Abstract: Arsenic filtering media consisting essentially of calcined diatomite particles, and between 5% and 30% by weight of ferric ions bonded to the calcined diatomite particles. One method for producing the filtering media consists of: generating a mixture of calcined diatomite particles and ferric chloride; allowing the mixture to sit for an extended period, thereby allowing ferric chloride to thoroughly impregnate the diatomite particles; and slowly adding sodium hydroxide to the mixture until the pH of the mixture reaches a value of at least 9.0, for ensuring unhasty and full conversion of ferric chloride into ferric hydroxide. The filtering media thus obtained have strong and durable bonds between ferric ions and the diatomite particles. The filtering media are renewable several times with minimum reduction to their arsenic adsorption capacity. A method for renewing the filtering media comprises in-situ desorption of arsenic using sodium hydroxide and rinsing with water.

Abstract: A brake pedal actuator having a tubular member and a stem telescopically mounted in the tubular member. A J-shaped hook is mounted on the stem for attachment to a segment of a steering wheel of a vehicle. A pedal clamping mechanism is mounted on the tubular member for attachment to the brake pedal of the vehicle. A handle is mounted on the tubular member for allowing a manual pushing and pulling of the brake pedal by a user standing outside the vehicle. In another aspect of the invention, the actuator has a wedge-type locking sleeve and nut affixed to the clamping mechanism for selectively locking the mechanism and for preventing a loosening or clapping of the latching mechanism when the brake pedal is manually actuated back and forth. In a further aspect of the present invention, the brake pedal actuator comprises a ring which is movably mounted on the stem and restrictively positional along the stem.

Abstract: An installation for in situ monitoring the quality of a habitat of aquatic organisms with minimal disturbance to the aquatic organisms. In a first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring installation uses invertebrate sentinel species such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops. The monitoring installation comprises broadly, a buoy; a mooring and a monitoring apparatus comprising; a framework having an upper end connected to the buoy and a lower end connected to the mooring. There is also provided a camera attached to the framework. The camera is adapted for underwater operation and has image data generating and transmitting capabilities for transmitting a number of images to a remote receiver. A support structure is detachably mounted to the framework and has rotary retainers for movably supporting one or more socks of mollusks in front of the camera.

Abstract: The agricultural roller has three rolls mounted in a triangular overlapping operable configuration. The wing rolls are movable about a pair of spaced-apart transversal articulations between the wing roll frameworks and a central framework enclosing the central roll. The transversal articulations are positioned near a respective end of the central roll such that adjacent roll ends move up and down in unison. The central framework is also movable about a longitudinal articulation across the rear end of a trailer frame. The diameter of the central roll is larger than the diameter of wheels on the trailer frame such that the wheels are raisable off the ground when the rolls are deployed in an operable mode. In a towable configuration, the central roll is moved above the trailer frame and the wing rolls are moved above the central roll with their respective axes aligned forwardly.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved method, a lapping tool head and a lens polishing apparatus for carrying out the method, for polishing ophthalmic lenses. The apparatus has a lapping tool head, a flexible membrane covering a lapping portion of the tool head, and pump and nozzle for pumping abrasive slurry over the lapping tool head. The new method comprises the conventional step of imparting an oscillatory movement to the lapping tool head and contacting the lens surface with the lapping portion of the lapping tool head while an abrasive slurry is pumped over the lapping tool head. The improvement comprises the additional step of periodically undulating the membrane for imparting a wave in that membrane such that the abrasive slurry can flow between the membrane and the lens surface. The lapping slurry is efficiently moved over the entire surface of the lens for improving the quality of the lenses polished by this process.

Abstract: A casket shell made of a corrugated paperboard. The shell is made of a triple-ply inner layer and a single-ply outer layer laminated over the inner layer. The corrugation in the side members of both layers are aligned vertically for maximum vertical tensile strength. The corrugation in the vertical corners in the inner layer are oriented horizontally for maximum stiffness and shape retention properties. The casket shell has a uniform thickness throughout the sides, ends and bottom thereof, and square corners to simulate the appearance of a wood structure. Each end has a vertical median slot therein for inserting the edges of a decorative covering fabric material. Both sides are prestressed to maintain a straight alignment.

Abstract: A tool kit for working wheel bearings, comprising at least a first punch for removing bearing cups from a wheel hub of a vehicle. The first punch comprises an elongated handle and a first punch head having a first effective width. The structure of the first punch head is such that when the first effective width thereof is selected to correspond to an inside diameter of first and second spaced-apart similar bearing cups in a wheel hub of a vehicle, the first punch head is usable for insertion through one of the bearing cups and for working one bearing cup at the time out of the wheel hub. In another aspect of the present invention, the tool kit comprises a second punch having a bearing retainer mounted thereon. The bearing retainer has a pair of spaced-apart fingers each having a tab extending outwardly.

Abstract: There is provided a jack for raising a wheel of a vehicle and comprising a horizontal base having spaced-apart front end and entry end, and spaced-apart side members extending between the front end and the entry end. A scissors-like lifting mechanism is connected to the horizontal base and has an upper end movable between a raised position at a distance above the horizontal base and a collapsed position near the horizontal base. A force-applying actuator is connected to the horizontal base and to the scissors-like lifting mechanism for actuating the scissors-like lifting mechanism. A wheel tray is connected to the upper end of the scissors-like lifting mechanism for up and down movement thereof between the raised position and the collapsed position. The wheel tray has spaced-apart front portion and entry portion, a bottom surface and a bumper on the front portion.

