Abstract: A cooker and/or radiant-heating space heater system comprises a plurality of arcuate sheet metal shell segments assembled with overlapping edge portions so as to form a substantially cylindrical inner shell surrounded by a plurality of similarly overlapping arcuate segments which may be spaced selectively relative to the inner shell and to each other so as to vary the spaces thus defined between the inner shell and the outer segments. The inner shell is spaced above a support surface such as the ground, and the outer segments rest on the support surface so that a combustion zone within the inner shell is in communication with the spaces between the inner shell and the outer segments. For highly efficient combustion, air is drawn down such spaces, due to negative pressure induced by convection over a fire within the combustion zone, and preheated through contact with the hot inner shell prior to entering the combustion zone.

Abstract: A method and machine for cutting precise sized mults from billets of a nickel based alloy, which involves rotating each billet by means of a chuck while the billet is supported on rollers coaxially in the chuck; providing a track parallel to the billet axis and a carrier movable along the track, on which carrier is disposed a rotatable saw movable toward and from the axis of the billet to effect cutting, the location of the saw cut being determined by a computer programmed to control a servo motor acting on a screw coupled to the carrier by nut means, the computer being provided not only with basic information as to the density and stated diameter of the billet, but with information as to variations in such diameter, detected by sensor means provided on the carrier in proximity with the saw, and transmitted to the computer.

Abstract: A disassembleble clothes or other garment rack or stand having a base, a supporting axle rod extending upwardly from the base and a plurality of spool-like elements separated from each other, and disposed for rotation about the rod at different height levels, and each said element having angularly, upwardly extending peg-type hangers insertable into it, with each of said elements and its hangers being greater in size and extent than the element and its hangers at the level immediately below.

Abstract: A disassembleable clothes or other garment rack or stand having a base, a supporting axle rod extending upwardly from the base and a plurality of spool-like elements separated from each other, and disposed for rotation about the rod at different height levels, and each said element having angularly, upwardly extending peg-type hangers insertable into it, with each of said elements and its hangers being greater in size and extent than the element and its hangers at the level immediately below. The stand may be converted into a decorative simulated tree by providing an annular support member having a plurality of spaced-apart coaxial rings disposed on the top of the base arm branches hung from the peg hangers and resting upon the coaxial rings.

Abstract: A disassemblable chair constructed of three corrugated paper board elements brought together and interlocked by slotting in each of the elements. The first and basic element may be die cut from a rectangular corrugated board sheet which is creased, bent over and secured along overlapping edges to form a rectangular cross sectional seat and back support. A second rectangular slotted element is disposed transversely across the seat supporting edges of the first element to complete the seat support; and a third rectangular element is laid over the seat and back support and secured by insertion of its end and a center fold into interlocking slotting in the first element.

Abstract: An improvement to a tubular height adjustable crutch of the type having a foot telescopically slidable within a carrier tube supported between the parallel lower ends of two crutch bows, where the crutch bow ends are right cylinders cut so as to form a right angle corner with the footpiece or carrier tube. A unitary end cap is fitted over the bow ends and the carrier tube for retaining these three members together and to provide an integral bushing for supporting the footpiece against wobbling within the carrier tube. The improvement consists of modifying the cap bottom to provide slanting edges or surfaces for deflecting staircase edges away from possible engagement with the corner defined between the bow ends and the carrier tube, thus preventing consequent injury to the crutch user.

Abstract: A cat litter box system including a tray which may have inwardly canted edges and a waterproof bottom. Inserted in the tray is at least one orificed filter sheet, and prefereably several, having some type of corner or edge lifting means. Also desirably provided is a filter protector comprising a mat having upward extending protrusions disposed in register with the filter sheet orifices to pass through the latter and protect the filter sheets from damage by the clawing of the cat through litter material which is deposited in the tray over the filter sheets and the filter protector, where the latter is also used. Deodorizing strips, capsules and/or filter protector tips may also be provided.

Abstract: A removable pump assembly for use in a cryogenic storage tank pumps liquid cryogen directly from the primary storage container with low boiloff loss. The cryogenic storage tank has an outer vessel, an inner vessel, an evacuated insulation space therebetween and a access port connecting the inner and outer vessels and providing an open cylindrical access to the interior of the cryogenic tank. A pump mounting tube assembly is disposed into the interior of the inner vessel of the cryogenic tank through the access port and includes an inner pump mounting tube and an outer pump mounting tube which are joined at their upper and lower rims to define an insulating jacket between the two tubes. The inner and outer pump mounting tubes are affixed at their upper ends to a top and bottom plate. The top and bottom plate in turn is affixed to an insulating block. Only the insulating block, which is disposed in the access port of the cryogenic tube, is in contact with any portion of the cryogenic tank.

Abstract: An assemblable and disassemblable table formed by a die-cut rectangular sheet of corrugated paper board having pieces removed from its corners and central side areas to leave four pairs of oppositely projecting members, each of which pairs is bisected by first creases for inward folding and to define the table top with further 45 degree angle creasing extending outwardly from the intersections of the first creases. Each member is slotted at its extremity so that, when folded inwardly its slotting registers with the slotting of an adjacent most proximate member, one side of which folds into abutment with it to constitute a table leg when secured by a further slotted rectangular element bent at a 90 degree angle along a bisecting crease line and inserted with its slotting interlocking with the registering slotting of abutting members.

