Abstract: Invalids have difficulty sipping water from pitchers and glasses through ordinary straws because of the effort required to lift water through a straw or tube and the fact that upon cessation of sucking the water in the tube runs back into the pitcher or glass. A flap-type check valve is placed in the lower end of the tube. Little effort is required to open the valve. The weight of the water maintains it closed.

Abstract: A means to attach the back of a push broom to a handle comprises two angular members each having a first flange which is positioned face to face with the corresponding flange of the other member. The second flange of one member is screwed to the top of the broom back; the second flange of the other to the rear edge of the broom back. The face-to-face first flanges are clamped between two plates which have semi-cylindrical proximal ends received in the lower end of a connector tube. The handle is received in the upper end of the tube.

Abstract: A template has a base formed with a hole and a cylinder aligned with the hole and detachably connected to the base. Prior to applying cement and tile, the base is located over an enlarged hole in the counter with the cylinder projecting up. The cylinder maintains a clear hole through the cement and tile through which a faucet fits. If necessary, the cylinder may be detached from the base and removed. A single template may accommodate three cylinders for two faucets plus the spout of a water mixer. Further, a large template may fit into the space of a removed section of the counter and have a large hole for a basin plus one or more cylinders.

Abstract: A solar heat collector panel comprising a flat spiral coil of pipe (preferably plastic) having an inlet at the inside and outlet at the outside, the inlet conduit extending out behind the coil. A plurality of approximately radial ribs is attached behind the coil to support the coil spaced from the surface on which it is installed to create a dead air space, prevent dry rot of the supporting surface, hold the coil level and stiffen the panel. A sheet of plastic material is caused to adhere to the back of the coil by adhesive and vacuum molding. The method of fabricating the panel is described in detail. This invention is an improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,314.

Abstract: Electro-surgical pencils are used with a variety of commercially available machines which produce two different types of electrical impulses--one for cutting, the other for cauterizing. In the system of this invention there is a pencil having an electrode received therein (preferably the electrode being reversible to expose two different working ends) and having a finger-actuated, toggle-type switch in the pencil to selectively connect either of the types of electrical impulses to the electrode. A cord having at least three conductors extends from the switch to an adapter which is a multi-contact plug fitting into a matching socket in the machine or permanently attached to the machine. The end of the cord remote from the pencil is received in the adapter and electrical contact with the conductors is expeditiously established. Preferably, the pencil is used with a cup attached to a surgical drape for convenient deposit between uses.

Abstract: A blow molded or injection molded plastic container has a neck formed with a substantially horizontal flat top, an internal substantially vertical first sealing surface, a groove, a very smooth second sealing surface of less diameter than the first sealing surface and a lower groove and then a vertical stretch which merges into a breast which widens out to the full size of the container, an external first vertical surface, a horizontal inwardly extending soulder, an indented second vertical surface of lesser diameter than the first vertical surface and an external bead, and a third vertical surface at about the level of the vertical stretch. The second sealing surface has an "injection finish" obtained by use of a blow pin in the mold. The cap has upper and lower internal beads (which seat under the shoulder and external bead of the neck) interrupted in a plurality of gaps, permitting stretching of the cap to seat on the neck.

Abstract: A module pump comprises a manifold having intake and outlet connections; a plate to which gears and a "shoe" (which function to define pump chambers for a pair of gears) or, in a pump having three gears two "shoes;" a drive for the gears, which in a preferred embodiment is a magnetic drive; and a barrier between the drive and the plate. Each of the modules is subject to variations in design depending upon end use and hence wide versatility is achieved without great increases in manufacturing cost since only one of the modules need be altered. Use of three gears doubles the capacity of the pump; if three gears are not needed the mounting holes for the third gear may be plugged. A unique bypass is installed in the manifold to permit flow back to the intake when the pressure exceeds an adjustable amount.

Abstract: One of two permanent magnets used to drive pumps and the like is split--i.e., the annular permanent magnet is split into two annular members, one fixed to one of the rotating members, the other freely rotatable independent of the other. The structure provides for recoupling without having to stop the driving magnet when decoupling has occurred. It also provides free travel and/or dynamic damping to alleviate oscillation and sporadic decoupling.The member fixed for rotation is a permanent magnet; the other is preferably a permanent magnet but may also be of a material which is magnetically permeable, in which case damping only is accomplished.

Abstract: A plastic container neck has an inside substantially vertical sealing surface, a top groove, a very smooth second sealing surface of less diameter than the first sealing surface, a lower groove and a vertical stretch. The outside of the neck has a vertical surface, a horizontal, inwardly-extending shoulder, an indented second vertical surface of lesser diameter than the first vertical surface and an external bead, and a third vertical surface. The container has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The second sealing surface has an "injection finish" obtained by use of a blow pin in the mold. The cap has lower internal beads interrupted in a plurality of gaps, permitting stretching of the cap to seat on the neck. Thickenings on the interior of the cap outer skirt paralleling the spiral groove of the skirt from the bottom edge of the skirt to the horizontal groove to facilitate tearing the skirt.

