Abstract: The title flow regulator disclosed is used for regulating the level of water in the fields of an agricultural operation according to seasonal needs by a mechanism for adjusting the outflow of water from the tile line. The regulator includes a housing through which water from the tile line is directed and in which a partition with at least one aperture is positioned. At lease one vertically movable gate is associated each aperture and with a motor, an electric cylinder, and at least one actuator bar such that, upon actuation of the motor, the gate moves either open or close the aperture. If two apertures are included, the regulator can be fully open (both apertures open), fully closed (both apertures closed), or partially open (bottom aperture open, top one closed) to achieve the desired moisture level. Dates on which the gates will be moved can be pre-selected by remote signaling.

Abstract: A revolving support stand for an ornamental display including a base having a housing and a trunk holder that is seated in the top opening of the base and includes a pair of electrical outlets. An electrical motor is located in one side of the base and provides a drive for gear teeth located on the trunk holder to rotate the trunk holder with respect to the base. A bearing race is centrally positioned in the base so that a bottom portion of the trunk holder is seated on the race, which serves as a truss bearing to overcome axial loads applied on the housing by the ornamental display supported by the stand.

Abstract: A coaxial light emitter a fibre optic lighted artificial tree of the present invention serves as a trunk for the tree and includes two spaced apart light sources that individually provide light to fibre optic bundles for a portion of the tree so that the tree can be separated into parts for the purposes of packaging or storage.

Abstract: The tile flow regulator disclosed is used for regulating the level of water in the fields of an agricultural operation according to seasonal needs by a mechanism for adjusting the outflow of water from the tile line. The regulator includes a housing through which water from the tile line is directed and in which a partition with at least one aperture is positioned. At least one vertically movable gate is associated each aperture and with a motor and gear assembly such that, upon actuation of the motor by a 12-month calendar, said gate(s) move to either open or close the aperture. If two apertures are included, the regulator can be fully open (both apertures open), fully closed (both apertures closed), or partially open (bottom aperture open, top one closed) to achieve the desired moisture level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial bark for a decorative tree and a method of creating the material and applying it. The artificial bark includes an undercoat preferably made of a foamable plastic coating, a top coat also preferably made of a foamable plastic coating which is texturized, and a layer of colorant. The undercoat is applied to a structural member of the tree and then air dried. Then the top coat is applied, texturized by dragging a comb-like instrument across its surface, and air dried. Next, the undercoat and topcoat on the structural member are heat cured. Due to differences in the content of the undercoat and the top coat, heat curing causes the texture created in the top coat to be accentuated. After cooling, a colorant is applied to complete the artificial bark's resemblance to real tree bark.

Abstract: A fibre optic lighted artificial tree that includes a base member, a trunk member and a plurality of branch members that are individually provided light from a separate fibre optic bundle and light source for each branch member. The tree also includes a top that is lighted by another fibre optic bundle and light source that are separate and apart from those associated with the branch members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for stabilizing a joint between two sections of corrugated pipe. A first section of corrugated pipe is associated with a second section to form a joint. One flexible member with two ends is looped around the first section of pipe, secured against a corrugation, and the two ends are associated and tightened. A section of the flexible member is left as a tail. A second flexible member is installed the same way on the second section of pipe, again with a section left as a tail. Each tail is then stretched across the joint, threaded between the other flexible member and pipe, brought back across the joint, and cinched forming two axially aligned supports secured against a corrugation, such that two axially aligned support are formed.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for lighting a decorative tree which includes optical fibers with their first ends distributed in branches and ornaments of the tree, a color sleeve loop, a roller and track system attached to a motor which rotates the color sleeve loop through the system, and a light source. As the color sleeve is moved by the motor between the light source and the optical fibers, the color of the light provided to the optical fibers changes thereby changing the color displayed in the tree. The preferred embodiment uses a color sleeve with two different tracks of color and a divider which divides the optical fibers into two sets. Then one set of optical fibers is exposed to one color track and the other set exposed to the other track; light provided to one part of the tree will change colors differently than light provided to another part of the tree.

Abstract: A nipple valve including a valve body with an outside surface in which are ground at least one semi-circular indentation which serves as a tool grip. The semi-circular indentation is formed in the shape of a trough with oppositely disposed open ends to permit a wrench to be placed and retained in position on the valve body during installation or removal of the valve.

Abstract: A low surface area profile fishing lure made of a generally two-dimensional frame. The frame bounds an opening shaped like the body of a fish, a tail portion and an eye portion. A propeller-like member associated with the tail portion and secured by a tube-like element causes the lure to spin when it is retrieved. An aperture in the tail portion provides a way to attach a fish hook, with or without a fish attractant. The eye portion has at least one loop where a fishing line can be attached as can a fish hook, also with or without a fish attractant. The hook attached to the eye portion is stabilized by a flexible sleeve on which is affixed at least one artificial eye. In the preferred embodiment, the eye portion is located interiorly of said opening shaped like the body of a fish.

Abstract: The present invention provides stability for a decorative tree. Specifically, the decorative tree will have a base part, the lower section of which fits into a stand assembly and an upper section of which includes receiving means for an internal sleeve. The internal sleeve is sized to snugly receive a tree trunk and is formed to provide a plurality of clearances between the internal sleeve and the base part to accommodate parts associated with the trunk of the decorative tree such as bundles of fiber optics.

Abstract: The dipstick fuel squeegee of the present invention includes an elongated, rigid but lightweight base with foot pegs on either end and is long enough to span the opening of most large tanks. The base has a midsection into which first a wiper member and then a securing member are releaseably attached. There are openings in the midsection, the wiper member, and the securing member which are vertically aligned. The openings of the midsection and the securing member are approximately equal in size while the opening in the wiper element is smaller. The wiper element is made of a flexible, resilient material and substantially centered over the opening in the seat. During use, a dipstick is inserted through the three openings of the squeegee, the user secures the squeegee by standing on the foot pegs, and the wiper member dislodges any liquid adhering to the dipstick as the user raises it through the squeegee.

Abstract: A revolving support stand for an ornamental display including a base having a housing and a trunk holder that is seated in a top opening of the base and includes an electrical outlet. An electrical motor is located in the base and provides a drive force to rotate the trunk holder with respect to the base.

Abstract: An accessory support apparatus for a hand held electronic device to provide hands free use and stability thereof includes a connector bar and a support member that are attachable by integrally formed coupling members. In a first preferred embodiment the support member is in the form of a support stand that is attachable to the connector bar and includes a leg and a bracket portion and a hinge portion located therebetween to provide for relative movement of the leg with respect to the bracket portion. In a second preferred embodiment, the support member is in the form of a bracket bar that is attachable to a desired surface so that when the connector bar is coupled thereto, the hand held electronic device is maintained in a fixed position on the wall.

Abstract: A method for molding integrated circuit packages including a semiconductor integrated circuit chip and a lead frame with a plurality of leads is disclosed. The method employs a device formed of top and bottom mold dies having intermating teeth that provide a sealed mold cavity around the integrated circuit chip and the lead frame leads. The teeth of at least one of said mold dies are formed with inclined surfaces that assist in compensating for any misalignment between the lead frame and the dies.