Abstract: A clutch assembly for transmitting power from an oscillating drive shaft to a driven mechanism includes a clutch member having a rotatable input component for receiving power from the oscillating drive shaft, a rotatable output component for transferring power to the driven mechanism and a spring mounted at one end to the input component and having an opposite end secured in a fixed position. The spring biases the input component into engagement with the output component upon rotation of the drive shaft in one direction and biases the input component toward the output component upon rotation of the drive shaft in an opposite direction. The assembly preferably includes a plurality of clutch members for sequentially transmitting power from a drive shaft to the driven mechanism to cause rotation thereof.

Abstract: A grill lifting tool comprises an elongated handle with a head attached to a distal end thereof relative to a user. The head presents a first slot adapted to receive at least two bars of a grate therein, and a second slot in communication with the first slot for capturing one of the grate bars within the first slot upon a lifting of the proximal end of the handle by a user. A third slot is presented in the bottom side of the head for capturing another grate bar upon lifting of the handle by a user. The head further includes a hook pivotally attached to a side of the head for releasably coupling the tool to the bar of the grate that is aligned with the second slot. The head of the lifting tool is also configured as a scraper and includes a brush for cleaning the bars of the grate.

Abstract: A portable toilet for attachment to a vehicle trailer hitch comprises a toilet seat pivotally attached to a frame. The toilet includes extendable legs for supporting the front portion of the toilet seat and frame under the weight of a user. The legs are pivotally attached to the frame and thus can be rotated to a position adjacent and parallel to side arms of the frame when not in use or for transport and storage. The camping toilet further includes a waste collection assembly having a waste bag removable attached thereto, the assembly being slidably positioned beneath the toilet seat. A mounting assembly includes a bar which secures the toilet within a selected pair of the plurality of inclined slots presented by a mounting bracket. Accordingly, the height of the toilet above the ground is regulated. The mounting bracket is fixedly attached to a draw bar for mounting the overall camping toilet to a box hitch or ball hitch of a vehicle.

Abstract: A digital signal processor (DSP) traffic radar utilizing pulses from the patrol vehicle's electronic speedometer to steer the DSP's search of Doppler return information for the patrol vehicle's radar return signal, to improve target identification and minimize inaccuracies. In moving mode, when the patrol vehicle comes to a stop, no pulses are received by the DSP and therefore the patrol speed is set to zero, eliminating false association with other moving targets.

Abstract: An improved litter for the accumulation of animal urine comprises a cellulosic base material which is impregnated with a pH-indicating solution to provide a visually detectable color transition at a particular pH level. Cellulosic material such as wastepaper, newsprint, cardboard, etc. can be used to form cellulosic particles that are light, absorbent, and relatively dust-free. In the preferred embodiment, cellulosic particles are impregnated with a pH indicator such as litmus which will undergo a color transition upon contact with animal urine, thus providing an indication that bacteria may be present. The color of the litter is changed from blue to red at each location of animal urination. This improved pH-sensitive litter, therefore, provides a cost-effective and environmentally safe means for pet owners to determine when animal litter needs to be changed.

Abstract: A roof rack for a vehicle including a support member which is removably secured to the roof thereof and a telescoping member slidably attached within the support member for movement between a transport position and a loading position. The telescoping member includes a first segment hinged to a second segment which rotates about its axis when in the loading position. A brace, which is fixed to the support member, braces the second segment when in the loading position and limits the extent of its rotation, ultimately preventing the telescoping member from contacting the vehicle's side panels. Articles are loaded onto an L-shaped bracket which extends upwardly from the outer ends of the telescoping member and parallel thereto to space the load above the vehicle's roof when in the transport position.

Abstract: A compression short with a magnet pocket for relieving back and hip pain includes a garment of resilient fabric shaped to compliment the pelvic region and legs which presents an upper edge and has a waistband joined to the upper edge. A pocket panel is secured to the inner surface of the garment at the back thereof to form a pocket within the shorts. The pocket has a central portion and a pair of opposed elongated arms. The central portion extends substantially longitudinally adjacent the wearer's tailbone, and the arms extend laterally from opposite sides of the central portion adjacent the wearer's hips. The central portion and the arms are adapted to selectively receive a magnet of complemental shape therein to relieve pain at the wearer's back, tailbone and hip areas. The pocket configuration allows for easy insertion and removal of the magnets and also secures the magnets in the proper place over the wearer's back and hips.

Abstract: A coin operated fragrance dispensing device comprises a casing having a plurality of actuation assemblies for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a user selected fragrance from a plurality of fragrance canisters therein. A lockable front door of the casing presents indicia and selection buttons corresponding to the fragrance canisters therein. The casing includes an adjustable holder adapted to carry variously sized fragrance canisters. A coin inserted through a slot in the front door of the casing falls upon a crank arm and is lodged between flanges thereon. The weight of the coin causes the arm to tilt and thus to pull down upon a pivot arm. As the shaft pivots about an axis established by a shaft which connects the pivot arms of each actuation assembly, push rods extend to move levers into open or unlocked positions. Accordingly, an actuation bar attached to a fragrance selection button is free to slidably engage a pressure responsive valve means of a fragrance canister.

Abstract: The operating level of the liquid in a cyclone contactor is maintained without the need for an external sensor and a control valve. A pressure balancing connection communicates the contactor with a chamber from which the liquid for the contactor is supplied. The liquid level is maintained by equalizing the pressure at (or slightly below) the instability point of the contactor and the pressure head in the liquid supply chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for covering an electrical wall outlet and for maintaining the connection of electrical plugs thereto or to another electrical socket. The apparatus includes a cover plate presenting socket openings and at least one cap for housing a cord/plug assembly, the cap having a pair of legs with flanges attached to free ends thereof. The cover plate includes a pair of opposed slots about each socket opening, each slot having a first channel for receiving the appropriately aligned legs and flanges therein. A cap is secured to a cover plate by rotating the cap in a clockwise direction until the legs reach a terminal channel at which a portion of the plate overlies the flanges to preclude removal of the flanges from the channel. A cap is removable from the cover plate only by placing inward pressure on both legs while simultaneously rotating the cap for movement of the legs back to the first channel.

