Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of nutrients and a method using such a composition to stimulate the growth of aerobic bacteria, and particularly bacteria capable of biooxidizing contaminants in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a generally planar ball-impacting surface formed in the recessed part of the instep and/or lateral aspect regions of the shoe. When formed in the instep region, for example, the surface extends across the region between the curvilinear heel and toe end portions of the shoe and includes at least two adjacent discrete sections separately attached to or integrally formed with the outer surface of the instep region of the shoe. The sections are disposed in sliding contact, one with respect to the other, and configured so that when the toe portion of the shoe is flexed upwardly, the sections slide with respect to each other while maintaining the ball-impacting surface in a substantially planar configuration.

Abstract: A boat stabilizer is disclosed for substantially eliminating "porpoising" or up and down movement of the bow portion of a boat as the boat is moving through the water. The stabilizer includes a wedge-shaped member formed on an adjustably mounted trim tab located on the underside of an anti-cavitation plate of an outboard motor. The wedge-shaped member has a downwardly inclined lower surface extending generally laterally from and perpendicularly to a fin-shaped member of the trim tab. Movement of the boat through the water imparts a force against the downwardly inclined surface to effect a generally vertical torque on the boat substantially eliminating porpoising of the boat in a given speed range. The force imparted against the downwardly inclined surface is proportional to the angle of attack of the downwardly inclined surface so that upward displacement of the bow of the boat moving through the water is opposed by a proportionately greater force on the downwardly inclined surface.

Abstract: A stool comprising hub means, seat leg members attached to the hub means and support leg members attached to the hub means. Seat means interconnect the seat leg members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for feeding and securing a fabric tape enclosing a wire to a sheet of fabric, such as a mattress pad, along a predetermined circuitous path. The pad is supported in a generally planar configuration and is movable through a plane under the needle of a sewing head so that the needle traverses the circuitous path on the pad. The tape and enclosed wire are supplied to a guide rotatably mounted on the sewing head for guiding the tape and enclosed wire onto the pad towards the needle from locations circumferentially disposed about a vertical axis of the needle. Provision is made for moving the guide about the sewing head as the pad moves in the circuitous path under the needle so that the tape and enclosed wire move towards the needle generally along the circuitous path.

Abstract: An edging apparatus edges a wood board to achieve a desired rounding effect under a rounding rule of the lumber industry. A positioning apparatus positions and holds two edging saws, and the positions of the saws are initially controlled by an operator who selects initial cut positions. Input data, including board length and thickness parameters and the initial cut positions are generated by input devices and a computer is responsive to the input data for computing the best cut positions of the saws. In making this computation, the computer takes into consideration the rounding rule and, according to predetermined criteria, the computer selects best cut positions that will produce an edged board whose measurement exceeds a whole board foot measurement by a desired fraction of a board foot. Adjustment input may be provided to adjust the size of the desired fraction of the board foot.

Abstract: An oil filter attaches to an internal combustion engine and filters the oil that is circulated through the engine. The filter includes a first can and a second can that may be attached together or separated apart. The first can attaches to the engine, and it has a first inlet and a first outlet for receiving oil from and transmitting oil to the engine. It also has a second inlet and a second outlet for receiving oil from and transmitting oil to the second can. The second can sealably attaches and detaches from the first can and, when attached, the second outlet of the first can is connected to an inlet of the second can, and an outlet of the second can is sealably connected to the second inlet of the first can. Filters are disposed within the two cans and flow directing apparatus is provided to direct the oil from the engine, through the two filters in series and back to the engine.

Abstract: The specification discloses a coin mechanism for dispensing machines including two or more rectangular chutes for receiving and containing a given number of coins. A rectangular gate selectively directs coins into the chutes and a rocker arm is operable to move the gate from a first position directing coins into the first chute to a second position directing coins into the second chute when the coins reach a predetermined height in a first chute. A pawl is adjustably mounted adjacent to the second chute to prevent upward movement of a predetermined number of coins deposited in the second chute. A catch plate pivotally attached to the door of the dispensing machine below the chutes supports the coins therein. The catch plate receives a hook which prevents opening of the door until the coins in the second chute are high enough to engage the pawl. A number of intermediate chutes may be located between the first and second chutes.

Abstract: A self-adjusting propeller device having a control blade and a thrust blade connected together in nondiametrical relation and pivotally mounted on a hub for rotation about a hub axis. In response to a change in load on the device, the control blade pivots in relation to the hub axis at generally constant pitch, and, by virtue of the manner in which the pitch and thrust blades are interconnected and disposed on the hub, the thrust blade pivots at a changing pitch so that the device applies a substantially constant torque. Structure is provided for chaning the pitch of the control blade independently of the load from a remote location during operation of the device. The selection of control blade pitch positions provides for transmission of forces in either axial direction and at selected magnitudes including a neutral or non-force-transmitting mode.

Abstract: An impact force shaping head includes an elongated casing having an interior wall, an open end and a closed end and contains a liquid. A piston is slidingly mounted within the casing and extends longitudinally beyond the open end of the casing. The piston sealingly engages the interior wall of the casing to define a liquid-filled first chamber between the piston and the closed end of the casing. A reservoir contains liquid and a conduit connects the first chamber with the reservoir. A control valve controls the flow of liquid through the conduit. The control valve is operative in response to changes in the pressure of the liquid contained in the first chamber.

