Abstract: A sugar cane harvester having at its front end a topper section for cutting off the tops of the cane stalks and upper and lower sets of cane gathering arms which gather up the cane and bring it into the harvester for harvesting at its base and topping at its top. The topper section is carried on a vertically moveable base riding on vertical tracks for varying the height of the topping cuts, to which base is also pivotally connected the harvester ends of the upper set of cane gathering arms, thus interconnecting the topper cutter entry or harvester ends of the upper arms and the topper section for combined movement together. Variable length, telescoping bracing arms are pivotally connected between the left, upper and lower arms and the right, upper and lower arms, respectively, to provide stabilizing bracing to the upper sets of arms when they are vertically varied with the topper section.

Abstract: This invention relates to the selective control of algae in ponds, sewage lagoons, cooling towers, lakes, and other bodies of water, including managed bodies of water, and deals particularly with the use of certain long-chain fatty acids and salts thereof for chemical control of Cyanochloronta (blue-green algae). Stimulation of Chlorophycophyta (green algae) is achieved by the use of one embodiment of this invention.Application of the invention to bodies of water used in aquaculture eliminates earthy, musty flavors and other disagreeable flavors associated with blue-green algae in fish and other cultured organisms. Furthermore, a more balanced diversity of planktonic organisms can be maintained which makes oxygen depletion problems more manageable.

Abstract: A chalkboard eraser cleaner including a completely closeable, box-like housing containing an electrically driven, rotatable beater. At the top of the container is a side, slot-like opening with a door for the insertion of the eraser to be cleaned. Right below the area in which the eraser is inserted, there is an eraser support surface of somewhat slack, mesh netting material supported between the walls of the container for supporting the eraser during beating, with the mesh netting located directly above the rotatable beater whose arms impact the bottom of the eraser through the mesh netting to clean the eraser. Below the beater and the mesh is a removable drawer located at the bottom of the container which can be removed for the disposal of the eraser dust, which generally will fall into the drawer during use of the cleaner. An electrical contact switch is positioned in the container adjacent to the forward end of the area in which the eraser to be cleaned is inserted.

Abstract: A floating retriever for retrieving, for example, spilled oil or other liquid substances on the top of water having a central liquid collection chamber with a vacuum or suction pick-up for delivery of the pollutants to, for example, a mother vessel which controls the retriever by means of, for example, a boom structure. The retriever has a large surrounding circular float with intake ports with rotational, wiper/configured, laterally disposed vaned cylinders to bring the retrieved liquid to the collection chamber. The device includes an inverted-dome, variable level, water well for stability, as well as radially positioned, selectively controlled, out-rigger, floating screws which may turn clockwise or counterclockwise for both drawing the oil to the intake ports and providing for propulsion and guidance. In an alternate embodiment, an initial, gravity oil/water separator is included in the retriever in association with the central collection chamber.

Abstract: A light weight, portable, self-contained pipe joining device and system for installing succeeding, very heavy, concrete pipe sections into the end of a preceding pipe section positioned in a trench. The pipe joining device includes a power operated winch which is mounted on an adjustable height stand which may be mounted on a sled. The adjustable height stand allows the positioning of the winch inside the initial pipe section at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical centerline of the pipe section. The winch cable is anchored to the winch stand, passed through a snatch-block and secured to the winch drum. Secured to the snatch-block is a two part sling with a hook at the free end of each part. The winching cable assembly is led through the interior of the succeeding pipe section being installed, and the hooks are placed over the pipe wall at the far end. The pipe joining device is anchored in the initial pipe section by means of a static two part sling.

Abstract: A figure toy or doll with a hollow body cavity fabricated from a durable and resilient material. Fitted to the body is a relatively rigid extension which incorporates a threaded arrangement to receive a relatively rigid head which incorporates a reciprocal threaded arrangement. The hollow body is filled with a non-toxic gelatinous fluid, which, when the body is compressed, will flow through the relatively rigid extension into the relatively rigid head and out of orifices in the head. This configuration simulates bleeding by the figure toy. During shipping, the relatively rigid extension is sealed with for example an easily removeable foil or film to prevent inadvertent discharge of the gelatinous fluid.

