Abstract: The closure has a bung-type socket (10) of soft elastic material with a flange-like outer bearing portion (12), a circumferential sealing portion (16) sealingly receiving the rim of the hole, and a circumferential snap-action portion (18) engaging the inside of the rim of the hole from behind. In the sealing portion (16) and the snap-action portion (18) of the bung-type socket (10) there is embedded a coaxial reinforcing ring (20) of hard plastic, which is radially rippled over the circumference and thereby is covered by the soft-elastic material in thickness varying over the circumference. The bung-type socket (10) has a central orifice (24), in which a manually adjustable valve element (26) of the pressure-compensating valve occupies a sealing closed position and a pressure-compensating position.

Abstract: A simple, economical method of identifying the location of installed products. According to one embodiment, a machine readable indicia, for example a bar code, is associated with products from different product groups. Indicia is initially applied to each of the products in a manner such that the indicia is removable. As the end user installs those products, an installation team removes the removable indicia from the product or product package and adheres that indicia to an installation information sheet. The installation information sheet from that installation, as well as the installation information sheets from other installation sites, are then forwarded to a central location where the information on the machine-readable indicia is automatically read into an electronic database. Once the information from the machine-readable indicia has been entered into a suitable database, the information is readily accessible using a suitable software program.

Abstract: Games of skill or chance which provide a player, who has received a wild indicia during one game, with the opportunity to reserve that wild indicia for use in a subsequent game.

Abstract: A burner utilizing a low pressure fan for atomizing fuel and supplying air for combustion. The burner includes an air-tube, an air-atomizing nozzle disposed in the air-tube, a conduit for supplying fuel to the nozzle, and a fan for supplying air to the air-tube. A back plate, a retention plate, and a side ring meter primary air to the nozzle and provide a chamber through which secondary air passes around the nozzle. The side ring is provided with a plurality of apertures for directing secondary air inwardly into a chamber desirably normal to the direction from which the secondary air is discharged therefrom. Also disclosed is a novel three-piece air-atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A method of detecting irregularities on or in the wall of a vessel by detecting localized spatial temperature differentials on the wall surface, comprising scanning the vessel surface with a thermal imaging camera and recording the position of the or each region for which the thermal image from the camera is indicative of such a temperature differential across the region. The spatial temperature differential may be formed by bacterial growth on the vessel surface; alternatively, it may be the result of defects in the vessel wall such as thin regions or pin holes or cracks. The detection of leaks through the vessel wall may be enhanced by applying a pressure differential or a temperature differential across the vessel wall; the testing for leaks may be performed with the vessel full or empty, and from the inside or the outside.

Abstract: A combination bracelet, button, and zipper fastening device includes an elongated handle having a first end and a second end with a first releasable clamping means coupled to the first end and a removable, reversible end cap on the second end. The first releasable clamping means are operable to releasably hold at least one interlocking member of a releasable clasp of a bracelet. The removable, reversible end cap has a button hook and a chain attached to one end and an interlocking member on the other end. A second releasable clamping means is attached to the end of the chain.

Abstract: Gaming devices dispense tickets which are supplemental to the gaming award. The gaming devices provide gaming awards, typically in a form selected from the group consisting of coins, currency, credits or redeemable tickets in response to a randomly determined event, and also provide supplemental tickets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the power and computer assisted injection of local anesthetic into a patient in a virtually pain free manner, in which anesthetic pressure is automatically monitored as an input to the computer, in which the patient is able at any time to order the automatic reduction of anesthetic pressure and in which a simple single pole switch is the only control input to the computer required of the doctor administering the injection.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to a screen door comprising a flexible screen and a rigid transparent protective cover disposed in at least partially overlapping relation with the flexible screen in order to protect the screen from damage. The cover is advantageously transparent in order to permit a person to see through both the screen and the cover. Furthermore, the cover is advantageously provided with a plurality of air holes.

Abstract: An adjustable antenna bracket attachable to a pole such as a wooden utility pole or electric transmission tower for simultaneously mounting a plurality of antennas. The adjustable antenna bracket comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed, spaced-apart, rings for straddling a pole about a portion of the vertical outer surface of the pole, and a plurality of parallel vertically disposed pipes attached to the rings and angularly spaced-apart from each other for supporting a plurality of antennas. A plurality of threaded bolts extend radially through threaded bores in at least two of the rings to allow adjustably mounting the antenna bracket to a pole at a predetermined orientation and perpendicular to the earth, i.e., plumb. Also disclosed is an adjustable antenna bracket kit, method of adjustably mounting a plurality of antennas to a pole, and an adjustable antenna bracket for simultaneously mounting a plurality of antennas from a roof top.

