Abstract: A system for applying a coating of wax and fungicide to the surface of fruit applies the coating in two stages. The first stage sprays onto the fruit a mixture of both wax and fungicide, while a second stage sprays onto the fruit wax alone. The fungicide is thereby concentrated immediately adjacent the fruit, where it is most effective in controlling fruit decay, and the wax is at its full concentration at the outside of the coating, where it can provide an optimum surface shine.

Abstract: An improved enclosure assembly of the type including an openable enclosure, a locking member movable relative to the enclosure for selectively locking or unlocking it, a keeper mechanism mounted on the enclosure for retaining the locking member in its locked position, and a manually operable lock for selectively locking the locking member in its locked position.An improved tamper-proof locking assembly is provided which greatly minimizes the danger of unwanted intrusion into the locked enclosure. A guard housing having a single opening is placed about the keeper mechanism. The single opening of the guard housing is made large enough for the insertion of a human hand therein when it is desired to unlock the manually operable lock, but is made too small for insertion of a cutting instrument that could cut apart either the locking member, the keeper mechanism, or the manually operable lock.

Abstract: A collection staton for household usage for collection of recyclable trash, having top and bottom walls, front and rear walls, and left and right side walls; one vertical edge of the front wall being hinged to an edge of one of the side walls and openable for inserting a standard collection box to be supported upon the bottom wall; a shelf attached to the rear wall and to a rearward portion of each side wall for the storage of newspapers, the top wall having an openable section forming a shelf access door; the shelf having an open space in front of it for dropping mixed recyclables into the standard collection box; the upper portion of the front wall having a section forming a box access door which is hingedly supported at its top and closable by gravity, which may be swung open for depositing cans or bottles through the open space into the standard collection box.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for a two-part jack system, having lifting arms which are raised or extended by means of hydraulic power whenever an associated jack stand is to be either raised or extended. The necessary hydraulic pressure is generated manually, by use of a hand pump. The power unit includes a single release valve which operates automatically as an excess-pressure bleed-off valve whenever the hydraulic cylinder pressure exceeds design capacity, and is also adapted to be controlled manually from the handle of the power unit for unloading total hydraulic pressure whenever the lifting arms are to be lowered. The release valve and all of its associated mechanisms are mounted in or on a single metallic block which is very easily manufacturable.

Abstract: A system of apparatus for locating underground metallic lines includes a transmitter apparatus at a first work station above ground for inducing a current in the line and a receiver at a second work station for making field measurements. The transmitter apparatus includes a battery-powered transmitter circuit supported from a portable housing, a ferrite core antenna incorporated within the transmitter circuit, and a separate tank circuit which includes a loop antenna and a capacitor and is tuned to a predetermined operating frequency and is electrically isolated from the ferrite core antenna. The ferrite core antenna transfers energy through a magnetic flux field to the loop antenna, and a magnetic field generated from the loop antenna inductively creates an alternating current in the line which then generates an alternating electromagnetic field about the line at the second work station.

Abstract: A single compact air cleaner unit includes a motor and fan assembly, a mechanical pre-filter, an electrostatic precipitator, a main filter cartridge which is easily removable and which contains both a synthetic mesh media with electrical charges embedded therein and a plastic screen impregnated with activated carbon powder, ionizing needles positioned adjacent a fresh air outlet, an air quality sensing device having an adjustable control for selecting a level of air quality to be achieved, and an automatic control cooperatively associated with the air quality sensing device to keep the unit energized as long as the air being sampled does not meet the selected air quality level.

Abstract: A syringe for the gravity-feed intravenous administration of drugs and the like comprises three hollow, elongated, cylindrical, outer, middle and inner barrels nested concentrically and tandemly within each other and means for suspending the syringe above a patient. The middle barrel has an open end with a rubber stopper on it slidably and sealingly disposed within the outer barrel to adjustably define a liquid-receiving volume therein. The inner barrel has a hollow interior, an open external end containing a microbial filter through which its interior is vented to ambient pressure, and a closed end having a sharp, hollow needle communicating with the interior and extending outwardly therefrom. Selective advancement of the inner barrel toward the rubber stopper causes the needle to penetrate the stopper and vent the volume to ambient pressure through the interior of the inner barrel and the filter, whereby liquid medication in the volume may gravity-feed through an established primary or secondary I.V.

