Abstract: A tool for positioning and holding pipe to be laid in a ditch at a desired level while the ditch is filled partially with rock, gravel, etc. The tool comprises a rod located in a tubular member and having a pointed end extending out of the tubular member. The tubular member and rod are movable axially relative to each other. A locking member is provided for securing the rod and the tubular member at a desired position relative to each other. A pipe supporting means is carried by the tool and is fixed in place relative to the tubular member. In addition, a pipe locking means is supported for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the pipe locking means forms an enclosed or partially enclosed configuration with the pipe supporting means for holding the pipe in a position such that its axis is generally transverse with the axis of the tubular member or that of the rod.

Abstract: A scouring sleeve for use with a swimming pool cleaner. The swimming pool cleaner includes a flexible hose connected to a high pressure water supply. The hose has an outlet for discharging a high pressure jet to dislodge sediment from the pool walls and floor. It constantly repositions itself due to the reaction of the jet. A reticulated sleeve covers the portions of the hose in contact with the floor and walls, further scraping the sediment. The sleeve is of woven flexible plastic strips and is detachable from the hose for replacement when worn.

Abstract: A device for cleaning leaves and debris from swimming pools comprising a reticulated bag having an open mouth and closed end. The mouth is connected to the nozzle of a high pressure water hose, which in turn is connected to an automatic swimming pool cleaner of the type that floats and propels itself about the pool by means of a high pressure water supply. A flotation collar is connected to the bag so that it will float semi-submerged, a portion of the mouth being above the water to trap floating leaves and debris. The flotation collar is detachable so that the hose and bag will sink for cleaning the bottom of the pool. The hose is sufficiently flexible and weighted so that the bag can tip upward while on bottom, with the mouth facing the bottom and the hose on the forward side of the mouth. The rearward side of the mouth scrapes the bottom, aiding in trapping leaves from the bottom as the swimming pool cleaner drags the hose and bag about the pool.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for measuring the capacitance of telephone cable pairs utilizes the technique of charging and discharging the cable pair being measured to respective predetermined voltage levels and integrating the discharge current while observing certain specified parameter requirements. This technique provides an output which is a linear function of the capacitance of the cable pair being measured and has the property of substantially infinite rejection of a predetermined (interference) frequency and its harmonics, and yet permits the apparatus to have requisite simplicity and economy.

Abstract: A fiberglass ladder comprising a pair of rails and a plurality of rungs interposed at selected intervals. Each rung and each rail has a continuous layer of fiberglass filaments extending parallel to its respective length. At the intersection of the rails with the rungs, the filaments bend with a portion of the filaments in the rung extendingin one direction along the rail, and a portion of the filaments in the rung extending in the other direction along the rail. The ladder is cast in a mold in a solid integral piece. Woven fiberglass is placed in the channels of the mold over a coating of resin. The fiberglass filaments are placed over the fabric in the bottoms of the channels. The channels are then filled wth a rigid plastic foam and the ladder is allowed to cure.

Abstract: Apparatus for locating a conductor or a short circuit in the wiring of a AC or DC circuit is disclosed. The apparatus is portable and useful in the troubleshooting of complex control systems or the like with the aid of a clamp-on ammeter. Typically, the apparatus is connected in the fuse circuit to be tested, and a pulsating current of low pulse rate is supplied by a solid-state relaxation oscillator which opens and closes a relay bridging the fuse terminals or other convenient circuit point. Where the fuse circuit to be tested is a DC circuit and both AC and DC circuits are in a common conductor bundle, a separate astable multivibrator acts to supply a higher frequency pulsating current superimposed on the low pulse rate pulsating current. The location of a particular conductor or a short circuit is then easily found with the aid of a clamp-on ammeter.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying electrodes to a body for impedance plethysmograph measurements, comprising a garment of elastic fabric which fits tightly over the body. Conductive strips encircle the sleeves for the arms, gloves for the hands, and the sections for the legs, in parallel pairs, at selected intervals. Conductive strips are also located on the back of the garment, adjacent the thorax region and on the hood covering the neck and the head. The conductive strips are elastic fabric impregnated with a conductive material and woven into the nonconductive portions of the garment. Instruments may be clipped to the various conductive strips, which are insulated electrically from each other, for making blood flow measurements.

