Abstract: An automated feeder for concrete pipe making machines used to produce concrete pipes that have round as well as box-shaped, elliptical and other non-round shapes. The feeder has a concrete storage hopper mounted over a fixed pivot, and the hopper charges the concrete onto a belt-type conveyor the input end of which turns on the same pivot as the hopper for movement along a radial track. The discharge end of the feeder conveyor discharges the concrete into a rotatable chute that distributes the concrete into the cavity of the pipe mold. Encoders are combined with the motors driving the chute and the radial movement of the feeder conveyor so as to monitor the position and speed of the radial movement of the conveyor and position and speed of rotation of the chute. Information from the encoders is inputted into a computer which is programmed to control the speed and position of these components of the feeder depending upon the selected size and shape of the concrete form to be filled.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the raising and lowering of the foot plate on a chiropractic table of the tilt-elevating type. The foot plate is pivotly mounted on the fixed base and has stabilizer pins that are engaged by lugs on the upper or moveable part of the table when the table is tilted and disengaged when the table is returned to a horizontal position. A sliding bar and roller mechanism slowly lowers the foot stand to its normal position on or near the floor.

Abstract: A collapsible core for concrete pipe making machines that are used in the dry cast process when lined pipe are to be produced. The collapsible core of the invention has a moveable front panel joined to two moveable side panels, all of the panels being connected to hydraulically powered linkage arrangements that will pull the panels straight back from the liner. The collapsible core is constructed so that when moveable panels of the core are retracted to collapse the core, the core panels are guided along radial lines of the core to pull the panels directly away from the pipe liner, thus practically eliminating the friction that causes bulging or pull out of the liner from the concrete pipe.

Abstract: A hydraulic hitch for connecting two planters or drills in tandem for planting or in line for transport. The hitch utilizes an overhead beam and stabilizer bar interconnecting the lead and trailing drills to control and guide the drills from one position to the other. This overhead beam is combined with a unique folding tongue and floating tongue tube that are hydraulically operated to allow the operator to conduct the operations from the tractor cab after manually removing safety lock pins.

Abstract: An orbital implant is provided with a passageway extending from the anterior surface inwardly to receive a peg prior to implantation in the patient. The peg is made of non microporous material so that surrounding tissue will encapsulate the peg without adhering to it. A cap of absorbable bio-material is placed in front of the implant so as to create a cushion between the implant and the ocular prosthesis. The peg provides for later coupling of the ocular prosthesis to the implant without the necessity of a second operative procedure, and also allows the peg to be easily removed surgically if deemed necessary by the surgeon. The implant itself can be of any suitable material, but the implant is preferably made of biodegradable material having a matrix with random voids throughout to enhance tissue ingrowth into the implant.

Abstract: A self-leveling system for a multi-purpose vehicle used primarily for off the road operations such as roadside mowing. The vehicle frame and operator's station will automatically remain substantially level on sidehills, and if a slope greater than a predetermined amount is encountered, the operator will be given a warning signal which, if ignored, will result in the shut-down of the vehicle's operating system and the vehicle will stop. If the operator chooses, the vehicle can be operated from a remote location after the warning signal is received.

Abstract: A self-insemination belt for use in the artificial insemination of sows. The belt has a body strap that wraps around the stomach of the sow just ahead of the hind legs and a back strap attached to the body strap so that the back strap lays along the sow's back. A detachable catheter holding strap is then attached to the back strap and then wrapped around the catheter to hold it in place.

Abstract: Glass tubing that utilizes silica-titania glass as material for the tubing. The tubing of the invention can be formed of a single layer of silica-titania glass or the tubing can be formed in layers, with an outer layer of silica-titania glass and an inner layer of silica glass. The tubing can also be formed with an inner layer of silica-titania glass covered by a layer of silica glass, or the tubing can be formed with three layers, an inner layer and an outer layer of silica-titania glass sandwiching a layer of silica glass. In all embodiments, the resulting tubing has improved mechanical strength or improved chemical durability or both making the tubing useful in a variety of medical and industrial applications.

