Abstract: A compact, highly flexible and efficient, multi-positionable, multi-dimensional and multi-stage gas-fired heat exchanger system as described. The system is connectable in a forced air duct regardless of the angular position and size of the duct. The heat exchanger comprises one or more heat transfer tubes which are shaped and dimensioned as dictated by the customized use of the heat exchanger. The tubes are secured to a support panel as well as the gas burner associated with each of the inlet openings of the tubes. A position orientable gas valve is secured to a gas distribution manifold. A turbulator may be associated with at least some of the tubes to cause turbulence in the hot combustion flow in each of the tubes to modify the efficiency in heat transfer along one or more sections of the tubes by directing hot combustion gas along an inner circumferential wall of the tubes.

Abstract: A modular portable floor decking system for constructing a temporary or a permanent flooring structure is described. The system comprises a plurality of extruded metal hollow support posts and a plurality of beams interconnectable with the posts to form a support frame. Decking boards are securable across the beams. The support posts each have flat outer surfaces and two or more longitudinal connecting channels each disposed internally of an associated one of the flat outer surfaces. The channels have a central narrow slot extending along the respective flat outer surfaces. The beams have opposed flat connecting end walls and a metal clamping shoe is connected to the end walls of the beams by fasteners whereby to displace the shoe away from the flat surfaces to slide the shoe in a respective connecting channel of the posts as the beam is lowered between two posts.

Abstract: A shield for a combustion chamber of a hot water heater is described. The combustion chamber is a sealed or not combustion chamber and the metal heat shield encircles and is spaced about the burner and pilot which is located in the combustion chamber. The shield is also spaced from the skirt and a bottom wall of the combustion chamber. The shield is further provided with apertures to permit passage of air supplied by an air supply duct. The shield provides for heat concentration on a lower heat transfer wall of the inner casing containing the water to be heated. The shield also reduces heat loss through the skirt and the bottom end wall of the combustion housing.

Abstract: A self-contained hydroponic growing enclosure and method for the fabrication of animal feed grass from seed is described. The enclosure is a self-contained enclosure which is insulated and which can be transported or assembled on site and which is independent of outside climatic conditions. Seed is stored in an isolated portion of the enclosure and fed to germination tanks in predetermined quantities where the seeds are germinated for a predetermined period of time. The tanks are then drained of their iodine-treated water and the germinated seeds are placed in predetermined quantities onto trays which are placed at an inlet end of a racking system. Trays are removed with grown grass at a harvest outlet end of the racking system in the same sequence as they are placed at the inlet end, so that there is a continuous daily supply of feed grass. Light walls are provided on opposed sides of the racking system to illuminate the beds.

Abstract: A cigarette making machine of the type wherein a portion of tobacco for one cigarette is compressed into a generally cylindrical form within a compressed tobacco chamber. The tobacco is thereafter axially moved and injected by an elongated spoon member into a preformed cigarette tube. A moveable wall member is actuated by a handle exteriorly of the machine through at least two toggle joints linking the moveable wall member to framing of the machine whereby to displace the moveable wall to transfer the tobacco in the tube. A first link of each toggle joint is in pivotal connection with the moveable wall member. A second link of each toggle joint is in pivotal connection with the framing of the machine. Each first link has a substantially rounded head portion at the free end thereof in operative contact with an abutment surface of the moveable wall member, for strengthening the pivotal connection therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic monitoring and display system for use with a digging machine in order to excavate holes having a predetermined depth and an excavation slope pitch from ground level to hole depth. The machine has a boom, a dipper stick connected to the boom and a bucket at the end of the dipper stick, all interconnected by three pivots. Only two sensors are used to detect the position of the bucket relative to a zero reference signal which is stored in a processor. The operator of the machine has a console whereby to select an excavation depth as well as a slope pitch angle and the console will display to him the hole depth and the percentage pitch on the slope as the excavation proceeds. The operator can reset his zero reference signal at any time from anywhere.

Abstract: A sash pivot assembly, for supporting a window sash in sliding and pivotal displacement within a window frame, is comprised of a housing having a pivot rotor rotatively mounted therein. The pivot rotor has a slot comprising a spring clip defined by a U-shaped spring comprising lateral side arms having inwardly embossed portions, for snap-locking and snap-releasing engagement with a sash pivot.

Abstract: A direct drive exercising apparatus is comprised of three main linkages adapted to displace a predetermined weight stack upon a user person performing an exercise. The linkages are comprised of weight stack connecting members pivotally connected at a first end to a carrier member on which the weight stacks are disposed, and pivotally connected at an opposed end to an attachment frame. Force transmitting members are pivotally connected to the attachment frame. A user engaging member is secured to the force transmitting members to impart pivotal movement thereto. Link members are pivotally connected at one end to the stack connecting members intermediate the first and second opposed ends. The link members are also connected at an opposed end thereof to the force transmitting members.

Abstract: A closure for securement to an article of apparel and for use by a person having handicapped hands is described. The closure comprises a first fastener support member which has one or more fastener elements secured thereto. A second fastener support member is provided and has one or more fastener elements for interconnection with the fasteners of the first support member. The first and second fastener support members are adapted for securement to articles of apparel. The fasteners are removably interconnectable together with the support members overlapping. A first fabric loop is provided in a front face of one of the fastener support members and a second fabric loop is secured to a lower portion of the other fastener support member, and may depend therefrom or be concealed therebehind. The loops are of predetermined size and are disposed for engagement by a handicapped person for attaching and detaching the fasteners with one another with the support members overlapped with one another.

