Abstract: An eyelid retractor is provided for maintaining the eyelids of a patient in an open position during ocular surgery or the like. The retractor comprises a loop having a smooth surface with eyelid restraining blades positioned on opposite sides thereof. The retractor is sufficiently malleable to be inelastically deformed such that the blades are in a desired eyelid retracting configuration and the retractor loop is also bent to conform to the face of the patient such that the retractor is supported by the face. The retractor is face hugging so as to exhibit a low profile. The retractor is also sufficiently resilient to oppose movement of the eyelids when in the eyelid retracting configuration.

Abstract: In a siphon apparatus having at least two legs with a liquid trap therebetween, a liquid holding chamber is provided which communicates with the liquid trap through a restrictive orifice and which fills the liquid trap after the siphon is used, thereby insuring a liquid seal for the next use of the siphon. An overflow device is provided for the liquid trap which cooperates with a trigger mechanism to fill the liquid trap to a predetermined level at the same time assuring the filling of the trigger mechanism. The trigger device may be connected to a plurality of siphons, whereby each siphon flushes simultaneously when a predetermined level is reached in a tank which is to be discharged thereby. Preferably the siphons are conchoidally or spirally shaped, and the holding chamber comprises an inner void thereof.

Abstract: A device is provided for use in detasseling corn comprising tassel guides acting in conjunction with a hood to guide the tassles of the corn plant into the detasseling mechanism and deflectors to deflect the leaves of the corn plant away from the detasseling mechanism.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is disclosed which includes a center section and a plurality of wing sections foldable with respect to each other. A plurality of ground-working tools extend downwardly and rearwardly from the sections of the implement at spaced intervals along the lengths thereof. The wing sections are pivotally connected to the center section by a telescoping hinge which prevents the ground-working tools of the respective sections from conflicting with each other when the implement is folded. The telescoping hinge includes a telescoping member, slidably connected to an end of a first associated section and pivotally connected to an end of a second associated section adjacent to the first associated section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for fabricating plain-end pipe couplings. Ribbons of resin-soaked fiber reinforced plastic strands are wrapped about a rotating operably expandable mandrel which has placed therearound a pliable resilient form collar which defines an inner surface of such a coupling. After curing, the wrapped ribbons form a rigid coupling. The mandrel is thereafter collapsed and the coupling removed therefrom. The pliable collar is then separated from the coupling.

Abstract: A pressure jet spray cleaning apparatus having a body member or structure with an elongate passageway for air having an inlet for connection to a source of air pressure and a water passageway having an inlet for connection to a source of water supply with each of the water passageway and air passageway having flow control means for selectively controlling the quantity of water and air moving therethrough. At least a portion of the passageways are arranged with the air passageway inside of and concentric with a water passageway with each having a nozzle in line with the discharge of the air nozzle and spaced from the water discharge end to form a venturi therebetween.

Abstract: An ankle stabilizer is provided which comprises a flexible jacket, a first strap, a second strap, a first fastener member associated with the first strap and a second fastener member associated with the second strap. The jacket snugly receives a rear portion of a foot and a lower portion of a leg associated with an ankle when the ankle stabilizer is in an operative position. The first and second straps, each have a first end thereof secured to the jacket at a location laterally centered beneath the arch of the foot. The first strap passes over the instep of the foot, wraps around the rear portion of the foot and ends on the medial or inner side of the foot, when in a stabilizing configuration. The first fastening member reusably secures the first strap in the stabilizing configuration thereof.

Abstract: A work rack structure for correcting and aligning misshapen vehicle frame and body portions comprises a rack structure having a vehicle supportive upper surface and a lower surface and with generally continuous front and rear end and opposite side rack portions having inner and outer marginal flanges and joined together to form a central interior opening whereby a vehicle straddles the opening for work access to the underside thereof. Front and rear supportive foot members are affixed to the rack structure for elevation above a floor surface, the rear supportive foot members being swingably mounted to the rack structure and having power fluid rams operatively connected thereto for folding the foot members and kneeling the rack structure to facilitate positioning of a vehicle thereon. A plurality of force applying members are affixed to the rack structure and are easily movable therearound so that they can be selectively positioned to exert force on substantially any part of the vehicle.

Abstract: An anchor structure for exerting a pulling force against a vehicle structural member for straightening operations utilizes a lever arm including a bar member for positioning in an upright relationship and a base member affixed thereto. The bar member has an upper end portion, an intermediate portion and a bottom end portion and is of a rigid material to resist the bending forces applied thereto. The base member is affixed to the bottom end portion and extends laterally therefrom and permits the bar member to rock forwardly and rearwardly on a supportive surface. A lower attachment hook is secured to the lever arm generally at the bottom end portion for connection to a first anchor chain extending away from the lever arm in a direction opposite to a desired direction of pull and prevents movement of the base member outwardly of the first anchor chain.

