Abstract: A firestop device (10) and firestop assembly for use in a plumbing system (100) installed in a structure to prevent the transmission of smoke and fire through the plumbing system. The firestop device includes a housing (12) with a connector (14) and intumescent material (16) mounted in the inner passageway (12C) of the housing. The firestop device is intended to be mounted over the hub portion (50B) of a plumbing fitting (50). When the housing is heated, the heat is transferred to the intumescent material which expands. As the intumescent material expands, the material crushes the conduit (102) extending through the firestop device and completely blocks the inner passageway (10C) of the firestop device which prevents smoke and fire from moving through the firestop device.

Abstract: A seeding device for tilling the ground and distributing seed. The device includes a handle having a bracket with a seed container, the tilling plate and tilling tines mounted on the bracket. A seed distributor is provided to distribute seed over the ground. The seed distributor includes a plunger with a distribution plate. To use the seeding device, the user first inserts the tilling tines into the ground which moves the plunger upward toward the seed container and then removes the seeding device from the ground. The down and up movement moves seed from the seed container to the ground or the distribution plate. Seed on the distribution plate is moved off of the plate then moves the plunger into the extended position.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for storing preselected Bingo numbers which allows a player to play the same sets of Bingo numbers (56) in multiple sessions of Bingo. The player preselects Bingo numbers to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The numbers are stored in the memory (16) of the computer (12). The player selects which preselected Bingo numbers to play for a specific session of Bingo. A ticket is provided having the selected sets of Bingo numbers with a control number (58) for each selected set of numbers and a validation number (60) for the ticket.

Abstract: A test cap (10) for use with a building drain (102) to allow hydrostatic testing of the building drain. The test cap includes an end wall (12) with a sidewall (14) extending around the perimeter of the end wall. The top side (12A) of the end wall is provided with an annular groove (16) which surrounds a center portion (18) of the test cap. The diameter of the groove is such that a standard sized pipe (104) can be used to apply force to the groove to detach the center portion from the end wall of the test cap. Once hydrostatic testing is complete, the center portion is detached from the end wall of the test cap and removed to allow access to the building drain.

Abstract: A ventilation fan assembly (10) having a fan (22) mounted in a housing (12) and a shutter assembly (60). The housing has a square inlet portion (12C), a circular center portion (12E) and a conical outlet portion (12D) having rifling grooves (20). The shoulder (16) formed between the inlet portion and the center portion is radiused to reduce disruption of air flowing from the inlet portion to the center portion. The shape of the blades (32) of the propeller (28) is such that the axial velocity produced as the propeller rotates is essentially constant along the length of the blades. The shutter assembly has a large, radiused entrance and airfoil shaped blades which reduce air disruption. The blades have a flexible flap (68) along the trailing edges (64D) which form a seal between adjacent blades to prevent air from leaking from the housing through the shutter assembly.

Abstract: The device (10) prevents a shaft (110) from rotating. When mounted on the shaft extending between the movement mechanisms (106) of a workstation (100), the device prevents the movement mechanisms from raising or lowering the work surface (102). A pair of fixed hubs (20 and 22) are fixably mounted on the shaft. A rotatable hub (24) is rotatably mounted on the shaft spaced between the fixed hubs. First and second wrap springs (28 and 30) extend between each of the fixed hubs and the rotatable hub. A pair of wrap springs are force fit over the fixed hubs and rotatable hub. The device also includes an anti-release mechanism which prevents release of the device when an additional force is applied to the work surface such that the work surface is out-of-balance.

Abstract: A delineator pole (10) includes a top portion (10A), a center portion (10C) and a bottom portion (10B) and is intended to be rotatably mounted in the ground (50) adjacent a road. When a bumper contacts the delineator pole the bumper rotates the delineator pole.

Abstract: A forearm support device (10) for use in lifting an object (100) having a handle (102). The support device includes a U-shaped frame (12) with first, second and third supports (14, 16 and 18). The frame extends the length of the user's forearm (150) from the wrist (152) of the user to adjacent the elbow of the user. The device can be used in combination with an insulated oven mitt (20) to allow for use with hot objects. The support device enables a user to lift objects with a handle and transfers the lifting force from the user's hand and wrist to the forearm of the user.

