Abstract: A hopper containing fuel pellets for a stove opens downward into a feed trough which extends generally horizontally toward the firebox of the stove. A feed plate is positioned such that pellets from the hopper are supported on the feed plate. The feed plate is reciprocated between a rearward position adjacent to the hopper and a forward position adjacent to the firebox so as to advance pellets toward the firebox. A gate member is mounted adjacent to the end of the feed trough remote from the hopper. The gate member is positioned to be engaged by the feed plate when the feed plate is in its forward position so as to close the feed trough and hopper from the firebox. The mechanism for reciprocating the feed plate normally maintains it in its forward position in which the feed trough and hopper are isolated from the firebox.

Abstract: Separate anchor members (1, 1', 1", 1'", 40, 60, 70, 80, 80', 80") are secured at regularly spaced locations to a rope or line (L) to which a net (N) is to be coupled. The anchor members carry separate connectors (11, 11', 11", 11'", 50, 65, 65', 12'") which, in turn, are adapted to be connected to the net. The connectors can have closed loops (14, 15, 14', 15') to be threaded through a selvage portion of the net and interwoven with the loops of connectors of the adjacent anchor members.

Abstract: Channels having inward-opening grooves are mounted on the upright facing sides of a window frame below the roller of a conventional roll shade. Elongated sealing strips of resilient sheet material have their opposite edge portions rolled or folded inward into abutting relationship and are inserted into the channels. The opposite edge portions of each strip are biased together due to the inherent resiliency of the strip sheet material. The channels and strips capture the side margins of the body of the roll shade to seal the shade to the window frame.

Abstract: Quadrature phase signals (I and Q) from a pulsed Doppler medical instrument are analyzed to detect phase changes of consecutive echoes from tissue at a depth of interest. Such phase changes are analyzed to determine tissue displacement. Relative displacements at different depths are examined to detect tissue expansion and contraction. The area of the uterus of a pregnant female can be scanned and the frequency of tissue displacement or expansion and contraction examined to determine pulsations due to blood supplied by the fetal heart and/or pulsations due to blood supplied by the maternal heart. Conventional M-mode or B-mode images can be colorized differently for different frequencies of tissue displacement.

Abstract: A wheeled cabinet contains two internal booster batteries. Jumper cables are connectible to the booster batteries by a plug-and-socket connector. With the plug disconnected from the socket, end clamps of the jumper cables are applied across a battery or batteries of a vehicle to be jump started. Display lamps are actuated to indicate whether or not the polarity of the jumper cables as connected to the vehicle battery or batteries is correct and whether or not the connection points are appropriate for the potential (12 volt or 24 volt) which should be applied. When it is determined that the connection of the jumper cables to the vehicle batteries is correct, the plug is inserted into the socket to connect the booster batteries to the vehicle battery or batteries and permit jump-starting of the vehicle.

Abstract: The rotary drive shaft of a centrifugal pump extends vertically through a cylindrical housing and into a casing defining a bowl for the impeller of the pump. A mechanical seal and bearings for the drive shaft are positioned between the pump bowl and the interior of the housing which forms a reservoir for liquid lubricant. The impeller includes a radial shroud plate, a first set of pumping blades projecting downward from the shroud plate toward the axial pump inlet and a second set of blades or vanes projecting upward from the shroud plate. The upper vanes result in slight suction being generated in the area of the seal tending to draw lubricant from the housing reservoir through the bearings and seal. Seal failure is detected by a rapid decrease in the level of lubricant in the reservoir.

Abstract: A buoyant block of rigid material is positioned beneath the float of a water supply valve in the toilet tank of a flush toilet so as to maintain the float a predetermined level above the surface of water in the tank. The float determines the level to which the tank is refilled following flushing of the toilet. Consequently, after flushing, the tank is refilled to a lower level than it otherwise would be if the block were removed, and at the next flush a lesser quantity of water is discharged from the tank to the toilet bowl for conserving the amount of water used by the flush toilet.