Abstract: An adjustable frame includes an outer tubular member and an inner cylindrical member disposed in longitudinally adjustable relation, the inner member being of substantially smaller diameter than the interior surface of the outer member so as to provide an annular space between the two members. Inner and outer adapter rings are disposed about the inner cylindrical member within the annular space. The adapter rings have longitudinally tapered mating surfaces for providing a cam action. A sleeve is threadedly supported from the outer tubular member and engages one of the adapter rings for moving it axially relative to the other ring to thereby create a radial expansion force within the annular space, thus locking the inner cylindrical member in a fixed longitudinal position relative to the outer tubular member.

Abstract: An ornament for attachment to the outside of a gift package that has at least one substantially flat surface includes a single sheet member formed with a substantially flat back portion which is adapted to fit against the surface of the gift package, and a plurality of spaced separate areas which are bulged outwardly away from the back portion to provide corresponding frontal protrusions. The frontal protrusions have differing shapes and appearances, and may also have colors added to their front surfaces so as to present artistic objects having a realistic appearance. In a preferred form of the invention the ornamental features portrayed by the front surfaces of the protrusions include at least one hand having a slit that is parallel to the back portion of the sheet member, and which is adapted to hold a gift card.

Abstract: A driver with automatic speed and torque switching including two different drive trains which operate in parallel and are driven at the same time by a motor. One drive train provides a high-speed output while the other provides a low-speed output. A single drive head for transmitting torque to the nut is normally coupled to the high-speed output, and not to the low-speed output. The machine operates initially at the high speed for the "free rotation" of the nut. When the nut contacts the surface of the structural body, the drive coupling to the high-speed output is disabled, and the low-speed output (which formerly was not coupled to the drive head) is not at the same time coupled to the drive head. The nut is then driven much more slowly but with a higher driving torque. Within the low-speed drive train there is included a friction clutch, and adjustement means for adjusting the level of torque at which it will slip.

Abstract: An applicance housing includes a box-like front part having a front panel and an open rear end, and a pair of symmetrical, box-like side parts, each having an open front end and an open medial side. The open medial sides of the two side parts snap together in coplanar abutment along a sagittal plane, and the open rear end of the front part then snaps onto the front ends of the two engaged side parts to form a closed housing. In an air cleaner embodiment, each of the two side parts is provided with a ventilated lateral side panel which is recessed to create a space for holding a sheet of filtering media, and a flush grill which snaps onto the side panels over the filters to hold them in place.

Abstract: A shoulder strap assembly combines both stretchable and non-stretchable strap members in such a way that the complete assembly has a carefully restricted ability to stretch in the longitudinal direction. A bottom one of the strap members is totally resilient and provides excellent cushioning but lacks the necessary stiffness and mechanical strength to support a load. An upper strap member has a composite structure, being of non-stretchable and strong material in its two end portions but stretchable in its middle section. These two strap members are combined in a parallel relationship and fastened together at the two ends of the stretchable middle section, as well as at other points along their length. The significance of the invention is that while it provides comfort for the wearer and a solid support of whatever load the wearer is carrying, a limited longitudinal stretchability of the strap assembly greatly minimizes the bouncing action.

Abstract: A rotary switch assembly for use with a stand-mounted appliance includes a conventional rotary switch which is installed through the side of the stand and mounted therein on a plate such that the stem of the switch is coaxially aligned with the long, central axis of the stand. A control knob in the form of a split, annular sleeve is snapped circumferentially around the stand to cover the opening and has an arm which extends radially inward through the opening to grasp the switch's stem such that rotation of the knob about the stand in the circumferential direction produces a corresponding rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A two-part jack system includes a mechanical jack stand with a ratchet mechanism and a ratchet release, and a power unit that may be selectively aligned with and attached to the jack stand for raising or lowering it. A unitary control mechanism carried by the power unit is adapted to selectively lock the power unit in an aligned position relative to the jack stand, and also to selectively release the ratchet release of the jack stand. A locking mechanism is carried in part by the jack stand and in part by the power unit. The unitary control mechanism has three different operating positions. In one operating position the locking mechanism is kept locked while the ratchet release is left in an unreleased state; in a second operating position the locking mechanism is kept locked while the ratchet release is released; and in the third operating position the locking mechanism is held in an unlocked condition while the ratchet release is left in an unreleased state.

