Abstract: An hydraulic system for operating double acting piston/cylinder assemblies and for effecting automatic transition from a regenerative mode of operation of a double acting piston/cylinder assembly to a non-regenerative mode of operation thereof. Pressure responsive valve means automatically converts the hydraulic system from one initially being a high-speed/low force operation to a high force/low speed operation.

Abstract: A conventional tufting machine is provided with front and back juxtaposed, laterally shiftable, needle bars positioned on a common needle bar support, the needles of the front needle bar cooperating with loop pile loopers and the needles of the back needle bar cooperating with cut-loop loopers. Yarn feed controls respectively feed yarns to the needles according to individual prescribed patterns. The needle bars are respectively shifted laterally according to individual prescribed patterns.Tufted fabric produced by the machine is illustrated in which the loop tufts produced by the front needles are of relatively small cross section while the selectively cut or loop tufts produced by the back needles are of relatively large cross section. The large loop tufts are interspersed with small loop tufts due in part to lateral shifting of the needles.

Abstract: A heat exchanger member contoured to fit along one side of an exhaust pipe is retained in place on the exhaust pipe by clamps. In one form of the invention the exhaust pipe forms a part of the heat exchanger reservoir in which case leak preventive adhesive secures the heat exchanger member to the pipe. The heat exchanger member is provided with intake and discharge tubes, the intake tube connected to the pump of an existing windshield washer assembly and discharge tube being connected, through a manifold to the discharge nozzles adjacent to the windshield. In another form of the invention, the discharge from the heat exchanger is directed along a header or manifold of a nozzle assembly adjacent to and for washing the rear window of the automobile. In still another form of the invention, the heat exchanger forms an essentially closed reservoir so that the exhaust pipe does not come in contact with the fluid flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A wetland crossing bridge assembly is disclosed having a plurality of interconnected lower box support members with upstanding columnar members extending from the base thereof. Slab members are laid on the top of these column members in an overlapping arrangement and side members having a general L-shaped configuration line on each side. A conventional road surface is applied over the structural members. The structure allows the bridge assembly to absorb or dissipate stress from shifting caused by wind, water levels, etc. and the even weight distribution through the interlocking arrangement allows construction without requiring pilings sunk to underlying bedrock and with minimal adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: A tandem sawmill assembly is disclosed having two linearly spaced sawing stations. A conveyor system moves the log through the first sawing station and up an inclined ramp for rotating the log ninety degrees prior to moving the log through the second sawing station. An overhead roller engages the re-oriented log and advances it to a centering platform where centering arms engage the log to orient the log axially with respect to the second sawing station. The conveyor then moves the aligned log through the second sawing station while a second overhead roller applies presssure to the upper surface of the log.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the acoustically induced vibrations within a living organism. The object is ensonified to set it into low frequency vibration. A continuous wave beam of ultrasonic energy is transmitted along one path and focused at the tissue to be investigated. A focused transducer receives the reflected beam along a second axis such that the intersection of the transmitted and received beams define a small, concentrated region positioned at the object under investigation. The received beam is phase modulated by the amplitude of vibration of the object producing sidebands whose amplitude can be ratioed to the amplitude of the high frequency peak to determine the absolute amplitude of the low frequency vibration.

Abstract: An external ear cleaning device which is specially adapted for reaching the surfaces of the curved portions of the external ear. A substantially inflexible shaft has attached thereon at least one end piece constructed of a flexible material capable of absorbing water. The flexible material is deformable when pressure is applied to the shaft, such that the end piece can contact normally inaccessible portions of the external ear. The end piece also has a portion which extends radially outward from the shaft and which prevents harmful insertion of the device into the ear opening.

Abstract: A barbecue grill assembly is disclosed having a dual mode of operation for cooking with charcoal briquettes or with a burner element. The firebox of the grill includes a burner element near the floor thereof and an aperture in one of the sidewalls for receiving a tray member. The tray member has channels for receiving charcoal to be ignited by the gas burner and which, in its 180.degree. inverted position, acts as a shield for the burner. Positive locking is accomplished with spring-clips and by bimetallic lever arms which lock the tray in the tracks when heated.

Abstract: A novel word game is disclosed having a generally planar game board with an intersecting grid pattern formed therein. Playing pieces for the game are formed as individual tile members with a letter of the alphabet on the upper surface thereof and projections on the bottom surface thereof for engaging the grid pattern and facilitating movement of the tile members in a horizontal or transverse direction along the grid pattern for forming words or word portions.

