Abstract: An improved container dumping apparatus is described for automatically lifting residential refuse containers to an elevated position and dumping them into the elevated access area of a collection tank. A carriage with gripping arms is guided up the vertical portion of a set of tracks. The tracks transition into a curved portion at the top end which inverts the container over the access area through movement along the curved track. The carriage is self-powered by a hydraulic motor mounted on the carriage. The dumping apparatus uses an rack and pinion arrangement for forcibly elevating the carriage, with the rack being parallel to the set of tracks and the pinion mounted on the shaft of the motor on the carriage. A piston operated power assistance apparatus is located coincident with the curved portion of the track to engage the carriage as it approaches the curved portion, to provide additional power to aid movement of the carriage over the curved portion, and to control its speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for skimming floating debris from an enclosed pool of water wherein a circular current of water occurs, said apparatus comprising a frame defining an inlet portion positioned upstream and an outlet portion covered with netting positioned downstream. A collection basket, also covered with netting and located at one end of the inlet portion, extends upstream from and with its open end perpendicular to the inlet portion so that the leading edge of the collection basket sufficiently impedes the current along its permeable leading edge. This impediment induces a lateral current internal to the apparatus which causes a substantial portion of the floating debris entering the apparatus to be accumulated in the collection basket out of the main flow of the current, rather than accumulating at the netting-covered outlet portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A steam pan manipulation device (16) is provided for handling stainless steel pans (10), commonly known as steam pans or hotel pans, of varying sizes as found in commercial restaurant, catering, and hotel applications for use in steam tables. Use of the device (16) permits the worker to safely carry a tray full of liquid without sloshing, since the center of gravity of the liquid is lower than the point of carrying. Furthermore, the steam pan manipulation device (16) features apertures of an appropriate size, so that the device may be also used as a strainer for separating liquid from the content of the tray while retaining solid content in the tray.

Abstract: This invention is a diagnostic device for measuring the extensibility of certain key carpal ligaments so as to determine the tendency of the subject to carpal tunnel damage. It consists of a structure to secure the arm and hand in a predetermined position on a stationary platform and the metacarpals of the hand in a predetermined position on a carriage moveable relative to the platform, so that the radius and ulnar bones of the forearm may be aligned in a fixed plane parallel with the moveable plane of the metacarpals of the hand. Once secure, a force is applied to the carriage in a dorsal direction perpendicular to the metacarpal plane, so as to measure the metacarpal glide. This force places stress on the ligaments of the volar joint between the proximal and distal carpal row, and resulting displacement, tension, and creep strength values are measured by a load cell and a lineometer.

Abstract: A golf bag carrier suitable for carrying golf bags external to a motor vehicle equipped with a standard square tube trailer hitch receptacle permanently mounted to the frame and under the rear bumper of said vehicle is described. The golf bag carrier consists of a substantially rectangular pan assembly upon which the golf bag is vertically placed; a trailer hitch shank which is telescopically received by the standard square tube trailer hitch receptacle mounted to the motor vehicle, said shank being affixed to the bottom of said rectangular pan assembly; a second standard square tube trailer hitch receptacle affixed to the bottom of the rectangular pan assembly and coaxial with its trailer hitch shank, a vertical member detachably attached to the rectangular pan; and a horizontal member detachably attached to the top end of the vertical member and having a plurality of horizontal support arms for stabilizing the golf bag being transported.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety light having a easily recognizable and colorful rotating illumination pattern. The safety light consists of a housing containing at least one group of secondary lighting elements arranged substantially around a primary lighting element. The lighting elements are covered by a translucent face having a central portion overlying the primary lighting element and a group of colored elements overlying each group of secondary lighting elements. Circuit means power the lighting elements such that the secondary lighting elements are illuminated in a rotating sequence, producing a distinct light pattern. The safety light is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, including vehicles and recreational and service activities.