Abstract: A low cost easily assembled solar energy panel employing as its major component, a double skinned sheet of polycarbonate which has a plurality of preferably uniformly spaced, rib members separating the two skins. The panel may employ a fluid input and fluid output at the same end of the panel or at opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: Pesticide spraying apparatus for spraying crops in the field, grapes, and seedling trees. The spraying apparatus includes a wheeled arcuate canopy open at the bottom providing a rounded arcuate interior wall and a spacing at the open bottom related to the width of one or more conventional rows of crops of the like. The canopy has an arcuate peripheral flange at each end and a downwardly extending skirt or air curtain along the bottom of each side of the canopy to confine the pesticides to the open bottom area of the spraying apparatus. One or more blowers and pesticide assembly is provided for blowing droplets along the interior inner wall of the canopy at spaced locations. An air door or curtain is also created at each open end of the canopy and droplets of pesticide are thus blown into contact with the plants to treat the same under the canopy.

Abstract: A portable decontaimination chamber to be used by hazardous material decontaminators. The unit has a tubular substructure that is readily assembled and has a vessel portion formed from a plastic film attached to the superstructure. The base of the vessel rests on the ground, and the person to be decontaminated steps into the vessel to be doused with water which collects therein for ultimate disposal.

Abstract: A portable self-contained gas operated hand saw is provided having a housing with a carburetor an engine therein, a handle having a trigger coupled to the carburetor mounted at one end of the housing and a saw blade mounted at the other end of the housing. The saw blade housing has a worm gear driven rotatable shaft to which a saw blade may be keyed for rotation. The worm gear is driven by a centrifugal clutch driven by the engine. Fans are provided for rotation with the clutch and saw blade for cooling the saw in addition to the normal cooling of the engine. Anti-vibration means are provided to isolate the handle and trigger from the engine. The engine is suspended from a rubber mount allowing it to vibrate freely, thereby isolating vibration from the saw blade housing, saw plate, and handle and trigger.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a car seat to a stroller including a wheeled structure removably attached to the car seat for converting the same to a stroller. The wheels of the wheeled structure are movable to a stored, inoperative position or to an operative position for use as supporting wheels when the apparatus is used as a stroller.

Abstract: A variable tension loaded striking apparatus comprising a base having a pair of spaced upstanding ears between which are disposed a holder portion, the holder portion also being secured at one end of an adjustable air or hydraulic compression device, which at its opposite end is connected to the base of the apparatus. Removeably disposed within the holster portion is a striking board which is a plank or similar material adapted to serve as a blow receiving surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for shutting off utilities, such as gas and electricity, automatically in the case of an emergency, such as an earthquake. The utility can be a gas or electric line and, at shutdown, an alarm may be sounded and a light activated. The apparatus includes a box mounted adjacent the main power panel. The box includes a solenoid wired to the main breaker switch of the main power panel and a start/stop switch coupled to the solenoid valve at the main gas line. If an earthquake hits, the solenoid to the electric panel is activated to shut off the main switch. This in turn activates the solenoid to the gas line which turns off the gas. Simultaneously, a signal alarm coupled to the box sounds and a light also coupled to the box is lit. The alarm may be turned off manually and the light kept on, if desired. After the emergency, the control panel may be reset and the gas turned on after manually opening the gas valve and re-lighting the pilot.

Abstract: A claw attachment for use in conjunction with the bucket of a backhoe or excavator for removing large boulders and other objects from the surface of the ground or from a partially embedded position within the ground. The claw is removably mounted in a fixed bracket on the earth moving machine and can be secured in a first or operative position on the "crowd" and then relocated to a second or storage position on said "crowd". In configuration, the claw resembles the claw of a Maine lobster, but with a pair of normally disposed outward extending ears toward the front thereof.

Abstract: A multi-purpose portable and collapsible hand tool including a main barrel having a plurality of differing blades or bits. Each blade or bit is pivotally mounted on the barrel with at least one end cap closing off one end of the barrel where the blades or bits are pivotally connected to the barrel. The end cap is rotatably mounted to the respective barrel end and includes an elongated slot so that a blade or bit, normally disposed against the barrel and lying substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel, is prevented from pivoting away from the barrel until the end cap preventing said pivoting is rotated to align its slot with a blade or bit so that the blade or bit may be pivoted away from the barrel to a position extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said barrel, said end cap being rotatable to prevent said blade or bit from pivoting back against the barrel, i.e. to lock the blade or bit into operative position.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying ski wax to the bottom of a ski comprising a pair of ski support tracks adapted to carry a ski thereon and align if for proper entry into a waxing area where heated wax is applied to the bottom of the ski while the ski is transported through the waxing area and buffing the same. In this manner, a ski is waxed and ready for skiiing.

Abstract: Tailgate apparatus for a pick-up truck comprising a frame assembly adapted to be mounted around the preexisting bumper of a vehicle after removal of the conventional tail gate. The assembly does not require removal of the truck bumper and maintains the visibility of the license plate. Lifting and raising of the tail gate is provided by spool wound flexible straps on each side powered by a geared motor. A drive shaft under the platform interconnecting the side housings is driven by the motor rotating a first spool in one of the housings so that the spools rotate together. The apparatus is light weight and reliable in operation.

Abstract: A throwaway bib which due to the nature of its construction can be rinsed several times and reused as may be desired. The device comprises a two layer laminate the first of which layers is adapted to absorb moisture while the second layer is water impervious to thereby protect the clothes. An optional pocket for receiving solid foods and for catching dripping liquids may be included.

Abstract: A street, sidewalk and gutter water sweeping apparatus that mounts to the front bumper of trucks as small as a pickup. The apparatus is actuated and the sprayhead directionally controlled from inside the truck cab. The sprayhead is positioned such as to permit water to easily flow beneath any parked vehicle interposed between the sweeper and the sidewalk. The apparatus is moveable from a first stowed position to a second operative position.

Abstract: A system for monitoring pipelines through which fluids, be they gases or liquids flow using conventional readily available monitoring equipment, that determines the probability of a leak as opposed to the actuality of a leak using a moving average of statistical information gained from a plurality of monitoring stations that monitor either pressure or flow.