Abstract: A counterbalanced fishing hook having an eye oriented at an angle to the shank. A weight is mounted to the eye and shank in a position to counterbalance the weight of the hook when a line is connected to the eye and the hook is suspended underwater. In a second embodiment, the shank has a horizontal straight portion and a portion that is bent at an angle with the curved portion and the barb oriented in a plane parallel to and displaced from the plane of a straight shank portion. The second embodiment employs a flat weight that is oriented parallel to the plane of the curved portion and the barb for holding the barb above the bottom of a body of water.

Abstract: A tumbler is mounted for rotation around a trunnion with a screen fixedly mounted to a portion of the trunnion residing within the tumbler. A multiple blade paddle is mounted to a shaft that is rotatably supported through the trunnion. The paddle blades are formed with angular edges. As the tumbler rotates and the paddle rotates, powder is repeatedly dropped onto the screen to be sifted with the aid of the paddle. Rotating the tumbler further drops unsifted portions of the powder from the screen to mix with additional powder in the tumbler body. Thus, sifting and blending of powders is accomplished in one single operation.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus and method is provided for cleaning liquid storage tanks, particularly above ground tanks. The rotary cleaning apparatus includes a Tee housing that is rotated around a vertical axis and a nozzle housing mounted to the Tee housing for rotation around a horizontal axis, resulting in a 360° spherical spray pattern. A set of downspray nozzles is mounted to the Tee housing at an angle to the vertical axis to rotate with the housing and generate a conical spray pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus draws liquid stored in the tank through a filter and pumps the filtered liquid through the rotary cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A seven string guitar having a neck configured with a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The first tapered portion is relatively narrow adjacent to the guitar head and increases in width toward the guitar body. The second tapered portion is relatively narrow adjacent to the first tapered portion and increases in width toward the guitar body. The standard set of six strings are stretched across the neck, and a seventh string is stretched over the first tapered portion and over the open space adjacent to the second tapered portion. A player of the seven string guitar is able to use the thumb to access the seventh string.

Abstract: An offset force clamp is provided for securely holding a workpiece to a table of a cutting machine. The clamp is a modified clamping pliers having a planar base jaw and an elongate upper jaw oriented perpendicular to one another. The base jaw is preferably mounted fixedly to a first handle of the clamp and the upper jaw is preferably mounted pivotably to a second handle of the clamp. The base jaw is configured to engage the table as the upper jaw applies an offset force to hold the workpiece so that the clamp is not cut during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A split protective bushing is provided herein in two embodiments. According to the first embodiment, a first half ring is formed with dovetail protrusions on each end and a second half ring is formed with mating dovetail sockets on each end. Interlocking the dovetail protrusions and the dovetail sockets forms a circular bushing. According to the second embodiment, a first segment and a second segment are pivotally connected at one end of each. A second end of each segment has a tongue and latch respectively for being locked together to form a complete ring. Both embodiments include an internal thread and a lip for engaging a connector in an electric installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning vessels stacked on racks with a minimum of head clearance. The cleaning apparatus has a drive unit with a turbine wheel connected to a multi-stage gear train. The output motion of the gear train connects through an angular transmission within a fluid conveying elbow to a rotatable housing having a rotatable nozzle angularly assembled thereto. The elbow has a pressure channel and a suction channel there through. The length of the apparatus from the elbow to the housing is short enough to be passed into the bunghole of a vessel, e.g. a wine barrel, while racked. A flexible suction hose is connected to a suction line in the apparatus for removing spent cleaning fluid from within the vessel.

Abstract: The tubular transporter for moving a submersible pump through a collecting pipe under a landfill has a set of wheels angularly mounted to a cylindrical housing in positions above a center of gravity of the transporter. The transporter has a screen at a suction end and an end plate at a discharge end. The end plate has a vent hole with an optional plug. A pressure sensor is removably mounted to the housing and operates for determining when sufficient water is present to actuate the pump. The pump discharges the water to be treated prior to being returned to the ground. A series of hose dollies are mounted to the discharge hose to enable entry into a long collection pipe.

Abstract: A conveyor for varied size and shape containers has a pair of feed screws mounted parallel to one another on opposite sides of a line of container travel. A mechanism is provided for moving the screws toward or away from one another in a manner to maintain an equal distance of each screw from the line of container travel. The screws are preferably formed with a helix having straight sidewalls that are at an angle of 90° to 100° to one another. In one embodiment one feed screw has a left hand helix and is rotated in a first direction and the other feed screw has a right hand helix and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An emergency personal change kit is provided for use after an accidental bowel episode. The kit includes disposable gloves, a safety cutter for removing a soiled undergarment, a plastic bag for disposal of soiled and used items, a wet cleansing wiper, a dry wiper, a hand sanitizer liquid, and a temporary, size-adjustable clean undergarment. The size-adjustable undergarment is at the large end of a size range and includes clips to secure the waistband in a comfortable size arrangement.

Abstract: The flood vent of the invention provides a frame configured for installation in a concrete block foundation wall in place of a single block. The frame includes an angularly oriented window. A gate is pivotally mounted at an upper end thereof within the frame to rest against the window, causing the gate to reside at an angle and be held closed by gravity. A float is mounted to the gate and positioned at rest below the lower edge of the frame to cause the gate to pivot toward an open position when flood water rises to a level approaching the wall opening.

Abstract: The rotating X-ray apparatus disclosed has a pair of driven rotatable rings with an X-ray source mounted for impinging a beam that passes through a specimen to an X-ray receptor. A reversible motor, controlled by a reversing switch, drives the rotatable rings around the specimen. The rotatable rings are mounted between a pair of frame plates that are supported on transverse rails for lateral movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading trays with vials receives vials from an input channel and transmits the vials through a discharge channel to a tray for processing, e.g. autoclaving. The vials are conveyed by rotation of a pusher wheel having a series of radially extending, biased fingers on the periphery thereof. An outer guide is located adjacent to the pusher wheel to form a channel for the vials being conveyed. The side edge of the pusher wheel and an opposed side edge of the guide are formed with a lateral protrusion at the upper portion thereof to prevent tipping of the vials.