Abstract: An aerodynamic braking device comprises a sail having halves of equal area which are symmetrical about a central vertical axis and are balanced when held in the wind created during a skier's downhill run. The sail has straight outer edges remote from the axis and hems along the edges forming sheaths to receive ski poles or the like. The sheaths leave central areas in which the ski poles can be gripped, and the position of the grips is such that the areas above and below the line of the grips are equal so that the skier can effect counterbalancing of the wind forces above and below the line. Indented pockets or balloon areas enhance the braking effect and provide more effective balance and speed control. In use, the sail is held taut between the skier's outstretched hands and, with the counterbalancing of the forces and ease of manipulation of the sail, easy and effective control of the skier's descent can be accomplished.

Abstract: A truck for towing disabled vehicles is provided with a cab controlled or a remote controlled vehicle lifting assembly including pairs of claws which will automatically engage a pair of the wheels of a vehicle and enable the vehicle to be lifted and towed, the vehicle being carried on its own suspension system during towing. The assembly includes a crane mounted and arranged so that the load thereon is carried forward of the rear axle of the tow truck--this increases the tow capacity of the truck and provides stable operation of the crane. The claw assembly may be locked by a ratchet and strap arrangement which retains the vehicle wheels in the assembly in their forward position and prevents release due to jolts and bouncing.

Abstract: An educational game for facilitating the teaching of the recognition of musical symbols by elementary school pupils comprises an instruction chart representing football players and musical symbols and presenting similarities between player position names and the names of the musical notes. The game is played on a board representing a football field and movable pieces are attached to the board to indicate team positions. Flashcards showing the musical symbols on one side and the names of the symbols on the other are used to secure pupil recognition of the symbols and to position the team piece favorably upon correct recognition by the pupil.

Abstract: A stock or cattle prod for applying an electric shock to stock to induce them to move when loading them for transportation or through a cattle chute or the like comprises a handle having a high voltage generator and a battery therein. A head, which is angularly rotatable relative to the handle structure, is provided, this head having electrical contact means adapted to electrically, conductively contact said handle in any selectable angular position therebetween the head being adapted to extend forward from said handle and comprising a shaft carrying the contact means and, forward from this shaft terminating in a pair of spaced conducting tips or electrodes. The handle is constructed to insulate and protect the high voltage conductors and to provide a convenient switch for energizing the tips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting minerals and similar materials by vacuum comminution includes an arrangement for introducing the material to the low pressure chamber at a high velocity whereby the rate of change of pressure on the particles of material is greatly increased. The degree of comminution is thereby increased and the effectiveness of the system greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A detachable crane or hoist for mounting on the bed of a pickup truck or other vehicle is constructed from tubular members of square cross section. The structure is readily secured to the truck bed and the boom may be extended to selected lengths with guy lines arranged for the length selected. The boom is pivotally mounted on a roller mounted base and is easily erected and dismantled. A post or column is provided to guide the boom during vertical movement and is extendable to provide raised positions for guy lines and for the hoisting cable. A removable stop on the post provides a secure rest for the boom in its collapsed and lowered position. Short anchoring bars horizontally adjustable in sleeves secured to the rearward end of the structure are used for securing the structure to the truck bed. These bars may be replaced by long bars fitting the same sleeves and also sleeves in the forward end of the structure. The long bars are effective for facilitating removal of the crane from the truck.

Abstract: An automatic pump for deep wells comprises a long stroke reciprocating pump having its piston normally in its bottom position and an automatic control dependent upon the collection of a predetermined amount of liquid in the pump cylinder above the piston for actuating the piston to pump the liquid into a production line. The automatic control includes an electric motor driven hydraulic pump and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid which is actuated upon filling of the reciprocating pump chamber to supply hydraulic fluid to a closed chamber below the piston and force the piston upwardly to discharge liquid from the pump cylinder. Gas collected in the top of the pump cylinder results in low starting current and a saving of energy. The hydraulic pump is reversed automatically upon completion of the pumping stroke of the piston. The assembly may be inserted in a well casing on a wire line and positioned in the casing, a packer being provided between the assembly and the casing.

Abstract: A method for separating the isotopes of an element comprises the passing over a mass of highly magnetizable particles of fluid (either a gaseous mixture or a solution) containing an element or its compounds or ions each containing a single atom of the element to be isotopically separated. A strong magnetic field is utilized to magnetize the mass of particles and while the particles are magnetized the isotope having the higher magnetic moment is concentrated within the mass in the high magnetic field gradient zones at the points of contact between the particles. The less magnetic isotope flows through the matrix and the fluid emerging from the mass is collected in a suitable container. The magnetic field is removed intermittently and the fluid then flowing through the demagnetized mass is directed into a different container which thus collects the isotope having the higher magnetic moment and which is free to flow out with the fluid upon demagnetization of the mass.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus for developing selected muscles of the body comprises a rigid upright support having a first beam pivoted on a horizontal axis near the top of the support and a second beam similarly pivoted below the first beam. The two beams are connected by a telescopic adjustable link so that they move together at selected distances from one another. Handles and shoulder pads are provided for lifting the first beam and a weight holding rod is located on the outer end of the second beam for receiving a selected number of weights to be lifted. The rate of movement of the bars during lifting of the weights is maintained substantially constant by an isokinetic device connected between the structure and one of the beams. The combination of the two beams and the adjustable link facilitates the use of the apparatus for a wide range of sizes of people and a wide range of different exercises.

