Abstract: A timer for monitoring the use of hot water in the home to conserve energy is shown. The entire timer apparatus is enclosed inside the hot water control knob so that when the control knob is rotated to turn ON the hot water, the timer is activated. After predetermined time intervals, various visual and audio alarms are given, the alarms thus encouraging the conservation of energy by using less hot water. Also, the timer monitors the number of times the hot water has been used during a given period of time, such as a month or year. The timer, in addition to its primary energy saving function, is ideally suited for use as the hot water control knob of a bathroom shower.

Abstract: A three-way light dimmer switch is shown wherein the brightness of a lamp or lamps is controlled by independent light dimmer switches with each dimmer switch having its own light dimmer circuit. Each of the light dimmer switches is vertically actuated with one end of the vertical movement turning the lamp or lamps ON, and the other end of the vertical movement turning the lamp or lamps OFF. Between the limits of vertical movement, either of the light dimmer switches may vary the voltage potential received by the lamp to thereby adjust the brightness of the lamp.

Abstract: A variable power telescopic gunsight is shown with an automatic correction factor for elevation and/or drift. As the magnification is adjusted by a rotatable means on the gunsight which typically moves a pair of lens in response to camming action, a third longitudinal movement is provided in the gunsight in response to the rotation with appropriate camming surfaces to compensate for normal drop of the bullet by providing elevation of line of sight of the scope up or down. The same rotation action used to change the magnification can provide another longitudinal movement of another camming surface to compensate for drift by changing the line of sight of the scope to the right or left.

Abstract: A bowling ball having a thin viscous film deposited upon its surface from within the ball for increasing the coefficient of friction between the ball and the bowling lane. The film comprises a saturated plasticizer incorporated into the ball at the time of manufacture that slowly exudes from the outer shell over an extended period. The method comprises preparing a resin blend capable of being cured into a tough, durable material and mixing the resin blend with a plasticizer which is miscible with the liquid phase resin blend, but incompatible with the solid phase. Catalysts are admixed and heat is applied to the mixture to cure the resin blend into a tough and durable outer shell having a 72 Shore D hardness.

Abstract: A sailing trotling consisting of a buoyant frame member to which is adjustably secured a sail. The buoyant frame member is designed to project a trotline from an operator to a remote position. A hand-operated or electric-motor-operated windlass is provided for reeling out or reeling in the trotline. The said adjustable means permits a projecting of the trotline selectively, either downward or into a selected partial cross-wind position.

Abstract: A golf swing exercise device for utilization indoors. The device is designed to be suspended on a door by means of a horizontal base to which is secured door hooks. An elongated "T" beam extending outward normal to the base supporting pulleys. The "T" beam is stabilized by beam stabilizers diagonally projecting from each side of the "T" beam to a vertical beam. A rope extending through the pulleys secured to the "T" beam. A golf grip and stub shaft is securely attached to one end of the rope and the weight attached to the opposite end of the rope. A grasping of the golf grip by an operator simulating a golf swing reciprocates the weight attached to the rope.

Abstract: The apparatus to practice the method of this invention is particularly effective in repairing underground gasoline storage tanks which have fractures or perforations directly underneath the filler pipe. A boring and injection tool projects down the filler pipe and perforates and seals adjacent the bottom of the storage tank. A soil stabilizer is injected into the area adjacent and exterior of the underground storage tank. The chemicals project into the pea gravel surrounding the tank and polymerize or solidify to stop infiltration or exfiltration. A sanding tool is next utilized to remove the glaze from the interior of the fiber glass tank. Water is evacuated from the tank and an air jet cleaning tool is utilized to remove the film of water from the area to be repaired. Next, an epoxy injection tool is utilized to deposit epoxy over the area to be repaired. Epoxy solidifies to the inner wall of the tank repairing the perforated or fractured area.

Abstract: An insect study station comprising an elongated transparent cylinder enclosed and supported by a detachable base. The interior of said base having constructed an indentation therein defining a food cup of a configuration affording open access to the transparent cylinder. The upper end of the cylinder is enclosed by an undercap. The undercap telescopically encloses the cylinder and has constructed in the under surface of the undercap a recess which can receive and retain a cotton ball. The circular body of the undercap has constructed through it a series of pie shaped apertures. An overcap telescopingly fits over and encases said undercap. The overcap has constructed in its circular body a series of pie shaped apertures. The dispersal and configuration of the pie-shaped apertures in the undercap and the overcap are of such shape and configuration as to permit access to the cylinder when the apertures are aligned and enclose the cylinder when the apertures are staggered.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a magnetic sensor for use with a musical instrument having magnetic vibrating elements. The magnetic sensor has two magnetic poles and comprises a flexible, electrostatically shielded coil-magnet, a cable coupled to the coil of the coil-magnet, and flexible non-conductive material encompassing the electrostatically shielded coil-magnet. The magnetic sensor may be attached to the frame of the instrument, so that one of its magnetic poles is in proximity to the vibrating elements of the instrument. Methods are also disclosed for adapting and converting an upright piano for electronic amplification by utilizing the magnetic sensor of the present invention.

Abstract: A conveyor feeder for positioning and loading candy eggs on a chain link conveyor. The feeder receives candy eggs from a controlled feed chute, a cone member distributes the eggs radially in a cylindrical hopper onto a counter-rotating ring. Rotating brushes assist in positioning the eggs in the circular receptacles in the ring. A conveyor chute facilitates the dropping of the eggs onto the chain link conveyor having spaced separating pins defining compartments for receiving a single candy egg. The conveyor feeder is suitable for positioning candy eggs on a chain link conveyor feeding automatic wrapping machine.

