Abstract: Apparatus to load, transport, and unload cylindrical bales of material generally comprising a frame disposed on a trailer. The end pickup mechanism generally comprises a pair of forks secured to a shaft rotatably secured to the end of the trailer and a second set of arms extending downwardly to the ground at an angle and a set of tines pivotally secured to the end of said arms to allow limited pivotal action relative to the ground. The tines are tapered to permit horizontal pickup of a bale of material which upon rotation of the shaft transmits the bale to the vertical arms which are moved to a horizontal position onto a second set of arms on a second shaft. By rotation of the second shaft the bale is moved to a third set of arms and the bale is moved sequentially along the trailer in this manner. The bales are unloaded by reversing the direction of the shafts.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling a pier hole under the ledge of a building foundation to permit lifting the foundation for relevelling of the building, the apparatus having an adjustable drill support frame to drill downwardly. A transmission and drill bit depending from said drill support frame and a crowd bar adapted to move the drill bit under the foundation once the top of the drill bit is has passed the bottom of the foundation. By moving the drill bit under the foundation this permits a more vertical shaft providing better support for the foundation.

Abstract: A vehicle body protection device having a first pair of arms telescopically disposed within a sleeve and adapted to extend outwardly from the side of a vehicle on the rear portion of the vehicle and a second set of arms telescopically disposed within a sleeve positioned on the forward portion of the vehicle. A flexible band stored in a storage case and retracted therein by a spring is positioned over a roller on each of the first pair of arms and is adapted to be pulled to the second pair of arms and secured in a predetermined length between the arms such that a door from an adjacent vehicle will be slowed and deflected prior to engaging finish of the vehicle. A second embodiment would energize an alarm while deflecting the door if so desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing two ribbed panels of composition board together to form a single panel having two outer flat surfaces. The method comprises positioning panels on opposite sides of a support member and temporarily securing them to same. An adhesive is applied to the edges of the ribs on the panel and the panels secured to the support member are stacked one over the other. One or more alignment members are placed on one of the panels between two of the ribs, another set of panels are coated with adhesive, and placed on top of the panel with the alignment members so that the alignment member is urged between two corresponding ribs of the lower panel of the set on the upper support member such that the alignment member aligns the ribs of the two juxtapositioned panels as the edges of the ribs meet and are glued together.

Abstract: A floating storage facility for storing small boats not greater than a predetermined length. A floor system comprising a network of longitudinal and lateral support members disposed over flotation blocks provides support for the building. A pair of spaced parallel weight supporting beams are disposed centrally over the flotation members on each side of the storage facility. The parallel beams support a plurality of columns which support a pair of parallel spaced crane runway rails disposed along the upper portion of the building. The weight of the building is distributed over the flotation device to provide a central stabilized loading point for the building. The building has a lightweight metal frame cover disposed overwardly with the outer walls.

Abstract: Apparatus to transport cylindrical bales of material, such as hay, comprising a frame disposed on a tandem axle. A plurality of shafts are rotatably disposed between the side members of the frame, each of the shafts having a plurality of fork arms arranged in two separate planes disposed perpendicular to each other on the shaft to form a cradle. Hydraulic cylinders are operably connected to the shafts to rotate the shafts individually such that one set of fork arms are lying in a horizontal plane and the other set is lying in a vertical plane and rotation of the shaft moves the horizontal forks to a vertical plane and the vertical forks to the horizontal plane. The first set of fork arms pick up the round bale from the ground and move it to the second set of fork arms which sequentially moves the round bale to the front of the trailer. The bales are unloaded in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A stepwell cover comprising a deck consisting of first and second deck segments having edges pivotally secured together adjacent a central portion of the deck, and an actuating mechanism arranged to move a first deck segment through an angle of ninety degrees while simultaneously moving the second deck segment through an angle of one hundred eighty degrees relative to the first deck segment for moving the stepwell cover between a first position covering the stepwell and a second position providing access to the stepwell. The first deck segment is pivotally secured to the vehicle and a chain or cable is secured to a sprocket on a shaft secured to the second deck segment for moving the second deck segment relative to the first deck segment.

Abstract: A solar energy collector comprising a circular paraboloid mirror formed from a plurality of flexible reflective film strips stretched over a plurality of concentrically arranged support rings being arranged to position the film in a circular paraboloid. The support rings are supported by a plurality of trusses. The mirror is pivotally secured to a lower support assembly which is rotatably about an azimuth bearing and rotatable for elevation through a pivot point which passes through the mirror. The support rings are adjustable such that light rays striking the film between the support rings is reflected to the focal point of the mirror wherein a solar collector is located. The solar collector comprises a plurality of helically arranged tubes coated with a black composition of plaster of paris and carbon black to maximize collection of heat to the fluid passing through the tubes. The nest of tubes are hermetically sealed to minimize losses from convection.

Abstract: A tube closure for use in a pile or leg connectable to the inside of a pile or leg between the ends of a pile or leg to divide the pile or leg into separate compartments to permit control flooding of each compartment. A locking ring is installed in the inside of the pile or leg to allow engagement of locking dogs with the pile or leg to limit longitudinal movement of the closure system through the pile or leg. The locking dogs are operably connected to a hub which when lifted moves the locking dogs away from the locking ring to disengage the system. An inflatable rubber packer is formed around the closure to seal off the area between the closure and the inner wall of the pile or leg. Once the piling or leg is in location, the rubber packer is deflated and the system is removed by a wire line which lifts a hub secured to the dogs to move the dogs out of engagement with the locking ring before lifting the assembly from its position.

