Abstract: A tire pressure sensing system for on-board use in an automotive vehicle comprises a transmitter mounted to rotate with each tire and a receiver that is disposed in sensing relationship to each transmitter. Each receiver is a Hall Effect sensor. Each transmitter comprises three magnetic poles that are effective to cause the Hall Effect sensor to develop a bi-directional pulse waveform during passage of the transmitter past the receiver. Electronic circuitry processes the signal waveform that is created by the Hall Effect sensor in response to passage of the magnetic poles. The circuitry develops one rectangular pulse waveform from one magnetic polarity and another rectangular pulse waveform from the other magnetic polarity.

Abstract: A decorative and protective cover for covering the end of a towing hitch tube which is exposed when the drawbar that is used for towing a trailer is removed from the hitch tube. The cover is a one-piece molded plastic part that has a covering portion comprising an end wall that is disposed in end covering relation to the end of the hitch tube and an integral attaching portion that projects from a central region of the cover end wall for releasably attaching the cover to the hitch tube. The cover further includes a top wall and side walls that are in top and lateral covering relation to the hitch tube. It also has a partial bottom wall that is an underlying relation to the hitch tube but contains a centrally located notch that provides access to the attaching portion for unlatching the attaching portion from the hitch tube when it is desired to remove the cover.

Abstract: A rotary self-cleaning strainer comprises a circular cylindrical walled PVC pipe on which a circular cylindrical filter screen assembly is journaled for rotation. The PVC pipe has an intake that is surrounded by the filter screen assembly and a discharge that is connected to a pump. When the strainer is placed in a body of water that is to be pumped, water is drawn through the screen that forms the sidewall of the filter screen assembly and enters the intake of the PVC pipe. The filtered water is conducted through the PVC pipe and to the pump. A nozzle structure disposed within the filter screen assembly is supplied with water from a separate supply line connected to the strainer. The water is forcefully emitted against the screen to both rotate the screen assembly and dislodge adhering debris from the exterior of the screen. The strainer also has a lip type seal and a series of wheels which seal and journal one axial end of the filter screen assembly to and on the PVC pipe.

Abstract: A non-metallic edge guard for fitting onto the trailing edge of a door comprises a clear transparent plastic body which has a base covering the end of the trailing edge and legs which are disposed against sides of the trailing edge. Adhesive acts between the interior of the plastic body and the edge for adhering the edge guard to the edge. The preferred adhesive is a double backed adhesive tape. The adhesive, however, is selectively applied so that one of the legs is completely adhesive free. The underlying surface of the edge can be seen through this one leg. When this one leg forms the outer leg of a door edge guard, it enables the painted door color to be presented along the trailing edge while the edge guard still provides protection for that trailing edge. In another embodiment of the invention, the other leg is covered by a decorative insert which presents a different visual effect from that which is presented by the adhesive-free leg.

Abstract: A dental intrusion device for intruding one or more teeth of a dental arch. Plural embodiments of the device are disclosed within the generic context of an intra-oral structure operatively related to the arch, an extra-oral structure, and a force-creating mechanism extending between the intra- and extra-oral structures. The co-action of these components results in intrusion forces being developed on teeth which are to be intruded. Various features within the generic aspect of the invention relate to particular forms of force-applying mechanism, particular forms of intra-oral structures and particular forms of extra-oral structures.

Abstract: The lift unit comprises a bracket portion that is secured to the trailer tongue and a hinge portion that pivots on the bracket portion about a horizontal axis to raise and lower a chain for flexing and relaxing a spring bar that when flexed, serves to transfer a portion of the tongue weight to the towing vehicle. A flat rectangular member is eccentrically mounted on the side of the hinge portion to hang in the 6:00 o'clock position unless acted upon by influences other than gravity. When the hinge portion is operated to raise the chain and thereby flex the spring bar, a longer side of the rectangular member abuts and rides along the edge of a side of the bracket portion resulting in the member being swung clockwise to about the 8:00 o'clock position when full chain elevating position is reached. At this time one corner of the member drops into a notch in the bracket portion and prevents the hinge portion from being operated in the direction of chain lowering.

Abstract: An on-board tire pressure indicating system comprises for each tire of a vehicle, a receiver disposed adjacent the rotating wheel on which the tire is mounted. On the wheel is a transmitter which comprises three magnets, spaced apart in a general circumferential sense, and lying on essentially the same radius. As the wheel rotates, the magnets repeatedly sweep past the receiver, which generates a pulse at the passage of each magnet. Two of the three magnets are disposed in a predetermined fixed circumferential spacing on the wheel. The third magnet is selectively positioned in a circumferential sense relative to the other two magnets in accordance with the pressure in the tire. The time between the two fixed magnet pulses corresponds to a reference measurement dimension while the time between the selectively positioned magnet's pulse and the one of the two fixed magnet's pulse corresponds to an inflation pressure measurement dimension.

Abstract: An end cap for a door edge guard comprises an end wall disposed in covering relation to a lengthwise end of the edge guard onto which the end cap is inserted. Inner and outer walls extend from the end wall for fitting onto the lengthwise end of the edge guard. The outer wall has a generally U-shaped cross section corresponding to that of the edge guard for covering the base and both legs of the edge guard, preferably extending to cover the distal ends of the legs and into abutment with the sides of the edge onto which the edge guard is fitted. The interior wall of the end cap covers the interior of the base but does not extend the full length of the legs so as to leave the distal portions of the legs which apply self-retension forces to opposite sides of the door edge unencumbered by the presence of the end cap. The edge guard has color insulation on its exterior side and the end cap is molded with a color to match that of the outside insulation on the edge guard.