Abstract: A ski has at least two downwardly-extending projections (10, 16, 16B), at least one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the ski, these being integral with the remainder of the ski separate members, in the form of an inverted channel member (7), the base (7A) of the channel, on the upper side of the channel member (7), lying above and being secured to the tail (1) of the ski, which extends between the side walls (7B) of the channel member (7). When the ski is placed on a flat horizontal surface, with the running face (3) of the ski lowermost, the tips (10A, 16A) of the projections (10, 16, 16B), at the lowermost extremities of the projections, will be separated only by an air gap from the surface.

Abstract: A liquid cryogen vaporizer is devised in which the cryogenic liquid is first partially vaporized in a cryogenic heat exchanger which is provided with heat from nonfired sources. The partially vaporized liquid cryogen is then completely vaporized in a second downstream cryogenic heat exchanger also provided with heat from the nonfired sources. The nonfired sources comprise an internal combustion engine and an ambient air heat exchanger. The internal combustion engine drives a hydraulic circuit which provides a constant load on the engine. A cryogenic pump used to flow the cryogenic liquid through the cryogenic heat exchanger is in turn hydraulically driven from this circuit. Heat is also transferred from the hydraulic circuit into a heat exchanging circuit. The heat exchanging fluid is driven around the heat exchanging circuit by means of a pump driven by the engine through the ambient air heat exchanger, a hydraulic heat exchanger and the first cryogenic heat exchanger.

Abstract: A mechanized rack assembly for the storage of items of virtually any identity makes use of a centrally disposed frame for supporting a multiple number of stacks of vertically spaced trays arranged to travel around the frame. Each stack is jointed to adjacent stacks, the stacks thus forming, in effect, an endless chain, there being a motor for driving the endless chain in a horizontal path around the frame. For movably supporting each stack there is a roller at the base of the stack which travels along tracks at the sides of the frame and travels around a rotating platform at each end. The endless chain is driven in a manner such that it can be halted with any one of the stacks stopped at the end of the frame with trays facing outwardly so that an unloader can remove the stored items from any one or more of the trays on that stack.

Abstract: A gravity anomalometer has dual units arranged in longitudinal alignment in a tube which in turn is maintained in substantially constant alignment with the center of gravity of the earth. Each unit has an upper electric member providing support for the mass and a similar lower electric member, with each member having an opening facing the opposite member. A single sensing mass initially supported in the upper member of each unit falls under the influence of gravity when the upper member is deenergized and is caught by the lower member when the latter is energized, after which the mass is returned to the upper field in a repeating cycle. Electronic means measure the rate of each fall of the mass. Since the mass in the upper unit is further from the earth's center of gravity than the mass in the lower unit the time consumed in a corresponding fall is less in the upper unit than in the lower unit. The difference in rate accordingly is made use of in determining the gravity gradient in a selected area.

Abstract: A spring assist drive for pedal operated vehicles such as bicycles and tricycles makes use of a wind-up spring in the train of power from the pedal operated power sprocket to the drive sprocket for the rear drive wheel. The wind-up spring is a coil spring, the inside end of which is anchored to an axle for a relatively smaller sprocket in chain driving engagement with the sprocket on the rear drive wheel. The outside end of the spring is anchored to a relatively larger sprocket and chain driven from the pedal operated power sprocket.

Abstract: A set of light-weight demountable parallel gymnastic bars makes use of tubular metal material built up as two identical end sections and two identical bar assemblies. Each end section provides a pair of braced laterally extending feet, a pair of endwardly extending feet and a pair of stationary posts. Each bar assembly provides one bar on which are anchored two extension posts adapted to releasably and telescopingly engage respective stationary posts when the set is assembled for use.

Abstract: An offshore service vehicle of tricycle configuration employs three vertical legs to support a platform which remains above the water surface as the vehicle travels from a dry land station outwardly to service stations offshore such, for example, as a stationary tower or anchored barge. One of the legs at a forward location is rotatable for steering. Wheels at the bottoms of the legs are individually driven by motors in sealed housings immediately adjacent of the legs.

Abstract: An electronically actuated system for a control clock device is provided with an instrument panel arranged in such fashion that an operator having virtually no familiarity with the technical aspects of the system can set up a program of activity, such for example as the playing of various melodies on a carillon on different days of the week, and varying them automatically from day to day. The panel is provided with controls in the form of push buttons, dials and lights, appropriately labeled, a digital clock face showing the time of day in hours, minutes and seconds, selectors for the day or days during the week when a program is to be played, and a selector for any one or more of the programs from a bank of programs. Visual displays show what has been set up in the device as a check against errors which the operator may have made during the setting.

Abstract: A cage for the housing of pet birds makes use of a relatively large enclosure on the floor of which is a removable litter tray. Near the top of the cage at each of two rear corners is a plastic container removably supported on brackets, one providing food and drinking water, the other providing bath water. A separate door in the side wall of the cage accommodates each container so that it can be individually removed for cleaning and replaced. A decorative tree-like perch of darkened material has an arm extending to a location in front of each container, the arm having an access hole in it in alignment with a matching hole in the wall of the container, in that manner to make the access holes readily apparent and available to bird occupants. The tree-like perch and other perches are suspended from appropriate walls of the cage for ready removal, cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: A deadlock of the customary type for locking and unlocking a dead bolt is equipped with a conventional cylinder having a cylinder plug rotating within it, the cylinder plug carrying pin chambers aligned with pin chambers in the cylinder for reception of pin tumblers when shifted in position by cut irregularities on the edge of the key. With chambers in alignment an appropriate key inserted in the keyway shifts the pin tumblers to positions coincident with a shear line to permit rotation of the plug to either locked or unlocked position. Unless the chambers are in alignment, the tumblers cannot shift and the key can be neither inserted nor withdrawn. For preventing withdrawal of the key on, for example, the inside of the door, when the dead bolt is locked, there is a detained key mechanism.