Abstract: A method of pyrolyzing sewage sludge to transform the same into activated carbon, with the combustible pyrogas and volatile liquids included therewith that arise from the pyrolysis operation being burned to sustain the transformation operation. A first portion of the hot activated carbon resulting from the operation is mixed with the wet sewage sludge to provide a dry sludge mixture that is subsequently subjected to the pyrolyzing operation. Water vapor that discharges as the hot activated carbon is mixed with the wet sewage sludge is heated by the burning of the pyrogas and transformed to steam. The resulting steam is in contact with the dry mixture during the pyrolyzing operation, and as a result the dry mixture is transformed to activated carbon. A second portion of the resulting activated carbon is separated from the first portion thereof, with this second portion being available for use apart from the method.

Abstract: A portable foot anchor that removably engages the lower portion of a door when the latter is in a closed position to permit a sling that forms a part of the anchor to be engaged by a foot of the user.The anchor when so disposed removably holds the foot of a user in a fixed position, and permits the user to exercise the balance of his body by moving desired portions thereof relative to the stationary positioned foot.

Abstract: A bicycle lock assembly that is permanently mounted on the frame of a two-wheeled vehicle adjacent the rear wheel of the latter, with the assembly including a key-operated or combination lock as a part thereof. An elongate cable is supported by a spring-loaded reel within the assembly. The cable on the free end thereof has a T-shaped rigid member. When the cable is looped between the spokes of the rear wheel, the T-shaped member may be removably engaged by the assembly through the manipulation of the lock that forms a part thereof, and the cable preventing movement of the bicycle by concurrent rotation of both the front and back wheels thereof.

Abstract: An improved golf practice device of the type in which a tethered hollow ball formed from a resilient material rotates about a horizontal axis when struck by a golf club head, with the hollow ball being permanently held in a fixed position on the free end portion of the cord to which it is secured, and the ball due to being diametrically compressed and the positioning of apertures therein emitting a sound when impacted by a golf club head that is similar to that when an actual golf ball is hit by a golf club head.

Abstract: The invention comprises a recoil operated pistol in which the barrel is positioned below the index finger of the hand. Therefore, when the handle of the pistol is gripped by the hand, the axis of the barrel, and, therefore the axis of recoil, is nearly aligned with the center of mass of the hand, and with the axis of the forearm of the user. In this manner, muzzle rise is eliminated and the velocity of recoil is considerably reduced by the combined inertia of the gun-hand-forearm weapon system. These geometrical and mechanical considerations make it possible for the pistol to be effectively fired as a machine gun, and for its structure to have the lightweight and compact dimensions of a pocket pistol.

Abstract: A flat bobbin dispenser conformed in the shape of a spool having two circular edge disks mounted on a central cylinder, each edge disk including on the interior surface thereof radially aligned tapered grooves. These grooves extend towards the center cylinder and terminate thereat in enlarged circular recesses. The disks are aligned on the cylinder in matched radial position, the opposing grooves thus forming a receiving slot for containing rectangular bobbins on which various threads are wound. Each bobbin furthermore includes edge cutouts to accommodate the thickness of the wound thread and one edge of each bobbin is enlarged to form a circular bead conformed for receipt in the opposed circular recesses. In this configuration the spool is supported on a pivotal mount to permit manual selection of the various threads by way of the angular rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A combined greeting card and decorative music box structure that includes a flat rectangular box formed from a resilient polymerized resin that is removably closed by a cover that on a first side supports a wind-up music producing mechanism within a confined space defined by the box and cover. A second side of the cover removably supports a greeting card. A panel bearing a decorative insignia is pivotally supported from the box, with the panel when in a first position overlying the cover and concealing the greeting card. When the panel is pivoted to a second position the music producing mechanism is actuated and the greeting card is visible. The panel is illustrated as a picture frame that removably supports a picture defined on a dimensionally stable sheet of material.

Abstract: A thimble that is characterized by having a resilient frusto-conical shaped resilient liner secured to the interior surface thereof, which liner cooperates with a concentrically disposed resilient pad supported by a pedestal from the end piece of the thimble to define a circumferentially extending space. The thimble is particularly adapted for use by a person having long fingernails. When such a person inserts the fingernail into the thimble, the end portion of the fingernail enters the circumferentially extending space, with the liner resiliently gripping both the fingernail and the exterior portion of the finger adjacent thereto. The end of the finger is in abutting contact with the resilient pad. The liner is formed from a soft coarse resilient material that permits air to the enclosed finger portion and also maintains enclosed finger portion cool and dry.

