Abstract: An enclosure assembly (20) for enclosing a cargo compartment of an open-air cart having a cap (30) shaped to mate with a rear section of a roof (200) of a cart for the secure fitting of cap (30) over the rear section of the roof of the cart, brackets (40) attachable to the cart using the cart's existing structure, and a cover (25) one edge of which is to be attached to cap (30) and its side portions to brackets (40), so when cover (25) is attached to cap (30) and brackets (40), assembly (20) is formed and ready for installation on the cart. Installation is achieved when cap (30) is positioned over the rear section of the roof and brackets (40) are attached to the cart using only attachments that exist on the cart, providing for a two-step installation without altering or drilling any holes in the cart.

Abstract: Mechanized or motor activated retractable enclosure-panels and custom brackets for any style open-air-vehicle having roof structures, including cars and boats, is taught. Installation takes less than 20 minutes with no drilling required, in most cases. The system includes brackets to directly rotably support the panels. The brackets are bolted directly onto roof supports via preexisting roof-support bolt holes, or onto the track bar that comes with some specialty roofs. A mechanized and/or motorized back-panel completely protects passengers and cargo from the elements using vent flaps for complete corner coverage. Rotational mechanized activators include pull-chains, roller pulleys, and spring-mechanized activators that can be motorized. For vehicles not fitted with a roof structure, a support frame for supporting retractable, mechanized and/or motorized panels is designed. Only a single protective panel is required per vehicle side regardless of vehicle size.

Abstract: Multi-layered, fire-barriers each sized and shaped for installation into accepting intersection-spaces formed by the spaced-intersection of at least two expansion-joint spaces that occur between two adjacent spaced structural building units, each of said expansion-joint spaces defined by a plane, said plane defined by a set of three non-colinear points with each point defined by a set of x, y, z coordinates from the same coordinate system with no two of said coordinate sets being identical. The fire-barriers are shaped for use in 2-way planar, L-shaped expansion-joint spaces, T-shaped, cross-shaped, V-shaped, and vertical/horizontal L-shaped corner expansion-joint spaces, for example, and may comprise at least one layer of: protective cloth, insulating blanket, intumescent material, and mechanically supporting layer.

Abstract: A remotely controllable recovery vehicle winch/stabilizing system, having a vehicle bumper; a first pulley attached to the bumper's first end; a winch attached to bumper's second end; a second pulley approximately midway between the first pulley and said winch and adjacent a swivel sheave; a cable, directed by the first and second pulleys and the swivel sheave, to be wound or unwound about the winch, with the pulleys, the swivel sheave, and the winch operatively arranged with respect to each other so as to maintain the cable perpendicular, or nearly so, to the rotational axis of the drum as it is fed to or played off of the drum so as to prevent the cable from jamming as the cable is used to either recover or deposit an object, and a set of stabilizing legs each leg attached to said bumper so as to stabilize and secure the recovery or release apparatus.

Abstract: Bottom mounted (anchored) fire barrier systems include UL 2079 and ASTM 1399 tested and certified fire barrier/retainer structures, especially useful for floor/floor, wall/floor, and wall/wall expansion joint spaces formed by spaced opposing pre-cast concrete building units of 4½ inches thickness. The use of this system in structures using pre-cast building units provides room for installation of mandated rubber boots into the limited expansion joint space. Each fire barrier has affixed to its outside long edges a metal retainer that is structured for holding the barrier correctly and tightly positioned to the building unit surfaces first for secure and tight anchoring and then for providing support for the barrier to prevent leakage of gas, flame, smoke, and heat during a fire. Providing for ease of installation there is a reusable installation tool, an optional guard unit, male/female connections between barrier sections, and a splice connector butt to connections.

Abstract: A pooper-scooper device for hands-free, no bending, scoop-up, temporary storage, release, and disposal of pet droppings having longer inner handle with attached to the ground end an ejector plate with a pattern of apertures incised throughout. Inner handle is received into shorter outer hollow handle part having a plate with skewers attached in the same pattern to its ground end. Longer inner handle extends from the ground end of the outer handle or from the top end providing for movement of its ejector plate over the length of the skewers to clean the skewers of the waste skewed. A hands-free detachable holding receptacle is an optional part and offers the use of disposable bags for collecting the waste.