Abstract: The specification discloses a ball valve comprising a valve body having a ball receiving cavity with aligned inlet and outlet passages leading thereto. Located in the cavity are two ring-shaped seats and a ball rotatably supported in the seats. The ball has an opening formed therethrough. Means is provided for rotating the ball to an open position where its opening is aligned with the inlet and outlet passages and to a closed position where its opening is out of alignment with the inlet and outlet passages. The ball is coated with chrome oxide and the ball seats are formed of cast iron. The ball and seats are lapped to a close tolerance fit. O-rings are provided for forming a seal between the back side of the seats and the valve body.

Abstract: A garment shipping carton for carrying garments on hangers, having four walls and a closed bottom. The top may be opened or closed by foldable flaps. Three of the four flaps have two apertures for the insertion of a hanger hook and for support of the hanger. One of the three flaps is supported in a closed position by supporting tabs on its edge that insert into apertures in the opposite wall. The other two flaps in closed position rest on top of the supporting flap. The fourth flap has no apertures and folds over the other three to prevent the hangers from dislodging. Locking tabs on its edge insert within apertures in the opposite wall to hold the flap in place.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved apparatus for removing fallen slag from beneath a flame cutting table. A three-sided scoop is positioned below the table. Co-acting guide members are mounted along the sides of the scoop and the table. Chains are fastened to each side of the scoop and extend around vertically positioned sprockets at opposite ends of the table. The chain is located below a portion of the table guide member for protection from falling slag and heat. A motor engages the sprockets to drag the scoop from one end of the table to the other. A tube fastened to the table is positioned for carrying the returning chain.

Abstract: The specification discloses a harness for a dog for preventing the dog from jumping. The harness comprises a loop to be fitted around the dog's neck and having a strap extending under the dog to two loop-shaped straps to be fitted around the hind legs. A strap is connected to each of the loop-shaped straps and extends over the dog's hind quarters for holding the two loop-shaped straps high around the dog's hind legs.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pressure-sensitive transducer including two spaced pressure-sensitive subassemblies having matched parameters and which are electrically coupled together in a manner to minimize the effect of acceleration on the transducer. In one embodiment, each subassembly comprises a pair of piezoelectric crystals attached to opposite sides of a conductive mounting plate. The two plates are supported on opposite sides of an insulated annular spacer ring in a manner to face like poled surfaces of the crystals in the same directions. The crystals are electrically coupled together in parallel by conductors which couple each pair of crystals of a subassembly together and to the mounting plate of the other assembly.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for separating and counting cloth piece items such as shop towels, diapers, napkins, massage towels, etc. The apparatus comprises a mechanical separator including steeply inclined conveyor means having a plurality of lanes of pegs for separating the piece items from a batch or load into a plurality of different lanes or channels; a sensor or detector for each lane for sensing individual piece items in the lanes; and a counter for counting the total number of piece items sensed by all of the sensors.In the preferred embodiment, the separator comprises a forward and rearward steeply inclined conveyor, each including endless belt means having a plurality of lanes of spaced pegs driven upward and an oppositely driven finned roller located above each conveyor. The sensors are located at the crest of the rearward conveyor for detecting individual piece items in each of its lanes.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing a platform characterized by a frame carrying a stabilizing gyroscope that includes a substantially horizontal rotor with its shaft fixed with respect to the frame so as to effect a precessing force 90.degree. in the direction of rotation responsive to a torque force on the shaft in any azimuthal direction in a horizontal plane; a shifting carriage for shifting a load carrying compartment to move its center of gravity with respect to the frame to a plurality of successive second locations to offset to a desired degree a torque force and the reactive precessing force; and a control device for detecting a slight change in attitude from a desired attitude and effecting via the shifting carriage a controlled shifting of the load carrying compartment to a new second location to reestablish the desired attitude. The invention is readily applicable to vertical take-off and landing craft or other platforms having a lifting device connected therewith.

