Abstract: A marine vessel that planes over the water in a straight ahead mode and has a V-shaped bow configuration, two lateral rails, a water jet intake aft of the bow, and a water jet discharge through the transom above the water line. The vessel's tri-point contact with the water at high speeds permits sled-like movement with minimal wet area under the hull along the center aft of the water jet intake. It moves fast through the water, is stable, moves smoothly and silently through the water, makes little wake, and makes hard turns without loss of velocity. At idle and slow speed it is low in the water, while at high speed it rides high on the water with only the bow and rear rails in contact with the water. Vessel size and scale are not limiting factors. Applications include, but are not limited to, military, recreational, and sporting uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic for the ear during activities in and around water or other liquid medium where the ear is subject to infection and barotraumas. It has an outer ear section that fits tight in a user's outer ear and a watertight downwardly extending flexible protrusion that extends into the outer part of the ear canal. A non-collapsing, flexible sleeve with a hollow interior is concentrically positioned within the outer ear section and flexible protrusion. A diaphragm with elastic and water-resistant properties is attached across one end of the sleeve with watertight sealing means. An optional protuberance and/or lanyard may be attached to the outer ear section to assist in prompt invention removal after use, and an external barrier is optional where sudden impact can occur. For water depths below thirty-three feet, the diaphragm should be positioned near or within the flexible protrusion portion of the device.

Abstract: A suspended step assembly that is attachable over the tire of a motor vehicle and which can support a mechanic working in the engine compartment. It has a frame that can be broken down into sub-parts for compact storage in a motor vehicle, is easy and fast to assemble and disassemble, is adjustable to differing tire widths, has an upper configuration that securely hooks over the top of the tire, has a strong and simple closed-loop tubular structure that resists parallelogram deforming while under load, has a step that is secured into a fixed position on the frame without fasteners, and has a bottom stirrup under its step. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use by mechanics to more easily and efficiently perform engine work, and use by those needing to clean or otherwise have access to the upper portions of high-profile vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method whereby power pods having multiple permanent magnets or coils of wire with a very low voltage charge create a multiple magnetic fields within frequently traveled roadways and other surfaces so that voltage is created when vehicles carrying ferrous metal pass over it. The most efficient areas for electrical generation are the downhill sides of bridges, hills, and mountain grades, although the power pods may be used on substantially flat surfaces if not too closely spaced together to drain inertia from passing vehicles. An added benefit on inclined surfaces, the magnetic field would have a speed-reducing effect on the vehicles. Enhancement of electrical generation via the present invention system could be achieved by installing a permanent magnet on vehicular and railroad traffic. Applications may include, but are not limited to, highways and railroads.

Abstract: A device for easy positioning, leveling, marking and hanging of all types of pictures, sconces, decorative shelves, mirrors, and other devices to be mounted on a support surface. It has elongated vertical and horizontal support members attached together, each preferably with resilient legs. The vertical support has a handle at one end, a surface rest at its other end, and a rotatable sliding level. Sliding hook clips are positioned along the horizontal support, each having a front hook for holding an item to be hung while positioning and marking with an opposed marking implement take place. One or more hook clips can be used simultaneously. Flexing or compression of legs, soft pads, vertical support member, and/or horizontal support member reduces the wall stand-off distance of the device and causes the aligned marking implements to contact and mark the wall exactly where the held item should be permanently mounted.

Abstract: A tri valve backflow preventer having parts and materials preferably consisting of steel nuts and bolts, ductile iron operating nuts, nitrile rubber O-rings, nitrile rubber gaskets, manganese bronze valve adjusting stems, valve wedge gates made of ductile iron encapsulated with EPDM rubber, and ductile iron valve bodies. Material and parts are constructed in accordance with ASTM standards and the requirements of the AWWAC-509 and AWWAC-504 for gate valves and butterfly valves. The tri valve backflow preventer is used with a temporary conventional backflow assembly between existing water main pipe and new/upgraded sections of water main pipe while they are under construction. It is left in place when the temporary backflow assembly is removed. Its use saves extra inspection hours, extra man hours, extra equipment hours, conserves large amounts of good water otherwise needed for flushing, and reduces the safety risk to the public during activation of new water lines.

Abstract: An efficient and safe device designed to perform the difficult task of opening tightly fitting Shrink Wrap plastic packaging material and security tape around a product or product case, particularly that used for the distribution of CD-ROM'S, DVD'S, videogames, and videotapes. The device quickly cuts a clean slit opening in the Shrink Wrap and security tape along the inserted edge of the packaged product. The cutting element of the device can be in the form of a wire or blade, and function via heating, mechanical cutting action, and/or ultrasonic vibration. A multiple-capacity alignment channel guides various shaped products into proper cutting position. Sensors may activate the cutting/slitting action, with adequate heat, vibration, and/or mechanical cutting being applied for a time period sufficiently long, or until sufficient temperature is reached, to cut through the Shrink Wrap material and security tape without damaging the underlying product or product case.

Abstract: A float switch assembly with a housing/clamping structure that is made from plastic and impervious to corrosion, with improvements over the prior art including a thumbscrew positioned between its two upper bracing protrusions and external braces/ribs that make it less likely for the two parts of the housing to flex relative to one another, to provide a more secure connection between the two parts of the present housing during its use to protect a float switch body within its protective housing for reliable shut-off signal activation when needed. The two housing parts are connected together over the top edge of a substantially vertically-extending support surface, such as a plastic condensate collection pan with a flange. Oversized thumbscrews facilitate and expedite installation without drilling any holes in the collection pan.