Abstract: A Modular Rotisserie Rod Assembly is disclosed having a pair of rod members with threaded end portions that can be joined with a collar and also separated for facilitating storage, transport, and/or cleaning. The rod members and the connectors are multi-faceted for engaging and turning food or accessory items such as food-holding baskets mounted thereon.

Abstract: Laterally shiftable front and back needle bars are slideably mounted on a main needle bar, the front needle bar carries a front row of needles and a back needle bar carries a back row of needles. Cut pile loopers cooperate with the needles of the back row and cut-loop loopers cooperate with the needles of the front row. Needles in the front row are larger and handle larger size yarns than needles in the back row and a yarn feed control dictates whether yarns in the front needles make low loops or high cut piles.

Abstract: An automatically activated fire extinguishing device for a stove. The device is installable in a hood over the stove and has a compact design which substantially hides portions of the device from normal viewing. The invention also includes an automatic stove shut-off which shuts off the electricity or gas to the stove in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A wheeled, self-propelled deer stand for elevating hunters above the ground. The deer stand comprises a pivoted chassis the rear portion of which rotates to a vertical position when the structure is raised off the ground. The deer stand is motor-powered and has two pairs of bar and roller mechanisms for bracing the deer stand against a tree and providing stability when the deer stand is elevated. A winch and cable assembly is used to elevate the deer stand.

Abstract: A device is disclosed to prevent the unauthorized copying of magnetic tapes (tape "piracy"). The device utilizes an inaudible signal encoded into the tape program as the master recording is being made. A separate decoding circuit is to be installed in commercially available stereo tape decks. Whenever the encoded signal is present on the original recording, the decoding circuitry will short the bias signal of the tape deck being used to attempt to make the copies. This will prevent the deck from recording any of the program on the original tape.

Abstract: Rear warning lights on a vehicle are actuated in response to vehicular speed. When energized below a predetermined vehicular speed threshold, the warning lights will begin to flash alternately. The rate of flashing may be fixed so that each warning light flashes on briefly and at a fixed rate or it may be set to flash at a rate related to vehicular speed so that each warning light stays on longer as the vehicle speed decreases. At some very low vehicular speed, corresponding substantially to a full stop, the flashing may be set to cease so that one of the warning lights will glow steadily.

Abstract: The time indicator cartridge is attachable and detachable to the main timing mechanism through an engaging stem which connects the time indicia to the timing mechanism. A set of locking lugs squeezes the bezel within the casing of the time keeping mechanism which is secured by a rear insert camming device, thereby limiting the release of the cartridge to occur only on removal of the rear casing.

Abstract: A locking assembly for utility meter boxes is disclosed, the assembly designed for connection to the meter box at the latch portion or the point of access to the box. The assembly has a bracket member for connection to the meter box and a cover member for engaging the bracket member and forming an enclosure around the point of access. A lock retaining member is disposed within this enclosure for engaging and retaining a lock therein, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the cover member.

Abstract: A bow sight transportation cover having an essentially rectangular protective housing with one open side end into which the bow sight projects. The housing is secured to the central portion of the bow by slidably engaging a mounting bracket attached directly to the bow sight. The housing can be modified to slide either horizontally or vertically onto the mounting bracket. The bow sight cover can be constructed of transparent material and provided with a recess for the arrow to pass through. Alternatively, the vertical position of the housing can be adjusted by mounting the housing on an elongated bar which extends between the two end portions of the bow.

Abstract: A housing open at both ends has opposed concaved radiant emitter walls which are disposed on opposite sides of a conveyor for defining a drying chamber through which the conveyor moves freshly coated objects. Heated air from a closure is fed to outer cavities in the housing and this air passes inwardly through nozzle ports in partition plates to impinge and heat the walls. A major portion of the air returns to be reheated in the closure. Fresh air is introduced, in heat exchanging relationship to the heated air, to ducts which discharge into the drying chamber. Overhead fans selectively circulate turbulent or laminar air in the drying chamber. Air is withdrawn from both the drying chamber and the outer cavities via over head exhaust ducts. A computer and sensors control the temperature of the emitter walls by controlling the heating of the heated air.

Abstract: A flexible barrier element for a passageway defined by two spaced posts is held in a raised taut position to block the passageway by placement of a hand lever having a lost motion connection with the barrier element in a level position of engagement with a bracket fixed on one post. Swinging of the hand lever to a depressed position relative to the bracket on which it is pivotally mounted slackens the flexible barrier element and lowers it to a ground level position allowing unobstructed passage between the posts defining the passageway. A second bracket on the second post has a flexible barrier element attached to it.