Abstract: A portable urine container for females is described as having an enclosure with concavely curved upper side portions defining an opening to provide access. A flexible, slidable tab closure is affixed around the opening and provides access to the interior of the enclosure when in an open position and effectively seals the enclosure when in a closed position. The enclosure can readily include an absorbent material to absorb fluids and to prevent a splash back of urine.

Abstract: The disclosure describes the use of an image generator connected to receive at least two, and preferably three, base colors that have been previously compressed using two blend factors to interpolate degrees of color intensity in a texture image. A decoder circuit to restore the compressed image color data for each data path from memory uses a color blender circuit to restore the color components from data from each path to produce that color at an output terminal. A provision is described for including translucency also.

Abstract: A solar recharge station is described having a contact area, a battery bank charge area and a solar panel array for maintaining the battery bank charged. The contact area includes electric contacts formed for engagement automatically by contacts on an electric powered vehicle as the vehicle enters the contact area. The battery bank is connected so that its energy is available for either recharging the vehicle or other use, and in case the vehicle needs a recharge but the battery banks lacks sufficient charge, ordinary house voltage is used.

Abstract: A system is described to detect methane gas at oil well and natural gas well sites that will generate a warning signal when a first, lower concentration of methane gas is detected and will generate a second signal when a higher, more dangerous level of methane gas is detected. A methane monitoring control and sensor device is mounted within the environment of an internal combustion engine and is used to detect the concentration levels of methane gas and to generate two signals. A first signal will generate a warning, and a second signal will affect engine shutdown by means of a compressed air operated valve closing the air intake to the engine.

Abstract: A re-inker mechanism is described for replenishing ink in a ribbon by increasing the contact force between an ink supply roller and a transfer roller as the weight of the ink supply roller decreases. This is accomplished by locating the transfer roller rotatably in a fixed position and locating the ink supply roller somewhat beneath the transfer roller on a support that is movable. A biasing force is attached to the ink supply roller to urge the ink supply roller against the transfer roller with a force sufficient to overcome the weight of the ink supply roller and to provide a predetermined contact force between the ink supply roller and the transfer roller, so that as the ink is used, the weight of the ink supply roller decreases and the contact force with the transfer roller increases.

Abstract: An apparatus for the hand held transportation of sheet materials on either level or inclined surfaces while maintaining control over such sheets. A handle or shoulder strap is connected pivotally to a sheet support at a particularly specified point, which ensures that the sheet support pivots readily on inclined surfaces. The point that is specified is as low as possible on the sheet support.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder type valve that is used to restrict the flow of water passing through an irrigation pipe is described for insertion through a standard size opening or through an enlarged opening in an irrigation pipe. Means to convey a fluid, such as air, under pressure to the bladder type valve and an air release valve for limiting the air pressure are described. Means to secure the bladder type valve in position include a reinforced hook attached to a hose, a tapered wedge attached to a hose, and a high friction surface on the valve. A covering is placed over the bladder to restrict the dimensions of the bladder when it is inflated. A taped plug is described for restricting the flow of water through the enlarged opening when the valve is removed.

Abstract: A cargo handling apparatus is described for lifting, transporting and unloading cargo in connection with a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. The apparatus is fastened to the vehicle and has a separate platform upon which cargo is placed and attached while the platform is on the ground. An end of the platform then is raised by a winch and cable to a height approximately to the bottom of a boom assembly. The boom then is lowered slightly to a slope approximating the slope of the platform and attached cargo. The platform now is movable along the boom by the winch and cable, and finally, the boom is pivotable down onto the vehicle. All operations are controlled from a hand held unit.

Abstract: A device for the extraction of fence posts having a T-shaped cross-section. The device is arranged to engage the fence post in a frictional binding action on the post when tilted by the upward application of force to one end of the device. The upward application of force is derived through cooperation with a jack, whereby the tilting of the device secures the device in position with the fence post and transfers the upward force from the jack through the device to the fence post. The tilting of the device also secures the jack to the device, thereby ensuring cooperation between the jack, the fence post, and the device throughout the full length of the lifting stroke.

Abstract: A structure for a food bag that is suitable for a larger than usual sized bag is described as being formed of two sections of a flexible material. The two sections of flexible material are arranged one over the other and sealed around their periphery. Another sealing line is located along at least one side spaced from the one periphery line to form an elongated stiffening compartment when filled with a suitable gas, such as air, under pressure. The remaining space between the sealed sections forms a food compartment that is maintained in an erect, upright position by the elongated stiffening compartment.

Abstract: A cargo net for a passenger vehicle is described as being formed of a substantially rectangular netting fabric to fit the rear compartment opening of a van, mini-van or the like passenger vehicle with a length of nylon webbing material affixed to its perimeter. A plurality of hook and loop fasteners are used to secure the cargo net to the vehicle structure, which permit separation at selected points around its periphery for access to speciific cargo articles without having to detach the entire cargo net. In one embodiment, two D-rings are described to cooperate with two tension adjusting straps, formed of hook and loop fasteners, to adjust and vary the tension between the cargo net and the articles being restrained.

