Abstract: A filter underdrain apparatus comprises plate means forming a plurality of horizontal distributor conduits, the conduits being in juxtaposed, laterally-spaced relationship and constructed and arranged to defined alternating conduits and troughs of a filter underdrain. At least some of the horizontal distributor conduits include interior partitions extending along such conduits and dividing the interior of each such conduit into a liquid passage and a gas passage. Liquid metering orifices communicate the interior of the liquid passage with the exterior of the distributor conduit for substantially evenly distributing backwash liquid flows from the liquid passage and for passing filtered liquid flows into the liquid passage. Gas metering orifices communicate the interior of the gas passage with the exterior of the distributor conduit for substantially evenly distributing gas from the gas passage when connected with a pressurized gas source.

Abstract: Drill tools with eccentric bits for drilling a hole having a large diameter generally include a bit for swinging out to an eccentric position for drilling, and for swinging into a non-eccentric position for removal from a tubular casing. Relatively complicated structures are required for effecting bit movement, and it is often difficult to remove the bit for replacement or repair.

Abstract: In general, contact lens cleaning kits include a plurality of separate elements which represent a carrying/storage problem. A simple, portable kit includes an elongated cylindrical casing defined by a base containing disinfectant or cleaning solution for receiving a lens carrier, which is dependent from a disc threaded into the top end of the base; a hollow cylindrical barrel mounted on the disc and carrying a removable syringe containing lens cleaning solution; and a cover connected to the syringe nozzle and to the barrel, the cover carrying a spring clip of the type used to hold a pen in a pocket and a small mirror on the spring clip to facilitate insertion of the contact lenses.

Abstract: An air-vapor barrier continuity device for installation across an airspace between a window (or door jamb) and a wall stud (or rough sill) so as to provide an air-vapor barrier across the airspace. The continuity device comprises a flexible first generally rectangular longitudinal planar member and a second generally rectangular longitudinal line of the second member. The angle between the first and second members is greater than 90.degree. to provide biased contact with the wall stud or rough sill. The second member attaches to a door (or window) jamb at the inner wall surface of the jamb. The first member is of sufficient breadth to extend from the jamb across the airspace to the first wall stud (or rough sill) adjacent the air space. Preferably, the continuity device is extruded from a polymeric material as a single sheet bent along a longitudinal line, one side forming the first member and the other side forming the second member.

Abstract: When constructing walls beneath suspended ceilings of the type including T-bars, the usual practice is to connect C-shaped channel members directly to the T-bars. If the walls are disassembled or moved, unsightly holes remain in the exposed bottom surfaces of the T-bars. A simple connector for solving the problem includes a strip of material which, in use, includes a generally inverted U-shaped central portion for straddling the top stem of the T-bar, and a pair of arms perpendicular to the central portion for extending outwardly beyond the arms of the T-bar into overlapping relationship with the channel member. Screws are used to connect the device to the T-bar and to the channel member. Thus, the T-bar remains intact and undamaged.

Abstract: A sweeper apparatus for sweeping grass cuttings from a lawn and depositing the cuttings in a pile includes a wheel carried frame for towing directly behind or offset with respect to a tractor type lawn mower, a drum mounted on the frame with an open top front end for receiving lawn cuttings, a rotary sweeper for sweeping lawn cuttings upwardly beneath a cowl into the drum, a lever pivotally connected to the frame for manual actuation to tension a belt/pulley system which causes the drum to rotate to a cuttings discharge position and to return to a cuttings receiving position, and a release device for deactivating the tilt mechanism, whereby the drum returns to the cuttings receiving position.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing and spreading the gravel ridge formed by plowing the shoulder portion of a gravel road onto the travelled portion thereof includes a frame for towing behind a vehicle, vertically adjustable rear wheels on the frame, and a pair of hydraulically driven, transversely extending, blade carrying drums. By towing the frame along a gravel road while rotating the drums, the paddle-like blades pulverize and spread the gravel ridge.

Abstract: Flotation covers for large bodies of liquid, e.g. reservoirs usually consist of large sheets or panels adapted to float on the surface of the liquid. Such covers are adapted to follow changes in liquid level. However, in general, the problem of covering the surface of the liquid around the periphery of the cover is not addressed. A solution to this problem involves a panel covering all but the peripheral edges of the liquid surface, cables connected to the edges of the panel and to counterweights for maintaining the panel centered on the surface, and floats for supporting the edges of the panel and the bottom edge of a skirt, which extends upwardly to the wall of the reservoir, the skirt being connected to the cables by slip rings, so that the skirt folds and unfolds as the liquid level rises and falls.

Abstract: A relatively simple log for use in log buildings includes a first large, longitudinally extending, V-shaped groove in the top of the log, and a pair of smaller longitudinally extending, inverted V-shaped grooves in the bottom of the log on opposite sides of a plane through the longitudinal axis of the log and through the vertex of the top groove, the spacing between the second grooves being such that outward extensions of the sides of the top groove in one log would intersect the outer sides of the second grooves in a superjacent log resting on such one log. In a wall structure, loose insulation fills the top groove and denser sealing insulation fills the smaller, bottom grooves.

Abstract: Because of the complicated structure and expense, collapsible seats for use by children in automobiles are a rarity. A simple device of this type includes a pair of cushioned panels hingedly interconnected end-to-end which normally define a portion of a conventional backrest in an automobile, the panels being releasably retained in a stored position in a recess in the backrest for folding outwardly and downwardly to define a child's seat on the seat portion of the automobile seat, and a chest protector/armrest which is normally stored in a vertical position above the seat, and which is rotatable to a position in front of the child.

