Abstract: A solar tracking control system selectively energizes and deenergizes a motor. The motor causes a rotatable shaft supported on a base and situated parallel to the earth's axis of rotation to be rotated. A U-member is connected to the rotatable shaft and to a frame upon which there is mounted a solar panel or collector. A bracket is connected to each of the two U-member legs and to the frame. Two reinforcing walls are connected to the U-member legs and the U-member middle portion so as to reinforce and retain the U-member shape. By selectively rotating the rotatable shaft, the solar panel or collector is pivoted in a substantially perpendicular position to the sun throughout the day. In another mounting assembly, the frame is connected to a first plate having a pivot hole and a plurality of equidistant angle displacement holes. A second plate is connected to the base and has a pivot hole and an angle displacement hole. A pivot shaft is received through the pivot holes thereby allowing the frame to pivot.

Abstract: A pillow/audio system combination functioning as both a pillow and an audio system. A substantially rectangularly-shaped pillow casing has stuffing material therein. An audio signal generating device such as a tape recorder is provided within the pillow casing along with a speaker and a battery for providing audible sound. Switches are provided at the corners of the pillow and are connected to the signal generating device for energizing and deenergizing the same. A battery jack is provided on the pillow casing for recharging the batteries therein. An audio jack is also provided on the pillow casing for connecting to a piggyback pillow having therein a speaker, which also generates audible sound via the signal received through the audio jack and an audio extension cord. A pocket is provided within the pillow casing for housing the various components of the audio system.

Abstract: A fishing pole support apparatus having an operative position and a storage position is attached to a fishing pole. The fishing pole is frictionally clamped in a channel between the body and a cover plate. Two legs are detachably attached to the body and, in the operative position, form a tripod with the fishing pole so as to retain the fishing pole in an inclined position. In the storage position, the legs are selectively clamped and supported parallel to the fishing pole by two clamps attached to the body. The legs can be made up of a plurality of leg sections detachably attachable to one another.

Abstract: A leaf support for selectively supporting and placing drop leaves of tables and wall mounts in an in use position or a storage position. The leaf support includes a pair of channel-shaped arms pivotally connected at one end about an arms pivot axis. The other ends of the arms are adapted for pivotal attachment to a drop leaf or frame to which the drop leaf is connected. A helical spring is located within the channel-shaped arms and connected to the two arms at its ends thereof. A ring and cover member including a U-shaped member having a base portion and two legs attached thereto and a ring connected to the base portion is provided. The two arms near their pivotal connection are received within and between the two legs and the legs are pivotally connected to the arms so as to pivot about the arms pivot axis.

Abstract: A multi-condition responsive vehicle restraining apparatus includes a hook member having an edge for contacting an ICC bar on a vehicle and a tip located at one end of the edge and extending upwardly therefrom for restraining the ICC bar from passing the hook member. A beam arrangement mounts the hook member and is movable for moving the hook member on a forward stroke from an inoperative lowered toward an operative raised position and on a return stroke away from the operative raised toward the inoperative lowered position. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is connected to the beam arrangement for actuating the same to move the hook member on its forward and return strokes. Components are provided for sensing the presence of any one of three conditions concerning the placement of the vehicle ICC bar with respect to the hook member and concurrently therewith providing an indication of which condition prevails.

Abstract: A float switch assembly for selectively energizing and deenergizing a fluid pump or other electronic equipment responsive to the rise and fall of a fluid level within a reservoir and a method of manufacturing or assembling the float switch assembly. The assembly includes a hollow tube having an open end wherein a mercury tilt switch is fixed. A plurality of conductors covered with a non-conductive material extend within the tube open end and are connected to the switch so that a current path may be provided between the conductors responsive to the angle of the switch. Ridges are provided on the outer surface of the tube near the open end and, a float bulb is provided substantially surrounding the tube below the ridges and sealingly connected upon the ridges. A potting epoxy compound surrounds the switch and the conductors within the tube so that electrical contact with a fluid through the open end is prevented. A cap is placed on the tube open end and is locked into place.

