Abstract: A portable toilet comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.

Abstract: A door control mechanism for use in conjunction with a pair of swinging doors to control latching. The mechanism comprises a first stamped metal part adapted to be fixedly mounted on the door. This part comprises a first track portion and a second track portion. A second stamped metal part comprises a slide portion which slidably engages one track portion of the first metal part. An actuating mechanism is arranged on the second track portion of the first stamped metal part and has an operative coupling with the second stamped metal part. The second stamped metal part is adapted to be connected to a latch bolt. When the actuating mechanism is operated, the second stamped metal part is selectively positioned along the first track portion of the first stamped metal part with the bolt being positioned accordingly.

Abstract: A float operated liquid level sensing switch for horizontal mounting in the sidewall of a container is disclosed. The switch can be inserted into an aperture in the sidewall regardless of its circumferential orientation with full assurance that its float is properly oriented to perform the level sensing function. The float is tubular and contains a weighting means which orients the float to a unique circumferential orientation. This positions a magnet on the float to a unique operating range. A reed switch is contained horizontally within a body portion of the switch and is surrounded by the float. The magnet is disposed to operate in a vertical plane relative to the reed switch and when the level drops to a certain level, the float similarly drops causing the magnet to activate the reed switch. In order to attain overlying relationship of the magnet to the reed switch, a pendulum weight is also included on the float diametrically opposite the magnet.

Abstract: An insulated metal edge guard particularly adapted for fitting onto the trailing edge of a swinging closure which closes against an adjacent panel. The edge guard comprises a U-shaped metal channel having beads at the distal ends of the legs of the channel wherein the beads comprise double reversal folds folded back against the legs. Insulating material is selectively applied to the metal strip by an extrusion, or co-extrusion, procedure prior to the strip being formed into the channel-shaped cross section. Various embodiments of edge guard are disclosed.

Abstract: A planar log periodic quad array comprising a two-conductor twisted transmission line to which log periodic elements are connected. The elements are arranged in two sets on opposite sides of the transmission line and are in a common plane. Each element has two points of connection with a particular conductor of the transmission line and comprises two sides each extending from a respective one of the two points of connection to the particular conductor to join at a corner which lies on an imaginary line perpendicular to the transmission line at its center feed point. Immediately adjacent elements of one set are connected to alternate ones of the two conductors of the transmission line and each element of the other set has a general geometric symmetry about the transmission line with respect to a corresponding element of the one set but with its points of connection to the transmission line being to the opposite conductor. The array is suited for active or passive use and has a broadband characteristic.

Abstract: In a pulsed gas laser having a flexible exit gas line, such as polymer tubing, a device is disposed just upstream of the flexible tubing to attenuate certain characteristics of the exit gas before it reaches the flexible line. The device comprises a walled chamber having an inlet and an outlet and constructed and arranged to attenuate the peak pressure waves at the pulse frequency. The device also provides attenuation of temperature and for this purpose is made of a good thermal conductor such as copper. The invention enhances the effectiveness of the flexible polymer tubing exit gas lines and permits a laser to be pulsed at higher pulse frequencies than are conventionally done.

Abstract: A toilet hinge for hingedly mounting a seat and/or cover on a toilet bowl comprises a hinge part which includes resiliently yieldable fingers for cooperative engagement with the hinge pin. The hinge part contains a circular aperture having a circumferential extent greater than 180.degree. but less than 360.degree., with the resiliently yieldable fingers extending from the aperture at a circumferential opening in the aperture. The resiliently yieldable fingers define a throat within which the hinge pin is received in response to downward loading applied to the seat and/or cover. The resilient yielding of the fingers allows the seat and/or cover to assume full support on the bowl rim so that the undesired stress levels in the parts, including the hinges, are avoided. When the downward load is removed, the resiliently yieldable fingers urge the hinge pin back into the aperture, thereby slightly elevating the rear of the seat and/or cover.

Abstract: An edge guard and method whereby the edge guard is used to substantially fill the gap between the trailing edge of a door onto which the edge guard is installed and an adjacent portion of the vehicle body. In the case of a two-door model car and the rear door of a four-door model car the adjacent body structure is a pillar or post. In the case of the front door of a four-door model the adjacent body structure may be the front edge of the rear door. When the rear door swing is such that its front edge swings slightly forwardly when the door is opened, provision is made so that the front edge of the rear door does not hit the edge guard on the front door. The edge guard is characterized by inner and outer legs of substantially longer length than other edge guards whereby the edge guard may have a variable engagement with the door edge to permit adjustment for a range of different thicknesses of gap.

Abstract: An edge guard with an integral attaching flange is disclosed for use on the trailing edge of a swinging closure in an automotive vehicle, such as a door. The edge guard comprises a generally U-shaped portion fitting onto the trailing edge and an attaching flange extending from an inner leg of the U-shaped portion. A fastening means is provided for coaction between the flange portion of the edge guard and an inner panel of the door. A separate fastening device can be used for the attachment and is illustrated to include a light-reflective medium on the fastener's head which, at night when the door is open, will reflect the headlights of another vehicle approaching from the rear. Plural embodiments are disclosed including non-metallic embodiments and insulated metal embodiments.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a co-extruded insulated edge guard in which insulating material is co-extruded onto metal. Various embodiments of edge guards are disclosed. The co-extruded insulating material interlocks with the metal of the edge guard.

