Abstract: The irrigation apparatus includes a quick-connect, self-piercing drip emitter insertable in a plastic pipe to effect a controlled, localized trickle of irrigating water. The apparatus is usable either above the surface of the ground or below the surface and may include a protective wrap to keep dirt from clogging the emitter and to spread the flow of irrigating water over a larger area.

Abstract: An apparatus for the aerobic, sludge-free decompositon of sewage and the like, includes a plurality of separate, liquid filled compartments, one of the compartments having a rotatable, air-operated, horizontally disposed perforated drum therein in which raw sewage is placed. Air inlets are at the bottom of the compartment, and air bubbles flowing upwardly therefrom cause the drum to rotate, to thus break up and fragment the raw sewage therein until the particles thereof are of a size such as to pass through the perforated wall of the drum into the compartment. The fragmented sewage is further agitated in the compartment and thoroughly aerated, whereby aerobic decomposition thereof rapidly takes place. The material is then passed sequentially through all of the compartments and recycled as necessary, until substantially complete liquification and decomposition thereof is accomplished.

Abstract: A heater for warming crops such as groves of fruit trees or vineyards or other crops susceptible to freeze and frost damage, includes a burner housing having inclined side walls for directing radiant heat generally outwardly toward the crops and a burner having fuel and air outlet orifices arranged to produce efficient and substantially pollution free combustion of fuel within the housing. A vapor generator may also be supported on the housing to reflect heat toward the crops, and water in the vapor generator is heated to produce a vapor barrier or blanket of fog which provides a thermal inversion layer to aid in maintaining the heat near the ground.

Abstract: A lightweight electrical cable comprises a plurality of laminations of loops of continuous strips of silver foil, defining an opening at least at one end thereof for receiving a battery post or other electrical connector, and a spring clip engagable with the cable end received on an electrical connector to readily releasably secure the cable in place. The method of making an electrical cable as described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: Quick-connect fittings for a trickle-type irrigation system wherein the fittings include gripping means thereon for quickly and easily joining the fittings to plastic pipes and the like without requiring the use of tools. In one form of the invention, the fitting has piercing means thereon for penetrating the wall of a plastic pipe to make a secure and leak-tight connection thereto without requiring the use of tools; and in another form of the invention, adjustable resilient orifice means is in the fitting.

Abstract: A universal mounting bracket for attachment to supports of various configurations and sizes comprises opposite side portions integrally joined together at one of their ends and spaced apart at their other ends, said side portions having a plurality of differently shaped and sized support gripping configurations therein to grip different size and shape supports to enable the bracket to be quickly and easily mounted on various supports, and the side portions have angularly disposed surfaces thereon carrying desired insignia, whereby to increase the visibility of the insignia to approaching motorists and the like.