Abstract: A prisoner leg restrainer is attachable to one leg of a prisoner wearing a belt. The leg restrainer includes first and second brace elements which are pivotably coupled together by a hinge. Straps are provided to couple the first and second brace elements to the leg of the prisoner. A locking mechanism automatically engages when the upper and lower sections of the leg restrainer are in vertical alignment to prevent rearward pivotal movement of the prisoner's leg.

Abstract: A foldable and removable table for use with vehicles of the type having a hinged panel permitting entry into the vehicle includes a corner table member having a flat supporting surface and a pair of hooks, each hook removably engaging the vehicle panel in a corresponding hole, each hook being coupled with the table member at spaced corners thereof. The table includes a leg foldably fastened to the table member on a side opposite the supporting surface foldable to a storage position flush with that side. The hooks are dimensioned such that rotation of the table member about one corner and one hook permits the table to be moved from a storage position flush with the panel to an open position for use as a table.

Abstract: A switching system for controlling operation of conventional environmental apparatus of the type having an electrical connection adapted to be coupled with a supply of electrical current includes a switching circuit in a first housing for making and breaking a circuit connection between the connection and the current supplied, and a control circuit electrically coupling a magnetic detector with the switching circuit in order to operate the switching circuit to alternatively make and break the circuit connection between the power cord and the current supply responsive to detection of a magnetic element.

Abstract: A cam drive system having parallel input and output shafts and means for rotating the input shaft includes a plurality of cams coupled at intervals around the periphery of the input shaft. Each cam utilizes a camming surface which incorporates a radially outwardly sweeping step section and a constant radius dwell section positioned adjacent to each step section. A plurality of cam followers are coupled at intervals around the periphery of the output shaft. Each cam follower is aligned to engage a single one of the cams. The present invention converts the continuous rotation of the input shaft into intermittant displacements of the output shaft.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion apparatus having two phases of operation which, in one phase, absorbs thermal energy from sunlight incident on the device, and in a second phase, absorbs energy from air in an attic-type space heated by solar radiation. The two phases may be utilized independently or in concert dependent upon conditions. A solar energy collector is disposed to collect and transfer incident solar energy to a fluid, such as water, flowing through the collector. A heat exchanger is disposed to permit flow of heated air therethrough from an attic-type space in a building, such air having been heated by solar energy incident on the roof of the building. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the air to a fluid, such as water, flowing therethrough. The solar collector and heat exchanger are connected via a plurality of valves and a pump to a water storage tank.

Abstract: A tape reproducing and recording system for recording selected pieces from a bank of recorded material having a system for selecting desired pieces of recorded material from a bank of recorded material and a memory for storing the selections made. A scanning or retrieval system is coupled to the memory and to a tape reproducing system having the bank of recorded material coupled thereto for locating the selected pieces in the bank of recorded material and reproducing the selected pieces. A recorder then records the selected pieces in the order they were reproduced whereby recordings can be made having only preselected recorded pieces thereon.

Abstract: A liquid cooling apparatus having a multi-level terraced structure capped by a central cooling tower. The central cooling tower has one or more non-clogging liquid spray nozzles mounted therein for spraying the liquid in the tower while compressed air is fed into the bottom of the tower into the sprayed liquid. The liquid collects on the terraced structure which has a plurality of channels formed therein having baffles mounted to break up the flow of water as it passes over each level of the terraced structure. Flow paths on the terraced structure may also have rocks placed along the channels between the baffling members.

Abstract: A flow meter for use in monitoring unit and total quantities of a dispensed fluid, such as draft beer, includes a motion detection switch inside a housing and is coupled to a valve which controls the fluid flow. The switch provides an electrical indication during periods when the valve is open. A totalizer including microprocessor circuitry totalizes the amount of fluid passing through the valve based upon an adjustable, predetermined flow rate setting. An indicator is also coupled to the totalizing circuitry to provide an indication when a unit quantity has passed through the valve at the predetermined flow rate. The totalizer further totalizes the number of occurrences of the unit quantity or any other preselected quantity.

Abstract: A telescoping drain line for connecting recreational vehicles to a sewage system has telescoping rigid wall drain pipes having a plurality of pipe sections telescoping one within the other. A flexible hose extends through the telescoping pipes and out each end thereof and has means for attaching to a recreational vehicle drain at one end and into a sewage line opening at the opposite end thereof. The flexible hose is attached at each end of the telescoping rigid wall drain pipe to prevent the flexible pipe from collapsing or coming out of the rigid pipes. The flexible pipe will fold within the telescoping pipe for storage of the drain line.

Abstract: A particle separator physically separates a mixture of small and large particles and metal particles which are suspended in a stream of air into discrete groups of small particles, large particles and metal particles. The particle separator includes a chamber having a bottom and including an inverted truncated cone. The cone includes an upper skirt which forms a seal with the inner wall of the chamber and an aperture in the lower end. The cone divides the chamber into upper and lower compartments. An inlet duct extends through the wall of the chamber into the upper compartment of the chamber. A filter plate is positioned within the lower compartment of the chamber and includes a first side surface which forms a seal with the inner wall of the chamber and a second side surface which forms a seal with the wall of the cone. The structure of the filter defines an intermediate compartment in the upper portion of the lower compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting aquatic plants from a body of water includes transporting means, such as a trailer or a floating craft, adapted to move into the body of water. A centrifugal pump mounted on one end of the transported is adapted to be at least partially submerged in the body of water, the pump including a housing having an opening for transmitting water and aquatic plants therein into the housing. The centrifugal pump pumps water and the aquatic plants from the body of water. An envelope surrounds at least a portion of the opening in the housing and extends outward from the housing and the opening for restricting water flow into the opening.

