Abstract: The apparatus of this invention consists of a float assembly, constrained in its vertical movement by a perforated riser. The riser is surrounded by a flexible, bellows conduit which will allow the float assembly to move up and down the vertically disposed riser. The float assembly supports a weir collar designed to allow multiple weir orifice openings of different sizes. The flexible, bellows conduit is watertight, and prevents water from entering the riser below the float assembly that is buoyed just below the surface of the liquid basin. The riser is connected to an outlet that discharges the liquid from the liquid basin.

Abstract: A free-standing assembly maintains an optical device at a location spaced from a stand assembly supporting surface. The stand assembly comprises an elongated rail member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of sides, leg support members each including a transverse centerline and two outer distal end sections each having an angled planar surface for mounting a leg member. A novel mechanism fixes each leg support member to a side of the elongated rail member and in a direction transverse to the rail member longitudinal axis. A plurality of leg members each has one end thereof mounted to the angled planar surface for projecting outwardly from an outer distal end of the leg support members. Another novel mechanism supports the optical device at a selected location on another side of the rail member and includes a mechanism for movably mounting the optical device along the elongated rail member.

Abstract: A stand assembly for supporting vertically disposed free-standing objects and comprises a hub section including a hollow inner sleeve portion and a hollow outer sleeve portion effective for removably receiving the inner sleeve portion. Support leg members are fixedly connected to the hub section and radially extend outwardly therefrom for upholding the hub section in a vertical disposition. In a specific embodiment, the stand assembly includes a fuel burner wherein the inner bore of the inner sleeve portion defines a combustion chamber and container support top portions of the leg members for supporting a cooking container over a flame in the hub section. In another embodiment, the inner bore has a size and shape that is effective to receive a lower end section of a vertically disposed object having a vertical support member selected from the group consisting of a tree trunk, a sign post, a flag pole, a display rack and the like.

Abstract: An improved quick change power tool chuck is provided which is principally used on a wood working router but could also be used in many other power tool applications. Key features of the quick change chuck include the unique way that it secures the cutting bit from unwanted slippage, the large mechanical advantage thereof and the speed in which a cutting bit can be removed and replaced. The chuck can be aligned and attached to the power tool in the same manner that a standard collet is aligned and attached to the router spindle or to a router or other drive shaft in a number of different ways.

Abstract: This invention provides a flag (1), consisting of a flexible membrane (2), a shaft (3) and a distending mechanism comprising resilient rods (4.1) and (4.2). The shaft (3) is hollow and forms a sleeve about a flag staff (7). The flexible membrane (2) has a leading end (5) and a trailing end (6). The leading end (5) is removably attached to the shaft or sleeve (3). Each rod (4.1) and (4.2) has a fixing end and a free end. The fixing ends are frictionally fixed to the sleeve (3) by a collar (8) located on the sleeve, and the free ends are retained in pockets (6.1) and (6.2) provided in the trailing end (6). In use, the rods (4.1) and (4.2) exerts a pressure from within the membrane (2), resulting in the distended state of the flag (1) under all weather conditions.

Abstract: A vertical traction assembly for using gravity to stretch a person's spine comprises a frame structure and a torso harness combination coupled to depend from the frame structure. The harness combination is effective to maintain a person in a vertical traction position after the person dons the harness combination. A focused traction force mechanism is attached to the frame structure for applying a predetermined amount of focused traction pressure directly to a selected location along the spine of the person who is in the vertical traction position. A feature of the traction force mechanism may include its ability to be adjusted to different locations along the frame structure depending on the location of the afflicted area along the spine of the person being treated.

Abstract: A structural forming assembly comprises wall molding panels for forming laterally spaced, opposed molding surfaces that define a wall mold cavity for forming a wall structure. The wall panels are vertically disposed and laterally spaced to provide the molding surfaces along opposed sides of the wall mold cavity. Reinforcement rod suspending grid elements attached to the opposed wall forming panels are for freely positioning and retaining horizontally and freely disposed reinforcement rods at a preselected horizontal location spaced inwardly from each opposed molding surface within the mold cavity, and at spaced preselected vertical locations between the molding surfaces. The rod suspending elements are effective to retain reinforcement rods in place at the preselected horizontal and vertical locations while the hardenable material is being poured into an upwardly directed top mold opening and allowed to harden within the wall mold cavity.

Abstract: A political campaign game board has a play surface including a map of the United States with each state having indicia indicating the number of electoral votes assigned to each state, a plurality of spaces forming a play path that surrounds the map, a location for campaign headquarters, and a location for a campaign workers pool. The play path includes a plurality of non-state spaces and 50 state spaces each including the name of each state and the number of electoral votes assigned to each state. Distinct play markers, which represent a respective player's candidate to be moved along the play path spaces. Campaign office devices associated with each distinct play marker correspond to campaign offices to be placed on the map during play. Shaped campaign worker elements may be removably attached to each campaign office device wherein each element represents a campaign worker during play. Campaign headquarter cards, dice, and money are included for play.

Abstract: An evaporable foam pattern assembly for use in a process of casting a one-piece article in a mold filled with flowable particulate molding material. A first foam pattern section includes a first recess pattern portion and an adhesive surface pattern adapted to be joined to an adhesive surface pattern of a second foam pattern section having a second recess pattern portion that is registered with the first recess pattern portion to define the article when the adhesive surface patterns of the first and second foam pattern sections are adheringly joined. The registered first and second recess pattern portions define an outer shaped surface pattern of the article, and an inner shaped surface pattern of the article. An inlet end section of a tubular passageway cavity pattern forms a fluid flow path from the inner shaped surface pattern through an outlet end section of the tubular passageway cavity pattern that extends openly and outwardly through the outer shaped surface pattern.

