Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a plurality of bottle caps simultaneously. The apparatus comprises a housing with an air blower, resistance heaters and a thermocouple positioned within its interior. Air blown through the interior is heated by resistance heaters and travels through air ducts positioned at the opposite end of the housing. The air duct is positioned in spaced relation to the interior of a hopper and has a series of apertures through which heated air is injected into the hopper's interior. The flow rate of the air is sufficiently high so that the heated air agitates the caps within the hopper and is evenly distributed throughout the interior of the hopper. The temperature of the air is controlled so that the caps are warmed to a temperature within the range of 88.degree. F. to 92.degree. F.

Abstract: A device for holding two ammunition magazines in spaced relations so that either can be inserted into the magazine well of an M-16 rifle, an M-4 carbine, or an M-249 machine gun without interference with the operation of the weapon from the remaining magazine. The device comprises a shell and a centerpiece. The shell holds the two magazines in a tapered or "V" shaped arrangement, and the centerpiece, acting in combination with the shell, secures the magazines in place. The device is made of a light-weight corrosion and chemical resistant polymer. In an alternative embodiment, the magazines are held in an approximately parallel position within the shell.

Abstract: A grain mill is disclosed comprising a heat-dissipating, stainless steel housing that holds a pair of grinding stones, one of which rotates with a shaft turned by an electric motor. The shaft is journaled on self-aligning bearings. The bearings and the housing cooperate to keep heat buildup from the grinding operation low so as not to damage the grain, even at higher grinding speed. As an additional check on mill temperature, a thermometer is included to provide temperature information, and an ammeter is connected to the electrical motor to provide information about the electrical current being drawn when the motor rotates the shaft as an indication of the stress on the shaft. A small door near the exit spout permits a check of the uniformity and size of the ground product. Finally, magnets on the hopper attract metal particles and hold them so that they do not enter the space between the grind stones, where they could damage the stones and become part of the product.

Abstract: The present invention is a handgun having a polymeric frame with metallic rails that are inserted within the frame after the frame has been formed by a molding process. The rails are inserted into recesses formed in a channel within the frame, before the frame has completely cooled and contracted. The rails comprise a pair of front rails and a pair of rear rails. The rear pair of rails are positioned within rear recesses and held in place by the sear block. The front pair of rails are positioned within front recesses and held in place by a plurality of metallic parts. The parts include a horseshoe, an unlock block, and a spreader block that are positioned between and matingly engage the front rails, thus securing them within their respective recesses.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein Ar is a mono- or bicyclic aromatic group optionally containing one or two heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, said group being optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups independently selected from halogen, nitro, amino, --NRR.sup.1 where R and R.sup.1 are independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-8 alkyl and C.sub.1-8 alkanoyl, cyano, carboxyalkoxy, alkoxycarbonylalkoxy, C.sub.1-8 alkyl (including cycloalkyl and cycloalkylalkyl), C.sub.1-8 alkoxy (including cycloalkoxy and cycloalkylalkoxy), C.sub.

Abstract: A glass melter for vitrifying material including radioactive and hazardous materials. In one embodiment, the melter comprises an inner vessel or container having a solidified glass skull, at least one pair of vertically-oriented, retractable electrodes, a first wall spaced apart from said inner vessel to define a dry annulus therebetween for radiatively cooling the inner vessel, and a second wall spaced apart from said first wall to define a second annulus that serves as a water jacket when filled with water. Each electrode has a protective sleeve therearound with means formed therebetween for passing a purging gas therethrough. A central access nozzle allows waste material and glass formers to be fed into the inner vessel while simultaneously venting the off-gas generated in the inner vessel. Also, the dry annulus can have fluid circulating therethrough for regulated cooling or leak detection.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a boat from water and storing in a position above water includes a stationary frame with a pivoting frame attached thereto. An end of the pivoting frame extends into the water, allowing engagement with a boat. The stationary frame is secured to the side of a floating dock or marina so that it extends laterally therefrom. Flotation devices keep the stationary frame level with the dock or marina when not storing a boat, while minimizing the amount of tilt by the dock or marina when a boat is in the stored position. Angled rollers positioned on the pivoting and stationary frame guide the boat to a central position. An alternative preferred embodiment has the stationary frame secured to pilings by a plurality of rings that slidingly fit thereover.

Abstract: A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double-action only pistol includes a sear carried at the free end of a cantilevered spring. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the cantilevered spring urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The cantilevered spring is preferably a spring with a torsion spring on each end. One torsion spring operates against the frame to cantilever the spring body; the other torsion spring, supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lay in the same plane.

Abstract: An adaptable trailer and trailer system that is especially well suited for transporting cargo in vertically restricted areas and for transporting cargo up and down inclines. The trailer system comprises a trailer and a cradle. The cradle is designed to carry a cargo and has an opening into which the trailer can be inserted so that the cradle may be transported. The trailer and cradle have an aligning system that works to correctly position the cradle onto the trailer. Additionally, the trailer comprises a carriage, an outer frame, an inner frame, and a front frame. The front frame is integral with the outer frame and has means for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle. The inner frame of the trailer is pivotally attached to the outer frame and can be raised and lowered to meet the cradle, once the trailer and cradle are in position.

