Abstract: A new and improved children's toy is disclosed having an internal cavity where valuables and the like may be stored. The cavity is easily and repeatedly accessible without damaging the toy. A container is provided for placing the valuables in, and then placing the container into the cavity.

Abstract: A coating system for ferrous and nonferrous metal substrates that provides cathodic protection from corrosion by coating with inherently conductive polymers and sacrificial anodic metal particles. The coating system is formed by a process that includes premixing of the inherently conductive polymer with the anodic metal particles to form a inherently conductive polymer/metal particle complex.

Abstract: A new and improved hinge for use with a refrigerator door. The inventive hinge is a drawn hinge, created by the drawing process. The inventive hinge includes first and second flanges, a pin, and a pin arm. The flanges on each side allow use of a thinner piece of metal in creating a hinge, while retaining the strength of a thicker piece of metal. The pin arm is extended in order to prevent pinching when opening and closing a refrigerator door.

Abstract: A water driven impulse turbine has a barrel rotatably mounted upon an axle, with a plurality of runner blades extending tangentially from said barrel. Side plates secure the runner blades on opposite sides thereof. A breastplate is maintained in concentric juxtaposition with the wheel so defined. A penstock is interposed between a water source and the breastplate to pass water into the runner blades. The turbine may consist of a plurality of axially interconnected wheel sections of similar or dissimilar nature to optimize performance.

Abstract: A wire capable of operating at high temperatures and a method of making the same is disclosed. The high temperature wire includes fiberglass, which surrounds the conductor. The fiberglass insulates the conductor and enables it to operate at relatively high temperatures. The fiberglass is heat-treated without any additional, or in lieu of, other chemical treatment and is sufficiently frangible to be easily removable from the conductor. The frangible fiberglass may be easily stripped away from the conductor without leaving strands which need to be individually removed.

Abstract: An inventive check is disclosed including a barcode, which includes at least one of the following pieces of information: the date the check was paid, the amount of the check, the payee, the drawers account number, the banks routing number, and the identifier number of the check. A method for preventing check fraud is also provided, including the steps of attaching a machine readable code on a negotiable instrument, creating a negotiable instrument, the drawee receiving the negotiable instrument, and the drawee scanning the machine readable code. A method is also included for integrating the entire checking process.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching sound suppressors or other auxiliary attachments, such as a grenade launcher, to a weapon having a flash suppressor mounted on the end of a gun barrel. The adapter includes an adapter pilot specific to the caliber of weapon. Interchangeable adapter pilots allow a single adapter system to be utilized on various weapons having different calibers.

Abstract: A building system comprising interlocking log-like construction members to be used with or without screw-like fasteners. Various real-sized structures such as cabins, play-houses and tool sheds may be formed by perpendicular arrangement of recessed surfaces formed in the log-like members. A fastening system allows semi-permanent attachment of adjacent log-like members using a flanged fastener having an axial threaded recess and an axial threaded extension. When two fasteners are axially aligned, the axial threaded extension of one fastener may be engaged in the axial threaded recess of the other. The fasteners extend through holes in the recessed surfaces of the log-like members and thereby secure adjacent log-like members together.

Abstract: A tine assembly for a cultivator includes a first tine member having a plurality of radially extending non-planar tines. At least two tines on each tine member differ in shape from the remaining tines. The tine assembly may include a second tine member which is shaped like a mirror-image of the first tine member. When assembled on a shaft, the second tine member is off-set from the first tine member so that tines on alternating tine members contact the ground as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A dual ergonomic platform truck includes a frame assembly having a pair of first and second segments, a pair of guide rods each having a first end connected to one of the first segments and a second end connected to one of the second segments. A pair of platform assemblies are moveable along the pair of guide rods respectively. Each platform assembly includes a deck guide that receives the guide rod and a platform that is connected to the deck guide and is constructed to hold items. Each platform assembly also includes a first linear bearing that is received within the deck guide and a spring support bracket connected to the deck guide. A pair of springs are used to lift the pair of platform assemblies respectively. Each spring is connected to the first and second segments of the frame assembly. The platform truck may also include a self-aligning platform assembly.

