Abstract: A portable refuse compactor 10 has a mobile compression frame 11 including a base 12 in the general shape of a “T”. A trash bin bottom engagement surface 13 on the trunk of the “T” provides a purchase point against which compacting takes place. Compacting platen 15 is positioned above, and moveable with respect to, bin bottom engagement surface 13. Hydraulic ram 19 displaces platen 15 toward the bin bottom engagement surface 13.

Abstract: A pre-packaged s'more kit containing a plurality of marshmallows, crackers, and flavored wafers shaped to fit inside an elongated container. Preferably, the kit includes a roasting utensil also designed to fit within the elongated container. Once the s'more ingredients are removed, the elongated container can be reused as a storage container, a drinking cup, even a refractory telescope. Advantageously, a s'more connoisseur need only purchase one easily storable and transportable kit Instead of separately purchasing the ingredients in bulk.

Abstract: A watercraft beaching device (10) includes one or more collapsible upright supports (11) and (12) which hold a pair cushioned hull engagement surfaces (13) in spaced apart relationship. Advantageously, hull engagement surfaces (13) are elongated to engage more than a single point or area along on side of the hull of watercraft (1) to prevent watercraft (1) from pivoting about the mooring point on the shoreline. Additionally, supports (11) and (12) are configured to hold hull engagement surfaces (13) a sufficient distance above the shoreline to insure that the hull does not come into contact with the aforementioned abrasive agents or shoreline.

Abstract: A molded selective solder pallet and a method for fabricating a molded selective solder pallet for use in a wave soldering process to selectively affix solder to an area of a circuit board having an electronic component thereon. The selective solder pallet according to the present invention includes a mold base configured having an aperture formed through its cross-section. A high temperature casting material is molded within the mold base and configured to have at least one recess and at least one solder flow opening. A high temperature silicone casting material may be employed as the high temperature casting material.

Abstract: An adjustable, lift-off hinge having a hinge assembly including a first hinge member and a second hinge member joined by a tension pin along a vertical rotational axis. Advantageously, the hinge has two identical hinge members enabling manufacturing with a single mold or tooling set. The present invention allows low friction, pivotal movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member about the vertical rotational axis. The hinge also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism allowing for precise movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member along the vertical axis and precise movement of the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member along the vertical axis.

Abstract: A combination of a water tanker and a water treatment system containing an oyxgen generator, an ozone generator and a tank mixing eductor for in-transit treatment of water. At least the ozone generator is supported by an air suspension system which is specifically designed to eliminate vibration which may otherwise damage the ozone generator. A pump re-circulates water from the tank, through an ozone injector and back in to the tank through the mixing eductor. The invention provides at least two distinct operating modes which include complete water sterilization using ozone and simple water oxygenation followed by tank sterilization after livestock transport.

Abstract: A system for carrying supplemental oxygen bottles on a passenger aircraft has an oxygen canister locker enclosed in a special high temperature resistant fabric enclosure to prevent the spread of fire and fumes. The fabric enclosure has a sealable opening therein to receive the oxygen canister locker and allow access to the contents of the locker. The fabric enclosure is lined with a metalized fabric liner which is heat resistant up to temperatures exceeding 1500.degree. Fahrenheit. Additionally, the seams used to construct the bag as well as the construction techniques are such that fumes are inhibited from escaping the enclosure.

Abstract: A molded selective solder pallet and a method for fabricating a molded selective solder pallet for use in a wave soldering process to selectively affix solder to an area of a circuit board having an electronic component thereon. The selective solder pallet according to the present invention includes a mold base configured having an aperture formed through its cross-section. A high temperature casting material is molded within the mold base and configured to have at least one recess and at least one solder flow opening. A high temperature silicone casting material may be employed as the high temperature casting material.

Abstract: An autonomous apparatus for measuring the amount in volume, weight or level of a liquid in a tank. The invention provides an easy to read digital numerical display in what ever units the user has calibrated it for, indicating the amount of fluid in the tank. The self-contained electronic devise is normally mounted to a pipe nipple on the top of an above ground storage tank. An attached displacement device extends down through the pipe nipple into the liquid to sense the level of the liquid. This device relies on ambient light to power the solar cells and recharge a battery, which provides all the necessary power to operate the device both day and night. The apparatus is designed to be intrinsically safe and totally sealed. As such it operates electrically as a stand alone gauge and is intended as a general purpose indicator of tank contents for any tank location.

Abstract: A pallet notching device for notching assembled pallets including a frame having a motive force device connected to the frame for driving a pair of vertically oriented rotating drive shafts and a blade assembly removably attachable to each shaft for rotation in a horizontal plane. The device may include an feed conveyor or mechanism for automatically feeding assembled pallets through the rotating cutter heads and directing and conveying the notched pallets away from the notch cutting heads. Each rotating cutter assembly may include a plurality of blades each having a generally circular configuration and a plurality of cutting teeth mounted about the periphery of the blade. The plurality of blades are mounted on a vertical spindle and driven by a motor. The plurality of blades may be configured so that the diameter of the top several blades each have a decreasing diameter and a radiused profile. This configuration provides a rounded corner for the notch.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a pick and place machine including picking a calibrated chip having a first calibration mark from a parts pick up jig with a placing head of the pick and place machine, placing the calibrated chip on a calibrated plate having a second calibration mark with the pick and place machine placing head, the calibrated plate being located on a pick and place machine assembly table and comparing the relative alignment of the first calibration mark and the second calibration mark.

