Abstract: A paint applying roller apparatus includes a frame having a paint roller shield and a handle with a paint roller rotatably attached to a pair of end portions integral with the shield. When the frame is in an inverted position, both the handle and the shield have portions that allow the frame to rest on a substantially horizontal surface with the paint roller above the shield. The shield has an outer edge that intercepts a vertical plane tangent to the paint roller for catching any dripping paint from the paint roller.

Abstract: A locking device for a tank having a spout and a cap attached to the spout, the device including a main body having a first and second hinging portion. The first and second hinging portions are hingedly connected with each other and have corresponding mating surfaces surrounding a depression whereby when the mating surfaces are in contact the depressions form a cavity. The cavity completely encompasses the cap and a portion of the spout including a split ring that is firmly engaging the spout. The split ring being firmly attached to the spout and within the cavity prevents a thief from pulling up on the main body to frictionally engage and twist the cap off by engaging the inside edge of an inwardly extending flange of the main body while the main body is being rotated. The cavity is also tall enough to prevent a thief from pushing down to frictionally engage the cap with the main body. A lock securely holds the first and second hinging portions in a closed position.

Abstract: A portable cable tester is used to test electrical cables between transformers of an electrical power distribution system. The cable tester has a cylindrical housing with an elongated electrically conductive prod at one end for insertion into a receptacle connected to one conductor of the cable. The second end of the housing has an on/off switch, a second terminal, and an annunciator, which is preferably in the form of spark gap electrodes. The cable tester includes a capacitor (or capacitors) connected between the first and second terminals and charging circuitry for charging the capacitor. In use, the elongated prod is inserted into the receptacle connected to the one conductor, and the second terminal is connected to the other conductor of the cable. The on/off switch is turned on, and charging of the capacitor or capacitors is commenced. When the voltage across the capacitor attains a threshhold value, the annunciator is actuated.

Abstract: A step walker for people with walking disabilities includes a pair of parallel, spaced-apart substantially flat, vertically faced guide railings fixedly positioned above either side of a stairway to lie in parallel relation to the stairway. Each railing is provided with a guide slot extending from top to bottom of the railing. These guide slots are defined by a plurality of ramp sections extending in direction up the stairway from a lower to an upper portion of the railing, and a plurality of ratchet tooth holding sections, one between each ramp section, the ratchet tooth holding sections extending in direction up the stairway from an upper portion to a lower portion of the railing. A walking bar slides in these guide slots to be brought to rest at the bottom end of each holding section so that the step walker user can support his weight on the bar while moving up or down from one step to the next.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of remotely monitoring outputs of Geiger-Mueller tubes including cables for connecting individual Geiger-Mueller tubes to a central monitoring station wherein electronics for sensing the output of each tube is located at the central station rather than juxtaposed with each tube. The electronics are used to trigger individual alarms and a general alarm whenever radiation levels sensed by the Geiger-Mueller tubes pass a predetermined threshold. The apparatus and method are especially useful for monitoring levels of materials in hoppers, or the like, by sensing the impingement of or absence of beams of radiation on Geiger-Mueller tubes.

Abstract: A boring head for use in machining the inner surface of a vertical work piece wall having inner and outer surfaces and a central opening therethrough to produce a flat, plane, discoid surface where a boring machine and a boring bar to which the boring head is to be attached are situated adjacent the outer surface of the vertical work piece wall. The boring bar and work piece are positioned to have the boring bar axis of rotation coincident with the axis of the desired final machined discoid surface. A taper shank extending outwardly from a main body of the boring bar projects through the work piece wall opening to fasten to the boring bar to position the boring head in adjacent relation to the inner surface of the work piece wall. A tool slide extends longitudinally outwardly from the main body radially of the axis of rotation of the boring bar.

Abstract: A two wire current transmitter provides a current signal representative of a parameter measured by a variable reactance sensor which may be located in a hostile environment, remote from the signal conditioning and transmitter electronics through transmission circuitry from the electronics including a separate transformer winding energized by a pair of twisted cables to reduce the capacitive, inductive and resistive effects of long wires. The transformer circuitry provides power to the sensor which provides the signal conditioning and transmitter electronics a signal, representing the parameter measured, which controls the current control, to modify the total current through the same two wires used to carry power to the signal conditioning and transmitter electronics, so that the total current is representative of the measured parameter.

Abstract: A support for supporting a glass panel repair apparatus, including a frame which is removably attached to the glass panel and supports an applicator device for placing a repair liquid material, such as a resin, into a crack or damaged area of the glass panel. The frame is supported on a suction cup and includes a portion which permits repairs to be made adjacent edges and corners of the glass panel without interference from the supporting device.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to digital multimeter instruments for the measurement of physical quantities and, more particularly, to increasing the effective measurement resolution and accuracy thereof. In one form, a multirange digital voltmeter is provided with scales and ranges in a 1-2-5-10 relationship. The voltmeter includes an analog-to-digital converter which is connected through a digital multiplier to a digital display. The multiplier provides multiplication ratios of 1, 2 or 5, depending on the selected scale. The displayed value will change in increments of 1, 2 or 5 units of the least significant displayed digit for a change of one unit of the analog-to-digital converter output, depending on the selected scale and corresponding multiplier setting. This allows the various scales to have at least approximately the same number of digital steps over their full ranges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single actuator blanking and draw pad force control for a drawing press, which includes a unique swivel for the hold down pad comprising a confined elastomeric member which has high axial stiffness, but relatively low rotational or pivoting stiffness about an axis normal to the actuator axis. Further, the pad can be combined with air pressure for holding a sheet of material during the blanking and drawing operations.