Abstract: A pet door unit having a housing, an opening mechanism, a pet door, a receiver and a portable transmitter. The opening mechanism includes a motor having a screw drive and a carriage. The carriage is connected to the top of the pet door and moves along the length of a screw shaft of the screw drive as the shaft rotates to open and close the door. A detector is mounted on each of the sidewalls of the housing to detect an object in the opening of the housing and prevent the door from closing when an object is detected in the opening. To open the door, a user presses a button on the portable transmitter which sends a signal to the receiver which activates the opening mechanism to move the door to the open position.

Abstract: A container (10) for holding parts during a heat treating process. The container includes a bottom plate (14), end walls (20 and 22), sidewalls (30 and 32) and dividers (40, 42 and 44) which are connected together using a tab and slot construction to form an egg crate structure. The construction of the container reduces the effects of the heat treating process on the container. The guide cradle (58) in the compartment (12) of the container supports the cylinder head in the compartment and reduces the movement of the cylinder head during the heat treating process. The positioners (60) on the top portion (58A) of the guide cradle guides the cylinder head into the guide cradle and into the compartment. The bottom portion (58B) of the guide cradle supports the cylinder head above the bottom plate.

Abstract: An air and water hose apparatus (10 or 210) for use in an air supply system (100) for firefighters (150). The air and water hose apparatus has an air hose (32 or 232) completely within the water hose (12 or 212). The air and water hose apparatus comprises only a single length of the overall water hose of the system. This ensures that no part of the air hose is exposed to possible damage. The system supplies high pressure air to the firefighters. The system allows for easy connect and disconnect of the air and water hose apparatus to the firefighter's mask (160) and preferably can be used with standard self-contained breathing apparatus (152) having a mask and a regulator (158). A branched conduit (46) allows several firefighters to be attached to a single air and water hose apparatus.

Abstract: A medical vest (10) and a method of using the vest to provide emergency medical care to a patient (102), are described. The vest includes an IV container (28) and a medical supply container (58) which are mounted on mounting pads (22, 24 or 26) on the front (12) or back (14) of the vest. The containers are also connected to the shoulders (16) of the vest by shoulder straps (27). The IV container is configured to carry an IV bag (150) as well as all the medical supplies necessary to provide an IV to a patient. The container is constructed so as to remain in the open position to allow the user to use both hands to tend to the patient. A clip strap (46) with a self-closing hook (48) is provided with the container to allow the container to be hooked near a patient for transport with the patient. The medical supply container has a variety of uses and can be provided with inserts with loops (69) for holding airway equipment or inserts without loops to hold additional emergency medical supplies.

Abstract: A unit (10) having a boom (12) and rotary device (14). The rotary device includes a first bracket (22), a second bracket (24) movably mounted to the first bracket and a third bracket (54) connected to the second bracket by a driven shaft (34). A motor (40) is mounted on a motor bracket (38) mounted to the second bracket. A drive gear (46) is mounted on the motor and engages a driven gear (48) mounted on the driven shaft. A friction plate (56) is located on the driven shaft adjacent the third bracket. When a load (102) is connected to the third bracket, the weight of the load pulls the third bracket downward into contact with the friction plate. The frictional contact between the third bracket and the friction plate causes the third bracket and the load to rotate when the drive shaft is rotated.

Abstract: The adjustment mechanism (10) includes a stationary first member (12) and a second member (20) telescopingly mounted in the first member. A threaded member (26) is rotatably connected at the first end (26A) to the upper end (20A) of the second member. The second end (26B) of the screw extends down through a top nut (38) fixably mounted on one end of a nut support (36). A spring (40) is mounted around the screw and the nut support extends between the lower end of the first member and the upper end of the second member. An operating mechanism is used to rotate the screw. The operating mechanism allows for fewer rotations of the handle (62) of the operating mechanism to move the work surface the desired amount.

