Abstract: A primary beam of light is directed against the surface of a piece of material under conditions predetermined to generate a secondary beam by either transmission through the piece or reflection from the surface thereof. The secondary beam is directed against means for measuring the intensity of the transmitted or reflected light and the light intensity measured. The procedure is repeated on a different surface of the piece and the results compared. This gives an evaluation of the surface and a determination of the presence, absence, or condition of any coating which may be present on the surface. The apparatus of the invention comprises means for achieving the foregoing functions.The method and apparatus are of particular application in the determination of which is the coated side of an object, such as a photographic film, or a coated lens.

Abstract: Adapter for field signals of computers, microprocessors systems or the like digital electronic circuits. The adapter receives either AC or DC signals, from external or field sources or from computers, microprocessor systems of the like digital electronic circuits, and provides AC or DC control voltages to external or field controls or to computers, microprocessor systems or the like digital electronic circuits. The adapter includes a first switching circuit which responds to the level of an input signal, and which actuates an oscillator which includes the primary of a transformer as its load. Energy is transferred by the transformer secondary to appropriate control circuits for use elsewhere. The adapter also includes a second switching circuit which also responds to a different level of the input signal, the second switching circuit diverting the input signal current into itself across an artificial load when the first switching circuit is inoperative.

Abstract: A primer valve for sewer line drain traps is adapted for use in conjunction with a flushing toilet or like installation including a tank containing water of fluctuating level. The primer valve comprises a pipe penetrating the lower portion of the tank and providing a port at its inner end. A conduit connects the outer end of the pipe to the trap. A float-operated valve is associated with the port and operative to discharge small amounts of water through the valve with changes in level of the water in the tank.

Abstract: A rotary drain cleaner adapted to mount and operate a plumber's snake. The cleaner comprises a frame, front and back bearings supported on the frame, and a telescoping, segmented, motor-driven shaft supported on the bearings. The shaft includes a front axle segment journaled in the front bearing, a freely rotatable guide segment for guiding a plumber's snake, a drum-supporting segment, and on the drum-supporting segment a rear axle journaled in the rear bearing. A cage is fixed to the front axle segment. A drum is fixed to the drum-supporting segment and the cage for mounting a plumber's snake. All of the elements of the frame and shaft may advantageously comprise interfitted segments of plastic pipe and plastic pipe fittings.

Abstract: A carton for packing and shipping produce such as asparagus, the carton being formed in two pieces or sections. The first section of the carton is a lower box body having a bottom, two opposed upstanding side walls, a rear wall, and a front panel hinged to the bottom of the lower box body and foldable to a position wherein it slopes inwardly from vertical to vary the cross sectional area of the interior of the carton from top to bottom thereby supporting the asparagus stalks. The second section of the carton is an upper box cover having a top, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall, being dimensioned to telescope over the lower box body so that the outside of the assembled carton has a rectangular prismatic configuration.

Abstract: A marksman's collapsible, portable, shooting bench and table assembly. The assembly comprises a bench open on its underside to provide a storage compartment and shiftable between an upright, use position and an inverted, storage position. A chest is contoured and dimensioned for nesting in the compartment. A foldable table top folds about the chest in the nesting position of the latter. A collapsible leg assembly is dimensioned for storage in the compartment. Fastening means releasably fasten the table top in its opened out use position to the leg assembly in its extended use position. Attaching means releasably attach the bench in an upright, use position to selected ones of the legs of the leg assembly in their extended use position.

Abstract: A combination cable crimper and cutter. A frame mounts a piston for reciprocating axial movement. A reciprocating drive is connected to the piston. A pair of cable-crimping jaws is pivotally mounted on the frame and connected by links to the piston. A cutter anvil is mounted on the frame adjacent one of the jaws. A cutter is mounted on the jaw in cable-cutting relation to the cutter anvil.

Abstract: A refolding and stacking receptacle for segmented sheet material, particularly computer printout paper. The receptacle has a support for supporting a stack of the material in flat, folded condition, a guideway positioned centrally of the support for receiving the leading end of a moving web of the material fed to the receptacle in an unfolded condition, and a stop in the guideway for arresting the motion of the material on contact. This results in zig-zag folding of the web and its stacking within the receptacle.

Abstract: A self-balanced surface-processing apparatus includes a tool support movable along a strip of airplane body or other work surface, in spaced relation thereto a pivot arm mounted on the tool support and mounting a sander, or other surface-processing tool on one end and a balancing counterweight on the other end. A biasing means engages the pivot arm and biases the surface-processing tool against the work surface at a preselected pressure. The apparatus is operable to traverse various irregular surfaces while maintaining constant contact pressure of the surface-processing tool.

