Abstract: An ostomy pouch clamp for closing off the bottom end of the pouch having pivoted clamping elements, one element having a trough channel for receiving the other blade element therein. The improvement in this clamp results from (1) single or multiple knife like sealing ribs or lip edges on the blade member bottom for engaging the pouch walls against a flat bottom of the trough channel and (2) latch means located midway between the ends of the clamping elements for pressing the two elements together (as well as releasing them) and producing an audible snapping signal to alert the user that the latch means is in the proper location. The latch means is easy to locate by the user and distributes the force pressing the elements together more equally than prior art devices.

Abstract: A trawling system for catching shrimp which includes a trawler, an outrigger carried by the trawler, an onboard suction pump, a trawl device that is adapted to be dragged along the bottom of a body of water behind the trawler, and a conduit connected from the onboard suction pump to a suction pocket of a net forming part of the trawl device for continuously delivering shrimp from the trawl device to the trawler. The trawl device includes two elongated trawl beams which are joined together at adjacent ends by a hinge connection to form an angle. Each trawl beam is composed of at least a pair of spaced-apart end strut plates, rods extending between the strut plates, a depressor hydrofoil beam for urging the entire trawl device toward the seabed as it is towed through the water, a net which has a suction pocket for collecting shrimp, skids for sliding on the seabed, and an open space adjacent the suction pocket of the net for allowing non-targeted species to escape.

Abstract: An enterostomy appliance which can be easily and rapidly applied and removed and which is capable of achieving a high quality, completely reliable, fluid-tight seal with the wearer's skin. The appliance does not require adhesive or other sealing medium to effect the seal with the wearer's skin. Also, the appliance is nonirritating to the skin and can be quickly manipulated away from the skin to release flatus without removing clothing. The appliance includes a pouch or bag for receiving discharge from the stoma, an elastomeric sealing ring with a specially constructed sealing surface for establishing the fluid-tight seal with the skin in the area immediately surrounding the stoma, an assembly base for carrying the pouch and sealing ring, and an adjustable elastic belt for encircling the torso and maintaining the pouch, sealing ring and assembly base in proper position on the wearer's body.

Abstract: An improved easily attachable and easily removable pick to be worn over the end of a finger for the purpose of plucking the strings of a stringed musical instrument. The pick comprises a picking element or artificial nail worn over the natural nail and conforming closely to the size, shape and contour of the natural nail. The artificial nail is held in place over the natural nail by a closely fitting, thin, flexible securement sleeve which extends from the fingertip almost to the first joint of the finger. The close conformity of the artificial nail to the natural nail imparts optimal sensitivity and natural feel to the player of the instrument.

Abstract: A thin flexible plastic bag having a permanently closed end and an open end with a main zipper closure formed of mateable male and female interlockable portions extending across the entire open end. The bag is provided with a stem and pinch valve construction with which the bag can be orally evacuated for sealing its contents in a vacuum-tight condition or with which the bag can be orally inflated and then used as a packing around breakables.

Abstract: A portable vehicle parking assistance device that can be used in any parking location to indicate when a vehicle has reached a selected point and should be stopped. The device includes a movable sensor arm extending upwardly from a tray which contains ballast material that provides sufficient weight to maintain the entire parking assistance device in the desired position on a garage floor or other surface on which the vehicle travels. The upper end of the movable sensor arm carries a motion indicator located in the sight of the vehicle driver to signal the driver when the bumper or other extremity of the vehicle has contacted the sensor arm and should be stopped. Preferably, both an audible indicator and a signal light are provided in addition to the motion indicator to signify that the vehicle should be stopped immediately.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system having an external combustion free-piston engine is provided with an integral linear electric current generator and a pulse frequency controller. The system includes a power integration processor, a frequency modulator circuit and a pulse width modulator circuit, the power integration processor controls the frequency modulator circuit and the pulse width modulator circuit to produce both a frequency modulated pulsed current and an auxiliary power current which varies in pulse width. Both the frequency modulated pulsed current and the pulse width modulated auxiliary current are combined to power an electric drive motor having an integral electronic differential. A small auxiliary power source, such as a rechargeable battery pack, is provides the auxiliary current for acceleration and hill climbing power. The external combustion engine may burn any pollution free fuel (such as natural gas, alcohol, propane, etc.

Abstract: This invention involves a device for lengthy, long-range viewing of objects (e.g. wildlife, sporting events, military activities) while permitting the viewer to view same in relative comfort because the viewing device is mounted on a headgear device. Thus, the viewing means is held still while fatigue is minimized greatly. Also, the device permits use of the hands and arms for other purposes so that frequent movement thereof is avoided. The device includes a hard hat helmet with a viewing monocular pivotally attached thereto by a resilient interconnection which is rigid enough to hold the monocular in a fixed position until manually moved and flexible enough to be readily moved into line of sight with the appropriate eye.