Abstract: A portable, palm-sized, Data Acquisition System including an apparatus to measure engine thermo-events, a wiring harness having signals for collecting, recording, and transmitting engine performance data and identifying the engine being monitored, and an acquisition server (DAS) for collecting and transmitting data from the thermo-measuring apparatus and wiring harness, is taught. There also is a Web-server, an Ethernet network interface, software, an SPI bus interface requiring only three signals for communication, and a software system that records, stores, processes, transmits, displays, and analyzes data pertaining to any combustion engine performance and other industrial engine applications. The use of fiber optic cable for electronic communication provides for the DAS to be installed a distance from the engine.

Abstract: Multi-directional, one-piece, tested and rated, inside-mount fire barriers requiring no splicing to fit into expansion joint corner-type spaces are presented. Accompanying low-cost, re-useable, size-adjustable installation tools designed for one-step, drop-in, installation of each style barrier, are also taught. To insure a tight-fit between each installed barrier and the building units forming the joint space, spreader press-fit tools which, if desired, may serve as fire barriers covers are taught. Described herein is a barrier that needs no splicing to be installed into a T-shaped joint space that is created by the convergence of three building structures. The present invention contemplates inside-mounted, one-piece barriers shaped to fit cross-shaped and various L-shaped expansion spaces. L-shaped fire barriers include barriers having a horizontal and a vertical arm that can occur in various configurations and barriers having two horizontal arms.

Abstract: A dual-motor handcart for lifting, steering, and transporting a heavy object, such as a snowmobile, by one person, having two motor-powered wheels or trackdrives for moving and steering attached to a width and height adjustable frame, the frame offering a handle, a pair of legs connected to the handle, lift pads for supporting the heavy object, a length adjustable lift strap for coupling the frame to the heavy object. The operatively independent motors each attached to one of the wheels providing force required for moving and steering. Thumb switches having on, off, forward, and reverse motions settings at desired speeds, control each motor providing for a single person to easily steer a cart fully loaded with a heavy object over smooth or rough terrain.

Abstract: A golf club support device for use without requiring bending or stooping is provided. The support is molded as a seamless one-piece device having no removable or rotatable parts, is impervious to the elements, moisture, and ordinary cleaning products, and is sized to fit into a golf-tee container. The device includes golf shaft engagement member(s) and a foot-press platform for inserting its ground penetration portion into the ground. The foot-press platform and engagement members are positioned relative to each other for simultaneous use. The support may be hung from a golf-bag's towel holder or carried in the tee container. The device's geometric design provides desirable support stability and while the device is easily inserted into the ground, a wider mid-portion keeps the support from sinking below the ground surface and/or from toppling to one side. The support's low-cost and simple design provides for the device's use as a marketing tool.

Abstract: A rapid release, size adjustable, hands-free, back-supporting resilient band animal walking device is taught. The device provides a way to securely attach and position the leash so that the animal is constrained to walk within the filed of the walker's vision, reducing, if not eliminating, the ability of the animal to pull the walker backwards or sideways. The device provides for movements made by the person walking the animal to be transmitted to the animal minimizing the animal's urge to make sudden pulls and/or lunges, thus making animal walking a more comfortable, safe, and healthy experience. The belt part of the device is wide enough to prevent the belt from “digging into” the users back when a strong dog pulls against the leash. Moreover, the device is designed to prevent the belt/leash connecting parts from coming into contact with the groin area, which is especially appreciated by male users.

Abstract: Attachable, individual curls create desired hair styles by attaching required curls to a patron's head. Curls are formed from natural and/or synthetic hair, have any desired color or size. Curls are offered individually or in a kit containing all curls required for a desired hairdo, including, but not limited to hair-weft, French, spiral, ribbon, fountain-shaped, braided, and fan-shaped curls. A kit may contain curls of one or assorted colors and may be decorated with, for example, sparkles, flowers, bows, jewels, other jewelry items, thematic decorations for various days of celebration. Curls may be disposable or reusable. Kits may contain curls with accessory attachment means and decorative items. If desired, kits and/or individual curls may be purchased with photos of and directions for achieving a desired hairdo. Curls are formed by shaping one end of a sized weft as desired, and securing the individual hairs of the other end.