Abstract: A suspended cantle support which forces the rider's hips forward and down in the saddle by engaging the lower lumbar region of the rider's back. The suspended cantle support here includes a cushion having a relatively soft interior such as one or more layers of closed-cell foam covered by a durable cover. The cover includes a pair of strap lugs formed at the lower bottom corners of the cushion for attachment of straps to attach the cushion to a saddle. Four straps are used to attach the cushion to a saddle. Two straps are attached to each side of the cushion. The cushion is attached to the saddle by looping a first strap through the back cinch D-ring on the saddle and a second strap through an upper D-ring. Both straps are secured in their respective buckles. The other pair of straps on the other side of the cushion are secured in the same manner on the other side of the saddle. The rider mounts and dismounts in the normal manner.

Abstract: A tool for the installation and removal of a lever cam operated spring clip. One embodiment of the invention has a pair of levers pivotally attached together, with one of the levers configured to frictionally engage the cam lever and the other lever configured to engage the clip's outer perimeter. Once the tool is installed on a lever operated cam spring clip, a slight squeeze of the two levers spreads the clip hooks to a position where the clip can be installed over a heat sink and engaged with an underlying electronic device. Pivoting the tool about the cam pivots the cam about its axis until the clip is locked into place. The tool can then be disengaged from the cam lever. Removal of the clip is accomplished by reversing the process.

Abstract: A tool for the installation and removal of a lever cam operated spring clip. One embodiment of the invention has a pair of levers pivotally attached together, with one of the levers configured to frictionally engage the cam lever and the other lever configured to engage the clip's outer perimeter. Once the tool is installed on a lever operated cam spring clip, a slight squeeze of the two levers spreads the clip hooks to a position where the clip can be installed over a heat sink and engaged with an underlying electronic device. Pivoting the tool about the cam pivots the cam about its axis until the clip is locked into place. The tool can then be disengaged from the cam lever. Removal of the clip is accomplished by reversing the process.

Abstract: A method for calibrating the "Z" origin position of a pick and place machine including a planar element sized and configured to permit the planar element to be removably mounted on the assembly table of the machine. The "Z" origin calibration jig also includes a vertical displacement measurement device for measuring the relative vertical displacement of a part placement nozzle with relationship to a fixed elevation, typically the upper surface of the panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the vertical displacement measurement device includes a dial gauge attached to the planar element. One embodiment of the "Z" origin calibration jig includes a the planar element having a first aperture formed therein for accommodating the location of the dial portion of the dial gauge therethrough. In this embodiment the dial gauge is removably mountable within the first aperture with the dial portion of the gauge viewable at the top surface of the planar element.

Abstract: A shoe spike apparatus permitting quick interchange or replacement of gripping elements, which includes a shoe sole attachment plate with a downwardly depending stabilizer shaft, a plurality of spring fingers affixed to the plate, and a spike member having a base provided with a recess for receiving the stabilizer shaft and an exterior geometric configuration on the base which mates with the spring fingers so as to retain the spike member firmly and without lateral movement to the attachment plate and shaft. In one embodiment a circular construction of engaging surfaces of the spike member and the socket and spring fingers allows rotational movement of the spike member relative to the socket to prevent rotational stress which might otherwise tear the sole attachment plate from the sole in which it is embedded. Rigid contact surfaces permit only unidirectional removal of the spike member from the socket for ensuring the integrity of the snap lock mechanism.

Abstract: A pivotal mounting bracket for positioning overhanging components includes a positive registration mechanism which ensures that the component is exactly positioned upon return to its working position after being pivoted to allow access to an underlying component. The registration system uses a spring to bias the base of the pivoting bracket into a conformantly shaped receiving recess in the main bracket base. The shape of the base of the pivotal bracket and the receiving recess in the main bracket base is selected to provide only a single position within a given range of possible positions in which the geometry's of the base of the pivotal bracket exactly line up with the geometry's of the main base bracket receiving recess.

Abstract: A pivotal mounting bracket for positioning overhanging components includes a positive registration mechanism which ensures that the component is exactly positioned upon return to its working position after being pivoted to allow access to an underlying component. The registration system uses a spring to bias the base of the pivoting bracket into a conformantly shaped receiving recess in the main bracket base. The shape of the base of the pivotal bracket and the receiving recess in the main bracket base is selected to provide only a single position within a given range of possible positions in which the geometry's of the base of the pivotal bracket exactly line up with the geometry's of the main base bracket receiving recess.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic tool for the removal and application of tire cross chains configured having a manually actuated valve connected at its inlet port to a compressed air source and at its outlet port to a pneumatic diaphragm motor for actuation of a diaphragm. The control valve includes an air bleed port which allows air to escape through the valve when the trigger or other operating mechanism is released deactivating the valve. This feature allows an almost immediate recovery of the jaws to the open position. The pneumatic tool for the removal and application of tire cross chains also includes a fixed jaw support assembly having a base plate for attachment to the face of the pneumatic diaphragm motor, the fixed jaw support assembly having a pair of upright members attached to the base plate and extending perpendicularly and in spaced apart relationship to one another to accommodate the attachment of the fixed and the moveable jaws between the two upright members thereto.