Abstract: The unattached base of the present invention includes a spacing element and two stop members integrally formed with, but extending perpendicularly from, the spacing element. The spacing element establishes a predetermined distance between the inside surfaces of the stop members. The stop members also have predetermined heights and lengths.

Abstract: A clamp for suspending a pipe from a strut, the clamp including an elongated flexible strap carrying pipe spacing protuberances on one side, and having tee subassemblies at opposite ends. The tee subassemblies each define a tool-receiving slot aligned with a neck portion of the respective tee subassembly. The clamp is used in combination with a strut channel having an open mouth and reverse turned edges at opposite sides of the open mouth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of aqueous organic wastes by filtration and microwave irradiation. The aqueous organic waste is placed on a moving activated carbon filter bed, and during the bed movement, the liquid in the waste is substantially separated from the solid organic matter. In the course of separation, and during movement of bed, both the liquid and the organic solid matter are irradiated with microwaves and are thereby stabilized and sterilized. A portion of the sterilized organic solid residue is stored, and is subsequently converted to activated carbon to be used in the filter bed.The apparatus of the invention includes a rotary porous disc supported over a bed of activated carbon which is rotatable with the disc. A source of microwaves is positioned over one side of the disc for irradiating material on the disc and the activated carbon in the bed.

Abstract: A device for guarding against the placement of paint in unwanted areas during painting, including an elastomeric body having a butt edge and a feather edge opposite the butt edge for cutting in a line defining the boundary of a painted area. A handle is formed integrally with, or attached at one of its ends to, the butt edge of the elastomeric body, and projects from the body. Embedded within the elastomeric body are a plurality of flexible reinforcing elements, which elements can be bent, along with the elastomeric body, to retain the elastomeric body in a curved configuration so that the feather edge thereof, in conforming to such curvature, can be used for cutting in an area lying in a curved geometric surface. The flexible reinforcing elements preferably extend transversely across the elastomeric body, as well as lengthwise therein.

Abstract: An electrical switch or receptacle box for mounting in a wall, ceiling or the like, including a pair of opposite side walls having retaining studs of triangular or wedge-shaped configuration molded integrally therewith, and terminating rearwardly from the open forward side of the box. The box further includes a pair of integrally molded cover plate flanges which flank the opening at the forward side of the box. Each of the flanges carries a metal insert-receiving lug on the rear side thereof, and each of these lugs is slotted to engage an apertured metal insert which is positioned to receive through an aperture therein, a mounting screw extended through the respective flange and used to mount a cover plate carrying a switch or electrical receptacle on the box.

Abstract: A system for heating an edifice comprising a firebox, means for closing a fuel access opening to the firebox, a combustion air passageway opening into the firebox and extending to the outside of the edifice, and a stack connected to, and projecting vertically from, the firebox to convey combustion gases therefrom. A baffled air plenum chamber surrounds the firebox and a portion of the stack and is defined by a housing forming an enclosure around the firebox and stack. An upper air opening into the air plenum chamber is disposed at the upper side of the housing, and a plurality of lower air openings are disposed in the housing on opposite sides of the firebox, and are spaced downwardly from the upper opening.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box mounting bracket assembly including a box of generally rectangular parallelepiped configuration, a pair of spaced channel elements on a side of the box, and an L-shaped bracket including a flange having side edges extending into the channels to engage the bracket with the box. The bracket further includes a pair of flexible tongues adjacent the side edges of the flange, which tongues engage tabs at the ends of the channels.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur dioxide from a mixture of gases and converting the removed SO.sub.2 to elemental sulfur. The sulfur dioxide is first contacted in a scrubbing zone with a scrubbing agent which is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of a weak acid which has an ionization constant (pKa) value of at least 3.5. The pregnant scrubbing solution is then contacted with an organic transfer reactant which is a water immiscible, water insoluble amine salt to effect a transfer reaction by which the sulfite ions are transferred to the non-aqueous phase by way of an ion exchange reaction. The sulfur bearing, non-aqueous phase is next heated to decompose the sulfite, releasing sulfur dioxide and a water immiscible, water insoluble amine-bearing compound. The amine-bearing compound is next contacted with the alkali metal salt scrubbing solution from the transfer step.

Abstract: A clamping device comprising an elongated wedge body having a bifurcated end, and a second end opposite the bifurcated end. The wedge body is of substantially rectangular transverse cross-sectional configuration, and is relatively thick at the second end, tapering to a relatively thin dimension at the bifurcated end. The wedge body has first and second sides extending between its bifurcated and second ends. Each of these sides carries a plurality of longitudinally spaced, contiguous teeth or serrations over a major portion of its length. The bifurcation in one end of the wedge body defines a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs, which legs have continuations of the teeth or serrations extended along one side thereof, and are relatively smooth on the opposite side thereof. In a useful combination, the clamping device retains an electrical conductor in place at the location where it enters a knock-out window in a synthetic resin electrical box.