Abstract: Game apparatus physically adapted for use on a flat playing surface, such as a shuffleboard court includes a support frame having a bracket for engaging the parallel edges of the shuffleboard court and a horizontal support bar suspended above the court between the two edges thereof. A plurality of scoring pins is each pivotally mounted underneath the horizontal bars so as to be suspended between the bar and the surface of the shuffleboard court. Each scoring pin has a flexible brush mounted on its lower extremity and extending downwards so as to engage the playing surface. Plural score indicating plates are provided, each plate being rotatably coupled to the horizontal bar, and positioned adjacent to one of the scoring pins with a corresponding score thereon.

Abstract: A unitary bracket for hanging finned tubes and troughs for a heating and cooling system. The bracket is provided with a fastener for attaching to a wall and has a finned tube support for supporting finned tubing and a drain trough support for supporting a drain line. The support for a drain line has removable segments so that the drain line can be angled over a series of brackets. The bracket also provides for attaching a valance thereover.

Abstract: A telescoping camper body apparatus for pickup trucks, and the like, has a lower body portion for attachment to the truck body and a telescoping body portion telescoping over the lower body portion and having a roof thereon. Trucks are formed in the exterior portion of the lower body for guiding the telescoping upper body, while interior cylinders are formed in the lower body portion in an area formed by the exterior tracks. The interior cylinders have rods slidably mounted therein and attached to the roof of the telescoping body portion for guiding the telescoping body during raising and lowering. The cylinders preferably are hydraulic cylinders mounted therein for raising and lowering the telescoping camper body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a flower pot and watering the contents thereof. The watering system uses a separate base having a liquid reservoir therein for holding water or water and plant nutrients. A separate flower pot container has a bottom portion shaped to fit over the liquid reservoir and onto the base, and is shaped to receive a flower pot therein. The inside bottom portion of the container is shaped to receive a fiber-pad mounted therein, and has an opening for the fiber-pad to pass through into the reservoir. The liquid in the reservoir maintains the fiber-pad damp, which is absorbed through openings in the base of the flower pot. A filling spout and float level are provided in the base.

Abstract: A phase change material heat exchanger wherein the latent heat of a substance as its physical state changes from solid to liquid, and vice versa, is utilized as a heat storage medium. Structure is also disclosed whereby a heat transfer fluid is intimately associated with the phase change material so as to accomplish the desired heat exchange between the phase change material and the heat transfer fluid. As a result of the construction utilized for the heat exchanger, the addition of homogenizing agents to the phase change material is not required.

Abstract: A leveling and support system for recreational vehicles uses fluid cylinders located at predetermined positions on the recreational vehicle, driven by a master cylinder through a valving control system. The piston of the master cylinder is actuated by a motor driven or hand crank driven screw mechanism, so that a recreational vehicle can be supported or leveled by a single drive unit with controls operated from a single control position.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing cans uses a pair of guide rods having an anvil attached at each end, and a pair of sliding rams sliding on the guide rods. Can support wire members are positioned between each ram and anvil to support a can during crushing. A ram drive cam alternately drives each ram to crush a can against its associated anvil. The single drive cam is connected through reduction gearing to a flywheel which is driven by an electric motor. Each ram has a cam follower and the rams are connected together with springs to maintain the cam followers in continuous contact with the cam. A second embodiment has four rams driven by a single motor and flywheel driving a pair of cams and a can feed mechanism feeds cans in synchronization with the movement of rams.

Abstract: The method of making a fishing lure includes the steps of applying a barrier coat to the cavity of a pair of mold halves, slipping an elongated hollow tube or an elongated hollow tube and hollow metal weight onto a mandrel, placing the mandrel across the cavity of one mold half with the tube or tube and weight within the bounds of the cavity, charging the mold cavity and clamping the mold halves together for curing the body. The body is removed from the molds, the elongated mandrel is pulled from the body leaving the elongated tube or tube and weight formed in the body, then painting, decorating and attaching the screw eyes and hooks through the removed mandrel openings.

Abstract: The power supply of the present invention comprises a power takeoff shaft driven by mechanical electrical or other means and a magnetic field of the permanent magnet together with a first winding for generating a first output voltage proportional to the shaft RPM. A second winding is coupled to the shaft and positioned within the magnetic field of the permanent magnet for generating a second output voltage proportional to the shaft RPM. The first and second windings are designed so that the first output voltage will exceed and be directly proportional to the second output voltage. A control circuit is coupled to the first and second windings to selectively connect the first and second windings to produce an output voltage as close as possible to a predetermined value as the RPM of the driving shaft varies. Voltage regulator circuitry is coupled to the output of the control circuit to regulate the output voltage therefrom.