Abstract: A fertilizer applicator is provided for use with a sprinkler line system. The applicator comprises a fertilizer container with integrally formed internal inlet and outlet tubes. Water is fed through an inlet-outlet tube into the bottom of the fertilizer container, where it dissolves or dilutes some of the solid or liquid fertilizer and forms a leached, concentrated solution. This concentrate continuously rises through the fertilizer and into the outlet tube where it drains downwardly. The concentrate is then diluted with water coming through the inlet-outlet tube including a venturi, the size of which controls the flow rate of the concentrate. The diluted concentrate is then passed into the sprinkler system for application to vegetation. The applicator has a single piece, simplified design, without moving parts, and does not leak fertilizer into the drain.

Abstract: A flexible insertion device is provided for inserting an endoscope or endoscopic operating instrument through the body wall, typically the chest or abdominal wall. The insertion device comprises a collapsible rigid plastic or metal trocar inserter and a surrounding thin, plastic sheath with an adhesive collar. The insertion device enables the maintaining of air-tight sealing and permits the insertion of rigid, curved instruments without becoming dislodged from the body wall musculature. This eliminates the necessity of multiple puncture and insertion procedures which otherwise would cause additional tissue injuries.

Abstract: A deformable, elastic insole liner is provided with height adjustment pads for shoes to independently support the heel area, the longitudinal arch area, and the metatarsal arch area. Each pad comprises a base pad and a plurality of thin stacking pads which completely overlay the base pad and any stacking pads, and are self stabilized thereby. The stacking pads may be removably stacked onto each base pad, without requiring a fixed means of attachment to each other, in order to achieve the proper height adjustment for an individual user. This enables an individual shoe to be separately height adjusted for any combination of heel, longitudinal arch and metatarsal areas. In addition, after an initial adjustment, a particular support can be further height adjusted after a period of time, as necessary. This enables the user to adjust a shoe to treat the initial support problem, and subsequently to readjust the support for ongoing changes in the arches and heel areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lubricating conveyors and belts used in the food industry is disclosed, comprising a device including valves which are alternately opened and closed by an actuating device driven from the conveyor movement. The valves supply a lubricant which is fed to output nozzles for spraying onto the conveyors for lubricating purposes, and the valves will only feed lubricant when the conveyor is moving. Consequently, lubricant and water wastage are significantly decreased, along with excess sewage charges, and the need for a conventional electrically driven solenoid system for controlling the output of lubricant is eliminated.

Abstract: The slats of a venetian blind panel are divided into upper and lower sections, the tilt of the panel slats being separately adjusted for each section, utilizing a three-position switch attached to a rotatable and horizontally movable control rod. Depending upon the position of the switch, the control rod adjusts the tilt of the slats in the upper section only, the lower section only, or both sections together. The mechanism includes at least two spline gears which can adjust the tilt of the slats of the upper and lower panel sections when the control rod is rotated. The control rod is horizontally movable and mounts inner spline gears and engaging outer spline gears. In one position, the inner spline gear engages a first outer spline gear, and upon rotation, will adjust the tilt of the upper blind section.

Abstract: A spray nozzle comprises a hollow body having an inlet, an outlet and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The body contains a pressure-responsive or a pressure responsive and temperature responsive valving element that increases the effective area of the outlet in response to an increase in pressure or an increase in pressure and/or temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet includes a restricted orifice and an unrestricted orifice, and the valving element is movable within the body between a first position in which the restricted orifice is open and the unrestricted orifice is closed, and a second position in which the unrestricted orifice is open. The valving element is biased in the first position by a spring which applies a selectable biasing force that defines a threshold pressure, so that the valving element is moved to the second position by a dynamic pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow passage that is greater than the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A lightweight breathing device for underwater use, and in contaminated air is disclosed. The device employs a one-way valve which requires only one hand to effect operation, and a closure stem which is securely mounted against excessive air pressure from the valve when air is released therethrough from an attached air tank. The one-way valve includes two interfitting components, one of which is rotatable, and which provides air orifices that form an air connection upon rotation to permit the release of air from the air tank.

Abstract: An assembly of a hub, biased valve and catheter is provided for insertion therethrough with a hub and attached needle. The hub, valve and catheter assembly defines an exit bore which is sealed at its entrance by the valve when biased into its normally closed position. When the needle is inserted into the hub assembly, it will contact and unseat the closed, biased valve. After the needle unseats the valve, it will enter and seal the exit bore and then engage the catheter. The needle and catheter portion of the assembly are then inserted into a patient. The needle is then withdrawn and discarded, and the catheter portion of the assembly will remain in place in the patient. As the needle is withdrawn back along the exit bore, it will move out of contact with the valve. This enables the valve to be biased back into its closed position against the entrance of the exit bore, thereby sealing the hub, valve and catheter assembly against blood flashback.

Abstract: A lifting device operated by a hand crank is described to hoist a weighted container, such as a bottle of drinking water, to the upper level of a water dispenser. When a container of water is placed on the device for upward movement, the device will prevent the weighted container from slipping downwardly against movement of the hand crank.

Abstract: AC power loads such as from transformers, motors, high in-rush heaters, air conditioners, etc., are controlled by the use of bipolar transistors, FET transistors, gate turn-off SCRs and IGBT to turn on the load at zero-cross over and to turn off the load at any point in the sine wave which produces the desired amount of power. This reduces RFI and virtually eliminates di/dt at turn on since both voltage and current start at the same zero cross-over, and hence will improve the power factor. Both analogue and digital logic systems can also be utilized to produce this type of phase control, and a wide variety of possibilities are available such as serial and parallel input, the use of full wave bridge control, etc.

