Abstract: An ophthalmic lens block and lens generating machine compression sleeve chuck are provided such that the block is of diameter suitable for the lens edging step of the lens generating process. The lens generating chuck consists of a plurality of concentric sleeves mounted on a hub of the spindle shaft and having lengthwise slots permitting compression of the sleeve onto the hub and the block. The sleeves are biased to telescope toward the lens so as to abut the front surface of the lens in a concentric pattern extending outwardly from the outer diameter of the block to support the front surface of the lens against the forces applied to the rear face of the lens during the cutting process. Thus, the combination of the block and the chuck is also suitable for the lens generating, fining and polishing steps of the lens generating process. Consequently, after polishing, the block is left on the lens.

Abstract: Grass rake tongs consist of a pair of rakes each having an array of tines joined to a handle by a ferrule and means such as a pin or bolt disposed through the handles above the ferrules at a point approximately mid-way between the lower end of the tines and the upper end of the handles pivotally connecting the handles for rotation with inside portions of said arrays of tines opposing each other. Preferably, rotation about the pivot extends approximately 180.degree. from a fully opened condition in which the handle of each rake abuts an outer portion of the array of tines of the other rake to a fully closed condition in which an inner surface of each array of tines abuts an inner surface of the other array of tines.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle light bar assembly employs first and second connected substantially horizontal elongated frames mounted transversely across the upper surface of an emergency vehicle. The connecting assembly is such that the second frame may be substantially continuously vertically displaced while maintaining parallel relationship of the frames so that the emergency indicating equipment fixed atop the second frame maintains its operational attitude regardless of the elevation to which the second frame is raised. Reciprocable operation of the connecting assembly may be accomplished by electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or manual drive systems.

Abstract: A bladder mounting for a storage tank has a plurality of threaded studs, spaced circumferentially along an upper portion of an inner surface of the tank side wall. At least one layer of geotextile padding, is adhered to the inner surface of the wall below the studs. A liner with a reinforced hem has circumferentially spaced apertures which receive the studs and suspend the liner within the tank. A circumferential band of adhesive material along the studs and apertures and between the wall and the liner seals the liner to the inner surface of the tank along a continuous path. A circumferential strip of battan has spaced apertures to receive the studs for clamping the liner against the inner surface of the wall with the band of adhesive therebetween. Nuts and washers engage with the threaded studs and draw the battan toward the wall to secure the seal along the continuous path.

Abstract: An inexpensive, self-contained, hydroponic planter for various house plants automatically supplies to the plants the correct amount of water, nutrients and adequate root exposure to gases in the air. The planter includes a tank storing the mixture of water and nutrients, a drain for changing the solution and a sight glass for gauging the proper water level range. An air pump with an air line leading from above the water level to the bottom of the storage tank is attached to the intake of a riser tube. The riser tube goes from the bottom of the storage tank through a stand pipe in a pot above the storage tank to the top of the pot. Compressed air intermittently fed into the bottom of the riser tube rises inside the tube, expanding and increasing in velocity as ambient pressure decreases and creating an "air lift" that draws the water into the bottom of the tube and lifts it, along with the expanding air, to the top of the tube where it is discharged into the pot.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive switch has upper, middle and lower laminar elongated members, the middle member having an opening therethrough defining a cavity between the upper and lower members. A first array of substantially parallel, spaced-apart electrically conductive bands is fixed to a lower surface of the upper member and traverses the cavity. A second array of substantially parallel, spaced-apart electrically conductive bands is fixed to an upper surface of the lower member and traverses the cavity and the upper member bands, selected lower member bands being discretely connected to an electrical input lead and other lower member bands being discretely connected to an electrical output lead.

Abstract: A vine cane pruner has a frame with four hedgers mounted on the frame. First and third hedgers are mounted on opposite sides of the frame with cutting teeth extending forwardly. Gathering mechanisms mounted on the first and third hedgers engage vertical canes on opposite sides of the vine and draw the engaged vertical canes into the cutting teeth of the first and third hedgers. Second and fourth hedgers are mounted on opposite sides of the frame and rearwardly of the first and third hedgers with cutting teeth extending forwardly. Gathering mechanisms mounted on the second and fourth hedgers engage the horizontal canes on opposite sides of the vine and draw the engaged horizontal canes into the cutting teeth of the second and fourth hedgers. A telescoping mast connected between the frame and a transport vehicle supports the frame and permits it to be selectively raised and lowered.