Abstract: Apparatus to clean out a culvert used under a road where an open ditch intersects the road to break up and remove the dirt and debris which has settled within the culvert. The device comprises three equally spaced arms having a recess formed in the central portion thereof to reduce the surface area of the arms and a downwardly extending rudder formed in the central portion thereof to aid in breaking up the center of the bottom portion of the dirt within the culvert. The disc may be removeably attached to the device such that after the dirt is broken up, the disc is used to pull the dirt from the culvert. The device is pulled from the upper portion of the end closest to the direction of travel by a cable attached thereto which is extended through the culvert.

Abstract: Jets of heated gaseous fluid are perpendicularly directed against the surface of a food product, moving relative to said jets, such that the jets impinge against discrete points on said surface, before fluid in the jets is diffused, to wipe away the boundary layer of air and moisture from said discrete points. Heat is thus transferred to the surface of the food product at points upon which the jets impinge thereby increasing the temperature at said points.

Abstract: A gas lift valve for use in a continuous flow operation which has an externally biased bellows which is pressurized internally to open the valve. A noncompressible liquid surrounds the bellows and flows upwardly through a passage about the valve stem into a dome in the valve which is pressurized to a predetermined pressure to resist movement of the bellows and opening of the valve. Fluid passes through a series of labyrinth rings formed on the valve stem adjacent the passage into the dome to dampen valve movement. An O-ring seal on the valve stem below the passage into the dome engages and seals off the passage if excessive pressure expands the bellows to a predetermined point such that the bellows will be protected from rupture by the noncompressible liquid trapped about the bellows. A snubber ring of nonmetallic material is positioned about the lower end of the valve stem to limit lateral movement of the valve ball in the seat.

Abstract: A diaphragm closure support system connectable to the inside of a pipe adjacent a diaphragm closure on the end of the pipe to prevent rupture of the diaphragm closure by hydrostatic pressure when the pipe is submerged in water. A diaphragm closure support ring having slots formed therein is welded to the inside of the lower end of the pipe. A diaphragm support plate, slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the support ring, is positioned to engage the resilient diaphragm closing the end of the pipe. A plurality of T-bolts are pivotally secured to the support plate and positioned to extend into the slots in a support ring. A T-bolt retraction ring is moveably secured to the support plate and positioned to urge the T-bolts into a locked position in the slots in the support ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to recover energy from used or foul air and to return the energy into fresh air to reduce the energy input to a ventilation system. Ventilator apparatus is adapted to maintain fluid flow through a first heat exchanger, positioned in a fresh air passage, and through a second heat exchanger, positioned in an exhaust passage, at a controlled rate to afford maximum or controlled heat transfer efficiency for pre-cooling or pre-heating fresh air drawn into the system. Control apparatus is provided to maintain flow of fluid through the heat exchangers such that the sum of the mass flow of fresh air times the specific heat of the fresh air, plus the mass flow of the exhaust air times the apparent specific heat of exhaust air, is equal to two times the mass flow of fluid times the specific heat of the fluid.

Abstract: A liquid tire sealing and/or tire balancing composition containing an organic volatile amine or amine salt soluble therein, which is effective to impart corrosion resistance to the metallic belts of a belted tire is disclosed. The organic volatile amine or amine salt component is selected from the group consisting of lower alkylamines, lower cycloalkylamines, naphthylamines, morpholines, benzothiazoles, and benzoate, carbonate and nitrite salts thereof. The composition is introduced into the metallic-belted tire cavity, and the volatile amine penetrates through the rubber and lays down a protective coating on the metallic belt without harming the metal to rubber bonding.

Abstract: A wheel mirror calibrating device for checking and aligning mirrors used on motor vehicle wheel alignment equipment. The device comprises a portable unit comprising support and level members to align a rotatable horizontal shaft which supports a truncated triangular mirror support frame. The mirror support frame supports the wheel alignment mirror in the same manner as the rim of the wheel which would be aligned with the equipment. The frame has calibrated adjustment push screws for alignment of the mirror support pads to the zero position. An image is projected onto the mirror and reflected to a projection screen such that as the mirror is rotated the image must remain in the same position or the mirror needs alignment. Each mirror is individually adjustable by three screws on the back thereof for alignment of the mirror.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electricity from a generator driven by the flow of fluid flowing from a fluid producing well. A fluid driven motor is positioned in the pipeline adjacent to or above the well head such that the fluid passes through the motor to turn the motor shaft to drive the generator. By controlling the electrical load connected to the generator, the force required to drive the motor and thereby the pressure reduction across the motor can be controlled. The electricity produced by the generator may be used to heat the fluid in the pipe to prevent freezing of the fluid. The electricity can be utilized to heat the emulsion in an emulsion separator dehydrator for separating gas, water, and oil prior to its introduction into the pipeline. Separate motor may be utilized for gaseous fluid and liquids. Where the well produces both gas and liquid a separator is employed to separate the gas and liquid.

Abstract: An internal hydrostatic bearer for printing presses wherein ends of cylinders of the press are rotatably journaled in hydrostatic bearers in side frames of the press. The bearer comprises a sleeve having an opening extending therethrough which is formed eccentric to the outer circumference of the sleeve. The opening is adapted for circulation of fluid therethrough around the periphery of the end of the cylinder.