Abstract: This specification discloses an improvement in a solar system having one or more collectors for receiving and using radiant energy from the sun and at least one and preferably a plurality of respective reflector means for reflecting the radiant energy onto the collectors. The improvement is characterized by having towerless collectors and towerless reflectors that are disposed at ground level or substantially the same level, to eliminate the major expense of a collector tower, which is inefficient and nonfunctional in a solar system.Also disclosed is a complete system, or combination, for generating power employing solar energy and the improvement delineated above; as well as structural details of preferred arrangements and equipment.

Abstract: A periscopic mirror for a high degree of visibility for a driver of a vehicle characterized by a structure carrying first and second mirrors and a third set of mirrors, all coordinated so as to present to the driver a view rearwardly and to the sides of the vehicle. The first mirror is a lower and adjustable mirror that can be adjusted by the driver to compensate for disparities in height and sitting positions. The second mirror is disposed so as to reflect the line of sight of the driver from the first mirror onto the third set of mirrors. The third set of mirrors have a central rearview mirror for reflecting rearwardly of the vehicle and right and left wing mirrors for reflecting sidewise and downwardly so as to reflect the view to the left and downward and right and downward sides of the vehicle back to the driver for providing substantially one hundred and eighty degrees of visibility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for belling a plastic pipe wherein the pipe is heated until a predetermined force can move the pipe onto a mandrel; the magnitude of the force being such that the pipe is heated to a temperature between its memory temperature and its breakdown temperature.

Abstract: A dispensing spout which may readily be coupled to the opening of a liquid container. The spout has a closure and a venting tube, the latter of which is adapted to be located in the container at a position to allow atmospheric air to flow into the container to facilitate dispensing of the liquid when the closure is opened for dispensing purposes.

Abstract: This specification discloses an off-road vehicle employing an improved hydrostatic drive system including engine driven variable displacement pumps having respective actuating members for varying displacement in two directions equivalent to forward and reverse directions, wheel motors at each wheel representing hydraulic actuating device operable by the fluid from the pump, hydraulic reservoir, serially interconnecting supply and return lines, and an improvement comprising one or more operator control members and a sensitivity control means for controlling the range of movement of the actuating member responsive to movement of the operating control member in a respective direction. Also disclosed is a preferred embodiment in which four wheel hydrostatic drive is employed with an option of converting the hydraulic fluid output that normally goes to one set of wheels such that all of the fluid goes to the other set of wheels for road speed operation.

Abstract: An assembly for covering a swimming pool when it is not in use. A roll member is rotatably mounted at one end of the pool for rolling up and unrolling a sheet of material of dimensions for covering the pool. A scissor type extension device moves the outer end of the sheet toward the other side of the pool when unwinding. The scissor device is moved between the retracted and extended positions by a rotating screw. An electrical motor rotates the screw and the roll member. A slide track mechanism submerges the entire assembly when rolled up.

Abstract: A method of denitrogenating an oil containing a relatively high concentration of nitrogenous compounds characterized by, first, extracting the nitrogenous compounds from the oil with an operable acid solvent to produce a raffinate of low nitrogen content oil and a bottoms of high nitrogen content oil; then recovering the acid solvent from the bottoms, simultaneously producing a small volumeteric flow rate stream of oil containing high content of nitrogenous compounds; depending upon the volumeteric rate of the high nitrogen content oil stream and upon demand, sending it to a hydrogen producing plant for supplying hydrogen for hydrogenation; and recycling the acid solvent. Preferred acid solvents comprise phosphoric acid, formic acid or the monoammonium salt of phosphoric acid. The recovery of the solvent may be by neutralization or by distillation.

Abstract: A poppet located in the opening of an annular seat member for use in a body for forming a check valve. The poppet has a resilient seal for engaging a seat formed in the seat member for forming a seal therebetween and which also prevents removal of the poppet from the opening of the seat member. A spring normally urges the poppet in a direction to urge the seal against the seat. The poppet has ribs slidably located in slots formed in the seat member to prevent rotation of the poppet to minimize spring failure. The poppet and seat assembly can be located in the body in either direction to allow the check valve to be used for different purposes. Safety stops are provided in the body for the poppet to prevent shearing of the seal in the event of use in excessive pressure conditions.

Abstract: An improvement in method and apparatus for drying seed cotton to a predetermined range of moisture content; including the steps and means for performing the steps of passing the cotton in contact with a first moisture sensor, subsequently passing the cotton through a drying system, subsequently passing the cotton into contact with a second moisture sensor located outside of the drying system, and using the combination of signals from the sensors to control the amount of moisture removed from the cotton while in the drying system; characterized by employing a plurality of the first moisture sensors so connected that the moisture sensors sensing the least moisture content will have its signal used in the combination of signals to control the amount of moisture removed. This compensates for a problem in the prior art of having a moist leaf or the like cause excessive drying of the seed cotton because of the high moisture contents sensed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an ice maker and dispenser for an area that is subject to microbiological contamination, such as a hospital, and including an ice manufacturing and an ice dumping unit having the improvement comprising a circular ice container and stirrer with an aperture through which ice shapes can be dropped, a cylindrical chute disclosed below the aperture for conveying the ice shapes outwardly through a door, a cantilever corkscrew impeller for moving the ice shapes along the chute and motors and drives for effecting rotation of the stirrer in the ice container and the impeller for moving the ice exteriorly of the door. The ice chute is cylindrical, smooth and easily cleaned and sterilized when the corkscrew impeller is removed. The corkscrew impeller is easily removed by way of a quick disconnect to facilitate its being cleaned and sterilized. A short cylindrical chute is provided upwardly into the ice container so as to be easily cleaned and sterilized.

