Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting produce such as tomatoes and the like growing on plastic mulch covered beds without damage to the plastic mulch or to the fruits, and a method for such harvesting. A narrow reciprocating cutter is moved along the line of plants a short distance above the surface of the plastic film and maintained at the selected height by an automatic height control. A lifting device lifts pendant plant foliage and fruit clear of the plastic mulch surface and above the cutter. After cutting of the stem, a plant is engaged by a conveyor that carries it to the rear of the apparatus. A reel having flexible paddles urges the plants onto the conveyor. The plastic mulch and associated irrigation tubing is not disturbed and other crops may be planted without replacement of the plastic. The apparatus may be pulled and powered from a high clearance tractor in which instance the plants are redeposited on the bed surface for wilting.

Abstract: A crossarm type support having a vertical post formed from a rectangular tube having a set of internal splines. Spike elements formed from flat steel stock are bolted in the lower end of the posts. A plastic stabilizer block is inserted between the spikes for strengthening the base of the post. The post is installed in the ground by pushing on a horizontal portion of a spike with a heel or by the use of a hammer or the like. A crossarm is provided at the upper end formed from a second rectangular tube having a grooved channel along its lower edge and a slotted channel along its upper edge. The vertical posts and crossarm are mortised to form complementary notches for mounting the crossarm to the post. The post and internal splines interlock with the crossarm and channels to provide internal support and rigidity to the joint. The lower crossarm channel receives hooks for attaching a hanging sign and the upper channel includes a plastic insert for receiving an interchangeable rider sign.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquids from fruit, vegetables, or other similar materials with particular application to dejuicing grapes. The system provides a destemmer for receiving picked grapes and for removing stems and leaves therefrom. The destemmer partially crushes the grapes during the destemming operation producing free run juice in the resulting grape must. The must is transferred to a predrainer screw press which separates and collects the free run juice and a preselected portion of the residual juice by means of a gentle pressing action augmented by centrifugal force. The partially dewatered must is then transferred to one or more final screw presses which apply heavy compression to extract the remainder of usable juice from the predrained must. The predrainer press and final presses have throughput control means to provide a continuous feed of grapes through the system for maximum efficiency of juice extraction.

Abstract: A tool for temporarily coupling to a flat wrench that permits applying torque to the flat wrench in positions or locations which render the flat wrench otherwise inaccessible. In one embodiment of the invention, a flat rectangular metal bar is provided with two studs or headed posts on one side thereof and a socket drive fitting on the other side of the bar for accepting conventional socket wrench extension bars, drive handles and the like. In use, the flat wrench is placed on the nut or bolt and the tool placed over the handle of the wrench so as to permit the headed posts to engage the handle when torque is applied to the bar. A socket wrench extension bar is connected to the socket drive fitting and used in conjunction with a drive handle to produce torque on the flat wrench thereby driving the nut or bolt.

Abstract: A sail and rigging arranged to be easily installed on and removed from a hull in which the sail is a wing-like element having a high aspect ratio, and the rigging includes a supporting structure for holding the sail in the position that will provide the maximum propulsive force from an incident wind for the desired point of sailing. The rigging also provides controls for adjusting the angle of attack of the sail with respect to the relative wind; controls for adjusting the angle of the sail with respect to the horizon; and controls for varying the camber of the wing-like sail over local areas of the sail. The controls are operable in combination to produce high forward thrust, a lifting force, and minimum drag from the incident winds which may vary from very light through very heavy, and for all points of sailing.

Abstract: A table for supporting a slide projector, motion picture projector or the like that can be quickly, easily, and accurately adjusted to place the height of the projected image at a desired height on the viewing screen. The table comprises a top, a rear leg assembly and a front leg assembly pivotally attached to the top, pivotally connected link braces linking the rear and front leg assemblies, and means for locking the legs in a selected angular relationship with the top. When the locking means is released, the leg assemblies can be pivoted causing the table top to move from a level position in which the front edge of the top is tilted upward to any desired degree and the locking device reengaged. The table can also be collapsed or folded and locked in such position for storing. An improved implementation of the table provides a simple vernier adjustment for the tilt of the table top.

