Abstract: A compound archery bow has a main frame with a pair of rigid arms extending outwardly from a central handle portion. A cam member is rotatably journaled on the end of each arm and a bowstring is connectable between the cam members. A resilient member, preferably a pair of rubber tubes, interconnects the main frame and each cam member at a point offset from its axis. When the cam rotates as the bowstring is drawn, the point of attachment of the resilient member to the cam member is brought into general alignment with the cam axle and the point of attachment of the resilient member to the main frame. Forces generated on the cam member by the resilient member at full draw are thus substantially radial. Both points of attachment of the resilient members are adjustable, and the applied tension of the resilient members is adjustable as well. A pulley is rigidly connected to each cam member, and the pulleys are interconnected by a cable to cause both cam members to rotate correspondingly.

Abstract: Movable insulation is provided with sealing structural components to minimize or eliminate for practical purposes infiltration and convection currents in and around the movable insulation to enhance the thermal insulating quality of the assembly. Seal strips on the edges of the insulation pocket forming material layers are adapted to slidingly engage seal guides provided in the side frame channels of the assembly to seal the sides. Weight bars in the lower extremities of the insulation forming material sheets enhance the seal on the bottom as well as to keep the layers of material separated, and rotatable separating rollers on top also help to keep the layers separated and to form a seal on top. A smooth operating manual chain drive and anchor mechanism is provided, as well as a removable decorative fabric for the front of the assembly.

Abstract: The hydraulic operated surface pumping unit of this invention is a counterbalanced cross beam type pumping unit driven by a hydraulic cylinder. The pumping unit can be operated in a first mode of equal upstroke and down stroke speeds or in a second mode of slower upstroke and faster down stroke speeds. The stroke lengths are controlled by cams and are adjustable over a large range. Stroke cycle speeds can be varied by adjusting the output rate of a hydraulic pump used to drive the system. The main hydraulic valve includes intermediate lock positions to hold the pumping unit steady during phase shifts between upstrokes and down strokes and during shut down of the pumping unit. Pressure indicators are provided for optimum counterbalancing of the pumping unit, and a needle valve control for return fluid flow to tank is provided for slow let down of the pump rod for initial tag out settings.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for fabricating honeycomb expandable insulation panels disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for folding a continuous thin film of flexible plastic material into a uniform, open faced tubular configuration and for heat setting the folds in permanent sharp creases. It also includes a rotatable rack apparatus for continuously stacking successive lengths of the tubular formed plastic film one on top of another on flat surfaces and adhering them together in the form of a neat, uniform expandable panel of interior honeycomb cell configuration.

Abstract: A rekeyable cylinder lock includes removeable spacers between top and bottom tumbler pins, and a key bit device for removing a spacer from the pin chamber through the key way. The key bit device includes bitting thereon to position the spacer in the top pin chamber and a cut in the opposite side thereof adapted to capture the spacer from the top pin chamber and remove it from the lock. In another embodiment of the invention, a key bit device is provided for placing a spacer into a pin chamber of the lock to rekey the lock. It includes a mechanism, such as a spring, in a cut on the back side of the key bit that is adapted to force a spacer out of the cut and into the pin chamber in the lock.

Abstract: The interchangeable ball hitch connector apparatus of this invention includes a generally spherical ball connector adapted to engage a conventional ball hitch socket, a support base adapted for fastening on the tow bar of a vehicle for supporting the ball connector, and a spring-biased latch pin in the support base for releasably attaching the ball connector to the support base. When the ball connector is assembled with and attached to the support base, the latch pin is contained entirely inside the ball connector and not exposed to damage from the socket or parts thereof on the exterior of the ball connector. A channel in the ball connector allows the latch pin to be readily unlatched from the ball connector by use of an elongated utensil, such as an ignition key.

Abstract: A machine tool clamp includes an elongated clamping member with its mid-section anchored at an adjustably spaced distance above a base plate. The front end of the clamping member is adapted to clamp a work piece to a machine tool work platform. The rear end or heel of the clamping member bears pivotally on the base plate in such a manner that the adjustable anchor of the mid-section is a movable fulcrum. A height adjustable mechanism with a large mechanical advantage is positioned in the heel of the clamping member to lever the clamping member about the adjustable fulcrum to clamp the front end on a work piece. The height adjustable mechanism can be a screw, eccentric cammed lever, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, or other suitable mechanism.

