Abstract: A bed lifting system utilizing a unitary block having bed leg receiving cavities, each of different depth, on reversable top and bottom sides of the block. One of these sides has four round cylindrical bore holes for stably supporting a bed leg (with or without a small wheel) at each of four different elevations. The other side has four cavities shaped to support a large bed leg wheel at each of four elevations. Extension blocks are provided for fitting over the unitary block to further raise the bed leg.

Abstract: A crutch and cane holder attachment for attaching to the rear vertical surface portion, below the seat and preferably just above a rear deck, of a motorized wheelchair-scooter, of the type used to transport a disabled person. Such motorized wheelchair-scooters are typically provided in grocery stores and other retail establishments for use by disabled persons. The adjustable crutch and cane holder will accommodate storage of crutches or canes regardless of the angle of attachment of the holder to the motorized wheelchair-scooter or the slope of the wheelchair seat-back. This adjustability provides that the crutches will not hit the user in the head or interfere with the seat-back when utilizing a seat that swivels. The low mounting height provides for a minimal distance above the floor that the crutches or cane must be lifted to accommodate storage.

Abstract: A utility box, of the type found on utility trucks, having a vertically-openable door which stores by resting on the top of the utility box. The door has as upper segment and a lower segment connected by a first hinge; and the upper segment is connected to the utility box top by a second hinge. The lower segment is about twice the height of the upper segment. Because of this construction, the door may be opened and closed nearby another vehicle or structure, since the maximum horizontal extension needed (from the box) to operate the door is about the same as the height of the smaller upper door segment.

Abstract: Several matching exterior lighting systems for use on property having electrical service wiring. Lighting fixtures are made of pipe or wood, preferably PVC pipe or redwood. Several embodiments can be installed directly in the ground, while other embodiments can be installed on the vertical exterior surface of a building, or on the top of a wall. In all embodiments, the lamp and electrical connections are housed within the same enclosure, and no separate electrical box is needed. The embodiments made of pipe are coated with stucco, brick, stone, tile, wood, aluminum sheet, or copper sheet, to protect the pipe from environmental degradation. The preferred coating is stucco, and the invention includes a new method of applying stucco to a circular cylinder and manufacturing an article. All embodiments have elongated rectangular windows parallel both to the florescent light bulb, and to the axis of the cylinder, with translucent lenses to allow light to escape.

Abstract: A hammer-ripper system for use with the mounting on the boom arm, of an excavator/backhoe, of a conventional hydraulically-operated hammer fitted with a “shortened” chisel. A “ripping-type” device like a chisel tooth mounts to a lever with its pivot point attached to the side of the hammer. One end of the lever extends to be impacted by under the shortened chisel, while the other end extends inward. Thus, the tooth end can be placed under embedded boulders and used to hammer (using the transmitted reciprocating action of the hydraulic hammer), and pry or break up the boulders from underneath with the combined hammering and ripping action.

Abstract: A pipe connection system has a non-threaded, quick-pipe connection for connecting pipe in a pressurized system, for connecting piping components within a fire sprinkler system, including a flow switch to a fire sprinkler system riser port. A male and female member are attached through the use of a through-slot in the female member that aligns with a groove in the male member such that a locking clip may be inserted through the female and male members when they are joined, thereby blocking the members from being dis-joined. An O-ring seal in a groove on the male member and sealable bore on the female member allow for a sealed and pressurized piping system.

Abstract: A system for holding an indwelling catheter above the heart of a patient wearing one. When a patient has a central line placed, the catheter is sutured into the patient's chest and the external portion of the catheter, the portion that remains outside the patient's body, must be carefully protected and kept sterile; and it must also be carefully held above the level of the patient's heart and the insertion point of the catheter so that the patient's blood does not flow back into the catheter, potentially causing life-threatening clotting or infection. A sterilizable, disposable hanger, which is connectable to the port end (the external end) of the catheter, can be suspended from a necklace or neck cord by passing the neck cord through apertures in the hanger. This system allows a patient to hang the catheter from a neck cord. Using the hanger frees patients from using tape on their skin or pins in their clothing to hold their catheter in place.

Abstract: A system for covering drain pipe outlets, particularly, as they exit a building. The system includes a band that is tightened around the exterior of a pipe as it protrudes through the side of a building. Attached to the band is a hinged cover which is sized to entirely cover the pipe and hidden hinge. The cover may be covered with material to match or complement the building exterior surfacing, such as paint or stucco. In addition, the band portion may also include one or more restictors, such as bars, to prevent unauthorized access or debris from entering the pipe. The system provides for multiple size covers and bands for a wide variety of pipe sizes.

Abstract: A mobile percussion-instrument field rack that holds a multiplicity of percussion instruments such that one or more percussionists can play at the same time. The field rack is foldable and easily transported, preferably in between the seats of a bus. It has large wide wheels attached to a center portion of the rack with a fixed stable wheelbase which is independent of swinging and height-adjustable side wings of the rack. It is exceptionally stable and comprises a distinct upper and lower framework which utilizes a two-point clamping system for improved securing of the instruments.

