Abstract: A new and distinct variety of male asparagus plant primarily characterized by its high lateral branching at or above the 16th node (about 17.5 inches above the soil level), its vigorous growth and production of between 25 to 35 canes per season which grow to a height between six and eight feet at plant maturity and further characterized by its ability to produce fast growing spears with tight heads and which are straight, round, and smooth.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of `Granny Smith` apple tree characterized by its semi-spur growth characteristics, with node spacings approximately intermediate those of `Stardard` and `Hannaford` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,453), and by its fruit having distinct dark green stripes imposed on a lightly mottled green background.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of female asparagus plant primarily characterized by its high lateral branching which initiates from the 19-22 node (about 19 inches above soil level), its vigorous growth and canes which grow to a height exceeding six feet, and further characterized by its fruit color which changes during its stages of maturing from green to orange to red.

Abstract: A belted pneumatic tire is disclosed in which an annular protuberance projects axially from the buttress region on each side of the tire. The protuberances are positioned radially inward of the tire tread and the lateral edges of the belt or breaker extend into the protuberances such that the breaker edges are removed from the vicinity of the tread-ground contact patch to thereby improve uniformity and edge separation problems. A relatively wide breaker having a low cross-sectional curvature is also utilized to thereby provide firm support to the tread and consequent improved performance characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically sensing trailer sway and applying trailer brakes, thereby minimizing or eliminating the sway is provided. A hydraulic device, similar to a shock absorber with the addition of a pressure operated switch at each end of the cylinder, is mounted between the trailer A frame and the hitch head assembly. A sudden sway in either direction causes one of the switches to close and apply power to the electric trailer brakes thus minimizing or eliminating the sway and causing the car and trailer to "line up". The hydraulic device has an orifice in the piston or at each end of the cylinder so that normal turns made by the car and trailer do not cause sufficient pressure build up to cause either switch to operate. Similar automatic performance can be realized by the use of a gas filled bellows device.

Abstract: An endless-conveyor monitoring switch assembly includes an elongated frame having a shaft journaled for rotation therein and extending longitudinally therealong. A drive wheel is attached to and rotatable with the shaft at a first end of the elongated frame and a detecting switch is attached to the shaft at the opposite end of the elongated frame. A seesaw, U-shaped, mounting member is attached to the elongated frame at a point intermediate the drive wheel and the detecting switch for mounting the elongated frame on an endless-conveyor cable support. The mounting member allows the weight of the elongated frame and its attachments to pivot the frame in a seesaw manner to bring the drive wheel into contact with the endless conveyor. The detecting switch includes a conductive disc mounted on the shaft adjacent to a pendulum having permanent magnets and mercury switches mounted thereon.

Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve comprising a plastic body including a base wall and a peripheral wall and a plastic cap including a base wall and a peripheral wall surrounding the peripheral wall of the plastic body. The peripheral wall of the base has a radially outwardly extending annular rib and the peripheral wall of the cap has a radially inwardly extending rib. The ribs are adapted to pass over one another to provide a snap fit during assembly. The base wall of the body has integral O-ring retaining means for retaining an O-ring. A bimetallic disc is positioned in said body within the confines of the peripheral wall of the body and normally engages said O-ring. Integral stop means on the cap are adapted to be engaged by the bi-metal disc when the disc is caused to move to a position out of engagement with the O-ring upon increase of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: Compounds containing phosphorus divalent metals, carboxylic acid radicals and possibly alkoxy or aryloxy groups are prepared by heating carboxylic acid salts of divalent metals with alkyl or aryl phosphates or phosphite, or acid alkyl phosphates or phosphites.

Abstract: A process for producing polyesters and copolyesters, useful for making films and fibers, by the polycondensation of dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic glycols using coordinations complexes of metal halides and silicon compounds as catalysts.

