Abstract: An improved electrical service pedestal is provided, which has a lower portion and an upper portion, the latter of which features a pivotally mounted first section to permit easy access to a meter disposed there within. A second section disposed forward of the front of the first section is independently openable to permit a clear viewing of a meter disposed within the apparatus. The lower portion includes an openable front door, spaced from an openable interior door as well as a stepped and swept or other raceway for the wiring from the utility to the user's meter. Access to the raceway is gained through a removable side door.

Abstract: An aerosol can compacting apparatus which evacuates the can for recovery of any residual propellant and product, therefrom and then compacts the can discharges the slug now compacted for collection. The apparatus can be operated in an automated fashion and preferably by compressed air.

Abstract: A device simply the alignment of a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle for coupling to the tow bar of a towing vehicle. The device includes a direction orientable wheeled body having a socket thereon to receive the lower end of a vertical tongue jack of the trailer whereby movement of the wheel of the device aligns the trailer tongue hitch socket with the hitch ball of a towing vehicle. Wheel movement is achieved by rotation of a gear in engagement with the wheel.

Abstract: A system for recovering propellant from aerosol cans and other sources having a gaseous propellant therein, which system constitutes a separation tank in which the propellant is separated from the product it was to deliver, a compressor to both compress the propellant and introduce it into a heat exchanger which cools the propellant into a liquid which liquid can be collected in a collection chamber in communication therewith.

Abstract: A device adapted to be mounted, optionally removably, directly on wire and cable and indirectly thereon via cable ties and similar products, for the receipt of information or other indicia concerning the item to which the notator is attached or for the receipt of other information. The device includes a first indicia receiving portion and a second retainer portion for mounting the device on a substrate. An accessory engageable with one portion of the device or optionally built into that portion of the device includes a cable tie portion.

Abstract: A mechanism for supporting a tracheal tube within the mouth of a user. The mechanism utilizes a facial cover. The facial cover is provided with a first portion which extends over the nasal bridge of the user and a second portion which extends over the chin of the user. The first and second portions are connected to one another leaving an opening for access to the nose and mouth of the user. The tracheal tube is suspended within the mouth of the user by an element, such as a bar, which extends and is linked to the facial cover. The bar possesses a requisite degree of rigidity to provide such support.

Abstract: An apparatus adaptable to be mounted on the tomato harvesters of various manufacturers for the purpose of removing tomato plants from the ground with their tomatoes attached for delivery onto a tomato harvester, which mechanically separates the tomato fruit from the balance of the plant. This apparatus also reduces the amount of agglomerated earth or clods that sticks to the root system upon removal from the ground. The apparatus utilizes a pair of spaced cutter bars which rotate counterclockwise. Upon impact of the forward lower bar with the plant, the plant is pulled from the ground. As the plant travels rearwardly, the upper bar knocks dirt loose from the roots.

Abstract: A receiver hitch for a motor home or other towing vehicle, adapted to actuate the brake system of a vehicle being towed by the motor home. The apparatus comprises three portions the first of which moves forwardly, to actuate a master brake cylinder of the third portion, which master cylinder will then dispense fluid to the brake system of the vehicle being towed. The intermediate portion of the apparatus is used for mounting it to the motor home or other towing vehicle and for the reception of the first and third portions.

Abstract: A solar energy based domestic hot water system which employs a columnar-type heat exchanger designated as a thermal booster having two columns, through one of which passes extremely warm water coming from the output of a solar collector to prewarm colder water coming from the solar storage tank and passing through the second of which columns, on its way to the conventional electric or gas domestic hot water heater. The thermal booster warms the water in the second column primarily during periods when no hot water faucet in the hot water delivery system is in an actuated condition. Optionally a coil heater exchanger may be disposed in the upper section of the storage tank to warm entering cold water from the cold water inlet source prior to its passage through the second pipe as above on its route to the domestic hot water heater. Operation of the system requires minor modification of the domestic hot water heater of the system at its input pipe and by the inclusion of an extra value controlled outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for making frozen foods including a mastication chamber, a frozen food material feeder leading into the mastication chamber, a masticator disposed in the chamber and an aeration chamber for introducing air into masticated frozen food fed into the aeration chamber. The whipped frozen food is then disposed into either a storage bin or remote location.

Abstract: A heater valve for a diesel fuel system for a vehicle having a main body portion with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet adapted to be coupled to the vehicle fuel system. A fuel inlet line and a fuel outlet line from the valve are adapted to be coupled to a heat exchanger. A fuel distribution chamber in the valve is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet line and a fuel mixing chamber in the valve is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet line and the fuel outlet. A port opens into the mixing chamber and a spring biased valve in the mixing chamber has a restrictor normally restricting the size of the port opening with a valve shaft extending through an opening in a partition wall into the distribution chamber into engagement with a calibrator.

Abstract: A combined vacuum cleaner storage housing and foot operated vacuum cleaner for use in salons to dispose of cut hair. The apparatus features a plant storage and display area and is formed of four vertical walls, one of which preferably the rear has an access door therein. The unit sits on a base which has a front opening which communicates with a throat which receives the hair and which in turn communicates with the intake member of a Shop-Vac.RTM. or equal vacuum cleaner disposed within the housing.

Abstract: An improved charcoal starter that employs a grate having a conical shaped charcoal briquette receiving and stacking portion, to permit an enhanced rise of heat to impact the coals to get them to burn. The heat may come from paper kindling as conventionally disposed beneath the grate, or from a resistance heater element built into the grate. The grate may resemble a witch's hat with the retaining disk being the brim and a conical portion being disposed thereon, both with suitable apertures therein; or the grate can be made of suitable wire. The grate may be permanently mounted within the starter's cylindrical body or be removable therefrom.

Abstract: An improved railroad spike, configured to resemble a conventional U.S. railroad spike as to its head, shank and tip. The improved spike features (1) a keyhole bore which extends between and through the head and top of the spike, and (2) and a pair of angular V-grooves on the shank in communication with the bore.

Abstract: A heater valve for a diesel fuel system for a vehicle having a main body portion with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet adapted to be coupled to the vehicle fuel system. A fuel inlet line and a fuel outlet line from the valve are adapted to be coupled to a heat exchanger. A fuel distribution chamber in the valve is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet line and a fuel mixing chamber in the valve is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet line and the fuel outlet. A port opens into the mixing chamber and a spring bias valve in the mixing chamber has a restrictor normally restricting the size of the port opening with a valve shaft extending through an opening in a partition wall into the distribution chamber into engagement with a calibrator.

Abstract: A display unit for customers to inspect lighting fixtures being offered for sale, wherein the customer can easily actuate the lights present in the display for a finite period of time. A push-button control system is featured wherein the button activates a microswitch, which turns on a motorized timer circuit having a cam associated therewith. The lights on the display are electrically actuated when the microswitch is activated. The timer cam rotates until such time elapses as is required for the cam to recontact the microswitch. When contact is made again, the lights are extinguished, and awaiting the next activation.