Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for scrubbing crude oil (bitumen) from tar-sands, the apparatus being characterized by a heated vessel for maintaining the tar-sand/water slurry at between approximately 180.degree.-200.degree. F., a pair of counterrotating screw conveyors in the bottom of the vessel for agitating the sand and moving it to the discharge end, means for simultaneously diluting and aerating the incoming slurry that produces small bubbles effective to float the crude oil freed from the sand to the surface, an overflow wier running alongside the vessel for catching the oil skimmed off the surface of the water, transversely-extending endless chain-and-flight skimmers for skimming the oil into the wier, a bottom-opening discharge for the clean sand, and valves controlling the discharge of sand effective to remove the latter without lowering the fluid level in the vessel to a point where the oil previously released can reattach itself to the sand.

Abstract: This invention relates to a motorcycle turn signal subassembly including a pair of turn signals, the electrical parts and the mounting hardware therefor for use in combination with the mounting hardware for a breakaway-type handlebar mounted windscreen in place of the latter or in combination therewith so as to retain its breakaway capabilities by disconnecting the hardware connection and providing a quick-disconnect coupling between the electrical system and the lamp housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved tube bending mandrel of the general type having fixed and bendable sections and wherein the latter comprises a chain of ball and socket elements linked together in end to end relation with each such element being encircled by a ring of the same diameter as the fixed section cooperating therewith and with one another to define limited movable universal connections therebetween. More specifically, the instant invention relates to an improved ball and socket assembly wherein the ball portion comprises two or more spherically-surfaced ring segments which cooperate with each other and with a spherically-concave head formed integral with the body in which the socket is formed on the opposite end of the link to form the ball.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved vented syringe of a type ideally suited to the taking of blood samples for blood gas analysis and, more particularly, to a novel piston and push-rod subassembly for use therewith wherein the rubber piston on the tip of a rigid push-rod cooperate with one another to vent air out the rear end of the syringe barrel while trapping that contaminated portion of the blood sample that came in contact with the vented air inside the piston's hollow interior. Specifically, the piston is encircled on both ends by annular ribs sized for sliding contact with the interior of the syringe barrel, the upstream rib of the two having slits therein to pass both air and blood to a medial portion of reduced cross section while the downstream one maintains a continuous annular fluid and air-tight seal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a canopy assembly for use in combination with a force-fed supply of hot humidified air to be used in the curing of repair patches on airborne radar domes, such a canopy assembly including a flexible donut-shaped inflatable distributor having an inlet on its outer periphery connectable to the source of air and a plurality of apertures spaced around its inside margin for distributing the air more or less radially inward over the patch, a plurality of tie-down straps encircling the distributor tube spaced around its periphery, a like member of suction cups detachably connectable to the tie-down straps for mounting the tube in encircling relation to the patch to be cured, a flexible shroud of a size and shape effective to cooperate with the distributor to define a protective cover over the patch, and means depending from the margins of the shroud detachably connectable to the strap and suction cup subassemblies for releasably interconnecting same in roof-forming relation atop the distrib

Abstract: This invention relates to a tent consisting of an open-bottomed roofed canopy and foldable frame having cornerposts detachably connectable to various socketed supporting structures cooperating therewith to define an aerial tent, a tent for a cherry picker bucket and a ground tent for use in covering the entryway through a manhole to an underground installation. The support subassembly adapting the tent for use as an aerial tent includes vise-like cable clamps detachably connectable to an overhead cable, upwardly divergent sockets for receiving the cornerposts of the frame and ties for connecting the canopy to supports positioned above the cable. A second support subassembly provides socketed arms depending from a cherry picker bucket that detachably receive the tent frame cornerposts. The latter subassembly includes a high voltage version wherein the arms are detachably secured to the bucket without penetrating same by means of a belted sling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable ventilating apparatus particularly well suited for use in purging underground installations characterized by a collar having a deflector atop thereof mountable within an entryway on the surface leading below ground, a duct hanging from the underside of the collar extendable well down into the area to be ventilated in spaced relation to the entryway so as to leave an annular exhaust passage therebetween, a tapered nozzle supported within the mouth of the collar cooperating with the deflector to define an annular air intake passage, and a blower mounted within the nozzle for directing a stream of air down the duct, said blower and nozzle cooperating to inspirate clean air into the duct through the air intake passage and using it to force any foul air out through the exhaust opening across the deflector which disperses it and thus prevents the latter from being returned underground.

