Abstract: A drinking container includes a flexible, hollow body having a neck. There is closure member removably connected to the neck. There is a spout on the closure member. A filter device is operatively connected to the spout within the body. The filter device includes a filter, a passageway bypassing the filter and a movable valve member in the passageway which opens the passageway when the container is in upright position when the spout is on top. The valve member blocks the passageway when the container is inverted from the upright position or pressurized.

Abstract: A drain apparatus includes a conduit and a compression fitting sealingly connected to the conduit having a pivotable member mounted thereon. There is a rod-like member extending slidably through the pivotable member into the conduit. The rod-like member can be moved axially and pivotally inside the conduit to clear obstructions therein. For example, the first conduit and the second conduit may be adjacent portions of an elbow. The pivotable member may be a ball-like member received in a socket in the fitting.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game between a dealer and one or more players includes the step of each player placing a first wager based on one or more card combinations selected from a fixed number of types of card combinations. One or more first cards are revealed. The dealer appropriates wagers which are no longer winnable in view of these first cards. One wagering player may place a second wager based on the one or more card combinations. One or more second cards are revealed. The dealer appropriates wagers which are no longer winnable in view of the one or more second cards. Preferably there are five types of combinations, namely four cards of a single suit, four cards all of a different suit, one pair, two pairs and three cards of a single suit.

Abstract: An engine retarding apparatus and method include an exhaust restrictor which raises exhaust pressure in the engine high enough to cause exhaust valves to float near the beginning of each compression stroke. There is an exhaust valve blocking device which blocks closing of each exhaust valve until at least near the end of each compression stroke. In one embodiment the exhaust restrictor is an engine brake and the exhaust valve blocking device includes an hydraulic actuator controlled by a solenoid valve. There is also provided an improved exhaust brake which provides a braking effect from compression strokes as well as exhaust strokes of the pistons.

Abstract: A steam heat exchanger for a wood pulp dryer. The heat exchanger has a frame and a plurality of tubes extending between the ends of the heat exchanger in parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other. A plurality of fins is connected to the tubes. There is an outlet header near the bottom of the heat exchanger, the outlet ends of the tubes being connected to the outlet header. There is a steam inlet header near the top of the heat exchanger. In one embodiment the inlet header has an inner conduit with a plurality of openings spaced-apart therein for discharging steam from the inner conduit. There is an outer conduit extending about the inner conduit. The inlet ends of the tubes are connected to the outer conduit. There is a middle conduit between the inner and outer conduit with openings in the top thereof. In another embodiment of the invention the inlet header and outlet header are vertically non-aligned when the frame is vertical.

Abstract: A filter unit is provided for a forced air heating duct having an inside and an outlet end with a register. The unit includes a frame having a tapered body shaped to wedge within the duct adjacent the register. A filter is shaped to fit inside the duct and is disposed entirely between the duct and the register. The filter can be replaced by removing the register, while leaving the frame in place.

Abstract: A float tube canopy includes a back panel having a top and a bottom with straps for securing the canopy to the back of a float tube so the back panel extends upwardly therefrom. There is a top panel having a front and a back connected to the top of the back panel. The top panel is cantilevered from the back panel and spaced-apart from the float tube. Each of the panels may include a frame and a fabric cover stretched thereon. The panels may be collapsible so the canopy can be selectively folded or erected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating edema of a body member by pressure includes the use of a flexible, liquid-tight bag having connectors for securing the bag about the member. A liquid conduit, substantially smaller in section than the bag, is connected to the top thereof and is extended upwardly from the bag in use to increase hydraulic pressure in the bag and thereby pressure on the member when the conduit and the bag are filled with liquid.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer includes an elongated member of a material with a large magnetostriction coefficient. There is a coil and a pulse driver for magnetizing the member to cause a detectable magnetostrictive effect for short discrete periods of time. A magnet is movable along the path adjacent the member and is capable of magnetizing a localized portion of the member adjacent the magnet efficiently to cause an alteration in the magnetostrictive effect in the localized portion in concert with the pulse driver and the coil. There is a piezoelectric device at one end for detecting axial strain pulses propagated along the member caused by the magnetostrictive effect. There is a comparator for measuring time lags between initiation of each separate discrete period of time and detection of a corresponding strain pulses by the piezoelectric device and thereby a position of the magnet along the path.