Abstract: An ice making and crushing machine includes upright freezing plates for producing sheets of ice and and a pair of oppositely rotating ice breaking members below the plates for receiving the ice upon release by defrosting. The breaking members comprise sets of equally spaced disks each having equally spaced radial arms longitudinally aligned on the members. When rotating the disks form longitudinal pockets which receive and separate the ice in portions and crush it in successive batches. Substantially the entire area of the freezing plates is exposed to water on one side and refrigerant on the other for speeding the production of ice and the refrigerant circulating system affords equal cooling and the forming of ice of the same thickness on both plates.

Abstract: An automatic pump for deep wells comprises a long stroke reciprocating pump having its piston normally in its bottom position and an automatic control dependent upon the collection of a predetermined amount of liquid in the pump cylinder above the piston for actuating the piston to pump the liquid into a production line. The automatic control includes an electric motor driven hydraulic pump and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid which is actuated upon filling of the reciprocating pump chamber to supply hydraulic fluid to a closed chamber below the piston and force the piston upwardly to discharge liquid from the pump cylinder. Gas collected in the top of the pump cylinder results in low starting current and a saving of energy. The hydraulic pump is reversed automatically upon completion of the pumping stroke of the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing paper air filters and the like for leaks or holes comprises an arrangement for positioning an electric lamp on one side of the filter to provide a bright light and inspecting the filter for holes by observing it from the opposite side. A motor is provided for moving the light to selected positions along the filter. The inspection of the filter is effected by use of an electronic light image intensifier which makes possible the quick and reliable detection of very small holes in the paper.

Abstract: A method for preparing a shale oil deposit for in situ retorting includes providing a drilling and process control level above the deposit with a substantial thickness of personnel isolating and protecting formation between the deposit and the level, providing a collecting and pumping level below the deposit with a substantial thickness of personel isolating and protecting formation between that level and the deposit, and excavation providing voids affording fragmentation of shale in the retorting zones reached from the collecting level. The shale excavated to provide the voids is transported through access risers to the collecting level; closures serving as sumps and protective gratings for the sumps are installed in the upper ends of the risers. Introduction of combustion gases from the control level is accomplished through drill holes provided for this purpose, some of the drill holes also being provided with control or detecting devices.

Abstract: A control for a liquid level regulating system including a casing which is immersed in the liquid to a depth at which control is to be effected, a loose flexible diaphragm closes the casing at the bottom and is moved in accordance with the liquid head. A plunger mounted in the casing for free vertical movement within a selected range has a disc-like foot positioned for free engagement by the diaphragm. An adjustable spring and stops are provided for setting the range of movement. Vertical movement of the plunger actuates a cam or screw to vary the setting of the control element of the level control system. This element may be the discharge outlet control. The control provides quick response and actuates the level control to effect accurate maintenance of the required liquid level in an air pressure control system or, for example, a variable resistance control in an electrical control system.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device for straightening dents in automotive vehicle bodies and the like comprises a carriage on which is mounted a boom means for positioning an electromagnetic head at selected positions about the sides and top of a vehicle body. Control and power apparatus including electric power and a hydraulic fluid supply are mounted on the carriage, and quickly adjustable brace means are provided to engage the vehicle body adjacent a damaged area for bracing the body against the pull of the magnet.

Abstract: A portable floodlighting unit of the type having an extensible mast mounted on a vehicular body for transportation and collapsible into a horizontal position on the body is provided with two collapsible masts at diagonally opposite corners of the vehicle. East mast is provided with a frame carrying a battery of floodlights. Floodlighting at high intensity on all sides of the vehicle is made possible, and if desired all the lights may be positioned to light an area at one side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for recovering tungsten from tungsten bearing ores comprises producing a concentrate from the ore and leaching the concentrate at atmospheric pressure in a strong mineral acid solution, for example, a solution of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid or nitric acid within a temperature range of from 40.degree. to 90 Centigrade for from one to four hours in the presence of an inorganic complexing agent, and adding an ammonium salt compound for precipitating the tungsten. The precipitate is then dissolved in Ammonium Hydroxide and the tungsten recovered as Ammonium Paratungstate.