Abstract: A firehose coupling which helps fire fighters determine the direction to safety along a firehose. The preferred embodiment of the firehose coupling incorporates an elongated extension integrally attached to each lug of a male component of the firehose coupling, which extends a predetermined length beyond the perimeter of the cylindrical body of the male component only, in a direction diametrically opposed to the direction by which said male component is inserted to couple with said female component. These extensions are easily identified visually, directing the fire fighter away from the fire and towards the source connection of the firehose. Additionally, the lug extensions may have raised or printed indicia on their surface further assisting a fire fighter.

Abstract: The internal fault indicator includes an open ended housing mounted in an opening in the wall of a transformer casing. An indicator lens is attached over a first open end of the housing and a diaphragm is attached over a second open end of the housing with the second end of the housing being positioned so that the diaphragm is subjected to internal pressure surges within the transformer. The diaphragm carries a trigger retainer which engages a trigger on an indicator shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. An indicator is mounted on the indicator shaft beneath the lens, and a bias spring is connected to the indicator shaft to bias the shaft toward rotation relative to the housing when the trigger is engaged with the trigger retainer.

Abstract: A liquid level monitoring system for underground storage tanks includes a submersible monitoring pipe system having telescoping sections that are biased to an extended position enabling the pipe to be self-retained within the tank between its upper and lower walls adjacent to and offset axially from a selected access opening in the tank, such as the discharge opening which normally accommodates the pump for the tank. The pipe system houses an electronic level sensor which is coupled to an above ground control system via conductor wires. An elongate accessing member having an openable and closable clamp jaw assembly for gripping the pipe system and disposing it in a compressed condition within the tank offset from the riser opening is provided as a part of the system.

Abstract: A tamper evident system for indicating when a closed enclosure (24) has been opened comprises a window (21) and a sensor (22) colour sensitive to presence of a gas. The sensor (22) is located in the enclosure (24) so as to be visible through the window (21). Any compositional change of gas in the enclosure (24) is signalled by a change of colour of the sensor (22).

Abstract: A portable scoreboard which includes a mounting frame, at least one leg member having a first end detachably attached to the mounting frame, a plurality of cards having indicia and arranged in at least two stacks which are aligned in spaced relation along the length of the mounting frame, and a ring member threaded through a corresponding one of the fastening apertures in the cards. The cards hang from the rings so that the cards may be rotated around the mounting frame to permit alternate display of the indicia on the cards. In one specific embodiment, the mounting frame defines a plurality of holes aligned in spaced relation along a length of the mounting frame and one of the ring members is threaded through each of the holes. In another specific embodiment of the invention, the mounting frame is shaped into an inverted-U and a support member is attached to a second end of each of the leg members. The support member has an end configured to be driven into the ground.

Abstract: A detachable cup indicator is provided for connection to a golf flag stick for indicating the cup position on a putting green. A flag holder having a flag stick attachment for releasably attaching a series of detachable coded flags is adapted for being received by a flag stick. A series of coded flags including a first golf flag having a first design for indicating a first placement of the golf hole on the green and a second golf flag having a second design for indicating a second placement of the golf hole on the green are interchangeably attached to the flag holder for indicating the position of the golf cup on the green.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting liquid level data for any composition of fuel contained in a vehicle fuel tank and for transmitting this data via a multiplex bus to a central vehicle computer. A first capacitor stores a charge proportional to the level of a full fuel tank. A second capacitor stores a charge proportional to the instant level of the fuel in the tank. A micro-controller in communication with the first and second capacitors and with the multiplex bus for controlling the discharge of the capacitors, The micro-controller determines the absolute level of the fuel and transmits the data to the multiplex bus.

Abstract: A method for collecting liquid temperature data from a fuel tank id achieved by providing a thermal sensitive resistive element that produces a value proportional to the liquid's temperature, a capacitor for storing a charge representative of this value, and a resistor through which the capacitor is discharged. Circuitry and software is provided that compares the voltage across the resistor to a reference as the capacitor discharges, determines the number of clock counts for which a predetermined relationship exists between the voltage across the resistor and the reference, then consults a table to determine an absolute temperature based on this clock count.

Abstract: A device for assigning numbers to products having casings, such as electronic calculators, has at least two digit wheels, each preferably having digits 0 through 9. One of the digit wheels is transparent, while the other may be opaque, with a light background. The digits on each of the two wheels are offset from radial lines such that two-digit numbers can be made with selected digits juxtaposed. If three digit wheels are included the tens wheel has digits centered on radial lines. The casing of the product to be numbered has a number viewing window and an internal peg on which the digit wheels are held and can be rotated for adjustment, as well as at least one peg or pin for engaging registry holes to align and maintain the digit wheels in proper position. In a preferred embodiment the digit wheels are manipulated to the proper number by removing the back from the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the temperature of a liquid fuel stored in a tank of a vehicle includes a thermal sensitive resistor immersed in the fuel. The resistor charges a capacitor to a level indicative of the temperature of the fuel. A programmable microprocessor signals a gate to open a communication path between the capacitor and a discharge resistor, then monitors the number of clock counts that occur before the voltage across the discharge resistor drops below a reference voltage. The microprocessor uses the clock count to determine the absolute fuel temperature, which it transmits to a central vehicle computer via a multiplexed data bus system.

