Abstract: The flotation cushion with deployable tether is generally the contour shape of a cushion without tether. A pocket is formed in the flotation cushion to conform to existing cushion structures. The tether is stored in the pocket in a manner to minimize bulging. With the tether attached at one end to the flotation cushion interior to the pocket, the flotation cushion may be thrown to a person in need of rescue while the user is grasping the tether at its free end. When the person to be rescued grabs the flotation cushion the tether may be used to retrieve the person and cushion.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for processing of animal excreta or manure for further use or environmentally friendly disposal introduces a new first stage and ancillary elements for improved processing of manure material. The improvement involves an initial process to rapidly sterilize the material to remove undesirable microorganisms prior to further processing. This new first stage processing results in a refined end product for further use or environmentally friendly disposal. Additionally, ancillary equipment for digesting the initial material input to extract methane gas for use as a fuel in the process is included. Further, a thermal oxidizer to treat extracted gasses created in the new first stage process is used to reduce pathogens, other pollutants and toxic gasses prior to passing the gas to the environment.

Abstract: The rail transport system may generally be an elevated rail system that may be located along existing transportation right of ways such as roads, railroads, rivers, etc. While the system is generally structured for elevated roadways, it may also have surface or ground level elements. The system uses rail sections and rail switch sections having two load rail elements to carry automobile carrier cars and passenger cars. Guide rails are attached to the load rail elements by upstanding guide rail supports.

Abstract: The wheelbarrow handle adapter has an adapter handle with a proximal end and a distal end with an approximate right angle bend therebetween. The adapter handle at the proximal end is attachable to a wheelbarrow handle. In one configuration a sleeve is inserted onto the end of the wheelbarrow handle and a handle bolt is inserted through the adapter handle intermediate the distal end and the proximal end to threadably engage the sleeve. In an alternate configuration the adapter handle having a tubular opening at the distal end is curved sufficiently at the distal end to insert the tubular opening onto the end of the wheelbarrow handle.

Abstract: The improved internal combustion engine of the cam drive axial piston type includes modification to the drive shaft, bearings and other internal elements to facilitate the flow of oil and lubricants to engine parts. The cooling system is modified to allow coolant flow directly to the engine block and head assembly and to control flow through the engine and radiator to reduce hot spots. The valves and valve crown structure have been modified for ease of assembly and reliability of the roller valve lifter and valve interface. Use of alternate fuel supply systems which eliminate the need for a valve train are also accommodated. The drive shaft and engine have been modified to allow the mounting of a variety of aircraft propellers using a hub as well as mounting a flywheel for reduced start motor stress.

Abstract: The movable blade for attachment to a material moving machine is a generally rectangular blade for hinged attachment to a machine shovel, box grader blade or other similar device mounted on the machine. The movable blade angle of extension or retraction relative to the machine is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder, brace or other structural element. When the movable blade is extended outwardly at an angle relative to the machine the machine may be operated parallel to the material to be moved. This action relative to material positioned next to a ditch allows the operator to fill the ditch with material in a continuous operation along the ditch rather than requiring short movements at an angle to the ditch to move the material. The movable blade may also have a rotational mechanism to raise and lower the extension end for use in slope grading adjacent a roadway as an example.

Abstract: The model airplane control surface position measurement system and method uses an adjustable ruler scale attached to a support stand in combination with a laser device attached to the trailing edge of a control surface of the model airplane. The laser device may be adjusted to orient the light beam axis to be approximately perpendicular to the control surface hinge axis. The ruler scale may be positioned behind the control surface at a distance from the hinge axis using a positioning rod. The support stand is adjusted to orient the positioning rod perpendicular to the ruler scale at a zero angle deflection mark. The ruler scale is also adjusted such that the laser device light beam is incident at the zero angle deflection mark. The model airplane control surface may then be deflected by the control mechanism and the deflection angle observed on the ruler scale at the point of incidence of the laser device light beam.

Abstract: New and improved compositions of doped and co-doped germanium fluorophosphate glasses for laser hosts and fiber amplifiers have a high refractive index (nD) 1.67-1.70, high transmission in the near infrared part of the spectra (to 6 micron) and a wide glass-forming domain. These glass systems [BaGe4O9—Ba(PO3)2—RFx] contain (mol %): BaF2, CaF2, MgF2, BiF3, PbF2 of 10 to 70 percent and GeO2 7.31 to 58.48 percent, P2O5 of 4.81 to 38.50 percent, BaO of 7.86 to 62.94 percent where dopants and co-dopants are over 100 percent (in wt %): Nd2O3(NdF3) of 0.5 to 15 percent, Er2O3(ErF3) of 0.2 to 12 percent, Yb2O3(YbF3) of 1.0 to 15 percent, Ho2O3(HoF3) of 1.0 to 10 percent, Pr2O3(PrF3) of 0.5 to 12 percent, Tm2O3(TmF3) of 0.2 to 10 percent, Tb2O3(TbF3) of 0.1 to 10 percent, MnO(MnF2) of 0.5 to 20 percent.

