Abstract: A gasoline saving device is disclosed for an internal combustion engine having a carburetor housing and a manifold housing, each housing having an internal orifice for passing a gasoline fluid. A substantially flat plate member is adapted for insertion between the carburetor housing and the manifold housing. The plate member comprises at least one aperture having a diameter in accordance with the diameter of the internal orifices of the carburetor housing and the manifold housing. The aperture in the plate member is registered relative to the internal orifices of the carburetor housing and the manifold housing. A plurality of fluid channels extend longitudinally through the plate member for providing fluid communication for an external fluid adjacent the outer surface of the plate member to the aperture in the plate member.

Abstract: The fluid coupling apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for connecting and disconnecting a first and a second fluid carrying member. Male and female coupling members are connected to the first and second fluid carrying members respectively. The female coupling member comprises a female internal orifice having a female radially enlarged portion in the female internal orifice of the female coupling member. The male coupling member frictionally and sealingly engages portions of the female coupling member for temporarily securing the male coupling member to the female coupling member. Flexible means is established in at least a portion of the male coupling member for radially expanding into the female radially enlarged portion upon application of fluid pressure to connect the male coupling member to the female coupling member.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus configured for use in combination with a mobile chassis comprising a base to fasten the abrasive cleaning apparatus to the mobile chassis, an adjustable nozzle support to operatively support a plurality of nozzles thereon and interconnecting support coupled between the base and adjustable nozzle support. The interconnecting support includes a base plate and a support member fixedly attached to the nozzle support and rotatably attached to the base plate so that the nozzle support is rotatable about the vertical axis of the support member. The adjustable nozzle support includes a rotatable support shaft fixedly attached to a nozzle holder at one end thereof and a yoke at the opposite end thereof so that the nozzles of the abrasive cleaning apparatus can be positioned horizontally relative to the work surface.

Abstract: A protective device for use with a drinking container is disclosed for protecting a person while drinking from the container. The protective device may be used as a moustache protective device or may be used for preventing ice within the liquid container from contacting the upper lip of the person drinking from the container. The device includes a shield having an aperture with tabs extending from opposed sides of the shield. The tabs are established for contacting the outer circumference of the drinking container when the shield is positioned over the opening. The aperture provides control liquid flow from the drinking container to the person. Resilient means including a first and a second resilient arm grasp the outer circumference of the drinking container for retaining the shield to the container.

Abstract: A coupling or chain connector device is disclosed comprising a first coupling member cooperable with a second coupling member. The second coupling member has a tortuous path between the inner and the outer regions thereof. The tortuous path comprises a first through fourth substantially linear sections and a first through third interconnecting sections sequentially interposed between the first through fourth linear sections. The first coupling member is at least partially receivable in the second coupling member for passing the first coupling member through the tortuous path to couple the first coupling member to the second coupling member. The first coupling member may take the form of a linear wire or bar or may take the form of a substantially ring-shaped structure. The first and second coupling members may be incorporated into a unitary structure with the first coupling member established on one end thereof and the second coupling member established on the other end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for depositing a growth altering material such as fertilizer to a plant rooted in soil. The apparatus includes a body member having a handle member extending relative thereto. A digging element extends from the body member having a substantially shovel-like region for digging into the soil upon application of a force on the handle member. A hopper for storing the fertilizer is secured relative to the body member. Gate means is provided in the hopper for containing the fertilizer in the hopper when the gate is in a first position and for liberating the growth altering material in proximity to the digging element when the gate is in a second position. A foot member secured to the body member in a substantially orthogonal relationship may be provided for facilitating digging into the soil. The gate means may be operated by a hand lever secured to the handle member and connected by a flexible cable extending through the body member to the gate means.

Abstract: A drain opener composition and process comprising the application of an aqueous solution of a soluble metallic hydroxide, a chlorine releasing salt, and a catalyst to the clogged drain for fast opening of said drain.

Abstract: A fastening assembly is disclosed to attach a boat or like vehicle to a boat trailer or similar type of boat support. The assembly comprises a cradle which includes at least two arm elements attached to a suspension assembly which is interconnected between the boat support or trailer and the cradle. The cradle has a configuration which is substantially convergent or V-shaped to engage opposite sides of the bow of the boat and hold it in suspended relation through interconnection with the suspension assembly relative to the trailer or boat support. A biasing element is connected to the suspension assembly to bias the cradle away from the boat support when the boat is positioned thereon. An orienting assembly is disposed on or adjacent the cradle to engage the leading edge of the bow and orient the boat into locking engagement with a connecting element.

Abstract: The apparatus and method described herein comprises a sequence and arrangement of equipment and the method of operation thereof for the removal of water soluble pollutants and particulate matter from flue gases, such as those emanating from incinerators, furnaces, electric power generating stacks, etc.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for attaching a snap fastener having a first and a second snap fastener portion to a material. The device is adapted for use with pliers having a first and a second plier jaw. The invention comprises a first and a second support capable of mounting on the first and the second plier jaw. First and second threaded fasteners respectively secure the first and second supports to the first and second plier jaws. A first die insert includes a projection for locating the first snap fastener portion of the snap fastener relative to the first die insert. A second die insert including internal resilient means locates the second snap fastener portion of the snap fastener relative to the second die insert. First and second apertures are located in the first and second supports for respectively receiving the first and second die inserts.

