Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing machine cabinet having a top cover thereon. The top cover has an upwardly presented surface with an access opening therein and a first sloping surface extending downwardly and away from the access opening. A lid has a seal member thereon which engages the top cover for preventing fluid or condensation from moving away from the access opening down the first sloping surface of the top cover.

Abstract: A hitch is mounted on the rear end of a rearwardly extending tow bar of a towing vehicle, with the tow bar having a hitch ball secured thereto. The hitch comprises a first plate which is secured at its rearward end to the forward end of the upper clevis element of the towed vehicle. The first plate has a circular-shaped opening formed therein which is adapted to receive the ball sphere of the hitch ball. The first plate also has a slot formed therein which extends forwardly from the circular opening which is adapted to receive the shank of the hitch ball. A second plate is slidably movably mounted on the first plate between rearward and forward positions. The forward end of the second plate has a semi-circular opening formed therein which is positioned beneath the ball sphere of the hitch ball when the second plate is in its forward position. A retaining pin extends through the first and second plates when the second plate is in its forward position to maintain the hitch on the hitch ball.

Abstract: The present device provides a plurality of belts to restrain a horizontal passenger within a vehicle. In its preferred embodiment, a diagonal belt is secured to the vehicle proximal the side of the sleeping surface near the hips of the passenger. Where the passenger is lying on his back, the diagonal belt extends toward the shoulder of the passenger and is in contact with the back of the passenger. It is looped over the shoulder and passes over the chest of the passenger. It is then secured to the vehicle proximal the hips of the passenger. The passenger may lie on his side or chest, as well. The restraint also includes two belts positioned transverse to the sleeping surface. The transverse belts may wrap around the sleeping surface; may be secured proximal one side of the sleeping surface and secured proximal the opposite side of the sleeping surface, extending over the sleeping surface; or may be positioned entirely above the sleeping surface.

Abstract: A thick film low value high frequency inductor made by the process of subjecting a conductor layer to a plurality of linear cuts by a pulsing laser cutter imposed simultaneously on the entire length of the linear cut being made to create a cross sectional cut of substantial rectangular configuration. The conductor body is a layer of dried silver thick film ink. The method of making a thick film low value high frequency inductor involves the steps of taking a conductor layer comprised of a dried layer of photo sensitive silver ink, masking the ink with the negative of the desired configuration of the ink, exposing the ink to UV radiation, developing the ink, and firing the layer to adhere the silver to the layer.

Abstract: A candle and the method of making the same is disclosed wherein the candle consists essentially of about 5 to 40 volume percent of a paraffin wax; about 5 to 10 volume percent of a candle scent; about 0.25 to 1 volume percent of a binding agent; about 50 to 95 volume percent of a soybean oil; and about 1 to 5 drops of a liquid dye. The method of making the candle comprises the steps of: adding a binding agent to paraffin wax and heating the same to about 160° F.; adding soybean oil to the mixture and heating the same to about 160° F.; adding liquid dye to the mixture; adding the candle scent to the mixture; and pouring the mixture into pre-wicked containers.

Abstract: A conventional meat skinning machine has a frame, a horizontal auger on the frame having a forward end, a tooth gripping roll rearwardly mounted on the frame and extending across the forward end of the conveyor, and an elongated cutting blade mounted on the frame adjacent the gripping roll to remove material from the outer surface of a meat product coming in contact therewith. An elongated flipper plate is mounted on the frame adjacent the cutting edge of the cutting blade. A pair of parallel arms are pivotally secured to the frame adjacent the sides of the conveyor and extend upwardly and forwardly from their pivotal connections. A resilient hold down roll is rotatably mounted between the forward ends of the arms. A lifting mechanism is provided on the frame and connected to the arms for raising and lowering the arms at selected intervals.

Abstract: A conveyor station for a pair of sausage producing machines, has a pair of sausage producing machines capable of discharging a rope of sausages through a discharge end thereof. A pair of spaced elongated substantially parallel horizontal conveyors having one end of each adjacent the discharge ends of the machines, with the conveyors having adjacent sides. The conveyors have a continuous conveyor assembly adapted to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane to pick up and carry away the rope of sausage discharged from each machine. A power drive for rotating the conveyor assemblies in either a first or second rotational direction is operatively connected to the conveyor assemblies.

Abstract: The line of pull from a prime mover extends along a tongue assembly pivotally connected to a wheel rake frame assembly and intersects with the rear discharge end of the frame assembly when the rake is at its maximum angle of attack and with the extended longitudinal axis when the angle of attack is at its minimum thereby balancing forces on the rake and minimizing rake drift such that a consistent width of cut material can be raked.

