Abstract: A method for mutually connecting at least two elongated elements, such as concrete renforcement rods, by means of a connecting member in the form of a winding spring with a center line, which winding spring is screwed on and around the elongated elements at the connecting place between the two elongated elements by rotation on the center line while expanding by contact with circumferential surfaces of the elongated elements, wherein the selected winding spring is a spiral or screw spiral shaped spring, of which at least one winding has a diameter smaller than the largest transverse dimension at the connecting place, determined by the elongated elements to be connected, which winding spring is placed with its center line at an angle with respect to the elongated elements and is screwingly moved from a thus obtained starting position in the direction of the elongated elements, which screwing movement is continued until at least one winding is diametrically expanded.

Abstract: A fire escape ladder assembly adapted for mounting between wall support members in a building cavity of a building structure. The assembly includes a fire escape ladder enclosure mounted in the building cavity and a mounting structure passing through the enclosure and surrounding building support members to anchor the fire escape ladder directly to the building structure. The enclosure can include a portion for mounting within a wall cavity and can further include a portion for mounting within a building floor cavity. The mounting structure can include a threaded rod passing through apertures in adjacent wall studs and maintained in a centered position by lock nuts.

Abstract: A non-electrically actuated ganged fire extinguisher system for use in an enclosure of a size larger than the capacity of a single pre-engineered fire extinguisher comprises at least two pre-engineered fire extinguishers positioned at spaced locations in the enclosure. An actuation valve is mounted on the outlet of each fire extinguisher. A fluid operated valve actuator for each valve retains the valve in a closed state when the actuator is pressurized and opens the valve when the actuator is depressurized. A vent line connects the valve actuators and provides fluid communication therebetween, such that the actuators are maintained at the same pressure state. At least one non-electrical temperature sensor is mounted in fluid communication with the vent line. The temperature sensor opens an outlet to the vent line and releases the pressure therein when the temperature in the vicinity of the sensor reaches a predetermined value indicative of a fire hazard.

Abstract: A clipper and herbicide or other chemical dispenser comprises a pair of pivotal handle members that are squeezed together to operate a shear mechanism and a chemical dispenser that dispenses chemical directly on the end of the cut stem after the stem has been cut. Preferably, a clamping mechanism clamps a plant stem in place below the shears while the shears cut the stem. The chemical dispenser includes a liquid pump actuated by the handles that pumps a discreet amount of chemical through an opening in a cutting blade at a time when the opening is aligned with the cut end of the plant stem. The dispenser has an outlet mounted on a dispenser arm that is moved away from the opening in the cutting blade by the upper plant stem as the stem is being cut. When the upper stem falls away, the dispenser arm pivots back to align the outlet with the opening in the cutting blade for chemical dispensation on the lower cut stem.

Abstract: A horizontal wind generator comprises a horizontal windmill drivingly coupled to an electrical generator. The windmill includes a vertical drive shaft mounted for rotation in a base, with a plurality of wind drive units being mounted in wind catching positions at spaced axial locations along the drive shaft. The drive units comprise oppositely facing wind catching elements mounted on opposite sides of crossbars or frames non-rotatably attached to the pole. Multiple wind drive units are spaced along the pole and angularly displaced from adjacent units at regular intervals around the pole. Two or four spaced drive units are particularly desirable. Wind catcher elements formed of cup shaped bowls or split barrels are particularly effective and are inexpensive. The wind generator is drivingly attached to an electrical generator through a gear box and belt or chain drive mechanism. The horizontal windmill rotates the electrical generator within its desired speed range without any governor or speed control.

Abstract: A golf club rack for a motorcycle comprises a mounting plate that is removably mounted on existing holes in the side of a motorcycle fender and a cradle that is removably attachable to the mounting plate. The cradle has a bottom and upwardly extending sides that hold the golf clubs upright, preferably inclined inwardly, at the side of the motorcycle. The cradle preferably is attached to the mounting plate by a releasable mounting mechanism held in place by a single threaded fastener. Desirably, the mounting mechanism includes a mounting bracket on the cradle that is bolted on a mounting block on the mounting plate.