Abstract: A closure device adapted for clamping a flexible bag has a pair of hinged jaws including slideably mounted extension pieces adjustably retained in pre-selected positions of extension. The jaws are movable between a closed position to grip a bag and an open position to release the bag. A clasp mechanism releasably retains the jaws in the closed position. Mating sets of longitudinal teeth may be provided to grip the bag more positively.

Abstract: A ratchet drive screw-driver includes a handle, a rotor journaled in one end of the handle with a screw-driver shank extending axially therefrom, a ratchet wheel and pawl mechanism for rotating the rotor, and an actuator mechanism for driving the ratchet. The actuator mechanism includes an elongated push rod positioned longitudinally in the handle and extending out the end of the handle perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. Reciprocating longitudinal motion of the push rod drives the ratchet mechanism and turns the rotor in either forward or reverse angular direction as desired. The ratchet mechanism can also be driven by swinging the handle about the axis of the rotor if desired.

Abstract: A ski training halter is adapted for positioning on a person below his or her waist and to extend across the person's front, lower abdominal region to the respective left and right hip regions of the student's body. The training halter also includes portions adapted to be positioned around the upper portions of the student's thighs and interconnected with the portions extending across the student's lower abdominal and hip regions. Adjustable and detachable fasteners are provided to maintain the training halter in proper, taut position on the person's body, and elongated reins are detachably connected to the training halter and extended to a location rearwardly of the person where another person can be positioned safely on skis to hold the reins and use them to exert restraining and turning forces on the training halter.

Abstract: A gravity meter is provided which has a support framework which supports a suspension system having a weight arm to which a reaction mass is attached. The reaction mass includes a dielectric mass which extends partially into a cavity between a pair of conductors. Changes in either the ambient gravitational field or the electric potential on the conductors causes the dielectric mass to be moved into or out of the cavity between the conductors allowing both fine tune calibration of the device by means of varying the electric potential and direct readout of the device by measuring the electric potential required to equilibrate the conductor and dielectric system. The suspension assembly includes a pair of parallel spindles rotatably mounted on hinges secured to the support framework with the spindles being interconnected by a zero length mainspring and temperature compensating framework.

Abstract: Two elongated members are coaxially movable relative to one another with one member rigidly attached to a working head such as an elongated wedge or the like. In one embodiment, the inner member is fixed to the working head while the outer member movably surrounds the inner member. The outer member is dimensioned so that its lower perimeter edge is small enough to allow the members to be reciprocated so as to drive the head into a log or other material without the outer member being held against coaxial reciprocal movement by the material. The members can be secured as for lifting, withdrawing, transporting, and the like with a flexible collar on the outer member for cooperating with a hole therethrough for gripping the inner member. The outer member can be fixed to the working head and the inner member reciprocally movable therein. Shock absorbing handles and an impact surface cushion insert are also shown which reduce jarring and fatigue in an operator's hands and arms.

Abstract: Lift apparatus is adapted for raising and lowering portable elevators and the like and includes both a power lift mechanism and an alternative manual lift mechanism. It also includes an upper limit stop for limiting the height to which the power lift mechanism can raise the elevator and a tie-down limit stop for tying the raised end of the elevator to an anchoring object for safety in addition to prohibiting the power lift mechanism from operating when the elevator lift apparatus which includes a cable for drawing a front frame member toward a rear frame member to effect raising the rear end of a grain elevator is provided on one end with a power driven winch for drawing the cable to effect lifting. A hydraulic fluid flow circuit is provided to supply the hydraulic motor with fluid, said circuit having an alternative one-way directional flow route for bypassing the hydraulic motor on the power lift mechanism.