Abstract: A system is provided for varying the number of active cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in response to the operating requirements of the engine. When the engine reaches that part of its operating range where the torque requirement is such that operation of all of the cylinders is not required to provide adequate and efficient power, certain cylinders are rendered inactive, thereby reducing the fuel consumed by the engine. A control system is provided which, upon sensing a reduced torque requirement upon the engine, activates a switch which de-energizes the spark generating electrodes of certain cylinders, and concurrently activates solenoid valve means whereby fuel vapor in the deactivated cylinders may be bypassed through the cylinders and returned to the fuel supply system of the engine for later use. In one embodiment of the system, novel spark producing means is provided which includes the fuel bypass valve means.

Abstract: A wind powered apparatus which includes an external wind shielding shroud supported for rotation about a vertical axis; a rotor mounted for rotation about the same axis as the shroud and disposed partially within the shroud; and a stabilizer vane secured to the shroud on the outer side thereof. The shroud includes two halves, each of conical configuration, with the halves oriented in base-abutting relation to each other. Each shroud half includes a plurality of generally triangularly shaped, overlapping vanes having air escape spaces provided between the overlapped edges thereof. The rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades, each oriented in a plane containing the axes of rotation of the shroud and rotor, and each defining an opening between its radially inner edge and the axes of rotation of the shroud and rotor.

Abstract: An improved sanitation device for the collection of animal feces is provided. The device includes a longitudinal frame, a handle attached to one end of the frame, and a receptacle attached to the other end of the frame and having a first and second open end. A scoop arm is pivotally attached to an intermediate portion of the frame. A scoop is attached to the scoop arm and constructed and oriented for engagement and registry with an open end of the receptacle when the device is in a closed position. A spring between the scoop arm and the frame forcibly urges the two apart. A trigger is provided for actuating the scoop arm and is held by a trigger retainer at a convenient position relative to the handle so that the handle may be grasped by a hand while engaging the trigger with the fingers. A disposable receptacle detachably engages the second open end of the intermediate receptacle.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the fracturing of subterranean formations are prepared by incorporating aluminum salts of one or more aromatic phosphoric acid esters in an oil base fluid. The salts can be formed separately followed by addition of the salt to the oil, or the salt can be formed in situ by separately adding to the oil an aromatic phosphoric acid ester and an aluminum compound which reacts with the ester to form the salt. In fracturing a subterranean formation, the fracturing composition is introduced into an oil or gas well, and from the well bore into the formation to form and propagate a fracture in the formation.

Abstract: A method for fracturing subterranean formations at a subterranean environmental temperature above 150.degree. F. which includes the steps of initially preparing an oil base gel consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon liquid containing an aluminum salt of a phosphate ester, then adding to said gel, at a temperature below about 150.degree. F., a gel-insoluble, solid aluminum salt of a phosphate ester to form a pumpable dispersion, and finally pumping the slurry down a bore hole and into the formation to be fractured.

Abstract: Improved power cycles for improving the production of power and refrigeration and for conserving thermal energy, utilizing as a common basic characteristic, a hydride-dehydride-hydrogen power cycle in which hydrogen is reversibly combined with a hydride-forming material at a relatively low temperature and pressure, the hydrided material is then heated at constant volume to chemically compress the hydrogen, and finally the material is dehydrided by further heating the material to release hydrogen gas at relatively high pressure and temperature. The pressurized high temperature hydrogen gas as thus developed is used in various ways for producing power and refrigeration, including functioning as a low temperature heat sink for certain auxiliary or ancillary power cycles, prior to recycling the hydrogen gas for reuse in the described hydride-dehydride-hydrogen cycle.

Abstract: A device for aiding a bowler in delivering a bowling ball comprising a finger sleeve including opposed wings mutually engageable in a generally cylindrical configuration for encirclement of the little finger of the bowler. The finger sleeve has a bracing element secured thereto. The bracing element includes an elongated rib secured to the finger sleeve between the opposed wings, and a palm extension which projects from the rib and finger sleeve a distance which is from about one-half to about three-fourths the length of the elongated rib.

Abstract: A traffic intersection and flow control system which includes a hexagonally shaped, multilane roadway having radiating, multilane roadways extending outwardly from each corner of the hexagonal roadway. Traffic dividing island means are provided in the hexagonal roadway between each corner of the hexagon and are also provided in the several radiating multilane roadways. The islands and traffic lanes are arranged so that all traffic in the innermost lane (relative to the space enclosed by the hexagon) moves at all times in the same direction which is opposite the direction of movement at all times of traffic in the outermost lane. The islands and lanes are also positioned so that traffic moving in any lane will at no time cross in front of traffic moving in any other lane. Traffic control signals are provided adjacent each corner of the hexagonal multilane roadway for controlling the flow of traffic in three directions through the intersection of the hexagonal roadway with the several radiating roadways.