Abstract: A shallow well centrifugal pump having a casing forming a fluid flow cavity and having a fluid intake end with a threadless bore and a suction inlet communicating with the cavity through the bore, and a diffuser disposed in the casing cavity and spaced from the casing intake end. The diffuser has a threadless opening defined therein leading to an impeller. A venturi nozzle assembly is supported in the casing cavity between the casing intake end and the diffuser. The assembly has threadless opposite end portions disposed in slidably removable slip fitted relation within the casing intake end and diffuser in the respective threadless bore and opening therein. Endless sealing elements preferably in the form of O-rings are fitted about the respective threadless opposite end portions of the venturi nozzle assembly for providing hermetic seals between the assembly opposite end portions and the casing intake end and the diffuser.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit board having conductive paths defining a plurality of switch sites. Contact terminals are connectable in electrical circuits with the conductive paths. The assembly also includes an electrically-groundable conductive panel overlying the board and having a plurality of apertures defined therein in registry with the switch site. A dielectric layer is disposed between the panel and board providing electrical isolation therebetween. A plurality of individually-replaceable EMI RFI-shielded switch modules are installed in registry with the apertures on the conductive panel, in overlying relation to the switch sites, and electrically connected to the conductive panel.

Abstract: Reflective and refractive apparatuses are provided for reflecting or refracting light from the vehicle rear tail light so that it may readily be viewed by bystanders and through the use of the rear view mirror of the vehicle. The refractive apparatus includes a translucent body having an opening communicating with a cavity therein and adhesive on a rim portion surrounding the opening. The translucent member is attached to the vehicle tail light with the adhesive and light travels through the opening and cavity and out through the translucent member. The reflective apparatus includes a ferroalloy bracket and a mirror pivotally attached thereto through the use of a plate. The bracket is selectively detachably attached to a ferroalloy portion of the vehicle with a magnet.

Abstract: A mercury tilt switch having a hollow metal housing with opposite open ends. An insulating glass member is disposed at, makes a glass-to-metal compression seal with, and closes, one of the open housing ends. A metal end cap is disposed at, resistance welded to, and sealably closes, the other of the open housing ends. The housing has an outer wall portion defining a single chamber therewithin which extends between the insulating glass member at the one housing end and the metal end cap at the other housing end. At least one electrical electrode is sealably mounted through the insulating glass member and projects from opposite sides thereof to the outside of and into the housing chamber. A quantity of mercury is disposed in the single housing chamber and is flowable between and contactable with the electrode at the one housing end and the metal end cap at the other housing end upon tilting and countertilting of the housing.

Abstract: An immersion detector circuit interrupter having a sensor located around the electrical components of an appliance and a relay for interrupting the delivery of alternating current to the appliance whenever the sensor conducts a current at a predetermined voltage. The sensor is connected in series with a zener diode, a regular diode, the coil of the relay and to another two diodes which are connected to two alternating current conductors which provide electrical current to the appliance. The sensor is generally always at an electrical potential opposite or substantially different than the electrical potential of the electrical components at any particular point in time.

Abstract: A solar tracking control system for generally controlling the position of a pivotable solar panel connected to a motor by selectively energizing and de-energizing the motor. A signal programmer generates a plurality of time dependent signals wherefrom periodic motor energizing signals are generated for retaining the motor energized and the solar panel pivoting westerly. The degree of pivot of the solar panel is detected and a de-energizing signal is provided for stopping the motor and the westerly pivoting of the solar panel. The solar tracking control system is energized and de-energized in response to a power signal generated by signals received from the signal programmer. A water storage tank is connected to the solar panel and a water pump connected therebetween is energized on the occurrence of a preselected temperature different between the solar panel and the water storage tank.

Abstract: A bullet lubricator device including a grease-holding cylinder defining a bore open at opposite ends, a bullet-holding cylinder defining a chamber open at opposite ends and attached to the grease-holding cylinder with its chamber in flow communication with one end of the bore, and as plunger being received for reciprocal movement within the grease-holding cylinder bore. Closures, actuatable between opened and closed positions, are hingedly mounted on opposite ends of the bullet-holding cylinder chamber. The bullet-holding cylinder is oriented perpendicular to the grease-holding cylinder bore and can receive a bullet of a given caliber or a size-reducing sleeve which adapts the chamber to accommodate a smaller caliber bullet. The grease-holding cylinder bore holds grease therein between a leading end portion of the plunger and the one end of the grease-holding cylinder.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid at a high pressure from a primary pump and the flow of the hydraulic fluid at a low charge pressure from a charge pump to cam-lobe type hydraulic motors which are used to assist in driving a vehicle. When energizing the motors, charge pressure is first delivered to the motors. Thereafter, all of the supply and return lines leading to the motors and to the primary pump and the charge pump are connected together to further increase the pressure delivered to the motors. Finally, the charge pressure line is disconnected and the supply and return lines leading to the motors are connected to the high pressure supply and return lines leading to the primary pump. When the supply and return lines leading to the motors are disconnected from the primary pump, the lines leading to the motors are drained into a reservoir. An accumulator is provided within the motors to absorb sudden pressure delivered thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for primarily aiding in teaching born-again Christian religious beliefs includes a base and a hollow structure mounted in upstanding fashion on the base. The structure has a closed bottom, open top, and sidewall with spaced-apart upper and lower opaque wall sections and a middle transparent wall section. The structure defines a chamber representing a person's body. Liquid contained in the chamber represents the person's spirit and its color represents the state of the person's spirit. A pair of valves are respectively mounted to the base and structure. One valve communicates with the chamber bottom and is operable to drain liquid therefrom, representing the death of the person's spirit. The other valve communicates with the chamber middle and is operable to drain portions of the liquid therefrom, displaying the state of the person's spirit.

