Abstract: A portable fishing rod storage and support apparatus generally comprised of a hinged, two-piece foldable support platform having clip members connected thereto for removably holding a fishing rod and reel assembly. In one mode, the two-piece support platform may be placed in an unfolded, planar position and suspended from a wall for storing or displaying a multi-section fishing rod and reel assembly. In another mode, the two-piece support platform may be placed in a folded, angular position and anchored to the ground via staking assemblies, along side a body of water, for holding an assembled fishing rod and reel assembly at a predetermined angle in relation to the water. A locking brace is connected between the two pieces forming the support platform for selectively adjusting and maintaining a desired support angle.

Abstract: A magnetic coin element sensor for sensing, detecting and identifying coin elements and the like interposed in a magnetic field wherein the metallurgical structure of each interposed coin element causes an identifiable change in the magnetic field responsive to the metallurgical structure of the interposed coin element and uniquely indicative of the interposed coin element, the change in the magnetic field being sensed, detected and utilized to uniquely identify each of the interposed coin elements. The magnetic coin sensor is particularly useful for identifying coins deposited in a coin handling apparatus such as a vending machine, a coin telephone or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing output indications in response to the presence of an electromagnetic energy receptor within a predetermined distance of a glow discharge device the electrodes of which have a voltage applied thereacross at least equal to the maintaining voltage but less than the breakdown voltage, including an excitor for generating an electromagnetic field around the glow discharge device at a strength less than the ionization level but sufficient to ionize the gas when the electromagnetic energy receptor is within the predetermined distance of the glow discharge device.

Abstract: A repeating spear gun for firing self-propelled spears, the spear gun having a magazine comprising a plurality of spear firing chambers disposed as radial sets of firing chambers, and a bolt having a plurality of firing pins, each firing pin aligned with a firing chamber in the firing path of the bolt. The firing pins are staggered to provide varying firing pin distances to the respective firing chambers positioned in the firing path of the bolt. The firing pins are thereby caused to arrive at the respective firing chambers at different times, and if a spear occupies the firing chamber nearest the bolt, the spear is launched and the exhaust gas therefrom brakes the bolt to prevent firing of a spear contained in another firing chamber. If the firing chamber nearest the bolt is unoccupied, another firing pin will ignitingly impact a spear disposed in another firing chamber of the radial set.

Abstract: A video processor for processing a video input signal provided by a skip-field video tape playback assembly, the video processor stripping the vertical sync pulses from the video input signal, generating interlaced video sync pulses, and adding the interlaced vertical sync pulses to the stripped video input signal to provide a video output signal having interlaced vertical sync pulses. Additional apparatus is disclosed to replace the horizontal sync pulses, the horizontal and vertical blanking pulses and the color bursts of the video input signal.

Abstract: An improved sidebank excavator for removing earth from the side of a hill or other embankment, the excavator having a fixed, bidirectional horizontal earth removal assembly; a rotating, bidirectional vertical earth removal assembly; a conveyor assembly for conveying particulate material deposited on a receiving portion thereof to a discharge portion thereof remote from the receiving portion; and a plurality of independently vertically adjustable track drive assemblies.

Abstract: An improved sleep training pillow designed to train a person to sleep in a position to prevent snoring, the sleep training pillow comprising a head support platform that has a pillow support surface and a face support surface. The face support surface has a high end and a low end, and the face support surface is inclined downwardly from the high end to the low end at an angle of incline relative to the pillow support surface. The head support platform has a relief cavity near the low end thereof extending from the face support surface into the head support platform. Each side of the head support platform may be shaped to form a shoulder relief curvature.

Abstract: A scrap metal compacting apparatus wherein scrap is compressed between a lower jaw formed on the base of the machine and an upper jaw formed on a lid pivotally mounted on the base. A lever arm connects the lid to a trolley which is moved along longitudinally rails disposed in a channel formed in the base to pivot the upper jaw away from the lower jaw and to pivot the upper jaw toward the lower jaw.

