Abstract: An improved filter lift system including generally vertical filtering member with a plurality of generally vertical elements or rearward sloping elements, bars or strips of material positioned across a fluid stream, and teeth lift mechanism with teeth positioned between the filtering elements for lifting debris positioned forward, adjacent and upstream to the filter lift system. The debris removal means includes the teeth that lift and dump the debris and claws that clean and pull debris off the teeth. In phase one, the teeth lifting mechansim moves the teeth upward through a rearward sloping lower portion of the face of the filtering element to prevent compacting of debris below the teeth. The teeth lifting mechanism moves the teeth upward. In a second phase, the distal upstream portion of the teeth project out from between the filtering elements on the upstream side to pick up debris during the debris removal portion of the cycle of operation.

Abstract: An aquatic specimen retrieval device includes a pair of collection nets, the open end of each being held by a hoop. The two hoops are hinged together and are closed in an abutting concentric relation in the pre-sampling condition, the whole being connected to a tow line. When released the flow of water past the hoops causes them to unhinge into a side by side position so that sea water is directed through the hoops into the nets. Upon completion of the sampling period, a second mechanism releases the nets from the hoops and by means of a choke line, the nets are caught and closed, preventing further sample collection.

Abstract: A self-contained battery-energized, cordless lawn edger. This device includes a frame supported on at least three wheels which frame securely carries, for example, one or more rechargeable wet-cell batteries as well as a pivotally mounted sub-assembly having a heavy-duty series wound drive motor, a rigid edger blade mounted on the drive motor output shaft and a blade guard. Recharging may be accomplished by interconnection to a conventional automotive charging system, a battery charger, or to a 115 V.A.C. power source. The blade is positioned to rotate in a plane generally perpendicular to the ground. A blade positioning lever is pivotably attached to the main guide handle for vertical positioning of the blade. A drive motor on-off switch attached to the handles is also provided. A removable cover may also be provided for protecting the battery energizers. One or more of the wheels may also include drive means.

Abstract: A system for improving the operating efficiency of screw presses which express fluids from fibrous material. This system includes a plurality of worm sections and collars and a hollow main shaft. Fluids are allowed to pass into the hollow shaft through one or more screen bar sections, fitted over the collars. The area of the collar housing beneath the screen bars is generally funnel-shaped toward the longitudinal rotational axis of the shaft, having a drain opening near the apex of the funnel configuration to allow expressed fluids to exit into the hollow drive shaft or into a conduit therein. The worm flights may include hardened wear resistant inserts in the outer peripheral surface which may be integrally cast into the worm section. The worm sections which mate to form a single divided worm may be identical and therefore reversible to reduce production and inventory costs.

Abstract: A new and improved marine trap alarm with a sensing system that includes an electrical current producing source such as a battery, a normally open pair of contacts with at least one movable contact to be actuated by an animal entering the trap, and a trap sensing circuit connected to the open contacts. The trap sensing circuit includes a true comparator and a silicon controlled rectifier. The true comparator prevents an output when the input does not reach a designed threshold value. The true comparator includes the operational amplifier that has critical discrete component values that are engineered to render input current flow bridging the contacts by way of the high saline fluid environment inoperative, thereby eliminating false output signals to an alarm or indicator.

Abstract: A functional and aesthetic switch plate providing an extension to a wall toggle switch. The switch plate not only provides a useful mechanical extension to a toggle switch, but has a sliding toggle switch lever extension member which covers its own wear marks and is of sturdy unibody construction. The sliding toggle switch lever extension member is connected to the reflecting rear surface of the base plate by sliding contact members positioned beyond the reflecting base edges to prevent chipping of the reflecting base edges.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collapsible fire hose carrier having handles in connection with carrying and storing rolled fire hoses. The collapsible fire hose carrier consists of a base and two side pieces or rigid sheet material. In its uncollapsed state, the carrier holds the rolled fire hose on the base and is fastened between the two sides by means of a quick release mechanism, such as a seat belt device. When the seat belt is released the carrier's sides collapse openly and the hose is in a ready position to be unrolled for use in a fire.