Abstract: A fast sighting device adapted for convenient substitution in place of a conventional rear rifle sight comprising a rectangular support including a ceramic magnet supported on an eccentric cam on the interior thereof. A support further includes a front and rear locating pin, the front pin being disposed for longitudinal translation within an elongate opening, said front and rear pins being dimensioned to accommodate the conventional mounting holes for the substituted sight. Extending from the rear end of the support is a circular, vertically aligned, sight orifice, threaded on the interior over the rear segment thereof for receiving a retainer cap compressing a sight disc or other sighting device therebetween. It is intended to form the support and the sight aperture from a nonmagnetic material such as plastic, the disposition of the ceramic magnetic therein being adjustable by the eccentric cam to achieve either a contiguous alignment with the rifle barrel or a separated alignment for removal.

Abstract: A cylindrical high temperature logging tool assembly supended from the shield of a coaxial cable for insertion into the interior of a well bore. To isolate the instruments contained within the interior of the cylindrical assembly from the fluids or steam within the well bore, and to facilitate assembly, the cylindrical oil tool comprises a plurality of axially aligned segments including a grease holding cavity at the end thereof wherein a quantity of non-conducting grease is packed and is compressed therein by the threadable engagement of the sections. Since most greases are generally incompressible, the threaded assembly provides a technique by which the grease pressure level within the housing can be achieved which are greater than the pressure head within the well bore. In this manner an integral structure is provided which can be deployed at various depths within the well bore and which furthermore provides selective arrangement of sections to arrange the requisite instrumentation for well bore logging.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable device that in one operation cuts an end portion of wire to a predetermined length, severs a tough resilient sheath of electrical insulating material therefrom, and slides the severed sheath of electrical insulating material from the wire to expose a bare electrical conductor of a predetermined length.

Abstract: An improved heel compensation system for use with a sailboat wherein the lateral mast stays or shrouds extending from a pivotally supported mast are directed by a plurality of pulleys to articulate a pivoted heel ballast.

Abstract: A light weight, portable device for stripping a section of tough, resilient electrical insulation from a free end portion of a wire to expose the electrical conductor previously enveloped by the sheath section. The section of the sheath enveloping the end portion is severed from the balance of the sheath by radially compressing a thin longitudinal sheath section through substantially the entire periphery thereof to form the section into one that has an extremely thin wall. When the sheath section is so compressed, the device is moved longitudinally and parallel to the wire in a direction to tension the compressed wall section to the extent it breaks, and longitudinal movement of the device being continued to slide the severed sheath section from the end portion of the electrical conductor to expose the latter. Stops are provided on the device to prevent the latter coming into contact with the electrical conductor during the compression of the sheath section.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing the same to provide fresh potable water and electric power from a source of natural brine by the use of energy derived from a geothermal source of pressurized fluid that is of a temperature of greater than 212.degree. F, and which fluid may contain numerous minerals and extraneous material entrained and/or dissolved therein, together with apparatus for carrying out the method. In addition, the invention encompasses a method of providing a clean source of heat for energy conversion from a geothermal source together with an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A limb attaching lock formed in a manner of a hoop comprising two semicircular segments pivotally attached at one end thereof to a floating center bracket. The semicircular hoop segments are furthermore pivotally supported on a corresponding set of pivotal standoffs attached to a mounting fixture which also connects to two biasing springs for maintaining the hoop segments open. The mounting fixture, in turn, is secured to an attachment brace adapted to engage the end of the ladder. To allow for selective alignment of the limb attaching lock relative the brace and, therefore, accommodate various angles of the limb, the attachment fixture includes a rotatable mount which can furthermore be secured at any desired angle of orientation. A cord connected at one end to the floating bracket extends through openings in the fixture end brace for securing the hoop lock in a closed position.

Abstract: A front wheel driven, gas powered vehicle is converted to include a rear differential connected for power input to a first and second electrical motor, or a single electric motor if desired. When first and second electrical motors are used they are connected in parallel, the power input thereto being brought across a current limiting series of resistors to protect and control the current level thereto. A switching circuit connects in various series and parallel combinations a plurality of batteries and concurrently switches the necessary current limiting resistance. Thus a control combination is provided including a manual selector for the desired forward and reverse directions and the low and high current ranges which is further multiplied by the various resistances. In this configuration, the normally available gasoline power plant is retained in the vehicle and is augmented during periods of nonoptimal use by the above electric motor provisions.