Abstract: A stand for supporting a bouquet holder with either a straight handle or a curved handle. The stand may be integrally formed of transparent plastic. The plastic is folded in at least two places to form a bottom panel, a front panel and a non-parallel back panel. The front panel is supported at an angle to the bottom panel and has an opening for receiving the stem of the bouquet holder. The back panel extends downwardly from the front panel or upwardly from the bottom panel and has a notched edge spaced a distance behind the front panel to receive the free end of the stem of the bouquet holder. This attractive stand can be used to support a bouquet holder during the creation of a flower arrangement therein, and to store, transport and display a floral arrangement in a bouquet holder.

Abstract: A floating weir assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid from a fluid reservoir. The weir assembly includes a buoyant body preferably comprising a sidewall surrounding a central bottom opening. A weir is provided on the inside surface of the sidewall, and a gauge is provided on the opposite side of the sidewall's inside surface. The sidewall may provide a ballast chamber for holding ballast, such as sand. By adjusting the amount of the ballast, the depth to which the body is submerged can be varied. By distributing the sand circumferentially, the body can be leveled in the fluid to ensure accuracy of the weir. Because the sidewall is partially submerged, undesirable surface matter, such as oil and debris, is prevented from entering the weir. While there are many applications for this floating weir assembly, a preferred application is in the field of sewage treatment systems.

Abstract: A rotary device, such as a downhole motor, with a rotary wave seal assembly. The seal assembly is formed by a sinuous or non-linear circumferential gland or groove and an annular seal member, such as an O-ring, supported in the groove. The device further includes at least one thrust bearing assembly for transmitting axial pressure from the bearing housing to the drive shaft. Each thrust bearing comprises a self-lubricating thrust washer as the bearing element. Still further, where the rotary device comprises two coaxial tubular structures that are not to rotate relative to each other, an anti-rotation means is provided. The anti-rotation means includes a cylindrical pin received in mating longitudinal, radiused grooves in the outer wall of the innermost elongate member and the inner wall of the outermost tubular member. The anti-rotation means includes a cylindrical pin received in the mating longitudinal grooves.

Abstract: A bracket assembly to support a traffic control device or other object on a mast arm or other support. The bracket assembly generally includes male and female tubular members. The female tubular member is split longitudinally, and clamped around the male tubular member by means of bolts or the like. The two halves of the split female member are identically formed, which simplifies manufacturing as only one mold is required. Further, each of the female member halves is provided with attachment means for using either cable or steel band to mount the bracket to the mast arm. Each half of the female member has a notch or pawl to which the band/cable screw assembly is inserted. When the two identical halves are placed around the male tubular member, the paw is on opposite sides of the anchor plate. In this way, the tension on half is exerted in a direction opposite to the tension on the other half.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: A modular medical gas services unit with multiple medical gas outlets supported at the same level on the column. The unit preferably comprises a hollow column with an internal space for housing the gas conduits and power lines. The medical gas supply outlets are mounted so that their longitudinal axes extend radially from the vertical axis of the frame, and the longitudinal axes of adjacent outlets intersect to form an acute angle. In this way, the horizontal dimensions of the column can be minimized while the number of medical gas outlets at the desired height is maximized. In one embodiment, the column is pentagonal in cross-section providing five planar support surfaces for five medical gas outlets. In another embodiment, a square column is equipped with angled outlet panels, each supporting two medical gas outlets. Thus, though the frame is four-sided, as many as eight medical gas outlets can be mounted at the same height on the frame.

Abstract: A modular medical gas services unit with multiple medical gas outlets supported at the same level on the column. The unit preferably comprises a hollow column with an internal space for housing the gas conduits and power lines. The medical gas supply outlets are mounted so that their longitudinal axes extend radially from the vertical axis of the frame, and the longitudinal axes of adjacent outlets intersect to form an acute angle. In this way, the horizontal dimensions of the column can be minimized while the number of medical gas outlets at the desired height is maximized. In one embodiment, the column is pentagonal in cross-section providing five planar support surfaces for five medical gas outlets. In another embodiment, a square column is equipped with angled outlet panels, each supporting two medical gas outlets. Thus, though the frame is four-sided, as many as eight medical gas outlets can be mounted at the same height on the frame.

Abstract: Auxiliary “task-distance” eyeglasses for use with conventional corrective eyeglasses to eliminate the constant head tilting otherwise necessary to maintain focus when using only the conventional lenses. The auxiliary glasses have upper partial lenses that correct mid-range vision, the focal length required for viewing a computer screen, reading piano music, viewing an instrument panel, or any other arms' length task. The zone of mid-range correction extends across the full width of the lenses. The lenses of the auxiliary glasses are connected by a bridge and supported on the primary glasses by two short tabs that extend sidewardly so as to rest on the temple members of the primary glasses. No clips or clamps are involved, so the auxiliary glasses simply “drop in” behind the regular glasses, avoiding damage to either the primary or the auxiliary lenses. This configuration makes the auxiliary glasses less obtrusive than conventional clip-on lenses.

Abstract: A handhole compartment for utility poles. The compartment includes an oval sidewall sized to be received in the handhole, and a removable cover. The cover is equipped with a latch at each end. A foot on the end of the latch engages a notch in the sidewall. The foot is controlled by rotating the head of the latch on the top of the cover using an Allen wrench. The latch eliminates the need to align and thread bolts. The cover is molded plastic so that warping, common to metal covers, is virtually eliminated and so that the desired shape and size can be reproduced consistently. A lip on the edge of the cover provides a seal around the edge of the sidewall.

Abstract: A low profile toolbox or other compartment for installation in the tailgate of a pickup truck or in any other vehicle door. The toolbox has a body portion that is installed inside the tailgate through an opening in the inner or outer panel. A flat lid is pivotally attached by means of a frame over the opening. Because the lid is flat and the body is inside the cavity, the top surface of the toolbox is substantially flush with the inner panel of the tailgate. In this way, when the tailgate is open, the toolbox creates no obstacle to use of the tailgate to slide objects in and out of the truck bed. Yet, the toolbox is more easily accessible than if it were attached to one of the sidewalls of the truck, at the front of the bed, or even inside the truck.

Abstract: A hand-operable operating assembly for a vehicle, such as a three-wheeled cycle. The drive mechanism comprises opposing members, such as oppositely oriented crank handles. A sprocket and chain assembly connects the hand crank to the pedal crank on the cycle. A grip is attached to each crank handle. The grip is pivotally attached to the crank handle and is also connected to a cable system that steers the front guidance wheel on the cycle. Thus, the front wheel is turned by simply pivoting one or both of the grips. To keep the grips properly oriented for the operator rearward of the crank handles, the crank handles are rotatably attached to the crank rods. A timing belt is provided on each crank handle to maintain the correct orientation of the handle as it orbits the crankshaft. Thus, the cycle can be steered and driven simultaneously by operation of the grips. Moreover, the grips are positioned so that they pivot about their central transverse axes.