Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved wooden flooring system for use with flatbed trailers used in the commercial trucking industry. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a plurality of reinforced, domestically grown, wooden floorboards that are affixed together in an end-to-end manner using top and bottom joiner plates and fasteners to create a plurality of integrated floor planks to replace costly and increasingly hard to find tropical hardwood flooring for flatbed trailers.

Abstract: Specifically, the present invention is a flush cartridge apparatus used in the controlled removal of accumulated debris from a water distribution system used within a residential and/or commercial structure. The flush cartridge apparatus is generally cylindrically shaped and is designed for sealed engagement within a plumbing valve housing, including pressure balance valves and mixing valves, to provide a long, sustained and complete flushing of water and debris from the water distribution system, while generally preventing water damage, and the occurrence of mold and/or mildew, within the structure. The flush cartridge apparatus can be used alone or in combination with other plumbing tools depending upon the specific need. The flush cartridge apparatus includes alignment and mating features for improved control and safety while using the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved window frame stud used for affixing a removable window frame to a vehicle door panel. The improved window frame stud being constructed of a one-piece, unitary, high-strength, low corrosive material and including a tapered grip-portion for use with a standard size metric and/or SAE size wrench or pliers in the absence of damaging the window frame stud. The present invention has particular application for use with off-road and/or sport utility vehicles having the option to conveniently remove the window frame(s) from the door panel.

Abstract: A tracked GPS guided ground clearing apparatus and method for clearing brush, small trees, snow, ice and other types of debris, dependent upon remote positioning data and radio communication signals, having an apparatus locator system for determining the location of the apparatus and a guidance system for navigating and maintaining the apparatus in a desired direction of travel along a particular line of travel and for traversing a plurality of specific data points along the particular line of travel, relative to the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for navigating a remotely guided brush cutting, chipping and clearing apparatus, dependent upon remote positioning data and radio communication signals, having an apparatus locator system for determining the location of the apparatus and a guidance system for navigating and maintaining the apparatus in a desired direction of travel along a particular line of travel and for traversing a plurality of specific data points along the particular line of travel, relative to the surface of the earth.

Abstract: Described is a process for making a liposomal, ion-exchange whey protein and products thereof, which result in the sustained release of amino acids into the body's circulation to generally promote skeletal muscle protein synthesis, decrease body fat in association with diet modification and improve exercise performance. The whey protein is preferably encapsulated in a liposome using a cold, or non-heated, process. After the liposomal, ion-exchange whey protein has been prepared, it is then preferably lyophilized to deliver macronutrients for use as a sports nutrition supplement and for use in medical or clinical catabolic applications.

Abstract: A non-obstructive, auxiliary rear view mirror assembly and mounting apparatus to generally provide a driver of a vehicle with a full view of the vehicle's blind spot. The non-obstructive, auxiliary rear view mirror assembly and mounting apparatus is preferably mounted to a non-mirror reflective, support member of a factory-mounted side view mirror assembly. The support member being positioned between a reflective mirror surface of the factory-mounted side view mirror assembly and an exterior surface of a vehicle. The non-obstructive, auxiliary rear view mirror assembly and mounting apparatus is preferably mounted to the support member in the absence of engagement to or contact with, the reflective mirror surface of the factory-mounted side view mirror assembly, and in the absence of obstructing the driver's view of any portion of the reflective mirror surface of the factory-mounted side view mirror assembly, while generally providing the driver with a full view of the vehicle's blind spot.

Abstract: A pressure actuated packing assembly for use in sealing the annular area of fluid flow devices to provide and maintain an effective, long-term seal therein. The pressure actuated packing assembly is designed for use in chemically hostile environments, and for applications involving temperature and pressure differentials. The pressure actuated packing assembly automatically adjusts for wear, misalignment and service irregularities, while generally reducing the leakage and fugitive emission escape of fluid, flowing therethrough. The pressure actuated packing assembly is preferably constructed of an elastomeric energizer, a circular jacket member having an internal channel to substantially retain the elastomeric energizer and a rigid sealing insert member preferably disposed within the channel of the jacket member.

Abstract: A swimming pool skimmer and chlorinator apparatus for use with a conventional pool skimmer system. The swimming pool skimmer and chlorinator apparatus preferably includes an axially bi-sectioned basket member which preferably collects skimmed debris in an upper axial portion and preferably retains water purifying chemicals in a lower axial portion, to generally eliminate incidental direct human contact with the water purifying chemicals. The swimming pool skimmer and chlorinator apparatus also preferably includes a connector to connect the separate axial portions of the bi-sectioned basket member and a security mechanism to generally prevent unintentional separation of the axial portions of the bi-sectioned basket member.

Abstract: A low friction, dry lubricant impregnated anti-extrusion apparatus for engagement with an annular seal or packer, wherein said packer is used to seal the annular space of a well or pipe bore. The low friction, dry lubricant impregnated anti-extrusion apparatus being designed to generally avoid absorption of the compression setting forces, wherein the compression setting forces are in turn substantially transmitted through the anti-extrusion apparatus to the packer to effect radial expansion of the packer to seal the annular space, while generally preventing the extrusion of the packer at high pressures and avoiding high frictional contact between the anti-extrusion apparatus and an inner surface of the well or pipe bore.