Abstract: A calibrated operator-sensing circuit having a microcontroller that commands a charge-transfer sensor to send a sensor charge signal to a capacitive sensing electrode. The sensor receives a discharge signal from the electrode and outputs a corresponding raw data signal to the microcontroller that in turn sends a signal that disables the motor of a unit of power equipment upon the absence of an operator's hand on a hand-gripping surface of the equipment. The capacitive operator-hand sensing electrode operates within a predetermined output capacitor discharge range that includes preselected binary digit values that designate hands-off and hands-on conditions on the hand-gripping surface. The capacitor discharge range is effective to distinguish between the presence of an operator's hand and foreign material on the gripping surface for avoiding a false hands-on signal.

Abstract: A rigid animal tether assembly comprises a rigid outwardly extending tie section and a rigid, hollow inwardly extending tilt section. The tie section includes tie elements for tethering an animal at a distal end section thereof and being connected at an opposing coupling end section thereof to an open outer end of the tilt section. A base structure includes base surface configuration that contiguously mates with an open inner end of the rigid tilt section. The coupling end section of the rigid tie section includes a biasing member for connecting the coupling end section inside the tilt section for drawing the rigid tie section and rigid, hollow tilt section under tension in a direction towards the base surface configuration.

Abstract: A top-loading container for collecting, storing, and transporting bulk material comprises a sidewall defining a load-carrying receptacle and includes an upwardly facing top peripheral edge section having an open top. A cover portion is mounted to freely move independently of the top peripheral edge section to uncover and cover the open top of the load-carrying receptacle. And an actuating mechanism is effective to lift the cover portion upwardly and freely out of contact with and away from the top peripheral edge section. The cover portion and actuating mechanism are each pivotally mounted to the container sidewall outside of the receptacle and at pivot locations spaced downwardly from the top peripheral edge section for freely moving the cover portion between an open top position out of contact with the top peripheral edge section and a closed top position when in contact with the top peripheral edge section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaning system and more particularly pertains to a direct port vacuum cleaning system for use in a motor vehicle anytime or anywhere. The system comprises a vacuum generating unit and a vacuum cleaner hose. The vacuum generating unit comprises an electric motor, an impeller and a removable debris canister. The removable debris canister contains a vacuum cleaner hose attachment end and is directly connected to the vacuum cleaner hose. The vacuum generating unit also contains a vacuum exhaust port, located at the opposite end of the vacuum generating unit from the vacuum cleaner hose attachment end. The vacuum generating unit is powered by the vehicle's battery. The battery's power is converted from DC to AC by power inversion means.

Abstract: A modular marine vessel has a variable hull and a plurality of boat forming modules including a bow section module, a load section module having a bow end and an aft end, and a bulkhead forming module is detachably connected to each bow and aft end of the load section module. The bulkhead forming module that is connected at the bow end of the load section module is detachably connected to the bow section module. Each boat forming and bulkhead forming module includes a topside section and a hull bottom side section. The topside section of each boat forming module has a shell gunnel portion, and the hull bottom side section of each boat forming module has a pivotally mounted bottom shell hull portion. The gunnel and hull portions of the load and bow section modules are detachably connected end-to-end, and sealingly juxtaposed the detachably connected bulkhead forming module to prevent water from entering the boat when the boat engages water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaning system and more particularly pertains to a direct port vacuum cleaning system for use in a motor vehicle anytime or anywhere. The system comprises a vacuum generating unit and a vacuum cleaner hose. The vacuum generating unit comprises an electric motor, an impeller and a removable debris canister. The removable debris canister contains a vacuum cleaner hose attachment end and is directly connected to the vacuum cleaner hose. The vacuum generating unit also contains a vacuum exhaust port, located at the opposite end of the vacuum generating unit from the vacuum cleaner hose attachment end. The vacuum generating unit is powered by the vehicle's battery. The battery's power is converted from DC to AC by power inversion means.

Abstract: A computer mouse cable holder including a body which may be straight or curved or angled or adjustably jointed with at least one aperture for releasably retaining a folded portion of a computer mouse cable, fastening devices for affixing the holder to a surface or structure which is generally above the computer mouse. The holder may include a tray for receiving and holding small articles. The holder may include a slot for holding upright cards or photographs or other flat objects.

Abstract: A model train locomotive has a set of drive wheels and a power system for rotating the drive wheels. The power system comprises an electric motor mounted for rotating a power input shaft, a control mechanism for regulating the amount of electric current supply to the motor for varying the rotational speed of the power input shaft, and power transmission assembly for transmitting power from the power input shaft to rotate a driven output shaft which is coupled to rotate the locomotive drive wheels. The power transmission assembly includes a flywheel and gear train for rotating the flywheel about an axis of rotation when the electric motor is rotating the power input shaft while the driven output shaft is not rotating.

Abstract: This technical disclosure is for a structurally self-contained, RF-shielded enclosure which is rapidly deployable due to it's ultra light weight and ease of assembly. Assembled by one person in one half hour, the enclosure becomes an RF-shielded, free standing room within an existing non-secure room or environment. Lightweight metallized fabric is sewn together with rugged tent fabric and ballistics cloth. Fiberglass rods are connected to aluminum sleeves and unions to configure the room. A bulkhead assembly penetrates the side wall and provides filtered power and electronic signal interfaces. Honeycomb air guides and an electric fan facilitate air exchange within the room.