Abstract: Portable apportioning apparatus, readily attachable to a meat grinder or stuffer or similar product dispensing mechanism, including a product flow tube having an inlet and an outlet and an internal stop; a housing, defining a closed cavity, rotatingly engaging the flow tube, the cavity in fluid communication with a first opening cut-out of the wall of the flow tube above the internal stop and a second opening cut-out of the wall of the flow tube below the internal stop; and a rotatable apportioning baffle engaging the walls of the housing cavity to define two separate apportioning cavities. A semi-solid product, such as meat, flows from the grinder or stuffer through the inlet of the flow tube and through the top cut-out into one of the apportioning cavities causing rotational movement of the baffle to a predetermined apportioning stop. Movement of the baffle forces an apportioned amount of the product through the bottom cut-out and through the outlet of the flow tube where it may be packaged.

Abstract: A masonry guide including an upright standard; a fork affixed to the standard adjacent its lowermost end for engaging the external corner of a building structure; a pair of arms pivotally engaging the standard at right angles to one another, the arms each carrying a common pin and an end pin adapted for placement upon the top surface of the walls under construction; and adjustment rods pivotally and angularly connected between the standard and each arm for vertically plumbing the standard and for providing arm support. Guide line blocks are attachable to the standard for holding horizontally extending guidelines in place. The masonry guide also preferably includes a pair of spirit levels adjacent the top of the standard for vertical positioning of the standard and may also include a measurement rule for setting of guidelines at proper height. An accessory pin, rearwardly extending from the standard, cooperates with the end pins of the arms to permit the device to be used on an internal corner.

Abstract: Print hammer apparatus comprising a hammer preferably having a non-magnetic flexure provided with a magnetic hammer head and stylus and held in a normally retracted position by a permanent magnet. A pole piece, for concentrating magnetic flux onto the hammer head, is in magnetic contact with the permanent magnet and defines a slot in which the hammer head is received. The hammer head is separated from the pole piece by a minute air gap. An electromagnet is operable, upon activation, to release the hammer from its retracted position for printing. The unique pole piece and hammer head combination and the use of non-magnetic flexures in specialized forms maximize hammer speed for pre-selected forces at pre-selected retracted distances. Positioning the stylus at the center of percussion of the flexure and alignment of longitudinal axes of hammer head, the pole piece ofthe electromagnet, and the stylus also contribute to superior performance.

Abstract: A bathtub especially for use on a bed and comprising a flexible liner, one rigid support frame for each of two side walls, frame holding means for each side wall, and a support beam between each side wall to hold said frames upright and spaced apart such that the end walls of said flexible liner will also be held upright by tension; and a method of bathing a bedridden person using said bathtub by sliding said flexible liner under said person, installing said frames in planar contact with said sidewalls, installing said beams to hold said side walls and said end walls upright, and filling said bathtub as desired.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump including a vertical axle, a flotation member rotatingly engaging the axle for lateral support, a plurality of equidistant radially extending conduits supported by the flotation member, each of the conduits including an intake port adjacent the vertical axis of the flotation member and submersed in the liquid to be pumped and upon which the flotation member of bouyed and a discharge port adjacent the outer terminal edge of the flotation member, and a drive system for rotating the flotation member.

Abstract: A method for the control of bluetongue disease amongst sheep by the application of O, O-dimethyl O-p-(dimethylsulfamoyl) phenyl phosphorothioate directly to the back of the animal. Such application of a chemotherapeutic dosage prevents contamination of the animal by the bluetongue virus carrying gnat (Culicoides).

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a game including a rectangular game board having 40 hexagonally recessed playing spaces in contiguous and aligned relationship representing 5 files and 8 ranks. Two sets of playing pieces, each set having 9 hexagonal playing pieces adapted to fit in the recessed playing spaces are provided. Each playing piece of each set is marked so as to indicate particular sides of the piece which are invulnerable to attack from an aligned playing piece of the opposing set. In playing a game, a piece may move in any aligned direction any number of spaces but may not "jump" another playing piece. A playing piece may also be rotated in position, constituting a move. A piece having a vulnerable side exposed to an aligned opposing piece is captured and removed from the game and the capturing piece takes its position. The game is won by placing a specified piece in a checkmate position.

Abstract: Diffusion apparatus for gated irrigation pipes including a gate retainer slidingly engaging the pipe to selectively control water dispensed therefrom, and a water diffuser which removeably connects directly to the gate retainer and is moveable therewith. The diffuser includes a framework which may be water porous and a water porous covering of fine meshed screen or bristles for diffusion of the water. The covering and framework together form a channeled or trough-like diffuser. The diffuser is provided with a pin which engages a receiving slot on the gate retainer to hold the diffuser in place. Use of the apparatus prevents soil erosion and unwanted furrowing of the soil at the outlets of gated irrigation pipes.

