Abstract: A cover or envelope having one open end fits over a traffic sign to cover the sign and its message; new information is presented to motorists by appropriate indicia on a front outer surface of the envelope. A rear side of the envelope includes a slit in its center; the slit extends most of the length of the back side and opens to accommodate the bulk of a post or standard on which the sign is mounted. At the bottom, open edge of the cover, metal rods are incorporated into hems on the cover's edge and have protruding loops or tabs thereon; the loops receive a padlock or other means by which the cover is secured in place over the signboard to prevent the cover's unauthorized removal. For a diamond-shaped signboard, two perpendicular slits divide the rear of the cover into triangular panels.

Abstract: A wall-mounted holder for electrical household irons has a base plate with an insulating layer on a wall side of the holder to prevent heat transfer to the wall. Extending from the lower end of the base plate is an elongate tab, curved upward to form a cord support. The base plate includes two bosses on its lower portion which contact the hot sole plate of an iron. A support post extending upward from a support post mount engages an orifice in the sole plate of an iron to support the iron's weight. The support post and bosses provide three points of contact to minimize heat transfer from iron to holder.

Abstract: A container for beverages has a magnetic base which stabilizes the container when placed on metallic surfaces. The container is of double-wall construction, with concentric outer and inner wall sections, the wall sections being joined at their top portions. The diameter of each cylindrical (or tapered) section is such that an insulating space remains between outer and inner walls when assembled. Similarly, a space exists between the floor portions of each section; a magnet is disposed within the space between the floor sections and is held in position by a post extending from the outer floor section through an orifice in the magnet's center; alternatively the magnet is attached to an interior surface of the outer floor section. The magnetic field extends through the plastic material of the lower section, clamping the container a metal surfaces on which the container rests.

Abstract: An improved vacuum hose includes an axial vacuum conduit having outer linear buttresses integral with the conduit and arranged radially around the conduit; the buttresses are strengthened by substantially orthogonal ribs. Buttresses and ribs are imbedded in a matrix of flexible plastic which provides support and increases the collapse resistance of the conduit; the whole assembly is covered by a tough casing which may be a separate component or a treated surface of the matrix material.

Abstract: An appliance for concealing a handgun includes a substantially planar frame of resilient plastic or other material, having dimensions to fit closely inside a cover of a small zippered case such as a notebook case. Integral tabs projecting from either end of the frame engage a pocket inside the cover of the case to hold the frame in place. A holster tab is integral with the body of the frame; the holster tab is shaped and sized to receive a handgun holster spring clip and to hold the holster securely in place. A clip holder tab similarly receives an ammunition clip holder, and is positioned so the clip holder is held adjacent the holster. A handgun is placed in the holster and the case is closed, so the weapon is concealed within the inconspicuous case. Security is improved by a small orifice in the frame near the case's zipper tab; the orifice receives a padlock shackle to lock the case's zipper closed.

Abstract: An improved hose for dispensing gasoline at service stations has removable fittings at each end; the removable fittings receive spreaders, each of which in turn receive a bayonet fitting at an end of a vapor recovery tube. An internal collar on an inner portion of the removable fitting and a keeper on the bayonet fitting cooperate to hold the spreader in place. The spreader retains the bayonet fitting on the vapor recovery tube in concentric position at each end of the hose. When the gasoline hose is replaced the vapor tube is removed and the removable fittings are unscrewed; the removable fittings and the vapor tube are then installed in a new section of outer hose and the assembly is re-installed on a gasoline pump.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener or desurger for use in sterile or other high-temperature applications such as food- or pharmaceutical-processing plants has an outer case surrounding a concentric perforated mandrel. Flanges or other connectors provide for attachment to a piping system so that product flows through the mandrel. Enclosing the mandrel is a liner of polytetrafluoroethylene or other fluoropolymer; the liner in turn is enclosed by a resilient sheath which may be integral with the liner. Between the liner and the mandrel is a pressure chamber which fluctuates in volume responsive to surges in line pressure, dampening the amplitude of the surges. Expansion of liner and sheath is limited by pressure within a gas chamber in the region between sheath and case.

Abstract: A dispenser or applicator for dry insecticide includes a container having a removable cover; the cover is attached to a lower end of an elongate handle having a hand grip at its top A partition inside the container is the floor of the insecticide container, with a skirt extending below the partition; insecticide is dispensed through apertures in the container floor. These apertures are normally closed by a spring-biased stopper disk having tapered fingers which protrude through the apertures; the stopper disk is moved to an open position by inertia when the container is struck against the ground, unblocking the apertures and allowing a measure of insecticide to escape before the stopper disk rebounds to its closed position. Walls of the so container housing extend below the apertures to form a skirt which prevents scattering or dispersal of the powder.