Abstract: A float switch assembly for selectively energizing and deenergizing a fluid pump or other electronic equipment responsive to the rise and fall of a fluid level within a reservoir and a method and manufacturing or assembling the float switch assembly. The assembly includes a hollow tube having an open end wherein a mercury tilt switch is fixed. A plurality of conductors covered with a non-conductive material extend within the tube open end and are connected to the switch so that a current path may be provided between the conductors responsive to the angle of the switch. Ridges are provided on the outer surface of the tube near the open end and, a float bulb is provided substantially surrounding the tube below the ridges and sealingly connected upon the ridges. A potting epoxy compound surrounds the switch and the conductors within the tube so that electrical contact with a fluid through the open end is prevented. A cap is placed on the tube open end and is locked into place.

Abstract: A screen placement apparatus and system wherein the apparatus includes a motor for providing rotational torque to an auger received within a ground screen and a disposable cutting tip having a cutting diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the screen is connected to the end of the auger. The screen is placed into the ground by simultaneously drilling the hole with the disposable cutting tip, drawing the drill cuttings up through the screen with the auger, and inserting the screen into the hole. The drill cuttings, drawn up through the hole, are discharged through discharge openings. After the desired depth is reached, the auger and motor are longitudinally moved with respect to the screen and cutting tip thereby permanently disconnecting the disposable cutting tip and leaving it within the ground. The auger is, thereafter, retracted from within the ground screen.

Abstract: A kicking practice apparatus including a freestanding support frame having spaced-apart upstanding members mounted at their lower ends to a floor-supported primary base and rigidly connected at their upper ends by a reinforcing structure. The upstanding members are disposed in a generally triangular arrangement. An impact-receiving member has a pivot sleeve mounting the member to a front one of the support frame members such that the impact-receiving member extends in cantilever fashion generally outwardly from the front member and away from a rear pair of the support frame members. The impact-receiving member is pivotable relative to the front member in transverse relation thereto and in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions thereabout. Sets of resiliently yieldable springs and elastic cords extend in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with the pivot sleeve and interconnect the impact-receiving member with the rear pair of members.

Abstract: A T-fitting for use with pipes of different diameter sizes includes a generally T-shaped hollow body defining a central flow transition passageway, and three spaced-apart pipe-connecting hollow ends formed on the body in flow communication with its central flow transition passageway. A pair of the pipe-connecting ends share a common axis and are disposed in opposing relation on the body. Each of the pair of pipe-connecting ends has a pair of tandemly-arranged outer and inner pipe-receiving sections defining respective outer and inner passageways in flow communication with the central passageway. The outer passageway is larger in diameter than the inner passageway, and the respective outer and inner sections have outer and inner shoulders with respective outwardly-facing internal surfaces adapted to abut with ends of pipes of different size diameters when received in the respective passageways.

Abstract: A fuel burner apparatus for converting fossil fuel such as gas into heat. A cylindrical burner body is provided having an air inlet and a flame opening wherethrough flames, combustion gases and any unburned particles of fuel exit. A flame spreader apparatus is connected to the flame opening for evenly distributing the flames, combustion gases and unburned fuel particles coming out of the fuel burner. The fuel spreader apparatus includes a fuel spreader, a stem connected substantially perpendicular thereto and three leg portions connected at one end thereof to each other and at the other end thereof to the flame burner opening. The stem is connected to the meeting point of the three leg portions. A two-stage gas valve or a slow opening gas valve is provided for controlling the rate at which the fuel valve opens and allows fuel to enter the fuel burner. The fuel burner is connected to a heat exchanger which has a flue line and a blower connected to the flue line.