Abstract: A nail clipper for clipping the nails of an animal such as a dog, cat or the like which allows for the clipping of an individual nail at the desired length to prevent injury or improper length cutting for the animal. The device includes a hand-actuated clipping blade used in conjunction with an adjustable in size nail holder which allows the nail to be clipped to be firmly held at a particular position relative to the nail cutting blade. The nail holder and positioner includes a disc having a plurality of apertures of different diameters which is moveable to position a desired aperture of a particular size adjacent the cutting blade. With the varying diameter apertures, the animal nail may be inserted in each aperture until an aperture is found that permits the nail to penetrate a particular distance based on the diameter size of the nail, which is tapered. The proper aperture is determined which allows only penetration to the point equal to the desired length of the nail portion to be cut.

Abstract: A programmable switch in the form of an output display similar to those generally known in the art as a seven-segment display used for digital display of output. This programmable switch provides a plurality of segments that can operate as a switch to generate a numerical or alphabetical program for entry into an electronic program circuit. The plurality of segments are recessed into the face of the switch body so that a stylus instrument can be inserted into the recess of individual segments to generate in each switch body the desired number, letter or other symbol. A plurality of switch bodies may be positioned adjacent one another to increase the number of digits or indicia to be entered into an electronic program circuit. For all segments there is one conductive layer which acts as the "common" side of the electric circuit.

Abstract: A molded storage receptable that is disposed in the ground having a sealed, removeable cover that provides for a variety of uses including subterranean water or article storage or a mechanic's working pit. The device includes a molded fiberglass shell having a plurality of integrally molded, lateral reinforcing ribs disposed along the vertical sides and bottom of the fiberglass shell, and at least one molded stairwell disposed at one end of said shell which includes a plurality of molded stairs to allow ingress or egress into or out of the storage receptacle. The shell is premolded and shipped to a site in which the earth is removed and the shell disposed within the hole in the earth. Integrally molded upper laterial flanges can be used to tie down the receptacle to prevent pop up in the event of total water levels. The cover may include rollers for opening or closing movement relative to the receptacle or hinges at one end used in conjunction with a hydraulic piston to raise or lower the cover.

Abstract: A cascade heat exchange system in which the heat given off in condensing a superheated vaporized refrigerant is used to vaporize carbon dioxide and to add sensible heat to a water system. The superheated discharge vapor of a refrigeration system is pumped into the shell side of a heat exchange vessel, where evaporative tube bundles absorb heat from the refrigerant. In one tube bundle, liquid carbon dioxide flowing through the tubes is vaporized. Another tube bundle receiving heat from the refrigerant is used to heat water for industrial use. The vaporized refrigerant leaving the heat exchange vessel shell having become desuperheated and de-oiled since giving off heat to the tube bundles is then condensed for continued use in the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A pair of temporary hand grips for engaging the lateral sides of a fibrous box, such as cardboard, that includes a plurality of pointed projections oriented in a forty-five degree angle from a flat planar wall that engage opposite vertical, lateral sides of a container. Each improved grip includes a resilient strap connected across the hand engaging side of the grip. The lower portion of the body of the grip includes a curved surface for engagement of the fingers and spacing from the pointed projection wall to allow the fingers sufficient space between curved portion and the carton wall. The point projections are sized and angled so as to not puncture the container being gripped.

Abstract: A foldable, collapsible sawhorse that includes a rigid beam horizontally supported near its end by pairs of legs moveably connected to a rigid plate that is hinged to the beam. Each plate includes first and second areas that are angularly disposed relative to each other, with the first area having mounted thereupon a beam-receiving channel. The second area of the plate includes a circular aperture and an arcuate slot which are vertically aligned that receive fasteners for each support leg connected thereto. The legs are thus pivotal relative to the plate which allow them to be spread apart or placed in parallel by loosening of a single fastener for each leg. The beam channel includes apertures for fasteners which allow the beam to be hingeably moved relative to the beam-receiving channel on the plate. Thus, the sawhorse may be collapsed by moving the pairs of end legs to a central parallel position in the plane of the beam and then moving each set of legs substantially parallel to the beam.

Abstract: A guard strip disposed on each lateral side of a vehicle for protecting doors, fenders, or the like which is moveably extendable from a first position, in which the strip has the aesthetic appearance of a conventional, decorative (usually chrome) strip found on a vehicle, to a second position away from the lateral surface of the vehicle extending outwardly to establish a spaced guard strip whenever the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A passive circuit for protecting an AC driven load controlled by a solid state device such as a triac or the like. The circuit is coupled to the load and the solid state controller element and effects shutdown of the AC power to the load and the load control element whenever an asymmetrical AC power input measured over a predetermined number of cycles is received by the load from the controller element. The device includes an inductor having a thermal link coupled thereto, the inductor being connected in parallel to the AC load which is being controlled by a triac or other similar device. Should asymmetrical input power be received from the controller, which could be occasioned by failure of the controller element itself, the inductor across the load will become heated by asymmetrical input power, causing heating of the thermal link. At a predetermined temperature, the thermal link will open, which removes AC input power to both the load and the controller element.