Abstract: The air bellows device for use with automobiles has a bellows element as commonly understood for use in slidable engagement with for example the struts of an automobile to raise and lower the frame relative to the axles. The air pressure end plate and pressure end plate are attached to the end caps of the bellows element using five or more holes through which bolts pass to threadably engage five or more threaded holes in each end cap. In addition the gap between the strut shaft and the wall of the openings in each end plate to receive the strut shaft is sealed by the use of two O-rings.

Abstract: The disposable cutting head is basically a four element clip together assembly with a base, lower and upper cutting blades, and spring. The base serves as the support for the entire assembly and incorporates the attachment elements for retention to a clipper. The spring holds the elements together, forces the cutting blades together and includes the runner under which the upper blade slides. The entire assembly is such that the head assembly with blades is of the disposable type, but uses metal blades. If desired the blades alone may be disposed and the head assembly reused; however, the structure is not intended for long wear and use. The head and blades are constructed such that the common problems encountered with existing removable/disposable heads and blades as for example heat retention in the blades and head and the catching and pulling of hair are minimized. Use with clipper comb elements is also accommodated.

Abstract: The material holding fixture has a base, which is slidably engaged with a rotatable holding platform. There are a pair of levers attached at one end to a base end and at the opposite end to a holding platform pivot position intermediate the ends of the holding platform. There is a back guide attached to the holding platform that is located to retain a material object in a position to engrave a surface. When the holding platform at a hinge end is moved relative to the base the holding platform opposite end is raised and lowered. The location of the levers maintains the holding platform opposite end and the base end in adjustment with an imaginary plane perpendicular to the base. This mechanism allows positioning of a surface of an object to be engraved perpendicular to a laser cutting device in instances where the object surface opposite is other than parallel to the surface to be engraved.

Abstract: The hydraulic drilling method and system uses a tube bending tool attached at the down hole end of a pipe or stringer to direct a fluid tube in a generally horizontal direction from a generally vertical gas or oil well. The bending tool is attached to a compression set tubing anchor, lowered into the well at the end of a pipe or stringer and anchored at the desired depth in the conventional manner. A fluid tube having a jet nozzle end is lowered to the bending tool and slidably inserted in a bending channel therein. Hydraulic cutting fluid under pressure is then applied to the pipe and fluid tube to urge the fluid tube through the bending tool to exit horizontally for boring a drain hole in the surrounding underground formation. Once the drain hole is formed the fluid tube is removed. Additional drain holes may be formed by rotating the bending tool radially in the well and inserting a new fluid tube with jet nozzle then repeating the cutting fluid drilling.

Abstract: The sprinkler head edging device has a cutting assembly attached to a handle or other device such as a powered rotational device. The cutting assembly has cutting blades attached which are oriented to cut and remove grass, weeds, dirt and other materials from around the periphery of a sprinkler head. The cutting assembly housing is generally a hollow cylindrical shape and may have a different diameter at each end of the housing for ease in changing the cutting head to accomodated varying size sprinkler heads. In the instance of the variable shaped housing the cutting assembly is rotatably attached to the handle or other device.

Abstract: The disposable cutting head is basically a four element clip together assembly with a base, lower and upper cutting blades, and spring. The base serves as the support for the entire assembly and incorporates the attachment elements for retention to a clipper. The spring holds the elements together, forces the cutting blades together and includes the runner under which the upper blade slides. The entire assembly is such that the head assembly with blades is of the disposable type, but uses metal blades. If desired the blades alone may be disposed and the head assembly reused; however, the structure is not intended for long wear and use. The head and blades are constructed such that the common problems encountered with existing removable/disposable heads and blades as for example heat retention in the blades and head and the catching and pulling of hair are minimized. Use with clipper comb elements is also accommodated.

Abstract: The breathing humidifier is a reservoir containing a sponge and water. The reservoir is generally shaped to fit the contour of the users face between the upper lip and the nose. The sponge is shaped to fit against the nostril openings. Two openings are located at the bottom of the reservoir into which a gas supply cannula may be inserted. When gas such as oxygen is supplied to the breathing humidifier the gas passes through the water-sponge and heat environment to exit into the nose.