Abstract: An emergency water release device comprises heating elements adapted to heat water, a shower and an eyewash, a valve and a controller which sends a first signal to turn off at least one of the plurality of heating elements when a temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined limit, and when a flow rate of the water is reduced to a reduced flow rate, the valve opens so that water is dispersed away from both the shower and the eyewash in an amount equal to the difference between the flow rate and the reduced flow rate. The heating elements form a first set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the shower, a second set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the eyewash. The first and second set of heating elements can be connected in parallel. The controller may also be configured to send a signal to another valve to open so that unheated water is mixed with heated water.

Abstract: A surface water runoff filtration device comprises an intake which is adapted to receive storm water and other surface water runoff. The surface water runoff flows from the surface through the intake to a point below the filter media, and then up toward the surface through the filter media. This device may be used in both catch basin storm drains and inline drains.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool with easy to adjust rotary die plates comprises a rotary die cylinder, a die plate adjustably mounted to the rotary die cylinder, an external eccentric mounted on the rotary die cylinder having a first axis of rotation with respect to the cylinder and having a central opening offset from the first axis, and an internal eccentric mounted in the central opening. Rotation of the external eccentric urges the internal eccentric to move with respect to the cylinder, and the die plate moves in response to motion of the internal eccentric.

Abstract: An axle assembly serves as a primary structural member for a motor vehicle and comprises an axle tube having a first end and a second end and with an opening located near the first end and a mounting module formed as a unitary extension of the axle tube. At least one steel insert is positioned near the first end, and the steel insert is adapted to be welded to a differential carrier to secure the axle tube to the differential carrier. The axle assembly may also have an axle tube formed unitary with the differential carrier.

Abstract: A damper control device suitable for use in a fireplace comprises a flue, wherein products of combustion from the fireplace enter the flue, a damper positioned in a damper pipe which is connected to the flue, with the damper movable between open and closed positions, a motor having a shaft connected to the damper, and a control circuit which initiates combustion and which receives a damper signal which indicates whether the damper is in the open or closed position. In response to a request for heat, the control circuit initiates combustion after receiving the damper signal indicating that the damper is in the open position. The damper control device can also have a mounting ring extending generally perpendicularly form the damper pipe for connecting the damper pipe to the flue. For air-cooled flues, an adapter can be added to allow passage of air along the flue. A status module may be provided for operational or troubleshooting purposes.

Abstract: A self-storing telescoping seat assembly is disclosed which comprises rows of seating movable between a retracted position where the rows of seating are generally stacked on top of one another, to an extended position and a handrail assembly affixed to a corresponding row of seating in a single assembled position with respect to that row. The handrail assembly stays in the single assembled position as the rows move between the extended position and the retracted position. The handrail assembly can have a top handrail and a lower handrail which cooperate to form an opening, and the opening is preferably adapted to receive the front face of a deck of a row of seating when the rows of seating are in the retracted position. A front face can be formed by the rows of seating in the retracted position, and the handrail assembly has a post which preferably extends in front of the front face when the rows of seating are in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a solid state electrochemical device having a cathode, and anode and an electrolyte positioned between the cathode and the anode is disclosed, comprising the steps of forming a controlled geometry feedrod having a cross sectional area, having at least a first extrusion compound and a second extrusion compound, and co-extruding the controlled geometry feedrod through a reduction die at least once to achieve a desired reduction in cross sectional area. Such microfabrication by thermoplastic co-extrusion enhances production of complex and multiphase electrodes and electrolytes.

Abstract: An interchangeable decorative applique is disclosed which can be used on a pickguard for a stringed instrument or other surface and comprises a base adapted to be affixed to the surface and a removable applique that overlies the base. The applique is attached to the base by a removable fasteners that permits the applique to be removed and replaced. The applique can have a replaceable decorative section that is sandwiched between the base and a light permeable protective cover.

Abstract: A stun glove for directing an electric shock to an assailant includes a power source, an insulator shaped to receive a hand, having a back corresponding to a back side of the hand and a front corresponding to a front side of the hand, a first terminal spaced apart from a second terminal, with both terminals positioned on the back of the insulator and extending generally perpendicular from the back, and a stun contact positioned on the back of the insulator and extending generally perpendicular from the back, and having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the power source is in electrical communication with the terminals, allowing a spark to jump between the terminals. A warning contact may optionally be provided which could be actuated to produce a warning spark across the terminals.

Abstract: A device for controlling a damper in an appliance is disclosed comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom which is operatively connected to a plate of the damper, a control circuit which transmits current to the motor to rotate the shaft and in turn rotate the plate to a first position and to a second position, and a dynamic brake operatively connected to the motor, which acts to reduce rotation of the shaft when the circuit supplying current to the motor is opened.

