Abstract: A system for constructing concrete barriers on a roadway with adequate spacing between sections of the barrier for proper drainage and expansion of the concrete during changing atmospheric conditions. The process utilizes a specially designed positioning tool to leave a proper space in a latice framework of steel rods. A temporary, removeable core or separating section, made of for example a styrofoam inner layer sandwiched between outer layers of "Masonite," designed for this purpose and matched with the positioning tool is inserted into the space and secured there using pins attached to the metal latice works providing an unbroken, constant surface or mold on which to pour concrete for the barrier. When the concrete has set, the core may be collapsed without damaging the concrete or metal frame and removed. When the various cores are removed, the barrier is left with properly spaced and positioned gaps for drainage and expansion of the concrete.

Abstract: A method for transferring brackets for the teeth from a prepared carrier tray system to the teeth of the patient using an improved two tray system. The brackets are fitted over the teeth of the patient with the intention of using these brackets as a base for attaching other orthodontic equipment. The first tray is of a flexible nature which can be made to retain its original shape after placing brackets on the teeth in a predetermined ideal position. The second tray is a more rigid tray which is inserted over the first tray. The second tray stabilizes the seating of the brackets during seating or drying of the cement securing the brackets.

Abstract: A system for controlling the deviation of the path of oil or gas well conductor casing at a desired angle, curvature and orientation in the sea bottom stratum through which it is driven from an offshore platform involving the use of conductor guide(s) equipped with longitudinally disposed anti-twist bar(s) fixedly mounted thereon to prevent or arrest any twisting motion along the longitudinal axis of the casing sections which have like, anti-twist bar as the conductor sections are being lowered or driven down from the platform. Motion is arrested by means of the bars on the conductor guide(s) contacting the similar bars fixedly attached to the casing sections being driven through the conductor guides on the platform support structure. By arresting any twisting motion at this relatively elevated point, any undesired twist is minimized in the driven casing sections minimizing any undesired horizontal deviation in the enplacement of the conductor casing which would have otherwise been caused by the twisting.

Abstract: A device, a method, and a system for reducing the draft of large vessels to allow the successful navigation of shallow waterways which could not otherwise be traversed due to the depth of the draft of the vessel. The implementation of this system will eliminate unnecessary dredging and facilitate full utilization of the ships' cargo capacity. The system is comprised of several buoyancy modules, control tender vessels, base point grids, appropriate computers, air compressors, and all other necessary equipment. Each buoyancy module of the system consist of two inflatable/deflatable pneumatic lift cells contained by sleeves positioned one at each end, with a base webbing connecting the two ends and forming the middle supportive portion of each module. The base webbing is positioned beneath the vessel oriented so as to position one pneumatic lift cell on each side of the vessel.

Abstract: An automatic roux maker including a pot for heating and agitating (mixing and moving) the roux during the cooking process, in which a motor-driven agitator is included and suspended within the pot for mixing the roux during cooking and for preventing scorching of the roux. At the bottom of the centrally located agitator shaft is included, for example, two diametrically opposed, paddle arms which ride and sweep on the bottom of the pot and are pivotally connected to a slotted support which is capable of floating up-and-down with respect to the agitator shaft. The flexible sweeping of the bottom of the pot prevents any of the roux from remaining on the bottom of the pot for any significant period of time, preventing scorching of the roux.

Abstract: A cutter system for pipe casings and the like, including a generally "C" shaped cutter assembly body having an always open side entry and exit area leading into the centrally located cutter area with an annular trackway extending an exemplary 290.degree. about the operative center of the cutter system. A cutter sub-assembly is carried on the trackway for back and forth movement of an exemplary 110.degree. in each direction with the sub-assembly carrying two, directly opposed rotating cutter blades which cut the pipe casing as the sub-assembly is moved to and from on the trackway. The two blades travel in each direction a minimum of one-half their arcuate spacing difference and preferrably less than their arcuate spacing difference, producing a full 360.degree. cut. The cutters are radially moved in and out by a reciprocating yoke assembly. The cutter body assembly is pivotally mounted onto a telescoping boom attached to for example a work vehicle.

Abstract: A removeable base plate accessory member for the support jack leg on a trailer hitch providing a flat base stand for a trailer when the trailer is being parked and left in a particular area. The base plate member is easily attachable to or detachable from the support leg and may be adjusted to vary the relative height or distance between the accessory's base plate and its attachment connector leg used to attach the base plate to the support leg of the standard type jack found on most trailer hitches. The preferred connector (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes a pipe section with a bottom plate welded to it with a centrally located opening with a nut welded to the bottom plate, with the base plate member having a vertically extending centrally located threaded stud threadably engaging the nut.

Abstract: A lettering device for drawing characters for use in connection with a lettering template having character grooves and a horizontal guide pin groove, the combination of a guide pin, a tracer pin, and a means for holding a writing instrument, each at the vertices of a right triangle, said tracer pin, being located at the right angle vertex. The knob handle for the device is located outside of and adjacent to that leg of the right triangle which interconnects said tracer pin and said writing instrument means, whereby the device can be manipulated by the left hand.

Abstract: A wrist or arm wrestling-type game system wherein the player tests or measures his strength by crushing one, two, or more cans, for example aluminum, beer-type cans within a measured time period. The can (or cans) to be crushed is (are) set upon a platform incorporated in the body of the strength testing game device. The player then inserts a coin in a slot (if the device is designed to be coin operated). places his elbow upon a resting pad, grasps a handle and pulls the handle down to drive a mechanical (or hydraulic) system to crush the cans. The handle pulls a cable which is run through a series of pulleys and which is attached (in a first embodiment) to a strongback. The strongback crushes the can against the platform. One of the pulleys through which the cable has been run can be attached to a spring pressure cylinder which measures the force exerted by the player when crushing the can. The placement of the player's elbow upon the elbow pad activates a start switch which in turn activates a timer.