Abstract: A spring diaphragm for use in automatic hydraulic control valves of the type having a valve body having an inlet chamber, and an outlet chamber and a spring diaphragm interposed between the inlet and outlet chambers, which spring diaphragm, as a result of hydraulic pressure, is automatically moveable between an open and closed position, in which the diaphragm allows and prevents, respectively, communication between the inlet and outlet chambers, includes a two-part diaphragm element including a first lower part and second upper part generally spaced apart from one another, the first lower part being in the form of a flexible elastic disc which performs the function of a hermetic seal between the inlet and outlet chambers when the spring diaphragm is in the closed position and the second upper part being connected to the first part and being in the form of a resilient disc which performs the function of a spring to normally bias the spring diaphragm from the open to the closed position.

Abstract: An irrigation system comprising a container for holding a liquid, a tap, a device for simultaneously puncturing the container and securing the tap to the container and a device for regulating the dispersement of the liquid from the container. Also provided is a method of irrigation comprising the steps of attaching at least a portion of a spike to a tap thus forming a tap and spike assembly, puncturing a container for holding a liquid with the tap and spike assembly and simultaneously securing the tap to the container wherein the spike automatically dislodges from the tap and falls into the container, and dispersing the liquid from the container to a desired irrigation area.

Abstract: Fluid delivery hose recovery systems for a movable, fluid delivery vehicle. There are several embodiments for the system as each has a fluid delivery hose, a rewinding mechanism for the hose, a wireless remote control for activating the rewinding mechanism and a receiver operatively connected to the rewinding mechanism for receiving a signal from the remote control to rewind the hose. Some of the embodiments for the system include a mechanism for disabling the rewinding mechanism. Additionally, some of the embodiments of the present invention can be used with vehicles delivering flammable fluids.

Abstract: A locking grate for a floor sink includes a screen member having holes dimensioned to allow the passage of liquid but prevent the passage of solid waste and a mounting hole, a threaded member dimensioned to extend through the mounting hole, and a locking member which is adapted to be engaged by the threaded member. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the threaded member is a screw having a non-standard or atypical head which requires a non-standard or unusual screw driver. The locking member includes a tube which is orthogonally engaged by the screw and which has at least one rod slideably disposed therein. The tube and the rod are arranged such that when the screw engages the tube, the screw forces the rod to slide partially out of the tube. The end of the rod which extends out of the tube is preferably provided with a surface which frictionally engages the inner wall of the floor sink drain pipe.

Abstract: A three-in-one combination laminating tool configured in form of an elongate handle having a first end and an opposite second end, a freely-rotatable roller supported at the first end of the handle, and a relatively narrow blade-like laminate edge presser supported at the opposite second end of the handle. The first end of the handle comprises a generally U-shaped yoke having a pair of spaced-apart arms for rotatably supporting the roller therebetween. The tool allows carpenters, cabinetmakers, and other users the convenience of one hand operation in applying pressure to the entire surface of a plastic laminate or wood veneer. Specifically, an evenly distributed pressure is applied via the relatively large roller to the large easily accessible surface areas of the laminate, and via the narrow blade-like laminate edge presser to those typically inaccessible surface areas of the laminate, such as corners, edges or butt joints.

Abstract: Gaming devices comprising a standard gaming unit, e.g., three reels, and a discernible additional payout indicator, e.g., a rotatable wheel. A preferred bonus payout indicator is clearly visible by the player and is actuatable when the reels of the slot machine stop on certain predetermined indicia. A preferred embodiment further comprises a payout multiplier which displays a plurality of values by which a payout may be multiplied.

Abstract: A syringe made of plastic serves as a metering part for a bottle-top dispenser. It includes a piston-cylinder unit, which has a cylinder sleeve with an installation opening for the piston, and a retainer ring for the piston which lies in front of the installation opening and which is clipped onto the cylinder sleeve in such a way that the piston cannot be pulled out of the cylinder.