Abstract: An improved high efficiency swirl combustor type gas burner for use in residential or commercial water heaters is provided having a swirl cone to induce turbulence in the combustion air and a mixing zone where turbulent gas is mixed with the combustion air and then combusted at a distance away from the burner face.

Abstract: A cathodically protected water heater which eliminates the need of a conventional anode rod. The water heater tank includes a cylindrical shell enclosed by upper and lower heads and a flue which is mounted within openings in the lower and upper heads. The outer surface of the flue as well as the upper surface of the lower head is coated with a metal anodic to steel, and the metal coating on the flue extends continuously from the lower head to a location above the upper head. The remainder of the inner surface of the heater is also coated with the anodic metal. The anodic metal is applied in a sufficient thickness at least at the junction of the lower end of the peripheral flange of the upper head and the shell to bridge and seal the crevice opening which typically exists between the free end of the upper head flange and the shell wall.

Abstract: A retaining adaptor is provided which secures appliances such as televisions to appliance support devices without necessitating any structural change or other damage to the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle lifting and towing device and particularly to an improved low profile lifting and towing device capable of efficient placement of the lower lifting boom while providing added ballast against the tipping moment of the towing vehicle, as well as a column configuration permitting the upper boom to be generally horizontal providing improved driver vision from the cab of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety lockout system for battery powered smoke alarms. The body of the smoke alarm is removably securable to a mounting bracket that is attached to the wall or ceiling of a building. The safety lockout system prevents securing the body of the smoke alarm to the mounting bracket prior to the installation of a battery. Once a battery is installed in the body of the smoke alarm, it may easily be secured to the mounting bracket attached to the wall or ceiling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying locking material to an area of a fastener adapted for internal threading. The apparatus includes a support structure for moving a succession of internally threadable fasteners with support structure recesses positioning the fasteners for treatment. The fastener opening is filled with locking material and the fastener heated to soften the locking material and cause adherence to the internal walls of the fastener. A clearance pin can be used to selectively clear a passageway through the locking material either before or after the heating step. A gas pressure source directs a gas stream toward the opening of the fastener to form a passageway through the locking material attached to the fastener.

Abstract: A novel and unique apparatus is disclosed for use in aerating water held in a container, such as a livewell in a fishing boat. The aeration apparatus receives fresh water through a conventional water distribution system, aspirates ambient air into the water, and discharges the mixture of fresh water and aspirated air within the livewell at a location substantially below its water level. Air is aspirated into the fresh water by means of a housing mounted above the water level in the livewell. The housing includes a main passageway through which the fresh water passes and an aspirating port in the housing wall which puts the main passageway in communication with ambient atmosphere above the livewell. A discharge tube receives the mixture of fresh water and aspirated air from the housing and directs it to a plurality of discharge ports positioned substantially below the livewell water level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a workpiece or chair mat with cleats on the underside thereof, and with a marginal peripheral area void of cleats, and for trimming the edge of a generally planar workpiece. A rotatable work table is provided for positioning the workpiece. A router head includes an inclined router blade engageable with the edge of the workpiece to form a beveled ramp edge thereabout. A template is positioned between the workpiece and the work table, and the router head has a cam follower engageable with and movable along the edge of the template for guiding the router blade along the edge of the workpiece during rotation of the work table. A cooling medium is directed toward the area of engagement between the router blade and the edge of the workpiece. The depth of cut is controlled by a cam disk mounted on the bottom of the router head engageable with the top of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating physiological and behavioral functioning of predetermined regions of interest of the human brain by displaying topographical maps of measured information. Brain electrical activity and/or predetermined physical parameters are measured in association with selected neuropsychological tests, and the measured information is operated on by providing weighted output signals characteristic of physiological functioning of the regions of interest of the patient's brain. The resulting weighted output signals are plotted as a topographical map. The measured brain electrical activity and measured predetermined physical parameters are also compared and a conversion matrix developed based on data bases of measured information for normal and abnormal subjects.

Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension inside a housing includes parallel scissor arms and a support arm with a cam connected to suspension springs. The support arm, which carries the substantial majority of the seat load, has a height adjustment assembly and a cam with two arcuate surfaces that define an imaginary pivot point. The use of the cam with the imaginary pivot point permits a more compact structure. A shock absorber attached to the outside of the scissor arms dampens the stroke of the suspension springs connected to the cam. The ratio of the shock stroke travel to the vertical movement of the seat remains generally linear and constant, thus producing a more comfortable rids. Also included is a height adjustment mechanism on the support arm that interlocks with the cam by a pivoting pawl and biasing spring. The height of the seat is adjusted by the relative movement of the top portion of the housing to the lower portion. No external levers, triggers, or other structures are necessary for seat adjustment.

