Abstract: A capacitive sensor is shielded against external electric fields to maximize measurement accuracy. The sensor may include two coaxial, tubular conductors with a chamber between them into which a material sample to be measured is introduced. A measurement circuit connected to the sensor may include a reference oscillator that oscillates at a constant frequency and a test oscillator that oscillates at a frequency responsive to sensor capacitance. The circuit may display a value responsive to the difference between the test and reference frequencies. The circuit may also reverse the polarity of the signal applied to the sensor to minimize charge buildup, a phase-locked loop frequency measuring circuit, a temperature compensating circuit, and a non-linearity compensating circuit. The indicating circuit that displays a representation of the measured capacitance may display a continuous-scale or proportional representation or may display a binary or “go-nogo” representation.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes one or more chambers through which a material can flow. Two conductors are located to partially surround the flow chamber so that the material flows between the conductors. Where more than one chamber is used, additional conductors are provided. A measurement circuit connected to the conductors provides an output corresponding to a difference between test and reference frequencies. A display indicates the measured capacitance as a continuous-scale, proportional representation or a binary representation. The sensor system can measure volume charge density of a fluid or parameters responsive to changes in volume charge density, such as flow velocity.

Abstract: A double-acting, weight distributing trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to a tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a rearwardly extending drawbar extension, which are pivotably connected along substantially vertical axis by a yoke. The drawbar extension is pivotally connected to the yoke by a cam. The drawbar extension is also mounted pivotably to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotably interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension.

Abstract: A double-acting, weight distributing trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to a tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a rearwardly extending drawbar extension, which are pivotably connected along substantially vertical axis by a yoke. The drawbar extension is pivotally connected to the yoke by a cam. The drawbar extension is also mounted pivotably to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotably interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension.

Abstract: A double-acting, weight distributing trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to a tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a rearwardly extending drawbar extension, which are pivotably connected along substantially vertical axis by a yoke. The drawbar extension is pivotally connected to the yoke by a cam. The drawbar extension is also mounted pivotably to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotably interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension.

Abstract: A double-acting, reduced tongue weight trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to the tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a drawbar extension pivotally connected to the second coupling component along a vertical axis. The drawbar extension is pivotally interconnected to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotally interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension. A spring assembly dampens upward and downward movement of the trailer relative to the drawbar extension.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch apparatus includes a drawbar assembly, which is interconnected to a tow vehicle and includes an elongate bar and a component that is pivotally interconnected and angularly adjustable relative to the bar. A hitch head assembly includes a ball component attached to a ball coupler on the trailer. A drawbar extension is suspended from the ball component and a height adjustment channel is pivotally interconnected to the drawbar extension. A horn is slidably received by the channel. The horn and the angularly adjustable drawbar component are selectively coupled to interconnect the trailer to the tow vehicle. A dual action, pre-loaded spring interconnects the trailer and the drawbar extension to provide improved dampening and bounce control.

Abstract: An adjustable coupler apparatus for a trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitch head assembly. The drawbar assembly is interconnected to a tow vehicle and includes an elongate bar and a drawbar angle adjuster that is pivotally interconnected and angularly adjustable relative to the bar. The hitch head assembly includes a ball component and a channel that is pivotally interconnected to the ball component. A horn is slidably received by the channel. The horn and the drawbar angle adjuster are selectively coupled to interconnect the trailer to the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a tubular outer conductor, a tubular inner conductor coaxial with the outer conductor, and an electrically insulated chamber between the inner and outer conductors. The material sample to be measured is introduced into the chamber. The sensor is shielded against electric fields to maximize measurement accuracy. The shielding completely encloses the chamber during operation and may include a removable cap, a valve, or a screen made of a conductive material. A measurement circuit connected to the sensor includes a reference oscillator that oscillates at a constant frequency and a test oscillator that oscillates at a frequency determined by the sensor capacitance. A circuit displays a value representing the sensor capacitance in response to the frequency difference between the test oscillator frequency and the reference oscillator frequency.

