Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided which is improved in terms of its heating efficiencies over prior commercially available patio heaters. The heating apparatus includes a burner assembly housing containing a burner assembly for igniting fuel from a fuel source. The housing has a perforated wall so that the hot gases inside the housing can escape from the housing interior with the wall heating up so as to radiate infrared heat therefrom. The apparatus has a heat efficiency system which causes substantially all of the heat emanating from the housing to be used for heating of a preselected area about the apparatus. The heat efficiency system maximizes the amount of heat that is directed in a generally downward direction into the preselected area below the housing so as to minimize the heat loss and thus the amount of fuel that is necessary for heating of the preselected area.

Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided which is improved in terms of its heating efficiencies over prior commercially available patio heaters. The heating apparatus includes a burner assembly housing containing a burner assembly for igniting fuel from a fuel source. The housing has a perforated wall so that the hot gases inside the housing can escape from the housing interior with the wall heating up so as to radiate infrared heat therefrom. The apparatus has a heat efficiency system which causes substantially all of the heat emanating from the housing to be used for heating of a preselected area about the apparatus. The heat efficiency system maximizes the amount of heat that is directed in a generally downward direction into the preselected area below the housing so as to minimize the heat loss and thus the amount of fuel that is necessary for heating of the preselected area.

Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided which is improved in terms of its heating efficiencies over prior commercially available patio heaters. The heating apparatus includes a burner assembly housing containing a burner assembly for igniting fuel from a fuel source. The housing has a perforated wall so that the hot gases inside the housing can escape from the housing interior with the wall heating up so as to radiate infrared heat therefrom. The apparatus has a heat efficiency system which causes substantially all of the heat emanating from the housing to be used for heating of a preselected area about the apparatus. The heat efficiency system maximizes the amount of heat that is directed in a generally downward direction into the preselected area below the housing so as to minimize the heat loss and thus the amount of fuel that is necessary for heating of the preselected area.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that prevents overfilling of vessels, such as tanks used to hold liquified gas, beyond a predetermined maximum level. Preferably, the valve assembly is for use with an LP tank attached at the bottom of a service valve thereof. The valve assembly has a valve member controlled for shifting by a float assembly that rises and falls with the fluid level in the tank. The float assembly keeps the valve member removed from the flow of fluid through the valve housing during tank filling operations in a chamber of a diverter member until the maximum fill level is approached when the float assembly allows the valve member to begin to shift into a blocking position projecting from the diverter member restricting flow into the tank and eventually cutting it off when the maximum fill level is attained.

Abstract: An electronic gun lock for a firearm which includes an electronic lock enclosure, a locking shaft member, and an optional locking shell. The locking shell, if used, is disposed within a bullet chamber of the firearm, and is adapted to fit both the firearm's bullet chamber and the locking shaft member. The locking shaft member includes an axially moveable elongated locking rod which is moveable between an unlocked position where the locking rod is slidable with respect to the locking shell (or bullet chamber if no locking shell is used) and a locked position where the locking rod is restrained against axial movement with respect to the locking shell (or bullet chamber). A releasable actuator contactly engages and moves the locking rod between the unlocked position and the locked position. A solenoid includes a moveable arm and is responsive to a control signal to cause the moveable arm to allow the actuator to move the locking rod between the unlocked position and the locked position.

Abstract: A pet training system incorporating a transmitter and a pet collar. The transmitter includes a radio-frequency signal generator, with a power supply, for generating a low amplitude RF signal; the RF signal is applied to a radiation antenna, through appropriate connectors, so that the transmitter radiates an RF field in or around a designated area the pet is intended to avoid. The pet collar includes a receiving antenna and a shock device or other deterrent device actuated when the pet, wearing the collar, approaches the designated area. The radiation antenna includes at least three and preferably as many as eight or more series connected conductors so that the RF field extends an appreciable distance from the radiation antenna.

Abstract: An improved automated self-cleaning litter box for cats, of the kind having a housing defining an upwardly open chamber for storage of a supply of cat litter, accessible to a cat and having path members on opposed side walls defining a comb path from one end of the chamber to the other. A comb, normally stored at the comb storage end of the chamber, is driven forward along the path to the discharge end of the chamber and back to its original storage position. As the comb traverses the chamber forwardly it engages any clumps of waste in the litter and carries them to a disposal receptacle at the discharge end of the chamber. The improvement includes a sensor for sensing the presence of a cat in the litter chamber; a photo electric sensor is preferred, but an infra red, weight, or even an audible sensor can be used. A delay device actuates the comb drive a predetermined time interval after the sensor ceases to sense the presence of a cat in the litter chamber.

