Abstract: A compact, inexpensive pipe freezer with defrost cycle for forming a frozen ice plug in a section of pipe to be repaired, and, after the repair operation has been completed, defrosting the pipe freezer's evaporator and freeze heads so that the pipe freezer can be removed from the frozen pipe without damaging the pipe freezer.

Abstract: A portable fire curtain system to provide a cloak to cover a vented opening. When deployed it will alleviate the incoming wind, which is fueling the fire. The fire curtain is made of one sheet of a fire resistant or fire proof material that is folded and sewn together. Encapsulated within the fire curtain are 6 bars of high-tempered aluminum running laterally. Each corner of the fire curtain has holes that are drilled through the top and bottom bars. Four 5 foot cable leaders with loops, (one to each corner) will be secured to these holes. Two 40 foot ropes with snaps on all ends will be connected to these cable leaders to be used in the deployment. The ropes are packed in two rope deployment bags in order to prevent the ropes from tangling.

Abstract: A Vehicle Locator Device for helping people to find their parked vehicle in a parking lot or garage during the nighttime. Some advantages that this invention has over other inventions are that you will no longer have to listen to the annoying and piercing sounds of a panic button to find your vehicle. Another advantage to this invention is that finding your vehicle will be as simple as pressing a remote controlled key chain and looking for a bright beam of light that will be shining above your vehicle.

Abstract: A compact, inexpensive self-regulating heater for heating a surface to a prescribed temperature. A first embodiment comprises a PTC ceramic heating element which is conductively bonded directly to heavy copper (or brass) electrodes, which conduct both heat and electricity with low resistance and present a smooth, extended heat transfer surface. At least one of the electrodes (on at least one side of the PTC element) is configured for maximum surface area in contact with the article being heated. The preferred methods of manufacture of this invention result in the electrodes being prestressed in tension while the ceramic element is prestressed in compression at room temperature. Upon heating, during use, these stresses tend to disappear as the electrodes expand.

Abstract: A pipe freezing apparatus comprises a multi-cavity adapter and an evaporator adapted to be fitted therein. The present invention uses a multi-cavity adapter having from two to eight cavities to fit standard plumbing pipes in copper, steel and plastic, metric and US standard. The refrigeration evaporator fits into a cylindrical bore in the core of the radial multi-cavity array. The cavities are arrayed around the circumference of the bore. The adapter body that forms the array is of aluminum or the like. The coolant lines are elbowed at 90 degrees to the evaporator's longitudinal axis to facilitate attachment to the pipe in small or tight spaces and from the side of the pipe. The adapter body freely swivels around the evaporator thus reducing wear on the refrigeration tubes as the adapters are mounted on the section of pipe to be frozen. Thus any of the cavities can be lined up with the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for passively performing a geophysical survey. The RAP Equipment complex comprises an A/D Conversion Device, an external sensor, an external 12 volt battery, and a Notebook Computer in which resides a Fourier analysis program. The A/D Conversion Device is connected to the serial port of the Notebook Computer. The A/D Conversion Device comprises an Analog/Digital Converter modified to replace its quartz resonator with a Frequency Generator for providing a predetermined sampling rate, and a Signal Amplifier. An external sensor is attached by a cable to the input of the Signal Amplifier. A 12 volt power supply powers the Signal Amplifier, the modified A/D converter, and the Notebook Computer. In use, the external sensor is placed on the ground at the first spot it is desired to take a reading. The ground is then lightly tapped in the near vicinity of the sensor either with one's finger or a hammer.

Abstract: A cold can or bottle cooler dispenser for keeping cold and compactly transporting both homemade liquid refreshment and canned or bottled refreshments in separate compartments. A rotatable cowling having an opening which surrounds the mid-section of the cooler allows selection of the desired canned or bottled refreshment. Thus after the homemade liquid refreshment has been placed in the cooler, it need never thereafter be exposed either when loading the canned or bottled refreshments or when accessing either the canned or the homemade refreshments. Compartments are also provided for reusable substitute ice packs. A spigot on the outside of the cooler allows one to access the homemade liquid refreshment. Another embodiment of this invention can be used to retrofit or modify an existing cooler so that the modified cooler can now be used to carry both a home-made beverage and canned beverages with both beverages being kept conveniently segregated from one another.

