Abstract: A power tong continuously rotates tubulars for spinning and torquing threaded connections. Continuous rotation is achieved through a rotating jaw having grippers that grip the tubular and continuously rotate with it. Hydraulic and electrical power necessary for actuating the grippers is generated on board. A serpentine belt system turns the motors of the on-board hydraulic power unit and electric generators to supply the grippers with hydraulic and electrical power. The serpentine belt system is driven by a secondary drive mounted on a fixed frame. The rotating jaw is rotatably mounted to the fixed frame and driven during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation by a primary drive, mounted on the fixed frame. A fixed jaw is also mounted to the frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grippers on the rotating jaw grip the opposite second side of the tubular joint. High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw torques the joint.

Abstract: The flow director apparatus according to the present invention in such bins include a plurality of the flow directors which are pivotally mounted or mountable beneath said plurality of diverter gates and to said upper end of said frame so as to depend a free end of each flow director of said plurality of said flow directors downwardly from said upper end into an entrance cavity of said bin defined by said upper end of said frame. Each flow director is elongate and has a base end opposite said free end. Each flow director pivotally is mounted or mountable to said upper end of said frame at said base end of the flow director.

Abstract: A sequential power transmission between a portable user-carried battery and first and second independent accessories. At least one primary inductive coupling coil is mounted on an article of apparel worn by the user, so as to place a primary coil adjacent a first intermediary inductive coupling coil on the first independent accessory. The energizing of the first intermediary coil energizes a second intermediary coil on the first independent accessory. The second intermediary coil, when energized, energizes a secondary coil on the second independent accessory for powering the use, including the charging of the batteries of that accessory.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus finishing the surface of a wood piece to appear rough hewn. The apparatus comprises a hand planer having a longitudinal direction, a rotatable cutter head having at least one planning blade and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a convex curved profile longitudinally along the hand planer. The cutter head extends below the curved profile of the bottom surface. The method comprises simultaneously translating and rocking the hand planer on the bottom surface so as to intermittently engage the cutter head against a surface so as to form a plurality of spaced apart divots therein.

Abstract: A log profiler for sawing surfaces into and along the length of a log may be characterized as including a saw carriage selectively translatable along a track, a pair of log holders on the track for holding the log suspended over and along the track and adapted to selectively rotate the log about its long axis, a linear double-acting saw blade mounted on a blade carriage, the blade translatable linearly along the blade carriage relative to both the blade carriage and saw carriage, the blade carriage selectively rotatable and selectively elevatable relative to the saw carriage.

Abstract: A combination descender, pulley, and force limiting rope brake for rope rescue has a supporting plate having a one-way pulley sheave rotatably mounted thereto for free-wheeling rotation of the sheave in only a first rotational direction. A fixed brake member is mounted rigidly to the supporting plate. A movable brake member is pivotally mounted to the supporting plate. A pinching opening is defined by the gap. The rope passes in a first direction through the gap when the sheave is free-wheeling in the first rotational direction. The movable brake member translates relative to the fixed brake member in cooperation with rotation of the sheave.

Abstract: A cooking grill assembly includes a foldable grill, wherein the components may be conveniently stored for transport, wherein the components include a lower support stake for insertion into soft ground or a free-standing base for use on hard ground, an upper extension post having at one of its ends a parallelogram linkage for vertically repositioning the cooking grill and for releasably securing the grill in a desired position, the other end of the upper extension post adapted to be rotatably mounted on the support stake.

Abstract: Fuel cells, and renewable-semi-liquid fuel mixtures, useful as anode materials, for said fuel cells are disclosed. The fuels are comprised in part of materials intercalated with hydrogen, alkali metals, or alkali metal hydrides, dispersed in liquid carriers. The chemical energy generated by the reaction of the fuel mixtures with oxygen, or an oxygen carrier such as air, water, or hydrogen peroxide, can be converted into electrical energy in fuel cells. Once converted, the by-products of the reaction may be collected and those components that where chemically modified in the reaction can be renewed by conversion or re-intercalation of hydrogen, alkali metals, or alkali metal hydrides.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a shaft and an arm pivotably and rotatably mounted on a second end of the shaft. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A first securing means mounted to a second end of the arm secures the mid-portion of the pipe stand and a second securing means mounted to the first securing means secures the lower portion of the pipe stand. After the arm secures the pipe stand from the derrick, a drive mechanism mounted to the shaft rotates the rotatable gate assembly such that the arm may rack the pipe on the pipe racking assembly.

Abstract: Shelves are mounted on a pair of slides, and the slides mounted to a pair of mounting brackets, themselves mountable to a pair of standards. The shelves pull out on the slides, away from the standards. The distance between the pair of slides may be adjusted. A pair of opposed facing tangs are mounted on the base end of each mounting bracket. Each pair of tangs are adjustable to clamp into slots in the corresponding standard.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing wire connectors includes a rotatable cylindrical member defining at least one chamber configured to store at least one wire connector. A frame supporting the rotatable cylindrical member is detachably mountable on a drill. A dispensing housing mounted on the frame receives the wire connector from the chamber and dispenses the wire connector though an outlet after a rotator twistably engages and secures the wires onto the wire connector. The rotator is selectively rotatable by actuating the drill when the end of a wire is inserted into the wire connector, the wire connector thereby engaging the rotator.

