Abstract: A fixture for holding workpieces on a machine tool table includes: a base plate for placement upon table rails and slidable along such rails; a locking plate under the base plate for rotation between a locking position to secure the base plate to the table rails, and an unlocked position clear of the table rails; an upright center block on the base plate; left and right slide blocks on opposite sides of the center block, releasably clamped so as to be slidable along the base plate toward and away from the center block, each slide block including a fluid driven piston movable toward and away from the center block to releasably clamp a workpiece against it.

Abstract: A net system for volleyball, badminton, and the like includes first and second piers and a net with top and bottom supporting cables extending between the piers. The piers each include a base, net pole, and net tensioning spring. The bases each include longitudinal and lateral platform members, and a ground anchor. Each net pole is removably attached to its base and extends up from it. The net tensioning springs are cantilevered leaf springs, each removably attached to its base and extending up and away from its net pole. The net supporting cables pass through the net poles for attachment to the springs. The springs are flexible toward and away from their net poles in the plane of the net.

Abstract: A golf club stand is a single rod member which includes the following segments in series: a point at the lower end of the rod; a leg extending up from the point, a 180° bend; an arm depending from the bend; a first lateral member extending from the depending arm; a loop at the end of the first lateral member; a second lateral member extending from the loop; an upright arm extending from the second lateral member; and a coil at the end of the upright arm. The 180° bend between leg and arm forms a hook to hang the device on the upper rim of a golf bag, for storage. The first and second lateral members are spring biased against each other by the loop to releasably hold a towel between them. The arms and said second lateral member together form a U-shaped enclosure to confine the handle of a standing golf club. The coil provides a temporary holder for a smoker's pipe, cigar, cigarette, or the like. A club face cleaner brush is removably hung on the loop.

Abstract: A tool for removal of an automotive engine valve from a cylinder head, the valve including a valve stem, valve spring, and keepers locking the spring in engagement with the valve stem. The tool compresses the valve spring to remove the keepers from the valve stem to thereby permit removal of said valve. The tool includes a working head and a shaft/handle extending up from it. The working head includes axially aligned bottom and top members separated by spacer posts. The bottom member includes an annular ring with a center aperture and an upstanding cylindrical sidewall, and magnets on the annular ring within the sidewall. The shaft/handle are connected to the top member and extend upward from the working head in axial alignment with it. Axial movement of the working head along the valve stem and against the valve spring compresses the spring to release the keepers from the valve stem for attachment to the magnets.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a combustor and a hydrokinetic amplifier to supply it with fluids. The hydrokinetic amplifier includes first and second primary fluid inlet ports to receive first and second primary fluids into the hydrokinetic amplifier at a relatively low pressure, and a discharge port to discharge the combined first and second fluids at a higher pressure to the combustor. The primary fluids are air, water, steam, or fuel, at least one of which includes gas/vapor phase fluid. The hydrokinetic amplifier may include one or more auxiliary inlet ports to receive auxiliary input fluid (air, water, steam, or fuel) into the hydrokinetic amplifier for combination with the primary fluids.

Abstract: Thermal decomposition studies have been performed on methylene chloride at temperatures of 450, 480, 550, 650, 750, and 850° F. After the 550, 650, 750, and 850° F. studies, samples were taken and analyzed for acidic decomposition products of methylene chloride. Qualatative analyses were also done using a gas chromatograph. This report presents the results of the studies. A description of the apparatus and procedures used to obtain the measured data is also included in the report.

Abstract: A carrying case includes a panels forming an enclosure, with welting along seams between adjoining panels and along the panel free edges. The welting includes a tube of light-transmissive material. A wire is removably inserted into the tube, the wire having a decorative surface color or design visible through the wall of the tube for decorative effect. The tube also acts as a cylindrical lens to magnify the appearance of the wire. A removable cap on one end of the tube prevents the wire from sliding out of the tube. The tube might be either transparent or translucent. The wire is interchangeable with other wires of different colors or designs to vary the decorative effect.

Abstract: A laser diode bar mounting structure includes a dielectric substrate with an overlying conductor, and diode bar spaces through the conductor layer to support laser diode bars within them. The bar spaces are configured with parallel upper sidewalls and flared out or expanded bottoms to dissipate capillary action of solder under the diode bars.

