Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: A lightweight stove stand for a portable backpack stove is provided with a thin base plate constructed from a thin sheet of polycarbonate resin with anchor clips on one end for attaching a stove base and hold-down means on the other end for attaching a fuel tank to the top surface. A cut-out area is provided in the base plate beneath the stove mounting and a thin aluminum heat shield is attached to the top surface of the base plate surrounding the stove. The heat shield is attached to the base plate by pop rivets or the like which extend through the base plate and provide anti-skid protrusions on the bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A fishing rod holding device adaptable to either a fly rod, spinning rod or bait casting rod, with attachment means for use with an inflatable fisherman's flotation device. The holding device supports the rod securely in an upright position, clear of the waterline, allowing the fisherman free use of his hands to remove hooks or other tasks.

Abstract: A step-in snowboard binding having a base plate for mounting on the top surface of a snowboard, a clamping plate for holding the base plate in a fixed rotational position on the board and a boot plate adapted to be fixed to the bottom of the boot and engagable with the base plate by step-in motion. The boot plate includes fixed pins on one side of the boot which are received in a fixed retention block on the base plate. Openings on the opposite side of the boot plate are adapted to be engaged by spring biased locking pins mounted on a second retention block on the base plate. The locking plungers may be released by a release lever which withdraws the plungers and allows the boot to be removed.

Abstract: A hot beverage brewing unit having an auxiliary boiler surrounding a stainless steel lined brewing chamber. The brewing unit includes a chamber block made of cast bronze and constitutes a second boiler for maintaining a sufficient volume of brewing water at the exact temperature in order to handle increased brewing frequency.

Abstract: A portable heating unit having a housing with a carrying handle, the housing including a motor portion, a blower and an air intake. The housing also includes a mounting nose for receiving a hot air delivery barrel which has a double safety wall construction through that area in which flames for heating air will be generated. A gas nozzle assembly is received either at an angle through an opening in the barrel wall or disposed concentrically within the barrel portion for introducing gas into the barrel. The nozzle assembly draws its air supply for combustion either in the back of the nozzle member and independent of the forced air supply or through the rear end of the barrel and an igniter is provided for lighting the gas by spark means.

Abstract: A hot beverage brewing and dispensing machine with the ability to dispense first and second successive single shots of espresso coffee with the dispensing of a second separate liquid additive such as foamed milk and/or hot water spanning the time lag between the end of the dispensing flow of the first shot of espresso and the beginning of the dispensing flow of the second shot in order to maintain a continuous dispensing flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a security system for controlling access to mobile enclosures and cargo containers. Navigtational tracking systems such as LORAN and Global Positioning Systems are used to produce a real time geographic position signal. A programmable data processor is used to compare a preset geographic position signal to the real time geographic position signal. Upon favorable comparison of the real time and preset signals, an enabling signal is produced which permits operation of the security system to gain access to the container.

Abstract: A vehicular traffic control device having a body formed by a hollow, elongated shell with a central domed ridge, vertically curved side walls and laterally extending, pavement engaging footings. The shell is made from molded plastic so as to be light weight, highly portable and stackable. Friction pads are provided for the bottom pavement engaging surfaces of the footings and spaced bump reflectors are located on the top surfaces thereof. The shell may be reinforced by cross ribs and is provided with hinge devices for connecting the devices in tandem.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance belt for positively supporting and consealing an ostomy pouch as well as the stoma area of the user's abdomen. The belt is made from an elastic material and completely encircles the user's waist without interfering with the attachment of the ostomy appliance to the abdomen. The belt functions independently but cooperates with a self sealing ostomy appliance so as to permit removal and cleaning of the appliance without removal of the belt. A pocket forming elastic panel extends between the ends of the belt and covers the stoma area in the closed position. When the panel is opened, the ostomy pouch may be removed without removal of the belt.

Abstract: A handgun grip enhancer unit for use with side panel grip type handguns. The unit is made from elastomer and includes a forward finger rest cushion member molded integral with reduced thickness side wing members which extend rearwardly in full face engagement with the gun handle and beneath the standard side panel grip elements.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for disinfection and reclamation of materials contained in contaminated disposable products worn by infants and adults containing human feces and/or urine. The process and apparatus disinfect, mechanically and biologically break down and separates these materials by the use of a pressurized steam digester, mechanical chopper and a screening process. The steam digester process is carried on in a sealed system utilizing a fume scrubber for controlling disposition of ammonia and methane gasses. Effluent and waste are controlled to maintain safe discharges and all recyclable materials are disinfected and reduced to a form suitable for remanufacture of like products or as raw materials for other manufactured products. Polymer particles are exposed to ultraviolet light for molecular breakdown and ion exchange between polymer chains, resulting in further reduction in mass of each particle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating book covers or other items joined by a continuously moving web. A double-walled tubular attachment strip is adhesively attached to the spine portion of successive spaced covers in a continuous process. Covers are fed onto a conveyor at a constant speed with a spacing between covers and adhesive is applied to the spine areas. Simultaneously a continuous double-walled attachment strip is formed and pressed onto the cover spines to form a continuous string of covers. The attachment strip is cut by laser cutting beam between each cover while the covers are moving by moving a focussed cutting beam in a plane normal to the plane of the strip transversely to the direction of movement of the strip.

Abstract: A tamper-evident packaging system for shipping and viewing valuable items. A two component rigid plastic container provides a cavity for containing the item and a filler material with a transparent area in the container wall for viewing the item. A tamper-evident thin-film tape is wrapped about the container to hold the container components together and a shrink wrap plastic coating is applied to the container and tamper-evident tape to enhance the tamper-evident function of the tape.

Abstract: A scanning system for monitoring the thickness, profile or other data from a moving product which includes a frame for mounting scanning transducers. The product is carried on a conveyor or the like through the frame and the transducers are mounted for transverse scanning motion across the top and bottom surfaces of the product at right angles to its direction of travel. Reference wires are connected between the side members of the frame and maintained at a constant tension independent of ambient temperatures. Reference wires are located between the transducers and both the top and bottom surfaces of the product. The wires provide a constant reference to detect distortion of the frame due to thermal or other stress and to provide correction data which is used to compensate for frame irregularities.