Abstract: A device for providing means enabling a user to rewind a partially-exposed film strip packaged in a film cassette, to then remove the cassette from the camera, and thereafter to reinsert the film into the camera with the assurance of correct registration of the previously-exposed frames with the shutter opening and with the camera frame counter. This invention also pertains to the method of modifying the film strip to form the device. One embodiment of the device is a small, rectangular laminated tab having a body of flexible plastic material formed into a compressible hook at one end, which tab is installed near the tongue end of the film either by the user or by the film manufacturer. The bottom lamination of the tab is of self-adhesive material for adhering the tab to the tongue end of a film strip and the top lamination is a decalcomania having film index marks and a set of numerals at least equal to the number of exposure frames of the film printed thereon, the numerals being of a rub-off nature.

Abstract: A manual positive locking device for doors of refrigerators, freezers and the like that do not have positive door locks such as typically used in motor homes, the locking device having an integral switch connected to an electrical alarm and adapted to be connected to the electrical system of the vehicle such that attempting to start the vehicle with the locking device in the unlocked condition will alert the operator of the unsecured condition. A rotatable T-shaped handle is provided that can be turned to a position that holds refrigerator doors in a tightly closed condition and in such position opens the contacts of the integral switch. The handle can be turned to a position clear of the doors and in such position closes the contacts of the integral switch and thus enables the alarm circuit for initiation when the vehicle ignition switch is turned on.

Abstract: A surgical suction tube for removing surgical debris from within a sterile surgical operative field that is highly resistant to clogging. A tapering transparent plastic tube forms a suction tip having a plurality of apertures at its small end and a tapered opening at its large end and is inserted in the surgical wound to be cleaned. A turbulence chamber having a generally circular transverse cross section, a bulbous central portion tapering to two smaller ends has one end inserted into the large tapered end of the suction tip and the other end connected to flexible plastic tubing that leads from the sterile field to a source of suction and debris-collecting elements. The suction appearing at the suction tip apertures draws debris into the turbulence chamber in which the air turbulence generated therein maintains particulate matter in the debris in a loose state, preventing frequent clogging.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for absorbing and dissipating the electrical energy present in voltage transients and surges occurring in a power distribution system for protecting the system and equipment connected thereto from damage due to such transients and surges. First bilateral nonlinear semiconductors having zener-type voltage breakdown characteristics and capability of essentially instantaneous breakdown for inputs exceeding a selected voltage breakdown are connected in parallel with the circuits to be protected. Such semiconductors have low energy-dissipating capability; therefore, second bilateral nonlinear semiconductors having much greater energy-dissipating capability, similar voltage breakdown characteristics, and slower response time are connected in parallel with the first semiconductors. The breakdown of the second semiconductors occurs in time to prevent the first semiconductors from being damaged from excessive dissipation.

Abstract: A preassembled unit for subcooling the refrigerant in existing air conditioning and refrigeration systems to a temperature less than its saturated vaporization temperature. The unit is installable in existing refrigeration systems and has the capability to increase the efficiency of such systems. A coaxial tube heat exchanger includes a refrigerant tube to be connected between the system condenser and expansion valve, and a cooling medium tube through which a flow of cooling water is provided. A thermostatically-operated control valve is utilized to adjust the flow of water in response to the refrigerant outlet temperature. The control valve ensures that only the minimum quantity of water necessary to reduce the refrigerant temperature to a selected value is used. The heat exchanger and control valve are completely enclosed in a block of plastic foam to prevent a high ambient temperature from affecting these elements.

Abstract: A hand tool for concurrently removing burrs from the inner edge and outer edge of the cut end of EMT conduit. The preferred embodiment of the tool consists of a tee-shaped body having a deburring element disposed at the end of each arm of the tee, permitting three sizes of conduit to be deburred. A deburring element consists of a generally conical projection from the body having a circular rim surrounding the base of the conical projection, with the axis of the rim coincident with the axis of the conical projection. The interior surface of the rim and the exterior surface of the conical projection acutely diverge with respect to the intersection of these surfaces. The intersection forms a circle having a diameter approximately equal to the mean diameter of the conduit to be deburred. The surfaces are serrated, forming cutting surfaces.