Abstract: An electrical shock free submersible, remote control switch assembly for controlling the operation of electrically powered apparatus used with swimming pools, spas and the like is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a permanent magnet actuated reed switch mounted in a battery powered, low voltage electrical circuit. The low voltage circuit, in turn, is optically coupled by an opto-isolator to a relay circuit, which is used to open and close the high voltage circuit powering the electrical pumps, lights, blowers, etc. at the pool or spa.

Abstract: A device for determining the annual solar exposure of a site which includes a wide angle viewer and a transparent screen having the paths of the sun at various times of year drawn on it, and with the viewer and screen fixed with respect to each other so that when one looks from north toward south through the viewer the paths of the sun at various times of the year are superimposed on the site being investigated.

Abstract: A transfer stool for use with and carrying by a wheelchair is disclosed. The transfer stool includes a relatively narrow seat, a plurality of legs foldably secured to the seat for movement to and from a collapsed condition and an extended condition, wheels rotatably mounted to the legs, and a mounting structure for carrying of the transfer stool by the wheelchair in a collapsed condition, preferably in the same location as the conventional armrest structure of the wheelchair. In order to deploy the stool, the user slides the collapsed transfer stool forwardly from its stored position along the side of the chair, rotates the stool to a horizontal position, and extends the legs of the stool. The user can then shift from the chair to the stool, raise the folding back of the stool and move the stool independently of the chair to afford access to areas having relatively narrow passageways that would not accommodate a conventional wheelchair.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the determination of the standard tensile yield point in which the extension of a test body is monitored, comprises determining in the course of continuous extension within the elastic limit, the ratio of the instantaneous extension and the associated load, storing this ratio and in the course of further continuous extension the ratios of a given residual extension as well as that of the instantaneous extension and the instantaneous load are determined, the stored ratio value is summed with the ratio of the given residual extension and the instantaneous load, and the thus obtained sum is compared with the ratio of the instantaneous load whereby the instantaneous load at which the compared values become substantially equal gives the tensile yield stress at the given residual.

Abstract: For slat conveyors in which transverse slats are supported on closed loop carrying straps which circulate in the conveying direction, there is the need to removably secure the slats to the conveying straps. Fixing means which allow the slat to be removable, such as nut and bolt pairs hitherto have been impractical due to the inaccessibility in the use of the lower one of the pair, i.e. from below the conveying strap (once it is installed in the conveyor). By now forming the nut as a threaded nipple embedded in the conveying strap the need for access to the nut is obviated. The nipple receives a fixing screw passed through the slat. The nipple is arranged to be rotationally locked relative to the strap, optionally by ribs. A pair of nipples and a tooth for engagement with a tooth-engaging-roller, may be formed integrally by injection moulding techniques and self-tapping screws may be employed.

Abstract: A method for welding ferrous alloys to aluminum alloys or refractory metals includes the step of coating the portion of the ferrous alloy to be welded with an intermediate metal compound or element such as gold alloy or silver. An accelerated particle beam is directed at the area to be welded, and is defocused so that approximately one third of the beam energy falls on higher melting point metal, while the remainder of the beam energy is directed to the portion of the lower melting point material adjacent to the weld line and subsequently melting it. The intermediate metal compound or element dissolves in the metal alloy having the lower melting point. As the melted alloy solidifies, the intermediate compound or element precipitates out of solution and diffuses to the interface of the alloy having the higher melting point. The diffused layer bonds to the higher melting point metal, to effect a metallurgical bond.

Abstract: An ocular fixation device for mounting on an ophthalmological examination instrument used for examining the eyes of a patient comprises a pair of light emitters mounted for individual left and right eye viewing by the patient. The light emitters are connected to an electric circuit which enables an examiner to selectively, individually energize the light emitters, thus fixing the patient's gaze as required for certain examination and treatment procedures.

Abstract: The method of degumming vegetable oil to produce an improved, degummed oil and gum with improved storage and other properties, which method includes extracting the gum with a solvent, stripping the gum from the solvent by steam under a relatively low vacuum, i.e., between 0 and 28 inches of Hg (mercury) below atmospheric pressure, and then centrifuging the gum in a desludging-type centrifuge without further addition of water. The gum thus obtained may be mixed with at least 15% acidulated fat to produce a pumpable, stable liquid having high value as an animal feed supplement.