Abstract: A shopping list organizer includes a rigid substantially planar member sized to support a shopping list when the shopping list is mounted thereon. A clamp is provided for releasably mounting the shopping list on a first surface of the planar member. Magnets are mounted on a second side of the planar member, opposite the first side, for releasably mounting the planar member on a flat substrate. At least one clip is hingedly mounted to the second side of the planar member for rotation about the hinge between a closed position substantially flush against the second side of the planar member and an open position substantially orthogonal to the second side of the planar member. In the open position, the clip is disposed for releasably mounting onto an elongate handle.

Abstract: A portable smoking room having a flexible enclosure defining a room detachably mounted on a frame is provided. A duct is detachably mounted to the frame for transporting smoke laden air within the flexible enclosure outside of the flexible enclosure. A fan detachably mounted to the duct creates negative pressure within the flexible enclosure such that smoke laden air within said flexible enclosure may be drawn out though the duct and ambient air from outside may be drawn in through a plurality of air intake apertures in the flexible enclosure. The frame of the portable smoking room may be disassembled when the enclosure and the duct are detached from the frame such that the flexible enclosure, the frame, the fan, and the duct may be transported and reassembled at another location.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying, tracking and handling lumber to be cut-in-two includes a scanner and optimizer to scan the length of a board and to compare the scanned board to predetermined criteria so as to identify a board which, optimally, would be cut into two pieces along its length. An identification device applies a detectable indicator to the board. A transfer transfers in a downstream direction, the board from the scanner to the identification device, and from the identification device to a lug-loader loading device adjacent and immediately upstream of a lug loader. A detector cooperates with the lug-loader loading device so as to detect the detectable indicator on the board and to delay the loading of the lug loader following loading of the board into a lug space so that an immediately subsequent lug space behind and upstream of the board is left empty so as to receive a portion of the board cut from the board once the board is cut-in-two in a downstream trimmer or other sawing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data relating to, products moving along a distribution path, including at least one RFID tag mountable to a product, or product carrier, and a plurality of interrogators spaced apart along the distribution path, wherein each interrogator of the plurality of interrogators cooperates in RF communication with the RFID tag when the RFID tag is in proximity to the each interrogator along the distribution path. Each interrogator interrogates the RFID tag during the RF communication so as to obtain unique data, unique to the RFID tag. The RFID tag and each interrogator each includes a transceiver and memory, the memory.

Abstract: A shelf overlay for mounting to a shelving system having at least one horizontal shelf mounted at opposite ends of the shelf to a pair of parallel and vertical spaced apart shelving standards. At least one such shelf overlay is mountable onto corresponding shelves. Each shelf overlay includes a rigid planar portion, a lip, and mounting means. The rigid planar portion is bounded by a front edge, an oppositely disposed rear edge, and opposite side edges. The lip is orthogonal to the planar portion and is mounted along the front edge so as to extend from each of the opposite side edges. The lip extends downwardly from the planar portion so as to substantially cover a front edge surface of a corresponding shelf when the shelf overlay is mounted onto the corresponding shelf. The lip may also extend upwardly from the planar portion. The lip may be planar or may be convexly curved in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: Highly active supported catalyst compositions and methods for producing more active supported catalyst compositions are disclosed. Said methods comprise steps for applying an adhesive coating of a catalytically active exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenide and promoters to the surface of a support medium prior to filling the pores of the support medium with catalytically active metals and/or promoters. A new method for applying a surface coating to a support is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height and inclination of roadway and greenway appurtenances includes a rigid annular support ring mountable onto a rigid annular spacer ring sized so as to be mountable onto a manhole and a manhole frame mountable onto the support ring. The manhole frame is substantially frusto-conically shaped. A rigid annular base flange may be mounted around a base end of the manhole frame. A plurality of threaded bores are formed in spaced array around the base flange. Rigid elongate threaded members are threadably mountable into the threaded bores so as to be selectively threadably adjustable in the threaded bores and so as to protrude downwardly from the base flange into engagement, beneath the manhole frame, with a top surface of the support ring when the manhole frame is mounted on the support ring. The threaded members are threadably adjustable in the threaded bores to elevate or to tilt the manhole frame relative to the support ring.

Abstract: A search and rescue beacon includes a main transmitter transmitting a Cospas-Sarsat signal at a main frequency and an auxiliary homing transmitter transmitting a homing signal at a homing frequency close to the main frequency. Advantageously both the Cospas-Sarsat signal and the homing signal are generated by a single synthesizer switching between a main Cospas-Sarsat burst transmission and a continuous homing frequency transmission of the homing signal. The Cospas-Sarsat signal is advantageously transmitted at a higher power than the homing signal. The single synthesizer may use a single amplifier chain. The single synthesizer and amplifier chain may use a single antenna.

Abstract: An in-line wheel, all-terrain skateboard includes an elongate rigid frame having a forward member. The forward member has a front end and an opposite rear end. A laterally spaced apart pair of rigid struts defining a rear wheel well therebetween is rigidly mounted to the rear end, so as to extend rearwardly from the forward member. A headset is rigidly mounted to the forward end of the forward member. At least one front fork is rotatably mounted to the headset for rotation about a front fork axis of rotation. A front wheel is rotatably mounted to the at least one front fork for rotation about a front wheel axis of rotation. The front wheel axis of rotation is orthogonal to, and offset forwardly from, the front fork axis of rotation. The front fork axis of rotation is inclined rearwardly from the front wheel.