Abstract: A tandem solenoid fail-safe sub-surface safety cut-off valve for fluid wells controllable from the surface and suitable for installation at substantially greater depths than prior constructions. The valve assembly may be installable and retrievable either via wire line or tubing techniques and utilizes tandem electromagnetic means to operate either a flapper or a ball cut-off valve. The solenoid coils embrace a landing nipple portion of the tubing string or the tubing string itself and hold either type of cut-off valve open against spring pressure only so long as the coils are energized thereby providing surface control of the safety cut-off valve normally and assurance of closing of this valve by energy stored in spring means in the event of power failure through accident or some catastrophe as well as automatic closure if flow velocity increases beyond a predetermined safe value.

Abstract: A multipurpose drafting and measuring instrument having an upright marking device mounted on a base or main frame readily maneuverable over sheet material. Mounted on the instrument main frame are one or more signal generators each having a roller in frictional driving contact with the sheet material and with their axes normal to one another and to a respective peripheral edge of the instrument base. The signal generators are connected to respective digital display panels each having a manually settable scale changer. Any of a variety of marking devices can be substituted for one another. The instrument includes various readily attached accessories for utilizing the instrument as an Y, X digitizer, a protractor, a planimeter, and both as a linear and a circular scale graduator.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a continuous flow of fluent particulate material suspended in a gaseous stream from a bulk source. The pneumatically powered and controlled apparatus includes a material receiving chamber intermittently replenishing a second chamber operable to maintain a third or material dispensing chamber adequately charged at all times. The apparatus controls are responsive to the material level sensing means in the second chamber to initiate a recharging cycle when the material therein falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A variable expansion ratio internal combustion engine equipped with throttleless induction control and intake valve mechanism operable to induct an ambient pressure charge varying with load demand. Maximum compression pressure is preferably somewhat below that which produces combustion detonation. Constant compression ratio from idling through full load conditions is maintained by varying the clearance volume inversely with load demand. Charge induction at ambient pressure is provided with a throttleless carburetor and is manually controlled by a servo-power operator functioning to synchronize a linkage interconnecting the intake valve mechanism with mechanism for varying the cylinder clearance volume. This linkage operates to variably control closure of the intake valve during the intake stroke or, alternatively, to close the intake valve during the initial phase of the compression stroke.

Abstract: An article of manufacture useful as an attractive decorative object constructed to utilize the flower and leaves of the exotic bird of paradise flower to simulate the cuckoo-like road runner bird indigenous to South-Western U.S. desert areas. The V-shaped tubular main body is supported on legs fashioned like those of the road runner and its opposite ends are receptive of the stems of the paradise leaves and flower in a stance simulating the tail, wings and head of the road runner.

Abstract: Hydrotherapy apparatus including continuous extruded plastic ducting of keyhole shape in cross-section adapted to be installed in the wall of a water pool and having a multiplicity of air dispensing perforations substantially flush with the interior wall surface. The ducting is readily assembled and installed by unskilled labor in a wide variety of configurations using simple tools and fittings and is connectable to a source of pressurized air.

Abstract: An article clamping device having an article inlet equipped with toggle link means mounted thereacross and pivoting to receive the article and thereupon holding the article captive until deliberately withdrawn. The withdrawal is facilitated by the flexibility of one of the device components.

Abstract: A hand-held cryogenic device for and method of necrotizing and shaving live tissue having a chamber chargeable with liquid cryogen. One heat conductive wall of the chamber is adapted to be flooded with cryogen while being manipulated over the tissue and includes an opening allowing gaseous cryogen to escape in contact with the tissue. This wall is selectively effective to shave or slice away necrotized tissue.

Abstract: A fast action disconnect for releasably coupling parts together such as a power line stringing block and a conventional dog nut at the lower end of a power line insulator. The disconnect has a receiving socket for the dog nut insertable through one side of the disconnect and includes a barrier for releasably but positively locking the dog nut assembled to the disconnect. The barrier is movable between a retracted locking position and an extended release position permitting disassembly of a dog nut relative to the main body of the disconnect.

Abstract: A door handgrip having means for obtaining a fingerprint of the next person using the door, as a bank robber or a law breaker. For this purpose the grip is provided with a pair of fingergrip surfaces one of which is in normal use and the other of which is print-free and normally shielded from use. Remote control means is operable to replace the normally used gripping surface with the print-free surface thereby to obtain the fingerprints of the next person using the grip.

Abstract: Tools are provided for servicing a submerged turbo head from the deck of a swimming pool whereby (1) the indexing mechanism of the turbo head can be manually manipulated at will to any position and (2) the head unit can be detached for servicing and reinstalled.

Abstract: A floodlighting system for one or more tennis courts utilizing a pair of high-level floodlamp supporting structures adjacent a diagonally related set of corners of the perimeter zone of a tennis court. The lamps on each support are directed onto the adjacent back court and service box of a related court and uniquely aimed to be highly effective in illuminating the advance face of the ball with increasing light intensity as a ball in flight approaches a receiving player. The height of the lamps together with the small included angle of its beam greatly minimizes if not entirely avoids glare in the player's eyes. Adjacent courts are effectively and efficiently illuminated by lamps supported on a common pole located at the junction of a contiguous pair of court playing areas.