Abstract: A convertible handbag and backpack is disclosed which includes a bag body to which a pair of carrying straps are secured. The straps are secured to the bag near the bottom of the bag body and are slidably mounted to a side of the bag body proximate the top of the bag. Intermediate the bottom securement and slidable mount at the top, the straps are unattached to the bag body. The carrying straps further extend above the bag, cross each other over the top of the bag, and are secured to diametrically opposed positions on the opposite side of the bag body. When the convertible handbag and backpack is carried as a handbag, the crossed straps are simply gripped over the bag top. When the bag is carried as a backpack, the straps are slipped down through the mounting structure to permit insertion of the arms of the user between the straps and the bag body. In the backpack carrying mode the crossed straps are automatically pulled down over the top of the bag body to insure that the bag top does not fall open.

Abstract: A survival canteen is disclosed which has a substantially microwave transparent vessel for holding liquid. The vessel has internal microwave-reflective baffles which divide the vessel into chambers. Openings between the chambers allow damped fluid flow therebetween. The baffles are positioned to define at least one corner reflector so as to provide a highly reflective radar target.

Abstract: A safety trailer hitch including a mechanical connection to connect a trailer to a tow vehicle with the mechanical connection secured by a latch, a backup connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle that is releasably secured to the tow vehicle, a first, normally open switch that is positioned to be closed when the mechanical connection is made, a second, normally closed switch that is positioned to be opened when the latch is closed, and a third, normally closed switch that is positioned to be opened when the backup connection is secured to the tow vehicle, with the second and third switches in parallel and in series with the first switch, an alarm and a source of electric energy in an electric circuit with the switches such that when the first switch and either of the second or third switches are closed, the alarm will be actuated.

Abstract: A plant watering device designed for watering overhead normally out-of-reach plants is disclosed comprising a housing with a handle for manual portability and support in the normally upright position of use and having a liquid fill opening for the reservoir. A rigid self-supporting conduit carried by the housing extends upwardly therefrom and has a distal, normally upper discharge end which extends the vertical reach of the user. A motor compartment is positioned at the bottom of the housing and has within it an electric motor and a pump driven thereby with a battery mounted in the compartment. The pump has an inlet connected to the reservoir and an outlet connected to the conduit. A manually actuatable electric switch is mounted on the housing in position for conjoint manual engagement of the handle and actuation of the switch. The switch is electrically connected to the battery and the motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for growing oxide on silicon wafers or silicon-coated wafers or other semiconductors for the semiconductor industry wherein the oxide growth is produced under high pressure and high temperature conditions within a reaction chamber by oxidizing gases which are maintained in a continuous flow condition into and through the chamber.

Abstract: A new method and tool for removing the conventional spin-on oil filter cartridge which typically is threaded onto the engine block of an internal combustion engine in proximity to other engine parts and which comprises the wrapping of the cartridge or canister with one end portion of a length of flexible material with the balance of the length coming off of the canister tangentially in the direction of unthreading the canister from the motor block; cinching of the end portion around the canister; extending the opposite end of the length tangentially away from the canister to a remote position spaced from the engine block and parts; and manually pulling on the free outer end of the length tangentially of the canister to tension the length and to apply a rotating torque to the canister and unthreading it from the motor block.

Abstract: A rotary torque producing tool having a pistol grip handle with a manually grippable and displaceable part, a rotary tool operating shaft, clutch members mounted for rotation in surrounding relation to the shaft and being operatively connected to the displaceable handle part for rotation of the clutch members upon gripping of the handle and part, the drive means providing rotation of the clutch members in opposite directions about the shaft upon gripping displacement of the handle part, and means selectively engaging the clutch members and shaft for obtaining optional direction of rotation of the shaft. The drive structure includes a barrel member mounted for longitudinal reciprocation coaxially of the shaft and being formed with a pair of reversely configured spiral cams which are operatively connected by cam followers to the clutch members. The clutch members are formed to provide unidirectional driving connections to the shaft, i.e.