Abstract: Devices for covering the interior of windows include venetian blinds, shades, drapes, curtains and shutters. A simple decorative alternative to such devices is a system including a rectangular frame for mounting in or on a window frame, the rectangular frame containing partitions extending between the top and bottom or sides of the frame, both sides of the partitions and the inner sides of the top and bottom or sides of the frame containing recesses defining longitudinally and transversely extending tracks, in which are mounted a plurality of discrete panels. The panels can be slid longitudinally and transversely of the frame independently of each other for blocking selected portions of the window opening.

Abstract: A structurally simple table and bench combination includes a rectangular planar table top pivotally connected to two pairs of legs, one pair of legs at one end of the table top being non-extensible, and the other pair of legs at the other end of the table top being extensible; and a bench defined by a pair of tubular sides extending outwardly from the non-extensible legs away from the extensible legs for receiving rods attached to the extensible legs, so that the extensible legs can be moved towards or away from the non-extensible legs while the extensible legs are retracted or extended to change the angle of inclination of the table top.

Abstract: In the past, it has proven difficult to separate dirt and water from petroleum emulsions of the type found, e.g. in settling ponds. A relatively simple apparatus for effecting such separation includes a sifter or screening device for removing large solid impurities from the emulsion, a preheater for reducing the viscosity of the emulsion, a centrifuge or filter for separating most of the dirt particles from the emulsion, a settling tank for receiving the emulsion from the dirt separator, and an evaporator for separating most of the water from the petroleum. The dirt removed in the dirt separator with residual oil attached thereto is mixed with a fuel oil and burned to create the heat necessary to evaporate the water. The petroleum separated in the evaporator is cycled through the preheater for heating incoming dirty petroleum emulsion. The evaporator contains trays carrying a plurality of rows of tubes. The water-containing emulsion is fed into the uppermost tray into heat exchange contact with the tubes.

Abstract: The majority of combination lifts and carrying frames for use on vehicles such as pickup trucks are complicated including fixed and movable frames, pulleys, chains and even winches. A relatively simple combination lift and stand for use on such a vehicle includes an L-shaped frame for carrying by a vehicle in a collapsed condition with the vertical arm of the L near the cab of the vehicle; and extensible legs pivotally connected to each end of the frame for rotation between stored and inclined, ground engaging positions, whereby, when the legs are rotated from the stored to the ground engaging position and the vehicle is driven in reverse, the frame is pushed to an erect, stand position, and subsequent forward movement of the vehicle leaves the device alone in the erect, stand position. The procedure can be reversed, by driving the vehicle in reverse beneath the stand, attaching the stand to the vehicle and driving forward to cause the stand to collapse onto the vehicle.

Abstract: A downhole drilling device utilizing a spring-loaded sleeve within the casing for controlling circulation of fluid material. A plastic, i.e., deformable ball is used to block a flow opening in the sleeve for positioning the sleeve and aligning flow ports. Subsequently, the ball is deformed and the drilling operation continues. In one form, an expandable packer may be operated to close off the annulus about the casing.

Abstract: A relatively simple, lighweight, portable, collapsible ladder includes a plurality of H-shaped sections pivotally interconnected end-to-end to define a flat bundle in the stored or non-use condition. The sections can be unfolded to a flat, extended conditions. In the extended condition, torsion springs cause the sides of the sections to fold inwardly to define side bars having U-shaped cross sections. By reversing the process, the ladder can readily be restored to the folded, storage condition.

Abstract: Crude oils are normally so viscous that they cannot be pumped through pipelines without periodic heating. The usual practice is to pump the oil from one heat station to another, with part of the crude oil being used to generate heat. This problem is solved by reducing the viscosity of the crude oil. The viscosity reduction is effected using reactors for partially cracking crude oil, mixing the partially cracked oil with incoming crude oil, separating gases from the liquid in the mixture in a flash vessel, condensing the gases to yield liquid hydrocarbons, and mixing the latter with untreated crude oil and liquid residue from the flash vessel to yield a flowable, relatively low viscosity mixture. Coke produced in the reactors is periodically reacted with superheated steam to yield hydrogen, which is used to improve the quality of some of the residue from the flash residue. The thus treated flash vessel residue is used to feed the reactors.

Abstract: A simple lock device for use on a valve of the push-pull or plunger operated type includes a tubular casing defined by a outer shell and an inner core, which is connected to the plunger of a valve so that the valve can be operated by pushing the casing against the valve plunger, a sleeve slidable into one end of the casing between the outer shell and the core, permitting plunger operation and actuation of the valve, and out of the casing against a fixed element such as the valve casing carrying the plunger, pins radially movable in the casing for engaging the sleeve to prevent movement thereof into the casing, and consequently to prevent actuation of the valve, and a lock in the other end of the casing for controlling movement of the pins, and thereby to control actuation of the valve.

Abstract: Liquid is applied to a wire rope by passing the rope through an elongated casing in which liquid is sprayed against the rope, excess liquid being discharged through annular grooves containing discharge openings upstream and downstream of the liquid inlet. Air is blown against the rope upstream and downstream of the annular grooves and discharge openings for causing the liquid to be discharged through such openings and not through the ends of the casing.