Abstract: An alarm system signals an attempt at intrusion through an opening framed to receive first and second panel members movable between opening and closing positions, as specifically shown in the form of a sliding glass door and screen door combination. An electrical switch mounted upon one panel has an element responsive to a magnetic field for developing a signal. A magnet mounted upon the other panel is productive of a magnetic field that interacts with the element of the switch upon movement of both the first and second panels to their closed positions. A signaling device coupled to the switch yields an alarm indication upon the beginning of the movement of either one of the panel members away from its closed position.

Abstract: A saddle has a rigid tree somewhat conformed on its underside to fit the back of a horse and on its upper side to seat a person thereastride. A cinch is removably mounted to the saddle for encircling the girth of the horse and stirrups are adjustably hung on each side. A pair of comparatively wide, flat sleeves depend centrally from the opposing sides of the tree, with a rigid ring being disposed in the end portion of each sleeve. The cinch is adjustably fastened between the rings. A flexible strap has its opposing ends secured between the rings and runs through the sleeves and over the top of the tree. Stirrup hangers are hung from the tree in corresponding locations aligned over the flexible strap.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for dispensing viscous, sticky materials from a container having a neck defining a discharge opening. The valve is formed by a tubular body threaded at one end for engaging the container neck. A normally closed spring biased valve in said body controls the discharge of material from said container. The valve body defines a spheroidal dispensing cavity opening through one end thereof for accessibly retaining for subsequent use an increment of material discharge from the container through the valve. In an alternative version, a ball valve is so seated as to preclude wedging of the material into the valve seat.

Abstract: For mounting a showerhead or the like to a pipe, a pivot ball is formed entirely of plastic material. It has a base internally threaded to attach to the pipe and a hollow shell coupled to the base so as to constitute the spherical portion of a ball joint. That spherical portion is composed of first and second mating approximately semi-hemispherical segments. The first segment is formed integrally with the base and the second segment is coupled to that base in establishment of the spherical ball. An internal tube extends from the second segment essentially through the entire assembly. In a second version, the internal tube is shorter but also serves to secure the two segments together. This version has a base which is externally threaded. Still another version has a different form of mating between the segments.

Abstract: A filter for cigarettes or the like has an elongated tubular shell one interior end portion of which may be shaped to define a seat of a diameter to frictionally receive an end portion of a cigarette and longitudinally of that seat being shaped to define a tubular wall of predetermined cross-section and partially closed by a transverse wall in which is defined a central aperture. An air inlet extends through the outer wall of the shell. A filter element is of a porous material which is inhibitive to the passage of substances such as tar and nicotine. The element is in the form of an elongated hollow sleeve one end of which is closed and the other end of which is open. A laterally projecting shoulder is defined on the sleeve to have the aforementioned predetermined cross-section so as to seat frictionally within the tubular wall and against the transverse wall with a portion of the sleeve projecting through the aperture.

Abstract: A flour sifter has an upright cylinder within the interior of which a screen is disposed generally transversely to cooperate with an agitator movable over the screen to effect the sifting of flour therethrough. Affixed across the lower end of the cylinder is a first plate which includes a circumferentially-spaced first series of openings successively separated by respectively interposed first panels. A second plate, juxtaposed with the first plate, is movable about an axis extending centrally of the cylinder and includes a circumferentially-spaced second series of openings again successively separated by respectively interposed second panels. Those second openings are alignable with the first openings upon movement of the second plate to one position and are alignable with the first panels upon movement of the second plate to another position.

Abstract: A baseball bat has its handle, shaped to be grasped by the hand of a user, extending on into an enlarged hitting portion that continues away from the handle. Included in that hitting portion is a velocity meter situated in a cavity that extends longitudinally inward toward the handle from the outer end. A plunger is slidably received within that cavity and is resiliently held in place. Also included is an indicator which informs as to the amount of movement of the plunger outwardly from within the cavity as a result of the swinging of the bat by the user.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat features a memory unit receptive of unit values of temperature desired at different times on different days all individually or in various combinations both as to days and times. An output device signals a temperature control system. As controlled by a clock, the memory unit is addressed during different times of the different days to provide a signal representing the corresponding value desired. Existing temperature level is sensed and compared with each value so as to develop an error signal. In response to that error signal, the output is operated in a direction to reduce the difference between actual and desired temperatures. Numerous details as to layout, construction and circuitry are presented.

Abstract: A fabric is stretched across a sign framework to serve as a display face. Forming the framework are upper, lower and respective side support elements. Depending upon the particular version, a hinge or saddle is affixed to one or more of the support elements. A hinge pin tensioner has limited rotation and is coupled to a marginal portion of the farbric. In some versions, such hinge assemblies are included along more than one side of the framework. In others, different fasteners are employed along some of the support elements. In one particular approach, the fabric is stretched directly across a separate frame that, in turn, is hinged along a support element of the main framework, so that the frame may be swung away for the purpose of obtaining access to the interior of the main framework that usually encloses a source of illumination.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling system includes a belt of a material to which a liquid may cling and which is sufficiently transparent to the flow of air therethrough to achieve evaporation of the liquid on the belt by the air. A portion of the belt dips into a reservoir of water. Air is propelled through the belt and the belt is moved through the water. A float valve is responsive to the level of water in the reservoir for maintaining that level upon receipt of an input flow of the water. A separate sump contains a reserve supply of the water. A pump is operated along with operation to move the belt for supplying liquid from the sump through the float to the reservoir.

