Abstract: A system for converting design information into three-dimensional shapes includes a design information storing and processing apparatus, a controller for converting digital into electrical signals, and a cutter for sculpturing a workpiece into a three-dimensional form. The system enables a designer to sketch a proposed design on the storing and processing apparatus and immediately view the design on a three-dimensional model.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having an energy concentrating unit and an energy collecting unit is disclosed. The concentrating unit includes at least one converging lens for concentrating the sun's rays onto the collecting unit. Each lens may be blow-formed from sheets of thermoplastic. Each lens may be hollow or filled with a liquid.The collecting unit includes a fluid-transporting member having a heat transfer fluid therein. Input and output pipes connected to the fluid-transporting member carry the heat transfer fluid to and from the fluid-transporting member, respectively. The fluid-transporting member may be a coil, or it may be a double-walled dome, or an arch of flat hollow plates.The solar energy collector further includes a backplate for fixing the position of the collecting unit relative to the concentrating unit such that the focus of each lens is on or near the fluid-transporting member.

Abstract: A pulling tool comprisesa brace having a base and two legs,a pulling means including a threaded shaft extending through an untreaded passage in the base, and a first nut screwed onto the shaft on the side of the brace opposite from the legs, a second nut screwed onto the shaft on the other side of the brace, and two hooks pivotally connected to the second nut extending between the legs, andspreader means comprising wedging surfaces on the stems of the hooks, a conical tip on the end of the shaft adjacent thereto, and a rectangular head on the other end of the shaft,the legs being long enough to accommodate the hooks and second nut and providing access thereto between the legs.

Abstract: A bidet attachment including a clamp and a nozzle assembly, designed for quick attachment to any conventional toilet. The clamp includes an upper portion that clamps against the upper surface of the rim of the toilet and a lower portion that clamps against the lower surface of the rim while adjustably engaging the upper portion. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a fluid passageway interconnecting the ports. The nozzle assembly is attached to the upper portion such that when the bidet is in position on a toilet rim, the outlet port is aimed upwardly and toward the center of the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the sorting of documents is disclosed. The device includes a housing and a drawer selectively positionable both within the housing and extending from the housing. The housing includes a document accepting portion above and supported by a frame. Both the drawer and the document accepting portion include a series of slots for receiving and temporarily retaining the documents as they are being sorted.

Abstract: A seal between an apertured body and a rod extending through the aperture comprises a box in the body around the aperture in which is disposed a packing assembly including one or more packing rings each sandwiched between a pair of adapter rings, the packing assembly being compressed in the box by a compression ring disposed about the rod and secured to the body. The packing rings are made of fabric reinforced elastomers, homogenous elastomers or similar conventional seal materials. The adapter rings are made of hard metal or plastics material. The packing rings have one or more portions of reduced axial thickness which receive mating projections of the adapter rings. Prior to compression, there is space between the adapter rings and packing rings adjacent the thicker portions of the packing rings, into which space the packing ring material can flow when compressed.

Abstract: Two fluid passages are connected through flow restrictors to a fluid supply. Downstream of the restrictors the fluid supply has a drooping pressure-load characteristic. Venting means for the fluid passages comprises vent openings therein downstream of the restrictors and variable position obstructor means cooperating with vent openings to vary venting and thereby vary fluid pressures in the fluid passages.Fluid conduits connect these pressure outputs to a fluid to mechanical translator comprising a double acting piston moving in a cylinder whose opposite ends are connected to the fluid conduits. The piston and cylinder form the responder of the system, which may be adjacent the mechanical to fluidic translator and form part of the transmitter.A feed back means controlled by the position of the responder piston and/or the load varies pressure in the fluid conduits by variably venting same.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool used to demount polygonal hub nuts from a threaded axle located within a wheel hub. The tool comprises at least two steel bars slidably and rotatably joined by a buckle pivot. Each end of each bar is equipped with a rounded raised surface. The four rounded raised surfaces are dimensioned so the nut engaging end of the tool will fit snugly between one face of the hub nut and the wheel hub. The cross-member on the tool is rotated so lugs on the wheel hub strike a lug protection plate mounted on the cross-member. The tool transfers torque imparted to it by the lug to the hub nut. When not in use, the tool may be collapsed for ease of storage.

Abstract: A house includes a split-slab foundation having an upper portion constructed within an enclosed on-tract factory and a lower portion constructed on the lot. The superstructure of the house is erected upon the upper portion, and the super-structure and upper portion are transported off-highway by air-cushion transport to the lot where the slab upper portion is mated with the lower portion. The upper portion is uniquely constructed with areas of increased thickness to withstand the shear forces of parts of the house having substantial weight, with pipe passageways to accommodate pipes built into the lower portion, and with means for releaseably attaching an air impermeable skirt used for air cushion transport. The lower portion is uniquely constructed with recessed areas to accommodate the areas of the upper portion having increased thickness and the pipes therein are positioned to be in register with the passageways in the upper portion.

Abstract: A mobile crane for use on an offshore oil well platform, comprising parallel base beams adapted to span the capping beams of the platform, and a pedestal and a rotating upper works movably mounted on the base beams. A method is described for erecting a workover rig on the offshore platform by means of the crane, and for expeditiously erecting workover rigs on a plurality of platforms in succession.

Abstract: An edger blade uniquely designed to cut into the surface of the ground thus loosening a portion of the dirt, lifting the loosened dirt from the ground, and throwing the dirt to one side. The blade is adaptable for mounting on most home garden edgers powered by internal combustion engines. The blade has a central hub portion provided with a shaft hole adapted to permit the blade to be mounted on the edger shaft. Two arms extend from opposite sides of the central hub portion to form hoe portions that perform the hoeing operations of the invention.