Abstract: A livestock transport apparatus particularly useful for transporting a disabled animal, such as a cow or the like, to a therapeutic apparatus, such as a whirlpool bath, the livestock transport apparatus also being utilized in general for transporting animals or other relatively large objects. In one embodiment, the livestock transport apparatus includes a movable frame, a cage and a positioning assembly for moving the cage to a first position wherein the cage is supported in a portion of the movable frame, to a second position wherein the cage is supported in a position generally above the first position and to a third position wherein the cage is supported in a position generally below the first position. In one operational embodiment, the cage is moved to the third position generally near the ground surface and the animal is moved into the cage. The cage then is raised via the positioning assembly to the second position and the movable frame is adjusted for supporting the cage.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automatically monitoring objects, such as vehicles, for example, wherein signpost units are positioned at predetermined locations and each signpost unit transmits a binary signpost code for reception via units installed in the objects being monitored and the objects being monitored receive the signpost codes and store object location information. In one aspect, the present invention contemplates a method and an apparatus which has a multi-mode operation capability wherein the location of the monitored objects is reported when the monitored object enters a different coverage region in an automatic reporting mode, wherein only those monitored objects within a predetermined region or on a predetermined route report to the base station in a region or route reporting mode, and wherein only the locations of predetermined monitored objects are reported to the base station in a polling mode.

Abstract: A trans-horizon navigation system wherein a predetermined sequence of control pulses is phase-encoded onto an RF carrier for transmission from a first transceiver to a second transceiver, the second transceiver including a correlator which provides an output pulse in response to detecting the sequence of control pulses in a received transmission. An improved AGC circuit configuration is also disclosed.

Abstract: A monitor adapted for use with a pneumatic tourniquet having a pressure supply line, the monitor including an alarm which is actuated via a low pressure sensor or a high pressure sensor when the tourniquet pressure falls below or rises above predetermined minimum or maximum pressure levels, respectively, and an elapsed time indicator providing a perceivable indication of the total time during which the tourniquet has been pressurized.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for supporting a frame for pivotation of the frame relative to a selected axis of pivotation. A plurality of connectors are attached to the frame at pivot support points on the frame, and the connectors are supported by a plurality of bearing posts that are arranged in a determined geometric relationship such that each connector is movable on its respective bearing post along an axis of travel, the axis of travel for each of the connectors passing through a common travel axis convergence point. The determined geometric relationship further directs the frame to have a positional reference mode in which all of the pivot support points are positioned on the circumference of a reference circle that intersects the axis of pivotation at an initial pivotation center, the initial pivotation center being located at one end of a reference diameter of the reference circle, and the travel axis convergence point being located at the other end of the reference diameter.

Abstract: A latching control circuit for a rate of penetration recorder providing an output indication in response to the vertically downward movement of a drilling swivel a predetermined penetration distance.

Abstract: A flow control valve having means within the valve body for forming simultaneously variable inlet and outlet orifices which are separated by an expansion chamber.

Abstract: An audio-visual teaching machine including a source record playback unit providing a composite source output signal corresponding to a source record having audio, video control and source control portions; a video control unit for storing the video control portion of the composite source output signal and providing a composite video signal corresponding to the stored video control portion for application to a video display unit; a source control unit responsive to the source control portion of the composite source output signal for controlling the operation of the video control unit and the source record playback unit; and circuitry for applying the audio portion of the composite source output signal to an audio output unit.

Abstract: An improved brake drive apparatus having a brake surface formed in a portion thereof and a brake assembly interposed generally between and connected to an input drive assembly and to an output member, the output member being rotatingly driven via the input drive assembly in the driving mode of the brake assembly and the brake assembly being positioned in the braking mode for preventing rotation of the output member in response to a torque applied at the output member. The brake assembly includes: a brake ring connected to and rotatingly driven via the input drive assembly; a first and a second brake shoe element, each having a portion engageable via a portion of the brake ring; a driven cam connected to the output member and disposed generally between the first and second brake shoe elements; and at least one brake roller disposed generally between the brake shoe elements and the driven cam.

Abstract: A rolling seal assembly for sealing between a well head and a pump rod reciprocating a predetermined stroke distance through an opening in the well head, the seal assembly comprising a substantially tubular, flexible seal encircling the rod adjacent to the well head, the seal having a first end sealingly connected around the rod and a second end sealingly connected to the well head around the opening, the seal rollingly extending between the first and second ends thereof as the first end reciprocates with the rod.

Abstract: An improved barrier forming apparatus and method whereby a barrier is formed continuously over a surface, the barrier having continuous reinforcing rods extending the length of the barrier and having cage reinforced standard supports at predetermined intervals along the length of the barrier. An improved barrier forming assembly is disclosed comprising a concrete forming member having a form cavity extending therethrough; a concrete passing member having a concrete delivery opening for passing concrete or the like to the form cavity; and a positioning assembly comprising a support shaft and a door member pivotally supported at a forward end of the concrete forming member, the barrier being extrudable continuously via the form cavity from a rearward end of the concrete forming member.

Abstract: A plural battery control apparatus having a three-position switch for selectively connecting a pair of batteries singly, in parallel or in series to a current load or source via an electrical output connector. Means are also provided for monitoring the voltage condition of the first and second batteries.