Abstract: A mini-workbench made of a flat bar having a top surface and a bottom surface, a planar tab extending from said bottom surface and a tridental clamp mounted to the top surface for clamping the bar of a chain saw. The planar tab is insertable in a slot cut in a tree stump for retaining the flat bar to the tree stump. The tridental clamp is usable for retaining the saw bar to the flat bar, whereby the chain saw may be filed with ease, firmness and precision. In one aspect of the invention, the thickness of the planar tab is similar to a common chain saw kerf. A woodcutter may use his/her power saw for slotting the upper end of a tree stump having a proper height and location, and easily mount the mini-workbench to that stump.

Abstract: A sign casing having a structural frame defining a front plane and a planar opening in that front plane. The structural frame has a cleft extending around the front plane. The cleft has a depth dimension extending in a direction substantially parallel to the front plane, and a latching member mounted therein. The sign casing also includes an edging bordering the planar opening. The edging has a flat strip for covering an edge of the planar opening and a latch blade extending perpendicularly from the flat strip. The latch blade has a longitudinal bulge thereon which is engagedly mountable in the latching member of the cleft such that the edging is mountable to the structural frame by simply pushing the blade into the cleft.

Abstract: A sign that has side-framing members defining a sign opening and a flexible face material anchored to the side-framing members and stretched across the sign opening. A plurality of spaced apart flexible, resilient and transparent prop members are affixed to the side-framing members with the free end of each prop member extending against the back side of the flexible face material. Each prop member extends in a flexed mode against the flexible face material for resiliently raising the flexible face material from a plane of the sign's opening, for forming decorative architectural relief therein, and for maintaining the flexible face material in a stretched mode for a better appearance under a variety of sign conditions.

Abstract: A tool kit including a pilotless punch for swaging tube ends with beads, flares and portions of reduced diameter. The kit is particularly useful to automechanics for reconditioning sending units on fuel tanks using common workbench tools and equipment. The tool kit includes a pair of clamping blocks cooperatively forming a chuck for enclosing a tube. Each clamping block has a flat portion along a segment thereof such that both blocks are forcibly retainable against one-another in a common shop vise for firmly clamping a tube. There is also provided a centering bushing and an annular collar for simultaneously enclosing portions of the clamping blocks and a portion of the centering bushing when the centering bushing is positioned adjacent the clamping blocks, for centering the centering bushing with the chuck. The round punch bar is mountable inside a central opening in the centering bushing. The punch bar has a first pilotless swaging die for swaging a tube end.

Abstract: A flex holder for retaining a flexible sign face material to a sign casing. The flex holder comprises a body having a longitudinal axis and a hinge extending along the longitudinal axis. An elongated tongue is connected to the hinge and a groove is formed in the body along a projection of the tongue about the hinge. The tongue has a pair of notches therein such that when the tongue is bent over a flexible sign face material and engaged in the groove, the flexible face material is held transversely to the body by an engagement of the tongue and groove and is held longitudinally to the body by a friction of the flexible sign face material between the notches and the groove.

Abstract: An installation for connection to a water piping system comprising a water main and at least one branch pipe, for preventing a stagnation of water inside that branch pipe. A pumping unit is connected to first and second openings in the far end of the branch pipe for pumping water samples out of the branch pipe through the first opening, and back into the branch pipe through the second opening. The installation also comprises a conduit extending inside the branch pipe from the second opening to a proximity of the water main. The pumping unit is continually or intermittently operated for sampling a portion of the still or slow moving water at the far end of a branch pipe, and for pumping these water samples near the water main where the water flow inside the pipe is more active. Such circulation of water in a branch pipe prevents the stagnation of water at the far end of the branch pipe. In another aspect, there is provided a method for preventing stagnation of water in a water supply system.

Abstract: A foldable pallet-mounted container comprising a shallow base mounted on a pallet, a foldable box mounted inside the shallow base, and a flanged cover having overall dimensions to fit over the shallow base for covering the shallow base when the foldable box is folded inside the shallow base, and for covering the foldable box when the foldable box is deployed. The shallow base is made of corrugated board and comprises a horizontal planar member and single-pleated uprising side members connected along a pair of opposite edges of the planar member. Each uprising side member has a reinforcing flap member connected thereto and overlapping the horizontal planar member. The foldable box is also made of corrugated board, and comprises first and second opposite side panels and first and second opposite end panels and a liner member connected to the horizontal planar member of the shallow base and to the first end panel.

Abstract: An easel has generous shelf area disposed into a U-shaped workshop environment. The easel has a lower structure made of a central frame and lateral left and right frames hingedly connected to the central frame. Each of the central and lateral frames has one or more shelves set therein. The shelves are at arm's length to an artist standing or sitting within the workshop environment. The easel also comprises a work support structure connected to the top member of the central frame. Handrails are provided along the top edge of each frame and a footrest is mounted across a lower portion of each frame. These handrails and footrests are accessible to a user of the easel for bracing himself/herself when leaning forward toward a canvas or when moving into similar out of balance stances.

Abstract: A fuel modification device comprising a casing having an inlet fitting, an outlet fitting and a flow axis between the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting. The casing encloses a plurality of catalytic pellets held in layers by at least two spaced-apart Monel screens positioned perpendicularly relative to the flow axis. The casing also encloses at least one magnet positioned adjacent to and without touching, one of the Monel screens. The magnet contains at least one element from a group of elements comprising strontium and barium. The catalytic pellets comprises the following composition percentages by weight: 2-7% bismuth; 3-7% mercury; 70-80% tin; and 15-25% antimony. There is further provided a method for treating hydrocarbon fuel within the device wherein an electrolytic action is caused to occur between the fuel and the magnet for causing some of the oxygen molecules in the water impurities to separate from the fuel impurities and to bond to the hydrocarbon molecules as oxygenates.