Abstract: A tow hitch assembly for connecting a tractor vehicle to a trailer vehicle includes a mounting member adapted to be secured to the frame of one of the vehicles and a tow bar releasably securable to the mounting member at one end and adapted to be secured at its opposite end to the other vehicle. The connection between the tow bar and mounting member is defined by a pair of spaced-apart, parallel disc-shaped knuckles mounted on either side of a tangential flat surface on the mounting member and by a rounded nose forming the end of the tow bar which nose has a pair of flat sidewalls. The nose is sized for close-fitting insertion between the knuckles and has a radius of curvature that is the same as the radius of curvature of the knuckles. The knuckles and the nose have alignable bores so that a pin may be inserted therethrough to releasably secure the tow bar and mounting member together.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic cleaning device for removing particulate material from crevices and channels particularly between component parts of railroad switch mechanisms, is provided which has a heavy duty nozzle including a central port and a pair of outwardly divergent side ports having axes which are coplanar with the axis of the central port for discharging a pressurized stream of air in a generally fan-shaped pattern along a surface to be cleaned when the device is connected to a pressurized air source. The device has an elongated body portion and end portions formed at an angle therewith and parallel to one another, and includes a switch for controlling the flow of air therethrough, a runner to maintain the nozzle at a spaced distance from a surface to be cleaned, and a handle to facilitate manual use of the device.

Abstract: A solar electric generator is provided wherein a plurality of propellers are mounted transversely to a shaft journaled on bearings in a housing. Each propeller includes a plurality of equiangularly spaced arms with each arm terminating in a vane member which is coated with a light absorbing medium. The housing is provided with a transparent window so that sunlight may fall on the coated side of the vanes as they rotate with the shaft mounted in the housing. The shaft is connected to a suitable electric generator such that rotation of the shaft is converted into electrical energy by the generator. A focusing system is provided to direct light along different paths to strike the absorbing surface of the vanes as they rotate about the shaft and a tracking mechanism is operative to track the sun both daily and seasonally.

Abstract: A control leader for horses is adapted to mount onto a horse's head either solely or in conjunction with a standard horse halter. The control leader includes a brow member and a crown member which encircle the horse's ears and which are interconnected at a position immediately beneath the horse's ears on opposite sides of the horse's head, and a flexible leader member which is attached to the brow and the crown members beneath the horse's ear, which leader member hangs freely therefrom so as to have a looped portion in freely hanging, spaced-apart relation to the horse's throat. The crown member is substantially rigid in a direction normal to its longitudinal axis so that it has a substantially non-deformable cross-section. This crown member is preferably formed of wire or chain.

Abstract: A rotary tiller device with a rotor disposed for rotation about a vertical axis is adapted for mounting on the lift arms of a mobile vehicle and includes a yieldable arm suspension mechanism and spring tiller teeth depending downwardly from the rotor, both of which in combination with each other provide uniform tillage depth control of the device. The rotor assembly can be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly with respect to the frame, and the beam can be adjustably swiveled about a vertical axis such that the rotor can be positioned to the left side, right side, or front of the frame or vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for specific gravity measurement of an object having a known geometry and weight is provided which is particularly adaptable for determining the specific gravity of a gemstone. The apparatus includes a fluid circuit and a pump therefor with the fluid circuit having an adjustable fluid flow rate. The fluid circuit also includes a test chamber element for receiving the object and a flow measuring element for determining fluid flow rate. Preferably, the test chamber is vertically oriented and has zones of decreasing fluid velocity from its lower to upper ends for a constant fluid flow rate through the circuit. The method of measurement is made in one of two modes. In one mode, the flow rate is held constant so that the vertical position of the object of unknown specific gravity in the test chamber yields data allowing calculation of its specific gravity.

Abstract: A flexible foot wrap is provided for supporting the metatarsal arch region of the foot and is adapted for use during activities requiring foot covering. The foot wrap has a fabric panel that supports a cushion, and a strap that extends around the heel of the foot and is attached at opposite sides of the panel. A second strap extends over the top midportion of the foot to hold the cushion against the sole of the foot, and this second strap has opposite ends connected to opposite sides of the panel. Preferably the fabric panel and straps are formed of elastic material, and at least one of the straps is formed in two sections that are releasably attachable to one another for purposes of adjustment of the foot wrap to feet of different sizes.