Abstract: A rotary hoe implement includes upstanding spacer members for connection to a tool bar for drafting by a tractor. A rotary hoe supporting arm is pivotally connected to a lower end of the spacer member and an elongate adjustment rod extends from a rear end of the rotary hoe supporting arm to an upper end of the spacer member. A spring member is sleeved on the adjustment rod and cooperates with spring length adjusters on the rod to bias the rotary hoe downwardly into ground engagement and control the up and down movement thereof as the hoe travels over the earth surface. The rotary hoe implements are constructed or ganged together as units and are selectively mountable along the length of the tool bar for operator control.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the oxygen demand of waste water having a partial organic composition, especially a solution commonly known as mostos which is the waste effluent of a molasses fermentation and distillation process. The waste water is fed into an anaerobic digester near the top thereof so as to flow downwardly through the interior of the digester. The digester is at least partially filled with a high surface area media. The digester contains a microorganism which preferentially produces methane when in contact with the organic material in the waste water and also reduces the oxygen demand of materials therein. Also preferentially, the microorganisms tend to grow on the media surface. Nitrogen and phosphorous containing materials are added as necessary to promote growth of the microorganisms. As the waste water flows downwardly through the digester, methane is released therefrom which bubbles to the surface whereupon the methane is collected for combusting to produce energy.

Abstract: A microwave antenna for use at a limited number of non-harmonically related frequencies, particularly two, includes a pair of reflectors, a detector diode, and a modulator diode mounted on a waveguide in operative spatial relationships which are compromises of closely occurring multiples of half or quarter wavelengths of the frequencies of interest. More particularly, the reflectors are spaced apart such a compromise distance which results in a low voltage standing wave ratio. The antenna includes a coaxial detector diode holder or sidearm positioned on the waveguide and in communication therewith at a position to provide sharp tuning at one of the frequencies while the detector diode is positioned in a coaxial diode holder at a location operative to sharply tune the other frequency. The modulator diode is positioned in the waveguide a distance from the detector diode holder which is a compromise distance based on in-guide half wavelengths at each of the frequencies.

Abstract: A fitting for connection to a metal plain end pipe includes a generally cylindrical sleeve section sized to receive and cradle a pipe end portion, an annular seal in the sleeve section for forming a liquid tight connection between the pipe end portion and the fitting, and a screw cutter member extensible into the sleeve section for locking the pipe end portion to the fitting. An end surface of the cutter member has an annular ring of projecting cutting elements having intersecting faces forming metal cutting edges, each cutting element being respectively spaced from another cutting element by transverse recesses for relief of chips cut from the pipe. The cutting edges each have a rake angle configuration relative to the pipe end portion such that a limited cutting penetration is achieved under a predetermined pressure range and travel speed along a pipe end surface.

Abstract: An animal feeder is provided which has a bin portion for storing feed and a trough portion. The two portions have mating ribs and grooves forming a fluted joint which when used with a suitable adhesive agent bonds the two portions together. Located in the lower end of the bin portion is a flow passageway communicating with the trough portion and having a dispensing opening through which the feed is dispensed into the trough portion. The flow of feed is controlled by a variable gate positioned so as to regulate the size of the dispensing opening. The size of the opening, distance of the top of the opening from the trough, and a vertical rib positioned within the trough portion which circumscribes the dispensing opening and acts as a dam, cooperate so as to limit the amount of undisturbed feed in the trough position. The feeder is designed to mate with a hanger therefor to allow simple and quick mounting of the feeder to a fixed structure.

Abstract: A damming implement for depositing a series of earthen dams across a furrow to provide a line of catch or ponding basins which inhibit run-off of water includes a wheel structure having radially opposed blades oriented transversely to a line of draft for scraping a ground surface and with arcuate arms extending therefrom partly around the circumference of the wheel structure and having respective radially opposed end portions. The wheel structure is mounted in a yoke connected by a hitch to a tool bar pulled behind a tractor. A latch mounted on the yoke alternately engages a shock absorbing pad on one of the end portions of the wheel structure to prevent rotation thereof and scrape one of the blades along the ground surface for accumulating an earthen dam in front of the blade.

Abstract: A protected feeder is provided for livestock which comprises a receptacle with an open top supported at a selected position above a ground surface and adapted to contain a livestock attracting material therein, such as feed, salt or a mineral. A flexible cover member with a marginal portion which extends substantially beyond the top edge of the receptacle is mounted on the support structure in covering relation to the open top of the receptacle and livestock are permitted to contact the marginal portion from underneath and displace a portion of the cover member upwardly to gain access to the livestock attracting material in the receptacle. The cover member has unsupported portions which tend to sag downwardly and arcuate access openings between its marginal portion and the top edge of the receptacle through which livestock can see and smell the attracting material and are encouraged to lift the cover member at the openings, although access can be had from anywhere around the receptacle.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for use on a motor vehicle. The carrier comprises a swing arm having a spare tire holding a basket attached thereto. The swing arm is pivotally connected to a frame of the motor vehicle by a hinge. The hinge is tilted rearwardly at the top thereof such that gravity urges the swing arm rearwardly. The carrier stows the spare tire under the rear of the pickup bed. A latching mechanism retains the carrier in a stowed position. Upon release of the latching mechanism, the carrier along with the spare tire rotates rearwardly about the hinge and downwardly to a position to the rear of the vehicle allowing the spare tire to be easily removed from the carrier for changing of a flat tire.

Abstract: Multiple standardized oil purifiers or refiners are ganged together to provide for suitable contamination removal from oil utilized in an engine or the like. The refiners are mounted on a manifold which functions as a single unit in conjunction with the refiners. The manifold includes an inlet chamber connecting the oil from the engine with the refiners and an outlet chamber connecting the refined oil after passing through the refiners with the engine. Preferably only a single conduit connects each of the inlet and outlet chambers with the engine. The manifold also functions as a supporting device for the refiners.