Abstract: The specification discloses a navigational charting and calculating device comprising a base plate having a circular recess in its top side for rotatably supporting a disc therein. The disc comprises a transparent circular member having a top marking surface, and a circular base adapted to removably support the transparent circular member for holding and securing a map therebetween. The peripheral edge of the transparent circular member is graduated in degrees from 0.degree. to 360.degree.. Sliding means having at least one straight edge is supported above the disc for sliding movement across the disc in a direction perpendicular to the length of its straight edge. The straight edge has equally spaced marks along its length representative of distance. In use, the disc is rotated to align the desired direction of travel in degrees with a reference point provided on the base plate and distance of travel in the desired direction is charted with the aid of the straight edge.

Abstract: Conduit cleaning apparatus characterized by a reel of cable and a pair of rachet gripping members for feeding the cable through. A rearward gripping member is mounted stationary with respect to the reel. A forward gripping member is carried forwardly thereof by telescoping guide structure that aligns the gripping members along the axis of rotation of the reel and allows reciprocal motion between the gripping members. The rachet gripping members advance or retract the cable. A spring urges the members apart to facilitate reciprocation while in a vertical position.

Abstract: An improved roofing member for use with other similar roofing members in an overlapping relationship which has upper and lower webs which when two roofing members are engaged one on the other defining between them a transverse cavity which forms a combined air expansion chamber and water trap such a cavity being formed also at the overlap of a pair of members, whereby to form a water meniscus at the joint to restrict air flow into the cavity and water flow through the joint. A special alignment configuration forms part of the webs.

Abstract: A process and system for insitu hydrogenation employing a gas generator in a borehole for burning a hydrogen-rich mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. A cooling annulus surrounds the chamber with passages leading from the annulus to the chamber. Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied downhole to the generator to form a hydrogen-rich combustible mixture in the combustion zone which is burned whereby hydrogen and steam are injected from the restricted outlet. Hydrogen also is supplied to the cooling annulus. The flow of hydrogen and oxygen to the generator is controlled to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gases at a level sufficient to crack the hydrocarbons in the formations into lighter segments for reaction with the excess hot hydrogen to form lighter and less viscous end products which are recovered from a production well.

Abstract: The specification discloses a recovery process and system wherein hydrogen and oxygen are introduced into a vented pressure vessel, known as a gas generator, located at the bottom of a borehole, and ignited and burned to produce steam. The hydrogen and oxygen may be introduced either as a stoichiometric mixture or the combustible mixture may be hydrogen-rich. The gas generator comprises a cooling annulus surrounding a combustion and mixing zone for cooling the gas generator and the combustion products. Hydrogen or water may be supplied to the cooling annulus for cooling purposes. Remotely controlled valves are located downhole near the gas generator for positive control to the gas generator of the hydrogen and oxygen and of the water, if it is employed for cooling purposes. The well casing is sealed just above the gas generator by an inflatable packer.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly for a vehicle comprising an annular disc and a flange adapter for coupling the disc to the wheel of the vehicle for rotation with the wheel around the axle and for supporting the disc for axial movement. Two housing members are located on opposite sides of the disc and connected together and to the axle. A stationary brake shoe with a lining is located between one housing member and the disc and a further brake shoe with a lining is located between the disc and the other housing member and supported for axial movement. A camming arrangement is actuated by a pneumatic system for actuating the disc brake assembly for braking purposes. Removable shims are provided for spacing the two housing members apart and which may be removed for adjustment purposes as the brake lining wears.