Abstract: A floating island comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising at least a first portion that comprises a combination-cell thermoplastic foam and having a cavity; and a bedding material that is disposed in said cavity; wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water. In another embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising a first matrix layer, a second matrix layer and a third matrix layer; and a gas-trapping insert that is disposed between two of said layers.

Abstract: A cover for a sandbox comprising a plurality of vertical poles situated around the perimeter of the sandbox and a cover assembly. The cover assembly comprises an outer frame, inner frame, and flexible cover. The inner frame comprises a plurality of support members, which support a flexible cover and are fixedly attached to the outer frame. Each vertical pole comprises a pulley system and a vertical slot. The pulley system is connected to the outer frame with an attachment means and is fully enclosed within the vertical pole except for a portion of the attachment means. The attachment means travels up and down within the vertical slot. Each vertical pole comprises a pole cover that is slightly shorter than the vertical slot and moves laterally to expose or conceal the vertical slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assisting a driver of a towing vehicle to reverse the vehicle into alignment and proximity with a trailer, so that the towing vehicle and the trailer can be easily hitched together. The invention includes a detachable alignment system with a signal device to show a stop point via side mirrors to the driver while he is reversing the vehicle toward the trailer. The invention includes two complementary units respectively releasably attached to the vehicle and trailer, each unit having equal-length transverse support beams that respectively extend beyond the sides of the vehicle and trailer and that have visible markers depending from their distal ends, whereby the markers are visible to the driver via the side view mirrors.

Abstract: A rock cutting and trimming device comprising a C-clamp, a hydraulic cylinder, a sleeve, a shaft, a top tooth, and a bottom tooth. The hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the shaft, the shaft fits inside of the sleeve, the sleeve is coupled to the top port of the C-clamp, the top tooth is coupled to the shaft, and the bottom tooth is coupled to the bottom port of the C-clamp. Each of the top and bottom teeth comprises a cutting edge, the cutting edge of the top tooth faces the cutting edge of the bottom tooth, the hydraulic cylinder causes the top tooth to move vertically upward and downward, and the cutting edges of the top and bottom teeth are vertically aligned so that when the top tooth is fully extended downward, the cutting edge of the top tooth is parallel to the cutting edge of the bottom tooth.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise in an audio signal, comprising the steps of: using a furrow filter to select spectral components that are narrow in frequency but relatively broad in time; using a bar filter to select spectral components that are broad in frequency but relatively narrow in time; analyzing the relative energy distribution between the output of the furrow and bar filters to determine the optimal proportion of spectral components for the output signal; and reconstructing the audio signal to generate the output signal. A second pair of time-frequency filters may be used to further improve intelligibility of the output signal. The temporal relationship between the furrow filter output and the bar filter output may be monitored so that the fricative components are allowed primarily at boundaries between intervals with no voiced signal present and intervals with voice components. A noise reduction system for an audio signal.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cooling apparatus comprising a cooling chamber, primary distribution tube, cooling fan, and transfer fan; the cooling chamber is mounted on the side of a tractor; the cooling fan is installed in the rear end of the cooling chamber; the cooling chamber comprises a plurality of longitudinal apertures through which ambient air travels and a plurality of baffle chambers through which exhaust gas travels; the exhaust gas never mixes with the ambient air in the cooling chamber; the exhaust gas travels through the exit port of the cooling chamber into a primary distribution tube that carries the exhaust gas to a transfer fan; the transfer fan blows the exhaust gas into a plurality of secondary distribution tubes that transport the exhaust gas to a plurality of manifolds; and the exhaust gas travels from the manifolds through a plurality of tertiary distribution tubes and into the ground.

Abstract: An ergonomic crutch comprising an armpit pad assembly, a top tube, a middle tube, a bottom tube, a hand grip, a shock absorber, and a footpad assembly. The armpit pad assembly comprises an armpit pad and means for allowing the armpit pad to tilt vertically and swivel horizontally. In an alternate embodiment, the crutch does not have a shock absorber.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device and coupling system that may start and stop the flow of a fluid is disclosed. In some embodiments, first and second couplings are provided having an actuator coupled with each of the couplings. The couplings and actuators may be detachable to provide quick disconnect features and, in some embodiments, provide unitary actuation for the actuators of the coupling device to facilitate connection in mobile applications. Actuation may occur as the two couplings and actuators are engaged and disengaged and may occur by rotational actuation of the actuators. Rotational actuation can be provided to ensure flow through the coupling device, which in some embodiments may further provide an offset venturi feature. Upon disengagement, a compression element such as a compression spring can be provided to return the actuators to a closed position. Some embodiments further provide a seal external to the actuators and provided at incipient engagement of the couplings.

Abstract: A safety cap comprising a plurality of rigid plates, a foam insert, and an outer covering. The rigid plates are embedded within the foam insert, and the foam insert comprises foam joints. A safety cap comprising a plurality of cushions, a rigid shell, and an outer covering. The cushions are attached to the inside of the rigid shell, and they comprise a plurality of nozzles. A safety cap in which rigid plates and cushions are embedded within a foam insert. The cushions are positioned on the inner surface of the rigid plates and may contain air, foam, fluid or a combination thereof. The outer covering is preferably made of fabric, and the cap preferably comprises an adjustable strap. The cap optionally includes ventilation holes, ear cutouts, eye cutouts, a ponytail cutout, an eye protector and/or a face protector.

