Abstract: The combined walking cane and lift assist device of the present invention is used to help or assist a person to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. The cane and lift assist device can be used to assist a user to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. The apparatus can include a cane shaft having an upper end and a lower end, a first, upper handle attached to the upper end of the cane shaft, a second, lower handle attached to the shaft below the first, upper handle, and a resilient tip attached to the lower end of the cane, wherein the lower handle is rotatable up to 180 degrees with respect to the upper handle, so that the upper and lower handles can be vertically aligned when the user is using the device as a cane, and the lower handle can be offset up to 180 degrees with respect to the upper handle when the device is used to assist the user when moving between a sitting position and a standing position.

Abstract: A heel for a shoe includes a first relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is walking while wearing a shoe having the heel and a second relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is dancing and wearing a shoe having the heel. A pair of shoes can have one or two such heels. Preferably, there is a lower-friction portion on the second relatively flat surface. The second relatively flat surface allows one to relatively easily spin while dancing, as compared to dancing with shoes having normal heels.

Abstract: A method of excavating a surface layer of soil is disclosed that uses an excavator with a grab having two bucket halves with cutting edge. In a first excavating position, the grab is held in a first orientation as seen in projection on a horizontal plane and inserted into the layer of soil in an open position of the bucket halves until their cutting edges reach a first predetermined level while maintaining the first orientation. While maintaining that level and first orientation, the bucket halves are moved to a closed position during which movement their cutting edges move towards each other through a substantially straight path so as to excavate a first rectangular portion of the layer of soil. The grab is then lifted and moved to a discharge position horizontally spaced from the excavating position and emptied there to make further transport of the excavated soil possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a tubular member (e.g., leg of an abandoned or obsolete fixed platforms in a marine environment) is provided. The apparatus includes a delivery system having a frame carrying explosive shaped charges. The frame includes charges having curved sections which can be moved relative to one another for engaging the inside bore of a tubular member to be severed. The charges are biased (e.g., spring loaded) to be moved automatically to an extended position that engages the tubular member (e.g., platform leg) when a trigger is activated from a remote location. The trigger can be a pin carried in a tube with wires connecting each curved charge section to the pin. When the pin is lifted from its tube, the wires are released enabling the springs to thrust the charges against the inside of a pipe, leg or tubular member to be cut. Once in this position, the charges can be fired.

Abstract: An improved landing craft includes a hull that supports bow and stern ramps for enabling vehicles to drive through during loading and unloading. The drive-through arrangement also enables the crew to load and unload the craft much faster and more easily than existing vessels. A ballasting arrangement can be used to trim the hull when it is to be beached or to be extracted and/or during loading/unloading.

Abstract: An erosion control method and apparatus provides multiple concrete bodies for erosion control that each include tubular hollow bore sections. Each section has front and rear openings that communicate with the hollow bore. Each body is an elongated tapered pile-like member. The plurality of the concrete bodies can be installed side by side using a jetting pump that preferably occupies the bore, and with tongue and groove connections interlocking the bodies upon assembly. A plurality of the concrete bodies can be placed side by side to form a bulkhead or breakwater to protect a shoreline, bank, island or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for joining aluminum allow panels (eg. 2090-T83 aluminum lithium alloy). The method preliminarily positions two panels and skin panels next to each other so that a stringer panel overlaps a skin panel. A friction stir weld pin tool penetrates through one panel and at least partially into another panel. The panel material around the pin tool is frictionally heated.

Abstract: A furniture article of improved construction includes a furniture frame having a portion that is receptive of a bracket having a configuration that enables attaching a leg thereto in an adjustable way. Each of the legs that attaches to the furniture frame attaches to a single of the brackets. A plurality of the brackets can be attached to the frame. Each of the brackets has a slot that receives a connector (e.g. internally threaded nut), the connector traveling in the slot between inner and outer positions. A user can select the position of a leg relative to the furniture frame by attaching the leg to the nut using a threaded fastener for example, and sliding the nut and leg relative to the bracket and frame until a selected position is reached. Further tightening of the leg relative to the nut and bracket affixes the position of the leg relative to the article of furniture in the desired position.

Abstract: A pipeline laying ship has a hull with a deck area and a moon pool that extends through the hull midships. The pipeline welding stations are provided on the deck in between the bow of the hull and the moon pool. A superstructure is positioned in front of the moon pool and extends upwardly from the deck. The superstructure includes a track that is comprised of a plurality of supports for supporting a pipeline to be launched to the seabed. The superstructure has upper and lower sections that are removable with respect to each other. The upper section pivots upon the lower section in the preferred embodiment. The superstructure lower section supports the welded pipeline as it is being fabricated in a first plane that includes a central longitudinal axis for the pipeline. The upper section supports the pipeline on a second plane that forms an acute angle with the first plane.

Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein ozone layer-damaging dichlorodifluoromethane is substituted with a mix of less environmentally damaging refrigerants chlorodifluoroethane and tetrafluoroethane in dichlorodifluoromethane-based air-cooling systems. While less environmentally damaging than dichlorodifluoromethane, the substitute refrigerant has a temperature-pressure relationship similar to that of dichlorodifluoromethane, making the substitute refrigerant suitable for use with dichlorodifluoromethane-based air-cooling systems. The substitute refrigerant can be used alone or in combination with dichlorodifluoromethane. In either event, it is mixed with a relatively small percentage of a hydrophobic lubricating oil which is compatible with both the substitute refrigerant and with dichlorodifluoromethane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an oil, water, and gas well using a gas carrier/transport system to remove produced liquids and contained solids by altering the flow regime of the production fluids towards or into a flow regime in which gas is the continuous fluid. This can be accomplished by use of supplemental gas flow (hydrocarbon or non-hydrocarbon) and/or stimulation of the production sand or coal bed gas flow with a reduced pressure drop across the well once near or in a gas-continuous flow regime. This invention can be applied to any well with insufficient formation gas pressure to prevent liquid buildup within the well during production. The present invention utilizes a second production pipe (or the annulus between the casing and the pipe), sized to transport compressed gas from the wellhead area down into the production liquid and into the production pipe. This flow of gas will cause the well fluids to flow up the pipe by approaching or entering a gas-continuous flow regime.

Abstract: A tobacco product is formed by rolling a sheet of material supplied by a roll or rolls (e.g. moistened tobacco leaves) and/or homogenized sheet tobacco about a slit mandrel to form a shaped tube. The shaped tube is then packaged for shipment to an end user or consumer. The shaped tube remains in the rolled, shaped tube form inside the package. After the shaped tube is removed from the package, a consumer can fill the tube with crushed tobacco leaves or other tobacco filler material of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product. A liquid can be added to the sheet or to the finished tube to moisturize same. The liquid can include flavoring. The tubes are unfilled when packaged and sent to a consumer/end user in tube form so that they have a “memory” that helps hold a tubular cigar shape after they are filled with selected tobacco fill material.

Abstract: An integral concrete body for erosion control includes three separate sections of differing configuration. The sections include a lower tapered section that is in the form of an elongated tapered pile-like member. The upper section of the concrete body is generally rectangular. A transitional section that is also tapered forms a connection between the upper and lower portions of the concrete body. The plurality of the concrete bodies can be installed side by side with tongue and groove connections interlocking the bodies upon assembly. A plurality of the concrete bodies can be placed side by side to form a bulkhead or breakwater. In one embodiment, each concrete body can be comprised of separate connectable members. Anchors can be used to support the concrete bodies laterally, to prevent tilting or tipping when exposed to erosion, wind, or wave action.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a marine vessel underdeck utilizes a video camera such as a digital video camera with a magnifying or telephoto lens. The method produces a magnified image on a monitor for viewing by an inspector that appears to be no more than about 24 inches away. The method includes the step of filming the underdeck of a distance of about 40-70 feet. The lens provides a focal length of between about 15 an 150 feet. Thus the method is conducted at a workable focal range of between about 15 and 150 feet. The lens preferably has a focal length of between 30 and 75 feet. The method includes the step of scanning the suspect area of the underdeck of a speed of about 1 inch per second to three feet per second. The preferred method contemplates scanning of the suspect area of a rate of about 1 foot per second.

Abstract: A pipeline laying ship and an improved method of laying a pipeline in a marine environment is disclosed. The pipeline laying ship is a dynamically positioned barge or self-propelled dynamically positioned vessel with a hull having a deck area that supports a pair of reels. The reels are independently rotatable, and are position to generally port and starboard relative to one another. A pipe joint storage area is provided for containing multiple joints of pipe. One or more pipeline welding stations are provided on the deck next to the reels, the pipeline welding stations being positioned to join the joints of pipe together to form an elongated pipeline that can be wound upon a selected reel of said pair of reels. A tower is provided for guiding the elongated pipeline as it is unwound from a selected reel, the tower including at least a bend controller, a straightener and a tensioner.

Abstract: A solid weight load testing system is disclosed for testing the load capacity of a crane. The apparatus includes a holder that includes a platform and a post, the post having upper and lower end portions and being structurally connective at its lower end portion to the platform. A plurality of weights are selectively placed upon the holder by a user in order to arrive at a selected capacity. Each weight has a central opening that is sized and shaped to fit the post as the weight is lowered to the platform. A pair of lifting eyes are provided on each plate, the lifting eyes being mounted to the periphery of a weight on a line that intersects the center of the weight opening. An attachment portion on the top of the post enables a connection to be perfected between the holder and a crane to be load tested. A crane lift line is rigged to the attachment portion after a selected plurality of weights have been added to the holder.

Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

Abstract: An improved lift boat includes a hull, a plurality of legs (preferably three), a plurality of pads, one pad attached to each leg, and a jacking mechanism for moving each upward and downward. Recesses in the hull receive the pads when the lift boat is underway. Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is at least 30% of the surface area of the deck of the lift boat. Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is large enough such that, when the boat is loaded to capacity and is jacked up, the pads exert pressure of less than 7 p.s.i. on the sea floor. Preferably, the pads are partially recessed into the hull and extend laterally outward from the hull when the boat is underway to provide increased stability to the lift boat when it is underway.

Abstract: A marine platform (and method of installation) provides a plurality of buoys, a platform having a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of attachment positions, one attachment position for each buoy, and an articulating connection that connects each buoy to the platform at a respective attachment position, the connection allowing for sea state induced buoy motions while minimizing effect on the platform. A method of installation places the platform (including oil and gas drilling and/or production facility next to the buoys. Ballasting moves the platform and buoys relative to one another until connections are perfected between each buoy and the platform.