Abstract: An attachment for a vehicle switch is provided in which a switch knob and decorative cover on the dashboard of a vehicle can be removed and replaced with a new decorative cover and knob incorporating a switch. This allows a separate electrical switch to be actuated simultaneously with the vehicle switch so that, for instance, actuation of the windshield wipers switch will simultaneously turn on the headlights of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting heat of radiation includes a hollow member having a panel with a substantially flat exterior surface, the panel absorbing radiation incident to the surface and transferring the heat therefrom to a fluid passing through the member. A reflector body extends from the surface, and is adapted to reflect radiation incident thereto toward the radiation-absorbing surface.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus for feeding dry, granular material from a barrel into a hopper and from the hopper into a mixing tank has a plunger which accepts small predetermined amounts of material through an opening in the bottom of the hopper, slides to a second position where the material is released into the mixing tank. The plunger is solenoid actuated and has an electronic timing circuit for actuation in a predetermined time sequence for varying the amount of material deposited in the mixing tank.

Abstract: A roof covering system comprises an array of panels, each panel having a recess along a first surface and a protrusion along another surface opposing the first surface, and at an opposite end thereof. The panels are disposed in an overlapping, end-to-end relationship such that the protrusion in one panel extends into the recess of another panel. A support pad is provided and joined with each panel, the support pad being positioned between the ends of the panel and extending from one surface thereof.

Abstract: An electromagnetic, high compliance, high displacement low frequency underwater sound transducer is provided for use at great depths without gas compensation. Fluid filled chambers having flexible walls of predetermined area and compliance provide proper acoustic impedance to allow large transducer diaphragm displacements to radiate high power with reasonable efficiency when connected to a chamber located behind the transducer diaphragm.

Abstract: A humidistat assembly of the type used in combination with an air conditioning unit incorporating an evaporator coil and an evaporator fan driven by an adequate fan motor. A sensing element is connected in direct sensing engagement with a predetermined portion of the evaporator coil wherein a current flow regulator means is disposed in circuit between the fan motor and the portion of the sensing means serving to determine the temperature or other predetermined condition of the evaporator coil. Upon the sensing of the desired predetermined condition, current is either established or prevented from flowing between a source of electrical current and the fan motor itself thereby controlling activation of the fan motor and flow of air over the evaporator coil and from the air conditioning assembly. Accordingly, activation of the evaporator fan is delayed until the evaporator coil has reached a predetermined temperature thereby decreasing the amount of water content of the circulated air.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning flexible ropes which has a hollow housing adapted to receive a flexible rope in a coiled condition. The housing contains a heating element for heating the air which comes in contact with the rope, thereby removing excess moisture from the rope. A venting and air circulation system is provided to remove excess moisture from the housing. When the heating element is not in use, the housing may be used as a carrying case for the rope. Automatic and manual devices are provided for controlling the heating element.

Abstract: A line securing apparatus for attaching the line of a marine vessel to a dock, pier, or the like, has a base adapted with a post attached thereto. A plurality of rings is attached to the post and to each other whereby a boat line may be slipped through the rings and over the post to hold the line to the dock. A wedging member is also attached to the post for wedging a vessel line therein; and protruding rods give additional support to a line held in the wedging member.

Abstract: A well point system is provided having automatic regulation of the flow of fluid through each riser in order to shut off an individual riser when the water level drops below the well point of that particular riser. The automatic regulation in the flow of water is controlled above the surface of the earth and includes a float actuated valve for preventing the pump from drawing air. The float actuated valve has a float connected to a rocker arm operating two valve seats for closing a pair of ports and also has a controlled air bleed for evacuating the riser and allowing the water to unseat the valve when the water rises around the well point.

Abstract: An endless inked ribbon printer cartridge for use in printing mechanisms for computer terminals, and the like, having a housing with a pair of protruding arms. A pair of spaced rollers are mounted in said housing and an endless inked ribbon wrapped around the rollers. The endless ribbon is fed from the rollers over a predetermined path between the arms. The spaced rollers have gear teeth formed therein and are connected by an idler gear therebetween so that they move together as the ribbon moves. Cartridge reliability is increased by the use of specific materials for the components along with a predetermined length of ribbon and predetermined inks impregnated in the ribbon.

