Abstract: A gas producing and handling system is provided comprising a rigid reservoir enclosure containing a continuous and variable supply of gaseous fuels and a suitable engine capable of utilizing the total amount of fuel provided by the gas supply for producing electrical energy. The gas supply comprises an anaerobic digester adapted to receive organic waste and which is in gaseous flow communication with the engine. The engine has a supply regulated throttle responsive to gaseous pressure in the anaerobic digester. Upon the increased production of gas such that the gaseous pressure in the digester increases, the throttle regulator controls the throttle setting of the engine to increase the output of the engine to fully use the gas supplied by the digester, thereby eliminating the need for auxiliary gas storage devices.

Abstract: A submersible vehicular lamp assembly comprises a base plate, an elastomeric lens base and a lens body. A lip member extends from lens body side walls and is snugly received within a groove formed in a surface of the elastomeric lens base to form a sealed, watertight inner cavity. A light bulb is resiliently mounted in the inner cavity to dampen the bulb from road induced vibrations, shocks and the like. Associated wiring for the lamp assembly passes through apertures in the lens base which are smaller than the thickness of the individual wires to prevent entry of water, dust, and other damaging elements.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided which is adapted for use on a receptacle transporting vehicle having a receptacle supporting scull frame swingable from a receptacle transport position to a dumping position for discharging molten contents of the receptacle. Included in the assembly is an insulated lid member for opening and closing the receptacle, the closure position retarding heat loss from the molten contents to preclude solidification during transport thereof between spaced locations. A pair of laterally spaced-apart support arms, mounted so as to move concurrently with the swingable scull frame, position the lid member adjacent the top of the receptacle during scull frame movement and especially during transport of the receptacle from one location to another. A pivot assembly rotates the support arms for similar movement of the attached lid between receptacle opening and closure positions, such movement being independent of the scull frame movement.

Abstract: An adjustable bed is particularly adapted for the care of morbidly obese patients and comprises a ground engaging frame with a mattress support including a head section, a center section and a foot section which are hingedly interconnected and have power devices which selectively drive lift arms to raise and lower the head and foot sections relative to the center section. To assist entry and exit of a patient onto and off of the bed, a foldable step arrangement is provided which is connected to the foot section and automatically unfolds as the foot section is tilted downward to form a step and folds compactly as the foot section is raised to a horizontal position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating fluid hydrocarbon fuels. The method includes flowing the fuel through a treater region defined by the apparatus including a cylindrical outer electrode positioned coaxially about an insulated inner electrode. The annular treater region is preferably filled with small dielectric beads of a selected size and having spaces therebetween of a selected size. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the electrodes are connected across the high voltage ignition circuit of a motor, such a motor thereafter consuming the treated fuel, to thereby establish a high intensity electric field within the treater region.

Abstract: A control system for an overpressure relief arrangement includes a valve providing selective communication between a pressure passage connected to a pressure vessel and a pair of relief passages, each relief passage having an overpressure relief device therein; sensors for monitoring the pressure in the pressure passage, the status of the relief devices, and the position of the valve; an actuator to move the valve; and a computer to make decisions concerning the placement of the valve based upon the data derived from the sensors. The valve normally provides communication between the pressure passage and first relief passage preferably having a rupture disc therein. Upon rupture of the disc, the system pressure is monitored until it is safe to switch to the second relief passage without overpressuring the relief device therein.

Abstract: A sprayer boom assembly comprises an elongate spray boom having outwardly foldable wing sections with a center portion pivotally mounted to an upstanding support frame of a transport vehicle for vertical swinging movement as the vehicle traverses uneven terrain. A biasing frame is pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame and the spray boom center section and connected to the spray boom through shock absorbers to dampen shocks and oscillatory movement of the spray boom. The biasing frame is tiltable about the pivot so that the spray boom can be selectively tilted to one side or another while retaining shock absorbing capability in any position. The wing sections include outer and inner wing sections of which the outer wing is automatically foldable against the inner wing through a translational to rotational movement arrangement which is actuated upon folding of the inner wing relative to the center section.

Abstract: A stearoyl lactylate salt composition and method of production thereof wherein the composition has improved handling and storage characteristics. The lactylate salt is thermally mixed with from about 2% to about 30% (by weight) of hydrogenated stearin which has from about 50% to 100% (by weight of fatty acid) C.sub.18 fatty acid and an iodine value of less than 7.

Abstract: A universal auxiliary implement mount for agricultural implements utilizes spaced, parallel, triangular plate members for attachment and selective positioning on respective tool bars of different main implements. A draw tongue is pivotally attached to one pair of a pair of mounting apertures extending through central portions of the triangular plate members. A biasing rod has one end which is pivotally attached to the draw tongue and extends in an upward angle with the other end thereof received in an apex portion of the triangular plate members. The biasing rod has a spring therewith which selectively exerts downward pressure on the draw tongue while allowing vertical movement over rough ground surfaces.

Abstract: A removable gooseneck for detachably connecting a tractor and trailer utilizes an elongate beam member attached to the hitch of the tractor and having an upstanding frame member depending from a rear end of the beam member. A foot is pivotally mounted at a lower end of the upstanding frame member for engagement with a front end portion of the trailer. A guide pin and link arrangement detachably connects the foot at a front end to the trailer and a locking pin and bushing arrangement detachably connects the rear end of the foot to the trailer at a location spaced from the guide pin and link arrangement. A power fluid ram extends between an upper portion of the upstanding frame member and the foot to selectively cause the foot member to swing upwardly and tilt the trailer downwardly for detachment of the gooseneck from the trailer and swing the foot downwardly to tilt the trailer upwardly for drafting.