Abstract: A technique that performs both real time and online monitoring and fault diagnosis during the operation of mechanical equipment with at least one direct current motor. The method described includes the steps of selecting conditions of operation that correspond to acceptable equipment functioning, and monitoring these conditions continuously during the operation of the equipment. When a fault develops, the monitoring routine initiates a diagnosis subroutine which identifies the component causing the fault and establishes an error message to indicate the faulty component, prior to the initiation of equipment shutdown procedures.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of manufacturing a structure of a thin, flexible package assembly that permits electrical devices to be bonded to an electrical circuit utilizing mixed bonding techniques.A sacrificial metal carrier material is used to support a thin polyimide or TEFLON substrate, through which openings, called "vias", are formed at locations where bonding pad areas are needed to affix electrical devices. An electrical circuit is formed on the thin flexible substrate, including making the vias conductive, utilizing known processes, and then, the sacrificial metal carrier material is removed, as for example by etching it away, except in locations where metal bumps will be needed to bone a device by thermo compression bonding.

Abstract: A localized soldering station is described that uses the vapor phase reflow principle. A container has of a medium selected because of the temperature at which it changes to a vapor. A heated conduit maintains the vapor state while conveying the vapor to a work location where a module with a part to be removed or attached by solder connections is supported. A transparent, quartz nozzle confines the vapor to the part and its solder connections and is positioned accurately by a unit that includes a guide light. Vapor will lose its latent heat of vaporization upon contact with the part and its solder connections, causing the solder to reflow and change back to a liquid, which is collected for reuse. When in a standby or ready condition, vapor is conveyed up through a shutoff valve through cooling fins where it changes back to a liquid and returns to the container, avoiding loss.

Abstract: An improved hobble includes two or more non-abrasive leg cuffs, each of which is wrapped about the leg of an animal and connected to a center connection. Each leg cuff has a fleece or other relatively soft material covering over a length of surgical tubing, and each end of this surgical tubing is attached to a swivel. A center connection between the two leg cuffs is formed of a length of surgical tubing over a somewhat longer length of safety rope.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a ratchet type of tool drive that has three partitions extending from the walls of a cavity to define channels with a spindle. The walls are thinner at a midpoint of each channel and are thicker adjacent each partition by a limited amount, such as 30 thousandths of an inch. A roller is located within each of the channels with a coil spring on each side. A retainer cover has extensions between each partition and one end of each coil spring, so that turning the cover one way or the other, applies a biasing pressure on each roller to urge the rollers in a desired direction. The structure described has fewer parts, is thinner in configuration and the rollers move in a slight rolling movement to be pinched between the narrowing walls of each channel, to achieve a positive locking and non-slipping action.

Abstract: A circuit structure is described for a switched-mode DC-DC converter to eliminate the degrading effect of magnetization current on sensed load current, by forming the power transformer with an additional winding, other than its usual primary and secondary windings. The additional winding is coupled magnetically with the power transformer to obtain a voltage proportional to the voltage on the primary of the power transformer, but the additional winding is connected electrically in series with the secondary winding of a current-sensing transformer. A current-sensing circuit is described that includes the additional winding and the current-sensing transformer in order to effectively eliminate the effects of the magnetization current from the sensed load current.

Abstract: A shooting rest is described as having a blade with a sharp point, the blade being attached to a handle with an enlarged butt section and having a curved concave area. A non-marring neoprene lining is affixed to the curved concave area. The enlarged butt section is pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the shooting rest by exerting a force that is adjustable. The pivotable butt section is secured, in one modification that is described, by a washer with protrusions that mesh with recesses. The butt section and the blade are held together in tension by a threaded member. The blade of the shooting rest has a curved concave area with a non-marring neoprene insert, also, so that the shooting rest can be used by affixing it to a vertical surface.

Abstract: An automatic feeder for animals and the like is described as having a hopper for storing food to be dispensed. A food measuring compartment is located beneath the hopper and is formed with various adjustable partitions for selecting an amount of food to be dispensed. Different structures are described for controlling the opening and closing of two openings, one for discharging food from the hopper into the food measuring compartment and a second opening for dispensing measured food from the compartment. An electric motor controls the structures to open and close the two openings.

Abstract: A magnetic disk brake retractor is described as having a magnet mounted in the housing of a hydraulic disk brake and adjustable in position relative to a brake piston. In one modification described, the magnet is in the form of permanent magnets. The brake housing is constructed of a non-ferrous substance to prevent degradation of the magnetic field. The magnet is used to exert a force upon the piston to urge the piston to retract when the brake pedal is released. The position of the magnet is adjustable within the brake housing chamber to vary the strength of the magnetic field acting upon the piston and to also mechanically limit the amount of retraction permitted for the piston.