Abstract: A beverage device is provided for separately storing two beverages and for selectively dispensing the beverages sequentially or in combination. The beverage device includes a cap assembly attached to a conventional drink bottle, the cap assembly having an inner cylindrical housing rotatably nested within an outer cylindrical housing. The housings are generally hollow and present apertures which facilitate the dispensing or mixing of beverages when properly aligned. The inner housing includes a channel which allows a drink to be drawn through a spout from the bottle by a user upon alignment of apertures between the housings. The inner housing further includes a chamber for storing a beverage until apertures in the inner and outer housings are aligned to release the beverage into the bottle for mixing and dispensing. Alignment of appropriate housing apertures is accomplished by rotation of the inner housing within the outer housing.

Abstract: A cellular phone in the form of a glove with a cellular phone assembly incorporated therein. The cellular phone assembly comprises a slim line housing having the cellular phone circuitry therein, the housing attached to the back hand of the glove. A wire extends from the voice output portion of the cellular phone circuitry and along the thumb portion of the glove for connection to a speaker found on the outside of the thumb appendage. A second wire extends from the cellular phone voice input circuitry and along the little finger appendage of the glove for connection to a microphone. The central housing presents the conventional phone buttons on the back hand side of the glove. The glove with the cellular phone incorporated therein allows a user to easily transport and use a cellular phone without interference with the manual dexterity of the gloved hand. In use the gloved thumb with speaker thereon is held near the ear and gloved little finger with microphone thereon is held near the mouth.

Abstract: A safety jumper cable has two cable segments each with conventional terminal clamps on one end and a coupling on the other end. The terminal clamps are adapted to be secured to the battery terminals in the conventional manner. The cable couplings cannot physically be connected together by means of a positive fail-safe lockout unless the clamps are secured to the proper battery terminals. This lockout is provided by a normally extended, locked safety blade that is slidably mounted within each coupling. When the terminal clamps are attached to the proper battery terminals, the safety blades are unlocked and the safety jumper cable can be coupled together away from either battery and the danger of sparking and explosions. The safety jumper cable may also be provided with a manual override device.

Abstract: An air vent that automatically opens and closes in response to changes in the ambient air temperature. The air vent includes a housing, a louver frame mounted to the housing and a series of vent louvers pivotally mounted to the frame. The louver frame includes a cam member for automatically pivoting the louvers between an open position and a closed position in response to ambient air temperature changes. The cam member includes a spring fixedly mounted at one end to the housing and mounted at the other end to a camming bar, which is mounted to the louvers. This spring is formed of two different types of metals which react to changes in the ambient air temperature. More specifically, the metals are chosen so that the spring expands as the temperature increases to rotate the cam bar in one direction and incrementally open the louvers, and contracts as the temperature decreases to rotate the cam bar in the reverse direction and incrementally close the louvers.

Abstract: A paneling system includes a first upper or outer plate having a plurality of outwardly extending tabs unitarily and integrally formed therewith and a second, lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate to present a void therebetween. The tabs span the void and join with the second plate to fixedly secure the plates together to form the panel construction. The free ends of the tabs may be welded within slots formed in the second plate to secure the plates together. Alternatively, the tabs may be L-shaped to present a flange in parallel relation to the plates. The flanges are welded to the second plate to secure the plates together. The tabs may present anchor holes in the first plate for securing a load in place. The first plate may include a raised portion at the periphery of the anchor holes to help prevent skidding.

Abstract: A method for protecting cooling water systems from corrosion is disclosed which monitors the hydrocarbon concentration in a cooling fluid flow and activates protective procedures upon detection of a predetermined concentration. According to the method, a fluid flow of cooling water from a cooling tower is directed through an upstream gate valve before entering a heat exchange apparatus where heat from an industrial process fluid flow is transferred to the cooling fluid flow. The hydrocarbon concentration of the heated cooling fluid flow is monitored as it is directed out of the heat exchange apparatus for return to a cooling tower. However, if a concentration of hydrocarbons is detected in the fluid flow which indicates possible process fluid leakage, upstream and downstream cooling fluid gate valves as well as a process fluid gate valve are automatically closed.

Abstract: A system for collecting and channeling wind energy includes funnel-shaped wind collectors rotatably attached to elevated platforms for collecting wind streams at higher initial velocities. A fantail assembly rotates the inlet end of the funnel into the face of the wind. The funnel is slidably connected to a railing atop the platform to maintain the inlet of the funnel at a desired relationship with the wind stream as well as to preclude separation of the funnel from the platform. Wind entering the inlet of the funnel-shaped collector flows toward a reduced outlet end of the collector resulting in an increased velocity. The collected air is channeled through a tubular branch conduit and merged into a transmission conduit of equal diameter for delivery to a transmission assembly.

Abstract: A method of translating screen displays of a user application program from a first base language to a user-selectable second language. The method is driven by program software which intercepts the messages created by a presentation manager of a WINDOWS operating system, the messages being used to form screen displays of the user application program on the terminal. Initially, the untranslated text is moved from a displayed screen to a translation table. The user, who need not be a programmer or computer oriented, enters a translation of the text into the same table via the keyboard, the table then being stored in computer memory. Upon subsequent operation of the application program the message, which forms the screen to be displayed, will be intercepted. Subsequently, a search of the translation table for the text in the intercepted message is conducted. The matched text is replaced with the second language previously entered in the translation table.