Abstract: A boom stand is constructed from a base, extensible stand, pivotal boom support, and boom. The base has arcuately segmented massive anchors that form a perimeter. The arcuately segmented massive anchors are shaped and sized to fit within the perimeter of like bases, to decrease minimum distances between stands during storage or close use, while still providing stability. Over-center clamps provided on the extensible stand are extruded to include unitary cord guides, and are engaged with tube ends to prevent rotation or accidental removal. The pivotal boom support incorporates a disc and elastomeric pads to provide superior locking and vibration reduction, and utilizes in alternative embodiments perimeter and central over-center clamps which further enhance the operation.

Abstract: A small loader machine of the skid-steered type having a counterweight to balance heavy loads in the loader bucket. The bucket is automatically extended forward as the counterweight is extended in the opposite direction so as to keep the machine always in reasonable balance.

Abstract: Nicotine in base or salt form combined with cosmetic ingredients to form a lip balm or similar stick. The stick is readily dispensed not only onto a person's lips but also may be used on the skin, for example on the wrist. Packaging the nicotine this way enables a smoker to obtain nicotine discretely anywhere in public, without offending others by smoking. Furthermore, the dosage is readily controlled, and the person's hands and mouth are active, similar to the lighting and smoking of a cigarette.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product.

Abstract: A mobile feeder uses a wagon wheel set with a draw bar. The wheel set serves as the undercarriage for the feeder. The feeder has a plurality of arcuate supports that are spaced sufficiently to allow livestock to feed between. The arcuate supports are resiliently hung from a frame that defines the outer dimensions of the feeder and pass under a central, longitudinally extending frame bar. When impacted from an animal feeding transverse to the feeder, the arcuate supports flex resiliently, while still retaining proper spacing for both feed and animal. Resilient attachments couple the arcuate supports to frame, and links couple adjacent arcuate supports and thereby distribute forces and help to maintain spacing. Feed trays are provided beneath the arcuate supports to catch and retain any feed inadvertently escaping from the arcuate supports.

Abstract: A stand-supported light source includes a combination of collapsing, telescopic and flexible joint couplings. For storage and shipping, a plurality of legs are collapsible to become longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. A telescopic arm coupled to the stand may also be pivoted into a longitudinally parallel axis and then telescopically retracted, which results in a very compact configuration. In use, the telescopic arm may be extended through a range of positions, and may pivot out of parallel with the stand base longitudinal axis, permitting the light source to be located through a wide and precisely controlled range of motion. The legs are pivoted and self locking at a limited range of motion, simplifying set-up. A special clamp accepts a standard trouble light, without inhibiting access to or use of the various electrical switches and outlets that might typically be found on the trouble light. Different embodiments detail the pivot, clamp and various combinations.

Abstract: An infinitely stacking receptacle cap cooperates with existing bottles and bottle caps for holding pills and other articles separate from liquid within the bottle. In one embodiment, the bottle has a liquid impervious body and a neck with external threads. The infinitely stacking receptacle cap has a divider wall, and an internally threaded cavity adjacent to and extending from the divider wall in a first direction encompassing and engaging with the bottle neck threads. The internally threaded cavity has a height corresponding to the bottle neck height. An externally threaded infinitely stacking receptacle cap neck is adjacent to and extends from the divider wall in a direction generally opposed to the internally threaded cavity. The height of the externally threaded stacking receptacle cap neck is equal to the bottle neck height.

Abstract: A machining waste metal recycling machine has an in-feed hopper. The hopper uses paired augers to move the waste metal through the hopper to a cutting and transporting auger. The hopper augers are powered independently from each other, and may be individually reversed or reversed as a group to clear jams. In the event a jam is not cleared through one or more reversal cycles, the remaining augers may be operated to clear the hopper, thereby avoiding the need for manual unloading. Within the hopper are one or more shear bars that are provided to sever bunches or bundles of machining waste and thereby clear tangles which might otherwise jam the augers. The cutting and transporting augers ultimately feed a reciprocating compactor having a movable gate with one or more grooves for controlled drainage of machining oil and other liquid, as the machining waste metal is compressed into pellets.

Abstract: A vacuum forming roll is assembled from a large plurality of radially extensive interlocking segments. Each segment forms a small angular part of a circumference about the roll, and has a relatively small thickness parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll. The segments are preferably stacked together in an interlocking fashion to form a continuous roll consisting of a plurality of angularly offset circumferential rings. In a preferred embodiment, the segments are formed by manufacturing a small mold designed to form a single segment. This mold may, for exemplary purposes, be an injection mold. The roll mold segments may then be produced quickly and easily using an injection molding process, which, as aforementioned, is efficient for the production of a large number of identical components. The roll mold segments are then assembled to form the roll mold, which is in turn used to shape and perforate a plastic film and thereby manufacture an improved landscape fabric economically.