Abstract: A control device for earth moving equipment comprising a bucket pivotal about a bucket pivot between a closed position and an open position, a thumb pivotal about a thumb pivot between a first position and a second position, wherein the thumb pivot is separate from the bucket pivot, and an extension plate fixedly attached to the bucket and attached to the thumb pivot, wherein rotation of the bucket urges the thumb pivot to rotate around the bucket pivot and urges the thumb to move. A retrofitting kit for retrofitting earth moving equipment so that the thumb is movable in response to movement of the bucket.

Abstract: A device for controlling a gas-fired appliance is provided. The device includes a motor assembly having a shaft extending therefrom and a cam coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith. The cam is coupled to a damper plate of the gas-fired appliance and the plate is configured to rotate with the cam responsive to rotation of the motor shaft. The device further includes a printed circuit board having a control switch mounted thereon. The cam is configured to selectively actuate the control switch upon rotation of the cam. The inventive control device may also include a mounting plate to which the motor assembly and circuit board may be mounted. The mounting plate may be an injection-molded, plastic part. In accordance with the present invention the cam is supported on the printed circuit board as opposed to the mounting plate thereby ensuring an accurate positional relationship between the cam and the control switch.

Abstract: A deployable telescopic seating structure employs a backstop arrangement to prevent users and operators from coming into contact with structure that may cause injury, such as interengaging metal elements that limit the extent of deployment. The backstop portions are arrangement in the aisle region of the telescopic seating structure and have an overall height that is responsive to the height of one seating level above another, or in another embodiment, to the difference between such height and an intermediate step. The backstop arrangement has an engagement portion with a flange element that extends transversely therefrom and which engages with a top surface of the seating level. Preferably, the engagement portion forms a forwardmost edge termination. A fastening portion is arranged intermediate of the engagement portion and the riser portion of the backstop member.

Abstract: A machine for determining dynamically a residual unbalance in a workpiece having a conical surface is provided with a plurality of support elements, such as roller elements, that communicate with the workpiece at the conical surface thereof. The roller elements are arranged circumferentially equidistant about the workpiece and may have cylindrical or conical configurations. Further support elements, such as roller elements, can be applied against an annular surface of the workpiece, such as on a flange portion thereof. At least one of the support rollers that communicates with the conical surface is arranged to rotate about an adjustable axis of rotation that can be oriented with respect to the workpiece to achieve good rotative communication therebetween.

Abstract: Less toxic agents for reversal of heparin or low molecular weight heparin anticoagulation which are synthetic protamine-like polycationic peptides having a total cationic charge which is less than that of n-protamine. In preferred embodiments, arginine resides of n-protamine are replaced with lysine residues for ease of manufacture. Selective positively charged arginine residues have been replaced with an uncharged amino acid residue or its analog, such as glycine or glutamine, in order to reduce the total cationic charge on the polycationic peptide to the range of about ?+14! to ?+18!, preferably ?+16!. In specific embodiments, there are sequences of 29 amino acid residues wherein 4 to 5 clusters of 2 to 4 positively charged amino acids are separated by 2 to 6 neutral amino acids. The C-terminus and the N-terminus can be modified to mitigate against in vivo degradation by carboxypeptidases and aminopeptidases.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols for each of a plurality of symbol columns which are moved and stopped in a direction across at least one winning line, and sound generating means for generating sounds when each of the plurality of symbol columns is moved and stopped, respectively. The sound generating means generates different sounds for each of the symbols positioned on the winning line when each of the plurality of symbol columns is stopped. Alternatively, the sound generating means generates different sounds for each of the symbols passing on the winning line while each of the plurality of symbol columns is moved.

Abstract: A system for training an athlete in kicking and dribbling a soccer ball employs a flexible cord that defines a dribble path along the playing surface. The flexible cord is maintained at a predetermined height above the playing surface by a plurality of stanchions arranged in spaced relation, which may be in the form of hollow cones similar to those employed in traffic control. The stanchions may be hollow, and access provided to the interior thereof, for depositing a weighting material, such as sand or water, to improve the stability of the training system during a training session. In accordance with a method aspect, a predetermined dribble path is defined by the flexible cord which is maintained at the predetermined height above the playing surface, sufficient to permit the soccer ball to be dribbled thereunder by the plurality of stanchions. The athlete jumps over the flexible element to gain control over the ball.

Abstract: A flexible pad capable of selectably heating or cooling an animal or human body part. The pad is formed of two planar surfaces having at least two side portions disposed between said planar surfaces that are made of a mesh material for air circulation within the pad. One planar surface is made of thermal conductive material having a plurality of thermoelectric modules bonded to the conductive material. The thermoelectric modules transfer heat to or away from the conductive material. A heat sink is attached to the opposing side of each modules for dissipating heat from the conductive material during the cooling process. A rheostat has a reversing switch for changing polarity of the rheostat to either transfer heat to the thermoelectric modules and to the planar surface, or from the thermoelectric module to the heat sink.