Abstract: A portable, high-pressure, power washing system is described which includes an electric motor driven gear pump where the electric motor is effectively water cooled by virtue of being contained in a thermally conductive housing surrounded by an insulating water jacket through which the water being pumped is made to flow before reaching the pump's inlet port. The pump is driven through a gear reduction mechanism such that a relatively inexpensive, single-phase, series AC (universal) motor normally operating at a high rpm can be employed. By proper dimensioning of the pump chamber relative to the drive and idler gears and by providing a flow divider at the pump chamber's discharge orifice, high pumping efficiency is obtained. Completing the assembly is a discharge wand for directing the high pressure water at the surface to be cleaned and for controlling the on/off state of the pump's drive motor.

Abstract: A corn popper includes a vessel open at the top, and a removable top cover. A handle integral with the cover includes a pistol grip portion relatively remote from the vessel when the cover is attached. A stirring mechanism, supported for rotation about a vertical axis within the vessel when the cover is attached, rotates responsive to the squeezing of a trigger mounted slidably with respect to the pistol grip section of the handle. The means for driving the stirring mechanism include a drive gear angularly fixed on the stirring mechanism, and a pinion movable linearly into and out of driving engagement with the drive gear, and also rotatable, by virtue of an extension of the trigger.

Abstract: A device for rotating food while cooked in a microwave oven includes a metal housing supported above the oven floor by dielectric feet, and a turntable mounted above the housing. The turntable is rotatable by virtue of a turntable shaft having downwardly extended legs forming a non-circular cross-section, insertable into a similarly configured bore within a drive shaft inside the housing. A detent, pivotally mounted beneath the housing, can be pivoted manually to a locking position in which an arm of the detent engages one of several notches formed in the turntable, to prevent further turntable rotation relative to the housing. A bearing assembly between the top of the housing and the turntable includes an annular frame, and a plurality of ball bearing-containing receptacles arranged symmetrically about the frame.