Abstract: A cable bender includes two bending members rotatably joined together about a common pivot axis, one of the bending members having a ratchet wrench associated therewith such that force may be applied in one rotational direction and the wrench may be freely rotated in a direction opposite to the one direction.

Abstract: A golf putter apparatus is provided having a putter head with a front driving face having convex, horizontal and vertical curves each approximating ellipses. A putter shaft is attached in the center of the rear of the putter head and a striking point indicator is located on top of the putter head so that striking a golf ball on the driving face of the putter head at the approximate indicated striking point will compensate for minute movements of a golfer's wrist.

Abstract: An insect protection apparatus for protecting moving vehicles from insects having a rigid frame at least partially covered with a screen to prevent the passage of insects therethrough. The frame has a bumper attaching system which may be easily attached to most vehicle bumpers and which allows the frame to be rapidly attached and removed from the bumper attaching system. A deflector shield may also be attached to the front of the rigid frame and the bumper attaching system may be aligned to align the frame in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular building unit jacking system includes a modular building constructed for attaching and supporting special jacks. The jacks can be quickly inserted into a perimeter frame of the modular building unit, and the building unit lifted to a predetermined height where a truck trailer bed can be backed under it. The unit lowered onto the trailer bed. The jacks have an elongated support arm for insertion into an opening in the perimeter frame of the building. The perimeter frame has vertical support columns therein, so that the force from the jack in lifting the building is spread in the perimeter frame and directed into the vertical columns.

Abstract: A cover for a truck body of a type including two substantially parallel sides includes two brackets each fixed to one side adjacent the upper edge thereof, each bracket including a substantially flat surface extending normal to the corresponding one of the sides and outward therefrom. A plurality of U-shaped support rods are positioned over the sides and include a roller bearing rotatably supported on the surface such that a cover carried by the rods is movable back and forth across the truck body.

Abstract: Removable boat wheel system for coupling a plurality of rotatable wheel assemblies to a boat for facilitating the overland transportation thereof. Each of the wheel assemblies includes a strut having spaced first and second ends, with the first end movably coupled to either the port or starboard side of the hull of the boat. A wheel is rotatably coupled to the second end of the strut. The wheel assembly also includes a support arm having spaced first and second ends, with the first end coupled to the boat forward of the first end of the strut. The second end of the support arm is movably coupled to the strut adjacent the second end thereof in such a manner that the location of the strut may be reversed between a first and second position for facilitating the overland transportation of the boat. The first position corresponds to the wheel and the strut depending generally downward below a bottom section of the boat for transporting the boat in a cockpit-up orientation.

Abstract: A solar sensor-heater comprising a fluid conduit coiled about a black body enclosed in an insulated container. One side of the container is transparent to allow solar radiation to impinge upon the fluid conduit and black body. A pump is located in the fluid conduit output. A temperature sensing device is located upon the fluid conduit and senses the temperature of the fluid in the conduit and thereby turns the pump on or off as required.

Abstract: A threading apparatus of the type primarily intended for use in threading cylindrical work stock comprising a support table, a carriage movably disposed on the top of the table, a motor fixedly attached to the table top in engaging relation to one end of the work stock, and a die head mounted on the carriage in cooperative relation to the other end of the work stock. By virtue of the construction and arrangement of the various elements one to the other, individual pieces of work stock of varying length may be threaded. Additionally, work stock including a protective exterior coating may be threaded without damaging the integrity of the coating.

Abstract: A phased array radar antenna comprises an array of hollow, rectangular tubes, each tube having an opening therethrough. A tuning slug is positioned within each of the hollow tubes, and is mechanically coupled with a transducer for moving each tuning slug through the corresponding hollow tube responsive to an electrical input thereto. A feed horn is provided for radiating electromagnetic energy into the openings of the hollow tubes whereby the energy is reflected therefrom in a direction and in a beam width determined by the position of all of the slugs.

Abstract: A solar heater/cooler assembly designed primarily for use with swimming pools with a pumping system and including heat exchanger coils and automatic temperature control to regulate the operation of the solar heater/cooler.