Abstract: A clutch and brake apparatus for being mounted in a housing comprises first clutch having an annular shape and second clutch functioning as a brake adjacent the first clutch, the second clutch having an annular shape and being concentrically disposed with the first clutch. A pressure plate is mounted for non-rotating movement toward and away from the first and second clutches for selectively engaging at least one of the first and second clutches and for holding the pressure plate in a rotationally stationary position with respect to the housing and second clutch. Structure is provided for urging the pressure plate toward both the first and second clutches and is operable to engage the first clutch. Roller bearings are interposed between the first clutch and the pressure plate to permit relative movement between the pressure plate and the first clutch.

Abstract: A unitary lightweight, inexpensive, simple telescoping frame is provided for handling and storing an extension cord or similar flexible line in a figure eight configuration. The device eliminates the tangling and twisting associated with the use of such cords and provides convenient, flat, hanging storage and presents the cord so that it can be readily payed out and extended with substantially no resistance or tangling.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for continuous in vivo measurement of blood glucose concentrations in arterial blood. A quantity of glucose oxidase enzyme is confined within at least one elongate double-lumened tube by means of a semi-permeable membrane tubule permeable to permit diffusion of glucose from blood passing through an inner lumen of the tube into an outer lumen in which the enzyme is confined. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of glucose to produce heat. The tube is insulated so that the heat produced by the glucose oxidation is transferred to the blood flowing through the inner lumen. Either micro-thermocouples or solid state temperature sensors are positioned to measure the increase in temperature of the blood to produce a signal that is a function of the glucose concentration in the blood.

Abstract: An air processing apparatus is disclosed having a feed roll pulling yarn from a source and feeding it to an air entangler at a feed rate. The yarn is entangled by a high pressure air stream in the air entangler, and a delivery roll pulls the yarn from the entangler at a delivery rate. The rolls are driven independently and independent controls are provided to independently vary the feed rate and the deliver rate to achieve a desired overfeed or underfeed of the yarn. A display shows the ratio of the feed rate to the delivery rate. A slub making apparatus feeds yarn to the entangler from a second source of yarn and includes a tensioner for tensioning the yarn as it is fed to the air entangler. An actuator selectively releases tension on the yarn from the second source so that it is rapidly overfed and the air entangler produces a slub in the entangled yarn.

Abstract: A charcoal cooker has a cooker bowl and a lid dimensioned to cover the bowl during cooking. Food is supported within the cooker on a support structure such as a rotisserie rod or a grid. A primary grate is disposed within the bowl below the food support structure and is configured to support a charcoal fire and an upper grate is disposed at an elevation within the bowl above the primary grate but below the food support structure. The upper grate is configured to support a charcoal fire and is spaced from the primary grate at a sufficiently small distance so that a charcoal fire on the primary grate will ignite charcoal disposed on the upper grate. In this manner a long lasting charcoal fire may be achieved by starting a fire on the primary grate and placing fresh charcoal on the upper grate for subsequent ignition and burning.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle for training beginning skaters is provided which has a fixed handlebar and seat mounted above a straddlebar extending between the two. The straddlebar is rigidly fixed to front and rear legs which are rigidly mounted to a wide and long base comprising two horizontal transverse base bars having swivelling caster wheels at their outer ends. The rear leg extends downward and considerably to the rear. The vehicle permits a beginning skater to train in a relatively uninhibited manner with support from a fall forward by the handlebars and skate toes and support from a rearward fall by the seat.

Abstract: A dosimeter is provided for collecting and detecting vapors and aerosols of organic compounds. The dosimeter comprises a lightweight, passive device that can be conveniently worn by a person as a badge or placed at a stationary location. The dosimeter includes a sample collector comprising a porous web treated with a chemical for inducing molecular displacement and enhancing phosphorescence. Compounds are collected onto the web by molecular diffusion. The web also serves as the sample medium for detecting the compounds by a room temperature phosphorescence technique.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for feeding cards, and the like, to a sewing surface. Cards are advanced to the sewing surface by a reciprocating delivery mechanism and, as a card moves toward the sewing surface, a folding block moves into the path of the card and folds it. Located adjacent the sewing surface is a gripper that receives the folded card from the delivery mechanism and holds it above the sewing surface. Once the gripper receives the card, the delivery mechanism retracts away from the sewing surface and returns to pick up another card. Activating a sewing operation at the sewing surface causes the gripper to release the card and retract away from the sewing surface. Removal of the card from the sewing surface activates the delivery mechanism which delivers the next card to the sewing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dividing, rounding and panning of doughballs. The apparatus includes a divider and rounder for dividing and rounding four doughballs simultaneously and an infeed gate having a central section and two outer sections for controlling the dispensing of the doughballs from two inner and two outer dough chutes into an apparatus for panning. For smaller doughballs and pans which accommodate four doughballs in a row, the three-section gate is operable to function as a unitary gate to dispense the four doughballs from the chutes at the same time. For larger doughballs and pans which accommodate only two doughballs in a row, the method of the present invention includes the dividing and rounding of four doughballs and the dispensing of the doughballs from the chutes two at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus powered by an electric alternating current source comprising an insulator having the upper end of a spike mounted therein and two wires wrapped about the insulator forming a double helical coil. The two wires have a voltage of about 1000-1500 volts placed across them to electrocute fire ants upon contact. The spike is inserted into the ground thus supporting the apparatus in an upright position.