Abstract: A releasable honda for lariat ropes has a heel with a throat through which the rope passes, with a tapered throat end forming a cavity for containing a knot in the rope; teeth and/or ridged projections inside the throat retain the rope in position. An axis of the throat is at an angle to a centerline through the heel. Resilient arms extend from the heel at angle to the centerline axis of the heel, and curve toward each other so that the distal ends of the arms almost meet, defining a slit between the arms. Tapered surfaces on the end of each resilient arm cooperate to form a shallow V-shaped indentation on an inner surface of the eye to guide rope into the slit so that a strong pull will force the rope through the slit, releasing the loop; a similar indentation on the outer perimeter of the eye facilitates slipping the rope back into the eye to reform a lasso.

Abstract: An animal monitoring system includes a temperature monitoring unit which is governed by a microcontroller, i.e., an electronic computer, and which is placed inside an animal's body, usually inside the birth canal. An inactive or sleep mode of the monitoring unit reduces battery drain. Periodically the monitoring unit enters an active mode during which a temperature of the surroundings is measured; the analog temperature is converted to digital data, then transmitted as an UHF, low-power radio signal via a self-contained antenna. A base unit receives the signal, displays the received temperature value, compares the received temperature value to a predetermined range of temperature values, and initiates an alarm condition if the received temperature is outside the predetermined range. The alarm condition also results if the animal strays and the signal is lost.

Abstract: On an automatically-steered cotton harvester, a sensor follows a crop row of cotton plants and sends a signal to a computer controller when the crop row changes its position relative to a row unit on the harvester. The computer controller calculates the amount of deviation between the crop row and the center of the row unit, and sends a control signal to a solenoid valve to actuate a hydraulic cylinder, or to a relay to actuate an electric motor, to laterally move the row unit along a tool bar on which it is mounted to more closely align the row unit with the crop row.

Abstract: A protective cover for saddle girths is made of a thickness of scratch-resistant and tear-resistant polyvinyl chloride having a textured surface. The cover is in the form of a sleeve covering the belt portion of the girth to act as a protective pad between the girth and the horse's skin, and is of a closed-cell foam to prevent absorption of water. Toughness of the cover prevents tears and abrasions by spurs, brush, and the like, increasing the longevity of the cover and enhancing its appearance.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation from lightning is detected at a ground station which is part of a cellular network of stations; a computer determines a position of a thunderstorm associated with the lightning, then compiles and stores the storm location data. A user aircraft transmits, via cellular telephone equipment or direct radio link, a request for information together with a user identification number. After validation of the user number weather data is transmitted to the aircraft where a microcomputer processes the weather data to correct for the aircraft's position and heading, then displays storm locations relative to the aircraft. The display may incorporate radar data and satellite photographs of cloud formations. In-flight weather notices are transmitted in addition to the storm location data.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a mixture of oxidizer and fuel to an internal-combustion engine includes a frame supporting oxidizer supply lines and fuel supply lines, the frame being mounted above an intake manifold and below the engine's carburetor. Discharge ports in the oxidizer and fuel supply lines are positioned so that a high-velocity flow of oxidizer entrains and atomizes a stream of fuel from an adjacent fuel-discharge port; each oxidizer port is aimed toward the mouth of a passage in the intake manifold so the stream of mixed oxidizer and fuel is directed into the passage without reducing the level of vacuum in the intake manifold plenum and so that the stream of oxidizer and fuel urges increased amounts of fuel-air mixture from the carburetor into the passage.

Abstract: A self-contained, single-use precautionary infection control kit of supplies and material for first aid treatment of open injuries has protective gloves, supplies for treating and covering a wound, and a closeable bag for containing and disposing of all material used in the treatment. The kit is packaged in a sterile, flexible, crushable package which is sized to be carried in a pocket, and which has a peelable cover with printed instructions.

Abstract: A receiver hitch system for all-terrain sport vehicles includes a rigid mast assembly attaching to a two-point receiver hitch at the rear of the vehicle. A lower receiver hitch is attached to a non-suspended axle of the ATV, and an upper receiver hitch attaches to a suspended frame of the ATV, so that the rear suspension cannot operate, and loads on the mast assembly are borne directly by the axles and wheels. Lifting masts with booms, hunting platforms, and cargo boxes may be supported by the mast assembly.