Abstract: A fishing lure retriever system for retrieving an artificial fishing lure that has become snagged in underwater debris. The fishing lure retriever provides a round cylindrical hollow body, preferably a heavy metal such as steel in construction, which is removably attached to a fishing line through a spiraling diagonal slot in the body such that the retriever is centered around the fishing line and can impact the debris that has snagged the fishing lure. The fishing line is prevented from slipping out of the retriever by the spiral shape of the slot and U-shaped blockers blocking the slot ends. In addition, the retriever has chains weldably attached to the bottom end portion of the retriever to capture the hooks of the snagged fishing lure. Furthermore, the fishing lure retriever has a retrieval line attached to an upside-down-V-shaped bar welded to the top of the body for pulling on the retriever.

Abstract: A custom ankle brace which is made to compensate for debilitating conditions of an individual patient's ankle area. The brace is custom made by creating a negative cast of the patient's foot/ankle/lower-leg; and then prescribed markings are included on the negative cast by the castmaker to indicate the desired geometry of support. The markings are transferable to a positive cast to inform the bracemaker. The custom brace has inner and outer material layers with a stiffening element within, all fitted to the shape of a built-up positive cast, the stiffening element having a unitary horizontal partial sole portion and vertical back-and-sides-of-leg portion. The stiffening element, made from a thin polymeric sheet, is vacuum and heat fitted to the built-up-positive cast.

Abstract: A fuel-efficient tractor-trailer system for improving the fuel mileage of a tractor-trailer combination by improving the air resistance that occurs in the area between the rear of the tractor and the front of the semi-trailer. The fuel-efficient tractor-trailer system provides an improved roof extension, which automatically raises when the tractor is put into reverse gear and an improved wheel mechanism for assisting the side extensions to slide around the semi-trailer ends when the tractor-trailer is turning. The fuel-efficient tractor-trailer system requires only modification to the tractor and not the trailer.

Abstract: A battery filling system for use in efficiently adding water to, for example, those lead-acid batteries which are located in inconvenient or hard-to-reach places. The battery filling system includes a first flexible tube for use in transferring distilled water from the interior of a water-filled vessel to the hard-to-reach cell of a lead-acid battery. A second flexible tube transfers pressurized air from an external pressurized air source (typically human lungs) to the interior of the vessel in a quantity sufficient to cause the water to advance into and fill the first tube. A cap is used to snugly attach both tubes to the vessel. A means is also provided to minimize loss of air pressure from the vessel.

Abstract: A palette system for use in storing and holding substances such as paint or glue, and for maintaining these substances in a usably moist condition for extended periods of time, is provided. The palette system is provided with a sealable open-top box structure for containing a moisture-retaining structure (preferably a substantially-wood-fiber flat sponge) whose cell structure provides a “wick effect” thereby maintaining the paint or glue in a moist condition. A water-permeable paper sheet, placed atop the moisture-retaining structure, is provided for supporting a plurality of paint or glue dabs. Also provided is a lid for sealing the open-top box structure.

Abstract: A snake repellent system for use in repelling snakes so as to prevent the human user from being bitten. The snake repellent system consists of a receptacle into which is placed a quantity of garlic or onion, the aroma of which is believed to be effective in repelling snakes. The receptacle is provided with a lid having a plurality of openings for facilitating the dispersal of the garlic or onion aroma. The receptacle may be provided with a mincing rack used to mince a clove of garlic, thereby more fully releasing its aroma. The receptacle may also be provided with a means to both limit child access to the repellent substance within the receptacle and prevent removal of the repellent substance from the lid openings. An adjustable band is provided for attaching the receptacle to the arm or leg of the user.

Abstract: A tire pressure-monitoring system for use with a trailer. The monitoring system includes an inductive proximity sensor mounted adjacent each wheel. To activate the sensors, a target is mounted on each brake drum. Rotational speed data for each wheel is relayed from each sensor to a programmable logic controller which compares the rotational speed of a wheel with another wheel. Sensitivity parameters written into the program contained in the programmable logic controller compares the input data and, if the data falls outside the safe parameters, alerts the driver by activating and audio or visual alarm mounted within the tow vehicle. The sensitivity of the programmed logic may be optimized to differentiate changes in a tire diameter due to turning versus an actual loss in tire pressure.

Abstract: A semitrailer cargo door locking system is described for use with a semitrailer cargo door having as part of its opening mechanism a rotatable handle which secured within a hasp mechanism comprising a rigid lower hasp and a swivelable upper hasp. The locking system includes a shackleless keyed lock having an internal bolt for engaging aligned holes provided in the upper and lower hasps, thereby preventing unauthorized opening of the cargo doors when in a locked state. The lock housing is provided both with a protective extension to minimize attempts to pry the lock, and with a tapered side wall to prevent removal by the application of a destructive torque applied by a wrench or other like device. The lock is further provided with a anchor line for either permanently or removably securing the lock to the cargo door. To provide the lock with the ability to be used with regulated loads, a means may also be provided to attach a sealing structure to the lock.