Abstract: A device for preventing reverse mowing of a Snapper, rear engine rider lawnmower having an ABS system, by halting rotation of the mower blade when the gear shift lever of the mower is shifted from the forward into the reverse driving position. The reverse mowing prevention device is designed to be mounted on riding mowers having a blade engagement lever for selectively engaging a mower blade in driving configuration and a pivoting lever retaining member for selectively retaining the blade engagement lever in the blade-driving configuration, typically by depression of a blade engagement foot pedal. In a first embodiment the reverse mowing prevention device is characterized by a blade release rod for connecting the lever retaining member to the shift linkage of the mower transmission system.

Abstract: A sediment basin and baffle combination for internal combustion engines, which combination includes a sediment basin in the bottom of the engine oil pan for accumulating sediment and contaminants from the engine oil and a baffle positioned over the sediment basin for limiting re-entry of the accumulated sediment back into the oil reservoir from the sediment basin. In a preferred embodiment the baffle includes a baffle grid constructed from one or more layers of elongated baffle elements, each having a triangular-shaped cross-section. Each baffle element is oriented in the baffle grid with a triangle apex of each baffle element facing upwardly to promote drainage of sediment and contaminant deposits through the grid, into the sediment basin and a triangle base of each baffle element facing downwardly toward the sediment basin to retard sediment and contaminant re-entry into the oil.

Abstract: A failed bearing indicator for detecting and indicating an overheated axle journal in a railcar axle bearing. In a preferred embodiment the failed bearing indicator is characterized by an elongated connector chain terminated on each end by a T-shaped connector bracket. Each of the connector brackets is typically bolted to a common pedestal adaptor which is mounted on each corresponding axle bearing of the railcar, and one of the fastening bolts is constructed of a heat-resistant material and the other fastening bolt is constructed of a heat-sensitive material. In the event that the axle bearing overheats during travel of the railcar on the railroad, the heat-sensitive bolt melts and releases the corresponding connector bracket from the pedestal adaptor, while the other connector bracket, secured by the heat-resistant bolt, remains attached to the pedestal adaptor.

Abstract: A retractable ceiling assembly for a poultry house, characterized by a ceiling which can be selectively raised from a flat to a pitched configuration in order to accommodate high-profile equipment or materials in the poultry house for cleaning, maintenance or storage purposes. In a preferred embodiment the retractable ceiling assembly is characterized by at least one ceiling unit including multiple rafter units which span the width of the poultry house in parallel, spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. Each of the rafter units includes a pair of cross members pivotally attached to each other at substantially the middle of the rafter unit. A flexible ceiling typically constructed of overlapping sheets of fabric material is mounted on the bottom surfaces of the rafter units. A typically manually-operated winch, mounted on the interior of the poultry house roof at substantially the center of the ceiling unit, is connected to each rafter unit at the pivoting midpoint thereof by means of cables.

Abstract: A laminated support mat for supporting and moving draglines and other heavy equipment in muddy, boggy or marshy areas. The laminated support mat includes multiple wooden laminates of typically unequal length and selected width and thickness, which laminates may be fitted with one or more wear mat or pad and are bolted together to define a support mat of desired dimension, the laminates preferably constructed of oak wood for good strength and durability. The laminates may be constructed of scrap wood and conventional cable loops may be provided on each end of the laminated support mat for locating the mat in a desired position. Where the typically rubber wear pad or pads are used, the pads may be mounted on the laminates using a pair of channels that receive the bolts securing the laminates together.

Abstract: A ribbed impeller for use in a water pump and in marine water pumps in particular, which ribbed impeller is characterized by a hub rotatably mounted on a shaft positioned inside the pump barrel or housing and multiple blades provided on the hub and fitted with ribs of varying location, length, size and character for enhancing the pumping of water through the barrel. In a preferred embodiment the hub is characterized by an open end which tapers inwardly to define a shaft mount end, to which the shaft is attached for rotation of the ribbed impeller. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the pitch of the impeller blades vary proportionally with the diameter of the pump barrel or housing for optimum pumping of the water through the barrel.

Abstract: A guide for a continuous, driven bandsaw blade, which guide is characterized by a pair of blade supports provided in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other for receiving the bandsaw blade. Each blade support includes a typically vertical support post having a pair of top and bottom guide brackets vertically adjustably mounted on the support post. A pair of carbide blade guide blocks or discs is secured on the top guide bracket and on the bottom guide bracket, respectively, of each blade support. The driven bandsaw blade is continually fed between each top and bottom set of blade guide blocks or discs, which guide the cutting segment of the bandsaw blade in a typically horizontal cutting plane between the blade supports.

