Abstract: A stove-top aid is described which is attached to the side of a conventional cooking oven or range. The stove-top aid comprises a clamping device for releasable attachment to the handle of a cooking pot or pan thus reducing the risk of the cooking pots or pans from being accidently overturned, while on the stove, and spilling their hot contents. The stove-top aid also secures the cooking pot or pan in such a manner to allow stirring, or other cooking action, with a single hand, i.e. there is no need to hold the handle of the pot or pan in one hand and the stirring or cooking utensil in a second hand.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clamping and holding device and more particularly to a clamping and holding device which can be attached to articles such as patio chairs to mount a holder for umbrellas and the like in a variety of positions. The device provides a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm pivotally connected to one another to engage an article. A holder extending laterally from the first clamping arm is provided to hold a tray, umbrella or the like. The holder may be locked in a variety of positions. A cam, cam follower and locking member or nut and bolt system prevents the inadvertent opening of the clamping arms.

Abstract: A slider puzzle with an assembly of slide members is provided. Each slide member intersects with at least one other slide member at an intersection point and is moveable between two end stop positions or any number of positions in between. Each slide member is also provided with a gate selectively located at each intersection point in accordance with a pre-determined sequence or sequences of moves. The gate either allows or prohibits movement of an intersecting slide member relative to the gate between the two end positions in whole or fractional increments. The object of the slider puzzle is to move all slide members in order that the puzzle is in a solved configuration.

Abstract: A stove-top guard for attachment to a cooking stove or range, to prevent small children, and others, from reaching surface burner units or hot cooking containers on the stove-top surface, is described. The guard includes a venting system, which dissipates heat, and thus prevents the guard from becoming a hazard itself.

Abstract: A quick coupling apparatus for detachably securing an implement such as a bucket, air or hydraulic hammer, tamper or any other attachment to a vehicle having a lifting and tilting mechanism such as an excavator. The apparatus includes a pair of hinge plates secured to the implement and two associated link assemblies adapted for mounting on the lifting and tilting mechanism of the vehicle and which engage and disengage the hinge plates to detachably secure the implement to the vehicle.

Abstract: An above-ground swimming pool wall construction is disclosed. The pool wall is located and secured in, top and bottom connectors in combination with upright or vertical posts. Top and bottom tracks protect the upper and lower edges of the pool wall and secure it in receptacles in the top and bottom connectors. A finishing cover or cap is provided to cover each upper connector assembly. The track and its associated receptacles on the connectors have a generally triangular configuration in cross-section so as to be captured and located more securely in the connectors. The triangular shaped track may also include a liner bead retainer. The cap design is such that it is fixed in position with no visible means of securement.

Abstract: A towel protector includes a waterproof inverted bag provided with a suspension grommet for suspending the bag from a golf cart or the like. Another grommet in the wall of the bag allows passage of a towel suspension cord. The exterior part of the cord is provided with a spring loaded toggle abutting against the grommet. The pressing of a release button of the toggle allows free passage of the cord through the toggle and into the bag. The opening at a lower end of the bag is large enough to allow free movement of towels suspended at the end of the cord out of and back into the bag, as the toggle and the cord are manipulated by the user. The device presents an advantage over known towel protectors in that it is extremely simple in structure and convenient in use as the user does not have to reach into the protective bag to pull the towels out or otherwise manipulate the protecting cover. The towel protector is primarily intended for use as a golf towel protecting device.

Abstract: Mattresses and cushions, which have a rolling-massaging function and magnetic-therapeutic effect are described. The rolling-massaging magnetic-therapeutic mattress or cushion comprises an upper covering, an intermediate layer, an interior layer, a compound liner and a bottom covering. Between the upper covering and the intermediate layer there is provided a magnetic-therapeutic massaging layer including balls, magnetics beads, element frames and a locating substrate. The balls and magnetic beads are contained in subcavities of the element frames, rolling omni-directionally.

Abstract: A device to monitor tension in a fastener assembly such as a stationary bolt and a moveable nut for securing elements therebetween. The device is in the form of a washer for use in the assembly between the nut and the elements or the bolt head and the elements. In one example, a slot is provided in the surface of the washer and extends radially outwardly from the inner periphery thereof. A recess is formed in the bottom of the slot, creating at least one fulcrum point in the slot. A monitor and indicating strip, for example a spring steel, is located in the slot and, under tension from one of the fastener assembly members, the distal end of the strip rises from the slot to provide a visual and measurable monitor of tension in the assembly. In another example, the monitor strip is located on the surface of the washer and the fulcrum is located on one of the fastener elements, such as on the underside of the nut, for engaging the strip under pressure, causing its distal end to rise.

