Abstract: A counterbore tool having a removable cutting tool in which the cutting tool is disposed in an open slot of the shank, the slot extending inwardly from the outer extremity of the shank and in which the pilot member is secured in telescoping engagement with the end of the shank, the pilot member being detachably held by fastening means which clamps the pilot member against the cutting tool and holds it firmly in place. The cutting tool has a transverse depth equal to the width of the slot so as to fit snugly within the slot. The cutting tool and shank are provided with interfitting male and female members which prevent movement of the cutting tool transverse to the axis of the shank. The pilot member snugly telescopes over the shank and is provided with a slot extending over the outer side edge of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A composting mixture for facilitating the rapid decomposition of organic material to be composted in which there is a relatively small amount of various microorganisms for digesting the material, a relatively small amount of enzymes for breaking down the cell structure of the organic material to enable it to be digested by the microorganisms, and a relatively large amount of materials rich in proteins and carbohydrates to facilitate the rapid reproduction of the microorganisms prior to the time that the enzymes have broken down the cell structure of the organic material. The materials rich in protein and carbohydrates are so selected as to provide a ratio of one to from three to four parts of protein by weight to carbohydrate. This simulates the ratio of protein to carbohydrate in growing vegetable matter and enables initial rapid reproduction of the microorganisms. The enzymes include a hemicellulase, a cellulase, a protease, an amylase and lipase.

Abstract: An adjustable stand for supporting heavy loads such as pallets at various heights, the stand having a platform formed of four channel shaped beam members securely fastened together in a generally rectangular form with two of the beam members being relatively long and extending longitudinally of the platform and having spaced notches on their under surfaces, there being two pairs of legs disposed adjacent opposite sides of the platform, the legs of each pair being pivotally secured together near their longitudinal midpoints. The upper ends of one leg of each pair are disposed within the longitudinally extending beams and pivotally secured thereto. The upper ends of the other legs are joined together by a rod member designed to fit within the pairs of spaced notches so that the height of the platform is dependent upon the location of the pair of notches in which the rod member is placed.

Abstract: A wristwatch of the digital type in which there is switch means including a movable member visible from the front of the watch and in which the movable member has to be manipulated deliberately into a predetermined position in order for the switch means to cause energization of the digital display on the watch. The watch is preferably provided with two transparent front walls between which the switch means is located. The movable member may take the form of a ball or other conductor member which is moved into engagement with spaced contacts when the watch is moved to a normal position for viewing and the ball is manipulated, while the watch is in that position, into engagement with the contacts. In one form of the invention, a mercury globule is used instead of a ball. Moreover, instead of having open contacts, the movable member may be a ball which is effective when manipulated to the predetermined position to engage the plunger of a precision snap switch and cause closure of the switch.

Abstract: Vehicle brake testing apparatus of the type in which there are yieldable restrained pairs of tread plates engaging the front wheels and rear wheels of a vehicle in which there is means for producing an electrical signal depending in value upon the braking force on each wheel, means for producing a total braking force signal depending upon the sums of the signals, means for measuring the speed of the vehicle as it is driven onto the tread plates and producing an electrical speed signal, means for dividing the integrated total force signal by the speed signal to obtain a weight signal indicative of the weight of the vehicle and means for comparing the total force signal with the weight signal to obtain an indication of the ratio between the total braking force and the weight of the vehicle and indicating whether this ratio meets acceptable standards.

Abstract: A current measuring device for measuring a current flowing in a conductor by inductive coupling to the conductor, the device having an E-shaped core of magnetic material and a slidable bar normally spaced by an air gap from one outer leg and being slidably movable away from this outer leg to permit the insertion of the conductor being measured. Two pairs of windings are placed on the other outer leg. One winding in each pair is alternately energized under the control of a transistor oscillator network, the other winding in each pair being used to supply feedback voltages to cause deenergization of the transistor then conducting. Each transistor has in series therewith a second transistor to minimize clipping of the voltage peaks. The output of the windings is applied to the input of a further transistor, the output of which is in turn applied to a current measuring device.

Abstract: An engine analyzer in which testing apparatus is controlled in accordance with a signal generated from voltage pulses applied to the spark plugs, the signal being converted into a square wave voltage of a frequency corresponding to the frequency of occurrence of the ignition voltage pulses. Specifically, this is accomplished by producing a first square wave voltage of one-half the frequency of occurrence of the pulses, integrating this square wave voltage to form a first triangular wave voltage of the same frequency, inverting portions of this first triangular wave voltage to form a triangular wave voltage of the same frequency as the frequency of occurrence of the pulses and differentiating this further triangular wave voltage to form a square wave voltage of the frequency of occurrence of the pulses.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for an automotive vehicle in which an electronic engine speed responsive means is effective, when said anti-theft device has been prepared for operation by closure of a concealed switch, to disable the engine after the engine reaches a predetermined speed and to maintain the engine disabled until the concealed switch is reopened. The device may also energize the horn relay so that the horn sounds while the engine is disabled. The electronic speed responsive device can be connected across the points and the circuit components all can operate at vehicle battery voltages so that the anti-theft device can be quickly installed in a vehicle. The engine disabling means can be maintained in operation either through the use of an electronic trigger switch or by the use of a relay which establishes its own holding circuit.