Abstract: A golf tee for improved straighter golf ball flight when hit therefrom including an adhesive means applied to all or a portion of the socket portion of the head for adherence to the golf ball placed thereon. Golf ball adhesion to the head of this golf tee provides the anti-spin characteristics necessary to reduce ball "hook" or "slice". The preferred adhesive means is a double-sided tape, however, any adhesive means may be applied on the socket of a conventional tee, the adhesive then covered to allow the tee to be stored in, for example, a golf bag, without premature adhesion to other surrounding objects. The golf tee may be of a conventional shape or may include an enlarged head portion for greater adhesive means engagement to the golf ball. However, the combination of adhesive size, tee size, and adhesive strength should not act in such combination that the tee flies with the golf ball when struck by a golf club in normal play.

Abstract: A therapeutic support device to prevent decubitus ulceration on the heel of the foot or to assist in the healing of a decubitus ulcer on the heel area comprising a resilient foot supporting body having a plurality of resilient, separable layers joined together in a stacked array by a pair of straps which can be adjusted in size and arranged crossed or in parallel for an individual foot, the straps holding the layers together and the support body to the foot itself. Each individual layer includes a central aperture such that the stacked array has a heel receiving central chamber. The top layer includes a cut out portion for receiving the Achilles' tendon area of the patient. The device supports the foot of a supine or side-lying patient, while allowing the skin area of the heel to be free from contact with the bed or any surrounding surface. The number of layers may be selected to adequately support a particular weight foot; the upper layer may be replaced periodically for hygenic purposes.

Abstract: An office file paper fastener device system for indexing papers, each of which includes a card that is attachable by a first set of holes to a file folder and having a separate set of holes for attaching a connector upon which a bundle of file papers may be connected. Each bundle of the file papers are attached to its respective fastener device and card independently of the first set of holes by which the card is attached to the file folder, a hole-making fastener device. Several cards may be attached to a single file folder connector. The paper fastener device system provides an indexing system that allows removal of the cards without removing each bundle of file papers from the connector on the respective card. The system thereby eliminates removal of all the contents filed in superposition to the file folder to remove a particular piece of paper.

Abstract: A method for economically removing base metal impurities, other oxidizable impurities, and volatile impurities from precious-metal-bearing metallic materials, consisting of silver and gold, to obtain, with high recovery, a resultant precious metal of high purity (more than 99.9%) that greatly reduces refining time and precious metal loss in recovery. The method includes the steps of (1) controlled heating to maintain a temperature slightly above the melting temperature of the molten metallic mass, (2) maintaining contact between an oxidizing agent and the metallic mass to provide a concentration of dissolved oxygen within the molten metal throughout the refining process, (3) maintaining a flux medium on the surface of the molten material that absorbs base metal and other impurity oxides, and (4) controlling the concentration of base metal and other impurity oxides in the flux to a level that ensures continued transfer of the base metal oxides into the flux medium.

Abstract: A device for adjustably supporting and stabilizing an outdoor electrical junction box comprising a rigid support shaft mounted vertically at one end in the ground, an electrical junction box having a back face knockout that when removed leaves an aperture of a predetermined diameter, and a junction box support shaft coupling member having a threaded fastener that fits securely into the knockout aperture for securely attaching the coupling member to the junction box, a central passage for receiving the support shaft and a set screw for locking the coupling member relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A trim tooth positioner is constructed to cover only the incisal edges and cusps of the teeth themselves. The result is that the majority of the bulk covering the teeth and gums is eliminated. This significantly increases patient comfort and greatly overcomes the major disadvantage of positioners, that is, poor patient cooperation. The performance is equal or superior to that of other positioner designs in that enhanced cooperation far outweighs any advantage offered by bulk.

Abstract: An elevator lift system in which at least two connected hydraulic piston cylinder devices for controlling the vertical displacement of the lift platform above a lower level. One hydraulic cylinder includes a case connected to a second case and a piston slidably mounted within each case and movable in opposite directions. One of the hydraulic cylinders has a lift platform attached to its top end and the other hydraulic cylinder has its bottom end fixed to a base plate at a lower level. The hydraulic cylinders are connected to each other by the use of a housing which also encloses a control system which allows the rate of ascent or descent of both hydraulic cylinders to be equal. Multiple pairs of hydraulic cylinders are connectable to each other by way of a frame to reach additional heights and still allow the system to be lowered that the tops of all the cylinders are substantially flush.