Abstract: A cushion article, such as a seat cushion or the like, for snapping in place onto an appropriate seat support without additional attaching means. The seat cushion has a foam body with a snap-ring member molded integral with a peripheral portion of the body, the snap-ring member providing means for snapping the seat cushion over the seat support. A process and a mold assembly are disclosed for molding the seat cushion, utilizing the snap-ring member as an integral part of the process and mold assembly to evacuate entrapped air from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting an appliance having at least one arm which is mounted at one end to a support surface and adapted at the other end for attachment of the appliance. The method and apparatus also includes a unique biasing system for holding the arm in a variety of user selected and activated orientations. The biasing means is composed of a combination of shock absorbers and springs to provide safe, efficient operation.

Abstract: A dunnage shock absorber and a method and apparatus for making the same is disclosed. The shock absorber is constructed from plastic material which forms a series of trigonal-shaped, gas-filled units which maintain adequate shock absorbing characteristics over a broad range of temperature conditions. This disclosed method includes the steps of forming a plastic tubular body, introducing a cooled gas into the body and forming individual trigonal-shaped united having cooled gas entrapped through angularly heating sealing the edges of such units. The disclosed apparatus forms plastic film into a series of gas-filled trigonal units through the use of fin seal rollers to seal the film into a tubular body. Sponge-like rollers downline of the fin seal rollers grip the tubular body and a conduit injects cooled gas into the tubular body. Horizontal and vertical sealers are provided downline of the sponge-like rollers to heat seal the tubular body with gas entrapped therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a fastener, particularly a fastener with a head portion and shank portion, with a coating material is provided. The invention includes the steps of and apparatus for supporting the fasteners such that the fasteners are positioned for coating. The fasteners are conveyed such that the fasteners are moved through a plurality of operation stations and pass through a heating station where the shank portions of the fasteners are heated. Subsequently, at a material applying station, a coating material is applied to the heated shank portions. A preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention includes supporting the fasteners on their head portions with the shank portions projecting upward, conveying the fasteners with their shank portions projecting upward for processing, heating the shank portion to a temperature above the melting point of the applied material and applying the material to the heated shank portion to form a coating thereon.

Abstract: A cathodically protected water heater which eliminates the need of a conventional anode rod. The water heater tank includes a cylindrical shell enclosed by upper and lower heads and a flue which is mounted within openings in the lower and upper heads. The outer surface of the flue as well as the upper surface of the lower head is coated with a metal anodic to steel, and the metal coating on the flue extends continuously from the lower head to a location above the upper head. The remainder of the inner surface of the heater is also coated with the anodic metal. The anodic metal is applied in a sufficient thickness at least at the junction of the lower end of the peripheral flange of the upper head and the shell to bridge and seal the crevice opening which typically exists between the free end of the upper head flange and the shell wall.

Abstract: A distribution system for filling a baitwell in a boat includes a low pressure pump and a dual check valve. The fluid flow into the system is divided so that the pressure on the pump is reduced, thus enabling the use of an inexpensive pump. The check valve permits the influx of fresh water without the need for recirculating the existing water in the baitwell and also prevents backflow from the baitwell.

Abstract: A visual fish attractant that visually attracts fish and aids in the dispersion of traditional scent and taste attractants is disclosed. The fish attractant compositions, if oil based, include one or more oils, such as mineral oil, cod liver oil, menhaden oil, herring oil, anise oil, salmon oil, as well as pigments, fragrances, fish scent, dispersed pigments, and light-reflective particles that act both as a visual attractant and as an aid to controlled dispersion of the oil and scent components.

Abstract: An armrest assembly is self-adjusting as to height in response solely to the rotation of a connecting support lever to which an armrest is mounted. The adjustment mechanism includes a spring biased latch pawl engaging a ratchet wheel inside the support lever. The spring holds the pawl engaged to the ratchet when the support lever is rotated in one direction; the spring holds the ratchet wheel and pawl in disengagement when it is rotated in the other direction. The ratchet remains fixed relative to the movement of the armrest portion and the support lever. An adjustable cable running from the ratchet wheel through the support lever and into the armrest portion maintains the armrest portion in a horizontal position and provides adjustment above and below the horizontal.

Abstract: A towing apparatus of the wheel lift variety is provided with wheel support members and stop means to enhance the resistance of the apparatus to roll-out by operator misuse.