Abstract: A smoke alarm network for buildings and the like comprises a plurality of stations having a smoke detector alarm unit installed in each. Station switching members are connected at each station, and a central control panel is provided with switching members connected with each of the stations and responsive to identifiably indicate alarm signals sent by the station detectors to the control panel. An alert switch is mounted on the control panel and is operably connected with each detector-alarm unit for selectively activating the alarm positioned at one or more of the stations.

Abstract: A mobile, wheeled apparatus is employed for loading and unloading an open top or gondola railroad car and has power actuated front and rear boom structures. A front supportive foot engageable with the upper surfaces of the railroad car sidewalls is connected to free ends of the front boom structure and similarly engageable rear supportive feet are connected to the ends of outrigger arms movable outwardly from the sides of the rear end of the mobile apparatus. The rear boom structure includes an articulated material engaging grapple for loading and unloading operations. During operation, the operator positions the mobile apparatus adjacent an end of the railroad car with the front boom raised and the front supportive foot engaged with the top surfaces of the car sidewalls.

Abstract: A golf club, having a club head with an array of predetermined, easily visible, paired angled lines symmetrical about a visible center line on the club head top surface enables a golfer to establish a proper initial path for the golf ball so as to increase the putting effectiveness in the execution of putts on sloping greens.

Abstract: A raking mechanism is disclosed which comprises a side delivery raking means mounted on a frame having three support wheels. The mechanism can be self-propelled or towed for raking and/or dethatching mowed lawns, with clipped foliage being discharged to one side and deposited in windrows. A steerable first support wheel is located toward the front end of the frame, whereas second and third support wheels are located adjacent the ends of a wheel suspension means that is pivotally attached to the rear of the frame. The second support wheel is mounted on a nonpivotable axle and rotates in a plane that is parallel to the line of draft of the mechanism, and the third support wheel is freely pivotable on a vertical axis. The side delivery raking means is immobilized against vertical movement with respect to the frame, but the rear of the frame can be electively raised or lowered to a preferred elevation for adjusting the height of the raking means relative to the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A thickened elbow section is included between the shank and the curved tip of a J-hook to provide greater strength for the lifting and pulling of objects. Accordingly, the hook has a J-shaped front edge, an L-shaped rear edge, and can be produced by forging hot rolled carbon steel. The yield point and tensile strength is substantially greater than exhibited by conventional J-hooks produced by the bending and heat treating of bar stock.

Abstract: An infinitely adjustable support bracket includes an elongate upright member having an interior way and spaced opposite side walls, a rear wall and spaced front flanges defining a slot open to the interior way. An arm member extends outwardly of the slot and has an end with a plate diagonally connected thereto which is received within the interior of the upright member. The plate is slidable within the way of the upright member when the arm is swung to an upwardly inclined relation thereto and is fixed in diagonally lodged position within the upright member for load-bearing support when the arm member is substantially normal thereto, positioning opposed edges of the plate in engagement with rear and front inner surface of the upright member. A resilient spring is provided which is connected to the arm member and engages the interior of the upright member and urges return of the plate into a diagonally lodged position when the arm is swung upwardly.

Abstract: A compound slingshot comprises a longitudinally extending support shaped for holding by a user, an elongate resilient member having one end attached to the support, and a cam rotatably mounted on the support and having an eccentric marginal surface. A flexible line has one end connected with the free end of the resilient member, and the other end attached to and wound about the marginal surface of the cam. A projectile receiver is operably connected with the cam by a second flexible line, whereby rearward translation of the receiver with respect to the support rotates the cam and tenses the resilient member in such a manner that the force required to retain the receiver at a fully extended position is less than the force required to retain the receiver at an intermediate position thereby providing accurate aiming of the slingshot and increased hurling capabilities.

Abstract: A scaffold is provided for poured concrete walls and forms which have a plurality of prefabricated form panels interconnected in an end-to-end fashion and are generally arranged in two opposing rows. Vertically spaced tie bars extend transversely between the opposing rows of form panels at each juncture thereof, and laterally interconnect the same. The scaffold comprises a rigid support arm member having an inward end detachably connected with one of the tie bars. The support arm extends substantially horizontally from the form panels and the outward end thereof is connected with the outer end of an angle brace member. The angle brace is positioned at an acute angle to the support arm, and includes an inward end which is shaped for detachable connection with another one of the tie bars for selectively retaining the support arm in a generally, substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A chair locking device engageable with a movable member for retaining same in a selected position relative to a stationary support member. The locking device includes a barrel mounted on the stationary member and a plunger within the barrel having an eccentrically mounted pawl on the engagement end thereof movable into and out of a selected one of a plurality of sockets in the movable member in response to movement of a cam follower on the plunger along a cam surface of the barrel. The pawl is mounted on the plunger so that the pawl rotates into a downward position relative to the plunger axis when fully extended into the selected socket. Movement of the cam follower is effected by a handle in engagement with the cam follower and cooperating portions on the cam and lock structure retain the plunger at an end of its travel until relative movement is positively effected by rotating the handle.

Abstract: A necktie hanger, formed of a single continuous length of wire, has an attachment hook and a pair of downwardly extending, coplanar spaced limbs with a crossarm extending between the limbs. The crossarm is of a length commensurate with the width of a lateral midportion of a necktie to be draped over the crossarm and suspended from the hanger. An eye located between the hook and the limbs is provided for tethering the hanger to a suitable anchor.