Abstract: A two-piece orthodontic appliance used in the treatment of Class III malocclusions. The appliance consists of a maxillary part and a mandibular part each fitted to the patient's teeth and having smooth surfaces that engage each other when in the patient's mouth. The maxillary part covers the palate and has a protruding guide on its inferior surface that extends distally toward the palate. The mandibular part has a groove corresponding to the guide on the upper part so that the two parts are slidably engaged when in place in the patient's mouth. Elastics are combined with the two parts of the appliance to create an antagonistic force between the two parts, which then simultaneously apply an anterior force to the maxilla and a posterior force to the mandible. The appliance thus applies forces that work against Class III development growth vectors to correct or minimize their effect on the patient.

Abstract: A shield or cover combined with a collapsible core used in machines for making concrete pipe lined with a plastic liner. The cover is mounted on the outside of the core between the core and the liner and extends the full length of the seam between the stationary side and the moveable side of the core. The cover extends around the core a sufficient distance to prevent friction between the liner and the moveable portion of the core from pulling the liner out of the concrete as the core is collapsed.

Abstract: An attachment for chain saws that provides a pivot point for better cutting leverage and control especially when cutting small tree branches or limbs. The attachment is installed on both sides of the saw chain and has two or more angularly and outwardly extending prongs that pull the limbs into the chain so that they can be more easily cut. Spacers between the chain bar and the attachment provide for proper clearance for the chain and allow easy installation and removal of the attachment. The attachment also is reversibIe so that it can be used for creating a straight cut using a straight edge as a guide and for controlling the depth of a cut when cutting a kerf in timbers or logs.

Abstract: A toy designed to entertain both humans and their pets. The toy is a continuous length of cord which has one end wrapped into a ball in such a way that the end is completely hidden in the ball so that the ball will not unravel. The other free end of the cord is relatively long and is used to spin the ball, throw it, tug it., etc. The toy is also made of a cord material that allows the toy to float on water.

Abstract: A method for making differential stiffness tubing for medical products, such as catheters. The method produces a tubing that has a stiff section and a flexible section joined by a relatively short transition section in which the materials of the stiff and flexible sections are wedged into each other in a smooth gradual manner to produce an inseparable bond between the materials without abrupt joints. The method also employs a resin modulating system that minimizes the length of the transition section by minimizing the volumes in all flow channels of the co-extrusion head used to produce the tubing.

Abstract: A portable, hydraulically operated punch-die unit for fastening together sheet metal members without the use of separate fasteners. The unit is used in a hydraulic system utilizing a two-stage high pressure hydraulic pump having a retractor valve arrangement which allows the punch to be driven at high pressure and then retracted by generation of a vacuum. This eliminates the complexity of other ways of retracting the hydraulically driven punch, and the simplicity of the unit and the relatively few number of parts that comprise it, allow the unit to be made small and lightweight and thus easily handled.

Abstract: Human-made diamond, as well as naturally found diamond, is a transparent, superhard, crystalline, and electrically nonconductive form of carbon. In this invention, an electrical current of supercritical density alone produces the transformation of graphite to diamond. The entire graphite-to-diamond transformation requires only a few millionths of a second. Using the principles of the invention, diamond can be produced in a variety of shapes, such as loose debris, rods, fibers, bars, dust, etc. In addition to diamond, Buckminster Fuller Balls, known also as C-60 carbon fullerines, are produced using the process and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: The stand of the invention consists of a pair of legs angled slightly upwards in the center and to each of which is affixed a perpendicular pivot pin upon which is mounted a horizontal crossbar. The crossbar slides over the pivot pins and is secured by means of set screws. Upon said crossbar are mounted perpendicular vertical uprights affixed to sleeves which are secured by set screws, and the uprights thus may be positioned in infinite positions longitudinally along the crossbar.