Abstract: A length adjustable, trunk stowable protective car cover device is formed from an elongated sheet of flexible weatherproof material having a front end portion releasably connectable to the front end of an automobile, a longitudinally intermediate portion adapted to overlie and shield essentially the entire upper side surface of the automobile, and a rear end portion adapted to extend into the trunk between the rear trunk lid edge and the opposing trunk wall portion which it closes against. Closure of the trunk thus clamps a back end of the cover sheet in place to firmly anchor the cover sheet in place in its operative position. An elongated longitudinal slot in the rear end portion of the cover sheet permits the hook portion of the trunk latch to extend through the cover sheet to permit unimpeded locking and unlocking of the trunk.

Abstract: An automatically controlled recirculating high velocity hot air sterilization device includes a housing having a sterilization chamber with a temperature sensor mounted therein, a hot air plenum including a blower in fluid communication with a heating element and sterilization chamber for inputting hor air into and receiving hot air from the sterilization chamber for recirculation, and a control chamber having a temperature sensing circuit connected to the temperature circuit for producing electrical inputs representative of the sterilization chamber temperature, power circuits connected to the heating element and blower, a controller connected to the temperature sensing circuit for monitoring the temperature, and to the heating element and blower circuits for controlling their operation, and a control panel including cycle selection switches for operation, an on/off switch, and temperature and timer/error displays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided relating to a safety valve for horizontal completions of subterranean wells. The apparatus is secured onto one end of a continuous length of remedial tubing which is introduceable into the well and concentrically insertable through production tubing which previously has been positioned within the well with the well having a deviated configuration including an entry portion communicating with a curved portion extending downwardly in the well from the entry portion and a generally linear end portion traversable with a production formation. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing and means at one end of the housing for securement of the apparatus to remedial tubing. Fluid throttling means are carried within the housing for abatement of velocity of primary fluid flow from the top of the well through the remedial tubing and the housing.

Abstract: A slip retention mechanism for a packer or hanger for a subterranean well comprises a slip retention sleeve disposed in surrounding relationship to a tubular body on which cone elements are mounted for axial movement. Segment-shaped slips are mounted in the space intermediate the retention sleeve and the tubular body and have inner surfaces cooperable with the cone elements to effect a radially outward displacement of the slip elements upon relative axial movement of the cone elements. The slip retention sleeve is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced windows separated by axially extending bars. Each slip segment is provided with an axially extending slot in its outer surface which is aligned with one of the window bars. A leaf spring is mounted intermediate the window bar and the axial slot to exert a radially inwardly directed force on the respective slip segment to hold it in a retracted position.

Abstract: An improved wringer device is provided for squeezing water from a cloth or chamois when fed between a pair of adjacent rollers. Each roller is made from thermoformed plastic, or molded elastomeric material with an outer surface defining a plurality of axially alligned curvilinear hill and valley surfaces. The hill surface of one roller meshes with a valley surface of the adjacent roller to assist in feeding the cloth through the rollers and to maximize efficiency by minimizing required cranking force. The device includes a first support member for mounting to a wall, a second roller support member pivotably connected to the first member, and a third roller support member fixedly secured to the second member, a pair of rollers with substantially parallel axes and each supported between the second and third support members, and a crank interconnected with one of the rollers to drive that roller, which then drives the other roller.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention mesh means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention mesh means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: An improved packer is provided for sealingly engaging a well casing above a pressure responsive device within a petroleum recovery well. A sleeve-like packer body interior of the packer sealing elements is provided for structurally interconnecting lower and upper sections of a tubing string, and retains a large internal diameter for passing fluids or various downhole tools through the tubing string and to the bore of the packer. A plurality of tubular passageways are provided within the packer each positioned radially between the packer body and the packer sealing elements, and each extending axially from above to below the packer sealing elements. The passageways allow for communications of a fluid pressure signal from the annulus above the set packer to the firing head of a hydraulically actuatable device below the packer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selectively shifting a tool member in a subterranean well, such as a sliding sleeve of a ported element, which may be carried on a continuous length of remedial tubing, or other conduit into the well and insertable through a second conduit, such as production tubing. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing with a fluid passageway therethrough. Means are carried by the housing for selectively indicating proximity of the apparatus relative to the auxiliary tool, or ported member of a sliding sleeve. Actuating means are positioned by longitudinal manipulation of the first conduit, or remedial tubing, and movable into engaging position with a ported member, upon a first movement of the first conduit in a second direction to resist movement of the apparatus in the second direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distributed antenna system comprising a primary antenna (14A, 16A) and a plurality of secondary antennas (36, 40), a fibre optic network (20, 22) connected between the primary antenna (14A, 16A) and the secondary antennas (36, 40), first means (16, 44) associated with a first one of the antennas (16A, 40) which transmits signals received by that antenna (16A, 40) into the fibre optic network (20, 22), and second means (32, 50) associated with a second one of the antennas (14A, 36) which causes that antenna (14A, 36) to transmit signals received by the second means (32, 50) from the fibre optic network (20, 22).Preferably, the use of a heterodyne circuit is avoided and the light signals travelling within the fibre optic networks (20, 22) are modulated at radio frequency.

Abstract: A gas fired deep fat fryer has an upper heating section with a bottom wall from which a spaced pair of well sections depend. To efficiently melt solid shortening material initially disposed in the upper frypot section, the frypot is provided with an electric shortening melter that extends along the underside of the bottom wall of the upper frypot section. A solid insulating material panel structure envelopes and abuts portions of the well sections and defines therebetween a heating cavity which receives a dual gas-fired burner assembly. Interior surface portions of the panel structure are recessed to define a multi-pass heating flow passage system which extends along and is partially bounded by laterally outwardly facing exterior surface portions of the wells. During frypot operation, hot combustion gases from the burners are flowed through the passage system to very efficiently heating cooking oil disposed in the frypot.