Abstract: A tie holder for supporting a necktie adjacent to the front of a closed shirt collar comprises a shield shaped plate member having front and back surfaces and converging side edges. Grasping members extend from the back surface and comprise a tang or hook member having adjacent lug members positioned on opposite sides thereof and extending from the back surface. The hook member and the lug members cooperate to form mutually engageable members for mounting the tie holder to the shirt collar. The tie holder has receiving members for detachably connecting the tie thereto which comprise arm members extendible across the back surface of the plate member. A lug member projects outwardly from the back surface and is positioned under a lower one of the arm members to form mutual surfaces which engage the necktie therebetween. In one embodiment the necktie depends from the receiving members on the back surface and the front surface presents a medallion or applique for view.

Abstract: A diverter valve for pneumatic conveying systems comprises a pair of plates which are interconnected for relative translation. Each of the plates has at least one port therein for conveying materials through the valve. A seal ring is slidably mounted in a mating groove in a first one of the plates, and has an inner face which selectively abuts and seals against the second plate about the port therein during a material conveying position. A source of pneumatic pressure is connected with the first plate and communicates with the groove, thereby exerting pressure on an outer face of the seal ring and resiliently urging the same toward the second plate, whereby an airtight seal is formed between the ports.

Abstract: An equipment shelter is disclosed for housing delicate apparatus such as electronic equipment, and which reliably protects the same not only against physical damage, but also against corrosive or thermal damage as might result from excessive exposure to the weather or other hostile environmental conditions.

Abstract: A forage handler adapted for mounting on a standard forage gathering device comprises a rotary head having protruding tines for dislodging forage from stacks and urging it toward the forage gathering device. The handler includes a support frame in which the rotary head is mounted, and a rotary beater or separator having teeth for breaking up large aggregations of forage and urging the same toward the forage gathering device. The support frame has a pair of booms which are pivotally connected to the gathering device and include motors to swing the rotary head into selected vertical orientations for dislodging the forage. The beater is positioned substantially parallel with and rearward of the rotary head, whereby the forage dislodged from the stacks by the rotary head is directed into the beater for flailing the forage to break up the large aggregations thereof, and urge the forage toward the gathering device.

Abstract: An electrode for laryngeal electromyography comprises an insulator body having a pair of rigid conductors or posts mounted in a spaced apart relation therein. A pair of flexible electrical wires have one end connected with an associated post, and the other end adapted for connection to an electrical signal monitor. A tab projects outwardly of the insulator body, and is shaped for insertion into a laryngeal ventricle portion of the patient and prevents inadvertent removal of the electrode from a vocalis muscle thereof. The free ends of the posts are embedded into the patients vocalis muscle, and a signal generating probe is applied to surgically exposed internal tissue in the area surrounding the recurrent laryngeal nerve, whereby contact between the probe and the laryngeal nerve excites the vocalis muscle and the monitor, thereby indicating to the surgeon the exact location of the nerve.

Abstract: A detachable saddle tank arrangement for agricultural vehicles comprises a brace member shaped for detachable connection with the front frame or chasis portion of the tractor, and a pair of arm members having a forward end thereof pivotally attached to opposite ends of the brace member. The arm members are shaped for removably fastening the same to side portions of the tractor frame, and have liquid storage tanks mounted on the free ends thereof. A stand mechanism bodily supports the tank assembly at a height substantially coextensive with the tractor frame, whereby the tanks may be individually pivoted between a fanned apart, storage position, and a retracted or folded operational position to facilitate one man attachment and detachment of the tanks with the tractor.

Abstract: A truck tow lift for connection to the fifth wheels of opposingly aligned trucks provides a means for towing one such vehicle with the other. The structure comprises an elongate beam member having downwardly extending standard SAE kingpins rigidly mounted on opposing ends, one of which is engaged into the fifth wheel of the tow truck, thereby becoming a horizontally pivotable and vertically rigid boom or extension of the frame thereof. Lifting means are mounted on the beam member and are connected to a lifting bar for raising the rear wheels of the towed truck off the ground. To connect the beam member to the truck to be towed, the operator positions the kingpin of the free end of the beam member over the fifth wheel of the towed truck so that it can be received therein upon lifting and attaches the lifting bar to the rear frame members. Then, the operator hoists the rear wheels of the towed truck off the ground and locks the kingpin into the fifth wheel.

Abstract: A drain plug holder assembly includes a socket adapted for engaging and rotating a drain plug and includes liner members for insertion therein, having various thicknesses and designs to accommodate differently sized and shaped drain plugs. The socket has a plug retaining magnet positioned and connected therein, and a spindle which projects outwardly from the socket to facilitate manual turning of the socket and drain plug. The socket is tethered by a flexible cord or chain to an anchor, which is in turn, readily attachable to a stationary structural member for retaining the socket, as well as the drain plug held therein.

Abstract: A method of producing, at an improved reaction rate, acyl lactylate salts, such as sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate and mixtures thereof, which involves the addition of from about 2% to about 30% (by weight of final salt composition) of substantially fully hydrogenated stearin comprising at least 50% (by weight of fatty acid) C.sub.18 fatty acid and having an iodine value of less than about 7. The intermediate reaction charge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A form for poured concrete walls includes a plurality of prefabricated, interconnected form panels which are positioned end to end, in two, spaced apart rows to form a wall cavity therebetween. Each pair of associated, opposed form panels has at least two tie bars extending laterally between the panels in a mutually spaced apart and aligned relationship. A pair of mutually parallel and spaced elongate rods are positioned perpendicularly to each of the tie bars and are fixedly attached thereto, and rigidly align and hold the form panels in a set plumb and straight position. One of the rods is shaped for connecting reinforcing mesh thereto, and accurately and positively positions the mesh along a central, predetermined plane between the form panels for improved wall strength, reduced material usage and labor efficiency.