Abstract: This patent presents a method of operating an apparatus and the apparatus which is a pneumatically operated fluid pump including a compressed air driven blow chamber which forces fluid into a collecting and measuring means that is emptied via siphoning techniques to control a blow and flood regulator responsive to the weight of the collected fluid.

Abstract: A glove apparatus for deterring thumbsucking, including a glove body to which is affixed a battery-operated electrical alarm arrangement. The alarm arrangement includes a module containing a battery, an alarm device, and an electrical contact mounted in the wristband of the glove body for surface contact by the electrical contact with the user's wrist. An electrical wire lead extending through the glove body connects the module electrically with another electrical contact insulatively attached to the outward surface of the thumb portion of the glove body to be exposed outwardly without being in surface or other electrical contact with the user's thumb. When the user inserts the thumb into the mouth, a continuous electrical circuit is completed through the alarm arrangement and through the user's body to enable the battery to activate the alarm device to sound an audible alarm alerting the user to remove the thumb from the mouth.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid-containing tank and method of making same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a flow passage therethrough and such flow passage has a central rectilinear flow axis and an inlet and an outlet which have central axes common with such axis. the valve assembly has a device which is operable from the bottom of its tank and is movable between open and closed positions thereof and once moved to its open position enables substantially free unobstructed flow of fluid through the valve assembly parallel to the axis and with minimum pressure drop to thereby enable a maximum rate of fluid transfer through such valve assembly, and the inlet is adapted to provide complete drainage of fluid within the tank.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with a new device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention a new butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has new heat exchange devices comprising same for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A manually actuated fluid flow control valve assembly and method of making same are provided wherein the valve assembly has an associated support structure and has a manually operated handle operatively connected to a closure device for the valve assembly and the handle is manually movable between an open and closed position thereof which define corresponding open and closed positions of the closure device and wherein the valve assembly has a manually releasable means which includes automatic lock means for automatically locking the handle once the handle and its closure device are in a closed position. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention an improved manually operated handle is provided for such valve assembly, and such handle has a weakened portion which assures easy shearing thereof under certain conditions.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with an improved device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention an improved butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has improved heat exchange means disposed in the outer periphery of its valve body structure for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A marine trap 10 for shrimp, crabs, lobster and the like is disclosed which includes a frame structure 11 defining a top, bottom and a plurality of sides. A net 15 covers frame 11 on its top, bottom and sides to form an enclosure. A mouth 16 and net 15 is formed on the top of the trap 10 to permit entry of suitably sized marine animals. A pair of cables 20 and 21 are hooked by one end to opposite sides of the bottom of frame 11 and by their respective opposite ends to opposite sides of mouth 16 and define an inwardly extending, funnel-shaped top with mouth 16 at the apex of the funnel. To empty trap 10, cables 20 and 21 are released from mouth 16 and trap 10 is inverted. The net 15 falls downwardly into an outwardly extending funnel-shaped position permitting the contents of trap 10 to be poured through mouth 16.

Abstract: A liquid or powder material can be dispersed by the application of electrostatic fields. The phenomena, referred to as "electrodispersion" is the dispersion by an intense electric field of part of a static bed of liquid or powder into a stable cloud of rapidly moving particles, and the maintenance of a dynamic equilibrium between the static and dispersed phases. The density of the dispersed cloud of particles varies with a number of factors, including the field strength and the nature of the powder. The electrodeposition effect is employed to produce a uniform and durable coating of controlled thickness on the individual particles, by the generation of a vapor of the desired coating--typically a metal or semiconductor material--and allowing the vapor to permeate the dispersed particles. The electric field ensures that only the particles are coated, and the dispersed particles, having the same charge, repel each other, avoiding agglomeration.

