Abstract: A device which mechanically records, accumulates and stores events such as the consumption of water, gas or electricity, and which, on command, transmits the stored information in serial, digitized form. A series of optically coded storage wheels representing respective decimal columns are driven by a water meter or the like and are geared together such that each adjacent pair of wheels rotates in a one to ten ratio. Each wheel includes a set of binary coded discs which may be optically scanned to provide data as to the instantaneous position of the wheel and thus the cumulative total of the usage of water. The scanning operation is performed by a diode and photocell assembly which is serially scanned past the wheels in a manner such that a light beam is interrupted in a pattern conforming with the rotative positions of the storage wheels. The photocell senses the light interruption pattern and transmits a pulsed signal that contains the desired information.

Abstract: A tool for handling integrated circuits to facilitate their installation on and extraction from circuit boards. A pair of spaced apart levers are pivotal about integral hinges in a manner to engage opposite ends of the integrated circuit. Each lever carries a pair of lugs between which the ends of the integrated circuit are gripped. The opposite end of the tool is constructed similarly although with a pair of levers that are closer together in order to handle a smaller integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and article for performing an aneurysm repair is the subject of the present invention. A prosthetic graft is utilized to replace the damaged segment of the blood vessel. The graft is characterized by being movable from a collapsed formation of a diameter less than the diameter of the vessel to an open formation of a diameter approximately equal to that of the vessel. A plurality of radially spaced anchoring pins are located adjacent each end of the graft and provide means for securing the graft to the wall of the healthy vessel, on opposite sides of the aneurysm. Once in place, hemodynamic pressure will assure a continued fluid tight seal between the graft and the healthy vessel wall tissue. The prosthetic graft may be used without the need for major surgery by securing it to a catheter and inserting the catheter at a distal location from the aneurysm. The catheter with the prosthetic graft attached is moved through the vessel, utilizing fluoroscopic and X-ray data, to the area of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A surgical drain is the subject of the present invention. A drain tube is provided with side openings into the tube, "side" being defined relative to the supporting surface. An elongated protective shield is disposed in closely spaced relationship to the openings and extends lengthwise of the tubular member. The protective shield inhibits the entry of loose material which would clog the openings and restrict the flow of fluid. It further inhibits occlusion of the openings by attached impinging tissue or structures. In one embodiment, the protective shield comprises a second tubular member disposed in closely spaced relationship to the first tube member. Openings in the second tubular member face the openings in the first tubular member, the latter serving as a protective shield for the second member. In a second embodiment, the tubular member is disposed in a serpentine configuration with the openings located in concave stretches along the length of the member.

Abstract: An automatic drip coffeemaker includes a removable, top mounted reservoir which delivers water in accurately controlled quantities to a small water tank. From the tank, the water flows through a tube to a heater well in which it is heated to boiling, thereby causing it to overflow the well. The hot water then flows a short distance to a spout located above a basket and spreader assembly through which it passes prior to entering a carafe which is heated by a warming plate. A control circuit serves to control the brewing and heating cycle. The water heating system also finds application for other purposes such as heating liquids for tea or soup.

Abstract: A handle for a golf club is provided with pressure sensitive transducers at locations corresponding to the positions at which a right handed player exerts pressure with his right thumb and with the last three fingers of his left hand. The electrical outputs of the transducers are transmitted to a pen recorder which provides traces from which faults in the player's technique are apparent by a comparison of the traces obtained with corresponding traces produced by an expert golfer.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable device for use in removing plugs of earth from the ground and particularly useful in connection with metal detecting. A hollow cylindrical body open at the top and bottom has sharpened teeth on its lower edge and a blunt upper edge against which the foot may be pressed to drive the body into the ground. A bail is pivotally attached to the body to facilitate its raising from the ground with simultaneous twisting. The bail may be pivoted to a lowered or retracted position wherein it is below the blunt upper edge of the body in order to completely expose the same for receipt of the foot.

Abstract: This invention discloses a load management system for reducing the peak load in an electrical power distribution network. This invention monitors, records and reduces the peak load present in an electrical distribution network by deferring power service from and cycling power service to preselected transformer loads during periods of peak power demand. The peak load control function of the present invention is controlled by a power monitor which is located at the distribution transformer. The power monitor measures the ambient temperature and the power load on an associated distribution transformer and initiates the peak load control function whenever the product of the temperature factor and the measured load rises above a preset control point. Initiation of the peak load control function completely defers power service from a first group of low priority loads and activates a timing and switching mechanism which cycles power service among selected groups of controlled loads in a preselected order.

Abstract: A hitch bar pivotally attached to a clevis connection of a towed vehicle mates with a hollow hitch body resiliently mounted to a towing vehicle. The hitch bar has a pivotal support leg which maintains it at the proper elevation and which is automatically pivoted to a raised storage position when the hitch components are coupled together. As the hitch body receives the bar during the coupling process, a spring loaded latch block enters a notch in the bar to secure the hitch components together. The latch is maintained in the hitching position by a rigid locking pin.

Abstract: Apparatus for pumping a flowable material from a tank disposed on an engine-powered vehicle is the subject of the present invention. The invention is particularly adapted for use with a multiple compartment tank on a petroleum delivery truck. An air pump, which may be the air pump for operating the air brakes of the vehicle, is powered by the vehicle engine and pumps air into a surge tank where the air is held under pressure. A conduit leads from the surge tank to a manifold that is coupled with each of the compartments of the material storage tank. Each of the compartments is coupled with the common manifold through appropriate spur conduits. Appropriate pressure regulator means maintains the pressure on the surge tank and valve means is operable to pass the air under pressure from the surge tank to one or more of the compartments thereby pumping the material from the storage tank.