Abstract: A grinding wheel for V-profiling ophthalmic lenses of various diameters, powers and thicknesses has a V-shaped groove circumferentially thereabout which defines a forward V surface and a rear V surface meeting at a nadir of the groove. A rear flat surface tapers outwardly in relation to an axis of rotation of the wheel from a rear edge of the rear V surface toward a rear face of the wheel. The forward V surface is of a first grinding aggressiveness, the rear V surface is of second grinding aggressiveness greater than the first grinding aggressiveness and the rear flat surface is of third grinding aggressiveness substantially greater than the second grinding aggressiveness. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel also has a forward flat surface tapering outwardly in relation to the axis of rotation of the wheel from a forward edge of the forward V surface toward a forward face of the wheel.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided in which four distinct refrigerant flow paths are automatically controlled by the unit components to perform four separate and distinct functions. In a liquid refrigerant path, liquid refrigerant is recovered from the discharge side of a disabled unit through the refrigerant recovery unit by use of the differential pressure between the disabled unit and the refrigerant receiving can. In a primary vapor path, evacuation of gaseous refrigerant from the high and low sides of the disabled unit is achieved by use of a compressor in the recovery unit which produces a differential pressure to induce flow. This differential pressure is produced solely by the recovery unit compressor until such time as the intake pressure of the compressor reaches approximately 4 inches Hg. vacuum. When the compressor intake pressure reaches 4 inches Hg.

Abstract: The nozzle device having a plurality of spray orifices comprises a nozzle support rotatably mounted about a rotation axis and driveable by the reaction force of pressurized water issuing from the orifices. The nozzle device may be used with high operating pressures, high temperatures, corrosive environments and high-rotational speeds. The current embodiment is particularly designed for cleaning surfaces. A fluid-conducting swivel includes an acceleration nozzle, deceleration nozzle, and support assembly for holding the acceleration and deceleration nozzle with their flow passageways aligned, allowing rotation of one of the acceleration and deceleration nozzles, and maintaining a space between the adjacent ends of the nozzle. The acceleration nozzle includes an acceleration nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow to such a velocity that the fluid creates a vena contracta, a substantially self-contained fluid jet.

Abstract: A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays, on demand by the viewer and on the viewer's display screen, descriptive data and a video clip related to a program identified on the program guide. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal of any selected one of the channels to a signal combiner. A computer receives any of a plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It also controls the tuner to pass the viewer usable signal of any selected channel in response to one of the control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It also receives and stores an input picture image signal containing local program guide data and descriptive data and video clips related to selected ones of the programs identified in the program guide data.

Abstract: An improved process for positioning a bevel along the edge of an opthamalic lens computes point-to-wheel data definitive of a planar relationship between the lens and the wheel, stores the point-to-wheel data, computes corrected horizontal displacement data definitive of a three dimensional relationship between the lens, the wheel and a plot of sequential contact points therebetween using the computed point-to-wheel data, stores the corrected horizontal displacement data, and controls the relative positions of the edging wheel and the lens in response to the corrected horizontal displacement data.The corrected horizontal displacement data is computed by sequentially testing at successive incremental angles of a radius originating at a center of rotation of the lens at a beginning reference angle of the lens to determine an incremental angle at which the lens initiates contact with the wheel.

Abstract: In a downhole sucker rod string stress absorber, a relatively inelastic plunger of circular cross-section is mounted on a concentric shaft extending upwardly to an upper portion of the sucker rod string. A resiliently compressible cushion of circular cross-section is disposed below the plunger and above a lower portion of the sucker rod string. A disk may be seated between the cushion and the plunger to distribute forces more evenly on the surface of the cushion. A resiliently compressible cylindrical sleeve, preferably having a plurality of annular grooves spaced thereabout, surrounds the shaft above the plunger. A coupling, adapted for connection to the lower portion of the sucker rod string, has a threaded end with a compressive face which abuts the outer end of the compressible cushion. A guide slidably mounted on the shaft has a threaded end with a compressive face thereon which abuts the outer end of the compressible sleeve.