Abstract: An improved sight rib for firearm leveling which is attachable to firearm barrels having a top located bore vent, said sight rib including a housing having one or more upwardly extending apertures in fluid communication with the bore vent. The rib preferably includes an expansion chamber in communication with the bore vent from which a plurality of oppositely disposed backwardly and upwardly inclined apertures extend. By use of an appropriate sight rib, a firearm may be fine-tuned to overcome recoil.

Abstract: A lightweight support structure for electromagnetic and light reflectors including at least two rigid compression rings of any diametrical ratio held vertically spaced and parallel by a plurality of rigid vertically extending peripheral columns and two or more flexible cable sets vertically spaced and parallel with the compression rings. Nodes or junctures on the cable sets are adapted to remain fixed in space with respect to the compression rings by a series of tangential and radial cables and thus support rigid vertical internal columns which in turn support the reflector. The internal rigid columns may progressively increase in height from a central hub to the outermost periphery of the compression rings for supporting a reflector dish of parabolic configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cleaning of stove pipes, in place, comprising a stove pipe elbow of special construction, a brush, and a handle. The stove pipe elbow includes a large opening on its greatest curvature for brush removal and insertion and a lid for covering the opening to prevent toxic fumes from entering the room during use. The lid is provided with a longitudinal slot operable to slidingly receive the handle during the clean-out operation and permits the cleaning of stove pipes which are connected to the elbow in perpendicular orientation one to the other. A small cover plate is provided to cover the slot during periods of stove use. The handle, which is removed from the brush upon completion of the clean-out procedure, is preferably made of flexible material to facilitate use. The elbow may be provided with a brush storage compartment.

Abstract: A painter's holster including loops for attaching the holster to a belt, a substantially rectangular paint reservoir having a top opening downwardly beveled from back to front for covenient brush access to the reservoir, a V-shaped paint brush container secured to an external side of the reservoir to hold a paint brush securely and to prevent drying of the paint on the brush. The holster may also contain a second paint brush container on an opposite side, identical to the first brush container, and may further include a sponge brush applicator container on the front external wall of the reservoir.

Abstract: Apportioning control apparatus used principally for metering and dispensing foodstuff, said apparatus including an apportioner housing having an internal bore containing a free-floating piston, and an inlet and outlet port located adjacent both ends of the housing and opening into the bore. Working fluid is contained within the bore on both sides of the piston. Intake and discharge of the working fluid from the bore is controlled by a plurality of switch activated valves, permitting simultaneous intake and discharge. An adjustable piston stop permits precision control of the volume of working fluid flowing to and from the apparatus. The apparatus may include a holding tank for the working fluid, a pump, and a foodstuff dispenser operable to dispense foodstuff in a volume equal to fluid intake from the apportioner.

Abstract: A game call, operable to simulate an elk call, including a whistle having a longitudinal bore and a top vent and provided with a mouthpiece and a hollow open-ended tube of flexible material in fluid communication with the bore of the whistle. The flexible tube is preferably attached to the whistle by means of an adapter which is mateable with a second adapter attached to the free end of the flexible tube to protectively enclose the whistle. The two adapters, when mated, form a convenient handle for carrying. The flexible tube is provided with a spiraled inwardly projecting rib and is of sufficient resiliency to be doubled back upon itself in substantial O-shaped configuration for varying pitch during operation and for convenient portability.

Abstract: A self-locking butterfly valve adapted for placement in a tubular housing including a longitudinally slotted shaft with opposing grooves and a disc slideably received by the shaft. The disc is provided at one end with a slot engaging the grooves of the shaft and at the other end with a tab which, with the shaft, extends through an aperture in the housing for locking the disc to the shaft without use of external fasteners. A pin through the shaft may be used to prevent withdrawal of the shaft from the tubular housing.

Abstract: A laser-resistant warhead including a missile-carrying housing of graphite composition and an ejectible shell, also of graphite composition, covering the housing. The shell may be ejected either on command or automatically, as determined by heat sensors, for discharge of missiles contained within the housing. The outer surface of the shell may include a reflective, heat insulative, covering for added protection of the system.

Abstract: An improved earth moving bucket which includes a plurality of hemispherical, wear-resistant members bonded directly to the undersurface of the bottom wall of the bucket. The outer, earth-contacting, sidewalls of the bucket may also be provided with hemispherical members. The hemispherical members have a hardness at least as great but no more than 95 units of hardness on the Brinell scale greater than the walls to which they are attached. The hemispherical members are preferably placed on the walls in a staggered row arrangement wherein adjacent hemispherical members are at no greater distance from one another than the diameter of the largest of adjacent members.