Abstract: A propane injector system for internal combustion engines for improving performance, fuel efficiency, safety, cleanliness and environmental friendliness. The system consists of introducing propane gas into “a black box” that has a pressure reducing valve to drop propane pressure as it flows initially from its storage tank and through an electronically controlled on/off valve. Propane enters an injector manifold where it is distributed to two specially designed gas handling fuel injectors that act as variable flow rate pumps controlled by a programmable microprocessor that is pre programmed for specific vehicles or can be customized with improved performance programming as determined by the vehicle owner. A pressure feedback system senses when the engine blower has caused a pressure boost on its high side feeding the cylinders. Transducers located in a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor detect the pressure boost and communicate with the microprocessor.

Abstract: A collapsible applicator adapted to be folded into a convenient, thin and elongated size to be placed into a bottle of fluid such as tanning lotion and then absorb the lotion whereupon after removal of the applicator from the container it may be expanded in an umbrella like fashion to provide a handle, an elongated, central frame member attached to applicator members extending outwardly therefrom in such a fashion that the user may apply lotion without ever touching the lotion.

Abstract: A collapsible, corrugated damage prevention device for separating freight in transit in railroad cars, trucks, and the like is provided and includes an outer tube like member and a collapsible spreader core inside the outer tube and at right angles to the sides of the outer tube. One version provides an outer tube like member and a second tube like member inside and at right angles to the outer tube. Another version provides a U-shaped outer section with outwardly extending flanges covered with a cap sheet to provide a hollow interior. The sides of the void filler are scored to allow each side to be easily folded outwardly from the core member thus disposing the entire device in a flat configuration which can be easily stored when not in use.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held device for picking up litter and including a movable handle attached to a control cable which extends to a toggle mechanism which opens and closes a pair of pick-up jaws. A hollow rod extends between the handle and the jaws as a two piece member having a joint which allows the jaws and handle to be rotated with respect to one another to allow the device to pick up in any convenient direction. The control cable includes an adjustment lock which allows the distance between the jaws to be adjusted to thus adapt the pickup member for various types of litter.

Abstract: A hand support for bowling formed of a rigid material shaped to cover the back portion of a hand over the second to fifth metacarpals, the entire little finger, and the proximal phalanges of the third and fourth fingers.

Abstract: Two side-by-side housings each receive a telescoping member therein. Bearings captivated within each housing engage the telescoping members such that the bearings are free to slide both with respect to the housings and the telescoping members. A handle for operating the lever and an arm for engaging the car coupler are mounted to opposing distal ends of the telescoping members. The other ends of the telescoping members are free to extend beyond the housings and have stops which abut the bearings while these ends are disposed within the housings.

Abstract: A method and product provide a highly portable, corrugated void filler for preventing damage to unitized loads has a body or core formed into an accordian shape to provide a number of aligned slots adapted to receive portions of associated cap sheets which are fitted in place to produce a rigid, lightweight product. Each cap sheet has a top flange with reversely bent layers of cardboard which provide a locking effect urging the layers apart in a spring-like fashion to retain the cap sheets securely in position after each is inserted into slots of the body member. The top flange of each cap sheet has outwardly extending portions adapted for mounting the void filler in position by suspending between loads or by fastening only when necessary to a vehicle sidewall.

Abstract: A covered hopper car having curved side wall units joined to a curved roof structure with a hollow beam side plate and having a reinforcing cap member on the roof sheets with a top portion spaced above the curved roof sheets and maintained in the spaced position by hatch coaming to reinforce the hatch openings. The car also includes a longitudinally extending hollow side sill with bolster posts located at each end and interconnecting the side sill with the side plate in such a fashion as to provide a reinforcing frame encircling the curved side wall sheets and curved roof sheets to hold the curved sheets in position during car movement.

Abstract: A toy mitt is provided which also may be used as a stationary target, and includes a concave plastic shell having a number of suction cups located in the front portion and including a flexible strap attached on the backside and adjustable to conform to the size of the user's hand, or for attachment to a tennis racquet or the like. The adjustable strap may be removed and suction cups may be mounted on the back of the plastic shell for the purpose of securely mounting the shell in a permanent position where it may be used as a target to receive a thrown ball. The mitt is provided in a kit form which may be assembled by the user, and then partially disassembled to convert the mitt into a target or to otherwise attach the mitt to a stick, racquet or the like to improvise games and improve various strokes in games such as tennis.

Abstract: A tray for storing and retaining sockets such as those used by machanics has handles and a top surface with openings providing a plurality of seats with a base portion depressed below the top. Resilient, spring-like socket retainers are located in each seat. The resilient retainers have outwardly extending legs which contact a portion of the depressed base portion of the seat and rest thereon. As sockets are placed over the resilient retainer, the retainer is slightly urged together providing a spring force which grips the socket securely, holds it in place and prevents it from being removed unintentionally.

