Abstract: An improved digging iron for probing for buried high tension lines has for safety an insulative, non-wettable shaft of glaze-finish fibreglass which may additionally have a silicone rubber dielectric coating on it. The shaft has shouldered ends fitting sockets of the chisel shaped digging end and of a circular-section top section with the shoulders abutting the sockets and the ends bottoming in the sockets for support; the top section acts to reinforce the shaft for driving or as an integral hammer mass and serves as a balance for the digging end.

Abstract: A reciprocating thermal actuator system with hydraulic coupling to hydraulic motion output such as a motor is powered through cooling or alternatively heating of a thermally expansible liquid contained within respective chambers of ring shaped cross section, the heating and cooling provisions being integral with the unit and adaptable for either natural or artificial heating and cooling; details of a thermal switch in two embodiments, and of an electrical system synchronizing the heating are disclosed.

Abstract: A hot-water safety valve for preventing scalding of children and invalids when cold water supply to a mixing valve for a shower is interrupted, includes a thermostatic cup freely resting on a perforate transverse platform in a supply pipe upstream from a shower nozzle when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined amount the thermostatic cup expands to constrict flow but always leaves a drip to permit flow of cooler water to be sensed and reset or re-open the valve for flow restoration.

Abstract: A bow-and-arrow accessory of the type stabilizing a bow when attached thereto has a detachable portion for removal of embedded arrow points, that includes a straight rod with a set-screw equipped weight. The weight is slidable on the straight rod for adjustably varying the moment arm of the weight when the rod is attached to a bow. The weight is also slidable as a hammer against an anvil on a first end of the rod for axially with-drawing an embedded arrow point when the second end of the rod is attached to an embedded arrow point. The hammer action results in axial withdrawal and so eliminates dangers of damaging arrow points by wrenching, rocking or prying, and lowers risk of slipping and straining injury to the person removing an embedded arrow point.

Abstract: Improved blank-stripping apparatus for rotary die cutters of the type which have a die cutting roll, and an anvil roll for supporting paperboard blanks against a cutting rule on the die cutting roll, includes a rotary-cam-timed valve system pressure-actuating one or more pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies within or adjacent the cutting rule for ejecting scrap radially from the cutting rule in synchronism with rotation of the die cutting roll; after scrap ejection the valve system vents pressure so that contact with a succeeding paperboard blank and/or spring bias easily retracts the plunger to position for pneumatic actuation in the succeeding cycle of operation.

Abstract: A curtain-wall masonry veneer anchor system provides tolerances for accommodating installation misalignment and similarly for accommodating in-service load stresses while at the same time preventing loosening in service, even when installed through sheathing/or insulation covering wall structure to which the system is affixed, such as a masonry wall or metal stud or structural steel.

Abstract: A vehicle within a ball self-maneuvers to escape obstacles with which confronted, without need for special sensors or programmed response; the vehicle has four wheels, two in front and two behind, but the wheels are of two different tread widths, wider tread widths being one in front and, for example, one diagonally from it at the rear, and similarly narrower tread widths being supplied on the remaining two wheels; relation of the wheel spacing and ball inner diameter prevents more than three wheels from touching the ball at any one time; this, combined with tumbling causing the vehicle to operate upside down at times and initiated by stoppage of the ball at an obstacle, turns the vehicle as it oscillates within the ball and redirects the ball, freeing it from the obstacle.

Abstract: A manually operated system for dividing a stack of paper sheets successively into equal batches includes a bladed hub slidably and rotatably supported on a base by an upright shaft in position for the blades, which are somewhat sharp and are successively stepped in relation like steps in a spiral staircase, to engage and partially separate successive batches upon rotation of the bladed hub; in preferred embodiment each blade has an upright structure adjacent the outer end for thrusting against and offsetting each batch engaged, for easier manual pick-up of the batch.

Abstract: A mitre box system for cutting 90.degree. wall intersection compound angles on interior molding and similar trim without need to know the angle to be cut either before or after cutting, includes a base with upright slotted sides therealong and a rising bed pivotal upward about an end of the mitre box from a position parallel with the base to a position indicated by a linear scale on the end of the mitre box as being equal to a measured linear distance from the end of a level of length equal to the rising bed to a ceiling, one end of the level being for the measurement at the corner requiring the compound angle; each end of the mitre box has similar provisions and the base extends out at either end for clamping.

Abstract: A laser beam expander provides usable optical performance from 1800A to 12,000A and nearly diffraction-limited optical performance over a spectral range of 2400A to 11,000A without focus adjustment, and with a beam expansion ratio of 20 to 1. Four air-spaced all-spherical-surface lenses are arranged in two pairs in Galilean telescope type series. The first three lenses are biconcave and of fused silica and the fourth lens is biconvex and of calcium fluoride. Working and mounting tolerances are conventional.

