Abstract: A marine drive unit impact avoidance system for boats having both outboard type drives and inboard/outboard type stern drives provides a structure by which the lower, propeller-mounting drive unit on a boat is mounted for vertical movement relative to the supporting transom of a boat, and an impact/activating arm assembly is pivotally mounted at one of its ends to the lowermost forward portion of the lower unit for upwardly angled, forward extension therefrom to a pivotal mount at its other end to the boat, whereby any underwater obstruction encountered during forward movement of the boat will contact only the impact arm which operates under the impact to effect a cam action to lift the drive unit vertically to clear the obstruction without any contact of the drive unit and the underwater obstruction.

Abstract: A condenser for removing vapor from freeze dryers and other vessels includes a three-stage cyclonic or turbine-like vapor distributor mounted for rotation about the axis of an elongated horizontal delivery tube extending through the axial center of the condenser chamber. The delivery tube mounts end and radial spray nozzles for selectively spraying cleansing fluid and sterilizing steam onto the interior surfaces of all components within the condenser chamber, including a plurality of condenser members arranged in radially offset configuration about the delivery tube in an optically dense configuration which requires vapors to impact the cold surfaces of the condenser members before contacting the inner surface of the enclosing condenser chamber. Optical density is achieved by providing the condenser member as sheets of metal formed with a serpentine passageway between them for the circulation of a coolant.

Abstract: A foldable tent frame utilizes an upper spider to secure a plurality of pivoted lengths which anchor the upper sections of a like number of tent frame legs. The leg anchor lengths are connected pivotally intermediate their ends to one end of a like number of lower lengths the opposite ends of which are connected pivotally to a lower spider. Drive mechanism interconnects the upper and lower spiders to move the lower spider toward and away from the upper spider to effect erection and collapse, respectively, of the tent frame. The drive mechanism includes locking mechanism for securing the spider assembly in the erected condition of the frame. Intermediate and lower leg sections are hinged together and joined to each of the upper leg sections.

Abstract: A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one pivotal, elongated leg assembly in fixed position at one end of the cross member and a second pivotal, elongated leg assembly for movement along the cross member between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. Stub shafts reinforce the ends of the cross member at the points of maximum stress. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket type trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly, and the locking mechanism releasably interconnects the telescopic sections to secure the latter in fully extended, operative towing condition.

Abstract: Optical mirror systems are provided by cooperative arrangements of a plurality of curved mirrors, preferably of approximately elliptical and hyperbolic shapes. In one arrangement, a convex segment of an hyperbolic primary mirror and a concave segment of an hyperbolic secondary mirror form a forward looking magnification system. In another arrangement, a concave segment of an elliptical primary mirror and a convex segment of an hyperbolic secondary mirror form a microscope.

Abstract: A steering turntable for the front wheel assembly of trailers and the like is formed of first and second turntable ring members each having cooperating projecting circular wall sections configured to interconnect with each other to prevent separation of the ring members from each other while allowing relative rotation of the ring members. A plastic ring of ultra high molecular weight synthetic resin, such as polyurethane, is interposed between the bearing surfaces of the first and second rings to provide a reduced-friction bearing surface therebetween.

Abstract: A combination mixing board and carrier apparatus utilizes an enlarged base member configured to be supported securely on an underlying surface, the base member centrally mounting a vertically upstanding peg member configured to releasably receive a downwardly extending handle member secured centrally to the underside of an enlarged mixing platform, the mixing platform mounting on its upper surface a pad having a multiplicity of plastic sheets each having a backing of pressure sensitive adhesive binding them together releasably so that after the uppermost sheet has been used and soiled, it may be easily peeled off and discarded, immediately exposing a fresh, clean mixing surface.

Abstract: A trailer hitching aid includes a dual transmitter mounted on the forward end of a trailer or other vehicle to be towed and arranged to transmit pulses of infrared light and pulses of ultrasonic sound. A towing vehicle mounts on its rear end an infrared light detector and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic sound detectors. The detectors are incorporated in an electrical circuit which includes a computer the program of which operates to measure the time difference between the detection of a light burst and the detection of sound bursts. The time differences then are utilizes to calculate the distance from each detector to the transmitter, and the distances and angles between the detectors and transmitter are displayed on the computer screen as visual indications to direct the operator of the towing vehicle to maneuver the vehicle to back it up and bring the hitch components on the vehicles into coupling registry.

Abstract: A scoliosis measurement instrument includes the elongated scale bar and fixed and adjustable legs of a universal caliper, an inclinometer mounted on the adjustable leg, and a scoliosis midline rod located at the center mark of a bi-directional distance scale on the scale bar. The fixed leg is movable along the scale bar for positioning its skin contact tip over either the highest point of the rib hump or lumbar bulge or the opposite valley of a subject being examined, and the adjustable leg is movable along the scale bar for positioning at the same but opposite distance from the center mark of the bi-directional scale. The adjustable leg also is movable normal to the scale bar to distances of its skin contact tip from the scale bar greater or less than the distance of the fixed leg tip from the scale bar, to measure the distance between the highest prominence and opposite valley.

