Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus to assist a model railroad hobbyist in cleaning driven or non-driven wheels of a locomotive or car. To achieve this objective, removable and invertable embodiments of the invention are disclosed. The invention provides a convenient means for replacing a conventional track segment with a dedicated cleaning segment. In one series of embodiments, a conventional track segment is replaced with a cleaning segment; in another series, a conventional segment is mounted to a support on an obverse side while a cleaning segment is mounted on a reverse side thereof. Nonlinear rail contacts are used to establish electrical continuity between the track and the mounted segments. Removal, inversion, and replacement of the support permits the user to change the segment in use. In yet another series of embodiments, the support is rotatable, thereby permitting the user to merely rotate the support from one segment to the other.

Abstract: A self-cleaning sprayer head having the capability to deliver a radially directed spray is disclosed. The sprayer head (10) includes a hollow, elongate casing (16), a flanged outlet end (28), and a plunger (42) mounted for sliding reciprocal movement within the casing. A spring (48) holds the plunger (42) in a retracted position. A flexible disc (38) connected to the outlet end of the casing defines an outlet gap (60). The disc (38) is connected to the plunger (42) for movement between a flush position, wherein the outlet gap (60) has a maximum width, and a spray position wherein the gap (60) has a minimum width. The disc (38) is configured to assume the flush position when the plunger (42) is retracted. When pressurized liquid is introduced into the casing (16), the plunger (42) moves in opposition to the spring (48) from its retracted position, through an intermediate position to a spray position. Simultaneously, the pressurized liquid passes through the ports (58) in the plunger and out through the gap.

Abstract: A muscle powered liquid dispensing insert is provided for use with an implanted anchor having a hollow anchor sleeve extending into the subcutaneous fascia of a region behind an animal's ear. The insert includes one or more balloon-like reservoirs, each containing a drug or other medicant in substantially liquid form. Each reservoir means additionally provides effective means for anchoring the insert in the animal. A pump assembly draws the medicant(s) from the reservoir(s), and dispenses such to the animal. The pump assembly has a toroidal pump body defining a pump chamber and including a flexible impermeable pump diaphragm. The pump chamber communicates through inlet check valve means with each of the reservoirs, and through outlet check valve means with the tissue of the animal. The outlet check valve means operate at a higher activation pressure than the inlet check valve means. A piston powered solely by the animal's muscle and tissue operates the pump diaphragm.

Abstract: An animal insert with analog display is provided for use with an anchor inserted behind the animal's ear into a region commonly known as the Kelly triangle. The region is bounded cranially by the posterior border of the conchal cartilage and caudally by the anterior border of the cleido-occipitalis muscle. The anchor comprises an anchor flange positioned against the animal's skin, a sleeve extending into the animal and having internal threads engaging corresponding external threads on the insert, and a healing material and a plurality of barbs for retaining the anchor in the animal. The insert comprises an insert flange positioned adjacent the anchor flange, a tube extending into the animal through the sleeve of the anchor, and one or more capsules or pellets of a dissolving medicant-containing material or a liquefying diagnostic material disposed within a lower end of the tube.

Abstract: An animal estrus detection apparatus adapted to be secured to the rump portion of a first animal, and actuated by a second animal mounting the first and thereby applying a predetermined amount of pressure thereon a depressible pin. The pin's motion is transferred by a linkage mechanism to a release mechanism, which then disengages an outer cover causing it to fall away and deploy an estrus indicating streamer. The release mechanism may include either a pneumatic or an escapement type release timer which is powered by said linkage and which prevents said linkage from powering said release mechanism until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The release mechanism may also include a counting mechanism which actuates the release arm only after a predetermined number of successive mountings of said first animal. A second, hydraulic timer, actuated when the outer cover is released, measures the time elapsed since the outer cover's release.