Abstract: A draft insulator kit for use with an attic pull-down staircase comprises a dimensioned enclosure held together with plastic rivets and resting on weather stripping placed directly on the framing around the pull-down staircase. The edge of the box rests on the weather stripping to seal against drafts. The insulator can be covered with fiberglass batting to increase R value but is itself a cost-effective seal against drafts. It can be folded for increased shipping efficiency, is made of low cost cardboard, and has low manufacturing costs. As a result, its payback time to the consumer is less than one season.

Abstract: A towable, auxiliary fuel tank designed to transport a supply of fuel, so that a towing vehicle is able to consume the fuel present in the tank, thus extending the range of the vehicle. A ring is affixed to the trailer of the tank so that it may be connected to a vehicle. Attached to the vehicle is a hitch with a channel extending across a recess and a pin slidably mounted therein. The recess of the hitch is designed to hold the ring when the pin is closed, thus connecting the auxiliary tank to the vehicle. A lever is attached to the pin so that the ring may be connected and disconnected from the hitch. A cable is also attached to the pin and extends to a handle within the interior of the vehicle. When this handle is operated, the pin is moved from across the recess, thus unlocking the auxiliary tank from the vehicle. Fuel is transported from the auxiliary tank to the vehicle via a hose that is connected to both the auxiliary tank and vehicle. A securing device is provided to secure the hose to the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing objects. The apparatus comprises a frame supporting a housing dimensioned to receive various, irregularly shaped objects. A conveyor belt having exterior sections that extend beyond the housing entrance and exit, conveys objects through the housing as a first series of nozzles spray the objects with a cleaning solution, Then, the objects are washed by a pair of high speed rotating sprayer arms, mounted on the exterior sides of the housing, which direct pressurized water through circular cut out portions formed in the sides of the housing to the objects being conveyed through the housing. The objects are then rinsed by a second series of nozzles and subsequently exit the housing. The exterior sections of the conveyor belt are rotatable and are rotated toward the housing to form a compact configuration for transportation and storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping and recapturing high viscosity paints. The apparatus comprises a double diaphragm pneumatic pump having means for controlling the air exhaust rate from the diaphragms to thereby reduce the diaphragm cycling rate. The decreased diaphragm cycling rate enables high viscosity paint to be drawn into the pump chambers and thereby avoids cavitation and increases the output flow rate. In a preferred embodiment, the bleed port, which vents air from the diaphragms to the atmosphere, is fitted with a needle valve, enabling the exhaust rate to be variably controlled. An alternative embodiment comprises a pump fitted with a valve received by the main exhaust of the air motor to thereby control the exhaust rate from the diaphragms. The pump system comprises a pump as described above and a four-port, two-way valve, which is rotatable by 90.degree., such that the flow within the system is reversed when the valve is rotated.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device 10 having three pairs of spring loaded tensioning disks 20 that exert an increasing incremental pressure on the yarn 12 which correlates to the tension in the yarn. The three pairs of tensioning disks 20 are mounted on the front side 42 of a bracket 40 around a post 90. The three posts 90 are coupled together on the back side 44 of the bracket 40 by a back plate 100. A threaded rod 108 is inserted through a center hole 48 in the bracket 40 and threadably engages the back plate 100, such that as the threaded rod 108 is rotated, the back plate 100 moves towards or away from the bracket 40. As the back plate 100 moves away from bracket 40 the posts 90 gets closer to the tensioning disks 20, thus increasing the amount of pressure exerted on the tension disks 20 by the springs 70.

Abstract: A fire-preventing warning system for alerting an occupant leaving the premises that a stove burner is on, includes (a) a sensor to detect whether a gas or electric stove is "on", connected to (b) a warning indicator located by the exit door. If the stove burner is on, the warning indicator will light up, or, in the alternative, emit an audible warning, or both, as the door is opened. The sensor and the indicator circuitry may be connected by electrical conductors or by radio frequency transmission; the system may be battery-operated or powered from household current.

Abstract: A rack for shipping a set of objects such as vehicle hoods comprises a base, two folding sides, a folding bumper, and several sets of pivotable clamps attached to the sides. The rack is employed by unfolding the sides to the upstanding, spaced-apart position, and loading the objects one at a time onto a set of clamps pivoted to the operative position from a storage position. As each object is put in position, the next set of clamps is pivoted into the operative position and loaded with the next object. The clamps are tightened and loosened by turning a bolt on each one with an air wrench. Pivotable clamps enable closer nesting of the objects. The bumper separates adjacent racks so the objects held by them do not interfere.

Abstract: A garment for protection against insects comprising an inner layer of material onto which an outer layer of mesh is placed. The inner layer is formed having a plurality of arches to elevate the outer mesh layer a distance from the user's skin. The outer mesh layer is impervious to insects while the distance defined by the arches prevents the insect's stinger or proboscis from reaching the skin. In an alternative embodiment, the inner layer is also made of mesh with a series of heat shrinkable polymeric strands running therethrough which are heat-treated to cause the inner layer to form a series of arches.