Abstract: A media recovery hopper which lies on a floor permitting spent media and debris to be swept thereinto. The hopper, in the preferred embodiment, is a substantially rectangular box having one of its four side walls shorter than the rest. The media/debris is swept over this shorter side wall while the other walls collect and "queue" the mixture for recovery. The mixture falls through a screen and into a channeling mechanism composed of a series of ridges and valleys. Along each valley are drop-orifices which permit the media/debris mixture to fall therethrough and into an air-stream which carries the mixture to proper collection or sorting mechanism.

Abstract: A safe, efficient, human powered vehicle for on and off road use. The preferred embodiment has four wheels and seats two operators side by side. The vehicle incorporates several features which drastically reduce the energy required to propel such a vehicle and optimizes the energy produced from the operators. Each operator is provided with an independent foot pedal and drive mechanism. Each independent drive mechanism has multiple speeds which are independently controlled by each operator. The invention allows each operator to provide power to both rear wheels simultaneously. The drive train includes a simple, lightweight, energy efficient freewheel mechanism which acts as a differential and allows each rear wheel to rotate at different speeds when turning corners. This differential mechanism saves energy by eliminating tire skid which occurs when both rear wheels rotate at the same speed during a turn. The suspension system is energy efficient.

Abstract: A cargo bed cover in which two frames are used to provide a rigid fabric shell. The first frame is rigid and is constructed of metal piping or other suitable material. The second frame is constructed of flexible stock preferably having a substantially flat cross section and sewn into or secured to the fabric material. Acting as battens, the flexible stock tends to keep the fabric taut during wind pressure either through ambient conditions or through the vehicle's movement. The flexible frame is secured to the rigid frame through ties.

Abstract: An artificial frond for use with artificial plants comprises an integral sheet of flexible polymeric material molded generally in the shape of a frond having a central elongate stem portion and a plurality of elongate leaves extending outwardly from the stem portion. Reinforcing means sufficient to maintain the structural integrity of the artificial frond, including structural supporting rods and elasticity-imparting fiber material, are embedded within the integral sheet. The integral sheet is preferably a laminate having a flexible polymeric foam intermediate body layer and outer surface layers pigmented to simulate the color of a natural frond.

Abstract: An intravenous tube holder having positioned along one edge, a plurality of clips for securing the holder to an intravenous tube. On the opposite edge, a writing surface is provided for either the writing of medical instructions or for the attachment of a label giving identification and instructions as to the medicine being delivered via the intravenous tube. At one end of the holder is a male receptacle, at the other end is a female receptacle; this combination permits the holders to be interconnected into a gang approach so as to keep the various intravenous tubes from several bottles orderly and easily identified. In one embodiment of the invention, the holder is color-coded to provide quick identification of the medicine or its characteristics.

Abstract: A stalk, root, and agricultural debris embedding or burying device particularly suited for row crops such as cotton. The apparatus is pulled behind a tractor in close proximity to the row crops. A furrowing tool creates a temporary furrow in a lee, and before gravity can pull dirt back into the furrow, an embedding tool pushes the stalk and root into the furrow, thereby embedding the debris with the collapsing soil after the furrowing tool. An optional ripping tool is used ahead of, or in conjunction with, the furrowing tool to facilitate penetration of the furrowing tool.

Abstract: An efficient fluid energy collection and conversion system which has energy collectors that travel both upstream and downstream in a fluid stream. Energy collectors are mounted on a rotatable hub; during each rotation, the energy collectors travel through a downstream portion and an upstream portion of the fluid. The energy collectors' shape is changed to increase their drag while traveling downstream in the fluid stream to collect energy, and their shape is changed to decrease their drag while traveling upstream in the fluid stream to conserve energy. The energy collectors' shape are changed either passively by the pressure of the fluid stream, or actively, by computer control using servos, hydraulics, gears, pulleys, or the like. The system is adjustable to varying wind conditions. Some, or all, of the collectors are deactivated when less energy collection is desired such as during very high wind conditions. Likewise, all the energy collectors are activated when the winds are light.

Abstract: A simple to use, single quantity, syringe sterilization and destruction device is disclosed. A syringe is inserted into the device needle first by the operator. The device grips the syringe and holds it in place. The device heats the steel needle portion of a syringe to sterilize the needle portion. The heat also melts the steel-to-plastic fitting between the steel needle portion and the plastic barrel portion of the syringe. The plastic barrel portion separates from the heated needle portion of the syringe by force of gravity or by a light pulling force exerted by a pulling mechanism. The hole in the fitting is sealed by the molten plastic. Sealing the hole maintains the integrity of the plastic barrel/plunger container and prevents spillage of contaminated waste. The heated needle is bent into a spiral bundle so that no sharp portions protrude from the spiral bundle. The spiral bundle is deposited into a container for recycling or waste disposal.

Abstract: A document holder comprising a slotted open-ended sleeve dimensioned to permit facile insertion and removal of a medial length of rolled document thereinto and therefrom through its slot, and to retain the document in a rolled configuration of predetermined diameter convenient for storage. The document holder may also be provided with a substantially flat exterior labeling surface to facilitate labeling of the document in rolled condition for ready filing and retrieval from storage.