Abstract: A normally closed electrical switch mechanism having fixed and movable switch assemblies, a spring assembly urging the movable switch assembly away from engagement with the fixed switch assembly to thereby open the switch, a latch member normally securing the movable switch assembly in its position of engagement with the fixed switch assembly, and a mechanism responsive to a predetermined condition external to the switch mechanism for moving the latch member so as to allow the switch to open, is improved in the following manner. A member made of thermoplastic material is positioned between the latch member and the movable switch assembly. The thermoplastic material of that member is then responsive to an overheated condition of the internal switch circuitry for losing its structural rigidity so as to release the movable switch assembly and thereby permit the spring assembly to open the switch even though the latch member remains in place.

Abstract: A cartridge valve housing for use with a disc-type valve cartridge having a pair of discs disposed at one end and capable of axial adjustment of the discs independent of the housing. The valve housing includes a hollow tube member having an inlet and an outlet port and a passageway suitable for communicating liquid therebetween. A portion of the tube member, proximate the outlet port, is adapted to slidably and sealingly receive therein the valve cartridge end having the pair of discs. This portion of the tube member also has sufficient axial length so as not to inhibit axial movement of the valve cartridge in the housing. A concentric sleeve member is integrally formed on the outer wall of the tube member proximate the outlet port and forms a discharge chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A method of scoring card games wherein digital numbers within a predetermined set or range which is not needed in scoring the particular game is reserved for player identification. In performing the method of the invention it is preferred to utilize a special purpose computer contained in a small carrying case, which has an operating keyboard and a visually activated scoreboard in side-by-side relation to the keyboard. The carrying case preferably has a hinged lid which is spring-loaded to normally remain in open position, operating instructions written on the inner side of the lid, and a latch for holding the lid closed. In operating the apparatus, a WE or THEY key is depressed before making player assignments by number. Scores subsequently recorded and visually displayed for each team are also stored in electronic memory for each individual player.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical apparatus, which is an integrally formed plastic member having a sloping wall with a number of sloping-trough depressed areas formed therein, the upper extremity of each such depressed area being deepened and having a discontinuity relative to the adjacent wall portion, thus forming an opening for the escape of warm air from inside the housing. The wall slopes in one direction relative to the horizontal, and the open face of each discontinuity-formed opening slopes in the opposite direction, so that liquid falling upon the sloping wall tends not to enter the openings but instead to flow downward along and off the exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: A three-piece fastener includes a bolt with a shank having a concentric opening in its threaded end, a nut adapted to fit over the threaded end of the bolt, and a wedge member which is insertable into the end opening of the bolt for expanding and thereby securing it. The threaded end of the bolt is axially slotted to facilitate its expansion.The outer diameter of the wedge member is smaller than the outer diameter of the threaded end of the bolt. When the bolt is to be inserted into an opening of a structure in order to accomplish a fastening action, the wedge member is first loosely inserted into the end opening of the bolt. Then when the bolt and wedge are passed through the opening, the nut is applied to the end of the bolt and is tightened. Thereafter, the wedge is tightened in order to expand the end of the bolt.The end opening of the bolt has interior threads, and is threadedly engaged by the wedge member, but in an opposite rotational sense to that in which the nut is applied to the bolt.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for household use is small and compact, easy to use, and inexpensive to buy and to operate. It includes a base, an electric circuit supported upon the base, a circumferential housing extending upward from the base, a liquid tank within the upper portion of the housing, and an electro-mechanical transducer secured to the bottom side of the liquid tank and coupled to the eletric circuit to be driven thereby. The periphery of the liquid tank is supported from the housing in secure liquid-sealing relationship so as to protect the electric circuit from any liquid spillage. A removable cover fits over the top of the housing and covers the liquid tank and contents.A separate feature of the invention is a removable jewelry basket which may be positioned within the liquid tank for holding jewelry that is being cleaned, but can then be rested above the tank while the liquid drains out and the jewelry dries.