Abstract: A rifle bolt cleaning tool comprising a single piece of material with an annular bolt scraping chamber comprising a bottom and two inner walls that extend from the bottom of the scraping chamber upward and spread outward to form two top surfaces of the scraping chamber. The inner walls of the scraping chamber are concave in shape so as to fit snugly around a tail end of a rifle bolt. The distance between the two inner walls of the scraping chamber is roughly equivalent to the outside diameter of a rifle bolt. The inner walls of the scraping chamber extend upward from the bottom of the scraping chamber by a distance that is slightly greater than the length of the tail end of the bolt.

Abstract: A construction bucket comprising a rear wall, two side walls, a bottom plate, and two side arms. Each side arm comprises a first hydraulic cylinder, a metal tube and an extension. The extension fits into the metal tube, and each side arm is positioned directly on top of one of the two side walls. An elongated blade that is attached to the extension of each side arm, and the first hydraulic cylinders extend and retract the extension within the metal tube, thereby causing the elongated blade to extend and retract. The present invention further comprises two second hydraulic cylinders, which cause the elongated blade to be raised or lowered in relation to the front edge of the bottom plate of the construction bucket.

Abstract: A wooden spiral for flavoring wine, comprised of a strip of wood that has been shaped into a spiral. The spiral expands after insertion into a wine bottle so that at least a portion of the spiral is in contact with the inside of the wine bottle. The strip of wood may be optionally toasted, infused with flavor, or made from pre-flavored wood. The wooden spiral optionally comprises a weight that causes the spiral to sink to the bottom of a wine bottle or barrel. A logo may be optionally embossed or otherwise imprinted onto the wooden spiral such that when the spiral expands inside a wine bottle, the logo is visible to a consumer. A method of manufacturing a wooden spiral for flavoring wine.

Abstract: A production casing ripper comprising a swedge; spring housing; coupling; main housing; end piece; blade; and means for connecting the blade to the plunger; wherein the blade is situated inside of the main housing; wherein a plunger is situated inside of the main housing; wherein a primary spring is situated inside of the spring housing; wherein a primary pull rod is connected to the primary spring at one end and to the plunger at the other end; wherein when hydraulic pressure is introduced through the swedge, the plunger moves downward inside of the main housing and causes the blade to extend through an aperture in the main housing; and wherein when the hydraulic pressure is released, the primary spring causes the plunger to return to its original position, thereby causing the blade to retract.

Abstract: A gun rack comprising a plurality of swivel shoes and a plate or disc, wherein each swivel shoe is pivotally attached on either side to a bracket on the plate or disc, and wherein the swivel shoe is shaped to hold the butt of a gun. A gun rack comprising a top receiver disc, a bottom receiver disc, a base unit, a shaft, a plurality of swivel shoes, a plurality of barrel receivers, and a plurality of barrel receiver brackets, wherein each swivel shoe is pivotally attached on either side to a barrel receiver bracket, and wherein the barrel receiver brackets are attached to the bottom receiver disc. The barrel receivers insert into notches on the barrel receiver brackets and are optionally vertically adjustable. An optional shotgun plate for use in lieu of a barrel receiver. An optional pistol pole for holding pistols.

Abstract: A floating habitat designed to be renewably buoyant, self-sustaining and optionally specialized for waterfowl nesting. The first embodiment comprises one or more flotation units and a source of compressed air that is connected to the flotation units. Each flotation unit comprises an individual supply hose, an inflatable bladder, a relief valve, a diffusing manifold, bottom mesh, top mesh, and buoyant growth medium. An alternative embodiment comprises a self compensating buoyancy system. In the waterfowl nesting embodiment, the floating habitat includes one or more waterfowl nesting structures and construction material selected to optimize the nesting habitat. The floating habitat can be comprised of scrap pieces or layers of polyester mesh material. The Boating habitats can be combined to provide safe habitat for juvenile waterfowl, encourage colony nesting, or allow a variety of waterfowl or shore bird species to enjoy suitable habitat on the same floating habitat.

Abstract: A rehab cycle crank having a pedal assembly, center assembly, anchor assembly, two rods, and pneumatic cylinder; wherein the pedal assembly includes a pedal plate, pedal base, and housing; wherein the center assembly includes a primary member and a secondary member; wherein each rod includes a first end and a second end; wherein the pneumatic cylinder includes a first end and a second end; wherein the housing of the pedal assembly is connected to the first end of each rod; wherein the anchor assembly is connected to the second end of at least one of the rods and the second end of the pneumatic cylinder; wherein the rods extend slidably through the primary member of the center assembly; wherein the primary member is attached to the secondary member by a central hub; wherein the secondary member comprises a crank arm into which the crank spindle of a cycle is inserted.

Abstract: A mixing device comprising three mixing assemblies and first and second horizontal inlet arms, wherein the mixing assemblies are arranged horizontally on a frame, with one mixing assembly on the bottom, one on the top, and one in the middle of the other two mixing assemblies. Each mixing assembly comprises a first housing, a second housing, and a swedge. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the inside diameter of the first housing to the inside diameter of the second housing is 1:2, the change in diameter between the first and second housing is abrupt, and the first housing extends into the second housing by a certain distance. Inside the first housing are an inlet agitator and injection nozzle, and inside the second housing is a static mixer. The injection nozzle is located proximate to the point at which the change in diameter occurs between the first and second housing.

Abstract: An off-highway truck body comprising a plurality of tube-style support members, wherein each tube-style support member comprises one or two pieces of square tubing, wherein the truck body comprises two sidewalls, a floor, a front wall and a canopy, and wherein one side of each tube-style support member is welded to the outside of the sidewall, floor, front wall or canopy. The pieces of square tubing are preferably comprised of steel. The present invention optionally comprises a forward wedged front wall and a side-sloped canopy. The present invention also encompasses a tube-style tailgate and an alternate embodiment in which I-beams are used in lieu of square tubing.