Abstract: A snap-in stubby or retractable antenna comprising a plastic snap-in connector which is secured to the upper end of a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone. The connector includes an alignment keyway which cooperates with an opening formed in the upper end of the housing of the communications device so that the connector may only be installed in the device in one position so that the contact spring associated therewith will be in engagement with the electrical contact pad of the receiving and transmitting circuitry of the device. A flexible latch is provided on the connector which is deflected inwardly as the connector is installed into the telephone, but which snaps outwardly into engagement with a shoulder in the interior of the communications device to yieldably maintain the connector, and the antenna associated therewith on the handset of the communications device.

Abstract: An upper body garment of stretchable thin material fits matingly over the workman's head including eyes, nose and mouth, yet allowing unobstructed vision for working with fiber glass construction materials from which the body is protected. The garment may be removed by pulling it off turning it inside out, capturing the fiber glass materials inside the garment. A lower body garment of the same material is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting erroneous initialization vectors transmitted over a communications channel and maintaining cryptographic synchronization by comparing a received vector with a predicted correct vector. The vectors are random-like in nature by utilizing a pseudo-random number generator having a long overall cycle length. If the level of bit errors of the comparison is relatively small, considering the predicted vector is considered correct and used for synchronization, but if the number of bit errors of the comparison is relatively large, the predicated vector is considered in correct.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting system for filtration media including first and second upstanding panel members having vertically disposed support rails provided at their forward ends. A plurality of filtration media support frames, which have an adjustable V-shape, are mounted on the support rails between the panel members.

Abstract: A portable urinal device for use in a tree stand or other elevated platform that controls both noise and odor problems associated with the urinary function. The portable urinal device includes a generally funnel-shaped container having a top end that is open and a lid hingeably mounted on the container for moving between a closed position and an open position. The lid of the portable urinal device is biased toward the closed position to facilitate use of the device with one hand in its preferred form, the lid includes a lever with a locking mechanism that engages the container to lock the lid in the open position during urination. The portable urinal device may be used with a fluid hose with one end buried underground to facilitate the disposal of urine.

Abstract: A screw clamping apparatus includes a shank and a drive member for exerting a driving force on a shank to screw the same into a bore to exert a clamping force on an article. The shank is provided to shear once a predetermined turning torque from the drive member, and hence clamping force, is achieved and the plane of shear can be accurately determined relative to the surface of the article on which the bore is formed and into which the shank is screwed. This is an advantage over the conventional clamping screw which is provided to shear at one fixed weakened location and, when sheared can leave an undesirable protruding portion above the surface of the article. The screw clamping apparatus of this invention allows one size shank to be used for clamping articles to different sizes and the position of the planar shear can be located at a position along the length of the shank, thereby eliminating the occurrence of protrusions when shear occurs.

Abstract: A livestock herding cart with a chassis having forward and rearward wheel assemblies that allows movement upon a raised track. Connected to the chassis is a seat and moveable gate. The seat is positioned above the chassis and the gate extends below the chassis. The cart is used by releasing a group of livestock into a center alleyway of the raised track. The cart is then moved toward the livestock group with the gate extending substantially perpendicular to the chassis until the group exits the center alleyway. Then a second group of livestock are released into the center alleyway and the operator raises the gate and moves the cart to a position behind the second group of livestock. The operator then lowers the gate and moves towards the second group repeating the process.

Abstract: A utility box is disclosed for use with an all-terrain vehicle with the utility box being supported on the support rack at the rearward end of the vehicle. The storage box has a pair of posts protruding outwardly from the opposite sides thereof and has a pair of bungee cords secured thereto which are extended through the support rack and over the posts to maintain the utility box on the vehicle. A cover is also pivotally secured to the box for closing the open upper end thereof.

Abstract: A method of increasing hair volume includes applying a hair clip to the roots of the hair. A chemical solution is applied to at least part of the hair that is in the clip. After the first step of the chemical processing is complete, the hair is rinsed, with the hair clip still in place. Then the second step is applied. A hair clip to increase hair volume includes two arms that are pivotally connected. The arms have interior faces that oppose each other. At least one of the interior faces has texture to apply tension to the hair root. At least one of the arms has openings to allow the hair to be rinsed while the clip is still in place. A second method of increasing hair volume comprises applying hair spray to hair roots and applying a clip to the roots. The clip is left in place until the hair spray is dry. The clip can be applied before the hair spray. The clip can also be used on wet hair with gels, mousses, hairspray, etc. The clip is clipped into place and the hair may be air dried or dried under a dryer.