Abstract: The time elapsed between passing landmark posts observed from a moving vehicle, is measured by manually controlled start and stop of a timing cycle, and such time measurement is utilized to perform a velocity calculation based on selection of a memory stored data relating to distances between uniformly spaced types of landmark posts. The time measurements as well as the velocity calculations are exhibited on a digital display.

Abstract: Amusement apparatus forming a toy or game having a plurality of rod-like elements which are linked up serially end-to-end to form a chain. A user holds one element in his or her hand and uses the one element to link up with a second element. The process is repeated from element to element until the supply of elements is depleted or until the chain is broken. The elements each have a ring at one end and a cranked portion at the other end. The cranked portion fits through the ring of an adjacent element in the chain to form an over-and-under connection between the elements.

Abstract: An adapter for a wall-mounted light switch enabling the switch to be operated by a toddler not otherwise able to reach the switch comprises a replacement switch cover plate which has an opening for the switch and an elongate slot which receives a switch operating rod with the rod having an opening receiving the switch and the rod extending from below the replacement cover plate to a level where it can be reached by a toddler to operate the switch. The rod and replacement cover plate may be molded in plastic and the adapter may be easily installed by inserting the rod in the slot in the cover plate and attaching the assembled rod and cover plate to a switch with a screw or screws. The replacement cover plate may have a decorative, child-pleasing appearance, and may include a locking slide which can be manipulated by an adult to prevent a child from moving the operating rod.

Abstract: The carbon content of the residue from combustion of agricultural waste products and the fly ash content of the gaseous exhaust is controlled by regulated inflow of the combustion supporting air in a plurality of flow stream at different velocities to enhance fluidization of particulate feed in a bed being raked by a rotating sweep arm inducing radially outward movement of combustion residue into a collecting zone from which the residue enters a discharge duct. The particulate feed is dropped at location in the combustion chamber above the bed in alignment with the inflow stream of maximum velocity.

Abstract: A pair of companion saw blade tooth set dies are provided for guided relative movement toward and away from each other relative to a support structure from which a saw blade may be guidingly supported for predetermined indexed positioning of right and left set teeth thereon relative to the location of the aforementioned companion tooth set dies. The dies, when moved into engagement with the right and left set teeth of the saw blade, are operative to engage and bend the right and the left set teeth back to and past neutral set positions and to the reverse set positions with the previous right and left set teeth comprising left and right set teeth, respectively, and the bend areas of the reverse set teeth being formed in the longitudinal marginal portion of the blade from which the teeth project.

Abstract: A quick wire coupling and release primarily adapted to provide a quick, safe and economical coupling of river barges into a tow by use of wire rope with the coupling and release also being capable of use in other applications. The quick wire coupling and release includes a wire latch and a rolling cam take-up assembly with one end of a wire rope having a socket and pin thereon which is coupled to the rolling cam take-up assembly and looped around the opposite timber head or fitting on an adjacent barge and brought back through the wire latch to remove slack from the wire rope with the cam assembly providing a final tension to the wire rope thereby securely retaining adjacent barges in abutting engagement to form a single unit.

Abstract: A fishing line signalling device for attachment to a fishing rod and receiving the fishing line in a manner that a visual or audible alarm or both will be activated when the fish strikes or takes the bait thereby alerting the person using the fishing rod to the fact that a fish has taken the bait or hook. The fishing line signal is battery operated, provided with a switch to selectively actuate either or both the visual and audible signals and is adaptable to any size fishing rod, used with any type of reel and allows a person to fish with more than one rod at a time and is suitable for trolling, still water fishing, night fishing, ice fishing and fresh or salt water fishing.

Abstract: A well pumping unit for use in association with an oil well, water well or the like having a downhole pump operated by a reciprocating pump rod with the pumping unit including a pair of large diameter rotatable wheels independently supported from upstanding supports on a deck, platform or skid with the wheels being interconnected by a pin to which a cable for operating the pump rod is attached. The cable is entrained over a series of pulleys and anchored to a supporting structure with one of the pulleys being a traveling pulley having a cable attached thereto extending over a head pulley and connected with the pump rod for reciprocating the pump rod when the wheels are rotated. The pin interconnecting the wheels is received in one of a plurality of radially spaced pairs of openings to enable the stroke of the pump to be varied by varying the radial position of the pin in relation to the rotational axis of the wheels.

Abstract: A template for locating and marking the positions for conduits entering an electrical panel and the like comprises a rectangular sheet with a series of holes each spaced at distances from the upper and side edges of the sheet to space the centers of different size conduits from those edges. The template has markings leading from each hole to the upper edge at positions indicating the edges of the respective conduits opposite the side edge of the sheet, and the sheet has a ruler scale along the side edge. The template is used for the step-by-step marking of successive conduit locations on a panel using the respective holes and markings in conjunction with a datum line on the panel.

Abstract: A heated handle structure for a fishing rod comprises an outer cylindrical container attached to the end of the rod, an inner cylindrical container for receiving a solid fuel stick, the inner container being rotatably mounted in the outer container, registrable vents in the respective container walls, the degree of opening of which is adjusted by relative rotation of the containers in order to vary the amount of heat supplied by the fuel stick, and a spring-loaded adjustment mechanism between the containers for releasably retaining them in selected angular positions of adjustment.

