Abstract: A modular drain field section and a method for making a drain field section are disclosed having upper and lower casings which are connected together to form each drain field section. Both upper and lower casings have a center pipe portion which, when connected together, forms a central pipe and each casing has troughs on both sides of the center pipe portion. The lower casing troughs have a plurality of openings therein and a spillway connects the central pipe with the lower casing troughs. The modular drain field sections are connected together to form a drain field without the use of rock media, fill, drain tile, grace board or felt paper. A method of making the modular drain field section includes using the same mold both for the upper and lower casings.

Abstract: An automatic light switching system including a receptacle for an automatic timer whereby the circuit including the receptacle will be operated in response to predetermined settings of the timer. A manual on-off switch is also included so that the circuit can be operated independently of the timer. The light switching system specifically comprises a modification for the circuit's wiring and an adapter whereby standard, commercially-available timers may be utilized to regulate the circuit's operation in predetermined fashion.

Abstract: A portable flashlight burglar alarm apparatus has a flashlight with an annunciator attached thereto and powered by the flashlight batteries. The flashlight may be placed adjacent a door and the burglar alarm circuit enabled so that opening the door knocks the flashlight over to actuate the annunciator.

Abstract: An article carrying and unloading device primarily designed to transport and unload at specific locations large, substantially cylindrical bales of hay or the like. A support frame which may be in the form of a mobile trailer has one or more cradle assemblies pivotally connected to the support frame and, accordingly, movable between a carrying and an unloading position. At least one cradle support assembly is disposed in at least partially supporting relation between each cradle assembly and the support frame wherein this cradle support assembly is movable relative to the support frame by manipulation of a locking element allowing displacement of the one cradle assembly and thereby removal of a primary support such that gravity, and weight of the carried article, automatically forces the cradle assembly from its carrying to its unloading position.

Abstract: An orthopedic device designed and configured to provide ambulatory traction to specific levels of the spine of a human wherein an inflatable bladder is affixed between a rigid base plate and an apertured template plate so as to extend outwardly therefrom to engage the back portion of a patient and provide predetermined specifically directed pressure to predetermined portions of the spine. The traction apparatus which includes the bladder, template plate and base plate are removably mounted to a belt having both a latex portion causing expandable support when placed in surrounding relation to the patient as well as brace strapping which is relatively unyieldable so as to maintain the expandable, inflatable bladder at a given position relative to a preselected portion of the spine.

Abstract: A gas scrubber apparatus for cleaning impurities from a gas such as air, having a pair of tanks partially filled with water, and each having a tower extending vertically therefrom. Gas is fed to one or the other tower, past a plurality of sprinklers located in the towers, and against the water in the bottom of the tank, and then out an outlet. A pump pumps the water through a filter from each tank to the sprinklers in the tower, and the water may have added chemicals for improving the scrubbing action.

Abstract: A support assembly primarily designed to be connected in supporting relation to a scaffold and structured, through placement of its various components, to move the scaffold assembly along an inclined surface such as on a roof. The support assembly includes a frame and preferably at least two support wheels extending outwardly from said frame and into movable engagement with the inclined surface so as to support the frame thereon. A platform for interconnection to the scaffold element is movably and adjustably positioned on the frame by means of a platform positioning assembly which, through its interconnection to the platform, defines the platform's angular orientation relative to the plane.

Abstract: A guard for swimming pool cleaning hoses includes a spool having a hole therethrough, the hole dimensioned so as to receive the hose. The periphery of the spool is provided with a concavity, with a plurality of individual roller segments rotatably mounted in the cavity about a shaft, whereby the roller segments produce frictional contact between the hose and a pool being cleaned.

Abstract: A spray nozzle apparatus and a method of making a spray nozzle in which a variety of nozzle sizes can be made using several common components. The nozzle head has a threaded base for attachment to a water line which base has an opening passing therethrough for mounting removable nozzle inserts therein with retainer rings. A water-deflecting portion is removably mounted to the base so that a curved portion thereon will deflect water at a predetermined angle. The curved deflector is attached to the base with a single screw and a pair of positioning studs.

Abstract: A shipping and display carton for plants and similar articles includes bottom, back and opposing side walls, the side walls sloping from the top of the back wall toward the bottom wall. The container further includes a top wall joined to the back wall on one edge, the top wall having an inner face toward the bottom wall when the container is in a shipping condition, the top wall further including an outer face with a printed message thereon. The top wall also has first and second side flaps along opposing edges thereof, which edges are normal to the one edge of the top wall. The side flaps extend parallel to and in abutment with a corresponding one of the first and second side walls when the carton is in the shipping position. The carton further includes a weakened line extending across the top wall and dividing the top wall into two portions, such that the top wall may be folded into a display position substantially parallel with the back wall.