Abstract: A light emitting mounting bracket is provided for a handrail arrangement. The bracket comprises a body portion which supports the handrail on an associated wall and which has a cavity therein which contains a light emitting source and provides access to associated wall fasteners. A translucent lens is wedgedly and flushly mounted on the bracket so as to give the appearance of being molded therewith, thereby presenting a clean profile.

Abstract: A damper assembly is provided which comprises a duct having an opening and a blade movable between a closed position in covering relation to a portion of the opening and an open position. A fusible retainer holds the blade in its open position and releases the blade when the retainer is sufficiently heated. When released, the blade is urged to its closed position by a hinge member which connects the blade to the duct. The blade in its closed position cooperates with the hinge member to substantially prevent flow of fluid through the opening.

Abstract: An arrangement for selectively applying driving power to a group of conveyor rollers in a conveyor having a longitudinally extending power or drive shaft including a pair of sheaves or pulleys connected to opposite members of a clutch. One of the sheaves is a drive sheave and is coupled by an endless power-take-off belt to the drive shaft. The other sheave is a driven sheave and is engaged with an endless roller drive belt which drivingly engages selected rollers, such as the rollers of an accumulation zone of an accumulation conveyor. A switching device, such as a signal roller positioned in another accumulation zone, is operatively connected to the clutch to cause actuation or deactuation thereof to thereby selectively transfer rotary power from the drive shaft through the sheaves and roller drive belt to the selected rollers.

Abstract: A self supporting frame for exercising comprises a pair of spaced standards each having an upper and a lower end. Each standard has a respective base attached to a lower end thereof for engaging a floor surface and supporting the frame in an upright position. Each standard also has secured thereto a lower rod respectively. The rods extend outwardly in generally opposed directions and cantilever from a respective standard lower end. The frame is weighted with a pair of plates each having an aperture therethrough for slidably receiving one of the rods, the plates thereby being supported by and connected to a lower end of the standards. A bar extends between and is attached at opposed ends thereof to upper ends of each standard, the frame thereby being liftable by a person grasping the bar.

Abstract: An automatically oscillating device is provided for permitting opposing alternate movement by two associated movable members from a common center point.

Abstract: A method of straightening and reinforcing a structural member having first and second block members, each of the block members having a passage therethrough aligned with the passage of the other block member and each of the first and second block members having an inner wall displaying a face comprising a part of a surface of the structural member. The method includes the steps of exerting a force against the structural member surface whereby the structural member is moved into a straightened position, removing a section of the inner wall of one of said block members whereby an opening is formed from the structural member surface into the passage of the one block member, placing a reinforcing member in each of the block member passages, connecting the reinforcing members and securing the reinforcing members to the block members by placing grout material within the passages of the first and second block members.

Abstract: A one piece molded closure cap for a material dispensing container having a material dispensing valve and nozzle such as an aerosol can. The cap comprises a ring member securely mounted to the can, a closure member hingedly connected to the ring member and a tamper guard which is positioned over the dispensing nozzle and is connected to the ring member by frangible fingers. The tamper guard prevents manipulation of the dispensing valve prior to the removal thereof. In another embodiment, the ring member and closure member are molded with a nozzle which is connected to the ring member by frangible means such that the nozzle functions as a tamper guard. In another embodiment a latch is provided which has two operable positions with one position allowing the closure lid to be opened easier than by the other position.

Abstract: A self feeder for livestock is provided which comprises a base member having a surface for receiving feed thereon and a hopper positioned thereabove. The hopper is adapted for containing feed therein and has a bottom with an aperture for allowing feed to flow therethrough and into said base member receptacle. A plurality of hopper support members are each connected respectively to the base member and the hopper and are also adapted for separating feeding animals. A feed wheel rotatably mounted in the receptacle includes an upright member rotatably mounted in the receptacle. The upright member extends through the hopper bottom aperture with upper and lower portions respectively above and below the level of the hopper bottom. An agitating rod extends from the upright member upper portion for agitating feed within the hopper as the feed wheel is rotated. The feed wheel lower portion includes a spoke extending from the upright member which is movable by an animal to rotate the feed wheel.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus includes a base member of rectangular form with front, rear and opposite side margins and an upper surface with a compass rose plate for affixing a drawing sheet thereon and pivotally mounted to the base member upper surface. A carriage frame is positioned generally on the upper surface of the base member and has spaced guide members slidably mounted to the base member side margins and interconnected by a crossbar for coordinated translatory movement. A parallel rule structure is supported by the carriage frame and has first and second drawing bars and first and second links forming an expansible and contractible parallelogram generally positioned atop the compass rose plate. The links are respectively mounted to the spaced guide members of the carriage frame for sliding movement therewith over the compass rose plate and for positioning the parallelogram rule structure at selected locations thereon.

Abstract: A solar collector panel is provided which has a pair of integral hook portions disposed along the longitudinal edges of the panel for corresponding contact with each pipe of a pair of adjacent solar collector pipes of a normal side-by-side solar collector pipe array. Adjacent hook members of adjacent panels cooperate to generally encompass, in a heat transfer relationship, a common pipe of successive adjacent pairs of pipes. Spring-biased fasteners attach the end panels to the main frame of the solar collector unit with the spring bias transmitted across the plurality of adjacent panels so as to introduce balancing forces to the cooperating hook members for clenching the common pipe therebetween as well as providing a solar collector panel/pipe array suspended from the main frame.