Abstract: A steer wheel control system having a centering unit for resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such movement, and a trim unit for remotely varying the selected center position. A resistance force and a return force may also be varied remotely. A plurality of passages and check valves make the trim unit operable by a single solenoid valve mounted internally on an intermediate head between the trim unit and the centering unit.

Abstract: A method of making an assembly for repelling birds from a selected area, including forming fins and vents on a rotor and rotatably mounting the rotor on the distal end of a support member, the proximate end of which is adjusted to be fixed within the selected area. The fins and vents on the rotor arc responsive to wind currents to rotate the rotor and generate bird repelling noises and visual effects. The fins may include light reflective and/or other design indicia to enhance the visual effects. An electrical sound producing device may be mounted on the rotor for emitting the sound of a bird predator.

Abstract: Transparent sheets of acetate carrying a band of adhesive on the reverse side adjacent to one edge can be used for making notes on text and illustrations. Preferably provided in a tablet of plural, stacked sheets and most preferably provided in a kit form with erasable markers adapted for marking on acetate, the sheets may be applied to a whole page of text or to a drawing. The markings can interact with the text and drawings because the underlaying surface is visible through the sheets. Thus, the user may make annotations exactly where and how desired.

Abstract: An assembly for repelling birds from a selected area and having a rotor rotatably mounted on the distal end of a support member, the proximate end of which is fixed within the selected area. Fins and vents on the rotor are responsive to wind currents to rotate the rotor and generate bird repelling noises and visual effects. The fins may include light reflective and/or other design indicia.

Abstract: A steering stabilizer apparatus for the steering system of a vehicle having a steerable member movable away from a selected center position in response to a steering movement. The apparatus includes a rotary member having a corresponding face with centering detents, a piston member having a corresponding face arranged opposite to the rotary member face with a centering detent aligned with each rotary member detent when the rotary member is in a centered position corresponding to the selected position of the steerable member. Bearing members are arranged to be pressed between the rotary and piston members and to be in contact with a seat of each of a pair of aligned detents when the steerable member is in the preselected position. The rotary member is rotated relative to the piston member in response to movement of the steerable member.

Abstract: A steering linkage assembly (10) having a resistance assembly (30) for resisting turning movements of a steerable member (17), and a trim assembly (28) for remotely adjusting the length of a linkage (10) between the steerable member (17) and a frame member (12). A trim valve (52, 52′, 52,″ 301) is operable between closed and open positions for allowing a trim piston (36) to move from one locked position (C1) to another locked position (C2) to change the length of the linkage (10). A liquid pressurized by a gas pressure source (88) is provided to the resistance assembly (30) and to the trim assembly (28) by a single pressure accumulator assembly (275), or by a dual accumulator assembly (75, 175) providing liquid at a trim pressure and a resistance pressure. The stroke of the trim piston (36) is sufficient for the fluid systems (28, 30, 75, 175, 275) to remain pressurized at all times.

Abstract: A linkage assembly (10) of remotely adjustable length extends between a steerable member (17) and a frame member (12) to define the center position of the steerable member (17). The linkage assembly includes a resistance assembly (30) for providing a resistance force resisting forces tending to move the steerable member (17) to either side of the center position, and a trim assembly (28) having a piston (36) that may be locked in position (C1) in a trim cylinder (33) for transmitting steering forces to the resistance assembly (30). A trim valve (52, 52′, 52,″ 301) is operable between a closed position for preventing trim fluid flow so that the piston (36) is held in its locked position (C1), and an open position for allowing the trim piston (36) to move away from its prior locked position (C1) to a new locked position (C2) to permit the length of the linkage (10) to be changed in response to a steering force applied to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A linkage assembly of variable length extends between a steerable member and a frame member to define the center position of the steerable member. The linkage assembly includes a resistance assembly for providing a resistance force resisting forces tending to move the steerable member to either side of the center position, and a center holding assembly having a piston that may be locked in position in a cylinder for transmitting steering forces to the resistance assembly. A control valve is operable between a closed position for preventing fluid flow so that the piston is held in its locked position, and an open position for allowing the holding piston to move away from its locked position to permit the length of the linkage to freely change in response to the steering forces. The control valve is operated by an actuator responsive to the amount of the resistance force, such that the piston is free to move in its cylinder when the resistance force exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure in which an unburnt gas can be prevented from being diffused into a room while suppressing the generation of the unburnt gas during the extinction operation of a pot type oil burner. During the extinction operation, first of all, the supply of a fuel from fuel feeding means (35) to a pot (15) is stopped and conduction to an electric heater (31) is started. The rotation of each of a combustion fan (23) and a convection fan (11) is carried out continuously. While a second timer (67) counts a second time period, the convection fan (11) is rotated at a high speed. After the second time period is ended, the rotation of the convection fan (11) is switched from high speed rotation into low speed rotation. The low speed rotation is carried out continuously for a third time period counted by a third timer. After the third time period is ended, the rotation of the convection fan (11) is returned from the low speed rotation to the high speed rotation.

Abstract: Bimetallic alloys of iron and titanium are employed as catalysts for combining hydrogen and the oxides of carbon to yield methane, ethane and other hydrocarbons and alcohols. The alloy composition is first activated by treatment with hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures and pressures. Particle size is also reduced by hydriding and dehydriding one or more times.

Abstract: A portable barbecue unit with a gas fired, vertically disposed heat source for roasting spit mounted foodstuffs. The vertical heat source includes an upstanding panel of radiant material extending along a tubular gas burner detachably mounted within the cooking enclosure to the side of the rotisserie spit. A modification combines the upstanding radiant panel with a horizontally disposed bed of radiant material underlying the spit and heated by an auxiliary gas burner.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a sand blasting nozzle is shown having means to induce a suction in the sand delivery conduit associated with the nozzle. A sliding valve structure for controlling the induced vacuum in the sand delivery conduit is provided along with a valve for controlling flow of the fluid medium for impelling the sand. The system makes use of high velocity air or steam or high pressure water or similar fluid for inducing the required suction in the sand delivery line and for driving the sand against the object to be blasted. Handle means form part of the apparatus to control the direction of the stream of abrasive and carrier fluid blasted from the nozzle portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A ventilation system for beautician shops to exhaust aerosol hairspray from airspace adjacent to a customer's head during a hairstyling process. The exhausted airspace is defined by an inverted bowl of transparent material adjustably suspended over the beautician's chair by a counterbalanced telescopic ductwork communicating with a ceiling mounted exhaust fan assembly. Although exhausted air is preferably passed through a filter and recirculated back into the room, a modification of the invention exhausts unfiltered air to the building exterior.

Abstract: A safety release for unlocking the trunk lid of an automobile from within the trunk compartment. The release is an integral part of the lid locking mechanism and includes a clutch assembly for disconnecting the latch shaft from the key tumblers and a hand operated linkage for actuating the clutch and rotating the disconnected shaft to move the latch components from the normally locked to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A portable gas-fired barbecue unit having a grate assembly for supporting a bed of ceramic coals between a gas burner and a cooking grill. The grate assembly includes upper stringers having a central channel to catch food drippings and side flanges to support the ceramic coals. Lower stringers with channels are arranged to catch any drippings missed by the upper stringers. All stringers are sloped toward one end where means is provided to collect the drippings. The assembly intercepts both food drippings and gas combustion products to produce radiant cooking energy and flavoring smoke while catching excess drippings to prevent fouling of the burner.