Abstract: Storable stairway and platform apparatus for recreational vehicles including a horizontal channel member mounted to the side or end of a vehicle beneath and extending to the side of the door, the channel member reciprocally receiving a pair of slider members; a platform pivotally engaging the slider members; and a stairway pivotally engaging the platform. The stairway is provided with a pair of opposing scissor linkages for folding the steps of the stairway into compact parallel abutment with one another and with the platform. The platform and stairway laterally slide away from the door and are pivotal into a vertical position for storage against the outside wall of the vehicle. The scissor linkages provide for unobstructed steps in addition to superior compact storage. Adjustable levelers are provided on each of the opposing scissor linkages to accommodate for uneven ground support. A novel bannister foldable and attachable to the side of the platform may also be provided.

Abstract: A loss prevention guard for pockets which includes a flat, resilient, insert having a bowed central portion and a pair of substantially planar end portions. The hem of a pocket, adjacent the mouth of the pocket, is provided with a pair of spaced slots into which the ends of the insert are inserted, leaving the central bowed portion of the insert bowed inwardly into contact with the clothing to which the pocket is attached, i.e., the back of the pocket. The bowed central portion of the insert is preferably provided with an abrasive having a high friction contact with the article to be guarded, for example a wallet, to prevent the article from slipping by the insert.

Abstract: Alcohol fuel conversion apparatus for internal combustion engines including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a primary heat exchanger, a heat source, a converter and a carburetor or fuel injection system. The pump delivers pressurized liquid alcohol to the primary heat exchanger where the alcohol fuel is heated above the vaporization point at ambient pressure. The heated fuel is next delivered to the carburetor where the vaporized alcohol is metered and mixed with air for proper combustion and then delivered to the intake system of a conventional internal combustion engine, or, alternately, by means of the fuel injection system, the fuel is delivered directly to the cylinders where it is mixed with air for proper combustion. A fuel pre-heater assembly utilizing waste heat from the engine may also be provided.

Abstract: Windrow shaping apparatus which is attachable to an existing rake for shaping forage windrows. The apparatus includes an attachment member for affixing the apparatus to a rake; a yoke pivotally engaging the attachment member; and a drum for engaging the forage in the windrow. The yoke and drum are supported at a desired height above ground level and at an inward angle so that the drum engages the top and side portions of the windrow to force the forage down and toward the center of the windrow. The drum includes a plurality of parallel spaced rods about the periphery of the drum to prevent excessive compacting and to prevent adherence of the forage to the drum. A second embodiment of the invention includes two drums carried by separate yokes, the drums both being inwardly inclined toward one another and obliquely placed, one in front of the other so as to overlap for simultaneous shaping of the forage on each side of the windrow without compaction between drums.

Abstract: A wheel line irrigation system provided with a plurality of rotary, impact-type, high volume sprinklers, each of the sprinklers provided with a nozzle having a large discharge port of 0.5 inches in diameter or greater. The pipeline is axially affixed to laterally spaced wheels; the pipeline including a main line, having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, and a plurality of dropped line portions, of modified V-shape, to which each respective sprinkler is attached. The inlet port of each nozzle is located at or below the longitudinal axis of the main line and preferably in a vertical plane with the main line to overcome the reactive thrust of the sprinkler and to reduce the oscillation, caused by the impact arm, of each sprinkler.

Abstract: Roll-up cover apparatus for an open sided trailer box including a top rail, a flexible cover downwardly depending from the top rail, a torque tube for winding or unwinding the cover thereon, a plurality of laterally spaced straps, and one or more winches engaging the straps for placing selective tension thereon. In one embodiment the torque tube is contained below a bottom rail for placing tension on the cover itself and in a second embodiment the torque tube rest on the bottom rail with the cover defining an apron overlapping the bottom of the side opening for placement on the floor of the trailer box when hauling bulk goods and for placement over the outside of the bottom rail when hauling non-bulk goods.

Abstract: A pet feeder, particularly for pet dogs, including a storage container for storage of food and accessories and a removable feeding table which prevents access by the pet to the storage container when the pet is feeding and which is removable from the storage container only be vertically upward displacement. The feeding table is provided with a plurality of removable food and water bowls and with a splashboard along the rear and sides of the feeding table.

Abstract: Holster-handgrip extension apparatus for miniature handguns of the type having a handgrip framework defining an opening therethrough. The apparatus includes a pair of pivot bolt support plates located within the framework opening and separated by a separator-spacer member for holding the plates flush with the sides of the framework; a pivot bolt supported by the plates; and a rigid shell pivotally engaging the pivot bolt, the shell having a longitudinal, top opening, slot for receiving the handgrip, trigger, part of the handgun stock, and the barrel when in the closed holster position and the shell providing an extension of the handgrip when in the open, operable, position.

Abstract: A method for non-invasive in vivo determination of muscle fiber composition and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The method includes the steps of electrically stimulating a chosen muscle; determining the stimulation current; measuring the electrical potential of the muscle; the contraction time; and the force produced by the contraction; and by intercorrelating the data by multiple regression, determining the type, percentage and size of muscle fibers within the muscle stimulated. Apparatus for determining the muscle composition includes a muscle stimulator of controlled voltage; electromyogram equipment; and a force transducer providing a tension curve as well as force measurements.

Abstract: A wire clamp for clamping two wires together. The clamp includes a first member, channel-like in shape, and a second member having a body portion held within the channel of the first member; the body portion being provided with a pair of sharpened ears which overlap the edges of the first member. A threaded bolt-nut assembly clamps the two members together. The clamp is particularly useful for repairing broken fence wires; the two ends of the broken wire being drawn taut between the first and second members and held in position by tightening the nut upon the bolt causing the top surface of the base portion of the first member and the bottom surface of the body of the second member to firmly engage the wires contained therebetween and causing the sharpened ears to engage the wires for crimping the wires.