Abstract: A spray cleaning apparatus for tubular filter elements, comprises a spray chamber in which a filter element is mounted between opposed rotary turntable discs. The chamber is provided with liquid sprays for spraying both the inner and outer surfaces of the element as it is rotated by the turntable. The sprays are reciprocated vertically so as to traverse the height of the filter element. Particular features of the invention reside in the turntable construction; a control system for accurately reversing the up-and-down movement of the sprays dependent on the height of a filter being cleaned; and a particular form of spray nozzle structure useful for cleaning pleated filter elements.

Abstract: An upright support is provided including a base at its lower end for stationary support relative to a stationary support surface. The upright includes a rear side rearwardly from which a collapsible chin rest projects at an elevation spaced slightly below the upper end of the upright and the front side of the upright mounts an upstanding blade therefrom deflectable both rearwardly and forwardly of the upright. The blade projects above the upper end of the upright and is engageable by the tongue of a patient whose chin is disposed on the chin rest rearward of the upright and an abutment member is slidable along the upright and the blade and is engageable by the latter with the abutment member serving as an adjustment member to vary the amount of forward thrust of a tongue on the blade required to forwardly deflect the blade upper end portion relative to the upright.

Abstract: A gas generator to produce formaldehyde gas in enclosed spaces such as animal houses or for conveying such gas to inaccessible areas through a flexible hose which includes a base and hood mounted thereon. The base is in the form of an open topped container having a heating element oriented under the bottom wall thereof and in heat exchange relation to water and paraformaldehyde flakes or formalgen powder in shallow compartments interiorly of the container for producing formaldehyde gas and water vapor that is heated above ambient temperature. The container includes air inlet slots adjacent to but below the open top and below the lower edge of the hood which is supported on supporting ledge structures on the interior of the container whereby air is entrained into the upwardly moving gas and water vapor for mixing therewith and assisting in disseminating the gas into all areas of the enclosed space when the gas, moisture and air mixture is discharged from an opening in the upper end of the hood.

Abstract: A dividing head assembly comprises concentric outer and inner primary and secondary shafts journalled in a body member having a base for mounting the assembly on a machine tool bed in juxtaposition to a cutter. The inner shaft is coupled for rotation with the outer shaft and is axially slidably mounted in the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a workpiece holder at one end and a collar at the other end formed with a master thread and/or a master cam profile. A gear drive is provided for rotating the shafts, and the body member carries a follower for engaging the respective cam profile or master thread so that on rotation of the drive means the workpiece holder is provided with controlled rotation accompanied by axial movement thereof governed by the cam profile or master thread, for screw or cam forming a workpiece.

Abstract: An upwardly opening shallow tray is provided constructed of shape retentive and at least somewhat deformably resilient material. The tray includes a bottom wall and upstanding peripheral walls extending about and projecting upwardly from the outer periphery of the bottom wall. An upright post is also provided including upper and lower end portions and the lower end portion is diametrically enlarged and includes a generally planar under surface downwardly abutted against the central area of the upper surface of the bottom. The post under surface includes a plurality of generally concentric and circular sealing ridges of different diameters projecting slightly downwardly therefrom forcibly, downwardly and sealingly seated against and deforming opposing portions of the upper surface of the bottom wall to form a fluid-tight seal therewith.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating an impoundment in which waste-water and sludge from a pressure wood treating plant or other industry is stored by constructing a treatment unit in a portion of the lagoon or impoundment, pumping clean water into the treatment unit, adding the sludge to the treatment unit, adding a mixture of mutant bacteria, nutrients, and emulsifiers to the treatment unit, continuously aerating the mixture in the treatment unit, and analyzing samples taken from the treatment unit at regular intervals until the waster water and sludge are substantially free of detectable hazardous contituents.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping a towel draped over a towel rail so as to prevent the towel from sliding off the rail comprises a pair of arm members with jaw-forming portions at one end and handle portions at the other end, a pivot bar connecting the arm members between the ends, and a spring assembly connected between the arm members adjacent the pivot bar, the spring assembly urging the jaw-forming portions of the arm members toward one another to grip the towel therebetween. Release of the clamp to allow removal of the towel from the rail is effected by squeezing the handle portions toward one another to open the jaws against the spring action.

Abstract: Flue cleaning apparatus comprises a bladed scraper head suspended by cable in a flue from pulleys on a mounting attachment secured at the top of the flue so that the cable can be operated from outside of a building of which the flue forms a part, to move the scraper head up and down in the flue for cleaning creosote and like deposits from the surfaces thereof. The scraper head incorporates alignment blades for guiding the scraper head off of irregularities which might be present in a flue, and a movable weight which can be used to hammer against the scraper head should it become lodged in a flue thereby assisting in dislodging same.

Abstract: A hydraulic power system for operating a rotary-hydraulic motor includes a pair of hydraulic piston/cylinder assemblies each disposed in vertical disposition below a common water source and having cylinder heads interconnected by hydraulic delivery and supply conduits in a closed circuit including the motor which is operated by forward and reverse flow of liquid through the circuit effected by alternative rising and lowering of the respective pistons. The upper ends of the respective pistons are provided with water tanks which are filled from the water source and emptied into respective discharge tanks sequentially to provide the raising and lowering movements of the pistons. The system further includes various valve devices in the closed hydraulic circuit and in association with the water source and piston and discharge tanks for controlling the respective liquid flows in a manner providing the cyclical alternative reciprocation of the respective pistons.