Abstract: A magnetic device includes a cylindrical outer pole having a central axis and formed of a ferromagnetic material including a circular base and a cylindrical sleeve defining an outwardly opening cylindrical cavity. A reversible magnetic unit located in said cavity includes a cylindrical core having a magnetic axis aligned with the central axis and a normal magnetic polarity in an inactive state. A cylindrical inner pole formed of a ferromagnetic material is operatively coupled to the core and inwardly radially spaced from said sleeve. An annular band between said sleeve and said inner pole formed of a permanent magnetic material has a magnetic polarity transverse to said central axis and magnetically aligned with said normal magnetic polarity of the core whereby an internal magnetic circuit is established in the inactive state through the poles, the core and the permanent magnet to the exclusion of said workpiece.

Abstract: An active reservation system that allows an event vendor to maintain a stand-alone inventory control system which ties directly to an active reservation server, which in turn is distributed through Internet-based reservation systems (web sites) to the users of the Internet. The reservation system includes a local event server that provides the means of maintaining the inventory and the communications with the active reservation server. The local event server allows the event vendor to allocate, control and reserve their inventory at their place of business. This server can then communicate over a network to an active reservation server, which maintains data that Internet-based reservation systems use to provide access to the inventory. The event vendor maintains total control over their inventory while allowing access to that inventory by a much larger audience.

Abstract: A secondary loop refrigeration system includes plural refrigeration zones serially connected in a secondary cooling loop using a R-134a as a liquid refrigerant in increasing order of operating temperatures, the secondary cooling loop being in heat exchange relationship with a primary cooling loop using direct expansion refrigerants. The primary cooling loop may be selectively isolated allowing the latent heat of the units in the zones to increase the circulating temperature of the secondary refrigerant sufficient to defrost the cooling coils.

Abstract: The medication compliance organizer takes the form of a magnetized panel that may be conveniently mounted on the front of an appliance such as a refrigerator, or alternatively conventionally hung on a wall or other suitable surface. The organizer includes a plurality of day and time based containers for organizing and releasably holding the medications, typically four vials in vertical columns for each day of the week, one for each prescription time interval, i.e. morning, noon, evening and bedtime. The individual containers are sufficiently large to handle the varying medication formats from tablets, elixirs and patches. The organizer further includes an open tray for holding other medications and peripheral supplies, a reminder area for writing reminders regarding specific medications or activities, and medical forms for reference by the patient, care givers and health care personnel.

Abstract: A railroad drive system for transporting, along a railroad track, a vehicle trailer having a front king pin and a rear king pin downwardly projecting from a lower surface thereof in vertically spaced relation above the railroad track includes a drive assembly having motorized wheels including a pair of differential axles. The drive assembly is carried on a support frame and operatively engages the railroad track and a front fifth wheel and a rear fifth wheel carried by said support frame and having a first position vertically below the lower surface of the trailer. A lifting assembly operatively selectively raises the front fifth wheel and the rear fifth wheel into coupled relationship with the king pins. An operator control station extends laterally outward of said support frame between said axles for operating the drive and lifting assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing tangible evidence of intercessory prayers offered on behalf of a recipient is disclosed. A soft sculpture in the form of a doll or stuffed animal and being comprised of a fabric material suitable for the application of handwritten signatures by a writing implement is utilized to perform the method of the present invention. The method of the present invention includes the steps of fabricating the soft sculpture doll with the attached writing implement, circulating the soft sculpture doll among a plurality of persons who have pledged to remember the recipient in their personal prayers, and delivering the soft sculpture with an attached prayer inscription to the recipient.

Abstract: A pivoting bed trailer to be towed behind a motor vehicle for transporting a wheeled vehicle includes a main frame having a trailer hitch at a front end for coupling with the motor vehicle and a rearward end that engages the ground in an inclined loading condition and supported horizontally above the ground in a transporting condition. The main frame includes longitudinally extending guide rails for laterally aligning the vehicle. A pivot frame frontally and laterally bounds the main frame and the guide rails and is connected to said main frame at a transverse pivotal connection. The pivot frame includes pair of laterally spaced wheel assemblies carried by leaf spring below the pivot frame forward of the pivotal connection whereby rotation of the pivot frame about the wheels raises and lowers the transverse pivotal connection and moves the main frame between the loading condition and the transporting condition.

Abstract: A litterbox enclosure mounted on an exterior wall of a structure includes a gated passage permitting a pet free access to and from a litter container. The litter container may be filled and maintained from an outside location through an exterior access door. An exterior actuator handle pivots the container to discharge the contents into a lower chute to which a conventional plastic waste bag is secured, thereby avoiding direct contact between the attendant and the waste material.

Abstract: A vertical fall prevention system for use in conjunction with a treadmill that supports the user in the event of physical difficulties without interfering with the intended or desired activities of the user. A treadmill restrain system in accordance with the invention includes a user restrain belt or harness that is connected to an overhead support. The belt or harness include releasable connecting links with support straps or cables attached to the overhead support. The connecting links are disposed rearwardly of the user, preferably not interfering with user arm movement thereby allowing the user to utilize the full capabilities of the treadmill during testing or exercising. Sufficient freedom of movement is provided the user for normal excursions on the treadmill surface, while fully supporting the weight of the patient with limited vertical drop until balance can be restored, the treadmill stopped, and necessary third party assistance rendered.