Abstract: String of polyamide is irradiated with dosages of 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.10 rads. It has been discovered by actual experience that in string which is treated in this way the cross linkage of the molecules is enhanced. Such string has higher elasticity and substantially lower damping when set into oscillation than untreated string and that a tennis racket produced with such string is superior to a racket with untreated polyamide string. The dosage is not so high as to cause the string to become brittle.

Abstract: An indicating element comprises a base plate of P-type or N-type epitaxial crystals, a N-type or P-type indicating layer of diffusion or growth planarly formed on the base plate, and an electrode layer provided on the planar indicating layer and having a desired pattern thereon. The element is manufactured by forming an electrode on a rear surface of the base plate, forming the N-type or P-type planar indicating layer on an upper surface of the base plate by means of diffusion or crystal growth, and mounting on the planar indicating layer the electrode layer having the desired pattern thereon.

Abstract: A garment for infants, and a method and blank for making it. The garment provides a neck opening and a placket extending longitudinally from the neck opening. At least a major portion of the garment comprises a single fabric piece, comprising a lower body portion and a shoulder/arm portion, which are integral with one another through the back of the garment. The shoulder/arm portion is integral and seamless over each shoulder; right and left under-sleeve seams partially close the shoulder/arm portion to form right and left sleeve tubes. The lower body portion is integral and seamless between the margins of the placket around the garment. The garment has left and right median seams each joining the shoulder/arm portion and the lower body portion between an under-sleeve seam and the adjacent placket margin.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic knee joint device has femoral and tibial components respectively adapted for connection to the femur and tibia, and respective bearing surfaces for mutual articulatory engagement to simulate natural joint movements. It is now proposed that the femoral component has two transversely spaced sockets as bearing surfaces, and that the tibial component has two upstanding ball parts for respective articulation in the sockets. The ball parts can be separable, by the provision of stems engageable in apertures in the base part. Preferably, the sockets are enlarged relative to the balls to allow mutual rotation about the axis of the leg. Also, the sockets and balls can be of different material from their respective base parts, the latter suitably being of metal.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for replacement of the proximal end of the tibia includes a metal anchor member which is cemented into the intramedullary canal of the tibia and a replaceable high density polyethylene articulation member which is pinned to the anchoring member. The anchoring member and the replaceable articulation member slidably fit together by movement in a lateral direction by means of a dovetail fitting and a raised tab portion is provided as a stop means in order to assure proper positioning of one member with respect to the other. Once the two members are properly aligned, a vertical pin is inserted therethrough and is secured in position by a two prong horizontal clip arrangement which inserts through the articulation member and clips about a reduced diameter portion of the vertical pin member.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for placement within an eye which employs a lens portion intended for placement on one side of the iris and a pair of appendages fastened to the lens portion, extending to the opposite side of the iris in relation to the lens portion, and further extending to and obtaining fixation at the periphery of the eye.

Abstract: A device for applying a paper sheet to a toilet seat which includes a paper sheet container adapted to move from a substantially vertical position to a position over the toilet seat, and then back to a substantially vertical position by manually operating a tilting mechanism. A rotatable roller is positioned in the container and is driven to feed a paper sheet into position on the toilet seat as the container undergoes return movement from its position over the toilet seat back to its substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A collapsible cover assembly for use with a swimming pool having a curved edge or coping extending along opposite sides thereof, wherein the cover assembly includes a plurality of slidably extendable support members each forming an arch across the pool to support a cover member positioned thereon, with each support member further including a curved foot member mounted on opposite ends which overlie and provide attachment with the pool coping.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved beehive cover which dramatically enhances the production of larger quantities of honey. The improved cover improves air circulation within and around the honeycomb area thereby increasing the moisture evaporation rate in the hive and accordingly increases the rate at which nectar is changed into a concentrated form.