Abstract: A detachable sailboat anchor light and hoist structure comprises a body, a lamp mounted in an upper portion of the body so as to be visible at all points around the circumference of the body, a connector for connecting a halyard for the mast to the light such that the light is elevated to a position above the top of the mast when the light is oriented vertically and raised to the top of the mast, and a mechanism for maintaining vertical orientation of the light when the light is raised to the top of the mast. The light can be raised with the halyard to the top of the mast and can be lowered either by pulling an electrical cord interconnecting the light with the electrical system of the sailboat or by attaching a down haul to the light.

Abstract: An appliance end fitting for connecting a gas operated appliance to a pressurized gas cylinder includes a simplified interior valve that acts as both a thermal valve and an excess flow control valve. The end fitting has an elongated body formed in two telescoping sections, an inner section, and an outer section. An interior opening extends through both sections and includes an enlarged center portion. A floating valve member in the center portion is movable toward a valve seat at an outer end of the center section. A spring urges the valve member away from the valve seat but excessive gas flow moves the valve member toward the valve seat and restricts the valve. The two sections of the body are held in an extended axial position by a heat activated material, such as fusible solder, where the nipple opens the cylinder shutoff valve when the body is connected to the cylinder outlet.

Abstract: A trailer comprising a wheel axle frame (1) supporting at least one wheel axle (5) with wheels (6), which wheel axle frame (1) is hingedly connected on a front side via a pivot (10) with a towing hook gripping frame (2), which pivot (10) extends parallel to the at least one wheel axle (5), while a rigid boat supporting frame (3) is connected with the wheel axle frame (1) so as to be exclusively slidable or mobile, and with the boat supporting frame (3) a stem or stern support (11) is connected so as to be mobile, and with the boat supporting frame (3) further a hull support (12) is connected so as to be mobile, and with the wheel axe frame (1) light, elongate guide elements (4) are connected, which are fixable in a slid-in and slid-out position, while the trailer is provided with floats (9) connectible with the ends of the guide elements (4) remote from the towing hook gripping frame (2), while in a condition of transport the boat supporting frame (3) at least partly extends above the towing hook gripping fra

Abstract: In a method for detecting and identifying bioaerosol particles in the air, the bioaerosol particles in a particle stream are selected in an ATOFMS (aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer) by means of fluorescence techniques, and only the selected bioaerosol particles are ionized, for instance on the basis of MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization), after which the resulting ions are detected and the bioaerosol particles are identified. The selection of bioaerosol particles takes place by means of laser radiation, generated by a first laser device, of a wavelength which in specific substances in bioaerosol particles effects a fluorescence, after which by means of a fluorescence detector the bioaerosol particles are selected and a second laser device is triggered to emit light of a wavelength which effects the ionization of the bioaerosol particles selected only by the fluorescence detector.

Abstract: A cooler chest includes an outer unit and a separate inner unit having a height smaller than the height of the outer unit and a space over the inner unit for storing ice cubes, the space being defined in part by porous side walls that allow for drainage of water, resulting from the melting of ice cubes, from the ice cube storage area.

Abstract: A modular casting system includes a plurality of casting modules and, is provided with on-board systems such as a lubrication system, cooling system, etc., which operate independently from similar systems on other modules of the system. Each of the casting modules is connected by quick disconnect connections to a centrally disposed source of fluid pressure and electrical power and a control unit for controlling each of the modules independently. Each of the modules is readily removable from the system and replaced with a new module of a different type or with a different mold. Each of the modules is preferably provided with a filter removal unit which is operative to raise the filter during the cooling operation and facilitates removal of the filter upon completion of the pouring operation. The upper platen of a casting module is provided with a swinging cope which is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position to facilitate cleaning of the cope.