Abstract: A remotely guided brush cutting, chipping and clearing apparatus, dependent upon remote positioning data and radio communication signals, having an apparatus locator system for determining the location of the apparatus and a guidance system for achieving and maintaining the desired direction of travel for the apparatus, relative to the surface of the earth and method for guiding the apparatus.

Abstract: A focusing nozzle for producing and jetting a precisely focused, sustained cohesive jet of a mixture of a fluid and abrasive material, having a long coherence length and a prolonged centerline pressure for obtaining clean, precise, sharp-edged kerfs, cuts and grooves in hard substances.

Abstract: A bulge control compression packer having an elastomeric tubular body and a bulge control member to reinforce the tubular body. The bulge control member including interwoven support elements which generally avoid cutting and gouging the tubular body when the tubular body is in a compressed state and further, generally avoid the accumulation of slack about the bulge control member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing water soluble salts from a metal substrate in a wet blast system in which a bicarbonate abrasive is blasted in a pressurized water stream against the surface of the metal substrate to prepare the surface for the application of a coating. The method includes the steps as indicated in FIG. 3 in which a high pressure wet blast pressurized water and sodium bicarbonate abrasive is first applied by a nozzle (14) against the surface of the metal substrate with the water soluble salts being removed or neutralized. Iron salts are present where the metal substrate is of a ferrous material such as iron or steel. Next, pressurized water without abrasive is applied by the nozzle (14) against the surface of the metal substrate for washing the surface clean and removing the neutralized water soluble salts. The water for the wet blast system is of a very high purity characterized by a conductivity of between 0.5 and ten (10) micromohs/cm.

Abstract: A rotatable exercise apparatus for rotating a user in such a manner that the user's center of gravity is offset with respect to the user's center of rotation, while simultaneously exercising the user's arms, legs, stomach, back, side and neck. The rotatable exercise apparatus generally comprises a rotatable frame having an outwardly facing user support for offsetting the user's center of gravity from the user's center of rotation, a frame support structure, and a means for rotating the frame. The rotatable exercise apparatus provides a strenuous, low impact, complete physical work out which simulates the exercise and exertion which may be experienced by the human body, while participating in sailing-type activities.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing water soluble salts from a concrete substrate in a wet blast system in which a bicarbonate abrasive is blasted in a high purity pressurized water stream against the surface of the concrete substrate to prepare the surface for the application of a coating. The method includes the steps as indicated in FIG. 8 in which a high pressure wet blast of high purity pressurized water and sodium bicarbonate abrasive is first applied by a nozzle (14) against the surface of the concrete substrate with the water soluble salts being removed or neutralized. Next, a high purity pressurized water without abrasive is applied by the nozzle (14) against the surface of the concrete substrate for washing the surface clean and removing the neutralized water soluble salts. The water for the wet blast system is of a very high purity characterized by a conductivity of between 0.5 and ten (10) micromohs/cm.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus having a dispensing manifold for repetitiously, timely, effeciently and evenly dispensing equivalent amounts of a gelatin-based solution into at least one container. The dispensing manifold includes a horizontal tubular member having a plurality of dispensing nipples mounted laterally thereon. A plurality of discrete dispensing areas are positioned along the tubular member wherein each dispensing area is comprised of one or more dispensing nipples. The design of the dispensing manifold and arrangement of the dispensing nipples allows for equal sized discharges of gelatin-based solution at each dispensing area, wherein the pressure differential remains constant at each discharge area.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus is provided for use with an oval gear meter. The oval gear meter for receiving material such that the quantity of material is measured by the meter. The meter having the characteristic of alternating acceleration and deceleration for a constant flow of material passing through the meter due to the eccentricity associated with the elliptic shape of the oval gear thereby causing excessive instability or oscillatory conditions with respect to the measured material. The stabilizing apparatus includes a first actuator secured to and synchronized rotationally with an oval gear. The first actuator receives rotational force from the oval gear representative of the quantity of material passing through the meter. A second actuator secured to and synchronized rotationally with a shaft. The second actuator is rotationally driven by force received from the first actuator for transferring rotational force to the shaft.

Abstract: A rotating hose device for rotating and helically thrusting a high pressure hose and biased nozzle into a pipe for the purpose of cleaning the interior surface of the pipe. The rotating hose device is powered by converting linear torque from a rotating high pressure hose into linear thrust, forcing the high pressure hose and biased nozzle into the pipe, where the high pressure hose and biased nozzle travel through the pipe in a helical manner. The present invention more effeciently cleans conduit, pipe and other tubular members, by constantly positioning the biased nozzle against the interior surface of the pipe and avoiding the "streaking" effect left by prior art nozzles. The helical pitch of the rotating high pressure hose, speed and direction of travel of the high pressure hose are controlled through the alignment of the drive wheels in the rotary hose drive.