Abstract: A mucus suction device includes a pump housing, collection vessel connected to the pump housing, and a fluid conduit connected to the vessel and adapted for placement in a nostril. The pump housing, vessel, and conduit together define an air path. The pump housing encloses a flexible diaphragm and a motor to pulsate it. Behind the diaphragm is an air chamber communicating with the fluid conduit and with a discharge passage to atmosphere. The collection vessel includes a first nipple for connection with the conduit and a second nipple for connection with the air chamber. The fluid conduit includes a mucus tube for placement into a nostril. The air path also includes check valve, one between the tube and the air chamber, and the other between the air chamber and the discharge passage. Pulsation of the diaphragm moves air through the discharge passage and generates vacuum pressure in the fluid conduit to draw mucus into the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A solar energy collector includes a base supporting a modular unit, a flexible mounting pad, and a solar panel turret extending upward from the mounting pad. A water receptacle surrounds the mounting pad. The solar panel turret is generally hemiellipsoidal and is divided into upstanding quadrants inclined away from each other to expose their inner surfaces as well as outer surfaces to light. Both inner and outer surfaces of the turret quadrants are arrayed with solar cells to form a solar panels. The turret is of a convex configuration so that all surfaces are exposed to sunlight when the turret is pointed at the sun. The flexible mounting pad allows the solar panel turret to move through a solid angle in response to the position of the sun to follow the sun. The total surface area of the inner and outer surfaces of the turret is substantially greater than the ground surface area occupied by the device.

Abstract: One system of mobile home (or other structure) wind protection includes a channel below ground level around the structure, the channel including a lid around its perimeter adapted to open and close. Tie-down anchor bolts are spaced along the channel around the structure. Tie-down cables extend from the roof of the structure into the channel, each cable being removably connected to one of the anchor bolts. A storm shield secured to the tie-down cables likewise extends from the roof of the structure and into the channel below ground level. Another system includes a storage channel below ground level on one side of the structure, with ground anchors spaced along it supporting a ratcheted cable windup mechanism below ground level, all covered by a housing, and an anchor channel below ground level along the opposite side of the structure, with ground anchors spaced along it.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid cleaning system includes a fluid source, a discharge line leading to a spray discharge element, and a motor driven cleaner such as a cleaning brush to clean the spray discharge element. A sensor in the discharge line responds to fluid back pressure above a pre-established level (or to flow rate below a pre-established level) to actuate a cleaner "on" switch. Additionally or alternatively, a fluid sensor in an overflow line from the fluid source responds to fluid in the overflow line to actuate the cleaner "on" switch. The sensors are also connected to a warning device and to a delayed response system "off" switch to shut down the entire system for human intervention.

Abstract: A method of playing a sledrace game board which includes a starting point, a finish line, numerous interconnecting trails, pick card spaces, marker pieces and die to determine a random number which a player must move a marker. Cards are used to give a player further instructions.

Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle for converting thermal energy of a working fluid to mechanical energy in a cycle of evaporation, expansion, condensation, and compression, includes methylene chloride as the working fluid. A system for performing the cycle includes a heat recovery boiler; an engine; a condenser; an open deaerating heater to receive condensate from the condenser; a heat exchanger to receive working fluid from the deaerating heater and condensate from the condenser en route to the deaerating heater; a boiler feed pump to receive working fluid from the heat exchanger and return it to the boiler; and a recuperative feed heater between engine and condenser to receive vapor from the engine and working fluid from the boiler feed pump en route to the boiler. The temperature differential between working fluid and heat source is at its minimum where working fluid enters the economizer section of the boiler and the waste heat medium leaves the economizer.

Abstract: A windshield jack includes a linear actuator operable between retracted and extended conditions. The actuator includes telescoping inner and outer tubes. A reversible drive motor connected to the outer tube includes a threaded drive shaft which engages a the inner tube, a base member for positioning on the front seat of a vehicle, and a windshield contact member to engage the windshield. Motor rotation in one direction moves the inner tube to extend the actuator. Motor rotation in the opposite direction moves the inner tube to retract the actuator. The base member may be a straight crossbar, a foot pad, or a bowed crossbar. The windshield contact member may be a crossbar, a suction cup, or a crossbar with suction cups along it.

Abstract: A process for detachment and removal of microscopic contaminant particles from a surface includes a pulsed detach light directed at the surface to excite a contaminant particle thereon at or near its resonant frequency, to thereby detach the particle from the surface; and a photophoresis light directed at the particle to move it by photophoresis, to thereby prevent its reattachment to the surface. A thermal gradient may also be applied to control the velocity and direction of particle movement by thermophoresis. Detach light is of variable pulse frequency and angle of incidence.