Abstract: A floating retriever for retrieving, for example, spilled oil or other liquid substances on the top of water having a central liquid collection chamber with a vacuum or suction pick-up for delivery of the pollutants to, for example, a mother vessel which controls the retriever by means of, for example, a boom structure. The retriever has a large surrounding circular float with intake ports with rotational, wiper/configured, laterally disposed vaned cylinders to bring the retrieved liquid to the collection chamber. The device includes an inverted-dome, variable level, water well for stability, as well as radially positioned, selectively controlled, out-rigger, floating screws which may turn clockwise or counterclockwise for both drawing the oil to the intake ports and providing for propulsion and guidance. In an alternate embodiment, an initial, gravity oil/water separator is included in the retriever in association with the central collection chamber.

Abstract: A light weight, portable, self-contained pipe joining device and system for installing succeeding, very heavy, concrete pipe sections into the end of a preceding pipe section positioned in a trench. The pipe joining device includes a power operated winch which is mounted on an adjustable height stand which may be mounted on a sled. The adjustable height stand allows the positioning of the winch inside the initial pipe section at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical centerline of the pipe section. The winch cable is anchored to the winch stand, passed through a snatch-block and secured to the winch drum. Secured to the snatch-block is a two part sling with a hook at the free end of each part. The winching cable assembly is led through the interior of the succeeding pipe section being installed, and the hooks are placed over the pipe wall at the far end. The pipe joining device is anchored in the initial pipe section by means of a static two part sling.

Abstract: A figure toy or doll with a hollow body cavity fabricated from a durable and resilient material. Fitted to the body is a relatively rigid extension which incorporates a threaded arrangement to receive a relatively rigid head which incorporates a reciprocal threaded arrangement. The hollow body is filled with a non-toxic gelatinous fluid, which, when the body is compressed, will flow through the relatively rigid extension into the relatively rigid head and out of orifices in the head. This configuration simulates bleeding by the figure toy. During shipping, the relatively rigid extension is sealed with for example an easily removeable foil or film to prevent inadvertent discharge of the gelatinous fluid.

Abstract: An exercising system for exercising the abdominal muscles in which the abdominal muscles are isolated and placed "on stretch" prior to contracture comprising an exercising device having a seat with a posteriorly curved, firm back in which the user sits and secures himself and bends forward working against a progressive force resistance system using weights supported on a pulley system (three exemplary pulley systems being illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) or using a resilient, stretch material (FIGS. 4 and 5) connected by means of shoulder harness with straps to the upper shoulder portions of the user, with the user strapped into place with a seat belt. In use, the exerciser simply straps himself into the seat, puts the shoulder harness on and lies back against the posteriorly curved back which puts the abdominals in stretch.

Abstract: A rug or mat cleaning apparatus is disclosed which is comprised of first a dry lint and dust removing section, then a water or like liquid containing vessel having an initial wash section and then a rinse section and then finally a wringer section. A mat to be cleaned is passed through a first conveying roller at a slower driving speed. Thereafter, the mat or rug enters an increased speed brush which both removes dirt and agitates the surface of the rug and beats it to knock loose undesireable dirt and like particles. In the wash section of the apparatus, alternating feed rollers and brush rollers carry the mat or rug to be cleaned. Each feed roller clamps and holds the rug to prevent slipping while conveying it at a slower linear speed. Each brush roller provides a brushing surface having a substantially higher linear speed than the surface of the conveying rolls. Thus, a "tuck" or crease is created in the rug between each high speed roller brush and its adjacent and following slower conveying roll.

Abstract: An orthodontic traction appliance system including headgear with straps for the wearer, a face plate on either side connected to the headgear, and a resiliently biased "J"-hook tube assembly on each face plate. The "J"-hook tube assembly comprises a "J"-hook member having a shaft extending through a tube and being resiliently and elastically held into the tube by a rubber band extending between lateral arms on the shaft and a reverse, face plate connecting hook on the underside of the tube. The face plate includes a variable length portion comprising a base portion having series of parallel, lateral, female slots and a head strap connector portion riding on the base portion and having a male, inverted-"L" shaped protrusion for mating with a selected one of the female slots to vary the relative distance between the tube of the "J"-hook assembly and the straps of the headgear.

Abstract: A pumping system for filling pressurized gas cylinders from a relatively lower pressure, liquified supply of that gas, for example CO.sub.2, by means of a system comprising a CO.sub.2 /air-driven motor driving the liquified gas into the cylinder. The system is primed until liquid begins to run. Thereafter the liquid is driven by the CO.sub.2 /air-driven motor into an empty cylinder. A particularly efficacious longitudinally reciprocating plunger pump for use in the system is disclosed (FIG. 4). The "air" driven motor is preferrably driven by CO.sub.2 vapor, particularly where CO.sub.2 is the liquified gas being pumped or where hazardous or toxic liquified gases are being pumped.

Abstract: A self-powered life monitor in a pocket-size, portable container including a casing with electrode probes mounted on the casing which are capable of piercing the skin to rest in subcutaneous tissue. The monitor further includes an amplifier electrically connected to the electrode probes and to a "life" indicator. The monitor is used by placing the electrode probes at different positions in an area of the human body where electrical potential is indicative of life activity, such as the areas of the heart or brain. The amplifiers enhance the difference between the electrical potentials measured by the probes, and the indicator indicates the existence and strength of the electrical potential and hence the presence or absence of life. For brain activity detection, a first embodiment (note particularly FIGS. 2 and 7) has supplemental, swing-out, pivoting electrodes, while a second embodiment (FIGS. 8 and 9) has supplemental, spring-out electrodes.