Abstract: A float switch and mounting bracket assembly made from plastic and impervio is to corrosion, with improvements over the prior art including a wide float switch body for enhanced water displacement that results in a more responsive operation, a housing that protects its float switch body from malfunction due to airborne debris, three oversized thumbscrews to facilitate and expedite installation, multiple crushable friction points within the top of the mounting bracket slot that stabilize the orientation of the bracket after installation, and longer lead wires and a higher voltage that allow use of the float switch and mounting bracket assembly in a wide variety of condensate collection and other applications.

Abstract: A platform including a rotatable turntable apparatus for attachment to a boat deck, or the cargo space of a pick-up truck or the cargo space of an all terrain vehicle, or other area where a person with impaired mobility needs to experience greater mobility to engage in fishing, boating, wild game hunting or activities that they would otherwise be unable to enjoy. The platform can be used for securely mounting a wheelchair or a fishing type chair to provide a rotational means for persons with impaired mobility. The turntable is reversibly rotated by an electric motor a full 360 degrees. The motor can be independently actuated by a switch located on the turntable within easy reach of the chair occupant or by a switch at another convenient location.

Abstract: A washable container made from soft flexible material, including open-weave fabric, with a top opening and optionally removable straps with fasteners that allow attachment to cribs and other baby-holding devices, such as portable play yards, swings, highchairs, and strollers. The top opening is configured for insertion of a large adult male hand, and the container height provides an interior volume sufficient for storing approximately one dozen or so pacifiers, several teething devices, or other small toys that babies and small children often drool on, drop on the ground, cover with food, and/or otherwise need cleaning prior to being returned to them. Thus, unsanitary pacifiers, toys, and teething devices can be placed in a disposable plastic bag, clothing pocket, diaper bag pocket, or other temporary storage place, with a clean pacifier, teething device, or other small toy being instantly substituted from the readily accessible and conveniently located present invention.

Abstract: A device that allows one person working alone to easily raise and lower fold-down awnings. It is secured to the underside surface of the awning in a position to receive one of the awning's telescoping support arms and maintain it in a fixed position against the awning, for faster and easier handling of the awning while it is being lowered and raised. It has a U-shaped construction, with a central space in which to hold a telescoping support arm, a narrowed area adjacent to the central space to restrict downward movement of the telescoping support arm out of the central space, opposing flared ends that help to guide a telescoping support arm through the narrowed area and into the central space, and at least one fastener hole. Although aluminum materials are preferred, the present invention device can be made from other non-corroding materials, such as but not limited to plastic.

Abstract: A float switch, housing, and clamping member assembly that is made from plastic and impervious to corrosion, with improvements over the prior art including a wide float switch body for enhanced water displacement that results in a more responsive operation, a housing configured to protect its float switch body from malfunction due to airborne debris, a clamping member configured to create a J-shaped slot between it and the housing when they are connected together over the upper edge of a support surface, such as a plastic condensate collection pan with a flange. Oversized thumbscrews facilitate and expedite installation. Strength-enhancing ribs are associated with the housing and clamping member. Connection between the housing and clamping member can also include a ratcheting configuration.

Abstract: A float switch made from plastic and impervious to corrosion, with improvements over the prior art including a more responsive operation resulting from use of a wide float switch body and a closely fitting housing that allow rapid shut-off of condensate production after collection of only a very small amount of fluid, a small housing dimension for easy installation in the small areas used for air conditioning system air handlers, a removable bottom cap for easy debris removal as well as float switch body adjustment for changing conditions, a housing design that allows operation without air vent holes in the housing, and anti-rotation features that stabilize the level orientation of the float switch body needed for proper operation after installation. By its quick and reliable response, the switch promotes use and longevity of energy efficient air conditioners without concern for the increased condensate produced, protecting the environment and energy resources.

Abstract: A food service and dining tray having a smooth upper surface, opposing end panels that provide sturdy handles, a perimeter rim with a minimum height dimension of approximately one inch extending between the end panels, a removable high-friction mat, and a yielding bottom portion filled with granular and/or soft material that conforms to the configuration of the surface or lap upon which it is placed. Optionally, the serving tray may have a detachable self-contained bottom portion, a perimeter groove for food crumbs and/or mat storage, and one or more recessed areas in its upper surface for maintaining a container holding an easily spilled food or beverage in a substantially upright and fixed position. Also, the mat may have thermal properties that protect the upper tray surface from damage during repeated use with hot food containers and/or help food containers to maintain elevated and chilled temperatures during transport.

Abstract: A thermodynamic pressure generator having an oscillating valve that allows premixed fuel to enter a combustion chamber in turbulence, until it comes into contact with an annular spoiler, which converts a portion of the fuel into a Karmon vortex ring for delayed ignition. A continuous spark then ignites the remaining fuel with rapid pressure rise that kills the vortex. The fuel in the vortex goes from laminar to turbulence, adding fuel to the already burning charge, super charging it and permitting total ignition. Thus, present invention exhaust contains no polluting by-products and only sensible heat is released into the environment. Exhaust gases are released radially through turbine vanes having a shape that permits a relatively low rotational speed, with sufficient peripheral speed to create torque of considerable degree. Applications include, but are not limited to, land transportation vehicles, propeller-driven airplanes, and marine vessels.