Abstract: An analog communication signal such as the signal transmitted over a telephone line is converted to digital form for storage in the memory of a computer. Segments of the digital representation of the signal are analyzed to determine whether or not the signal has uniform frequency components repeating at regular intervals. Detection of such regularly repeating uniform frequency components is useful in an automated telephone system to determine whether a telephone signal consists of voice or a call progress signal.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic body has a central cavity of hexagonal cross section for receiving the hexagonal rotatable end portion of a standard screw connector of a coaxial cable. When inserted into the central cavity, the connector is snugly retained between a bottom flange or stop and upper inward-projecting lips. The attachment includes wings projecting oppositely from the attachment body and extending rearward along the coaxial cable for convenient grasping by a user.

Abstract: A mold-forming cup has a frustoconical interior tapering in cross-sectional size from the top of the cup to the bottom. A metal master model is mounted generally centrally of the interior of the cup, whereupon the cup is packed with rubber mold material. The mold material is vulcanized and the resulting mold is cut into top and bottom sections such that the master model can be removed. The mold sections are placed back together and inserted into a retaining ring having a frustoconical interior of a size slightly smaller than the size of the interior of the mold-forming cup to accommodate for shrinkage of the mold during vulcanization. The mold is held in the retaining ring under pressure so as to be restrained on all sides during injection of wax into the central cavity of the mold to form a wax pattern of the same shape as the master model.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the forward foot having a detachable toe holder and a movable retainer secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the boot heel. A foot-engaging member for the rearward foot holds the retainer forward when the rearward foot is in position on the ski, and releases the retainer to free the boot should the rearward foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: A turf anchor stake having a flat shank with a pointed lower end and a headed upper end or two flat shanks connected by a crossbar can be driven through divots into the soil beneath the divots to hold such divots in place until their edge root structure knits with surrounding root structure. To facilitate driving of the stakes the lower ends of the shanks are pointed and lateral projections from the lower end portions of the shanks deter withdrawal of the shanks and lifting of the divots or turf.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the front foot having a detachable toe holder and a movable retainer secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the boot heel. A foot-engageable member for the rear foot holds the retainer forward when the rear foot is in position on the ski, and releases the retainer to free the boot should the rear foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: A scoop component includes two leaves extending opposite from each other and having adjacent ends joined by a tear line, which tear line may be interrupted by an apertured cutout tab projecting from one of the leaves, which leaves have folding lines flaring from locations on the tear line spaced from its ends, respectively, toward the corners of the ends of the leaves opposite the tear line.

Abstract: A buoyant block of rigid material is positioned beneath the float of a water supply valve in the toilet tank of a flush toilet so as to maintain the float a predetermined level above the surface of water in the tank. The float determines the level to which the tank is refilled following flushing of the toilet. Consequently, after flushing, the tank is refilled to a lower level than it otherwise would be if the block were removed, and at the next flush a lesser quantity of water is discharged from the tank to the toilet bowl for conserving the amount of water used by the flush toilet.

Abstract: The foot of the mast of a sailboat is secured to a heel component which, in turn, is swingably mounted in a base component. The base component is stationarily mounted on the sailboat hull such that the mast is swingable between a generally horizontal position and an erect position. Mechanism is provided to latch the mast in its erect position automatically. Such latching mechanism is automatically releasable by pulling the mast toward its horizontal position. One sailor can step the mast by swinging it upward to latch it in erect position and thereafter fasten the conventional lines to secure the mast. Similarly, one sailor can unstep the mast by first unfastening the securing lines and thereafter pulling the mast downward to release the latching means. The force of the latching means can be adjusted.

Abstract: Composite bowstring and take-up string cam pulleys are carried by the tip portions of a compound archery bow limbs extending oppositely substantially symmetrically from a handle with the bowstring connecting the composite cam pulleys and take-up strings extending from each composite pulley to the opposite bow limb. Each composite cam pulley is composed of a generally elliptical bowstring pulley section having a major axis passing through its portions of substantially greatest length and a generally elliptical take-up string pulley section having a major axis passing through its portion of substantially greatest length, which pulley sections are integrated in parallel side by side relationship with planes containing their major axes substantially perpendicularly intersecting.