Abstract: A firestop coupling assembly (10, 210 or 310) for allowing the passage of utility members (50 or 52) through a hole in a partition (54 or 56) while preventing the transmission of fire and smoke through the hole. The coupling assembly including a coupling (12, 212 or 312) and a firestop extension (16, 216 or 316). The firestop extension has a housing (18, 218 or 318) with an inner passageway (22, 222 or 322). Intumescent material (28, 228 or 328) is mounted in the inner passageway of the housing. The firestop extension is mounted on the coupling such that the intumescent material extends downward beyond a second end (12B, 212B or 312B) of the coupling. When the coupling assembly is exposed to heat, the intumescent material expands into the inner passageway of the housing of the firestop extension and blocks the second end of the coupling which prevents the transmission of smoke and fire through the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A device (10) for collecting fluid samples from a subsurface (100), injecting fluids into a subsurface and measuring the hydrostatic pressure of groundwater in a subsurface is described. The device includes an outer tube (12) with a center bore (12D) and openings (12E) at one end (12B) and a rigid inner rod (18) configured to be telescopingly inserted into the center bore of the outer tube. The inner rod provides support and prevents damage to the outer tube during insertion into the subsurface. The device is inserted into the subsurface until the openings in the outer tube are adjacent the testing area. The inner rod is then removed from the outer tube. To collect fluid samples, the samples are retrieved from the fluid which has moved from the subsurface through the openings to the center bore of the outer tube. To inject fluid into the subsurface, the fluid is injected into the center bore and flows through the openings to the subsurface.

Abstract: A coupling device (10) for allowing a user to connect a trailer (104) having a gooseneck assembly to a hitch ball (102) of a towing vehicle (106). The coupling device includes a housing (12), jaws (24 and 26) and a locking mechanism (32). The jaws are pivotably mounted in the housing and are biased into the open position by springs (30). The locking mechanism includes a locking slide bar (38) which moves across the front of the jaws when the jaws are in the closed position. When the jaws are in the open position and the locking slide bar is unlocked, the jaws prevent the locking slide bar from moving to the closed position. When the hitch ball is moved between the jaws, the jaws move to the closed position and, the unlocked, locking slide bar automatically moves to the closed position.

Abstract: The method and apparatus (10) for moving and positioning parts (150, 250, 350 or 450) on workpieces (160) is described. The apparatus includes a vibratory bowl (12), a conveyance and feed system and a positioning cylinder (82). The bowl aligns the parts and orients the parts using a gauge (16, 216, 316 or 416). The conveyance and feed system moves the parts through a conduit (34) using an escapement (44) to feed the parts one at a time to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder has a pneumatic piston (90) with a piston rod (100) having an extension (102) and tip (104). An electromagnet (112) is mounted at one end of the positioning cylinder. When activated, the positioning cylinder extends the piston rod such that the tip extends into an opening (150D, 250D, 350D or 450D) in the part. The electromagnet is activated simultaneously and sends a charge down the piston rod which charges the extension which is constructed of a magnetic material.

Abstract: A hitch assembly (10) for mounting adjacent an underneath surface (102A) of a bed (102) of a truck (100) to enable the truck to tow a vehicle having a gooseneck coupling. The hitch assembly has a retractable hitch ball (28, 228) which allows for retracting the hitch ball out of the bed of the truck when not in use. The hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly, a container (24) and a hitch ball. The container is mounted in an opening (14E) of a mounting plate (14) of the mounting assembly such that the open top end of the container is adjacent an opening in the bed of the truck. The hitch ball is positioned in the container with a compression spring (29) located between the hitch ball and the closed, lower end (24B) of the container. The compression spring acts to move the hitch ball into the semi-retracted position when the locking mechanism (34) is unlocked. When the hitch ball is moved to the fully extended or fully retracted position, the locking mechanism automatically locks the hitch ball in position.

Abstract: A firestop coupling assembly for allowing the passage of utility members through a hole in a partition while preventing the transmission of fire and smoke through the hole. The coupling assembly includes a coupling and a firestop extension. The firestop extension has a housing with an inner passageway. Intumescent material is mounted in the inner passageway of the housing. The firestop extension is mounted on the coupling such that the intumescent material extends downward beyond a second end of the coupling. When the coupling assembly is exposed to heat, the intumescent material expands into the inner passageway of the housing of the firestop extension and blocks the second end of the housing of the coupling which prevents the transmission of smoke and fire through the coupling assembly.