Abstract: Electrically resistive liquids such as tap water are heated in an all solid state electrical apparatus. Spaced inner and outer conically shaped electrodes provide a flow path for the water or other liquid which is heated to a preselected temperature by selectively passing alternating current between the electrodes and through the partially conductive liquid. The resistivity of the liquid dissipates the electrical energy in the form of heat which thus increases the temperature of the flowing liquid. Rapid, safe and effective control over the electrical current flowing between the conical electrodes is achieved by an electrical control circuit including a solid state alternating current switching device, a current sensing circuit, a temperature sensing circuit and a logic circuit for selective control of the switching device.

Abstract: A clothing hanger has a pair of jaws and a pair of arms with each arm connected to a jaw. The arms are pivotally mounted relative to each other to clamp and unclamp the jaws. The arms are biased together, and a member is provided to separate the jaws against the bias. The member is a cam which is mounted for pivoting on one of the arms for camming engagement with the other arm during movement of the cam between a first position with the arms separated in the second position which allows the jaws to clamp under the bias. A cam roller is mounted on the end of the cam which engages the other of the arms to reduce friction of the cam on that arm. A stop is provided for preventing movement of the cam beyond the first position so that the cam is retained in that position. The stop sets the first position such that insertion of clothes against the cam urges the cam a sufficient distance toward the second or closed position so that the biasing force on the arms can close the jaws together.

Abstract: A cutting tool is especially adapted for use with a power driven hammer. The power driven hammer is held in one hand and the shank of the tool is inserted into a guide on the hammer. Preferably, the power driven hammer is adapted to move the tool through a very short distance at a very high frequency so that each individual movement transmitting force on the tool will be short. The tool body has cutting teeth for cutting into the workpiece under action of the tool. The depth and speed of cut of the tool can be varied in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the teeth have a plurality of laterally flat cutting edges disposed in a longitudinally curved array, and the angle which the tool makes with the workpiece determines the depth and speed of the cutting. In a second embodiment, the teeth are disposed in a substantially flat plane, and a pivot is provided to transmit force from the anvil to the tool through the shank therebetween.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor has a belt storage reel biased toward a belt wound condition, an emergency locking means for preventing a further unwinding movement of the belt when it is unwound to a position of use and an emergency condition exists and an improvement in belt tension reducing means for reducing the tension of the belt when in use due to the rewinding bias of the reel. The improved belt tension reducing means includes counterbiasing spring means for biasing the reel in a belt unwinding direction when connected thereto and means for releasably connecting the counterbiasing means and the reel in response to belt movement during protraction and retraction. Ratchet means connected to the reel are adapted to be engaged by pawl means pivotally mounted on a pawl carrier means which is in turn rotatably mounted to the retractor and biased counter to the reel bias by the counterbiasing spring.

Abstract: Improvements in sprinkler systems having fluid under pressure flowing therethrough and a sprinkler head with a pop-up nozzle actuated by fluid pressure. An impeller is actuated by the fluid flow to rotate the nozzle and thus rotate the spray of fluid threfrom. A transmission is disposed between the impeller and the nozzle for transmitting rotation of the impeller to the nozzle. Means are provided for regulating the rate of rotation of the impeller, and then the nozzle, under varying volume flow of fluid being sprayed thereout. This may be accomplished by a substantially constant velocity of incoming fluid impinging on impeller blades.

Abstract: A means and method to facilitate making a flowline connection between a non-vertically disposed submerged connector means for subsea well operations. A surface vessel carrying a supply of flowline and of tension cable over a subsea well installation lowers one end of the tension cable to anchor the cable adjacent the subsea connector means and after moving away from the subsea installation, a tension control means imparts selected tension to the cable to maintain an approximate catenary curve while flowline is supported from and progressively advanced along the cable to the connector means at the subsea installation. Cable tension is controlled to provide a selected curve of the cable and flowline so that the attitude of the advancing end of the flowline is substantially aligned with the connector means at the subsea installation whereby a flowline connection with subsea pipe installations is effected without or with only minimum assistance from a diver or other subsea robot equipment.