Abstract: This invention relates to a centrifugal pump characterized by a pair of novel self-aligning impeller hub seals located in the high pressure cavity and subjected to the influence thereof to maintain them in fluid-tight sealed contact with the adjacent cavity walls to which they are loosely fastened. The invention also encompasses a novel thrust-type hub seal subassembly that is continually biased into fluid-tight sealed contact with an annular abutment on the impeller hub, the latter element being the only surface in relatively movable frictional engagement with the seal with such engagement being face-to-face so that the thrust compensates for any wear therebetween. Another feature of the invention is the cooperative relationship between the self-aligning impeller hub seals, the thrust-type hub seal and pressure relief passages in the impeller hub whereby the thrust seal is isolated from the relatively higher fluid pressure in the high pressure cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved control circuit for use with a magnetic clutch and a Brunswick automatic pinsetter for the purpose of shutting down the pin retrieval function performed by the latter during those intervals when it is not needed, such circuit being characterized by a pair of parallel direct current paths to the clutch magnet, one of which is effective to instantaneously actuate the pin retrieval operation whenever a ball has been rolled while, at the same time, energizing the thermal element in a branch path to the other circuit which element, once it becomes hot, is effective to establish the alternate path to the clutch and maintain the pin retrieval function operative for a brief time interval after both the pinsetter's rake-cycle and pin-storage cycles have been completed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for exercising the human body characterized by an elongate curved tubular chute open at both ends for insertion or retrieval of a ball placed therein that is mounted for propeller-like rotational movement about a substantially horizontal axis located approximately midway between its ends. The chute is slit longitudinally to receive the user's hands as he or she stands in front of its concave face and places a ball in one open end while retrieving it from the other or occasionally the same end. The chute is preferably mounted on a support which provides for vertical adjustment thereof and either slow powered rotational movement or securing thereof in any selected rotational position between vertical and horizontal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glare shield for motorcycle headlights mountable within an inverted generally U-shaped slot in a transparent fairing placed in front thereof, the shield being characterized by an elongate web of flexible elastic material having a center section bordered on both ends by arcuate pleated sections separating the latter from a pair of identical end sections bearing an acute angular relationship to the center section approaching 90.degree.. The shield also includes an integrally-formed rim on the outside of the web having a more or less H-shaped cross section adapted to be releasably retained in forwardly-facing flush relation within an inverted and recessed U-shaped slot in the fairing that extends along the top of the headlight and down along both sides thereof. The pleats are located on top of the web in upstanding relation thus leaving the underside with flat wedge-shaped surfaces between the pleats that engage the headlight and block most of the reflected light therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved strip label printer and especially to a shuttle mechanism therefor that advances the label strip in incremental fashion and, in addition, functions to actuate the printing head during the time the shuttle is returning to its original position preparatory to starting another label-advancing stroke. This shuttle mechanism is characterized by a specially-shaped slide block that includes label-engaging ears working through slots in a bedplate over which the label strip moves and also a hump-like fulcrum between these ears that engages the underside of the bedplate and functions to tilt the slide block in a direction as to elevate the ears into operative position during the forward stroke lowering them into inoperative position beneath the strip on the return stroke when shuttled back and forth by the crank and pitman drive therefor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cover for the open bed of a pickup truck or the like characterized by a multi-channelled track having a first pair of parallel rails leading out of a storage area horizontally along the rim of the truck bed and at least a second pair of rails branching off the first pair at a point intermediate the ends thereof down to the floor of the bed. A rollable or otherwise storable fabirc or slatted canopy is drawn out of its stored condition where it extends transversely of the rails adjacent one end of the first or main pair thereof into a position where it covers all or a portion of the bed. More specifically, the canopy either remains in the first set of rails coacting with an upstanding wall of the truck bed to define a closed compartment therebeneath encompassing essentially its maximum horizontal area or, alternatively, compartmentalizing only a portion of the latter by using only a section of the first rails and a pair of the branched rails.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cyclone-type aspirated dirt separator for use in washing dirt from dirt-laden dry airstreams and, more particularly, to a device of the class described which is especially suited for use with a dry pick-up vacuum cleaner as a means for collecting the dirt it picks up in a water bath. The separator is characterized by a riser tube with an open top and an opening in its lower end immersed in a water bath into which dirt-laden dry air is introduced tangentially for ascending spiral movement therethrough while simultaneously aspirating water. Internal baffles create turbulent flow in the water/dirt-laden air mixture and they thus prevent vortexing which otherwise results in a relatively unwashed dirt-laden air column centered inside a hollow water column.