Abstract: Deriving carotenoid coloring agents from citrus by extracting the natural peel oil from the flavedo of the fruit, treating the oil to remove the undesirable sterols, coumarins and other undesirable waxes therein, and thereafter deterpenating the de-waxed oil by successively folding the oil to a concentration of at least 15-fold in order to remove the major portion of the limonene therein. The de-waxed and deterpenated oil is then distilled under vacuum in a molecular still at a pressure between about 10 microns to 1.0 millimeters of mercury, and at a temperature of between 90.degree. to 120.degree. C to remove the balance of the unwanted constituents and to provide the desired concentrated carotenoids as an output thereof.

Abstract: An indicator system for conventional open-face spinning reels of the type having a line spool and a drag nut for applying a drag force against rotation of the line spool includes a plurality of drag setting markers spaced about the face of the line spool and corresponding to a desired drag setting for different gauges (lb. Test) of line on the spool. An alignment marker is positioned on the face of the drag nut and an indicator chart is provided on the reel having indicia thereon corresponding to the drag setting marks and indicating the predetermined gauge represented by each drag setting marker. The correct drag is set for the line on the spool by rotating the drag nut to a finger tight position, and then by reverse rotation of the drag nut to align the alignment marker with the correct one of the drag setting markers, as determined by cross-reference to the indicator chart.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic system and a method for storing and distributing audio signals over existing communication lines. The system comprises a compressor for compressing in a predetermined manner the waveform amplitude of an input analog signal, thereby forming a compressed analog signal. The compressed analog signal is then converted into a digital signal by an analog to digital converter. A digital interface subsystem stores and retrieves selected ones of the digital signals for transmission over a communications line. At a remote end of the communications line the digital signal is converted back to its analog compressed signal representation by a digital to analog converter. The compressed analog signal is then expanded in a manner complimentary to the compressor operation, thus reconstructing the analog signal.

Abstract: A skywriting apparatus produces visible vapor in a predetermined pattern to write messages in the sky and has a plurality of vapor generators attached to an airplane and spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each vapor generator has a burner which continuously burns, once ignited, until extinguished, and an oil injector which injects oil responsive to a remote control unit. The vapor generators are attached in a spaced relationship from a cable supported from a winch in the airplane and includes a second cable for spacing the generators as they are lowered from the plane.

Abstract: A high speed printer is provided having a plurality of aligned hammer assemblies for directing hammers at a moving character band for printing characters responsive to the hammer's driving against the character band. The hammer assembly has a striker arm pivotly mounted to a striker assembly frame and which acts as an armature when driven by a pair of magnets. The magnets are attached to the striker assembly frame on opposite sides of the striker arm and on opposite sides of the pivot point for the striker arm so that simultaneously actuating both magnets pulls the striker arm for actuating the hammer. Each magnet has a single coil, with one of the magnets having a reverse polarity from each adjacent magnet on an adjacent assembly, while the other magnet has the same polarity to avoid cross-talk and to increase the speed of the printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially compacting a plurality of containers includes first and second plates each juxtaposed with respect to the other and having respective compacting surfaces, one of the plates being operated by a cam for effecting the reciprocal operation toward and away from the other plate so as to crush containers between the two compacting surfaces. A magazine is provided above the compacting plates for feeding the containers into the space therebetween, the magazine being pivoted above the plates such that downward rotation of the magazine occurs responsive to the weight of a predetermined number of the containers to operate a switch which energizes the cam mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an automatic apparatus and method for coupling a workpiece to a specified position along a continuous length of ribbon and then cutting a length of ribbon therefrom to a predetermined length, which improvement provides for grasping the cut length of ribbon and welding the ends together. A pair of clamping jaws grasps a piece of ribbon at a predetermined position just prior to cutting the ribbon from a continuous length of ribbon, then turns the ribbon to align the end over a sonic welding anvil, and welding the ends of the ribbon together and discharging the ribbon from the apparatus.

Abstract: A shield and visor combination for snapping onto a helmet includes a visor attachable to a helmet and a shield rotatably attached to the visor and having a center snap for holding the shield in position to cover the face of the wearer. The shield is attached to the visor with a pair of plastic studs each having annular surfaces and an opening in the stud to allow the stud to be compressed against the opening to insert the stud into an opening in the visor. The angled surface then holds the visor in place on the shield, but allows the shield to be rotated or lifted on the visor. The lifted shield will maintain its position by the pressure put against the angled surface of the studs by the shield's bias away from the visor and by a wedging action of the shield against a portion of the visor when the shield is lifted. The shield is a molded polymer having molded support studs, center snap and molded studs for racing peel-off strips.

Abstract: A label removing device of the type primarily intended for use in removing adhesive labels from a substrate, including a unitary body portion having first and second scrapers disposed at opposite ends thereof. The first scraper is specifically designed and constructed for removing labels from a relatively hard substrate, and the second scraper is specifically designed and constructed to assist in removing adhesive labels from softer substrates.

Abstract: A ball retriever of the type primarily intended for use in picking up tennis balls, comprising a handle, a base mounted on one end of the handle, and a clip operatively attached to the base in ball-engaging relation to the surface of the tennis ball. The clip of the present invention includes a plurality of hooks disposed in nap-engaging relation to the tennis ball surface. Upon being engaged by the ball retriever of this invention, a tennis ball is held therein until removed by pulling.