intermediate legs, and a pair of forward legs extend downward from the lower surface of the floor. The forward and intermediate legs define openings which will receive and interlock with the handles of the catering equipment. Likewise, the rear and intermediate legs define a pair of rear openings which will receive the upwardly extending handles of the catering equipment thereby interlocking the pallet and the catering equipment. The pallet also includes a downwardly extending rear support beam which has a transverse slot disposed therein. The transverse slot is a means for receiving handles of certain types of catering equipment so that the catering equipment and pallet will interlock.

Abstract: A hanger head assembly for coiled tubing that consists of a body member having an axial passage that includes plural, hydraulically actuated slips for holding the tubing at a selected position, and further includes a concentration double packer assembly that is hydraulically actuated to seal off the tubing annulus.

Abstract: A heat retentive server for maintaining food at a desired temperature for an extended period of time includes an upper and lower shell which define a cavity therebetween. A heat storage medium comprised of a phase change material is disposed in the cavity. When the server is heated, the phase change material changes from a solid to a viscous gelatinous state and stores heat therein. When the material cools and changes from its viscous gelatinous state back to a solid, the heat is released through the shell so that food placed adjacent the server will be maintained at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for salvaging core laminations from the core and windings of an electric motor include a first station for inserting a stop between adjacent core laminations at a first point such that the stop contacts the flux zone of the laminations in order to prevent motion of the core along the longitudinal axis of the core. A second station is provided for separating adjacent laminations at a second point between the first station and a free end of the core and windings, thereby breaking the bonding agent adjacent the second point and creating an end section of the core laminations. A longitudinal force is exerted on the flux zone of the laminations at the second point and directed toward the free end of the windings in order to move the end section toward the free end of the windings. The longitudinal force shears the laminations in the end section from the bonding agent and windings.

Abstract: A cogeneration apparatus comprising: a transporting structure, including a support frame, for transporting the cogeneration apparatus; an electrical generator, mountable on the support frame, for generating an electrical current; a driver, mountable on the support frame, for driving the electrical generator, said driver producing an exhaust gas when operated; and a heat recovery assembly, mountable on the support frame, for recovering heat from the exhaust gas. A novel valve and a novel boiler system preferred for use in the inventive cogeneration apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An installation and storage system for decorative light strings which includes a plurality of track channels for holding successive segments of the light string, such track channels being supportable by snap attachment to pre-positioned snap fasteners, either on a building or in the yard surrounds. A storage rack having opposite end frames and central support is then constructed to receive successive light track channels in snap-fit for carriage and storage.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing trees, brush, and other forestry at or below ground level in one passage of the apparatus through the forestry includes a plurality of rotatable shafts; a shaft housing for rotatably supporting the shafts with the rotational axes of the shafts juxtaposed and the first ends of the shafts about transversely aligned; a cutting bit connected at the first end of each shaft, each bit having cutting blades which overlap with the blades of the adjacent bits so that the bits cut a continuous, unbroken swath; a rotary power source connected to the shafts for rotating the shafts; a frame for supporting the shaft support; and a vertical actuator, connected between the frame and the shaft housing, for selectably adjusting the elevation of the shaft housing between an elevation at or below ground level to an elevation above ground level.