Abstract: A beehive including a housing comprising a bottom portion, longitudinal sidewall portions extending upwardly from the bottom portion, retainers associated with the upper free edges of the sidewall portions, removable end sections extending between the sidewall portions, the bottom portion including a plurality of spaced openings and a plurality of rib members located between the openings, a plurality of cellular strips disposed within the housing and extending between the sidewall portions, a plurality of plastic strips disposed within the housing and extending between the sidewall portions, the plastic strips being corrugated transversely of their length, the plastic strips being disposed between the cellular strips in an alternating relationship, the cellular and plastic strips not being bonded to each other but being separable and independent of one another, the strips being disposed closely adjacent to each other, the strips substantially completely filling the housing between the end sections, and a comm

Abstract: An assembly tool for tube fittings, including a pair of pivotal manually operated channel-shapped unique leg lever handles which nest one in the other and are provided with a pair of jaws which are connected to the lever handles by a set of low friction rotatable journal shafts, the extremities of the journal shafts being journalled in the lower handles; the journal shafts being positions to maintaine the jaws in parallel relation, while under load, and are provided with coaxial channels to receive the ends of a tube fitting and press the ends of the tube fitting toward each other thereby to cause interengagement of the fitting components; the jaws being readily interchangeable to assemble fittings of a different size or construction. A further embodiment includes a clamp means incorporated in one of the channels to grip a portion of the tube element, the other jaw receiving a flaring (swaging) tool for the clamped tube element.

Abstract: A releasable hold-down device is provided for use in a dockleveller wherein dock-raising springs are used to raise the dockboard. The hold-down device comprises a hydraulic cylinder assembly having the piston connected to the dockboard and the cylinder connected to the dockleveller frame. The cylinder assembly must thus expand and contract to permit the dockboard to be raised by the spring and lowered by the weight of a man standing on the dockboard. The cylinder assembly has fluid-filled stem and base chambers. A connecting conduit permits fluid movement between the chambers. A valve means in the conduit controls this fluid movement. There is provided means for mechanically opening the valve means to permit the dockboard to be raised by the spring with concomitant expansion of the cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A dock leveler for a dock loading surface is provided with includes a frame fixedly mounted adjacent the front edge of the surface, and an extension assembly mounted on the frame for movement between operative and inoperative modes. The assembly includes a dock panel hinged to the frame and a lip panel hinged to the dock panel. The dock panel is coplaner with the loading surface and the lip panel depends therefrom when the assembly is in the inoperative mode. A linkage is provided having pivotally connected first and second arms. An end of the first arm is pivoted to the frame and an end of the second arm is pivoted to the lip panel. Power means urges the dock panel to move from the inoperative mode to a raised position prior to assuming an operative mode. The dock panel will move to the raised position upon a predetermined external force being applied to the dock panel. A trip member is provided having a central section pivoted to the dock panel.

Abstract: An electrically powered apparatus for automatically washing and wiping an outer side of a building window; the apparatus including a horizontal rotary brush rotating against the window and at the same time being vertically carried on vertical screws turned by an electric motor, a detergent solution supply tank above the window being contacted by the brush at its upper limit of travel so to fill a chamber inside the brush from which the solution is gradually dispensed to the brush bristles, a wiper blade above and below the brush wiping the window dry of the solution.

Abstract: A section of hose which can be connected to the end of a normal hose line has a pressure nozzle in the end thereof opposite the attachment end. Fitted into this pressure nozzle is a coiled wire plumbing snake member having a water channel formed in the center thereof and a bulb at the free end thereof. The snake member operates in cooperation with the water stream which passes through the center thereof and which is sprayed out through the pressure nozzle to unplug foreign matter from plumbing pipes and drain lines and to clean the inner walls of such pipes and lines.

Abstract: A conventional roller-type paint applicator, having a head surfaced with a paint-retentive material, is modified for use with a thickened paint to produce a textured pattern on a substrate by a sleeve which fits over the existing head. The sleeve, optionally in conjunction with the existing surface of the head, defines a plurality of receptacles for thickened paint which are arranged to determine a desired pattern of paint on a substrate.