Abstract: A water heating and distributing system for affording freeze protection to plants and trees characterized by its utilization of a helical conduit for transporting the water to be heated in close proximity to a burner whereby the water's temperature is raised about 20.degree.-25.degree. F. The system further includes a plurality of jet spray heads disposed downstream of the heater in close proximity to the plants and trees to be protected, whereby a relatively fine mist, or fog, of heated water is applied for freeze protection.

Abstract: This invention is an integrated three-position or three-stage safety mechanism for firearms that allows the release of a locked breech bolt mechanism while a Safety Lever is in the "Safe" (Position No. 1) or no fire position, when the trigger and/or the sear mechanism is locked. While in Position No. 1, the safety mechanism allows the firearms' handler or user the ability to depress the Safety Level (Position No. 2) to release, lift, rotate, open, and/or remove the bolt assembly as desired. The design of the Safety mechanism prohibits the operator from inadvertently moving the Safety Lever to the OFF or "Fire" position (Position No. 3), while depressing the Safety Lever (Position No. 2) to release the bolt assembly. This allows removal of the "live" or empty cartridges while the Safety Lever is locked and blocked in the "Safe" or OFF position, thus significantly enhancing the safety of this operation.

Abstract: A reusable marking system comprising a high impact styrene plastic marking surface and a specially formulated water soluble marking ink. The ink is carried in a felt tip marker and can be removed from the marking surface using a damp wiper. The marking surface can be permanently marked using screen printing techniques to provide suitable permanent messages or to delineate areas for non-permanent markings.

Abstract: A high chair bench assembly simultaneously accommodates several children side-by-side on a horizontal bench bottom pivotally connected to a vertical bench back which is attached to a wall. The bench bottom is held in the horizontal position by a support bar pivotally connected at the top of the side of the bench back and which has a keyhole slot brought over a stud located at the front of the side edge of the bench bottom. The bottom is lowered to a vertical stowage position by removing the keyhole slot from the stud. Each seating place is provided with back and bottom cushions as well as a safety belt. Trays are attached at independently selectable heights above the brackets into vertical perforated tracks located at the sides of each seating place. The trays are secured by an adjustable tension tie releasably connecting the front of each tray to an adjacent bench bottom location.

Abstract: Controller apparatus and method for single or multiple heat exchange systems of the type including a working fluid circuit connected to each heat exchanger and with a working fluid in the circuit. In a multiple heat exchange system configuration, a manifold couples together all of the working fluid outputs or inputs from all of the heat exchangers for all of the systems, with an averaging relay for receiving inputs representative of the refrigerant head pressure for the condenser of each heat exchange system and for providing an output from the averaging relay representative of an average of the pressures for all of the systems.

Abstract: A fastener assembly in which a fastener is adhesively secured within a borehole. A fastener having a shank with longitudinal channels is inserted within a borehole. A fluent adhesive is forced along the longitudinal channels of the fastener to occupy the space within the bore adjacent to the fastener. The adhesive is permitted to harden in situ so as to provide a strong chemo-mechanical bond.

Abstract: A receptor apparatus useful in combination with swimming pools utilizing a vinyl liner, wherein the receptor apparatus is uniquely designed and configured to retain the free edge of the pool liner and also to provide means for receiving and mounting a tile border around the pool's waterline. The receptor apparatus includes a liner receptor which is mounted around the perimeter of the pool cavity and which retains the free edge of the liner therein, and a tile setting track which is attachable to the edge of the liner, whereby a tile border may be placed in the tile setting track around the pool's waterline.

Abstract: A mechanical joint for interconnecting rail members having a male end on one of the rail members, a female end on the other rail member, and an annular collar for constraining longitudinal movement. The male member has an external circumferential groove for receiving the annular collar. The female end has an internal circumferential groove which aligns with both the annular collar and the external circumferential groove on the male end.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blocking oscillating converter for transferring energy from a source of power, such as a vehicle battery, to a storage means, such as an energy storage capacitor in a capacitor discharge ignition system. A novel control and feedback circuit incorporated in the blocking oscillator allows the drive level to the switching transistor to be controlled in response to the peak current in said transistor as well as the output voltage of the blocking oscillator. Furthermore the control circuit allows the blocking oscillator to be turned off during the short period of time after each spark discharge that is needed for turnoff of a switching device used to control that discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for grounding an electronic module which is electrically interconnected with a terminal connecting block. The electronic module has a pin receiving port for electrically connecting a conductive pin thereto. A clip having a two-pronged clasp and a protruding conductive pin is attached to the electronic module with the protruding pin of the clip placed within the pin receiving port. A flat conductive strip is placed within the two-pronged clasp of the clip, wherein the clip electrically couples the electronic module with the conductive strap. The conductive strap is then electrically coupled to ground.