Abstract: A device for marking a vehicle is provided having a base for attaching the device to the vehicle. A cantilevered support rod is pivotally connected with the base to permit pivotal movement and positioning of the rod relative to the base. A hollow marking sleeve having an outer transparent tube and an inner fluorescent liner disposed within the tube slidably mounts onto the support rod for marking the vehicle. The sleeve engages the support rod with sufficient contact force to retain the sleeve in position on the support rod. The sleeve is slidably removable from the support rod so that the sleeve may be pulled from the support rod.

Abstract: The present electronic multi-purpose material level sensor is based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) of very short electrical pulses. Pulses are propagated along a transmission line that is partially immersed in a liquid, powder, or other substance such as grain in a silo. The time difference of the reflections at the start of the transmission line and the air/liquid interface are used to determine levels to better than 0.01 inch. The sensor is essentially independent of circuit element and temperature variations, and can be mass produced at an extremely low price. The transmission line may be a Goubau line, microstrip, coaxial cable, twin lead, CPS or CPW, and may typically be a strip placed along the inside wall of a tank. The reflected pulses also contain information about strata within the liquid such as sludge-build-up at the bottom of an oil tank.

Abstract: The High Accuracy Electronic Material Level Sensor (electronic dipstick) is a sensor based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) of very short electrical pulses. Pulses are propagated along a transmission line or guide wire that is partially immersed in the material being measured; a launcher plate is positioned at the beginning of the guide wire. Reflected pulses are produced at the material interface due to the change in dielectric constant. The time difference of the reflections at the launcher plate and at the material interface are used to determine the material level.

Abstract: A small, compact device which, when dropped or thrown from a moving vehicle, opens up and causes a visible flag or marker to be deployed at the upper end of a spring wire originally contained within the device. The device is formed of two mating cylindrical or spherical sections held together by a frangible or easily breakable bonding assembly which will fracture or open under the stress caused by dropping the device and subsequent contact with the ground. While riding or operating a piece of machinery, should a pothole be located or, if for any other reason, should the operator wish to mark a location, he merely drops one of these devices, the unit hits the ground, opens, and the marker deploys.

Abstract: A gauge includes a transparent pointer driven through gears by a stepper motor offset from the pointer axis. An output gear on the pointer axis is transparent and has a first hub supporting the pointer and a second hub aligned with a lamp, so that light is passed through the output gear to the pointer. The first hub has retention pads molded onto its side. The pointer has a tubular sleeve with axial slots to allow expansion and has retention ribs which ride over the pads upon assembly and snap over the pads to secure the pointer in an axially fixed position. The sleeve also has tapered axial ribs which slide between the pads during assembly to angularly orient the pointer.

Abstract: A floatless liquid level gauge assembly utilizing polymeric resistive/conductive elements is provided which measures the liquid level of partially conductive or conductive liquids in a tank using a three terminal voltage divider network or a two terminal voltage or current network. The polymeric resistive/conductive element(s) extending into the tank and the liquid in the tank provide an electrical path which provides a signal proportional to the liquid level in the tank.

Abstract: A utility pipe displacement sensor comprises a protective housing and an indicator stick disposed in a vertical position within the housing. The indicator stick is capable of displacement within the housing and is maintained in its vertical position within the housing by the use of centralizing discs or nails. The sensor is arranged in such a manner that the lower ends of both the housing and the indicator stick are in communication with the outer surface of a buried utility pipe. Due to this arrangement, any displacement of the utility pipe is translated into a visually perceptible displacement of the indicator stick within the housing. Thus, any displacement of the utility pipe can be determined by determining the position of the indicator stick with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A marking element for indicating whether a pre-defined temperature condition has been maintained. The marking element comprises a first material capable of flowing above a predetermined temperature separated from a second absorbent material by a barrier layer. The first and second materials are such that when the barrier layer is punctured and the predetermined temperature is exceeded the first material flows along the second material to produce a detectable change.

Abstract: A liquid level monitoring system for underground storage tanks includes a submersible monitoring pipe having telescoping sections that are spring biased to an extended position enabling the pipe to be self-mounted within the tank between its upper and lower walls adjacent to and offset axially from a selected axis opening in the tank, such as the discharge opening which normally accommodates the pump for the tank. The pipe houses an electronic level sensor which is coupled to an above ground control system via conductor wires. A tank adapter is secured to the tank opening and provided with a passage through which the conductor wires extend for routing out of the tank without interfering with the clearance normally provided for insertion and removal of the pump.

Abstract: The wind detector contains a freely movable main section that has wings which will respond to a wind current. The detector is small and light weight so that it will fit into the pocket of a hunter. In addition to having an ability to show wind direction, the detector has a scent container that contains a scent which will mask the hunter's scent and emit a scent attractive to a hunted animal.