Abstract: A lap stand for supporting a craft frame or hoop upon a user's lap such that the hoop may be swiveled upon a universal joint in a variety of orientations to allow improved user access to the work piece held by the hoop.

Abstract: An improved system for attaching a tub spout to the rough in water supply pipe or stub-out which typically extends out of a tub wall. The improved tub spout includes a vertical ring clamp inside the spout for receiving the stub-out. The stub-out passes through an aperture in the middle portion of the clamp and then into a tubular receiver. By tightening a screw associated with the clamp, the clamp is tilted to engage the stub-out. By further tightening of the screw, the stub-out is drawn into sealed engagement with the interior of the spout and the spout is drawn tightly against the tub wall.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking a tilt frame of a hoist to a vehicle frame comprises a semi-annular ring connected in axial alignment to the hub of a hoist lift arm. The ring is adapted to receive a pin connected to the vehicle frame. An opening is formed in the ring and is sized to permit the pin to pass therethrough. When the lift arm is advanced to a retracted position relative to the vehicle frame the opening is positioned below the pin, such that the tilt frame may be pivoted relative to the base frame. When the lift arm is pivoted out of the retracted position to load and unload a container, the ring extends in overlapping position below the pin to prevent the tilt frame from pivoting relative to the base frame.

Abstract: A hitch system for attaching an agricultural implement to a towing vehicle, includes a side mount hitch having a pair of longitudinally spaced and upwardly oriented hitch balls connected to a side of the towing vehicle and a pair of longitudinally spaced hitch arms pivotally connected to an adjacent side of the implement. Each hitch arm carries a hitch coupler adapted to engage a respective one of the hitch balls proximate its distal end. The hitch arms are moveable between a raised transport position and a lowered working position wherein the couplers engage the hitch balls. The hitch system may also include a towing hitch for connecting the implement behind the towing vehicle during transport.

Abstract: The invention as described herein consists of a pitch-changing arrangement as may be used in a pedal steel guitar to improve the quality of the sounds emanating therefrom. The invention incorporates a tone ring for transferring the string energy from the neutral position raising lever directly into the guitar cabinet. The invention also allows for the pitch-changing device to be stopped in the raised position by the guitar cabinet slot thus imparting the string energy directly into the guitar cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of universal inactivated vaccines and their use in preparing compositions for the prophylaxis and therapy of dermatomycosis. Vaccines according to the present invention have the advantage of conferring immunity against all important causes of dermatomycosis in animals and are characterized by stable immunogenic properties, easy preparation, high content of microconidia and lack of side reactions in animals.

Abstract: A pipe hold-down for securing a pipe to a building member includes a back having a base end, a distal end, and a fastener receiving aperture extending therethrough from the distal end to the base end. A claw extends outwardly from the back proximate the distal end thereof and curves toward the base end. A leg extends outwardly from the back proximate the base end thereof is more flexible than the back and bendable relative thereto. An opening is defined between a distal end of the claw and the leg. The leg is bendable between a normal position and a pipe admitting position wherein the leg is bent outwardly away from the claw, in the normal position the opening is substantially narrower than the outside diameter of the pipe and in the pipe admitting position the opening is at least as wide as the outside diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: A hand held exercise device includes a pair of dumbbells rotatably attached to a cross bar and which can be held between the hands of a user gripping the dumbbells. Grips are preferably positionable around the dumbbells to require the user to hold the exercise device in an open hand grip. The dumbbells are removably connected to the cross bar to permit use of the dumbbells separately, with or without the grips.

Abstract: A spigot for a beverage container includes a body having a passage with first and second ends formed therethrough. An annular shoulder extends into the passage proximate the first end thereof and an annular valve seat is formed proximate the second end. An elastomeric plunger positioned in the passage includes a button with a sealing flange seated against the annular shoulder and a valve head biased against the valve seat. The body further includes a plurality of fins extending radially into the passage, each fin has a first end adjacent the annular shoulder such that the first ends contact the sealing flange as the button is depressed. The fins act to inhibit the sealing flange from coming unseated from the shoulder.

