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.

Abstract: A collapsible cart comprising two elongate handle bars, four vertical telescoping bars, two main vertical supports, two horizontal cross-bars, two anchor blocks, four diagonal pivoting support bars, and two wheel assemblies, wherein each telescoping bar is fixedly attached at one end to a horizontal cross-bar and rotatably attached at the other end to a handle bar, wherein each vertical support is attached at one end to an anchor block, wherein each handle bar slides up and down on a vertical support, wherein each horizontal cross-bar is attached at one end to a telescoping bar and at the other end to another telescoping bar, wherein each diagonal pivoting support bar is rotatably attached at one end to the horizontal cross-bar on one side of the cart and at the other end to the handle bar on the other side of the cart.

Abstract: A collapsible truck bed cover comprising a frame and an outer covering, wherein the frame comprises four primary support bars, four secondary support bars, and four cross bars. The primary support bars are pivotally connected to each other at a swinging pivot point. The secondary support bars are pivotally connected to the primary support bars. The two rear primary support bars are pivotally connected to the truck bed rails at two stationary pivot points. When the cover is fully collapsed, it fits underneath an existing tonneau cover.

Abstract: A method for converting a dump truck body into an improved truck body. The dump truck body is configured for hauling a payload and has a canopy, a floor, two sidewalls, and a front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: if the dump truck body has a tailgate, removing the tailgate; extending the floor to the rear by adding a floor extension component at a floor angle approximately ten degrees greater than a pre-conversion floor angle; increasing the height of the sidewalls by adding two fabricated sidewall attachment components; and tying the sidewall extensions into the rear of the floor extension component by adding a fabricated component. Preferably, a material dam is incorporated into the canopy forward of the front wall to form a shelf that is configured to retain and balance the payload.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery of a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor albus, which produces volatile antibiotics that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of human and animal waste products. Through experimentation, this invention confirms that Muscodor albus can be used in disposable bags in connection with portable toilets to solve the problem of degradation of waste products in situations where humans are removed from sanitary facilities. This invention includes the discovery of non-volatile inhibitors that are also produced by Muscodor albus and that are similarly effective in treating human and animal wastes. This invention covers a unique and novel method for preparing Muscodor albus for commercial use in the treatment of human and animal wastes, which involves infesting barley seeds with Muscodor albus and then storing them under conditions that will allow the fungus to remain viable for up to nine months.

Abstract: A dry material surface applicator comprising: a plurality of receptacles for attaching hoses from an air seeder cart; a plurality of towers mounted on a boom; a plurality of smaller distribution tubes emanating from each tower; a plurality of deflector shields mounted to the rear side of the boom; two boom wheels at either end of the boom; a center section comprising a single axle, two center wheels, an inside support bar, and two outside support bars; two swing arms, each of which is pivotally connected to one of the outside support bars of the center section proximate the center wheels; two main arms, each of which is releasably attached to a swing arm on one end and a bracket mounted to the boom on the other end; and a latching mechanism that locks the swing arm in place when the applicator is in a field or highway position.

Abstract: A gate apparatus comprising a first frame, a second frame and a plurality of rails, wherein each of the first and second frames comprises a vertical post and a plurality of cross-bars, and wherein the cross-bars of the first frame increase in length from the top cross-bar to the bottom cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one below it is at least equal to the width of each rail, and wherein the cross-bars of the second frame increase in length from the bottom cross-bar to the top cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one above it is at least equal to the width of each rail. The gate apparatus includes a means of attaching the rails to the cross-bars that allows the rails to pivot vertically. A wheel is attached to the vertical post of the second frame.

Abstract: A frozen vehicle door puller comprising a key ring, a finger plate, an eyelet, a finger handle, a body, and a hook. Preferably, the finger handle is slightly larger in diameter than the body in order to provide a comfortable grip for the user's fingers, and the overall length of this embodiment from the finger plate to the end of the hook is in the range of five (5) to ten (10) centimeters. The frozen vehicle door puller is alternately comprised of a handle, a shaft, and one or more interchangeable hooks. Preferably, the overall length of this embodiment is between forty-five (45) and sixty (60) centimeters. In each embodiment, the hook is coated with silicone or rubber to prevent it from damaging the vehicle's paint. A method of using the frozen vehicle door pullers of the present invention to open a frozen vehicle door.

Abstract: A wader that is shaped to allow for ease of movement in the hip and knee areas and that has seams running vertically on the anterior and posterior sides of the leg portions. The wader is designed to alleviate discomfort caused by stiff seams and to address the problem of seam abrasion. The wader is made of breathable fabric, and the seams are sewn and sealed. The wader can include, optionally, a foot-covering device and a cinching device. In the preferred embodiment, the seams are sealed with a thermoplastic adhesive tape. A method of manufacturing the wader described above.

Abstract: A combination tool comprising a hammer head portion, a pipe wrench, a crescent wrench and a handle, wherein the pipe wrench and crescent wrench are located on opposite ends of the tool. The pipe wrench comprises an adjustable jaw and a fixed jaw, and the fixed jaw of the pipe wrench lies directly on top of the hammer head portion. The handle optionally comprises finger grips that can be formed out of the same material as the handle or a separate piece of material, such as rubber, that is wrapped around the outside of the handle. In the preferred embodiment, the length of the handle is in the range of four to ten inches, and the overall length of the tool is in the range of ten to twenty-four inches. The tool is preferably made of chrome-plated forged steel.

Abstract: A gate apparatus comprising a first frame, a second frame and a plurality of rails, wherein each of the first and second frames comprises a vertical post and a plurality of cross-bars, and wherein the cross-bars of the first frame increase in length from the top cross-bar to the bottom cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one below it is at least equal to the width of each rail, and wherein the cross-bars of the second frame increase in length from the bottom cross-bar to the top cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one above it is at least equal to the width of each rail. The gate apparatus includes a means of attaching the rails to the cross-bars that allows the rails to pivot vertically. A wheel is attached to the vertical post of the second frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting the seed of native plant species with a cam mechanism that increases the zone of controlled brushing from a point of contact between the rotating brushes and combs to a four-inch span over which the rotating combs remain perpendicular to the surface of the brush while following an arc path nearly concentric to that of the brush shaft. The comb assembly consists of a belt stretched around a plurality of wheels and evenly spaced combs attached to the belt by a plurality of bars. The comb assembly pivots so that the distance between the rotating combs and rotating brushes can be adjusted to achieve maximum yield for a particular species. A method for harvesting native seeds using the harvester with the cam mechanism and adjustable comb assembly.