Abstract: A proportioning system for creating admixture from diluent and concentrate comprises accumulators which are alternatively repetitively recharged so that one is always on-line. Recharging is controlled by a fluid system including a piston assembly for injecting a measured charge of concentrate into an accumulator being recharged. Diluent is introduced by opening and closing a valve from the diluent supply with the recharging being activated and terminated by level sensing switches associated with the accumulators. Electrical control circuitry and a stroke adjustment mechanism for the piston assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A security attachment for an electrical plug is effective to prevent unauthorized use but to readily permit authorized use. It comprises a pair of adapter elements which are mutually plugged together between the electrical plug and a wall receptacle. One adapter is plugged together with the electrical plug and the two are connected together such that they cannot become unplugged if an attempt is made to unplug them. When unauthorized use is to be prevented, the other adapter is removed to expose prongs of the first adapter which prevent the first adapter from being plugged into the wall receptacle.

Abstract: A process for making an insulated metal edge guard comprises extruding plastic insulating metal material onto a flat strip of metal as the strip is pulled through an extruder, coiling the insulated strip while still in the flat, uncoiling the coiled strip at the beginning of a roll-forming apparatus and feeding the insulated strip through the roll-forming apparatus to form the strip into a desired cross sectional shape for the edge guard. The process improves the efficiency of manufacturing insulated metal edge guards and it permits various embodiments, including new and unique ones, to be created efficiently. The invention has a special utility where a range of colored edge guards must be produced in varying quantities.

Abstract: An automotive engine oil drip pan assembly comprises a pan containing a pad which has a preference for absorbing oil over water. The pan is constructed with a depression forming a locator for the pad. The assembly mounts on an automotive engine and powertrain combination with the pan disposed directly below the bell housing area so as to catch and collect oil which may leak through the engine rear bearing and seal. The pad is provided with a recess forming a collection volume for oil which drains through an opening in certain engine and powertrain models. The pan is suspended by means of flexible cords from brackets which are attached to the engine through the use of pre-existing fasteners used to fasten the powertrain's engine. Releasable fasteners are also used to provide for release of the pan assembly for replacement of a used pad.

Abstract: Apparatus for promoting good health comprising a personal weight scale provided with an information and message center for displaying messages to the user relating to weight and maintenance of a desired weight. The scale may be embodied in a standard version for providing standard messages based upon departure of measured weight from desired weight. In another embodiment, the scale is adapted to provide customized information related to a particular medical condition of the particular user. The scale contains an electronic microprocessor for providing messages. The scale may be adapted to a customized form by associating a removable electronic medium with the electronic microprocessor so as to adapt a basic operating program into a custom one for providing custom messages. The custom messages may relate to the particular health condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for intraluminal membrane oxygenation of internal organs. A catheter having a walled chamber is introduced to dispose the chamber against the lumen of an internal organ. The wall of the chamber is of a material which is freely permeable to gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and poorly permeable to liquid. Oxygen is introduced into the catheter and perfused through the walled chamber. Oxygen passes through the wall of the chamber to the organ while carbon dioxide from the organ passes through the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An override cartridge for a solenoid operated fluid valve provides convenient conversion of a valve to include or exclude a mechanical override feature. The disclosed construction comprises a tubular cartridge body containing the override, with the tubular body having a screw thread connection to the valve. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulated metal edge guard particularly adapted for fitting onto the trailing edge of a swinging closure which closes against an adjacent panel. The edge guard comprises a U-shaped metal channel having beads at the distal ends of the legs of the channel wherein the beads comprise double reversal folds folded back against the legs. Insulating material is selectively applied to the metal strip by an extrusion, or co-extrusion, procedure prior to the strip being formed into the channel-shaped cross section. Various embodiments of edge guard are disclosed.

Abstract: A rotating disc-shaped carrier upon which have been recorded audio, video or computer data in holographic form, a method for forming such a carrier, and an apparatus for reading such a carrier is disclosed. A beam of coherent radiation is spatially modulated in a prescribed way, this beam then illuminating one radial of a rotating carrier upon which has been recorded a series of holograms in the form of a spiral track or series of concentric tracks. The holograms are elongated in a direction perpendicular to movement of the rotating carrier and overlap in directions both parallel and perpendicular to such movement, the amount of overlap in the perpendicular direction being inversely proportional to the amount of overlap in the parallel direction such that data storage density remains constant across the surface of the rotating carrier. The sequentially illuminated holograms generate a series of signal images which vary in amplitude, width, spatial frequency, azimuth or position relative to a centerline.

Abstract: A plastic and metal edge guard as fabricated by extruding plastic onto metal. The extrusion may take place onto a flat metal strip with the plastic and metal subsequently being formed into a desired cross sectional shape for the edge guard. Several embodiments are disclosed. In one embodiment the plastic is provided with a tapered shape so that when the plastic and metal are formed into the U-shaped cross section the plastic taper narrows toward the distal end of the legs to produce a feathering of the plastic. The plastic may cover either the entire surface of one side of the strip or selectively leave one or both marginal edges uncovered on the same side of the strip which can be formed into beads.