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 adjustment means for adjusting the level of torque at which it will slip.

Abstract: An electric fan has a universally adjustable mounting which includes a vertical stem rotatable in a pedestal, and a pair of support joints extending above the stem and pivotal in mutually perpendicular planes. It is therefore possible to position the fan in lateral displacement from the stem, such that its back thrust creates a torque force tending to rotate the stem. The stem at its lower end has a base plate parallel to the pedestal. A pair of ball-and-spring mechanisms located between the base plate and pedestal permit the stem to be manually rotated to a selected position of adjustment where the balls engage a corresponding pair of holes. Yet the spring strength is sufficient to resist the torque produced by operation of the fan.

Abstract: A swim-in-place pool has an inlet opening to the swimming area, which is comparable in width and height to the space that would be occupied by a swimmer's body. Water is driven through the inlet opening at a velocity which is substantially constant throughout the cross-sectional area of the opening.The illustrated apparatus includes a housing providing an annular cavity within which a circular water advancing means is revolvably disposed. The swimming space lies essentially along a diameter of the annular cavity. The inlet opening is provided at one end of the swimming space for receiving water from the annular cavity, and an outlet opening is provided at the other end to return water to the annular cavity.

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: A ring-shaped brace or frame for supporting the ribs of a knockdown-style lamp shade includes a plurality of rigid, elongated members which are formed to lie in a plane and interconnect end-to-end to form a rigid, closed polyagonal ring. Means are provided which receive ends of adjacent members and connect them in rigid, snap-together, pull-apart, locking engagement. Because the ring frame is quickly and easily assembled or disassembled by the consumer without the use of tools, it can be packed, along with the shade, in a compact, disassembled condition for shipment and sale.

Abstract: A method for dispensing boxed goods by horizontally ejecting the bottommost box from a vertical stack of boxes. A pusher is engaged with the vertical wall of the bottommost box at about its vertical center and is used to push the bottommost box horizontally outward. When the bottommost box has been pushed part way only, a smooth support is placed behind the pusher and at an elevation below the top of the bottommost box.When the bottommost box is fully ejected, the support breaks the fall of the next-to-bottom box and supports the entire stack of boxes at an intermediate elevation. Then when the pusher is fully withdrawn, the next-to-bottom box assumes the position formerly occupied by the bottommost box.In a preferred form, the support means includes a roller attached to the rearward side of the pusher and which rollingly supports the next-to-bottom box as it is being withdrawn.

Abstract: A recirculating shower is especially adapted for showering a person's body with a relatively small supply of water. Before it is directed into the shower stall, the water is first recirculated through an alternate series loop pathway and concurrently cleaned and filtered as well as being heated to a desired temperature level. During the showering of the person's body the water continues to be recirculated, cleaned, filtered, and heated. When the showering is completed, the water is again directed through the alternate pathway for further cleaning and filtering, in preparation for a subsequent re-usage.

Abstract: A faucet valve is operated by a rotatable stem which is inserted in a tube-shaped housing. The valve, preferably composed of brass, is screwed into a standard size plumbing fixture. The body of the stem is disposed between a washer preferably made of teflon and an "O" ring, which exerts a pressure between said body of the stem and the tube. The pressure does not generally vary according to the fluid pressure therein or fluid flow therethrough enabling the valve to be used in high pressure applications. A stationary valving member within the housing mates with a cooperating rotatable valving member which is driven by the stem. The operating end of the stem is thick relative to the housing into which it fits; this thickness allows the operating part of the stem to be able to handle relatively large operating force without bending or breaking. A pin and cooperating slot provide a 90.degree. limit on stem rotation.

Abstract: A coin-box placed adjacent to a television receiver is interposed in the path of a signal input line that supplies program signals to the receiver. Signals on some program channel (the "free" channels) are permitted to pass through the coin box at all times. The purpose of the coin box is to require payment for the reception of programs on certain other selected frequency channels (the "pay" channels). One or more band rejection filters (frequency traps) are utilized within the coin box to normally prevent reception of the pay channels. A bypass circuit, controlled by a relay, permits the pay channels to be received during time periods that have been paid for. The coin-box is lockable for security purposes and contains a timing circuit, a relay, and other controls. The selection of pay channels as well as the various control parameters may be adjusted at will by the proprietor of the establishment in which the television set is located.