Abstract: An easily and quickly demountable and stowable vehicle tow bar comprises a substantially Y-shaped frame, the angled towing arms of which are pivoted at a base member for lateral movement relative to one another, and the forwardly projecting center arm, or hitch-mounting reach member, is mounted on the base member for releasable sliding movement relative thereto between an inoperative, extended condition and an operative, retracted condition in which its rear end portion extends between the angled towing arms, link members interconnecting the rear terminal end of the reach member and the opposite towing arms to maintain the reach immovably in position extending equidistantly between the arm members when the reach is in locked, retracted condition for towing.

Abstract: A magnetic spinner toy includes a plurality of spinner bodies mounted one adjacent another on a support base for independent rotation. A plurality of permanent spinner magnets are mounted on each spinner body at circumferentially spaced positions for rotation closely adjacent the spinner magnets of the adjacent spinner body. The magnetic poles of the confronting surfaces of the spinner magnets of adjacent spinner bodies are either of like polarity, whereby to repel each other, or of unlike polarity, whereby they attract each other. A pair of permanent levitating magnets are mounted one on each spinner body and the other on the support base with the confronting faces of the pair being of the same polarity, whereby to repel each other and thus maintain the spinner body spaced from the support base to eliminate frictional engagement between them.

Abstract: A wheel for a ball throwing machine includes a tire-mounting wheel formed of two lateral halves of spun metal each having a central portion and an angularly extending rim portion, the central portions of the two halves being arranged in abutting relation with the rim portions diverging outwardly. A resilient solid polyurethane tire is molded integrally to the outer surfaces of the diverging rim portions, securing the two halves together. The tire is molded to a resilient hardness ranging between about 25A and 75A Durometer, preferably about 40A Durometer. Circumferentially spaced registering holes in the central portions of the two wheel halves removably receive bolts by which to secure the wheel to the hub of a power driven rotary shaft of a ball throwing machine.

Abstract: A swing saw for cutting logs to length prior to cutting into lumber or plywood veneer is provided with a rotary arbor shaft coupled to a secondary drive shaft through a drive chain, the secondary drive shaft being coupled to an electric drive motor through drive belts. The secondary drive shaft is supported on laterally spaced bearings which, in turn, are maintained parallel by adjustment screws mounting rotatable sprockets which are coupled together through a secondary chain by which adjustable rotation of one of the sprockets effects simultaneous adjustable rotation of the other sprocket to precisely the same degree and direction. The adjustment screws thus are moved longitudinally in the same direction and precisely the same distance, and therefore the axis of the secondary drive shaft is maintained precisely parallel to the axis of the arbor shaft. The secondary drive shaft is secured by clamp plates when adjusted. Both shafts are mounted on a hollow housing in which the drive chain is contained.

Abstract: A reciprocating conveyor includes a plurality of elongated, load-supporting reciprocative slats mounted on a plurality of elongated, liquid-impervious slat-mounting base members secured side-by-side across a supporting frame. The adjacent sides of adjacent base members are interconnected by a waterproof seal, whereby the assembly of base members forms a waterproof floor under the reciprocative slats. A liquid collection receptacle is mounted on the frame adjacent one end of the base assembly to receive the liquid content of a load supported on the slats, and a drive mechanism for reciprocating the slats is contained within the receptacle and connected to the reciprocative slats through slots formed in the base members above the collection receptacle.

Abstract: An ear flattening device is provided by a pair of flexible pads interconnected by a flexible, one-piece spacer block. The outer sides of the pads are provided with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive for releasably bonding the pads one to the back side of the ear and the other to the confronting surface of the head. The adhesive layers are protected temporarily by a removable cover sheet. In one embodiment a single spacer block is substantially centered within the perimeter of the pair of pads, and in a second embodiment the pads are elongated arcuately and two laterally spaced apart spacer blocks are positioned approximately in the center of the lateral halves of the pads. In both instances the central positioning of the spacer blocks centralizes the pull on the pads relative to the skin and thereby maximizes the adherence of the pads to the skin.

Abstract: A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one elongated leg assembly in fixed position at one end of the cross member and a second elongated leg assembly for movement along the cross member between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. Stub shafts reinforce the ends of the cross member at the points of maximum stress. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which detachably mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly, and a locking pin mechanism releasably interconnects the telescopic sections.

Abstract: Food products, such as fish fillets, chicken fillets and many others, are cut to predetermined portion sizes of equal weight and volume, or to predetermined profile shapes, by moving the food products on a conveyor, scanning them as then move through a shadow line with a camera capable of providing a programmed computer with dimensional data, and utilizing the computer to control the operation of a plurality of high pressure water jet cutters to cut the food products to reduced sizes as dictated by the computer program.

Abstract: Food products, such as fish fillets, chicken fillets, and many others, are cut to predetermined portion sizes of equal weight and volume, or to predetermined profile shapes, by moving the food products on a conveyor, scanning them as they move through a shadow line with a camera capable of providing a programmed computer with dimensional data, and utilizing the computer to control the operation of a plurality of high pressure water jet cutters to cut the food products to reduced sizes as dictated by the computer program.