Abstract: The harness for securing a child into a child safety seat includes at least two webbing sections anchored to the seat and attached to an abdominal pad for restraining the upper torso of the child and locating the pad. The harness includes at least a third webbing section attached at one end to the abdominal pad. A tongue plate is attached to the other end of the third webbing section. Adjustment means are provided for adjusting the vertical position of the pad. The third harness has a fixed length, and the adjustment means comprises positioning means on or in the pad for positioning the first end of the third webbing section for vertically positioning the pad relative to the child. Securing means are also provided in the base of the seat for securing a buckle therein, and a slot in the seat allows for passage of the tongue plate through the slot. The buckle is secured in such a way that it is aligned with the slot so that the tongue plate mates with the buckle when the tongue plate passes through the slot.

Abstract: A surgical towel and drape clamp having opposed jaw members connected to and opened and closed by the action of pivotally interconnected shank members having finger loop members and locking ratchet members is provided with tip means on one of said jaw members having a blunt distal end portion, the other of said jaw members being provided with tip means having a concave distal end portion which has a peripheral blunt edge. Upon placing a surgical towel or surgical drape between the tip means of said jaw members and manipulating the finger loops to close the jaw members and bring the locking ratchets into interengagement with each other, the surgical towel or surgical drape is trapped between the blunt distal end portion of one of the tip means and the concave distal end portion of the other tip means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for containing water having a high concentration of water-soluble industrial waste which, when in contact with bentonite, disintegrates the bentonite thereby allowing seepage of water through soil containing said water which comprises intimately admixing with said soil a soil sealant composition consisting essentially of bentonite, a water-soluble dispersing agent, and a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, water-soluble salts of polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymers of the foregoing, and a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic anhydride, the amount of water-soluble polymer being from 0.1% to 3.0%, by weight, and the amount of water-soluble dispersent being from 0.1% to 3.

Abstract: A one piece molded plastic device includes a body presenting a face that can receive indicia and an integral clip having convergent sidewalls depending from an integral bight portion. One of the sidewalls is connected to the body and the other sidewall is longer than the first sidewall and extends below the body. The clip is positionable over marginal portions along the free edge of generally thin objects. The device has been improved by adding a pair of laterally spaced ribs. The ribs are formed integrally and longitudinally of the second sidewall and protrude toward the body for gripping the marginal portion of the objects therebetween. A deformable hinge may also be provided integrally with the body and clip where the first sidewall is connected to the body for selectively adjusting the relative orientation of the body and the clip as desired.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing retractor for a vehicle prevents protraction of the webbing when the vehicle undergoes changes in momentum above a predetermined level. The retractor includes a retractor frame, a lockable belt storage reel and associated reel lock actuating means including a lever movable in response to movement of an associated inertia sensing pendulum. The invention includes the improvement of providing a pendulum body which includes a light weight base of cup-like configuration which has two interiorly formed actuator camming surfaces, a hollow cylindrical inertia sensing mass of a material relatively heavier than the base and means for securely attaching the mass to the base with the hollow mass and the apertured base providing a vertical axial bore through the pendulum body.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a preselected shape in a work piece along X and Y axes, the machine utilizing a diamond wire cutting means traveling along a Z axis. A diamond wire cutting machine adapted for use with a milling machine. The cutting machine includes servo-driven caster-type pulleys movable about the Z axis and closely positioned above and below the work. Positioning of the rotatable pulleys is in accordance with the changes in configuration of the work being cut so that the diamond wire is directly supported against the pressure of the work as the work is turned in accordance with the pattern or shape to be cut.

Abstract: A sign having phosphorescent indicia, a light source providing ultraviolet radiation for illuminating the sign and charging the phosphorescent indicia, and a photoelectric sensor responsive to the level of the phosphorescent glow of the indicia for briefly energizing or flashing the light source whereby to effectively recharge the phosphor when the light level of the glow decays below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming or restoring the pleats of draperies which have been newly made or freshly dry cleaned. The drape or drapes are supported from a horizontally extending hanger bar which in turn is vertically movable on an upstanding frame. An improved horizontally mounted pleater bar assembly is also vertically movable on the frame and includes a stationary bar mounted on the frame having a plurality of spaced plates or fingers extending generally normal to the drapes and a movable bar carrying a plurality of spaced, flexible fingers, which movable bar is movable from a position away from the drape or drapes to a position whereby the fingers interleave with the plates with the drapery pleats passing about the fingers and plates. A releasable lock is provided for quickly and easily locking approximately 90% of the drapes between the plates and fingers.