Abstract: An electronically tunable resonant accelerometer is shown wherein the frequency of a resonant peak may be adjusted over a range of frequencies. A piezoelectric element of the accelerometer is used with a seismic mass to generate an output voltage in response to reciprocating motion of the accelerometer. In a compression mode, a feedback loop applies a feedback voltage to a second piezoelectric element mechanically coupled to the first mentioned piezoelectric element. In a cantilever mode, a feedback loop applies a feedback voltage to another location along the first mentioned piezoelectric element which is formed from two bonded piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for administering anesthesia to a patient is shown. A control module may be connected through an inhalation breathing circuit to a patient with a portion of the mixed/expired gases being rebreathed by the patient thus improving humidification and heat retention. By use of a CO.sub.2 analyzer in the control module, the CO.sub.2 content of the expired gas is accurately measured with any necessary adjustments being made in the gases delivered to the patient. The control module includes an O.sub.2 analyzer, adjustable pressure warning and control device, pressure gauge, manually controlled scavenger valve, and bacterial filter connected thereto. An anesthesia ventilator or breathing bag may be used in conjunction with the control module for administering anesthesia or transportation of the patient.

Abstract: A ground support pad is described which is typically composed of a polyolefin-homopolymer and consists of two separate and identical halves which may be snapped together to form an integral unit. The pads may be used to support any heavy structure upon the ground, but is most useful in supporting structures such as mobile homes. An injection mold process is utilized in manufacturing the pad. The pad, while presenting an apparently solid appearance, is comprised internally of a cross support type design. The pad provides a lightweight, durable, reusable support for mobile home piers. The pad may be sold with a mobile home, used to support the mobile home at its first location, and subsequently transported with the mobile home and reused to support the mobile home at subsequent locations.

Abstract: A speed and location programmer located at a particular train station is used to prepare a non-volatile program that may be used by an on board microcomputer to control the speed of a train. The program includes train orders, track conditions, and other relevant information, such as size, length and capacity of the train which may be obtained from a centralized location. The program is fed into a microcomputer which monitors the speed and distance of the train and compares it with the program. If the parameters as contained in the program are exceeded, either the throttle would be reduced or the brakes applied to regulate the speed of the train. A trip history of the train may be extracted at the next train station to determine the operation of the train by the engineer. An override system is included to eliminate the function of the microcomputer in case of emergency. Sensors may be used to determine the number of rotations of the train wheel and thereby compute the speed and distance of the train.

Abstract: A releaseable telescoping device for protecting the threads of a rod of an earth anchor against corrosion is shown. The releaseable telescoping device has a plurality of sheath sections of dissimilar radii connected by small radially extending flanges therebetween to resemble the external configuration of an extended telescope. An expansion plate is connected to the rod above the threads and radially extends therefrom. After packing the telescoping device with a pliable protective material, such as tar, the threaded portion of the rod is inserted in the telescoping device which has one end affixed to the expansion plate. By threading an anchor nut on the end of the threaded rod, the earth anchor is readied for insertion in the ground. Upon insertion of the earth anchor in the ground and rotating the rod, the anchor nut advances on the threads thereby shearing each radially extending flange respectively to close the telescoping device, yet still protect threads above the anchor nut.

Abstract: A tool box carrying apparatus is shown wherein a tool box may be mounted under the hood of an automobile having a truck type front. A window washing bottle normally connected to the side wall of the automobile is disconnected, and a side of the tool box carrying apparatus is connected in the location where the window washing bottle was formerly connected. A bracket is connected to the bottom rear of the tool box carrying apparatus and extends generally downward to connect to the wheel well. Another bracket connects to the front bottom of the tool box carrying apparatus and extends generally upward to connect to the front wall of the autombile. The tool box carrying apparatus may be formed integral with the tool box or as a separate unit wherein the tool box is strapped into the carrying apparatus. The window washing bottle is connected to a side of the tool box carrying apparatus adjacent the automobile engine.

Abstract: A meter mounting mechanism which is hydraulically operated is disclosed. It is particularly adapted to insert and position a meter transducer in a high pressure environment. The illustrated embodiment discloses a flange-mounted mechanism for positioning a sensor in a pipeline against extremely high pressures. The apparatus utilizes a flange-mounted, correctly oriented, bottom plate which secures an elongate cylinder. The cylinder encloses a piston on a piston rod. The piston rod extends above and below the cylinder. The piston rod is hollow to permit transducer connections can extend through it. The piston rod carries a transducer at the lower end. The transducer is able to be retracted on the rod into a shield to protect it.

Abstract: A drug dispensing apparatus is provided for use with an arrow for hunting animals. The apparatus includes a center cylinder slideably receiving the shank of the arrow therethrough. The trailing edge of the center cylinder has outwardly extending flange hooks to retain the center cylinder near the surface of the animal upon penetration by the arrowhead. An outer cylinder encircles the center cylinder and forms a sealed annular recess therebetween, which recess receives a drug therein. The forward portion of the outer cylinder has an inwardly extending flange rigidly secured between the shank and the arrowhead. As the arrowhead penetrates the animal, the outer cylinder follows the arrowhead leaving the center cylinder and drug contained in the annular recess in the surface tissue of the animal.