Abstract: An apparatus for demonstrating the conversion of solar energy to mechanical energy, the apparatus comprising:a solar energy device which collects and converts solar energy to electrical energy;a motor connected to the solar energy device for receiving electrical energy therefrom, the motor having a rotatable shaft which is rotatably drivable by the received electrical energy;wherein the motor is fixedly connected to a portable platform having a pair of hand grip surfaces spaced a selected straight line distance apart from each other;wherein a tube or rod having a longitudinal axis is fixedly connected or interconnected at an end thereof to the drive shaft of the motor such that the tube or rod is rotatably drivable around its longitudinal axis; andwherein the tube or rod is fixedly connected or interconnected to the drive shaft of the motor such that the longitudinal axis of the tube or rod is oriented approximately perpendicular to the straight line distance between the hand grip surfaces of the platform.

Abstract: In an automobile having a primary engine fueled by a primary source of fossil fuel energy, the primary engine and an auxiliary motor device are drivably connected to one or more ground engagement wheels of the automobile. A solar energy collecting device is mounted on the automobile for exposure to solar energy, and has an energy supply mechanism that routes energy collected by the solar energy collecting device to the auxiliary motor device. A control mechanism operates so that either energy is routed from the energy supply device to the auxiliary motor device, or energy is prevented from being routed to the auxiliary motor device.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating a current in a swimming pool against which a swimmer can swim-in-place in the pool, the pool comprising a water basin having an upper rim and being filled with water up to a predetermined upper level below the rim, the apparatus comprising a propeller and a motor mechanism for driving the propeller; a mechanism connected to the propeller for positioning the propeller at selected depth below the upper level of water in the basin such that when the propeller is driven the propeller generates a current of water flowing in a selected direction between about 0.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for trays or the like comprising a framework for supporting a conveyor path along which the trays are to be conveyed; the framework having side rails for aligning the trays in a uniform orientation along the path of the apparatus; a plurality of freely rotating rollers mounted on the framework between the side rails; the rollers being mounted on the framework in serial spaced relationship such that the uppermost tangential surfaces of successive rollers lie in a continuous plane defining a support surface for the trays; a plurality of wheels mounted to the framework between the rails, the wheels having whiskers protruding from the circumference thereof; the whiskers being bendable from a position in which the whiskers normally protrude from the wheels and resiliently reformable back to the position in which the whiskers normally protrude; the wheels being mounted serially along the length of the conveyor path and between the rollers such that the whiskers extend above the continuous plane

Abstract: A flatware washer comprising a cogged endless belt mechanism mounted lengthwise in a vertical orientation within a water containment housing; the top end of the cogged belt mechanism being hung around a drive wheel mechanism having complementary cogs mating with the cogs of the belt mechanism; the drive wheel mechanism being mounted at the top of the housing and supporting the belt mechanism in a vertical lengthwise orientation such that a curved bottom end section of the belt mechanism is spaced above the bottom edge of the housing and such that a pair of relatively elongated lengthwise sections of the belt extend downwardly from around the drive wheel mechanism in substantially parallel opposing relationship; the curved bottom end section of the hung belt mechanism being open for receiving a plurality of pieces of flatware between the pair of lengthwise sections; the drive wheel mechanism being connected to a drive mechanism programmed to drivably oscillate the wheel mechanism between predetermined degrees

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which accomplishes the drying of wet cafeteria or the like trays without benefit of heat and with low energy consumption. Wet trays are presented to the apparatus and conveyed through it one-at-a-time, bottom side up, and in such a manner that the leading side edge of the wet tray is at an angle less than normal to the tray's direction of travel. The wet tray while passing through the apparatus is subjected, top and bottom, to high velocity air which strips the water from the tray, the water being then discharged from the system.

Abstract: A conveyor chain for a dishwashing system which chain includes a plurality of pinned links and travels on a conveyor pan and supports at least in part racks to be carried. The links are pinned for movement about a vertical axis (in a horizontal plane). Paired wheels are pinned to the links and lie in planes that form acute angles with the pan. This minimizes lateral sliding friction between the wheels of the links and the pan and therefore, wear, when the chain travels through a non-linear portion of the pan.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided which includes a conveyor table which has an advancing section wherein a conveyor transports racks of small objects from a loading position to a position wherein the racks can be removed from the conveyor or unloaded, and a return section wherein the conveyor returns unloaded racks positioned on their sides to the loading point where the racks can be again loaded with small objects or removed from the conveyor for storage, or until later needed. The conveyor is an endless length of a plurality of links joined together head-to-toe, next adjacent links being connected together in such a manner as to allow horizontal pivotal motion permitting the conveyor to move in a curved direction. Each link provides support for the racks and is in turn supported on a rotatable member which makes only line contact with the conveyor table as the conveyor is moved along the conveyor table.

Abstract: A flatware processing system is provided for commercial food service wherein a pre-soaking unit for the flatware is provided in combination with a dishwashing machine and the flatware is pre-soaked with hot detergent water prior to being introduced into the dishwashing machine. Additionally, a flatware basket is provided for use in the dishwashing machine which allows better washing and rinsing of the flatware.

Abstract: A sailing simulator wherein a sailboat is tethered to a circular guide rail, which guide rail is slidably secured to the walls of a reservoir. A propeller provides a motive force for the sailboat. Either natural or artificial wind is provided and within the limits of the reservoir all sailing maneuvers, except running with the wind, can be simulated.

Abstract: A rope tow for use on a ski slope. Rollers are rotatably mounted one above the other on a fixed frame; the bearing surfaces are in frictional engagement. One of the bearing surfaces has a plurality of ridges. A knotted endless rope is passed through the engaged surfaces. The ridges clamp the rope as it passes therethrough to prevent slippage.

Abstract: A cost monitoring system for a dishwashing operation is disclosed. The pumps and/or valves through which the water flows in a dishwashing operation are monitored. Monitoring devices provide outputs on identical cost basis. These outputs are combined and a visual display provided of the cost attendant to the dishwashing operation.