Abstract: A corn-burning stove provides cooling for the corn in-feed auger and other adjacent components by combustion inlet air flow patterns. The inlet air flow transports pellet fuel through a distance within the fire pot which varies responsive to the flow rate of the inlet air flow. A fire pot and agitator ensure, in combination with the inlet air flow, complete burning of the corn, with almost no ash production and while avoiding the formation of clinkers. The agitator is toothed, having teeth closely adjacent the burn pot for moving burning corn kernels or solid pellets across the fire pot. Retractable ignitors have handles and furnace function interlocks. A process control is associated with the corn burner that includes some logic, including interlock, power control, speed controls, sensing inputs/devices, and user interface.

Abstract: A magazine chamber that is cooperative with existing self-closing refill pods has two longitudinally extending tracks, the first which engages the pod hinge and the second which engages the thumb tab protruding from the cover. The tracks guide the refill pod into the magazine chamber, and once fully inserted, the tracks then rotate the pod about the magazine chamber. This rotation guides the refill pod in a rotation that is differential between the two tracks, with a slight helical offset therebetween. This offset results in longitudinal displacement between thumb tab and pod hinge, effecting an opening of the pod cover and a release of the paintballs held therein into the magazine chamber. Removable covers are provided for the closed end of the magazine chamber that harmlessly deflect longitudinally traveling paintballs. The covers are preferably fabricated with team colors or insignia. Various removable couplers are also disclosed for coupling the magazine to one or more styles of paintball guns.

Abstract: A wheeled trolley carries various tools across an object to be worked. A track attaches directly to the work and simultaneously isolates the tool from the work. A standard connection to the trolley readily accommodates a variety of diverse tools, using a keyway or the like to ensure accurate and repeatable placement of the tools. A preferred contouring guide allows a tool to be moved through an arc, where the focal point of the arc may be set to produce an infinite variety of custom shapes, bevels or angles of cut. An upper stop is provided which readily sets the break line between surface finish and edge contour. An adjustable tool carriage allows control over both position and force, including preloading a work tool with force. Resilience is incorporated into the apparatus to accommodate diverse hardness and abrasion characteristics, and, in at least one embodiment, to enable the track to accurately follow a warped or sagging work piece.

Abstract: A checkbook cover has an exterior cover, an interior check and register holder affixed adjacent to the cover, and a slot formed through the exterior cover. A writing instrument, preferably with a pocket clip thereon, passes partially through the exterior cover slot to a chamber between exterior cover and interior check and register holder. The pocket clip encompasses at least a part of the exterior cover. The checkbook cover is formed using standard sheet processing techniques, but includes the additional step of severing at a selected strategic internal location to form the slot. Additional force distributors, preferably in the form of circular cut-outs, may be formed at the terminations of the slot. Heat stamped reinforcements are provided in the preferred embodiment about the slot and force distributors, to further strengthen the cover.

Abstract: A support structure and method, designed to maintain a resealable plastic bag in an open position within a dishwasher through the washing and drying cycles, has at least two vertically extending support and restraining straps that may be engaged with like straps to form a resilient support framework. A plurality of mating dimples and protrusions offer controlled size adjustments, while maintaining the reliability of the structure. The structure is readily collapsible to a flat and compact structure prior to purchase and when not in use, and includes features to engage with the rack in the dishwasher to prevent the support and bag from being substantially relocated during the wash process.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for detecting the approach of a vehicle includes an encoded signal which identifies a vehicle or route, and which is used to distinguish from different vehicles and routes. A receiver detects transmission signals above a threshold level, and responsive to reception thereof checks for one or a plurality of codes that identify particular vehicles of interest. When a desired signal is received, an alarm or indicator is generated that alerts a person. When the indicator is terminated, a lock-out period prevents undesired re-activation of the alarm or indicator based upon the same code. Unique headers enable transmission and exchange of additional data, and logical text may be provided which enables more ready viewing of coded information. The present invention has industrial applicability to public and private transportation systems, whether for passengers or other cargo.

Abstract: A soil aerating machine includes in combination a skid-steer and a basket resembling a loader bucket adapted for attachment to the skid-steer boom. An air pressure tank, an elongate air nozzle pipe, an air hammer, and air control valves for the air nozzle pipe and air hammer are carried within the basket. The elongate air nozzle is attached to the basket using a pivotal bearing surface, which permits controlled motion therebetween. The air hammer is used to assist with the driving of the elongate air nozzle pipe into an earthen medium. A blast of air is then released through the air nozzle pipe into the earth, to loosen and aerate packed or clogged soil. A method of restoring a septic system using the preferred apparatus is also described, as are various alternative apparatus and method steps.

Abstract: A tapered plug having a compressible and conically tapered outer surface is permeated with a dry, water-activated adhesive. A pilot hole most preferably passes through the center of the tapered plug, ensuring proper alignment for a replacement fastener such as a wood screw or the like to be inserted therein. A handle is additionally provided for ease of installation. A ream useful in association with the plug and a method of installation of the plug are additionally disclosed.