Abstract: An easily removable front panel for a newspaper vending machine uniquely containing the dispensing door with the customary display window, the coin mechanism and the coin return means. Easy access is provided not only for adjustment or repair of the coin mechanism and for coin removal, but also to the newspaper storage cavity of the cabinet for reloading.

Abstract: A swimming pool skimming device is disclosed for use with a pool sweeping device connected to a source of water pressure to propel the pool sweeping device within the swimming pool. The invention includes a body member having a specific gravity substantially less than one enabling the body member to provide buoyancy. The body member has a central cavity communicating with an open bottom in the body member. Means are provided for rigidily mounting the body member to the surface unit of the pool sweeping device to provide floatation thereto. A filter is established relative to the open body member with a plurality of water inputs communicating with the central cavity of the body member to enable surface water of the swimming pool to enter the central cavity and to exit through the open bottom with the filter collecting debris accompanying the surface water.

Abstract: A bird feeding device is disclosed for distributing bird feed comprising a first and a second member secured relative to one another. One of the first and second members includes a protruding portion forming a bird feed reservoir between the first and second members. The first member has a region in proximity to the bird feed reservoir adapted for at least partial removal from the remainder of the first member for maintaining the bird feed in the bird feed reservoir when the region is intact and for enabling access to the bird feed in the bird feed reservoir when the region is at least partially removed. The device may be constructed of a blister type plastic member in combination with a cardboard member with the bird feed contained in the bird feed reservoir making a disposable bird feeder.

Abstract: A car mirror angling device designed to eliminate "blind spots" in rearward viewing. The device utilizes a solenoid connected to a rotatable post. Actuation of the solenoid rotates the post, which in turn, pivots the mirror. The pivot angle is adjustable by means of thumb screws which are presettable by the driver.

Abstract: An article for catching and throwing a ball is disclosed comprising an integral plastic body member having a tip portion and a hand receiving portion. The article includes means for securing the hand of a player to the hand receiving portion. The plastic member has integral side walls extending between the tip portion and the hand receiving portion forming a ball receiving region therebetween. The integral plastic member has a partially arcuate configuration enabling the player to catch and throw the ball from the ball receiving region. The article includes resilient means secured to the ball receiving region for absorbing a portion of the impact of a moving ball to facilitate catching the ball. One embodiment of the invention comprises an improved cesta article currently used for the game of Jai-Alai. This particular embodiment is adapted to enable the playing of a game similar to Jai-Alai on existing handball and racketball courts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bilateral device to transform a.c. polyphase power to controllable a.c. or d.c. power, or to perform this transformation in reverse, by use of a single high frequency link comprising series resonant circuits. A cyclo-up converter transforms the incoming low frequency power to substantially higher frequencies of the order of kilohertz directly and without the interposition of a d.c. link, and thus, without the therewith associated low pass filters. The high frequency link includes series resonant circuits which facilitate the natural current commutation of electronic switching elements, such as controlled rectifiers. The energy is transformed from the high frequency link to a lower frequency output circuit via a cyclo-down converter, as well known in the art. Again, no d.c. link is used for the process. The low frequency output circuit referred to above, can operate at zero frequency and thus feed a d.c. load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collecting assembly for grass cuttings, clippings, various debris, etc. and it is designed primarily to be used in combination with a cutting machine. The cutting machine may be a riding mower or a push or walk behind type. A storage means including a removable container element for receiving the debris is arranged in fluid communication with a negative pressure source which may be a vacuum-type pump or impeller element disposed in fluid communication with the storage means to create a negative pressure therein. Conduit means interconnects the cutting deck or cutting area of the cutting machine with the storage means wherein the cutting area, conduit means, storage means and negative pressure source means are all arranged in fluid communication so as to substantially define a negative fluid flow pressure throughout the system. Fluid flow is accordingly directed from the cutting area along with the debris entrained in said fluid flow into the storage area.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing organic waste from a stream of water and for growing Tubifex worms, Chironomidae larvae, infusoria and other like organisms. The apparatus comprises a plurality of pans with each successive pan displaced below the preceding pan so that water is allowed to run therethrough. Dividers are positioned within the pans to entenuate the channel in which the water flows. The organisms are added to collect organic waste, digest it and thereby clear the water. After the organisms multiply to the extent of having a population in excess of the numbers optimal for filtering, the excess is removed from the pans and used as a source of protein for animal feeding.

Abstract: A movable boat propulsion apparatus for use with an inboard drive comprising a drive assembly disposed within a pivotally mounted housing coupled at one end to the drive by a universal joint and coupled at the opposite end to a propeller mounted on a substantially vertical strut by a second universal joint such that the entire boat propulsion apparatus is movable in the vertical plane relative to the boat hull. The apparatus may also include a control coupled to the strut to adjust the height and angular orientation of the propeller in the vertical plane relative to the boat hull.

Abstract: A solar heating system is disclosed of the type used to heat hot water or like fluid for domestic or industrial use comprising a collector assembly including fluid storage facilities formed on the interior thereof and exterior portion surrounding the fluid storage facilities. A collector unit including a coil element wound continuously about the exterior portion and disposed to define part or all of the exposed surface of the exterior portion wherein this exterior portion further is arranged at an angular orientation between a base and head segment of the collector assembly. A transparent or light permeable casing surrounds the entire collector assembly wherein the entire collector assembly is connected in fluid communicating relation with a preheater assembly which includes a fan and is preferably mounted in an attic or other environment wherein the surrounding temperature is greater than ambient temperature.