Abstract: A trap has a body having an end formed with a first opening. Rotatably mounted on the end is a closure shaped with a second opening. The closure has an open position with the openings aligned so the animal may enter the body and a closed position with the closure blocking the first opening to prevent escape. The closure is releaseably held in open position by a pin slideably mounted in the end passing through a hole in the closure. Bait in the body is connected by a cord to the pin so that when an animal attempts to carry off the bait the pin is pulled out of the hole and the closure pivots to closed position. A treadle may be mounted inside the body and connected to the cord. When an animal steps on the treadle it pivots to pull the cord away from the end to pull the pin as an alternative way to close the trap. Counterbalancing of the closure and of the treadle make the triggering of the closure very sensitive.

Abstract: A solar heating panel has a rectangular frame to receive a rectangular metal pan which supports a continuous coil of water tubing which is attached thereto by strips of metal attached to the pan. Preferably, the frame is divided into quadrants by rails. Each quadrant is closed off by a pane of glass cushioned and weather-stripped to the frame and rails. Above the glass is a continuous sheet of a synthetic, highly transparent plastic which is attached to the frame by a gasket. Provision is made for thermal expansion of the various components, for drainage, for prevention of leakage of moisture and for insulation. The panel can be incorporated in a household water heating system and also to heat space. The metal pan has a roughened surface (e.g., pebbled, diamond-embossed) and is painted black. This structure increases the area exposed to the sun, eliminates reflection, interrupts flow of cooling air across the surface of the pan, and reduces the effect of expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,802 wherein a raised, preferably integral, strip of resilient material is provided into the exposed edge of which surgical sharps may be inserted. Transverse printed lines divide the raised strip into sharp receiving zones which are consecutively numbered. Needle receiving zones such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,802 may be provided in other areas of a pad, the needle zones being preferably numbered in a separate sequence from the sharp receiving zones. The pad, when it has performed its function may be folded over and held in such position by VELCRO fastener material.

Abstract: An improvement on Patent 3,651,621 has a blower construction using an impeller with backward curved blades for flow stability and high efficiency under varying conditions. The construction also resists the high stresses imposed by high speed and high flow velocities. A muffler for the discharge of the blower is provided.

Abstract: A pair of arms are pivotably affixed at their upper ends to a shaft secured to brackets depending from the underside of a combine header or other agricultural machinery, the arms being disposed at an angle of about 45.degree. with the ground. A roller is secured across the lower ends of the arms, the roller having a width slightly greater than the width of the row of the crop to be harvested. The entire assembly is connected to a plate which may be welded or otherwise secured to the machine ahead of the tires. A compression spring is affixed at its upper end to the plate and at its lower end to a cross-piece secured across the arms at about their midpoint, the spring urging the roller against the ground so that the stubble will be forced substantially flat against the ground as the large tires of the combine pass over it. The considerable damage to such tires which otherwise occurs from stubble wearing the tread is eliminated or reduced.

Abstract: A pipe clamp used to support pipes of the type conveying dangerous materials -- e.g., steam pipes in nuclear installations -- especially where severe strains may be experienced -- e.g., seismic conditions -- is disclosed. The clamp has a yoke beam extending perpendicular to the axis of the pipe which is supported from a stationary support with an optional snubber interposed, the beam having a contact surface which fits against a portion of the pipe and a clevis or other means of attachment opposite the contact surface. The ends of the beam extend outward and have a "neutral" or "datum plane" surface tangent to the midpoint of the portion of the pipe engaged by the contact surface. Stabilizers extend axially of the pipe in either direction from the contact surface. Lugs on the pipe may be received in notches in the beam to prevent the pipe from sliding. A load bar extends around the pipe and is generally U-shaped, the ends of the bar being threaded and fitting through holes in the ends of the beam.

Abstract: The cover for the fixture comprises an opaque base having a cylindrical outer wall formed with a slightly lesser-diameter neck terminating in an outward-extending bead. Fitting on the base is a translucent cover having a truncated conical top and a cylindrical wall of the same diameter as the base. The rim of the cover wall has an inward extending bead and a groove inward of the bead. The beads of cover and base interfit to prevent separation except at one location where the base bead is interrupted and there is a slot in the outer wall for a blade or coin to be inserted to pry the cover off. The cover and base are of impact-resistant, slightly flexible plastic. Within the base is a metal mounting for a ring-type fluorescent lamp and its ballast and starter and also a fitting for mounting the base on a wall or ceiling or on an adapter to fit on a pole.

Abstract: A platform is maintained at a fixed or controlled variable distance below the surface of waters which do not naturally have a substrate suitable for production of marine food; e.g. beyond the continental shelf. Nutrients (e.g. waste biological products) are supplied to the platform, preferably at a controlled rate. The depth of the platform is such that solar energy or other illumination causes the nutrients to reinforce the natural ecosystem, thereby increasing the production of fish which may be harvested as human food.

Abstract: An extensible boom for portable lights has a two-part base. One part of the base is fixed to a trailer or other vehicle and the other part is rotatable with respect thereto about a vertical axis. Hinged to the rotatable part about a horizontal axis is a telescopic multisection boom. A first winch elevates the boom from horizontal to vertical position. A second winch controls a cable system located inside the boom sections to elevate the boom. A manually extensible top boom section may be used to increase the maximum height.