Abstract: A unique piano moving apparatus is provided which may be operated to safely and efficiently move a grand piano by one or two individuals of average physical ability. A keyboard and jack assembly having a first support portion is mutually spaced from and intersecured to an opposing end jack assembly having a second support portion. The support portions are respectively adapted to underlie and support the key board and front end portions of a grand piano. The keyboard and jack and oppasing end jack assemblies are operable to lift the piano to a position in which it may be tilted on its side while still being supported by the piano moving apparatus. The tilted piano may then be slid off the moving apparatus onto a movable platform which may then be conveniently rolled to and loaded onto a waiting transport trailer. A winch device may be used to pull the movable platform and piano into the transport trailer.

Abstract: An automatic washing apparatus designed to travel on a single I beam track that can be easily mounted in an existing self-service car wash bay. This apparatus is unique within itself since the trolley apparatus that supplies water and chemicals to the water boom manifold is driven entirely by a screw gear apparatus. The water boom manifold swing is also unique, being rotated by a single half spur gear that is rotated by striking a gear rack at either end of the I beam. An improved embodiment features an adjustable gear rack assembly at one end of the track which is adjusted to shorten the linear travel between end turns in response to signals from vehicle position indicating devices in order to efficiently wash smaller cars. The improved embodiment also includes a smoother vibrationless screw drive and a more rigid one-way clutch bearing support for the rotating members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gauging the separation of successive turns of a wire helically wound on a fluid pervious, cylindrical body to form a wire screen for a subterranean well comprising the scanning of two adjacent wire turns after they are formed on the rotating cylindrical body with a video camera having a magnifying lens, projecting the resultant enlarged image of two adjacent wire turns on a video screen and simultaneously projecting on the same video screen parallel visible lines alignable with the amplified space between the two wire images, with the spacing of said parallel lines calibrated to represent a prescribed maximum and minimum tolerance dimension for the magnified spacing of the wire turns.

Abstract: A variety of selectively variable resistance exercise machines, of the type in which the exerciser is seated while grasping and forcibly moving a hand operable force input portion of the machine, are modified to permit their use by both able bodied and physically challenged, wheelchair-seated exercisers. To permit this alternate usage of the machines, each is provided with a movable, height adjustable seat structure which may be selectively pivoted between an able bodied exerciser use position, and a physically challenged exerciser use position. With the movable seat structure in this latter position, a wheelchair-confined exerciser may move the chair into the space previously occupied by the seat structure to thereby permit the exerciser to conveniently reach and operatively manipulate the machine's force input portion.

Abstract: A tool for running in a liner hanger and a depending lining string comprises a tubular body having telescopically related inner and outer tubular units which are shearably interconnected for co-rotation. A plurality of downwardly projecting tongues are provided on the periphery of the outer tubular unit and respectively engage upwardly facing grooves provided in the liner hanger to impart rotation in either direction to the liner hanger. A downwardly extending mandrel secured to the inner tubular unit extends through the outer tubular unit and provides a mounting for the ring portion of a collet. The collet has spring biased arms mounting head portions which respectively engage in an annular groove provided in the liner hanger to secure the running tool to the liner hanger for run-in purposes. The collet is normally released from the running tool by a fluid pressure actuated piston mounted on the mandrel.

Abstract: A pet restraining table is used to support and restrain a small animal, such as a cat, for grooming purposes. The table has a base with separable upper and lower portions, an elevated outer frame secured to the base for pivotal motion relative thereto about a horizontal first axis and releasably lockable to the base, and a table top portion secured to the periphery of the outer frame for pivotal motion relative thereto about a second horizontal axis parallel to the first axis. With the outer frame in a horizontal position, and the table top member positioned horizontally therein and releasably secured thereto by a latching mechanism, the cat is positioned face down on the upper side surface of the table top member for back side grooming purposes, and is tied to the outer frame using various elastic tie-down straps. When it is desired to groom the underside of the cat, the table top member is unlatched from the outer frame, pivoted 360.degree.

Abstract: A host computer add on encryption/decryption printed circuit board includes address and control buffers, data buffer and board decode logic having input and output terminals selectively connected to the host computer and to first ports of a dual port random access memory (DPR) for storing a block of data and addresses and inputting portions of the block of data and addresses into the DPR's memory. A central processing unit (CPU) is connected to second ports of the DPR, and to a CPU RAM, CUP ROM, real time clock, key image buffer, and DES encryption device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for securement onto one end of a continuous length of remedial tubing which is introduced into a subterranean well concentrically through production tubing previously positioned within the well, with the well having a deviated configuration which includes an entry portion communicating with a curved portion extending downwardly in the well from the entry portion and a generally linear end portion traversable with a production formation. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing and an element for securement of the housing to the tubing. A fluid passageway chamber is defined exterior of the housing with fluid passageways communicating between the interior of the housing and the expansion chamber. Turbulating elements are carried exteriorly around the housing and immediate the expansion chamber and are freely rotatable relative to the housing.

Abstract: A plastic plug for protecting an electric cord from damage during shipping when such cord is shipped within separated rigid tubular components of a handle, or the like, comprises two semi-cylindrical half portions of a plug which are pivotally united along axially extending side edges of the half portions. With its half portions pivoted together, the plug defines a channel for leading the electric cord out of, or into either end of its associated rigid tubular component without contact between the cord and the adjacent end edge surface of the rigid tubular component.