Abstract: A louver assembly is comprised of two or more louvers, each of the louvers having pivot connections at opposed ends thereof, with the pivot connections pivotally securing the louvers between opposed stiles of a shutter frame for pivoting motion of the louvers in the frame. Each louver has a connector secured to a common longitudinal side edge thereof. Each connector has a cavity with a connector rod extending thereacross and extending co-extensively to the longitudinal axis of its associated louver. Each connector rod has at least one engageable rib on an outer surface thereof. A control rod is provided with two or more transverse connecting arms each having a connecting end recess. Each end recess has a plurality of indentations formed at a predetermined location in a curved clamping inner face thereof for receiving the rib of a respective connector rod captive therein by clamping pressure of the connecting arms about the connector rod to angulate the louvers at a desired angle.

Abstract: An automatic bagging machine is comprised of a discharge station for releasing one or more articles in an open top end of a plastic bag held thereunder. The machine is fed by a plurality of bags held side-by-side by a continuous top band portion. At the loading station, two clamping assemblies engage a respective top band portion at the top end of opposed side walls of the bag and a displacing mechanism moves the clamping assemblies on an angled path to a retracted position outwardly from one another on an angled path. Simultaneously a pivoting tension roll permits a predetermined length of the band portion and attached bag to be drawn towards the bag filling station to advance the plurality of bags whereby to permit the bag at the filling station to be opened by the two clamping assemblies. After the bag is filled it is displaced to a discharge station where the filled bag is disconnected from the continuous top band portions and released on a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing stereoscopic 3-dimensional images from a single motion picture video film having a plurality of frames containing successive images which are produced from a single video camera in motion. The motion picture video film is produced by displacing the camera along an axis with a viewing axis of the camera oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of displacement of the camera. Images of the motion picture video film are overlaid or alternated in a synchronized fashion and separated by a time sequence to produce video signals of composite images capable of producing 3-dimensional images which can be viewed on a screen with eyeglasses having lenses conditioned to view separate ones of the overlaid or alternating images, simultaneously, whereby a viewer person can observe a depth of field in the composite images.

Abstract: A golf board game is comprised of a playing surface on which there is contained a plurality of designs representing golf links. Each golf link has a starting area, a fairway area and a green area. Distance indicating markers are provided on the fairway and green areas. At least one manually displaceable element is supportable on the playing surface. A first displacement indicating manually displaceable element is provided over the fairway area. A second displacement indicating element is also provided to cause displacement of the displaceable element towards an objective associated with the green area. Play money is associated with the golf game as well as a plurality of distinct groups of cards utilized to instruct a player under predetermined situations during play.

Abstract: A liquid product carrying plastic film pouch (10) having a straw (12) free-floating in the liquid product (11) is described. The liquid product (11) contained within the inner chamber (13) of the pouch occupies from about 60% to about 90% of the volume of the inner chamber (13) of the pouch and a portion of air from the remaining volume is evacuated in sufficient quantity to permit the side walls (14,15) of the pouch to be collapsed against one another when the pouch is grasped by the hand of a user person. By collapsing the side walls (14,15) together the straw (12) located within the liquid can be grasped and manipulated to puncture the plastic film pouch (1) to extend a portion (12') of the straw (12) exteriorly of the pouch whereby to extract liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A radial piston hydraulic motor includes an in-board computer which permits monitoring and control of various operating parameters. A position code disc is associated with the shaft of the motor by means of which the position of the drive cam on the shaft, relative to the individual piston can be sensed and fed to the computer. The motor is of high versatility and performance.

Abstract: Conveyor apparatus in which there is a first conveyor for transporting material in one direction and a second conveyor for transporting material in a different direction. Between the respective conveyors there is a rotatable deflector dish having a concave surface in a position to intercept material discharged from the first conveyor and to deliver it to the second conveyor. The deflector dish is mounted so that it is rotated, at least partially, by the momentum of the material received from the first conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic hook setting device is disclosed for setting in a fish a hook connected to a fishing line in response to a pull exerted by the fish on the line. When a fish pulls on the fishing line to pivotally move the front end of the line support member downwardly a distance exceeding a predetermined displacement, a trip element is moved to a release position and in turn releases an elastic band tension member so as to engage a fixed stop and cause the front end of the line support to jerk upwardly, thereby setting the hook in the fish.

Abstract: A load-carrying device comprises a frame adapted to support a load to be carried, and having front and rear end portions. A wheel is rotatably mounted to the frame and positioned at the front end portion for supporting same. The device of the invention further comprises elongated handle means pivotally connected to the rear end portion and frame support means connected to and displaceable with the handle means, the handle means being pivotally movable between a first position whereat the handle means extends rearwardly of the frame for carrying the load with the frame support means being disposed to support the rear end portion, and a second position whereat the frame support means is retracted from its supporting position. A releasable locking means is also provided for interlocking the handle means with the frame in the first position.