Abstract: A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote superimposes portions of a scroll program guide over a basic programming signal for display on the viewer's display screen. A tuner has an input for receiving TV signals in a plurality of cable channels and an output for passing a signal of any selected one of said channels. A computer has an input for receiving any of a plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote and an output for controlling the tuner to pass the signal of the selected one of the channels in response to one of the plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote. The computer receives and stores a scroll input picture image signal containing local program guide data and generates a scroll output picture image signal consisting of at least a portion of the scroll input picture image signal. A combiner superimposes output picture image signal over the passed signal to provide a display signal for input to the viewer's display screen.

Abstract: This describes a portable non-pressurized anti-static device for eliminating static cling on clothes on which static electricity has built up. An absorbent material impregnated with an anti-static solution is supported by a frame. A cover, when in place, prevents the anti-static solution from being rubbed off or otherwise removed from the absorbent material until it is ready to be used. When static cling occurs, the wearer removes the cover and rubs the impregnated material against the area of the clothes affected, thereby removing the static electricity.

Abstract: In a dynamic noise reduction system, the release time versus frequency bandwidth is exponentially related and well beyond that achievable with a simple RC circuit.A dc control signal is derived from an input audio frequency signal by peak detecting the input signal, filtering the peak detected signal and controlling the release time of the filtered signal so that its release time is fast when the frequency is within a predetermined high range, its release time is moderate when the frequency is within a predetermined intermediate range and its release time is slow when the frequency is within a predetermined low range.

Abstract: A lens projector is provided for use with a lens blocking device having an LCD target display plane disposed beneath a work surface and a tower having an upper portion extending above the work surface with a eyepiece therethrough. The lens projector includes a bracket fixed to the tower proximate the eyepiece with a light source rigidly seated on the bracket above the work surface. A viewer mounted in the eyepiece is aligned on a sight line substantially normal to and centered on the work center of the LCD target display plane. An at least partially transmissive mirror intersects the sight line and is fixed to the viewer at an angle such that light emitted from a center of the light source is reflected along the sight line toward the work surface so as to project an image of a multi-focal segment or a lens marking onto the graphic display. A shield fixed to the bracket and extending between the light source and the tower protects the tower from heat dissipated by the light source.

Abstract: A cart for storing and transporting gardening tools and materials includes a shell, a wheel assembly journalled to the shell for transporting the shell and a steering assembly fixed to a rear portion of the shell for guiding the shell during transport. The shell has a rectangular bottom and front and side walls formed from arrays of tubular pots, each for receiving a tool through an open upper end thereof. The wheel assembly includes an axle extending transversely across the shell at approximately its midpoint and through the side walls. The wheels are large in relation to the shell and are disposed in wells defined by the bottoms of the tool pots contoured substantially to an hemispherical arc concentric with the wheels. At least one of the rearmost pots of each shell side wall extends below the shell bottom as legs which, together with the wheels, supporting said shell in a substantially level condition.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for use in downhole drilling systems employing fluid motors having a stator retaining ring and a rotor retaining ring. These rings have a plurality of bearing inserts. The bearing insert surfaces of the rotor contact the bearing surfaces of the stator. The studs which make up the bearing surface have a threaded bolt secured thereto. The threaded bolt extends through a plurality of threaded holes in each of the retaining rings. The studs and bolt may be removed or inserted by use of a simple hand tool, such as an Allen wrench.

Abstract: A micro adjust arrow rest including a mounting bracket and a body having a face plate and a U-shaped carriage. Each end of a shaft is supported by the U-shaped carriage. One end of the shaft extends beyond the carriage and receives a collar. A torsion spring is secured inside the carriage adjacent the collar. A launcher body is supported by the shaft within the U-shaped carriage. A pair of launcher fingers are fixed into the launcher body. The torsion spring secured to the carriage and the collar allows the shaft, launcher body, and launcher fingers to bias. Coarse lateral adjustment is provided by a mounting block, mounting bracket, and threaded pin. The threaded pin clamps a female dovetail of the mounting bracket onto a male dovetail of the mounting block. The mounting bracket secures the archery rest to an archery bow and includes a semi-elliptical portion which receives a bolt secured to the bow. The bolt can be tightened anyplace in the semi-elliptical portion for horizontal adjustability.