Abstract: An apparatus for sorting round produce by diameter size using a conventional transport conveyer assembly and including a sorting size adjustment mechanism to automatically adjust the produce sorting size and an anti-pinch mechanism to prevent damaging the produce during the sorting process is disclosed. The conveyer assembly has a horizontal top run and a V-shaped bottom return run formed by a plurality of elastic conveyer bands trained about three elongated roller shafts. The conveyer bands are spaced across the width of the roller shafts at a fixed horizontal distance. As the produce is transported across the top conveyer run, the produce, whose diameter is smaller than the spacing between the adjacent conveyer bands, falls between adjacent conveyer bands for collection and the remaining produce travels to the end of the top conveyer run for separate collection.

Abstract: A thermostat and method for controlling relative humidity is disclosed. The thermostat and method embodied therein controls a heater to maintain the ambient temperature a few degrees above a minimum temperature that is required to prevent condensation, frost and/or freezing. The thermostat controls heater operation from calculated saturation (dew point) temperature values derived from sensed relative humidity and ambient temperature values. The thermostat compensates for sensor non-linearity without the use of additional hardware circuitry or the use of memory intensive lookup tables. In addition, the thermostat of this invention adjusts for the inherent variances in electrical characteristics of the particular sensors used in thermostat circuitry. In one embodiment, the thermostat controls the operation of the heater to maintain the ambient temperature a few degrees above the calculated dew point.

Abstract: An apparatus or clip is disclosed, which can be used both to securely hold and support a heating cable or mat at a desired depth within a slab form, and to easily locate the cable or mats once embedded using a simple magnetic field. The clips of this invention are constructed from a material that has a suitable magnetic susceptibility for permitting detection by a weak magnetic field. Consequently, the clip can be located using a simple bar magnet or a common stud finder. The high magnetic permeability of the clip compared to the surrounding earth, asphalt or concrete allows the clip to be readily located by a stud finder. As a stud finder is passed over the clip, the magnetic needle is attracted to the clip apparatus by the emitted magnetic flux. The configuration of the clip includes two upright legs and two horizontal feet. The legs are bent to support and space the mat or cable above the feet.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable between a current source and an electrical load for indicating current flow through the load above a threshold level. The indicator includes two negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors, and a neon indicator lamp. The first thermistor is connected directly in series with the electrical load and the second thermistor is connected in series with the neon lamp. The thermistors are packaged together by an epoxy resin, which thermally couples the thermistors so that both thermistors operate at substantially identical temperatures. Current flow above the load's operational threshold level causes the first thermistor to heat to an equilibrium temperature well above the ambient temperature. At this elevated equilibrium temperature, both resistors have extremely low resistance values. The low resistance value of the second thermistor permits maximum current flow to the neon lamp, which illuminates the lamp.

Abstract: A therapeutic bilateral weight unloading apparatus is disclosed, which suspends a user to support a selected portion of his weight while dampening both vertical and lateral forces exerted on the user during ambulation. The weight unloading apparatus includes a frame and two pivoting boom arms that are independently supported by two gas compression springs. The user is suspended between the boom arms by a body harness. The boom arms are pivotally connected to a vertically adjustable gantry frame extensibly mounted to a base frame, which allows the boom arms to be raised and lowered. Each boom arm is supported by one of the gas springs. One end of the prop is connected to a slide collar shiftably mounted to the boom arm. The slide collars can be selectively positioned along the length of the boom arms to adjust the suspension force for each boom arm.

Abstract: A modular landing assembly for a commercial trailer, which is transportable with the trailer is disclosed. The landing assembly includes a landing platform pivotally connected to the sidewall of the trailer, a detachable staircase, a detachable safety railing, and a storage frame mounted beneath the undercarriage of the trailer for carrying the staircase and safety railing. The landing platform can be pivoted between a vertical transportation position secured against the trailer side wall and a horizontal operational position extending from the trailer side wall. The landing platform includes a pair of folding legs, which support the landing platform in its operational position and which can be secured against the landing platform during transportation. The platform legs include an extensible foot, which allows the landing platform to be leveled. The staircase is a single unit, which is connected to the landing platform in its operational position by two pins.

Abstract: A sensor probe and sensor detection circuit used in an electronic temperature control circuit for preventing the control circuit from driving an external device such as a heater when the sensor probe has been disconnected from the control circuit. The sensor probe includes an NTC thermistor and a limiting resistor that are connected in parallel and potted in epoxy. The thermistor and limiting resistor of the sensor probe form part of a lower leg of a voltage divider in the control circuit. The sensor detection circuit compares the voltage signal generated by the sensor voltage divider to a predetermined threshold or ceiling voltage value. During normal operation, when the sensor probe is attached to the control circuit, the resistance of the sensor probe insures that the voltage signal from the sensor voltage divider remains within a predetermined voltage range and does not exceed the predetermined ceiling voltage value.

Abstract: A circuit and method is disclosed which determines the physical position of a selected resistance setting of a mechanical variable resistive component, such as a potentiometer, between its mechanical limits as a ratio of its selected resistance and its total resistance. The circuit includes a potentiometer, a capacitor and a microprocessor, which form a charging circuit. The microprocessor has three I/O pins, which are connected to the three terminals of the pot. The capacitor is connected in series to the pot, so that it can be charged by a voltage signal from the microprocessor either across the selected resistance of the pot's wiper or across the entire resistance of the pot. The microprocessor executes a program, which embodies the method of this invention.

