Abstract: A table apparatus for distributing air or cooled air to those seated at or near the table. The apparatus includes a motor, a fan and a means for cooling air that is forced through upper and lower table portions.

Abstract: A horizontal wind turbine with a vertical shaft and wind driven vanes that hang vertically when there is no wind, engage and drive the turbine when traveling with the wind and rotate toward a horizontal position when traveling into the wind.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing golf club grips. One end of the apparatus is connected to a fluid source and the other end to the golf grip. When the fluid source provides pressure and flow the grip expands (swells) away from the shaft and the grip moves longitudinally away from the shaft until the grip is removed.

Abstract: A transparent coupling for joining the ends of relatively soft plastic conduit. Visual inspection through the coupling affords confidence that the conduits have been installed in their proper position within the coupling. Internal circumferential barbs of the coupling penetrate the conduit and secure the conduit within the coupling and also provide a seal between the conduit and the coupling.

Abstract: A coupling is provided for joining the ends of relatively soft plastic conduit. Hinged shell halves contain gripping teeth that penetrate and secure the conduit ends together. Penetration of the gripping teeth into the plastic conduit is accomplished by toggle clamps that supply the necessary embedding force. A seal is provided that prevents leakage into or out of the joint between the conduit ends.

Abstract: A seal is provided to seal the area between a cable containing optic fibers and the terminal end of a conduit through which the cable runs. The seal consists of a resilient gasket and a supporting structure and a cam. The seal assembly, encompassing the cable, is inserted into the terminal end of a conduit that houses the cable. Actuation of a cam compresses a gasket into sealing contact with the cable and with the conduit, thereby sealing the terminal end of the conduit from entry of contaminants.

Abstract: An automatic moisture sensing and watering system detects a moisture level within the soil. The automatic moisture sensing and watering system may be implemented in combination with a conventional automatic watering system to accurately control a moisture content of a plot of soil. Since a plant draws water directly from the soil, the automatic moisture sensing and watering system is adapted for controlling the moisture content of the soil itself, by measuring the moisture content within the soil. The watering period of an automatic watering system may be changed, based upon a detected moisture content within a plot of soil. Alternatively, an amount of water to be applied at a next watering period may be changed, based upon a detected moisture content within the plot of soil.

Abstract: Remote starting of an internal combustion engine/electric generator set is obtained by sensing a connected appliance switch closure over the cord connecting the appliance to the generator and starting the combustion engine in response to that closure. After the engine is started the appliance is connected to the generator. After a predetermined time of nonuse of the appliance the combustion engine is stopped.

Abstract: A combination valve that provides both positive shut off and excessive flow shut off. A rotary valve is provided. In its first position an integral excessive flow shut off valve allows normal flow and shuts off if high flow occurs. In a second position the flow is shut off independent of the excessive flow valve. A third position is provided for purging a repaired or new system and for resetting the excessive flow shut off valve.

Abstract: A solid state electronic digital pressure gage which is responsive to the inlet pressure (P1) and the outlet pressure (P2) of a device undergoing a flow test to measure the pressure differential across the device at different flow rates. The pressure gage includes a housing, a face plate mounted on the housing, and a printed circuit board may be mounted on the back of the face plate on which various electronic circuitry, components and controls are mounted. Certain of the controls may be adjustable from the front of the face plate. A pair of solid state pressure transducers is mounted on the housing, and these transducers generate electric signals which are a function of the pressures applied to the transducers. The transducers are connected to an electronic signal difference determining circuit which is included in the electronic circuitry, and the difference determining circuit generates a signal representing the difference between the pressures applied to the two transducers.

Abstract: A shower water filter assembly which includes an elongated housing containing a cartridge of filter media, and which is connected to the water outlet in a shower. In order to permit the elongated housing to have sufficient length to efficiently perform a filtering function, a flexible hose is coupled to the bottom of the housing and extends through a tubular wand to the shower head. The wand and shower head are supported, for example, on the side of the cylindrical housing so as to provide sufficient elevation for the shower head for normal shower use. Alternatively, the wand and shower head may be removed from the supporting bracket and used manually for the shower.

Abstract: An electric controller for selectively activating a plurality of solenoid water valves in a irrigation system and on a pre-selected recurrent time basis. The controller features a molded chassis and a printed circuit board construction to provide a more rugged and simplified unit as compared with the prior art controllers of the same general type.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated pilot valve of the diaphragm type which includes an assembly for controlling the flow of liquid through the valve. The valve has particular although not exclusive utility for irrigation purposes. The valve includes a diaphragm chamber into which fluid is introduced to establish a fluid pressure which normally forces a diaphragm against an annular seat in the valve to assist a spring in maintaining the valve in a closed condition. A stationary bleed tube is provided which extends through the diaphragm into the diaphragm chamber. A solenoid is mounted on the cap of the valve, and the plunger of the solenoid normally closes off the upper end of the bleed tube. However, when the solenoid is energized, the plunger is withdrawn and the bleed tube opens and drains the diaphragm chamber sufficiently to reduce the pressure therein to a point at which the diaphragm is forced off its seat by upstream fluid pressure, and the valve is opened.