Abstract: An exhaust brake for an internal combustion engine has a valve body with an exhaust gas conduit therethrough. The conduit has a center, an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion is smaller in cross-section than the downstream portion. There is a butterfly valve member in the conduit of the valve body between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The valve member has a cross-section and is positioned to closely fit the upstream portion when the valve member is closed. The valve member has a center and is pivotally mounted on a pivot which is offset with respect to the center of the conduit and offset from the valve member, whereby gas pressure in the upstream portion of the conduit acting against the valve member can rotate the valve member about the pivot.

Abstract: A locker shelf apparatus includes a platform shaped to fit horizontally within a locker. There are three support members connected to the platform at spaced-apart positions. There are loops or the like on each support member for engaging hooks in the locker above the platform. Preferably there is a drawer slidably mounted below the platform.

Abstract: A windshield cleaning tool includes a cleaning member which is preferably triangular in shape with rounded corners and a bottom with a corrugated cleaning surface. There is a handle member hingedly connected to the top of the cleaning member. Preferably the cleaning member has a rounded front, first and second sides diverging away from the front and a back extending between the sides. The bottom of the cleaning member has a plurality of corrugations which may be transverse with respect to a center line. There may be a chamois-like outer layer and a foam inner layer on the bottom of the cleaning member.

Abstract: A circumscribing apparatus for marking a circular reference line about a cylindrical object has a first side. A first frame member has two spaced-apart guide members extending outwardly on the first side of the apparatus. The two guide members fall along a first straight line. A second frame member extends outwardly from the first frame member to a position on a second straight line which is perpendicular to the first line. A scribe is connected to the second member adjacent the position and has a marker extending outwardly on the first side of the apparatus. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a wrap-around sleeve placed about the cylindrical object. The sleeve has a straight edge which extends about the object along a circular path when the sleeve is fitted. The apparatus is placed against the object with the two spaced-apart guide members contacting the edge. The marker is held against the object at a position spaced-apart outwardly from the edge.

Abstract: A railing includes a top member having a downwardly opening first channel with a bottom and a bottom member having an upwardly opening second channel with a top. There is a plurality of spaced-apart vertical pickets, each picket having a top end in the first channel and a bottom end in the bottom channel. There are spacers adjacent the top and bottom members. Each spacer is an elongated, continuous member with a plurality of spaced-apart openings. Each spacer has a connector engaging one of the top and bottom members. The pickets extend through the openings in the spacers. There may be resilient members along the channels. During assembly the resilient members are first fitted within the channels and the spacer members are then secured to the top and bottom members. The pickets can then be inserted through the openings in the elongated members. The elongated members are then brought towards each other and secured in place with the pickets compressing the resilient members.

Abstract: A pressure release brake for an internal combustion engine includes a master hydraulic actuator and a slave hydraulic actuator. The slave hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the exhaust valve opening mechanism of one exhaust valve. The master hydraulic actuator is movable by an engine component to increase hydraulic pressure which moves the slave hydraulic actuator and opens the one exhaust valve near top dead center of compression strokes when the brake is operational. There is a lash adjusting mechanism for the slave hydraulic actuator. The lash adjusting mechanism includes a device for adjusting hydraulic pressure acting on the slave hydraulic actuator during exhaust strokes and thereby lash between the slave hydraulic actuator and the exhaust valve opening mechanism.

Abstract: A strapping reclaimer includes a strapping feeder. There is a strapping joining station adjacent the feeder. A strapping reeling apparatus is adjacent the strapping joining station. Preferably the feeder includes a strapping straightener. The strapping joining station may include a pair of spaced-apart clamps. Preferably there is a member with a strapping receiving surface extending between the clamps. The member may have two portions mounted for moving apart to stretch joined lengths of strapping or to adjust gaps or degrees of overlapping therebetween. Strapping is reclaimed by feeding lengths of strapping successively to the work area. Adjacent lengths of strapping are joined together. The joined together lengths of strapping are then wound onto a reel.

Abstract: A back scrubber includes a reversible cleaning pad having two sides. Each side has a different type of cleaning surface. There is a mechanism for selectively and releasably connecting the pad to a wall of a shower stall so that either side can face outwardly. The mechanism may include suction cups. The suction cups may be on both sides of the pad. Alternatively, the pad may have suction cup connectors accessible from both sides. The suction cups are then releasably connectible to the connectors on either side of the pad.