Abstract: Injection molding machine utilizes microwave heating. A microwave oven adapted to receive a microwave absorbent plasticizing vessel is utilized with or incorporated into an injection molding system to form a plasticizing unit for heating polymer granules to an injection temperature and injection of the melt into the cavity of the injection mold. The polymer granules may be preheated by conventional heating systems to a temperature at which the granules become microwave absorbent before heating to the injection temperature in the microwave oven. The injection molding machine also contains a hydraulic actuator for injection of the melt. The ceramic materials forming the plasticizing vessel are selected to provide equal heating rates of mold members and relatively uniform heating of polymer to desired injection temperature.

Abstract: An applicator for applying fluid treatments such as paint, stain, varnish or the like to surfaces such as wood. The applicator includes an elongated handle, one end of the hand serving as a primary gripping element, the other end of the handle being covered with fluid-retaining material such as natural or synthetic wool fleece or foam rubber to form an applicator pad. The portion of the handle bearing the applicator pad may be detached from the portion of the handle forming the primary gripping element. A secondary gripping element such as a knob is movable from a first position on the handle to a second position on the applicator pad.

Abstract: A plumbing support bracket for supporting plumbing pipes between structural members comprises a pair of end tabs and a center section between the end tabs. The end tabs are bendable relative to the center section. The center section has opposed first and second edges with a plurality of pipe receiving notches formed in the first edge. The center section further includes a row of longitudinally spaced pipe receiving holes. The center section is made more rigid than the end tabs by first and second ribs. The first rib comprises a flange formed along the second edge of the bracket and the second rib comprises an elongate longitudinal bulge formed in the body between the bases of the pipe receiving notches and the row of pipe receiving holes.

Abstract: An automatic net and tube feeding system for a sod harvester having a conveyor upon which rolls of sod are formed includes a net feeder comprising a supply roll from which net is dispensed, a pair of feed rollers positioned to engage a portion of the net therebetween and a motor selectively operable to turn one of the feed rollers to eject a length of net onto the conveyor. Also included in the system is a net cutter having a cutting blade pivotally mounted parallel to the feed rollers and a stop bar for locking the supply roll. The system further includes a tube feeder for dispensing core tubes around which the sod rolls are formed, the tube feeder comprising a rack having a discharge opening and a tube dispenser selectively controlling the release of individual core tubes through the discharge opening and onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A mold for uniformly heating working material to form a workpiece using a microwave oven. Uniform heating of a workpiece of variable thickness may be obtainied in a microwave oven with a uniform electric field in its cavity if the mold material is selected to have a dielectric constant and a thermosensitivity equal to that of the working material. The thermosensitivity of a material is its dissipation factor divided by the product of its density and specific heat. Uniform heating of a uniformly thick workpiece can be obtained in a conventional microwave by selecting the mold material to have a relative thermosensitivity equal to that of the working material. The relative thermosensitivity of a material is its dissipation factor divided by the product of its dielectric constant, density, and specific heat.

Abstract: A water resistant actuating mechanism for a plunger type limit switch using a bowed spring to activate the plunger of a plunger type switch mounted within an actuating mechanism housing includes a flexible seal for covering the hole or opening in through which the bowed spring extends. The seal may be dome shaped and cover a circular opening. A glide or shoe is positioned on or connected to each end of the spring and are held in place between an upper wall of the housing and a backing sheet connected to the housing. The glide reduces the amount of deflection of the bowed spring required to activate the plunger type switch such that the additional thickness added by the flexible seal does not increase the overall required thickness of the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A hitch structure for connection between a pair of elongated, laterally spaced hydroformed frame members of a vehicle chassis having preformed apertures formed therein. The hitch structure comprises a hitch base adapted to receive a hitch ball member, a pair of side plates connected respectively to opposite ends of said hitch base, a pin sized, positioned, and oriented on each of the side plates to enable reception of the pin member in the preformed aperture of an associated hydroformed frame member, and a pair of clamp members on each side plate to clamp the side plate with an associated frame member at such a location as to position the pin member in alignment with the associated preformed aperture to thereby secure said hitch base in transverse relation between the frame members.