Abstract: A wave-form carpet layer's template used for cutting the edges of pieces of carpeting in matching wave-form patterns preliminary to sewing the side edges together in a substantially invisible seam. The template comprises a flat, rigid strip of structural material having two legs arranged substantially at right angles to each other. The inner and outer side edges of both legs have uniform wave-form contour, the crests of the inner side edges being opposite the valleys of the outer side edges. The width of each leg is substantially equal to one-half the wave length of the wave-form contour. The apex of the two meeting outside edges is located in the crest portion of one of the side edges and the valley portion of the other of the side edges.

Abstract: A valve for automatically charging water into a sewer line trap from a water line containing water under variable pressure comprises a case having a longitudinal bore and means for connecting the case in series flow in the water line. A hollow shaft is mounted in the case and extends from the downstream portion a predetermined distance toward the upstream portion thereof. A piston slidably mounted on the shaft divides the bore of the case into an air chamber downstream of the piston and a water chamber upstream. A floating seal is mounted within the water chamber upstream of the piston and hollow shaft. The seal is advanced and retracted with fluctuations of water pressure in the water line. In its retracted position it charges the water chamber with water and compresses the air in the air chamber. In its advanced position, it discharges the water content of the water chamber into the trap, thereby maintaining the water level thereof.

Abstract: A stackable container with locking lid especially suitable for use in packaging grapes and other soft fruits comprises a container body having a lid of resiliently deformable material hinged to one side wall and a ledge on an adjacent end wall. The lid rests on the ledge. A stacking cleat on said adjacent end wall extends to a plane above the lid. A recess in the inner face of the stacking cleat is coplanar with the lid. A laterally-extending locking tongue extension of the lid coplanar with the recess is dimensioned for removable insertion into the recess upon closing the lid, thereby releasably locking the lid to the cleat.

Abstract: A pickup truck assembly is fitted with a track which allows various bed components to be easily removed or installed. The track is mounted on the frame and the bed component mounts a wheel which rides in the track to guide the bed component into place. The bed component includes means to secure it removeably to the frame and an electrical connector for ready connection of the lights.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly having removable temple pieces. A spring arm has on one end a hinge pin and on the other end means for mounting the arm on the temple piece. The arm is shiftable between an advanced position wherein the pin unites the knuckles to form a hinged connection, thereby attaching the temple pieces to the front frame piece, and a retracted position wherein the pin is removed from the knuckles. This detaches the temple pieces from the front frame piece and enables use of the latter separately, for example, in a gas mask where the temple pieces would interfere with the proper placement of the mask.

Abstract: A tire splitting apparatus including a frame, a powered drive roll mounted on the frame for rotating a tire, a pressure roll for engaging the tire with the drive roll, and a knife for insertion into the casing while it is rotating for cutting it into halves. A guide is clampable for contact with both side walls of the tire to align and steady the tire so that the knife will cut repeatedly in the same track. A bead support carries substantially all of the weight of the tire during the splitting operation to allow repeated revolutions of the tire as necessary to complete the splitting process.

Abstract: A consolidated, rubber article such as a filler segment for composite solid rubber tires is made by reducing solid rubber articles to small pieces, placing the pieces in a mold having the configuration of the desired tire filler segment, and heating the pieces in the mold while applying pressure thereto.The mold assembly includes a filling chamber and a releasably attachable mold body. A press block fits slidably in the filling chamber and is operable to compress the rubber pieces into the mold. The press block then is locked to the mold body to close the mold, whereby the mold body and press block may be separated from the filling chamber while maintaining the closure. The pieces in the mold body are then heated, while compressed, sufficiently to consolidate the mold contents into a tire filler segment having a density of from 15 to 75 pounds per cubic foot. The consolidated product is then cooled and removed from the mold.

Abstract: A new and distinct blue spruce tree variety originating as a chance seedling growing among a cultivated group of grafted Picea pungens Moerheimi planted in a cultivated nursery area at Silverton, Oreg. The new variety is unique in its upright, semi-dwarf growth habit with early apical dominance; its naturally pyramidal configuration; the delayed spring growth of its dormant buds; and its dense foliage of a sky-grey color. These characteristics make it well suited for a wide range of landscape uses, as well as for live, potted Christmas trees.