Abstract: An exercising system for exercising the abdominal muscles in which the abdominal muscles are isolated and placed "on stretch" prior to contracture comprising an exercising device having a seat with a posteriorly curved, firm back in which the user sits and secures himself and bends forward working against a progressive force resistance system using weights supported on a pulley system (three exemplary pulley systems being illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) or using a resilient, stretch material (FIGS. 4 and 5) connected by means of shoulder harness with straps to the upper shoulder portions of the user, with the user strapped into place with a seat belt. In use, the exerciser simply straps himself into the seat, puts the shoulder harness on and lies back against the posteriorly curved back which puts the abdominals in stretch.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening damaged automobile frames or bodies utilizing a rigid structural ramp capable of supporting a vehicle. A preferably hydraulic power source capable of imparting alternatively a compressive or a tensile force to the damaged frame or body is adjustably mounted on a wheeled post which slideably travels a continuous track circumventing the ramp. The ramp is provided with improved chain anchoring openings. A chain can be used for a applying tensile force to the frame directly or indirectly to the frame by connecting a chain first to the anchoring opening, then to the damaged frame, and then to the hydraulic power source.Using two wheeled posts on the continuous track, a rotatable, pivotal, cross bar can be attached at its respective end portions to the wheeled posts. With the power source mounted on the cross bar, repairs can be made to the roof, or interior portions of an automobile.

Abstract: A rug or mat cleaning apparatus is disclosed which is comprised of first a dry lint and dust removing section, then a water or like liquid containing vessel having an initial wash section and then a rinse section and then finally a wringer section. A mat to be cleaned is passed through a first conveying roller at a slower driving speed. Thereafter, the mat or rug enters an increased speed brush which both removes dirt and agitates the surface of the rug and beats it to knock loose undesireable dirt and like particles. In the wash section of the apparatus, alternating feed rollers and brush rollers carry the mat or rug to be cleaned. Each feed roller clamps and holds the rug to prevent slipping while conveying it at a slower linear speed. Each brush roller provides a brushing surface having a substantially higher linear speed than the surface of the conveying rolls. Thus, a "tuck" or crease is created in the rug between each high speed roller brush and its adjacent and following slower conveying roll.

Abstract: An orthodontic traction appliance system including headgear with straps for the wearer, a face plate on either side connected to the headgear, and a resiliently biased "J"-hook tube assembly on each face plate. The "J"-hook tube assembly comprises a "J"-hook member having a shaft extending through a tube and being resiliently and elastically held into the tube by a rubber band extending between lateral arms on the shaft and a reverse, face plate connecting hook on the underside of the tube. The face plate includes a variable length portion comprising a base portion having series of parallel, lateral, female slots and a head strap connector portion riding on the base portion and having a male, inverted-"L" shaped protrusion for mating with a selected one of the female slots to vary the relative distance between the tube of the "J"-hook assembly and the straps of the headgear.

Abstract: A pumping system for filling pressurized gas cylinders from a relatively lower pressure, liquified supply of that gas, for example CO.sub.2, by means of a system comprising a CO.sub.2 /air-driven motor driving the liquified gas into the cylinder. The system is primed until liquid begins to run. Thereafter the liquid is driven by the CO.sub.2 /air-driven motor into an empty cylinder. A particularly efficacious longitudinally reciprocating plunger pump for use in the system is disclosed (FIG. 4). The "air" driven motor is preferrably driven by CO.sub.2 vapor, particularly where CO.sub.2 is the liquified gas being pumped or where hazardous or toxic liquified gases are being pumped.

Abstract: A self-powered life monitor in a pocket-size, portable container including a casing with electrode probes mounted on the casing which are capable of piercing the skin to rest in subcutaneous tissue. The monitor further includes an amplifier electrically connected to the electrode probes and to a "life" indicator. The monitor is used by placing the electrode probes at different positions in an area of the human body where electrical potential is indicative of life activity, such as the areas of the heart or brain. The amplifiers enhance the difference between the electrical potentials measured by the probes, and the indicator indicates the existence and strength of the electrical potential and hence the presence or absence of life. For brain activity detection, a first embodiment (note particularly FIGS. 2 and 7) has supplemental, swing-out, pivoting electrodes, while a second embodiment (FIGS. 8 and 9) has supplemental, spring-out electrodes.