Abstract: A leak detection system includes a valve assembly having poppet valves disposed in a valve body for selectively closing internal ports for sequentially pressuring a test part from a pressure source, isolating the test part, determining the leakage conditions at the test part and exhausting the test part at completion of the test.

Abstract: A personalized message tag attached to the laces of a shoe bearing on the front visible surface the introductory portion of a desired phrase and having a non-visible rear surface that the wearer can inscribe a completing portion the desired phrase. The tags are provided with a discrete color for each separate introductory portion of the desired phrase.

Abstract: A hatch closure system for loading of material through a top hatch into a mobile or stationary pressurized carrier includes a support frame pivotally attached to carrier for actuated movement between an loading position wherein said support frame is located remote from said hatch and a closure position overlying hatch, a cover carried by the frame member for actuated movement between a raised unsealed position above the hatch and a lowered sealed position engaging the hatch, and a locking member having a latched condition maintaining the sealed position and an unlatched position permitting movement of the hatch to the raised position.

Abstract: An automated self-portrait vending system includes a free standing booth having a video camera positioned to continuously view and display on a monitor a memorable landmark of a picturesque tourist setting that may be user operated to capture a plurality of frozen video images of the setting and user posed therewithin for user selection and combination with souvenir overlays to provide an instant photographic memento of the setting.

Abstract: A drill mounted tool for installing collapsible deformable head fasteners includes a yoke supported on the drill housing carrying a reciprocal nosepiece rotatably coupled at a left hand threaded connection to an actuator shaft connected to the drill chuck. The actuator shaft has an external projecting right hand threaded end for carrying the fastener. Upon drill actuation, the actuator shaft extends the nosepiece relative to the actuator shaft thereby collapsing and deforming the fastener into secure engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: A hoist for loading and unloading cargo from the bed of a truck includes a support member attached to the bed of the truck carrying a vertical mast for rotation about a vertical axis having a variable length boom pivotally connected at a lower end for rotation about a horizontal axis. A tie chain is connected between the upper end of the boom and mast varies the inclination of the boom member with respect to the mast member and the bed of the truck enabling the upper end of the boom to be accurately positioned with respect to select areas of the truck bed. An electric winch and cable are used for raising and lower cargo to and from the truck bed.

Abstract: A hat storage and fashioning rack includes tubular sleeves for housing and supporting the outer surface of the brim in a manner that fashions the hat by gradually imparting a permanent curvature to the brim. The sleeves are carried on a mounting base that may be attached to convenient mounting surfaces such as walls, door closets and the like enabling display, storage and access to the hats. The curvature is effected by gradually relaxing the brim into conformity with the sleeve thereby imparting a permanent set to the brim and overcoming the memory tendency of the brim material to return to the original manufactured shape. After attaining the desired shape, the contour remains notwithstanding use or storage in other locations.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip cartridge for holding a dispensing a polymeric hemostatic clip having a pair of legs connected at proximal ends to a hinge and latching means at distal ends of the legs, and including laterally projecting engagement means adapted to be slidingly received by notched jaws of an applier instrument. The cartridge includes a base having a plurality of longitudinally spaced clip retaining compartments for retaining individual clips carried at the hinge on a saddle extending between adjacent upwardly extending walls. A retainer secured to the base has laterally spaced deflectable arms projecting inwardly toward the saddle in resilient engagement with the legs of the clips. The deflectable arms have a U-shaped medial notch at the distal end having a base wall engagable with the legs and defining laterally spaced terminal fingers registering with said engagement means.

Abstract: A tennis ball retriever and storage unit includes a ball retrieving receptacle supported by spring biased pivoting wheel assemblies for rolling movement between locations for retrieving used tennis balls and downwardly movement from a normal upper transport position overlying a tennis ball to a lower position for retrieving the tennis ball between spaced bars in the base of the receptacle.

Abstract: A multi-purpose framing square for 2× dimensional lumber includes an elongate rectangular body with a width of 2× dimensional lumber and an L-shaped crossbar centrally attached at one end. The inner edge of the crossbar establishes a pivot point for rotating the body relative to the lumber. The outer edges of the body include longitudinal scales. The inner edges include radial lines referenced to the pivot points for establishing conventional pitches. A table is provided on the faces for establishing the rafter lengths for various roof pitches.

Abstract: A trailer hitch mounted carrying apparatus for golf bag pull carts, golf bags, or golf bags mounted on pull carts. A generally cylindrical carrier is mounted to a trailer hitch connection. The cylindrical carrier is rigid and with a slot cut in it. A folded golf bag pull cart may be mounted within the carrier with the wheels and handle outside of the carrier, either with or without a golf bag mounted on the pull cart. Alternatively, a golf bag may be mounted within the carrier. The carrier is equipped with a lockable cover to secure the contents, whether a golf bag filled with clubs or a golf bag and pull cart within the carrier. The carrier may be mounted to either a female trailer hitch on the rear of a vehicle or a bar-type trailer hitch on the rear of a vehicle. The carrier may be equipped with added wheels on the carrier so that the carrier may be utilized for wheeled movement, including towing behind a bicycle.