Abstract: A water rescue device which can be easily secured to the arm of a victim, thereby, enabling the victim to be pulled from the water without having to grasp onto the device is provided. The water rescue device has a floatation member with an aperture extending therethrough to receive the victim's arm, a belt having an adjustment means to allow the belt to be secured to the victim's arm, an attachment means for securing the belt to the floatation member and a rescue line attached to the adjustment means. A rescuer, while holding onto the rescue line, can throw the flotation member to the victim. The victim can place his or her arm through the aperture in the flotation member. Once the victim has placed his or her arm through the aperture, the rescuer can pull on the rescue line causing the adjustment means to secure the belt to the victim's arm. And, then the rescuer can use the rescue line to pull the victim from the water.

Abstract: An article for forming a freezable substance includes a body having at least one cavity. The cavity has an open top, an open bottom and side walls therebetween. The top has a maximum width Wm, with Wm being less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm). The width Wm is chosen so that a long, cylindrical ice cube is formed by the cavity. The ice cube so formed fits easily into original containers of beverages, such as soda cans and bottles, so that the beverages are cooled in their original containers.

Abstract: A microprocessor to control and to prevent failure in mechanisms, particularly those that perform timed intervals of work. The microprocessor controls the length of each interval of work, and limits the mechanism to perform only a predetermined number of work intervals, after which it deactivates the device, allowing the mechanism to reactivate only after entry of a coded number or operation of a key switch. The microprocessor monitors all functions of the mechanism and includes a first failsafe circuit that shuts down the mechanism in the event of malfunction. A second failsafe circuit monitors the first failsafe circuit, and bypasses it to shut down the mechanism in the event of malfunction in the first failsafe circuit.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant and method for maintaining proper lumbar spine curvature and intervertebral disc spacing where a degenerative disc has been removed. The one-piece implant comprises a hollow body having an access passage for insertion of bone graft material into the intervertebral space after the implant has been affixed to adjacent vertebrae. The implant provides a pair of screw-receiving passages that are oppositely inclined relative to a central plane. In one embodiment, the screw-receiving passages enable the head of an orthopedic screw to be retained entirely within the access passage. A spinal fusion implant embodied in the present invention may be inserted anteriorally or laterally.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for detecting leaks in tires used on lawn mowers. The tire testing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a roughing pump, a hi-vac pump, an airtight seal, and a spectrometer. The roughing pump and hi-vac pump evacuate the air from the vacuum chamber, creating a vacuum. The pressure sensor detects the level of vacuum in the vacuum chamber and reports this information to the PLC. A method of detecting leaks in tires using the tire testing apparatus is also provided. The method includes the steps of inflating the tire with a mixture of air and 10% helium by volume, placing the tire in the vacuum chamber, sealing the vacuum chamber and removing the air creating a vacuum, then detecting the amount of helium in the chamber, and removing the tire from the chamber and placing it either in the rejected conveyor, or the acceptable conveyor.

Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner sweeper which includes a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a central portion, a first bladed disk positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle, the first bladed disk including a central portion which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable spindle when the first bladed disk is positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle and at least one fan blade projection outwardly extending from the periphery of the central portion of the first bladed disk, the at least one fan blade projection being oriented to facilitate the movement of outside air from the first end of the rotatable spindle toward the central portion of the rotatable spindle, a first end cap attached to the first end of the rotatable spindle, a second bladed disk positioned on the second end of the rotatable spindle, the second bladed disk including a central portion which is positioned substantially perpend

Abstract: A lighter than air airship is disclosed that has an internal weight supporting structure. The weight supporting structure allows the airship to enjoy the advantages of both static and dynamic lift. The airship disclosed herein is lifted by both lighter than air gasses as well as wings attached to the internal weight supporting structure. A cargo container for use with the airship is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable speed mechanism for propelling an associated lawn mowing apparatus has a variable pitch pulley assembly, a belt which connects the variable pitch pulley assembly to a transmission, a control arm assembly for controlling the variable pitch pulley assembly, and a speed selector for selectively adjusting the control arm assembly. The speed selector is positioned corresponding to the desired lawn mowing apparatus ground speed. This creates tension in a cable which moves a control arm. When the control arm is moved, it rotates about a pivot shaft adjusting the position of a bearing cup which, in turn, adjusts the position of the moveable pulley half within variable pitch pulley assembly. Once the pulley assembly has been positioned, the effective belt diameter is set. If the effective belt diameter is increased, the speed supplied to the transmission is increased assuming a fixed pulley size on the transmission input.