Abstract: A removable anchor assembly has an elongated hollow tube including integral upper and lower portions with at least the lower portion exhibiting resilience to lateral deflection of segments of the walls thereof. The lower portion normally changes in a diameter progressively from near the junction with the upper portion, and the upper portion generally has predetermined internal and external diameters. Longitudinal slots are spaced around the lower portion, and a laterally facing ridge on the lower portion has a normal diameter related to the exterior diameter of the upper portion. A rigid plug is movable through the upper portion and has a diameter functionally the same as that of the internal tube diameter at the upper end of the lower portion. The plug is insertable within the lower portion to wedge the walls thereof outwardly and expand the ridge diameter to an enlarged amount.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat features a memory unit receptive of unit values of temperature desired at different times on different days all individualy or in various combinations both as to days and times. An output device signals a temperature control system. As controlled by a clock, the memory unit is addressed during different times of the different days to provide a signal representing the corresponding value desired. Existing temperature level is sensed and compared with each value so as to develop an error signal. In response to that error signal, the output is operated in a direction to reduce the difference between actual and desired temperatures. Numerous details as to layout, construction and circuitry are presented.

Abstract: For distributing feed to livestock, a vehicle frame is movable along the ground and upstanding therefrom is a bin into which the feed initially is received. An opening is defined in one wall of the bin. A conveyor effectively forms at least a portion of another wall of the bin and is movable to urge that feed outwardly from the bin through the opening. Upstanding from the frame is a carriage spaced outwardly of the bin from the opening and toward which the feed is urged by the conveyor. There is at least one and preferably are two lateral slots defined between the carriage and the bin and through which the feed is to be dispensed. A repetitively-reciprocating dispenser is mounted on the side of the carriage facing the opening for dispensing through the lateral slots incremental portions of the feed as urged toward the carriage by the conveyor. The specifics involve tining of a feed such as hay outwardly through the lateral slots as urged against tines by the conveyor.

Abstract: A livestock containment device features a rigid panel securable in an upright position and of a length and height to span an animal disposed alongside. A generally L-shaped vertically-oriented framework has one horizontal leg of a length similar to that of the panel. One free end portion of a leg of the framework is hingedly secured to an end of the panel. A gate is of a length to span the distance between the other leg end of the framework and the other end of the panel. The gate is hinged between the panel and the framework and also is provided with means for securing it in a closed position.

Abstract: An ionization type smoke detector includes an element for giving a visible indication of operativeness of the system together with a component responsive thereto for representing impending failure of the power source. A housing for the system includes a battery-containing well that includes a channel permitting finger-access to the batteries. A pushbutton is located in a wall of the housing. An electrically-conductive probe is positioned within an ionization chamber and is associated with the pushbutton for addressing the probe in a manner that creates a simulation of the existence of combustion. In response to a signal from the ionization chamber, digital processing is employed in order to enable alarm indication as appropriate as well as to monitor continued capability of the battery power source. Special circuitry cooperates advantageously with those features as well as in interrelating the different features so as to minimize complexity.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat features a memory unit receptive of unit values of temperature desired at different times on different days all individually or in various combinations both as to days and times. An output device signals a temperature control system. As controlled by a clock, the memory unit is addressed during different times of the different days to provide a signal representing the corresponding value desired. Existing temperature level is sensed and compared with each value so as to develop an error signal. In response to that error signal, the output is operated in a direction to reduce the difference between actual and desired temperatures. Numerous details as to layout, construction and circuitry are presented.

Abstract: The assembly includes a shelf bracket for constructing shelving from spaced elongated shelf boards that have a standard thickness. An elongated leg of rectangular cross section includes a longitudinal groove formed into one of its major surfaces. A pair of U-shaped clips each are in the form of a pair of plates joined by a flat bight with the widths of the plates being spaced apart for snug engagement with a marginal edge portion of a shelf board. The bight seats tightly in the groove and preferably has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the groove. The clips are individually secured in respective different spaced portions of the groove with the bight seated therein.

Abstract: A hygienic device has a pump for propelling liquid in a flow of pulses, a motor for driving the pump, a switch for supplying power to the motor and means for delivering the propelled liquid to a point of use. A control enables adjustment of the pressure of the delivered liquid. The switch is formed as part of the motor winding assembly and therewith is effectively encapsulated. The pump includes a piston in one end of which is a recess defining a resilient spherical seat and which cooperates with a spherical bearing formed on one end of a piston rod. The control has a valved bypass arrangement wherein various stops and abutments cooperate to permit accurate determination of high and low pressure adjustment during assembly. A rotor within the motor has a cylindrical bore with longitudinal lugs that interfit with ribs on a bearing member that is pressed into the bore. Other features, such as a tilt-out nozzle storage shelf, are included.