Abstract: A novel method has been discovered for the pretreatment of cellulose with acetic acid and acetic anhydride under pressure, resulting in uniformly activated cellulose fibers. The improved process for producing cellulose diacetate comprises the steps of: (1) pretreating and activating the fluffed cellulose fibers in a solution of glacial acetic acid and acetic anhydride at room temperature and elevated pressure for a specific time; (2) mixing the activated cellulose containing acetic acid and anhydride further with a mixture of glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and sulphuric acid catalyst and acetylating the cellulose at specific initial and end temperatures to form primary cellulose acetate; and (3) partially neutralizing the sulphuric acid catalyst and destroying the excess acetic anhydride by adding an aqueous solution of magnesium acetate with dilute acetic acid to provide an excess of water in the reaction dope for hydrolysis at elevated temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the removal of toxic resin acids and fatty acids from pulp and paper effluent and from other streams containing resins and fatty acids. The addition of an anionic material, such as albumin, gelatin, alginate or alginic acid prior to clarification with conventional or state of the art cationic coagulation clarification or retention will improve the removal of resin acids and fatty acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lift to assist persons to stand or walk, where they have insufficient strength in their legs. The lift includes a supporting frame having a front portion extending in front of the person and side portions on each side. There are wheels beneath the supporting frame to enable the lift to be manoeuvered. A lift arm is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame for movement in a vertical plane. A generally U-shaped support member is at the other end of the lift arm and comprises a pair of supporting bars adapted to fit under the armpits of a person. There are means for maintaining the U-shaped support substantially parallel to the ground as the lift arm is raised or lowered and hydraulic means for raising or lowering the lift arm.

Abstract: A plunger is described which utilizes the suction cup principle to its fullest potential. The suction cup action is actuated by a lever arm which is operatively connected to the suction cup rod. This device can further contain a splash guard which will eliminate splashing or spilling caused by the rapid plunger action.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clamping device and more particularly to a clamping device which can be attached to articles such as patio chairs to mount a holder for umbrellas and the like in a variety of positions. The device comprises a main body including a barrel and a first clamping arm extending laterally in one direction from one end of said barrel, a second clamping arm pivotally mounted at the other end of said barrel and adapted to cooperate with the first clamping arm to engage an article upon which the clamping device is to be mounted, a holder extending laterally from said one end of said barrel in a direction other than said one direction, means for mounting said holder on said barrel to provide a position permitting pivotal movement and a position in which the holder is locked, spring means within the barrel acting to bias the mounting means to a locked position while permitting movement of the mounting means to the position permitting pivotal movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale ripper and conveyor which disintegrates round bales of forage material. The bales can be loaded into the device without regard to the direction in which they are wrapped. The present invention further comprises a control box and conveyor assembly whereby the speed of operation of the device can be controlled manually and the shredded forage material can be directed to a desired location such as a mix mill.

Abstract: A portable saw mill frame is disclosed which has a frame base of a generally rectangular, elongated configuration. It is comprised of preferably three subsections bolted to each other and easily disconnected. An inverted U-shaped frame is supported by a carriage rolling along side tracks defined by the frame base. It has a cross-beam supporting a transversely slidable holder for a chain saw. The device is substantially sturdier than prior art portable saw mill frames.

Abstract: Systems for interchanging information, for example, obtaining cash from a terminal by use of a portable device such as a credit card are well-known but suffer from being vulnerable to fraud. In the invention a highly secure information interchange system is achieved by utilizing an intelligent card as the portable device which verifies that the terminal is a valid one and the terminal in turn verifies that the card is valid. Unauthorized users are screened out by means of a physical characteristic scan of the user such as a fingerprint which is then compared with comparable data stored on the portable device. If an invalid terminal attempts to communicate with the card, the card erases the data and programs from its memory. All programs and data in the terminal are stored in memory which loses its contents when power is interrupted, thus improving the security of the system by making unauthorized use of a terminal very difficult.

Abstract: This invention relates to flow pulsing methods and apparatus for various applications including downhole drilling equipment and in particular to an improved flow pulsing method and apparatus of this type to be connected in a drill string above a drill bit with a view to securing improvements in the drilling process.