Abstract: Method and alignment tube apparatus for the production of onion rings in an hydraulic food cutting system. Onions are pre-cut at top and bottom to provide an onion having a predetermined thickness. The onions so cut are then propelled through a flow tube which aligns the onion into a preselected position relative to cutting knives. The onion is then forced by hydraulic pressure through the cutting knives, which are horizontally oriented and vertically stacked, to cut the concentric layers of onion into onion rings. The alignment tube of the present invention includes a pair of oppositely disposed converging ramps which define an outlet port having an height substantially the same as the thickness of the precut onion. The onion is thereby precisely oriented for proper cutting.

Abstract: A tool for cutting insulation from electrical wire including a housing; an insert receivable by the housing, said insert including a wire guide opening and a grooved shoulder approximating the size of the wire to support the wire during the cutting operation; and one or more blades adjustably and transversely mounted to the longitudinal axis of the shoulder groove for cutting the insulation from the wire as the wire is pulled through the wire guide opening and along the groove of the insert. The insert is readily removable, being locked in place during use. In this manner, inserts having varying diameters of openings and grooves approximating the diameter of the insulated wire to be stripped may be employed.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing bulk material into a storage bag including a hopper, an auger tube having an inlet port and a discharge port, an auger rotatably mounted within the auger tube, and a storage bag support framework affixed to the auger tube at its discharge end. The auger extends through the discharge port and into the area defined by the storage bag support framework to permit lateral displacement of the bulk material from the auger into the storage bag support and then into the storage bag. The auger preferably extends through the discharge port a distance of at least one flight; the pitch of the flights being shorter than those within the auger tube. The auger is unsupported adjacent the discharge port except by a pilot shaft which engages the compressed material within the storage bag.

Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a boat to a trailer for loading the boat onto the trailer although the boat may be floating at varying water levels relative to the trailer. The latch assembly includes a first latch, provided with a retentive framework and spring loaded door, mounted on the bow of a boat and a second or mating latch, having a framework provided with an elongated and vertically oriented latch pin. The framework of the mating latch is hingably mounted to a trailer post located adjacent the front of the trailer so as to incline in conformity with the bow of a boat. The spring loaded door of latch strikes the elongated latch pin at a vertical position dependent upon the water level, boat height, and trailer level and opens and then closes to captivate the latch pin. As the trailer is removed from the water, the latch slides down the latch pin until the boat rests upon the trailer bed.

Abstract: Alcohol fuel conversion apparatus for internal combustion engines including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a primary heat exchanger, a heat source, a converter and a carburetor. The pump delivers pressurized liquid alcohol to the primary heat exchanger where the alcohol fuel is heated above the vaporization point at ambient pressure. The heated fuel is next delivered to the converter where the super-heated liquid alcohol is vaporized at reduced pressure. The alcohol is then delivered to the carburetor where the vaporized alcohol is metered and mixed with air for proper combustion. The air-fuel mixture, in gaseous form is then delivered to the intake system of a conventional internal combustion engine. A fuel pre-heater assembly utilizing waste heat from the engine may also be provided.

Abstract: A pipeline monorail comprising a pipeline provided with at least one outwardly extending flange extending the length of the pipeline; two carriages, longitudinally spaced on the pipeline, each carriage having wheels operable to frictionally engage the flange of the pipeline for guidance, the wheels of at least one of the carriages being driven by a power source for propelling the carriages which carry and are connected by a load carrier, preferably including a boom. The boom is adapted to carry pipe sections and is longitudinally moveable relative to the carriages for suspending the pipe sections forwardly of the existing end of the pipeline and is operable to lower or raise the pipe section for attachment to the existing pipeline for construction of the pipeline. Each section so attached is also provided with a flange. Pedestals are used to support the pipeline where required.

Abstract: A musical faucet for producing a musical tune upon the opening of a water tap including a waterpower take-off in the form of a water wheel located within a water conduit; a musical comb with tuned tines; and a rotatable striker member, preferably in the form of a cylinder or endless belt, having a multiplicity of striker pins for impacting the tines of the comb to produce music. The striker member is powered by the water wheel and may be integral therewith. The comb and striker member may be connected externally to the water conduit or may be within the conduit. A sealed housing or a cavitation baffle may be used when the comb and striker member are located within the water conduit.

Abstract: A live bait holder for surface fishing, said holder ring-shaped in form and defining an orifice for holding live bait such as grasshoppers, crickets, and the like. The ring is constructed of resilient material and has a cut therethrough for deformation of the ring for placement of the bait. The holder preferably includes at least two barbs, inwardly projecting into the orifice for engaging and securing the bait and includes a tab made of permeable material for insertion and containment of a fishhook.

Abstract: A crutch of the bifurcated type having a handgrip which is angularly offset relative to the armrest to accommodate the natural positioning of the hand and wrist. One or both support struts carrying the handgrips may be bent outwardly to carry the handgrip at a selected angle or brackets attachable to a conventional crutch may be used for the same purpose.

Abstract: A mechanical chimney sweep including a spark arrester; a winch-pulley-cable assembly; a brush attached to the cable; and a counterweight depending from the brush. The spark arrester, which prevents lit material from exiting the flue, is attachable to a flue lining or flue pipe by means of a bracket without screws, bolts, or other fastening devices. The arrester supports the pulley about which the cable is threaded; the winch being externally mounted, as on the side of a house. The counterweight serves as a weight for moving the brush down the flue for cleaning and also functions as a weight holding the spark arrester in place.