Abstract: A sawtooth wave form generating circuit in which the amplitude of the sawtooth wave form is automatically maintained at a constant value by passing the same through a variable gain amplifier, measuring the amplitude of the sawtooth wave form at the moment when it reaches its maximum value, comparing such amplitude with that of a standard voltage and adjusting the gain of the amplifier accordingly. This is done through the use of a capacitor which is charged upon the occurrence of the same pulse which discharges the capacitor of the sawtooth wave generator. The capacitor controlling the gain of the amplifier is charged under the control of a comparator amplifier having one input from the output of the variable gain amplifier and the other from a source of standard voltage. The sawtooth wave generator is particularly applicable for use in measuring phase differences between two events recurring at a variable repetition rate such as encountered in automobile ignition diagnosis.

Abstract: Engine diagnostic apparatus for displaying on a cathode ray tube the voltage conditions existing at each of the spark plugs which apparatus is intended for use with ignition systems in which the voltage pulses applied to the spark plugs are of such short duration that a cathode ray tube will not properly respond to the changes of voltage. The apparatus is effective to successively charge a capacitor to a value corresponding to the value of each voltage pulse and the voltages across this capacitor are used to control the vertical defection of the cathode ray tube. At the end of a first period of time following a voltage pulse, the capacitor is shorted. The capacitor is maintained shorted for a longer period of time less than the time between successive pulses so as to avoid undesired charging of the capacitor as a result of transient conditions.

Abstract: A privacy device for a telephone to prevent, unless desired, another telephone from being connected to the pair of incoming lines to which the telephone is connected. The privacy device employs voltage responsive means which is effective upon the telephone being connected to the incoming lines to establish a low impedance connection to the telephone only if the voltage across the incoming lines has initially at least a predetermined value. The low impedance connection drops the voltage across the incoming lines so that other telephones with the privacy device cannot be connected thereto. Means are provided for temporarily increasing the impedance across the lines to increase the voltage so that another telephone can be connected to the line when desired. This is done in a manner not to interrupt the connection between the lines but to maintain a minimum amount of current flowing therethrough so that the central office equipment does not detect an interruption in the line.

Abstract: A tool holder for removably holding a plurality of tools such as hexagonal key wrenches in which the holder has a passage for each tool and in which each passage has, spaced from the end in which the tool is inserted, an inwardly extending projection which allows the tool to pass when a flat side of the tool is parallel to the flat face of the projection but which grips the tool when it is turned to bring a corner edge of the tool into engagement with the flat face to clamp it. With large tools, there are two opposed inwardly extending projections, one of which has a groove into which a corner edge of said tool enters to yieldably retain the tool against rotation from its gripped position. With small tools, the tool holder has a shoulder against which the tool bears to limit the movement of the tool away from its gripped position.

Abstract: A tool device in which a torsion tool such as a drill bit is provided with oppositely disposed flanges of such size and shape that the jaws of the chuck press against the sides of the flanges while all three jaws tend to engage and clamp the shank of the tool, so that the chuck may be manually tightened and loosened. Where the jaws of the chuck are not cut away but form a solid cylinder when engaged with each other, the flanges can be of such size and shape to be engaged by two of the jaws while allowing all three jaws to engage the shank of the tool without substantial flexing of the flanges. Where the jaws are cut away so that their clamping portions do not meet when the jaws are brought together, the flanges may be more flexible to ensure that all three jaws engage the shank of the tool.

Abstract: A rotary crankless machine in which there is a rotary shaft, a rotary cylinder block, and a stationary housing, all concentrically disposed about a common axis and in which the housing has a central annular manifold block with inlet and outlet passages disposed midway between the ends of the housing. The rotary cylindrical block and shaft are rotatably coupled together and the rotary cylindrical block has a pair of sets of inwardly directed cylinders each of which extends from adjacent the outer wall of the cylinder block inwardly towards the manifold block and disposed so as to be selectively in communication with the inlet and outlet passages of the manifold block as the cylinder block rotates, and in each of which a piston is reciprocated. The longitudinal axis of each cylinder is substantially inclined inwardly with respect to the common axis of the machine and with respect to the transverse plane perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: An ignition retarding device which cuts off the usual vacuum ignition advance to retard the ignition when the brakes are actuated or when the engine speed drops below a predetermined value, there being a further device responsive to engine temperature to restore the vacuum ignition advance whenever the temperature of the engine rises above a predetermined value. The speed is measured by an electronic tachometer whose input is connected across the distributor points and whose output is fed through a voltage comparator and an amplifier to control the energization of an electrically operated valve. The override brake and temperature signals are obtained by connections to the usual brake switch and temperature switch. Provision is made for use of the equipment with automotive vehicles either in which the brake switch is between the brake light and ground or between the battery and the brake light.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for quickly composting organic material which involves the use of a flexible bag having a plurality of perforations through the body portion of the bag and a composting tablet having a water soluble binder in which is retained a large number of natural micro-organisms, the bag being filled with the organic material and an aqueous solution formed by adding the tablet to a predetermined amount of water. The open end of the bag is thereafter closed and periodically the bag is compressed to force out through the perforations gases resulting from decomposition and then fluffed to draw air into the bag through the perforations. The composting tablet preferably contains enzymes which accelerate the activity of the microorganisms and a nitrogen releasing substance to supply the nitrogen necessary for continued decomposition of the material being composted.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle having an enclosed operator cab in which the air intake pipe and the exhaust stack are mounted diagonally in line with one of the front corner posts of the cab so that although both the air intake pipe and the exhaust stack are close to the engine, they present a minimum of obstruction to the view of the operator. The portions of the intake pipe and exhaust stack visible to the operator are painted in the same dark color as the cab, in contrast to a lighter color employed on the rest of the vehicle. The vehicle may be provided with a hood which extends inwardly of the intake pipe and exhaust stack and is hinged to the vehicle at the front so that it can be tilted forward. The vehicle may be of the type which is articulated and in which the rear of the cab overhangs the rear section of the vehicle.