Abstract: A tire plug insertion tool for sealing a repair plug in a punctured pneumatic tire on an automobile or vehicle wheel. In a preferred embodiment the tile plug insertion tool is characterized by an elongated handle having a flanged wheel-engaging shaft adjustably and pivotally mounted in a slot in one end of the handle. A carriage sleeve is slidably and adjustably mounted on the handle and a plug insertion shaft having a bifurcated bottom end, extends downwardly from pivotal attachment to the carriage sleeve. After the wheel having the punctured tire is optionally removed from the automobile or vehicle, the flanged bottom end of the vertical wheel-engaging shaft is caused to removably engage the cupped wheel rim or hub, and the handle is extended horizontally over the tire tread. The plug insertion shaft is then located above the puncture opening in the tire tread, by manually sliding the carriage sleeve and suspended plug insertion shaft along the handle and securing the carriage sleeve in place.

Abstract: A coiled tubing hanger assembly for supporting coiled tubing in a well including, as a first element, a mechanically-assisted slip assembly characterized by multiple slip segments inserted in a tapered slip bowl located in the midsection of a coiled tubing head. The conical slips are constrained to move in concert in the tapered throat of the tubing head midsection by means of a slip retainer ring and rest on a rack cylinder slidably positioned in the bore of the midsection beneath the slips. The rack cylinder is typically fitted with lands and grooves that engage a pinion gear attached to a slip-operating mechanism to facilitate manually raising and lowering the rack cylinder and the slips together, causing the slip teeth to selectively engage and disengage the segment of coiled tubing extending through the slips and the bore of the rack cylinder, into the well.

Abstract: A retractable syringe characterized by a syringe needle which can be retracted into the barrel of the syringe and locked therein after use, to prevent accidental needle sticks or re-use of the syringe. In a preferred embodiment the syringe barrel is terminated by a tapered barrel neck which communicates with the syringe barrel interior and threadibly receives the needle hub of a cannulated syringe needle. A syringe plunger, slidably disposed in the syringe barrel, is terminated by a plunger nipple for threadibly engaging the interior of the needle hub. After the syringe plunger is operated to expel the liquid contents of the syringe barrel through the syringe needle, the plunger is rotated in the barrel to threadibly seat the plunger nipple in the needle hub. Continued rotation of the plunger in the barrel threads the attached needle hub and needle into the syringe barrel. In a preferred embodiment a pair of flexible plunger lock tabs is fitted on the plunger.

Abstract: Well stimulation and purging compositions for enhancing oil and gas production. The compositions include two base solutions which are typically used in combination with each other in well cleanup, well stimulation and formation purging applications. The first base solution is an anionic surfactant characterized by an aqueous solution of ether sulfate, isopropanol anhydrous, ammonium bisulfide, and either potassium chloride or a clay stabilizer formulation. In treatment of oil and gas wells, the solution is capable of reducing surface tension of well fluids and dissipating and dispersing various solids and minerals by dehydrating the well bore and well formation. The composition flocculates and foams the solids, minerals, water and condensate to the well surface.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing a workstock in a slotted broach tool guide sleeve while a key broach tool extending through the guide sleeve cuts a key slot in the annular bore wall of the workstock. In a preferred embodiment the device is characterized by a pair of top and bottom end plates, each provided with a semicircular notch for receiving the cylindrical guide sleeve at opposite ends of the workstock, after the workstock is positioned on the guide sleeve. Each end plate includes a beveled surface which engages the corresponding open end of the workstock and a plate mount bolt is extended through the end plates and the workstock bore and a nut is threaded on each end of the bolt to secure the end plates against the workstock. The guide sleeve with the assembled device is oriented in a vertical position, with the lower end of the guide sleeve typically secured between the adjacent support plates of a work bench or table and the bottom end plate resting on the work table.

Abstract: A pipe pulling and pushing apparatus and method of operation, which apparatus includes a spring-loaded wedge device seated in a driving apparatus and fitted to a rod or pipe for forcing the rod or pipe beneath a road, pipeline or other barrier where trenching is not feasible. The spring-loaded wedge is characterized by a housing which receives a coil spring positioned to intermittently engage a wedge defined by wedge segments collectively having a rod bore and teeth for selectively gripping the rod or pipe when the spring is fully extended, and releasing the rod or pipe when the spring is compressed. Repetitive gripping and releasing of the rod or pipe by the wedge is effected responsive to operation of the driving apparatus to incrementally drive the rod or pipe through the terrain beneath the barrier. The spring-loaded wedge can also be positioned on the rod or pipe in the driving apparatus to pull the rod or pipe through the terrain beneath the barrier.

Abstract: A dual completion method for oil/gas wells, which method is designed to prevent or at least minimize, coning of water in a hydrocarbon producing well. In a preferred embodiment the method includes the steps of perforating a common zone in the oil/gas well at vertically-spaced locations and producing water-free oil and/or other hydrocarbons through the upper perforations and the well annulus or tubing, as well as preferably hydrocarbon-free water from the bottom perforations through well tubing. Careful control of hydrocarbon and water production maintains a stable hydrocarbon and water contact in the production and prevents coning of the water into the hydrocarbon and in some cases prevents coning of the hydrocarbon into the water. Production of hydrocarbon and water in this manner facilitates an equal pressure drop acting near the hydrocarbon/water contact in the well and formation to keep the water from rising in the formation.