Abstract: A mold for molding articles of plastic or other like materials, having a plurality of vertically extending internal passages, is connected by inlet and return conduits into a closed loop that includes a heat exchanger partially filled with a liquid supply of a cooling fluid or a heating fluid. For cooling the heat exchanger is positioned with its liquid level above the top of the mold, the inlet conduit connects the lower part of the heat exchanger, below the liquid level, to the lower ends of the mold passages, and the return conduit connects the upper ends of the mold passages to the upper part of the heat exchanger; for heating these relationships are reversed. In operation the fluid changes its physical state at critical points in the mold passages, going from liquid to vapor for cooling and from vapor to liquid for heating; circulation in the closed loop is in response to the effect of gravity. Operation of the heat exchanger is controlled to maintain a controlled pressure in the closed loop.

Abstract: A mold for molding articles of plastic or other like materials, having a plurality of vertically extending internal passages, is connected by inlet and return conduits into a closed loop that includes a heat exchanger partially filled with a liquid supply of a cooling fluid or a heating fluid. For cooling the heat exchanger is positioned with its liquid level above the top of the mold, the inlet conduit connects the lower part of the heat exchanger, below the liquid level, to the lower ends of the mold passages, and the return conduit connects the upper ends of the mold passages to the upper part of the heat exchanger; for heating these relationships are reversed. In operation the fluid changes its physical state at critical points in the mold passages, going from liquid to vapor for cooling and from vapor to liquid for heating; circulation in the closed loop is in response to the effect of gravity. Operation of the heat exchanger is controlled to maintain a controlled pressure in the closed loop.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for controlled cooling of an extruded plastic product. As the product exits the extrusion die, it passes through an elongated shell. The shell surrounds the die at its inner end and extends outwardly along the extrusion. A seal ring at the outer end of the shell engages the exterior of the extruded product; the shell, seal ring, and product define an annular cooling chamber through which a coolant is circulated through the cooling chamber, the coolant exiting through an annular cooling chamber extension in the die. For a hollow extruded product, the apparatus further includes an internal cooling tube that extends axially through the interior of the hollow product. The tube ends at a seal cap that engages the internal surface of the hollow product. The tube and seal cap define a second, internal cooling chamber through which coolant circulates; the coolant enters throught the end of the tube opposite the seal cap and exits through an annular recess in the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a dehumidified atmosphere or other controlled atmosphere around the mold of a reciprocating-platen molding press, in which a sheet of light weight flexible material, preferably a transparent plastic film, is mounted on the platens, as by a plurality of permanent magnets, to form an open bottom tent enclosing both halves of the mold. For a dehumidified atmosphere, a dehumidifier generates a stream of warm dry air that is continuously discharged into the tent, from locations adjacent each platen, with a volume sufficient to maintain the tent inflated for all platen positions despite continuing air loss through the open bottom of the tent. The dehumidifier preferably uses a chilled water supply that is also employed to cool the molds in order to obtain automatic dew point correction. For other atmospheres, an appropriate source is substituted for the dehumidifier.

Abstract: A converter for connecting a second condenser in series in a process fluid chilling loop system including a compressor, a discharge service valve mounted on the compressor outlet, a condenser, and a refrigerant-to-process fluid heat exchanger. The converter includes a housing, mounted on the compressor interposed between the compressor outlet and the discharge service valve, which includes first and second separate transfer chambers. The first transfer chamber connects directly to the compressor discharge port and the second transfer chamber connects directly to the discharge service valve. Each transfer chamber is connected to an external port on the housing by a plurality of small tunnel passages, thereby affording a thin, flat converter for connecting a second condenser in series with the system. An inclined web that extends from an annular wall on one side of the housing to an annular wall on the other side of the housing divides the housing into the first and second separate transfer chambers.

Abstract: An improved automated self-cleaning litter box for cats, of the kind having a housing defining an upwardly open chamber for storage of a supply of cat litter, accessible to a cat and having path members on opposed side walls defining a comb path from one end of the chamber to the other. A comb, normally stored at the comb storage end of the chamber, is driven forward along the path to the discharge end of the chamber and back to its original storage position. As the comb traverses the chamber forwardly it engages any clumps of waste in the litter and carries them to a disposal receptacle at the discharge end of the chamber. The improvement includes a sensor for sensing the presence of a cat in the litter chamber; a photo electric sensor is preferred, but an infra red, weight, or even an audible sensor can be used. A delay device actuates the comb drive a predetermined time interval after the sensor ceases to sense the presence of a cat in the litter chamber.