Abstract: This invention discloses portable, collapsible scaffold that is characterized by a substantially planar top platform; a front U-shaped leg structure pivotally connected with the top platform and adapted to fold into a collapsed position that is substantially parallel with and close to the platform; a diagonally extending leg structure pivotally connected with the respective front legs near their top and adapted to fold into a collapsed position; collapsible braces connected near the midpoint to the front legs and the diagonal legs; upper rear U-shaped leg structure that is movable along the bottom of the top platform and adapted to fold into a collapsed position; elongate bracket retaining the rear cross member in close proximity to the platform; and a lock for locking the rear cross member in the supporting position and adapted to prevent collapse of the scaffold until the platform is liftable to release the lock. The respective leg structures are adapted to unfold into a supporting position.

Abstract: A cutting torch that obviates the tendency to have flashback and sustain burning yet have the inherent flexibility of injector type mixer torches, including a cutting oxygen valve and passageway, a mixing oxygen valve and passageway, a fuel gas valve and passageway, a head having a tip end and having passageways for cutting oxygen and fuel-oxygen mixture and having the improvement characterized by having the fuel-oxygen head passageway comprised of the first oxygen passageway drilled from the oxygen passageway end and in alignment with the oxygen passageway and intersecting a second oxygen passageway drilled from the tip end of the head and with a first diameter; a third fuel passageway drilled from the fuel passageway end and in alignment with the fuel passageway end and intersecting a fourth fuel and oxygen passageway drilled from the tip end in the head and communicating with the second oxygen passageway and having a common center line with the second oxygen passageway and having a second diameter larger t

Abstract: An apparatus for removing weeds or other plants comprising a handle having a foot operated lever pivotally coupled to one end. A plurality of tines are connected to the front end of the lever for insertion into the ground for removing weeds or other plants as the front end of the lever is pivoted upward. The tines extend through apertures formed through a clean off plate which is adapted to slide on the tines between a rearward position near the front end of the lever and a forward position near the front ends of the tines. As the handle is pivoted forward, the clean off plate is moved forward by the end of the handle to clean weeds, dirt, etc. from the tines.

Abstract: A nozzle comprising an elastic member molded in a conduit having oppositely disposed threads at opposite ends. The elastic member embeds all of the threads at the down stream end, a portion of the threads at the up stream end and extends out of the down stream end defining a discharge end. An aperture extends through the elastic member and is conical shaped at the discharge end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus which responds to a predetermined acceleration wherein a droplet of liquid is suspended by a holding means which prevents the droplet from escaping, except that when an acceleration of the holding means occurs which is greater than a predetermined acceleration, then at least a portion of the droplet escapes from the holding means.

Abstract: A metal door frame assembly comprising two jambs and a lintel, all of the same crosssectional shape, which includes a central door striker portion flanked on its two sides by an inner web and an outer web respectively, each web terminating in a respective end flange which itself terminates in a inturn flange, each inturn flange terminating in an returned flange. Assembly of the jambs and lintel is effected by mitre joints, and at each mitre joint there is a bridging strip which extends between the facing surfaces of the end flanges, and which bears against the rear surfaces of the inner and outer webs of the jamb and lintel. The bridging strip is retained in position by a pair of locking plates, each of which has a pair of tabs which engage respective apertures in the returned flanges of the jamb and lintel.

Abstract: This specification discloses an off-road vehicle that both articulates and oscillates, thereby enabling achieving a highly maneuverable, more nearly level working platform from which attachments can be operated with utmost effectiveness. The vehicle is characterized by front and rear sections, each carried by two wheels and connected at an articulating steering joint with steering rams and steering means; and a mechanism on the front section for leveling the front section. The leveling mechanism includes a front frame member that supplies the main structural support for the front section and is pivotally connected with a front axle, with hydraulic rams disposed on either side of the pivotal connection and connected via control valve with a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid for attaining and holding a predetermined, or substantially level, position.

Abstract: An improvement in an accessory for a garden hose and the like in which an end of the hose is to be connected with a supplementary fitting characterized by a centerpiece adapted to sealingly receive the end of the hose, a gripper for moving longitudinally into gripping relationship with the hose, a turnbuckle for drawing the gripper into gripping relationship with the hose responsive to relative rotational movement of the turnbuckle with respect to the gripper and rotation prevention means to prevent relative rotational movement between the gripper and the centerpiece.

Abstract: A system for mixing fluids such as drilling fluids and which comprises an elongated container having a cylindrical shaped bottom. A suction conduit has an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of the container at about its central axis for withdrawing fluid from the container. An exterior conduit extends along the length of the container and has a plurality of spaced apart injection conduits extending into the container for injecting fluid therein in a direction to cause the fluid to swirl around the central axis of the container. A pump has its inlet coupled to the suction conduit and its outlet coupled to one end of the exterior conduit to cause the fluid in the container to spiral inward for flow through the suction conduit and to be pumped into the exterior conduit for injection through the injection conduits back into the container. An air bleed is provided for removing air from the interior of the container near its axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for signaling if a fish bites a fishing line. The apparatus includes a housing containing a contact bar and an arm. The contact bar and arm are connected to a battery powered electrical circuit that sounds an alarm and energizes a lamp if they contact each other. The arm is biased into contact with the contact bar in the normal state. A cord is secured between the end of the arm and the fishing rod. The fishing rod is positioned by a rod holder so that it maintains enough tension in the cord to draw the arm out of contact with the contact bar. Should a fish bite, the end of the rod will dip, releasing enough tension for the arm to contact the contact bar to cause a signal which may be both visual and audible.