Abstract: An improved guide for cutting-off and/or bevelling pipe with a torch using a ring-shaped member with circular guide-surfaces fixed around the pipe, includes the ring-shaped member circumference forming axially spaced first and second rim-and-ledge tracks engaged respectively by wheels of frame-mounted outer bogies; inner bogies positioned for running on the inner surface of the ring mount to the outer bogies resiliently to accommodate irregularities in the tracks; the frame has first and second ends for holding torch-carrying depth-adjustment mechanisms with the torch respectively at 37 degrees to the axis of the work and at 90 degrees to the axis of the work, as selected; provisions permitting rotation of the torch about the flame axis and quick attachment-detachment of the torch are disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement in lacrosse equipment reduces scooping friction with the ground and wear on the lower strung portion at the hook of a lacrosse stick by means of "U"-shaped tubular protectors on respective strings, each with the apex of the "U" acting as a fairlead through the frame, and, with the protector stabilized by abutment of the respective arms of the "U" against the forward knots of netting at the throw strings, and by broadening of the protector at the "U"-shaped bend, jamming it in the holes and causing the lower runs to extend resiliently down from the holes as respective skids easing wear on the transverse portion of the lacrosse stick and the thongs at the playing surface when scooping up a lacrosse ball.

Abstract: A unitary plastic holder for steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads has a first jaw with a rounded front end with a conforming first rigid hood on top which is open at the rear, for protecting a user's fingers from embedment of fragments, impacts, and other injury; similarly at a trailing location a rounded front end on a second jaw has beneath it a conforming second rigid hood for protecting a user's thumb; resiliently connecting and aligning the jaws and biasing them in-plane is a first straight arm portion leading back on one side from the first hood and then returning forwardly and centrally to the second hood, and filling the space between the first straight arm portion and a second straight arm portion; a steel wool pad is resiliently grasped between the double width portion and the straight arm portions; a cusp-shaped opening at the rear may be used for further securance of the steel wool pad.

Abstract: An improved landing net of the type having a handle supporting a frame having an opening at the end of the frame away from the handle and a "U"-shaped member pivotally secured by the ends of the "U"-shaped member to the frame at the opening for providing a slotted support for a net secured to the frame and "U"-shaped member, provides a position lock for one or both pivoted ends of the "U"-shaped member, converting it from a floppy, still-water landing net to a versatile landing net usable in high current flow situations for netting large fish head-first with fishing boat underway, for example, or for netting tail-first, if desired, and without sacrifice of folding compactly to a carriage position, from which position the invention is instantly deployable by a snap of the wrists.

Abstract: An internal combustion power plant system provides a rotary engine and a rotary fuel/air mixture compressor for the rotary engine on a common driveshaft, coaxially mounting each end and supported between them by a gearbox which synchronizes operation of various ignition and valve and abutment components of the system; compressed fuel/air mixture is supplied to and ignited in a valve-isolated manifold chamber in the rotary engine in successive charges following which each ignited charge is valved radially into one of plural expanding chambers defined by the rotary engine rotor and abutment mechanism, where it urges rotation of the rotor and then exhausts radially; in preferred embodiment the exhaust actuates a parallel fuel-feed which booster pumps fuel/air mixture into the manifold chamber; detail improvements disclosed include designs of runners, abutments, valving and rotary compressor mechanism.

Abstract: An article of footwear for walking on sheet ice and the like without slipping has self-deicing non-skid sole structure comprising a conventional flexible sole with a flexible aluminum flyscreen substantially loose covering over it, secured around the periphery of the sole; for preventing slipping on hard, smooth tile floors and the like are two other features, either or both of which may be provided: soft "Silicone" type rubber pads adhering to and flexing with selected portions of the flexible aluminum flyscreen loose covering for traction on such hard surfaces and also an all around downward projection of a soft trim strip of "Silicone" type rubber for the same purpose.

Abstract: A flame-out-resistant portable torch for igniting gas-air blasts in industrial gas furnaces includes an inner pipe for receiving gas at one end, with the opposite end closed and a gas-expulsion slot along one side, surrounded in coaxial spacing by an outer pipe with an air-induction side slot 180.degree. from the slot in the inner pipe, the outer pipe has air-induction butt end opening, vents around portions of it near the slots, and a flame expulsion end with anti-back-pressure structure, and the coaxial space between the inner and outer pipes has special baffles along it for gas-air mixing for better flame-retention.