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.

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: A game call apparatus of improved configuration provides a two part body that includes first and second hollow tubular members that, each have a hollow bore section. The tubular members and provide an open-ended longitudinally extending bore when they are assembled together. The first and second tubular members have correspondingly shaped connectable threads that engage and connect when the two tubular members are assembled together. One of the tubular sections provides a groove to which is attached an O-ring. The o-ring defines a stop that limits travel of one tubular member relative to the other when the threaded connection is made to join them together. By acting as such a stop, the O-ring and threaded connection arrangement insures that the game call will always be reassembled in exactly the same position after it has been disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis enables a surgeon to convert a mobile bearing insert having articular surfaces, supported by a tibial base plate or tray from a rotating and translating prosthesis to one that rotates only. This conversion is accomplished with a fastener or locking member that connects through an opening in the insert to the tibial base plate. This prosthesis can be used as part of a total knee surgery when the surgeon chooses to use a prosthesis that incorporates a movable articular surface. In one embodiment, a projecting portion extends proximally from the insert and cooperates with a cam on the femoral component. The projecting portion can be a post extending up from the proximal surface of the insert and the femoral component includes an intercondylar surface that may contact the post to constrain the relative motion between the femoral component and the insert.

Abstract: A marine platform 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.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes an inner elongated instrument member that fits the bore of an outer elongated instrument member. The inner instrument member carries a flag that can be furled about the distal end portion of the inner instrument member. A sheet of surgical material to be dispensed into a patient's body cavity can be attached to the flag. The outer instrument member includes an articulating end portion that can be moved to deflect the end portion of the inner instrument member such as when the flag is unfurled inside a patient's body cavity.

Abstract: A fire fighting apparatus includes a chassis that can be in the form of a trailer that supports a pedestal and an articulating boom with a submersible hydraulically driven pump at an end portion of the boom opposite the pedestal. A diesel engine mounted on the chassis powers both a hydraulic pump and a transfer pump. Water picked up by the submersible pump at the end of the boom is received on the chassis and then transferred under pressure to a fire fighting hose. A dual filter arrangement can be used to remove trash that is picked up by the submersible hydraulic pump. A hydraulic motor on the chassis can be used to operate the boom during unfolding and folding and to transfer hydraulic fluid to the submersible pump.

Abstract: In one embodiment disclosed is a safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that can be started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank wall having outer surface, said flange having a central axis; a filler cap having a cap center, the cap being connectable to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening when the cap center generally aligns with the flange central axis, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler cap, at a position next to the tank wall; and a mechanism interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that is activated to a safety mode when the engine is at an elevated, operating temperature, said mechanism including a connector that interfaces between the outer surface of the fuel tank and the cap.

Abstract: A sprayer apparatus uses a larger canister to contain diluent (e.g. water) and a smaller canister to contain chemical concentrate (e.g. insecticide, fertilizer, soap, etc.). The larger canister has a bladder or diaphragm that separates its interior into two sections; a liquid chamber and a pressured gas chamber. A valved manifold enables diluent to be added to the apparatus via the manifold so that it mixes with the desired chemical concentrate. Mixed solution can then be dispensed via a hose, spray wand, etc. using the pressurized air to drive it out of the larger canister.

Abstract: A golf club features a hollowed club head having an insert movably mounted therein. The insert is weighted so that it works like a pendulum during a user's swing of the club. The insert has a flat face that shifts to present a face to the ball that corrects for improper technique.

Abstract: A continuous copying apparatus provides a copier chassis having a copy paper inlet and a copy paper outlet which are on a common side of the copier chassis. A web of supply paper is positioned adjacent the copier inlet and is compactly stored so that a continuous, elongated web can be fed into the chassis at the inlet. A first roller drive positioned on the chassis and adjacent the paper path pulls the copy paper from the supply web into the inlet. A photocopying component system includes at least a photoconductor, and an optics system for imaging an original to be copied onto the photoconductor, for continuously imprinting an image to be copied on the web of copy paper as it traverses the copier chassis through a defined, generally semicircular paper path. A drive means is positioned on the chassis sequentially behind the photocopying component system on the flowpath for pulling the copy paper web from the photocopying component system to the copier outlet.

Abstract: A composite spreader frame assembly provides a primary load line having a bridle attached to the load line and four radially and branching lines connected at one respective end to the bridle. A pair of separate elongated support bars are each supported independently by the alternate radially branching lines. A plurality of lifting eyes are removably connected at each respective end of the elongated support bars. Four secondary depending load lines which are generally vertical during lifting are attached at the upper end to the lifting eyes and at the lower end to a load to be lifted.

Abstract: A packaged, transportable waste treatment system for hazardous and non-hazardous wastes comprises a pair of mixing tanks having a flow inlet at the lower bottom central portion of the tanks, the flow inlet providing an injection conduit which proceeds vertically a distance into one of the tanks. A floc concentration tube is provided with an inner bore, the tube being vertically mounted in the tank about the injection conduit with the tube having a lower fluid inlet and an upper fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being in communication with the tank by means of a plurality of perforations in the tube at the fluid inlet adjacent the bottom of the tank. A rotatable propeller shaft having a mixing propeller mounted thereon is attached to the tank structure, the shaft being mounted at least in the tube bore above the injection conduit with the propeller being between the lower fluid inlet and the upper outlet immediately adjacent the outlet of the injection conduit.