Abstract: A modular shelving assembly includes a plurality of identical quadrilateral modules which may be stacked and arranged to form shelving assemblies. Each module has a first base and a second base and first and second side walls which define an open front of trapezoidal shape. The first and second bases are parallel to one another, with the first base being wider than the second base. The shelving assembly also may include trapezoidal shaped shelves which are inserted into the module and slope downward from the back edge to the front edge. Triangular honeycomb inserts may also be inserted into the modules to divide a particular module into a plurality of sections.

Abstract: A wrench with a polygonal cross section includes an integral drive shank portion, a neck portion, and a drive head portion in a coaxial relationship along a central axis. The head portion has curved sides corresponding to the same number of sides as the shank portion with the radius of curvature of the sides being displaced outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the wrench so that each side substantially conforms to a portion of an ellipse whose minor axis lies along the central axis. The surface of the neck portion substantially conforms to an inwardly curved surface of revolution whose axis of revolution lies along the central axis of the wrench.

Abstract: An ice fishing device provides an indication of the presence of a fish on the line. A magnetically actuated switch and a magnet are positioned in close proximity. A metal tab is connected to the fish line and is inserted between the magnet and the magnetically actuated switch. When in its inserted position, the metal tab shields the magnetically actuated switch from the magnetic field produced by the magnet. When sufficient force is applied to the fish line, the metal tab is pulled out of its inserted position. This causes the magnetically actuated switch to change state in response to the magnetic field from the magnet. An audible or visual signal, or both, is provided in response to the change in state of the magnetically actuated switch.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus for the holding and delivery of feed to animals. The apparatus includes a feed hopper with two inwardly sloping walls and a flow diverter at the bottom of the hopper, splitting and diverting the flow of feed to each of two feeding troughs. The flow diverter extends along the entire length of the feed hopper, being formed by the junction of the rear sloping wall of each feeding trough. The two feeding troughs, extending the entire length of the feeder, are on opposite sides to each other and have a horziontal base portion, a sloping upward rear portion and a sloping upward front portion whose edge is bent back forming a safety edge. Each feeding trough has a plurality of agitators that extend horizontally into the feeding trough and vertically into the feed hopper. The animals through their feeding motion move the agitators which in turn loosen feed in the feed hopper. Individually adjustable feed gates above each agitator control the amount of feed flow.

Abstract: A photographic printer has a punch marking system for placing cut and end-of-order marks on the photographic paper. The punch marking mechanism is adjustable to accommodate different widths of print paper. The punch marking mechanism includes guide rods which are positioned transverse to the path of the print paper. First and second carriage assemblies are movable along the guide path defined by the guide rods on opposite sides of the center line of the paper path. A lead screw moves both the first and second carriage assemblies along the guide path in an essentially symmetrical manner about the center line of the paper path. The punches or other marking devices are carried on the first and second carriage assemblies.

Abstract: A current isolator circuit generates an electrically isolated output current which is related to an input current. The current isolator includes a magnetically saturable transformer having a core and first, second, and third windings. The input current flows through the first winding, and the output current flows through the second winding. The third winding is driven by a periodic drive signal, which alternately drives the transformer between first and second magnetically saturated states. When a change in the input current occurs, the magnetizing current in the third winding changes, thereby causing a change in the time required to drive the transformer from the first to the second magnetically saturated state, and an opposite change in the time required to drive the transformer from the second to the first magnetically saturated state. The difference in saturation times is sensed and is used in controlling the magnitude of the output current flowing through the second winding.

Abstract: A loader bucket for a front end loader has an elongated flat digging blade portion and an upwardly extending curved scoop portion. Apparatus for converting such a loader bucket into a pallet loader includes two identical tine harnesses. Each such harness includes a flat tine and a chain attached to the rear of the tine. A jam cleat is integral with the top side of an intermediate portion of the tine, and includes a cleat arm adapted to overlie a leading edge of the flat digging blade portion of the bucket when the upper surface of the tine from the intermediate portion to the rear thereof is in contact with the underside of the flat blade portion. A load binder is connected between the chain and the intermediate portion of the tine when the load binder is in elongated open position. The load binder can be closed to shorten it to firmly clamp the tine to the underside of the flat digging blade portion of the loader bucket while clamping firmly around the scoop portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silo unloader which has a center ring supported through a support framework from a single centrally located cable, and a silo unloader is mounted for rotation relative to the ring. The ring is held from rotation through the use of a torque arm, and the unloader is driven for rotation by the same motor which powers the other standard silo unloader components. A chain encompasses the support ring and the drive sprocket and motor orbits around the ring with the silo unloader, which moves in a circular path for gathering and unloading silage through conventional means. The assembly can be suspended at the top of silos in which it is used.

Abstract: A hot water heater includes inner and outer tanks for holding water. The tanks are interconnected in such a manner that the cold water is received in the outer tank prior to flowing into the inner tank to be heated. Hot water is drawn from the inner tank for use. A heating element is located within the inner tank for heating the water within the inner tank. The cooler water in the outer tank surrounds the inner tank and thermally insulates the water in the inner tank from the outside environment. Any heat losses from the inner tank heat the cooler water in the outer tank, which is ultimately supplied to the inner tank for heating.Temperature sensors are provided within the inner tank and the outer tank, and a third temperature sensor senses ambient temperature of the room air outside of the outer tank. A fan directs ambient room air against the outerwall of the outer tank to provide heating of the water within the outer tank, which is cooler than ambient room temperature.