Abstract: A battery charging mechanism which is driven by a coil spring. A gear train driven by the spring includes a wheel having peripheral teeth. A control lever is reciprocated pivotally by a small spring to engage the teeth of the wheel in a manner to control its rotation. The wheel in turn applies impulses which help to keep the lever in motion. Links connected with the lever turn gears which drive alternators in order to deliver charging current to the battery. An electric motor acts to automatically wind up the drive spring when it has uncoiled below a preselected tension level.

Abstract: A rain activated control system which shuts off an irrigation pump when a predetermined amount of rainfall occurs. A receptacle for catching rain is mounted in a manner to provide adjustment of the distance between its bottom and a pair of electrodes which extend into the receptacle. When rain is collected in the receptacle in sufficient quantity to immerse the electrodes, a control circuit is completed to operate a relay. The energized relay then activates the shut down system of the engine or motor which drives the irrigation pump. Ater a time delay sufficient to assure complete shut down of the pump, a timing circuit causes deenergization of the relay and closes a reset circuit. When the irrigation pump is to be restarted, the rain receptacle is emptied and a reset switch is opened to reset the control circuitry.

Abstract: A dust bag for applying powder insecticide to animals includes an outer mesh bag, an inner mesh bag, a waterproof lining between the two bags, and a double bag cartridge for containing the insecticide. The inner bag is placed inside of the outer bag with a dust chamber presented between the bottom ends of the bags to receive powder passing through the inner bag. The inner bag is characterized by a closer mesh weave than the outer bag, and the two woven bags cooperate with the waterproof lining to prevent rainwater from contaminating the powder while metering the flow of the insecticide to the animals. The cartridge is supported on the bottom of the inner bag and comprises a double bag arrangement with offset holes in the two bags for preventing water entry. The invention also contemplates a novel closure structure for a bag wherein a U-shaped hanger is coupled with a flap which closes an opening in the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for smoking foods. An enclosure is presented which is characterized by an absence of any ventilating means. The enclosure is substantially air tight. Hickory or other exotic wood blocks or chips are used as the source of smoke and an electric heating element raises the temperature in the enclosure to approximately 200.degree.-300.degree. F. This activates the wood and produces the desired smoke. The increase in temperature also produces an increase in pressure within the enclosure which in turn causes a pressure differential between the inside and the outside of any food being processed. This forces smoke and wood resins to permeate the meat and enhance the food with the desired smoke flavor. The enclosure in which the food is smoked is also of unique design in that the back wall is presented in three planes so as to avoid forming any right angles with any other sidewalls.

Abstract: A device which controls the discharge of liquid from an elevated spray head according to the wind conditions. A wind sensor is mounted near the end of an irrigation boom or other elevated pipe. An end spray head for the boom is controlled by a motor driven valve. When the sensor detects wind along the boom above a selected velocity, a circuit is activated to operate the valve motor in a manner to turn the spray head off or on, depending on the wind direction. The circuit includes time delay relays which disregard sudden gusts of wind.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a resiliently compressible material from an air stream is the subject of the present invention. By utilizing a screw conveyor within a cyclone separator, the material is first separated and then removed. As a result of compaction, removal from the separator is facilitated and subsequent handling is made practical as a result of the increased density. The screw conveyor is provided with flights of increasing size to conform generally to the configuration of the cyclone separator. Baffle plates on the cyclone itself tend to scrape the material off the screw conveyor. The invention also contemplates passing the compacted material through an air lock and into a pneumatic conveying path. To this end, a multiple compartment air lock wheel is placed with its axis perpendicular to the axis of the screw conveyor for receiving material from the latter. Another feature of the invention is the use of novel screening means within the separator to filter the separated air stream.

Abstract: A protective device for an injured portion of the body is the subject of the present invention. An adhesive strip is provided with a pocket into which is placed a dry plaster material that may be activated upon submersion in water to present a hardenable material which may be conformed to the configuration of an injured portion of the body. The dry plaster material is in the form of one or more plaster splints comprising a loosely woven gauze cloth impregnated with the dry plaster ingredients. A sterile gauze pad covers the dry plaster material so as to preclude direct contact between the plaster and the injured portion of the body.

Abstract: A device and method for applying mastic material to the weld bead area of longitudinally welded pipe is the subject of this application. An extruder is mounted on a framework and receives mastic material in rope form from a bulk spool positioned above the extruder. The extruder incorporates heating elements to raise the temperature of the mastic. The extruder is provided with dual orifices for depositing a layer of the mastic material on either side of the weld bead of the pipe. A doctor blade is mounted to move along the pipe extending from the weld bead to a point on the pipe surface to smooth the mastic material which has been deposited. The doctor blade smooths the material evenly and causes it to form a bridge between the apex of the weld bead and a point on the pipe surface adjacent the base of the weld bead.

Abstract: A tool which is used to remove lids that are sealed on large plastic shipping containers. The tool includes an elongate handle and an integral head portion from which a pair of spaced apart pegs project. The container wall is provided with a pair of security rings between which one of the pegs is received. The other peg fits between the upper security ring and a locking flange formed on the periphery of the lid. When the tool is rotated, the first peg bears against the lower security ring and serves as a fulcrum about which the other peg swings in a manner to pry the lid upwardly off of the container.

Abstract: Prior to initiating cleaning of the filter assemblies with high pressure air, process gas flow is restricted, as with a flow control valve, to establish a pressure drop across the baghouse in the range 1/4 to 1/2 inches water gauge.