Abstract: A fluid filter and purifying apparatus located within a supportive structure wherein substantially all of the fluid passing therethrough is caused to be conducted through two separate mediums, a stranded fibrous medium in order to remove particulate matter and activated carbon in order to remove chemical pollutants. The granulated carbon is located within a plurality of elongated envelopes with a preferential oval cross-section. Each of the envelopes are mounted within the frame in a spaced apart manner forming a gap between adjacent envelopes. The major axis of each oval shaped envelope is inclined at an acute angle, preferably 45.degree., with respect to the direction of fluid flow. Located within each gap may be a quantity of stranded glass fibers which is to remove particulate matter from the fluid.

Abstract: A trash container lid system for placement on top of large industrial trash bins of the type utilized in hotels, apartment houses, etc., in which a lid section is rotatably coupled to a trash bin. The lid is slidably coupled to the top surfaces of the side sections of the trash bins via slide members on the lid and a slide track, preferably nylon bearing strips, on the top edge of the side sections, and rotatably coupled to the trash bin via lever arms rotatably coupled at one end to the trash bin and at another end to a lower back portion of the lid section.RELATED APPLICATIONSAn application for United States Letters Patent was filed by Allan M. Hodge and Calvin P. Owen on Aug. 5, 1974, Ser. No. 494,622, now abandoned, for a Trash Container Lid System. A continuation of that application was filed on Dec. 24, 1975, Ser. No. 644,188, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,162.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe continuation application for United States Letters Patent referred to above for a trash container lid system by Allan M.

Abstract: A hinged sterilizable disposable container for magnetizable surgical instruments which has relatively large upper and lower portions connected by sides of a relatively narrower dimension. A non-deformable outer case is provided for retaining the instruments entirely within the case and precluding any tendencies for said instruments to protrude from the case. Magnetic means are provided which completely cover the interior portion of the case and retain any magnetizable instruments placed within the case.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding and duplicating a key wherein the notches in the shank of the key are coded to a predetermined coded depth and spacing therebetween. An index card having a sequential index thereon corresponding to the predetermined coded depth is inserted into a housing and the key to be duplicated is inserted into a slot in the housing where it engages an indexing member which enters one of the notches on the key and indicates on the card the coded depth of that notch. The angle of cut of the same notch may also be determined. The remaining notches of the key may be decoded in like manner. The same index card is then inserted into a housing which includes an indexing drum having notches therein with spacing therebetween corresponding to the predetermined coded spacing of the key to be duplicated. A blank key is firmly secured in a predetermined position on the housing and movable in a direction toward a grinding wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying empty boxes to a plurality of filling and weighing stations for filling boxes at said stations each independently of other filling stations, and removal of filled boxes from said filling and weighing stations along a common discharge path without box interference. The filling and weighing stations are arranged in a line. Parallel to this line for at least the length of the filling station line is an empty box feed conveyor. Empty boxes are moved along said box feed conveyor so that an empty box is in ready position opposite a filling and weighing station for immediate replacement of a filled box, the empty box being utilized to displace the filled box from the filling and weighing station and to move the filled box onto a discharge conveyor arranged along a line parallel to said filling and weighing station line and on the side opposite from the box feed conveyor.

Abstract: A method for supplying empty boxes to a plurality of filling and weighing stations for filling boxes at said stations each independently of other filling stations, and removal of filled boxes from said filling and weighing stations along a common discharge path without box interference. The filling and weighing stations are arranged in a line. Parallel to this line for at least the length of the filling station line is an empty box feed conveyor. Empty boxes are moved along said box feed conveyor so that an empty box is in ready position opposite a filling and weighing station for immediate replacement of a filled box, the empty box being utilized to displace the filled box from the filling and weighing station and to move the filled box onto a discharge conveyor arranged along a line parallel to said filling and weighing station line and on the side opposite from the box feed conveyor.