Abstract: A system for the collection and storage of energy, wherein compressed air from any source is utilized to make a fully automatic, sequential series of chamber-to-chamber blow-type vertical water lifts to an elevated water storage reservoir. Potential energy stored in the reservoir is extracted by means of an hydraulic air compressor located below the reservoir and functioning by virtue of the resultant pressure head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating alternating current electrical power conducted to an electrical load wherein a gate control bidirectional semiconductor switch is controlled by a sensing circuit which includes feedback elements for responding to fluctuation in voltage supplied from a power source and in current demanded by the load for maintaining a predetermined average voltage delivered through the apparatus and in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A system for converting a constant pressure head of water into compressed air which may be utilized to transfer the potential energy of the pressure head to remote work sites.

Abstract: An alarm device and system which is adaptable to a variety of uses and conditions for protecting homes, equipment, buildings and the like by alerting or informing distant or nearby personnel to changes of conditions from within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A trap for fish, crabs and the like, characterized by a substantial portion thereof being flexible and collapsible for increasing capacity while facilitating storage, safety and handling. The trap comprises an enclosure defined by a large flexible net secured to and communicating with a smaller and substantially rigid base carrying a bait well. Affixed to the net is flotation means whereby the net expands upwardly while under water increasing capacity while properly aligning the base on the underwater floor. Means are provided in the enclosure for baiting the bait well, for entrance of fish, crabs and the like and for emptying the trap. Location and retrieval means are affixed to the trap for retrieval, preferably base first.

Abstract: Disclosed are longitudinally slidable gates for the longitudinally extending outlet ports of arcuately walled irrigation pipes, the gates being of the general type wherein a gasketed inner-plate cooperates with and is longitudinally co-movable with an outer cover member slidably disposed at the pipe outside surface. The gate concept disclosed herein includes a boss attached to and extending radially outwardly from the inner-plate and longitudinally guided by the pipe water outlet port, the gate cover member being afforded vertically movable relationship to the inner-plate and resiliently urged theretoward and to the intervening pipe wall with disjointed separable spring means to accommodate the pipe wall given finite-thickness. Preferably, the boss includes a transverse bridge defining a boss longitudinal bore to accommodate therealong an inexpensive, reliable and rugged leaf spring, which might be desireably independently formed of reinforced resinous material.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, particularly one for use in the production of foil, in which the cathode comprises a rotating drum having a conforming anode spaced therefrom with a melded fibre interlayer. The interlayer remains stationary while the drum rotates over the fibrous surface, thereby breaking up the depleted barrier layer adjacent the cathode, avoiding arcing and reducing the tendency for the cathode deposit to grow in a modular manner.

Abstract: The high-torque ratchet wrench comprises two parallel side plates. Each plate has at one end thereof a bore. An annular ratchet wheel and a cooperating pawl are operatively disposed between the plates. The ratchet wheel defines a socket and carries a plurality of angularly-spaced teeth. A hub laterally extends from each side of the wheel. The hubs are rotatably mounted in the bores of the plates. The pawl has a head end portion which is pivotable about a pivot axis. A pivot pin including the pivot axis transversely extends between the plates for pivotally mounting the pawl between the plates. A pawl arm extends radially from the pivot pin relative to the wheel. The free end of the pawl is formed with a laterally extending segment relative to the wheel. The pawl segment has teeth on its side edge adapted to mesh with the ratchet wheel teeth.

Abstract: A battery-connection system for a battery having a pair of battery terminals of opposite polarity and positionable in either of two reversed positionings relative to distribution means. The distribution means includes a pair of spaced electrical terminals of particular and opposite polarity electrically connected with a unit to be powered. A carrier interpositioned between the battery and distribution means including a first pair of electrical contacts in singularly-polarized electrical contacting engagement with the respective battery terminals and a second pair of spaced electrical contacts electrically connected with respective ones of the first pair of contacts for singularly-polarized electrical contacting engagement with the respective pair of distribution means terminals. Each contact of the carrier second pair is of opposite polarity to the other, and comprises a set of plural alternate contacts of the same polarity.