Abstract: A portable modular loudspeaker apparatus consists of a cabinet containing at least two speakers pointing in different directions so that sound generation patterns of the different speakers tend to diverge. The cabinet is narrower at the back than at the front, and placing two of the cabinets in a side-by-side abutting relationship provides an array of speakers positioned in a generally arcuate pattern. Each cabinet is provided with manual gripping means on a exterior surface to facilitate transport and installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle seat cover assembly having a seat cover with an exterior trim member extending about its periphery, front and rear under flap members supported from the exterior trim member and adapted to pass underneath the respective ends of a bicycle seat for securing the set cover assembly thereto, and an adjusting strap disposed intermediate to the front and rear under flap members for adjusting and tightening the securing action.According to the invention the rear under flap member is of generally crescent-shaped configuration but cut off at its forward corners, and the missing corner are then replaced with a pair of essentially triangular, highly elastic members. These members make it easier to install or remove the seat cover assembly, and also increase its useful life.

Abstract: A personal electronic communication apparatus for carrying by an individual including, a housing having an indicator panel for displaying received information characters or the status of the apparatus located on the front face of the housing. The housing has a normal right-side-up orientation in which all of the information characters being displayed may be read in a normal fashion. A support device includes normally parallel front and back plates, with a hinge mechanism pivotally joining the upper portions of the plates and is adapted to be vertically inserted around a belt or to clip on to a pocket flap, with the hinge mechanism projecting upward. The front plate has means for fastening it to the back face of the housing in such an orientation that the indicator panel is normally up-side-down with respect to the individual carrying the apparatus, that is, the indicator panel faces away from the person carrying the apparatus.

Abstract: A collapsible shade assembly for a lamp includes a shade structure of generally truncated conical configuration having open small and large eds, and having a plurality of clips permanently secured within each of its ends in circumferentially spaced positions therein. Small and large rigid rings fit within corresponding sets of the clips, and are snap-fastened there, for supporting the rings from the shade structure and also causing the rings to hold the shade structure in its normal expanded shape. For purpose of storage or shipment, the rigid rings are removed, and the shade structure with clips appended thereto is rolled into a much smaller volume.

Abstract: A soap-solution gathering and bubble blowing device includes a rigid base member having a central opening or air passageway therethrough, and a hollow brush which is supported from the base member and provides an extension of the air passageway.In use, the base member is moved over an open-topped vessel filled with a soap solution, and the bristle members are dipped into the solution in order to fill the spaces between them by capillary action. The bristle members may be bent of flexed against the bottom or side wall of the vessel while the spaces are being filled.

Abstract: A fan assembly, adapted for easy disassembly for storage and transportation and for easy assembly, includes a housing having a protruding tab-like portion and which is adapted to house a motor and blade assembly. A vertical tapered supporting arm having a narrowed fork-shaped end and an opposite enlarged base end is attached to the housing by having the tangs of the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm adapted to receive therebetween the protruding tab-like portion of the housing. The protruding tab-like portion of the housing and the tangs of the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm, each has a passageway aligned to receive a threaded bolt therethrough. A nut is threadably mated with the bolt to retain the protruding tab-like portion of the housing and the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm in a releasable, selectively positionable compressive relationship.

Abstract: In a four wheel drive vehicle wherein unintended engagement of the first driving axle during vehicle use will result in damage to the vehicle drive train, an apparatus for sensing and indicating the status of the front driving axle without requiring the vehicle occupants to stop the vehicle and perform a visual inspection of the vehicle drive train including, in combination, a drive train shaft that rotates whenever the front driving axle of the vehicle is engaged in four wheel drive and a permanent magnet fixedly secured to the drive train shaft. Magnetically activated relay means, such as a reed switch, are operatively connected to a battery in the vehicle and to an illumination means for switching the illumination means on and off.

Abstract: A jacking system includes a wheeled hydraulic power unit having an operating handle, and at least two extendable jack units which are identical.Each jack unit is adapted to rest upon the ground, and the power unit can be wheeled into (or out of) engagement with the jack unit. When engaged with a jack unit, the power unit is capable of extending (or raising) the jack unit; a ratchet on the jack unit then locks it in its extended position. A manual control on the power unit is coupled to the jack unit (when the two units are interengaged) for releasing the ratchet, so that the power unit can then lower the jack stand to its retracted position.