Abstract: A system for obtaining torque and angular velocity of a load transmitting shaft (such as for example the power drive shaft in a marine propulsion system) and adapted to obtain the efficiency and power output of the shaft. The system makes use of a matched pair of optoelectronic sensors, each comprising a pair of light sources, a pair of optoelectronic pick-ups and a relatively rotating interrupter member. The pair of optoelectronic sensors permits an accurate measurement of the relative angular displacement of the relatively rotating members. The system converts a binary-type optical message into electrical pulse signals which are processed to provide readings of torque, angular velocity, power output and shaft efficiency. The optoelectronic sensors are positionally adjustable by means of set screws, and the system can be calibrated by means of self-test circuits. The optical pick-up includes a vertical array of individual optical fibers.

Abstract: As part of a well derrick system using pair of elongated hydraulic cylinders mounted on the derrick face for well pipe elevating, in which an equalizer beam bridges the cylinder ram heads to maintain equality of advance of the rams, the beam being pivoted on a horizontal pivot above the ram heads, the beam carries a lower centrally aligned horizontal pivot sheave means from which cable means extend downwardly to suspend a travelling beam from which depend any of various pipe manipulating tools. In some species additional sheave means on the travelling beam and on an intermediate fixed beam provide for multiple wrappings of the cable means whereby force or distance multiplication may be obtained.

Abstract: A light weight, portable, and self-contained soldering iron heating device in which one or more propane gas containers or equivalent provide fuel to two burners through a manifold which has independent burner fuel controls. The burners are located in a fire box which supports a cradle in which two soldering irons may be placed. The fire box is fitted with a hinged hood, provides for rapid and economical heating, and confines the flame so as to be safe for use in areas selected for soldering, with the hinged hood providing easy access to the burners for servicing. The fuel supply and fire box are positioned side-by-side on a horizontal base and are separated by an integral, vertical, combined sheet metal, heat shield and tubular handle. This configuration eliminates the need for any insulation, results in a low center of gravity allowing use on inclines up to for example thirty degrees, and permits single hand carriage.

Abstract: A flagpole system for automatically displaying and furling a flag employing a motorized drive in which a frictional roller causes the flag to be loosely folded without a spindle into or unfolded from a waterproof cylindrical housing. The system employs both light sensitive and moisture sensitive circuits to automatically activate the DC motor for furling and unfurling the flag. During furling of the flag, when the flag is fully furled, a welt along the side of the flag causes an amperage overload in the motor to take place, activating an amperage overload switch and turning off the motor. At the same time the amperage overload switch reverses the current so that, when the motor is reactivated to lower the flag, the flag will be unfurled. A similar welting overload system is used in the unfurling operation. The drive roller can include uni-directional flicking members on their surface for a flicking action in the furling operation only. The system can be grounded mounted (FIG. 5) or wall mounted (FIG. 9).

Abstract: A universal spreader comprising a hopper; a cable by which the speading of fertilizer/chemical/seed/pesticide/etc., in the hopper may be inititated or terminated; a rotatable, driven agitator which distributes and controls the amount of the fertilizer; an adjustable width drive for the agitator; a series of moveable fertilizer delivery tubes or "fingers" for delivering the fertiziler from the hopper to the ground which allows spreader to be fit on lawnmowers of most sizes with handles of different and varied configurations; and a guide securing device which also assists in spreading the fertilizer from the "fingers" while also serving to provide a base for anchoring and adjusting the width of the "fingers" to coincide with the swath of the lawn cut by the blades of the mower.

Abstract: Hydraulic exerciser comprising a hydraulic control circuit, a single acting positive displacement pump, and an exercise machine designed using the control circuit and pump. With the hydraulic control circuit up to four modes and one combination of modes of exercising are possible; namely isometric, isodynamic, isokinetic, warmup and the combination of isodynamic and isokinetic. In addition the control circuit has a gage for registering the resistive force for all modes or combination of modes of exercising.