Abstract: A size-adjustable, foldable hamstring stretching apparatus of unitary construction provides for easily, effectively, and efficiently exercising (stretching) the hamstrings. The apparatus consists of a unitary frame and is used in a prone position, thus, avoiding back strain. The apparatus provides means for supporting the user's foot and means for assuring that the user's leg is maintained in a straight position. Means for holding allows for ease in grasping the apparatus allowing the user to pull or push the apparatus as desired. The means for supporting a foot, maintaining the leg in a straight position, and for holding may all be padded or made of a soft material for increased ease of use and comfort. The frame is made of any strong, lightweight material, such as plastic or aluminum and it is contemplated that the apparatus be made using a molding process to reduce the cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: A game of skill and chance for two, a game board, and method for play requires a chess board imprinted with an alternating pattern of card suites, a set of chess pieces, and euchre cards. Play follows chess rules, euchre rules, and a new set of rules. In one embodiment play begins with chess moves but when a piece is attacked a euchre trick must be played to determine winner of attack. The role of dealer rotates between the two players every time a hand is played. Trump suite identity changes with every attack and is determined by the card suite imprinted on the site of the attacked piece. One variation requires the king to be removed from the board as is any other piece. Another variation is that the game board is rotated during play to equalize the chances of winning for two players of varying levels of skill.

Abstract: Self-illuminating fabricated solids: payers, driveway stones, building blocks, or statuary, having optical fibers positioned within a receptacle with one end of the fibers visually terminating at predetermined positions on the object's surface. Furthermore, the receptacle is adapted to reversibly receive, or alternatively to be operatively related to, a reversibly powered light source to provide for light that travels from the source through the fibers to the surface of the fabricated object providing for self-illuminating seasonal designs, informational text, or advertising. A plurality of designs in various colors may exist on a single object. These durable objects are long lasting as surface exposed fibers wear with the surface of the object and worn-out light sources are easily and rapidly replaced. For extensive displays, a fiber optic cable may be utilized to transmit light from a single or a plurality of remote light sources to one or a plurality of fabricated solid objects.

Abstract: Self-illuminating fabricated solids, e.g., a pavers, driveway stones, building blocks, or statuary having an assembly, of optical fibers having second ends contained within a first end of a receptacle, embedded within the solid object so that the first end of the fibers visually terminate at the object's surface. The second end of the receptacle is exposed at the object's surface to reversibly receive and position a reversibly powered light source in operative contact with the fiber's second ends guiding light from the source through the fibers to the surface of the fabricated object providing for self-illuminating seasonal designs, informational text, or advertising. A plurality of designs in various colors may exist on a single object. These durable objects have a long life as surface exposed fibers wear with the surface of the object and worn-out light sources are easily and rapidly replaced.

Abstract: A unique manganese silver alloy composition is provided, which alloy exhibits the long desired properties of exceptional as-cast hardness and reversible heat treatability, in addition to offering reduced fire scale, reduced voids and porosity, reduced grain size, and reduced oxide formation when heated consisting essentially of the following parts by weight: about 92.5–92.8% silver, about 2.0–3.0% copper, about 2.0–3.0% zinc, about 0.03–0.05% indium, about 0.01–0.03% tin, about 0.20–0.50% boron/copper alloy (22% boron, 98.0% copper) about 0.50–0.90% silicon/copper alloy (10.0% silicon, 90.0% copper), and 0.01%–0.10% manganese “30” (0.30% of a manganese-copper alloy containing about 30% manganese and about 70% copper).

Abstract: A foldable golf-bag transporting golf-bag/golf-cart assembly shaped to accommodate golf-bag with protruding storage compartments, providing for secure, reversible mounting of bag onto cart allowing bag to maintain a stable, vertical position when cart at rest, without need for straps or biasing members; having first and second mounting members shaped to reversibly mate in sliding dovetail manner attached to upper regions of bag and cart and having third and fourth mounting members shaped to reversibly mate with each other attached to lower regions of bag and cart. Mounting members available as retrofit members. Cart includes foldable handle and foldable platform attached to lower end of cart that when opened to horizontal position supports bag in vertical position. Cart's wheel axle may be telescoped outwardly providing stability while assembly in motion or in vertical rest position, or may be retracted inwardly to provide for transport through narrow passageways.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional, multi-layered, fire barriers for use in multi-dimensional architectural expansion joints may comprise a plurality of fire resistant material layers and the method for making such barriers is taught. The layers comprising the fire barriers may be connected together by stitching with high temperature thread, by stapling, by pins and bolts, by adhesive, or by any other bonding method. The fire barriers may be designed, for example, for use in a corner junction expansion joint, in a “T”-shaped expansion joint, or in a 4-way expansion joint, for example. A fire barrier may comprise: at least one protective and mechanically supporting layer; at least one insulating layer, and at least one layer of intumescent material, wherein the insulating layer is disposed between the mechanical support layer and the intumescent layer. The fire barriers may be provided completely ready to install or ready to assemble, as desired.