Abstract: A cam actuated apparatus is provided for frictionally controlling trailer sway. The apparatus includes a support frame mounted to the trailer and accommodating an elongate sway bar, which bar pivotally engages and extends rearwardly from a ball mount on a standard trailer hitch. A brake assembly is mounted to the support frame and includes first and second brake components sandwiched about the sway bar. The brake components are mounted so as to be selectively compressible and separable with respect to one another and the sway bar. A cam element is mounted to the support frame such that the cam element is axially pivotable. The cam element is pivotally driven, such as by a handle or a motor driven worm gear, into a selected one of a plurality of positions. A resilient biasing assembly interengages the cam element and the brake assembly and is responsive to pivoting of the cam element into a selected position for applying a corresponding degree of compressive force to the first and second brake components.

Abstract: A water closet (10) for conserving water which has a siphon jet (30) in the bowl (12) for initiating evacuation of the contents of the bowl through the trap (26), and a flush water storage tank (14) that includes chambers (68) and (72) through which water can flow in measured quantities, first to the siphon jet for initiating the siphon action, and second, to the bowl (12) for rinse purposes in a timed-delay action so that substantially no mixing of the rinse water with the contents of the bowl occurs.

Abstract: A knock-down portable toilet facility that has components made of thermoplastic material and which can be shipped in a disassembled state, and which can be erected at a site of intended use by interconnecting the components.

Abstract: A trailer hitch carriage connected to a towing vehicle and coupled to a trailer to reduce the downward trailer load carried by the towing vehicle. The trailer hitch carriage includes a frame mounted on wheels with the trailer being coupled to the frame at a predetermined location forwardly of the wheels so that the hitch carriage carries a portion of the trailer load. The trailer hitch carriage, in addition to reducing the downward trailer load carried by the towing vehicle, stabilizes the trailer against side forces generated by air turbulence formed by passing vehicles or crosswinds.

Abstract: A portable toilet is provided with a bowl having an outlet port in its bottom, this being closed by a yoke shaped, pivotal valve member movable between a first position in which it closes the outlet port and a second position in which it uncovers the port. An actuation member moves relative to the valve member and cooperating cam surfaces on the valve member and actuation member urge the valve member upwardly to seal the outlet port upon such relative movement.

Abstract: Toilet apparatus that has a plurality of improved features including: a sealing mechanism for closing the bottom opening of a toilet bowl so that the effectiveness of the seal is maintained over extended periods of time, a flushing circuit that has a water reservoir that assures proper depth is achieved in the pool of water that is formed after the sealing mechanism is closed, an over flow tube which assures that the water seal therein is maintained, and a control valve which has an inlet fitting that assures that damage to the valve or related parts does not occur during installation of the toilet apparatus.

Abstract: A portable sanitation unit is disclosed of the type having two vertically stacked sections, the lower section being a holding tank and the upper section including a toilet bowl, a water tank for storage of water for flush purposes, and an improved pump apparatus for flushing the toilet bowl, said apparatus comprising an electrically operated pump that can be energized from any suitable electrical source, such as a portable battery, an electrical receptacle in a motor vehicle, a cottage, a marine vessel, or the like.

Abstract: A portable toilet that has a lower holding tank with an inlet port in the top wall, and removably supported thereon an upper unit that contains a toilet bowl with an oulet port in registry with said inlet port, a flush water storage tank and flush means for discharging flush water from the storage tank into said bowl. Improved features include apparatus in the adjacent top and bottom walls of the holding tank and upper unit for releasably clamping them together, a discharge spout for the holding tank located between the adjacent walls so that the outlet of the spout is in a cavity in the bottom wall of the upper unit above the liquid level of the holding tank, and a valve-and-nozzle assembly and associated flexible conduit from the flush pump which is constructed and arranged to press fit all of the components together and mount them in proper location with respect to the toilet bowl.