Abstract: A radiant panel and method of manufacturing which provides a panel construction for absorbing and emitting heat and including an extruded sheet member having a front surface and a back with the back having extruded upstanding saddles providing a concave shape adapted to receive a copper tube. A heat conducting adhesive is used to bond the copper tube to the saddle and also improve heat transfer characteristics between two members. The back surface of the panel also includes pairs of extruded channels located on each side of corresponding saddle and extending parallel therewith. A crossbrace is located transverse to the channels and held securely in place by fasteners which extend through the crossbrace and into the channels to urge the copper tube into each saddle and hold adjacent panels in a plane to provide a continuous, smooth-appearing surface on the interior of a room.

Abstract: A lighted coaster for supporting beverage containers such as glasses. The improvement provides a top cover having a translucent lens and a side skirt extending downwardly to overlap a base member. The base contains batteries and a spring-biased light bulb extending upwardly to contact the underside of the lens in such a fashion that when beverage glasses are placed on the coaster, the light moves downwardly to contact a suitably disposed circuit member and actuate the light. When the beverage is removed, the light urges the cover upwardly a short distance and breaks contact with the electric circuit and turns itself off.

Abstract: A modular teaching and demonstrating laboratory having a cabinet with electrical apparatus mounted on a hinged outside cover and has a number of compartments contained therein for the transport of electrical fixtures that are used in conjunction with the externally attached electrical apparatus. The external electrical apparatus provides a pre-assembled electrical circuit of boxes and connecting conduit that are used to teach and demonstrate electrical principles and operation.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge gate operating mechanism providing a toggle or over center linkage mechanism with one link having a roller extending outwardly of the hopper vehicle and engageable with a trackside operating cam for opening and closing the hopper gates. The roller is mounted on a support arm that is carried by a mechanism link and held with a locking pin in such a manner to allow the locking pin to break and release the arm in the event the doors are jammed closed. The operating mechanism also includes a biasing spring for automatically returning the doors to a closed position after the hoppers are emptied.

Abstract: A control circuit and method is provided to automatically cut out a dimmer circuit from a high intensity light source until the light source has first been triggered and turned on at a high intensity level with the required high voltage. After an initial high illumination occurs a dimmer control circuit is electronically cut into the light circuit and a dimmer control knob, connected with a potentiometer, may then be used to raise or lower the illumination of the high intensity lamp. Thus, the high intensity lamp will be turned on regardless of the position of the dimmer control. Without the control circuit, the high intensity lamp would not trigger if the control knob was at a low intensity setting.

Abstract: A roof structure for covered hopper cars has roof sheets with curved sections disposed on each side of a continuous trough hatch opening. A hollow, beam-type side plate connects the outer margins of the roof sheets to the side wall unit and includes an outer transition member with a curved section forming part of the side plate and also having a lip extending inwardly of the vehicle to form a continuation of the curved roof sheet. A connection piece underlies transversely extending edges of the roof sheets to join the sheets. Intermediate bulkheads or partition sheets have a rounded top to fit snugly for attachment to the curved roof sheets and are rigidified by stiffeners which extend horizontally and transversely of the vehicle from side plate to side plate and are connected thereto to join with the roof sheets and intermediate bulkheads to form a rigid roof beam which resists twisting and deflecting during transit.

Abstract: A portable, light-weight arm support is provided for stroke victims to prop the person's arm at an inclined position to prevent the accumulation of fluids in the hand and wrist area. Arm support surface has a concave contour to comfortably receive a person's arm and includes Velcro straps for holding the arm securely in position. The arm support surface is supported on a pair of spaced legs which have a contoured bottom connector to allow the support to be easily positioned on an irregular surface such as on the arm of a chair or upon a flat surface such as a table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying water by the addition of a halogen such as iodine in a metered amount. Incoming water is divided into two branches, a first branch where the halogen is added and a second branch leading to a mixing tank where the halogen-water solution from the first branch is joined and turbulently mixed together. The fluid then passes into a main kill tank where the halogen-water mixture is held for at least one minute to allow the halogen to kill bacteria. The water-halogen mixture is then passed into a carbon-mesh filter to remove the halogen and any suspended or dissolved impurities to provide a purified, fresh tasting water.

Abstract: A flexible, fabric cover for automobile batteries is provided and includes a hinged top portion having a side extension extending partially down one side thereby providing an enlarged top opening for positioning a battery within the jacket. The top includes sections to accommodate top or side mounted battery terminals which may extend through the sections for attachment to battery cables. The jacket includes outer cover members joined at each of its four corners by a thin seam which forms a rigidifying rib to allow the jacket to stand upright. A fiber glass insulation is contained within the walls of the cover providing soft, puffed walls which fit snugly about a multitude of different size batteries. The fiberglass insulation may include a foil backing to provide added stiffness, improved rigidity, and better thermal insulating properties to the battery cover. The method is directed to the manner of manufacturing to provide puffed sides and stiffening seams at each corner.

Abstract: A two-piece speaker assembly has a speaker base for permanent attachment to a cabinet and a detachable cone unit that may be removably attached to the base and replaced by a larger or smaller capacity speaker as desired. The separable base and cone units are threaded or provided with a bayonet-type of interlocking arrangement and biased with a spring to maintain a locked connection. Also, an electrical connection between the base and speaker cone is provided by a suitably-sized, contact-type of spring-biased terminals.