Abstract: An improved protective device for the thigh and knee of a participant in martial art activities or the like. The device includes a main body portion formed of a resilient, conformable foam such as a closed cell polyvinyl chloride foam or the like with a pliable coating of polyvinyl chloride or the like. The main body portion has an enlarged main section, an upwardly extending tapering section, a downwardly extending larger lower section and a downwardly extending smaller lower section. The downwardly extending larger lower section and the downwardly extending smaller lower section are separated by a recess with the recess being located closer to one edge than the other. Straps secure the main body portion to the thigh and knee of a wearer.

Abstract: A roach trap formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid having a relatively flat top surface has a concavity formed in the top surface. A pair of parallel slits extend across the concavity defining a narrow strip. The strip can be pushed outward to form a convex shape so that the slits are spread to create entranceways into the trap. The trap is closed by pushing the strip downward to its original concave shape thus providing a closeable trap which can be disposed of without having an opening allowing trapped roaches to escape.

Abstract: A system is provided for dynamically detecting and providing an electronic output representative of changes in the position of a fuel injection element in an internal combustion engine. The system includes an electronic circuit having a sensor for sensing a change in a magnetic field external to the circuit, and providing an output representative of the change. Circuit elements are electronically coupled with the output of the sensor for providing an output indicating the presence of the magnetic field change. A nulling circuit is provided for nulling the electronic circuit responsive to the sensor output, to thereby compensate for ambient magnetic fields, temperature and process variations. Exceptionally low current circuit characteristics are achieved in an integrated circuit configuration and geometry having very low junction leakage characteristics.

Abstract: A ducted fan type model aircraft power plant having a mounting for a one cylinder internal combustion model aircraft engine. The preferred engine utilized a special vertically oriented carburetor. A duct is supported by a set of stators having an aerodynamic shape for straightening airflow through the duct. A fan having seven identical individual replaceable blades is disposed at the front of the duct and directly driven by the engine. One stator is adapted to essentially enclose the vertical carburetor and to smoothly direct the airflow from the fan around the carburetor to the engine cylinder for cooling. The stator has an opening to the carburetor air inlet for providing air under pressure thereto. The stator shapes cooperate with the duct and aft fairings of the power plant to deliver a smooth airstream having a uniform non-turbulent flow to produce a maximum propulsive efficiency.

Abstract: An environmental control apparatus for electronic circuit elements includes an enclosure for the element and standoff brackets supporting the enclosure, the enclosure and support brackets together defining an area of both high heat resistivity and high heat conductivity, with a heating mechanism with the area of high heat conductivity in order to reduce the flow of heat and to maintain a balanced temperature profile along the enclosure.

Abstract: A universal septic tank fitting useful as either an inlet sweep or an outlet tee includes a generally tubular member having first and second open ends with a portion of the tubular member adjacent the first end forming an angular bend so that the first end extends generally normal to the member. A tube adjacent the second end extends from the tubular member and in a direction generally opposite to the direction of the first end. A vent is provided along the outer periphery of the angular bend, and a removable closure over the vent is provided. In use, the first end is installed in the inlet wall of a septic tank elevated above the second end, and the closure is removed from over the vent. The same fitting may be used as an outlet tee by installing the extremity of the tube through the outlet wall of the septic tank, elevated with respect to the first end.

Abstract: A pan insert for removing and draining food from within a cooking receptacle. The insert has a flat tray which holds a roast or the like with the tray dimensioned to fit within the cooking receptacle. The tray has three side panels which hold the food on the tray when tilting and removing the tray with a free side for sliding the roast or the like off of the tray.

Abstract: A laser device having an improved resonator utilizes a single rigid base component for a light reflector coating that defines and forms the end terminals of the resonator cavity, means being provided for translating and reflecting the laser beam between linear light paths that respectively terminate at the mirror surfaces provided by the coating. Various embodiments are shown and in which one or more prisms are used to fold the laser beam between offset and parallel light paths. The end terminal forming mirror surfaces may be coplanar and face in a common direction in the base component, or the mirror surfaces may be provided on opposite side surfaces of the component. Where the base component is made from transparent material the terminals may also be defined by the inside and outside surfaces of the coating. The use of figured surfaces in the unitary structure is contemplated and the use of mirror clusters for folding the beam is also contemplated.

Abstract: In an earth planting process which entails the boring and refilling of a hole, a method and apparatus are provided to accumulate extracted soil in a container whose configuration is defined by two rigid and concentric cylinders which are joined by a flexible membrane. Raising of the outer cylinder causes the container to assume a funnel shape so that it can be used to pour the extracted soil back into the hole after the removal of a boring tool and possible placement of a plant, post or other object in the hole.