Abstract: A system for locating geographic points on maps, charts and, the like uses a rectangular grid with sides tangent to the corresponding geographical extremities of the area (city, county, state, nation, etc.) represented on the chart. Two decimal scales extend from the zero ordinate of the grid, with unit ordinates at their opposite ends. Thus, a location along either scale and therefore a line of position across the enclosed geographical area represented, may be defined by a decimal number between zero and one and the intersection of the lines of position representing a point on the represented area may be defined by a two decimal array. Tables of the decimal arrays for specific points may be provided, and the system is extendible to different maps and/or insets of dissimilar scale, so long as the, decimal scales are consistently used between each map. The system may be further extended to provide point location within three dimensional volumes by using a three decimal array.

Abstract: A handheld sign having printing and shape suggestive of certain activities, such as a "stop" sign, and further having at least two lights in which only a single light is illuminated at any one time. The flashing between the lights provides added attention getting capability and hence more safety. The lights are powered by a battery pack which is preferably rechargeable through normal household current, a solar radiation collecting apparatus mounted onto the sign, or via an automobile cigarette lighter.

Abstract: An air filtration system with a safety after-filter that prevents contaminated air being exhausted by using a backup filter and with a mechanism to detect tears or leaks in the primary filters. The safety after-filter assembly attaches to the exhaust of an air filtration system and collects dirt particles which get by the primary filters. Detection of rips, tears, or leaks in the primary filters is accomplished by monitoring the air pressure difference across the safety after-filter and is measured by a differential pressure gauge. If a primary filter develops a tear or leak, the safety after-filter quickly becomes clogged with dirt and the pressure difference across the safety after-filter increases. If the safety after-filter itself develops a tear or leak, the pressure difference across the safety after-filter decreases. Either condition causes alarms to be triggered and the system is powered down, thus preventing contaminated air being exhausted.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder that rotates to position a feeding hole in close proximity to the level of the liquid contained therein. The feeder, basically circular in cross section, is mounted to allow rotation around the axial center of the circular cross section. One face of the feeder has a hole through which the humming birds drink the liquid. Concentric to the hole is a floatation device which maintains the position of the hole in the close proximity to the surface of the liquid. As the liquid level lowers, the entire assembly rotates to maintain the hole position immediately above the liquid level.

Abstract: An apparatus which collects recyclable refuse in sorted compartments. Through either automatic sensors or through an operator panel, the apparatus determines the contents of the refuse and directs it to the proper compartment or container. In this manner, recyclable material such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastics, etc. are easily sorted to encourage the recycling of this material. Further, periodically, the refuse within the compartments are compacted and disinfected to reduce handling requirements and odors.

Abstract: A mobile camera mounting device suitable for use within a vehicle for filming activities exterior to the vehicle. The mount, using two suction cups, attaches to the windshield and is secured thereto. The suction cups are attached via swivel blocks to the camera mount. The camera attaches to a horizontal member and is used to record images exterior to the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, a brace member extends from the horizontal member holding the camera to the windshield or other suitable bracing point. This brace member provides a significant amount of stabilizing since the mount now is secured by three different points.

Abstract: A sterilizing mechanism for flexible material such as fabrics resulting in a waste material which is sanitary and disposable in traditional trash mechanisms without posing any biological hazards. The invention utilizes ozone in a bathing and agitating process to sterilize. An initial step utilizes detergent with ozone to further enhance the process. The resulting liquid bath is non-hazardous and is disposable through traditional means such as sewer disposal. In the preferred embodiment, the drum holding the contaminated material is pressurized and chilled to increase the effectiveness of the ozone in the sterilizing process.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system which utilizes a central control panel together with controls operable by the operator's feet. Dual control, at the system panel and the foot operable panel, permit the operator to adjust such parameters as the air pressure and media mix without having to stop blasting. This arrangement also leaves the operator's hands free to accurately direct the abrasive blasting within a glove box or other such enclosure.

Abstract: The interior of a hose is cleaned of debris using an abrasive blast head which is inserted through the length of the hose while the hose is rotated through its longitudial axis. An air cleaner/filtration device draws spent media and removed debris from the hose during the cleaning operation and separates the two.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system which utilizes a central control panel together with a control panel at the blast handle. Dual control permits the operator to adjust such parameters as the air pressure and media mix without having to stop blasting. Real-time adjustment at the nozzle head permits abrasive blasting of varying substrates without causing damage to the underlying substrates.

Abstract: A liquid ozone system in which a liquid bath, preferably of distilled water, is kept in a pressure vessel and gaseous ozone is diffused into the liquid. The ozonenated liquid is then used as a steriliant in a container which is engagable with the pressure vessel. In the preferred embodiment the container and the pressure vessel are chilled to maintain the ozone diffused in the liquid. Excess liquid from the container is communicated to a destruct mechanism such as activated charcoal or discharged into the waste water system.