Abstract: A four season, lightweight, highly efficient stove, versatile enough to meet the needs of a solo backpacker and weekend camping groups, that will boil one quart of water at an outdoor temperature of 0.degree. F. in less than five minutes using foraged fuel. This stove consists of two semi-cylindrical pieces of metal detachably joined together at the side edges, with all the parts continuously linked together to form a one-piece stove. It provides a light weight, easy to set up, stove which occupies minimal space, being easily wrapped around a sleeping pad. The stove uses twigs and other materials normally found around a campsite for fuel. Hence there is no need for one to bring one's own fuel when going camping.

Abstract: A baby supplies case and bag/bassinet combination with an openable front flap. Unzipping the flap reveals a shelved case holding diapers and baby supplies. Attached to the lowest shelf by a hinge is a hollow wedge shaped baby wipes container of sufficient length to extend to a cutout in the above shelf where the wide end of the wedge-shaped container rests. The wide end has raised ridges at either end thereof which retain a protective lid in position. In the middle of the wide end is an oval opening which provides access to baby wipes. When this wedge shaped container is rotated downward and the protective lid is slid open, a baby wipe can be retrieved. Due to the wedge shape of the container, it will not impede the removal of objects from the shelf behind. Resting on the middle shelf of the case is a holder for a container of baby powder. When this holder is rotated downwardly, it hangs from supports attached to the shelf on which it was resting.

Abstract: A multiposition readable trim position indicator for outboard motors or the like for determining the tilt or angularity of the propeller with respect to a parallel position to the water level. The trim position indicator is attached to the side of the top cover of the outboard motor to give an indication of the angle between the axis of the outboard motor propeller and the water surface. When the outboard motor is tilted, e.g. as the boat comes up to planing speed, the trim position indicator indicates the angular degree of tilt by means of a level-seeking mechanism therein which no longer is centered between two indicator markings. Consequently, appropriate trimming measures may be taken so that maximum propulsion is restored. Due to its unique design, the pointer face of this trim position indicator is readable from both a sitting position and a standing position in the boat. Methods of mounting the trim position indicator on outboard motors both with and without hydrofoil stabilizers are also provided.

Abstract: A torque nut or screw that allows the nut to be tightened to a preset maximum torque, but prevents excess tightening. The nut or screw includes inner and outer threaded elements that extend along the same axis. The outer threaded element is tapered with respect to the axis. The fastener includes an inner fastening member (7) having fastening threads (8) and an outer female member (10) that is rotatable by means of a spanner, a pair of pliers, a screw driver, or other tool. The female member is connected to the inner fastening member by a coupling (13) having a sufficient strength to transfer to the inner fastening member a torque of a magnitude for which the fastening device is designed. The outer female member (10) is designed to be released upon tightening of the coupling and rotated relative to the inner fastening member (7), but not until the predetermined torque is exceeded. The coupling between the outer female (10) and the inner fastening member (7) includes a conical screw coupling.

Abstract: A trim position indicator for outboard motors or the like for determining the tilt or angularity of the propeller with respect to a parallel position to the water level. The indicator is attached to the motor shroud to give an indication of the angle between the axis of the motor propeller and the water surface. When the motor is tilted, e.g. as the boat comes up to planing speed, the trim position indicator indicates the angular degree of tilt by means of a float therein which no longer is centered between two indicator markings. Consequently, appropriate trimming measures may be taken so that maximum propulsion is restored. The sensing member may be in the form of an air or light gas filled spherical float which, due to the higher specific gravity of the liquid surrounding it, seeks the highest point within the arc shaped level. Methods of mounting the trim position indicator on outboard boat motors both with and without hydrofoil stabilizers are also provided.