Abstract: A subsea acoustic relocation system provides an apparatus that includes in one embodiment an anchor, and in another embodiment a weighted frame having in part a casing which has an inner bore with an open top portion. A line canister connected to the anchor or disposed within the casing bore has an opening through which a contained canister line can pay out. The canister line is placed within the line canister and is anchored at one end to the anchor or frame, the other end of the canister line being a free end which dispenses from the canister during operation. An acoustic transponder release assembly is detachably affixed to the anchor or frame (within the casing bore) at a provided removable connection which can be broken by an acoustic signal. The acoustic transponder release assembly has attached to it the free end of the line canister with the acoustic transponder release forming a temporary connection of the free end of the line to the frame.

Abstract: A chemical mixing apparatus comprises a preferably cylindrical mixing tank having a flow inlet at the lower bottom central portion of the tank, the flow inlet providing an injection conduit which proceed vertically a distance into the tank. A floc concentration tube is provided with an inner bore, the tube being vertically mounted in the tank about the injection conduit with the tube having a lower fluid inlet and an upper fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being in communication with the tank by means of a plurality of perforations in the tube at the fluid inlet adjacent the bottom of the tank. A rotatable propeller shaft having a mixing propeller mounted thereon is attached to the tank structure, the shaft being mounted at least in the tube bore above the injection conduit with the propeller being between the lower fluid inlet and the upper outlet immediately adjacent the outlet of the injection conduit.

Abstract: A modular well testing unit for use in hostile environments provides a plurality of modular sections providing upon assembly an enclosed structure for housing the components of the well testing unit, each of the modular sections being self-supporting and transportable. Upon assembly insulation is provided to give an internal controlled environment surrounded by a substantially continuous external shell. Access internally allows movement between adjacent modular sections by personnel, for example. A production intake allows an oil stream from an oil or gas well to be tested to be transmitted to the interior portion of the enclosure. An outlet is provided for discharging oil as well as air, gases, and liquids other than oil such as water. A plurality of well-testing, fluid-handling vessels are disposed respectively in the plurality of modular sections.

Abstract: An interchangeable trailer ball apparatus provides an elongated hollowed pin which is attached normally to the bumper or drawbar of a vehicle. The bumper provides an internal elongated longitudinal bore with a lateral bore intersecting the longitudinal bore at one end portion. Disposed within the lateral bore is a locking element which is moveably mounted between retracted and projected positions. Disposed slideably within the longitudinal bore of the bumper pin is an actuating rod which is moveably mounted between positions which alternatively allow the locking element to assume an inward retracted position and abut the locking element to move it into the projected position. A trailer ball having a closed end bore is removably attachable to the bumper pin when the locking element is in the retracted position and is secured to the bumper pin by the locking element when it assumes the projected position. The trailer ball can have an annular recess for receiving thereinto the locking element.

Abstract: A high pressure gate valve apparatus provides an elongated cylindrical valve body providing a fluid conveying linear cylindrical longitudinal bore of substantially uniform configuration. A gate valving member is movable within the valve body entirely within the confines of the valve body and not projecting laterally therebeyond. The valve member is movable at generally right angles to and intersecting the fluid conveying bore with the gate valving member providing a flow opening therethrough, the valving member being movable within the valve body between open flow and closed flow positions. A pair of spaced generally parallel cylindrical drive chamber is provided on the valve body substantially parallel to the central flow conveying bore.

Abstract: A drill string safety valve operator provides a rotatable tubular body having a longitudinal through bore for conveying fluids. A valve member is movably disposed within the body for valving the fluid flow through the bore. A crank arm extends from and is coupled to the valve member at the valve stem for moving the valve member between open flow and closed flow positions responsive to rotation of the crank arm. A bearing is carried at the outboard end of the crank arm for transmitting load to the crank arm. An annular ring is supported about the tubular housing and provides a surface that can engage the bearing. Hydraulic cylinders power the annular ring so that the annular ring engages the bearing. Downward movement of the ring causes a corresponding downward movement of the bearing and a corresponding rotation of the crank arm. The apparatus thus allows quick remote closure of the valve during a blowout condition of the drill pipe bore.

Abstract: An automatic rod and reel support carriage apparatus automatically rotates the reel crank to retrieve a line. The apparatus provides a weighted base frame upon which is securely fastened a motordrive. A rotating hub provides radially spaced recesses which engage the reel crank. A carriage is also supported by the base for holding the reel in a position which engages the reel crank with the hub. A pivotally movable trigger provides a ferrule at its end portion which loosely engages the line so that the line can pass through the ferrule. The trigger actuates the motor drive when the line is tensed such as when a fish pulls on the line. When such tension pulls the line, the trigger is deflected and closes a microswitch that actuates the motordrive. Absent tension on the line, the trigger deflects the line away from the axis of the rod and the trigger is disengaged from the microswitch.