Abstract: A spray nozzle comprises a hollow body having an inlet, an outlet and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The body contains a pressure-responsive or a pressure responsive and temperature responsive valving element that increases the effective area of the outlet in response to an increase in pressure or an increase in pressure and/or temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet includes a restricted orifice and an unrestricted orifice, and the valving element is movable within the body between a first position in which the restricted orifice is open and the unrestricted orifice is closed, and a second position in which the unrestricted orifice is open. The valving element is biased in the first position by a spring which applies a selectable biasing force that defines a threshold pressure, so that the valving element is moved to the second position by a dynamic pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow passage that is greater than the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A soft neck support collar is disclosed comprising two offset and attached, tubular ring elements, each element hooking together at their respective ends. Both ring elements contain a soft fill material such as nylon, cotton, polyester, acrylics, foam, foam chips, etc. The combined effect of the fill material together with the tubular configuration, enables the neck to adjust for lateral forward and backward forces during movement. The upper ring element is tapered at each end, so that when these ends are joined together, a space is formed into which the chin can fit, thereby maintaining the neck in a neutral position, and preventing hyperextension.The lower ring element is hooked together at each end, and the rings are offset to enable the lower ring to close at the back of the neck, approximately opposite from the closure of the upper ring element. Hence, the lower ring element functions as a continuous, uniform tubular-shaped ring which does not interfere with movement of the chin.

Abstract: A three component, self adjustable pillow is provided to support and align a user's head, and shoulders. The pillow comprises a head support base containing a soft fill such as polyester, nylon, foam, chip foam, etc., and shaped as a round or elliptical, solid cylinder. A cloth attachment piece is connected along one of its sides to the pillow by sewing along the pillow length. A circular-shaped, cylindrical neck support is sewn onto the cloth attachment piece along its remaining free side, and this enables the neck support to rest on the head support base for adjustable movement by the user.Preferably, the user's shoulders are supported on the head support base and located somewhere between the edge of the support base and the base of the neck support, and usually at the edge of the support base.

Abstract: A portable exercise device for strengthening abdominal muscles is provided which can be operated by an individual exercising on a mattress and box spring, or the like combinaton, without requiring additional assistance during the exercise routine. The device may be easily unfolded for use, and following use, it may be refolded and conveniently stored. The device at one end is folded for securement between the mattress and the box spring, and unfolds and overlays the upper portion of the mattress for use by the individual. The device is adapted to fold and conform with the user's bent ankles, knees and hips, and these folds correspond to the fold lines for folding and unfolding the device. Foot securement means are employed to stabilize the user's feet, and this eliminates the need for assistance during the exercise program.

Abstract: A filling device for filling an injection syringe is provided which enables the user to count the intake dosage by means of a sound indicator which may be mechanical, electrical or an electronic sound device. The filling device includes a moveable syringe holder to which is attached a removable syringe that is connectable to a medicinal bottle. The filling device mounts a gear which is moveable one notch at a time to actuate a linear gear to which the syringe is mounted. The device is connected to a microprocessor controlled voice chip device to obtain a suitable voice readout indicating the amount of liquid medicinal uptake by the syringe.

Abstract: An assembly of a wire inserter and lock is provided. The assembly includes a body portion with a bore inlet and outlet aligned with a locking area and an elongate outlet to align the wire as it passes therethrough.A spring loaded locking button is mounted within the body and defines two tear-shaped bores through which the wire passes. In the locked position, the wire is wedged into the narrow ends of the tear-shaped bores, and this provides sufficient force to lock the wire without damage.The body portion may include notched areas around which the wire can be wound, and a hole for capturing the end of the wire to facilitate storage of the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the ignition modules of gas burners is disclosed, and functions without the requirement of a gas feed in the test program. The method involves disconnecting the ignition module from the electrical supply, and from the gas feed, and employing the apparatus of the invention to apply a test voltage to the ignition module, and to various individual components of the system such as the pilot gas valve and main gas valve which are encased in the gas valve, connecting wires, etc. In order to avoid employing gas feed in the test, a simulated gas flame signal is fed to the ignition module under test using a flame simulator device which sends an appropriate signal to the ignitor module. Hence, with the gas feed disconnected, the test method and apparatus of this invention can be used to conduct the test safely, while saving time, and providing a reliable result.

Abstract: A timed, rotating coil device is provided to advance documents, letters, and the like which are positioned between adjacent coil elements. The coil is flexible to accommodate for different sized documents, letters, etc., between each coil element, and is supported at one end by a timer and at the other end by a coil clamp. This support arrangement eliminates the need for a central support, and together with the coil flexibility, enables the coil to accommodate both for letter size and document thickness. The number of coil element spacings is calculated to coincide with a given time period, typically twenty-four hours. The last coil element is provided with a bent portion to eject the document when it arrives at the end of the coil spacings. Thus, the presence of an ejected document indicates it is ready to be acted upon.

Abstract: A removable wind deflector is provided for a freight container which may be shipped on an open or flat bed truck, railway car, etc. This reduces the need for an expensive air flow cowling on the truck, and reduces the load on the gear and brake systems, besides improving fuel consumption. The assembly of the deflector and the freight container also permits the user to reduce capital costs inherent in a permanent trailer and box combination. The wind deflector may be attached and removed quickly, without extensive labor, and without changing the shape of the container.