Abstract: An article has a sheet of material dimensioned to cover the opening to the cargo area of a vehicle. The sheet is adapted for releasable engagement about the periphery of the cargo opening. The sheet is made of screen or other mesh-like material. Various fasteners, such as a zipper, velcro, adhesive, snaps, clasps, and the like. In one embodiment, an elastomeric cord looped through the outer periphery of the sheet is adapted to stretch into place about a rubber gasket located about the periphery of the cargo opening. In a similar embodiment, an elastic band is used in such a manner. In another embodiment, a draw string is provided at the periphery of the sheet for drawing the sheet tightly about the rubber gasket on the vehicle. Preferably, a wide band of stretchable material, such as elastic or Spandex.RTM. is positioned between the mesh sheet and the outer periphery to permit the article, when in place, to yield to certain forces without becoming unattached from the vehicle.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit is provided with a high capacity filtration system for removing pollutants from supply air, typically return air which has been recirculated from the conditioned area. A filter bypass passage and suitable flow control devices are provided so that supply air, typically fresh outdoor air, may be routed around the filtration system when minimal or no filtration is required. An air quality detector samples the air quality and positions the flow control devices to effect the most cost efficient operation of the air handling unit under the given operating conditions.

Abstract: An aeration/mixing system for applying air or another gas to wastewater or another liquid. A main air supply pipe receives air from a blower and directs the air to a plurality of aeration modules each including a submerged conduit and a plurality of diffusers on the conduit. Flexible hoses connect the main pipe with the conduit of each module. In one form of the invention, a flexible line connected with each module has a sliding connection with a ballast block and may be pulled tautly and secured at the surface to hold the module down in the basin. Retrieval of the module for maintenance requires only that the line be released so that the buoyancy of the module floats it upwardly. A modified embodiment includes an inflatable bladder on each module which can be inflated to cause the module to float upwardly for retrieval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustic analysis of binary gas mixtures. A binary gas sample is drawn into a first chamber. A known reference gas is drawn into a second chamber. Acoustic energy is simultaneously transmitted through the respective chambers. Arrival of the first acoustic wave at the receiver of the reference chamber starts a counter that isolates a selected received pulse. The time between receipt of that selected reference pulse and the very next sample pulse is monitored and is transferred to a short term memory and then returned to its initial zero condition. After a quiescent time delay, the sequence is repeated. The resulting signal may be output as data and/or activate alarms if the output does not remain between predetermined upper and lower thresholds, thereby indicating an undesirable binary gas mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used to increase the stiffness characteristic of soil to improve its ability to support a structures and to provide a tie-back anchoring force. The apparatus includes an anchor having helixes thereon is rotated into the ground. The helical anchor is hollow and includes multiple perforated holes along its length and about its perimeter. Once, the anchor is drilled into the ground, pressurized grout is injected therein. The grout is forced through the helical anchor and out through the perforated holes. The grout fills any voids along the sides of the anchor and stiffens the surrounding soil. Once the grout hardens, it may be used in a tie-back application or to support new and old construction or the like. The grout surrounding the anchor increases its lateral support and prevents deflection thereof.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit is provided with a high capacity filtration system for removing pollutants from supply air, typically return air which has been recirculated from the conditioned area. A filter bypass passage and suitable flow control devices are provided so that supply air, typically fresh outdoor air, may be routed around the filtration system when minimal or no filtration is required. An air quality detector samples the air quality and positions the flow control devices to effect the most cost efficient operation of the air handling unit under the given operating conditions.

Abstract: A dual function button for keyboards and keypads. The button includes a first contact switch which is activated by a first manual pressure. The first contact switch is preferably formed by a resilient cover having a conductive pellet on its interior face, and a flexible substrate having spaced contacts below the pellet. The first manual pressure causes the pellet to impinge upon the spaced contacts, completing a first circuit. The button also includes a second contact switch which is activated by a second, greater, manual pressure. The second contact switch includes the resilient cover of the first switch, a rigid substrate mounting spaced contacts, and a flexible conductive dome mounted on the rigid substrate below the resilient cover. The second manual pressure will cause the dome to resiliently deform and impinge upon the contacts, closing a second circuit. In this manner two functions may be provided by a single switch. The two functions may advantageously be a dual-speed cursor control.

Abstract: An insulating cover for keg beer. The cover consists of a relatively flexible insulating material which substantially surrounds one or more kegs of beer. In a first embodiment the cover closely conforms to a single keg of beer, and thus has a cylindrical shape. Handles are provided on the exterior of the cover for easier manual transport of the keg and cover combination. The insulative properties are sufficient to maintain a relatively constant cool temperature without the use of ice, although multiple-use sealed freeze packs may be placed within the cover. In a further embodiment the cover is sized to fit upon a pallet and enclose up to four kegs. A side wall and top of the cover is openable to remove one or more of the kegs.

Abstract: A moisture absorbing and frictional grip enhancing composition is provided which combines powdered magnesium or calcium carbonate compound particulates and sawdust particulates in a weight percentage ratio approximating 50%-90% by weight of sawdust particulates to the overall composition of weight. The powdered magnesium or calcium carbonate compound particulates are mixed with the sawdust particulates in a dry state to form the overall moisture absorbing and frictional grip enhancing composition which has a spongy feel to the user and optimizes both moisture absorption and frictional gripping of an implement.

Abstract: A charging electrode assembly for a continous multi-jet ink jet printer includes a substrate plate 1 of electrically insulated material provided with a series of parallel electrodes 5 extending across an edge of the plate and a series of parallel strip leads 6 extending across a face of the plate. The plate is formed with grooves, plated with metal, and then the faces of the plate are ground to leave the electrodes and strip leads in the grooves. Alternatively, the surfaces of the plate are metal plated and then grooves are cut in the edge and face of the plate to leave the electrodes and strip leads between the grooves. An independent feature of the invention recides in the provision of one or more eccentric dowels working in elongate slots in the plate so that rotation of the dowels provides fine adjustment of the plate, and hence of the electrodes relatively to trains of ink droplets.

Abstract: A locking device for air brake valves on vehicles is provided which comprises releasable elements for engaging an air brake valve control knob at the dashboard of the vehicle to prevent the control knob from being pushed inwardly to release the air brakes when the locking device is properly secured in place between the head of the control knob and the dashboard of the vehicle. A first element and a second element are adapted to be coupled together about the shaft of the control knob, and locked together. A portion for engaging the head of the control knob prevents removal of the head from the shaft of the control knob.

Abstract: A saw blade is provided which includes an inner collar separated from an outer collar with a resilient isolated layer. The inner collar fastens to the arbor shaft of a driving motor, while the outer collar is welded to the rim containing hardened particles, such as diamond bits. The inner and outer collars form inner and outer collar flanges which receive the resilient isolating material therebetween. In an alternative embodiment, the inner and outer collars are separated from one another with a plurality of plugs formed of resilient isolating material. The plurality of plugs are formed in a circular pattern about the arbor shaft and are spaced apart from one another. In another embodiment, a vibration dampening coupler is fastened to the arbor shaft and formed separate from the cutting blade. The isolating resilient layer may be formed as a solid layer, as a plurality of O-rings, or with a void therein.