Abstract: A throw-away ear protector readily assembled about the base of the human ear to preclude entry of foreign matter or fluid into the ear, and comprising a plaque of film-like impervious material. An opening centrally of the plaque is encircled with pressure sensitive adhesive for securing the plaque to the skin at the base of the ear. The outer portions of the plaque are readily gathered and maintained secured in gathered condition until the risk of harm has passed following which the protector can be removed and discarded.

Abstract: Roller ski apparatus for supporting a rider on pavement or the like comprising a foot-supporting platform equipped at its opposite ends with skate-type wheel units and a resilient suspension device. The suspension device provides the rider with a smooth glide-like ride closely simulating that experienced in skiing on snow. Control handles pivotally connected to the sides of the platform aid the rider in maintaining balance and in shifting his weight to activate the steering capabilities of the wheel units which have limited swiveling properties. One embodiment includes separate foot-supporting members supported on a common frame for independently pivotable movement about their own longitudinal axis and spring biased to a neutral coplaner position. The apparatus may comprise a single foot-supporting platform or a separate platform for each foot, but each construction embodies a spring suspension for the rearmost wheel unit.

Abstract: A conductor stringing block adapted to be threaded with a hauling line dropped by helicopter and having a suspension yoke connected at its ends to the opposite sides of the block frame. The yoke includes a threading passage which is normally closed by a latch effective to transmit load forces crosswire of the passage. The upper end of the threading passage is equipped with an outwardly and upwardly inclined extension to receive and feed a helicopter-dispensed hauling line into the passage. Upright extensions projecting downwardly from the lower end of the passage flex to pass a power line running board and guide the hauling line as it drops from the threading passage onto an underlying sheave of the stringing block. The yoke assembly is securable crosswise of the upper end of a conventional stringing block in lieu of the conventional suspension yoke thereby converting the conventional block to use with helicopter threading equipment.

Abstract: A breakerless ignition distributor equipped with a pair of centrifugally responsive spark retarding discs sandwiched between a pair of bearing members all held assembled to the distributor shaft by a readily adjusted clutch. Centrifugally responsive balls held captive in sets of diverging slots in the two discs are urged by calibrated springs to their inner or retracted position. The centrifugally actuated disc has a ring of peripheral openings rotating across a light beam to activate a solid state ignition circuit and is effective to retard the spark during engine starting and to advance the spark thereafter. The distributor is quickly convertible for operation either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system for closed volatile liquid storage facilities including loading rack systems for tank trucks, rail cars, ship and barge cargo compartments. These facilities have provision for charging the system with blanketing gas under controlled pressure conditions for admixture with vapor of the volatile liquid. This mixture is processed for recovery of the vapor and gas constituents under the supervision and control of precision oxygen monitoring. Whenever the detected percentage of oxygen exceeds a predetermined safe value, corrective measures are taken immediately and automatically and acknowledging devices are activated and additional blanketing gas may be supplied to decrease the percentage of oxygen in the facility. Vapor and gas mixtures monitored and found safely non-combustible are processed by compression and heat exchange to condense some of the vapor and to elevate the pressure level.

Abstract: An amusement or game device of the type wherein a plurality of symbol displaying devices are provided each comprising a respective series of symbols or indicia which are brought into display position repetitively in serial order following commencement of an operating or playing period. The finally displayed set of symbols representing a scope or lack thereof depends upon the composition of the set of symbols displayed at the termination of the operating period. The composition of that set is dependent upon computer operations consummated or effected at the commencement of the operating period, utilizing randomly generated number codes each representative of a particular symbol of the associated series of symbols. Scoring equipment is provided under the control of a computer to determine a play score in accordance with scoring schedule information stored in the computer memory.

Abstract: A unitary grounding assembly for pivoting attachment astride a bundle conductor stringing block and provided with grounding rollers biased against the underside of the conductors. The legs of a roller supporting bracket are resilient and constructed to twist lengthwise thereof to accommodate differential sag of the conductors and to maintain the rollers in pressurized electrical contact with a respective one of the conductors.

Abstract: A fail-safe sub-surface safety cut-off valve for fluid wells controllable from the surface and suitable for installation at substantially greater depths than prior constructions. The valve assembly is installable and retrievable via wire line technique and utilizes an electromagnetic means to operate either a flapper or a ball cut-off valve. The operating solenoid coil embraces a landing nipple portion of the tubing string and is outside the production flow. This solenoid supplies the power to open either type of cut-off valve and holds the latter open only so long as the solenoid is energized thereby providing surface control of the safety cut-off valve normally and assurance of closing of this valve in the event of power failure through accident or some catastrophe as well as automatic closure if flow velocity increases beyond a predetermined safe value.