Abstract: A metering device to provide just the amount of water necessary to insure proper filling of a flush toilet bowl and trap. The metering device operates by means of gravity feed rather than pressure that is presently used which may vary the amount of water going to the trap as supply pressures increase or decrease. The metering device eliminates certain wasted water normally present during flushing and filling of the flush tank. The device in one embodiment includes a metering tank having an inlet connected to the exit sides of flush tank outlet valve. The flush tank outlet valve is connected at the upper side of the metering tank. The metering tank is in fluid communication between the flush tank and the toilet bowl and trap. The metering tank may be located in a plurality of lower positions. When the outlet valve is opened, the metering tank is also opened and filled during the flushing cycle.

Abstract: A filtering system that includes a cleaning assembly and a filter element in the form of a plate with a plurality of long, narrow through openings or slits in each of a plurality of rows. The cleaning assembly includes a slit-cleaning system connected downstream of the filter element to clean each slit. The cleaning assembly may also include a scraper cleaning system positioned upstream of the filter element. As fluid enters the filtering system, the debris or trash is filtered from the fluid and deposited on the upstream surface of the filter element and in the slits for removal by the cleaning assembly.

Abstract: An improved pet safety flea collar which provides a frictional release of the collar when an animal becomes entangled to prevent strangulation of the animal. The collar includes a free end and a flared end having a chamber, sized to receive the free end of the collar such that a frictional engagement is achieved between the free end of the collar and the flared end chamber. The flared end chamber is shaped in the same contour and cross-section as the free end. The depth of the chamber is selected to provide sufficient penetration of the free end to establish the necessary frictional force to withstand scratching and normal movements of the animal while allowing release should the animal pull with sufficient force if tangled by the collar and an object. The material utilized for the body of the collar is a conventional flea collar material that dispenses an insecticide.

Abstract: A new and improved automatic diaphragm valve having an inlet and two separate outlets for use in a fluid distribution system. The valve cycle automatically opens both outlets when fluid stops flowing into the inlet. Each time the fluid starts flowing through the inlet the valve automatically and alternately opens one valve outlet and closes the other valve outlet. The valve cycling mechanism is alternately cocked into a positive first and second cocked position in order to open the previously closed valve outlet and to close the previously opened valve outlet during the next half cycle. When this valve is connected at each branching point in a fluid distribution system, the valve will cause cyclic distribution of fluid from the terminal branches of the system in a serial manner.

Abstract: A swivel link for a dual chain conveyor which permits predetermined sections of a pair of endless chains to be rotated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of movement of the chains. The dual chain is used as a conveyor for a load and the swivel link allows a work piece transported on the dual chain conveyor to be moved at a work station.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously applying electromagnetic alternating directional energy, thermal, and vibrational energy to various areas of the body which has been found to reduce or even eliminate the pains and symptoms caused from arthritis, bursitis and other bone joint maladies. The device includes a housing, an electromagnet disposed in said housing, an elastic band having a pair of permanent magnets coupled magnetically on each side of the band to each other with the elastic band being suspended at each end to the housing and positioned within the alternating magnetic field of the electromagnet. The electromagnet has a shaped steel core which acts to concentrate the magnetic flux lines through the suspended permanent magnets and is driven by low frequency alternating current causing the suspended magnets to vibrate. The electromagnet core is contructed in such a way to contribute heat for thermal application to the body simultaneously in conjunction with the concentrated magnetic field and vibration.

Abstract: A device for improving dispensing of fluid from a nursing bottle that maintains the proper pressure to prevent an infant, while using the nursing bottle, from receiving air. The device is used with a conventional nursing bottle employing a flexible bag within the bottle structure and operates to provide a force against the bag to insure that no air is received in the bag, insuring that the infant, while feeding, receives no air. Specifically, the device includes a pneumatic biasing member which is inserted by an attached handle into the base opening of the nursing bottle and is placed in communication with the flexible bag containing the baby's formula. The pneumatic biasing member is pressed against the flexible bag to effectively regulate the proper fluid pressure within the bag such that an infant may feed from the nursing bottle without receiving air, with or without attendant supervision.

Abstract: A clamp useful for firmly securing a camper housing within the bed of a pickup truck which allows for efficient attachment or removal of the camper housing. The device includes a U-shaped clamp body having a pivotal connector at one end that is affixed to the camper housing and a reciprocally movable, spring biased arm having a roller at its free end such that the roller engages the lip of the pickup truck bed to permit pivotal movement over center to effect spring locking action of the clamp. The device allows a camper housing to be readily installed or removed from a vehicle bed by manual actuation of the holding clamps.