Abstract: A gear driven sprinkler head with a pop-up spray nozzle driven by a water-flow powered motor. The nozzle is rotated incrementally through an adjustable arc to irrigate a sector of a particular size, and it is automatically reversed at the end points of the selected irrigated sector. The nozzle may be interchanged with other nozzles to provide matched precipitation rates for sectors of different sizes. The feature of incremental rotation of the nozzle overcomes the problem of reduced throw distance at high rotational speeds encountered by the prior art assemblies of the same general type.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated pilot-actuated valve is provided of the diaphragm type which has particular utility for irrigation purposes. The valve also finds industrial utility where it is desirable to control large amounts of flow energy with a small control signal. The valve includes a diaphragm chamber into which fluid is introduced to establish a fluid pressure which normally forces the diaphragm against an annular seat in the valve to maintain the valve in a closed condition. A stationary bleed tube is provided which extends through the diaphragm into the diaphragm chamber. A solenoid plunger normally closes off the upper end of the bleed tube. However, when the solenoid is energized, the plunger is withdrawn and opens the bleed tube, the diaphragm chamber is drained sufficiently to reduce the pressure therein to a point at which the diaphragm is forced off its seat by the upstream fluid pressure, and the valve is opened.

Abstract: A motor driven diverter valve is provided which diverts fluid flow from a single inlet port to either one of two outlet ports, or vice versa. The valve finds general, although not exclusive, utility in solar heating systems for swimming pools, in which the valve is used selectively to divert water flow from the normal pump-filter loop of the pool installation through the solar collectors. In such an application, the diverter valve of the invention may be operated automatically in response to an electrical switching signal derived, for example, from a temperature controller in the solar heating control system, to direct the water through the solar collectors for one operating position of the valve, and to by-pass the solar collectors for a second operating position. The valve of the invention uses two synchronous permanent magnet drive motors which together consume less power than the conventional single shaded pole motor/gear box arrangement of the prior art.

Abstract: A valve module is provided which finds particular utility in a domestic solar water heater system. The solar water heater system includes a collector, a storage tank, and a circulating pump. The system also includes a solid state electronic control module which automatically stops the circulating pump when the temperature of the water in the collector drops below the temperature of the water in the storage system, so that water is circulated through the system only when solar heat is available to heat the water to a temperature above the temperature of the water already stored in the storage tank. The valve module, upon a signal from the control module, causes the water to drain out of the collector when the temperature of the water in the collector falls to freezing temperatures so as to prevent damage to the collector.

Abstract: A vent/vacuum breaker float valve assembly is provided which includes a float sub-assembly that moves a seal into engagement with a vent port seat when liquid enters the body of the valve to seal the inner valve chamber when all the air trapped in the chamber has been exhausted. The valve assembly also includes a poppet valve sub-assembly which closes and remains closed so long as the valve chamber is pressurized. However, when the liquid is removed from the valve chamber both the vent valve and the poppet valve open to the atmosphere to break the vacuum within the chamber and to allow air to replace the draining liquid.

Abstract: A domestic solar water heater system is provided which includes a collector, a storage tank, and a circulating pump. The system also includes a solid state electronic control module which automatically stops the circulating pump when the temperature of the water in the collector drops below the temperature of the water in the storage system, so that water is circulated through the system only when solar heat is available to heat the water to a temperature above the temperature of the water already stored in the storage tank. The system also includes a valve module which, upon a signal from the control module, causes the water to drain out of the collector when the temperature of the water in the collector falls to freezing temperatures so as to prevent damage to the collector. The control module also serves to stop the pump, to close the valve module, and to drain the collector when the temperature of the water in the storage tank reaches a predetermined maximum temperature.

Abstract: A normally-open pilot-operated valve assembly is provided which closes when a solenoid-operated pilot valve is energized. The pilot valve is open when the solenoid is de-energized to remove fluid pressure from a chamber in the valve housing causing the main valve to open. When the solenoid is energized, the pilot valve closes causing hydraulic pressure to build up in the valve chamber so that the main valve is closed. The solenoid-operated valve includes a plunger which extends into a discharge port, the plunger having a spherical member attached to its distal end which is drawn inwardly against a seat in the pilot discharge port to close the port when the pilot solenoid is energized.