Abstract: A plug and tool are provided for repairing and sealing a puncture of a tire. The plug is generally cylindrical in shape and is made from a rubber-like material which is stiffer and more durable than prior repair plugs. The plug has a cylindrical shank portion and adjoining circular head portion. Extending around the outer edge of the head portion is a thin auxiliary sealing ring. On the periphery of the shank portion is a plurality of closely spaced sealing rings with grooves therebetween. When the shank portion is forcibly inserted into a puncture, the sealing rings provide multiple sealing members by individually radially compressing and locally conforming to the size and shape of the puncture. Additional sealing is provided by bonding the head portion to the inner surface of the tire. At the end portion of the plug opposite to the head portion is a metal loop. There is provided a tool having a handle portion and adjoining slender shank portion for forcibly inserting the plug into a puncture.

Abstract: A plastic door edge guard comprises a base which is of reduced thickness from two legs with adhesive lining the interior and covered by a release layer which is selectively stripped to expose the adhesive at the time of installation of the edge guard on an edge of a swinging closure of an automobile.

Abstract: A utility cart particularly suited for transporting large heavy loads over rough terrain. The cart has a knock-down construction enabling it to be conveniently disassembled for storage and subsequently re-assembled for use. The knocked-down parts are a basket, two wheels, and a combination operating handle and strut assembly. The basket is fabricated from tubular electrical conduit to comprise a rectangular perimeter frame whose longer sides are spanned by a series of transverse members which are of depressed shape to form the sides and bottom of the basket. The wheels mount on opposite sides of the basket to provide a road clearance greater than the wheel radius. The operating handle and strut assembly mounts on the basket at one lengthwise end by means of removable pin connections. The strut is operable on the assembly to a stowed position and to a ground-engaging support position. An optional removable liner for the basket is also disclosed.

Abstract: A layer of material is joined to the exterior surface of a non-metallic edge guard body with the side edges of the layer of material slightly embedded into the body to resist delamination.

Abstract: Lanolin emulsions and lanolin containing concentrates for water-based metalworking fluids are disclosed. The lanolin metalworking fluids contain water, lanolin, fatty acids, amines and nonionic surfactants. The compositions are stable in hard water.

Abstract: An energy absorber for preventing vehicle damage during low speed collisions comprising a threaded post for slideably mounting a vehicle bumper to a vehicle structure, a housing for tightly embracing a friction member, a friction member rotatably mounted in the housing, a sleeve engaging the threaded post which is responsive to the movement of the bumper for rotatably driving the friction member and a clutch for engaging the friction member with the sleeve. During a low speed vehicle impact, the inward displacement of the vehicle's bumper, with respect to the vehicle's structure, rotatably drives the friction member in the housing and the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle is absorbed by the work done in rotating the friction member in the housing. After the impact, the bumper is returned to its initial position by a spring.

Abstract: Improvements in a panic bar door operator assembly include a self-contained alarm unit, and a remote unlatching mechanism. The alarm unit comprises a separate key-switch assembly and a separate alarm assembly which separably mount on the housing of the panic bar assembly in a cooperative relationship with the panic bar operator. The key-switch assembly is selectively operable to armed and disarmed settings and also to an access setting. In the access setting, the alarm switch of the alarm assembly is in its disarmed position and an alarm cannot be given, and in this position an adjacent cover member can be removed to provide access to the interior of the alarm assembly, particularly for battery replacement where self-contained batteries power the alarm. In the disarmed setting, the key-switch assembly latches the cover member on the housing so that it cannot be removed and in this setting an alarm will not be given when the panic bar is operated.

Abstract: An above-ground watering system for a lawn or garden plot is disclosed. The two ends of a length of flexible transparent PVC hose are connected to opposite ends of a poly fitting. The center tap of the poly fitting connects via a reducer to a garden hose connector. The transparent hose is perforated at intervals along its length, and stakes are used adjacent the perforations to hold the hose in place on the ground. When water is introduced from a standard garden hose which is connected to the hose connector, the water passes through the reducer and the fitting to enter the two ends of the transparent hose. Water exits the transparent hose via the perforations. The stakes comprises loops which securely grip the hose to hold the adjacent perforations in desired orientations to secure the desired spraying pattern of coverage for the plot.

Abstract: A non-metallic door edge guard having notch structure at the center of the exterior surface of the base and a layer of material extending from the notch structure around the base and onto the exterior of one leg so that this leg presents an exterior appearance different from that of the other leg.

Abstract: An electronic personal weight scale for conveying weight information including health-promoting messages based on departure of measured weight from ideal weight. Information relating to a particular person using the scale is contained in a cartridge in electronic form. The information comprises the person's ideal weight and messages related to the amount by which the person's measured departs from the ideal. The cartridge also contains provision for storing past weight measurements. When the person steps on the scale and selects his or her cartridge, weight information and messages are presented on a display screen which is a portion of a television receiver. A selector switch enables the apparatus to operate in the "Scale" mode and in the "TV" mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal propulsion powerplant and impulse drive unit having a uni-directional linear impulse output for accelerating, lifting, guiding and braking land, water, air and space vehicles. The propulsion powerplant, being a self-contained unit, comprises a rotary source of torque, an impulse drive unit for receiving and converting torque from the rotary torque source into a uni-directional linear impulse output, a clutch means for coupling the rotary torque source to the impulse drive unit, a means for changing the magnitude of the uni-directional linear impulse output and a means for changing the direction of the uni-directional linear impulse output. The impulse drive unit comprises pairs of conjugate contra-rotating energy cells for converting torque into the uni-directional linear impulse output of the powerplant wherein mass members move along endless paths in defined planar orbits around the rotational axes of the cells.