Abstract: A golf putter head connectable to the shaft of a golf putter is disclosed, which allows a golfer in an "eyes over ball" stance to instantly and accurately visually determine if his hand position on the putter places the sole of the putter parallel to the putting surface. The putter head includes an elongated body and a hosel for connecting the body to the putter shaft. The putter head body includes an upright blade that has a flat front striking face and a rear face, weighted heel and toe ends that protrude from the blade's rear face, and a flat horizontal flange that extends along the lower edge of the blade's rear face between the heel and toe ends. The flange has a raised strip or marker that extends perpendicularly to the front striking face. The putter head also includes a protrusion, which extends outwardly form the blade's rear face perpendicular to the strike face and includes downwardly converging side surfaces and is spaced vertically above the rear flange and raised rib.

Abstract: An attachment used with a sensor, which includes an exposed sensing element, for preventing birds and animals from perching over the sensing element is disclosed. The attachment includes an elongated bent rod and a mechanism for mounting the rod to one of the side walls of the sensors. When mounted to the sensor's side walls, the bent configuration of the rod defines an open area adjacent the sensing element, which is exposed from an end wall of the sensor. The rod's distal end segment extends longitudinally over and is spaced from the sensing element, while the other segments of the rod are spaced laterally and diagonally from the sensing element. The distal end segment is spaced above the top of the device at a specific height to prevent interference with the operation of the device while preventing birds and animals from moving between the distal end segment and the sensing element. In addition, the laterally extending segments of the rod are inclined to prevent birds and animals from perching on them.

Abstract: An apparatus used by a golfer for developing a forward golf swing. The apparatus guides the club within a predetermined swing plane and controls the attitude of the club within the swing plane only through the initial portion of the forward swing into the "attack zone." The apparatus includes a swing guide and a club attachment mounted to the club shaft adjacent the grip. The swing guide includes an arcuate track mounted to a post and positioned behind the golfer. The track guides the club within a predetermined swing plane through an initial portion of said forward swing. The lower end of the track is positioned at the natural release point of the golfer's swing, which is approximately at the start of the golfer's "attack zone." The club attachment includes a carriage, a mounting collar, and a connecting rod. The carriage is movable along the length of the track.

Abstract: A appartus for deicing a reflector type microwave antenna. The appartus includes an infrared generator placed behind the antenna dish and a paraboloidal reflector. The infrared generator acts as a point source at the focal point of the paraboloidal reflector emitting radiant energy away from the antenna dish onto a paraboloidal reflector. The paraboloidal reflector reflects the radiant energy parallely to the principal axis of the reflector onto the rear surface of the antenna dish to uniformly heat the antenna dish.

Abstract: A multiplexer for mixing multiple audio inputs into a plurality of summed audio outputs in which computer-controlled sensors are associated with the amplifier components of the multiplexer for specific monitoring the voice levels and in association with the volume controls maintains the voice levels within selected parameters.

Abstract: A multiple baker for confectionery items such as waffles and pancakes having multiple baking irons vertically mounted between vertical heating partitions of a base and pivotally hinged to the base for rotation in a vertical plane, between a baking position and an offset position. Each baking iron has separatable shell members for receiving the food items and a flanged mouth positioned atop each baking iron when in the baking position. The position of the flange mouth allows steam to escape vertically during the baking process and distance the user from the steam.

Abstract: An Almen type gage with an improved test strip support mechanism, which concentrates the holding force at the contact points. The support mechanism includes four paired contact balls and a permanent magnet engaged between the paired balls to magnetically hold the test strip against the contact balls. Each contact ball seated atop a set screw turned into a test platform with the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets passing through both the contact balls and the set screws.

Abstract: A painting rack for the mounting of a variety and multiplicity of vehicle parts, the sections of which are designed for ease in assembly and disassembly for storage and transport. The rack defines a hole portion to which can be inserted a plurality of rod-like supports extending outwardly therefrom which are rotatable in a given plane for spacing and counterbalance of the parts mounted thereon.

Abstract: An equalizer for passively controlling the movements of two or more sliding tubes. The equalizer includes a plurality of pulleys interconnected by cables. The cables are movably connected between the pulleys and the movable tubes to ensure the equalization of movement of one tube relative to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cephalosporin compound including the pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts, physiologically hydrolyzable esters, hydrates and solvates thereof of the formula(I) and its isomers: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.3-4 alkenyl, C.sub.3-4 alkynyl or --C(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)COOH wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, or constitute a C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl group with the carbon atoms to which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are attached;R.sup.2, which may be attached to N.sup.a or N.sup.b, is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.3-4 alkenyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, aryl or amino group; andQ.sub.1 and Q.sub.2, which may be the same or different, are CH or N.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a feeder bowl supported by a post and having a tubular member located spacedly around the post and extending a sufficient distance below the feeder bowl to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from reaching the feeder bowl. The side wall of the tubular member is spaced a sufficient distance away from the post to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from reaching the tubular member from the post to continue climbing to reach the food.

Abstract: A power supply for an electroluminescent lamp. The power supply includes an inverter circuit for conveying a DC voltage into a 2000 Hz sinusoidal voltage. The lamp is capacitive in its nature and changes its capacitive value over extended use which adjusts the output frequency of the inverter. A sensor and timers are included which in combination flash the lamp in a predetermined pattern when motion is detected by the sensor.