Abstract: A book stand folds flat, forming a single panel for storage or use as a clipboard, sketchpad, or straight edge. The book stand may also unfold into operational configuration to include an inclined supporting surface and a shelf, on which a book can rest at an inclined angle. The preferred legs or other support members extend from the rear side of the book stand near the left and right side edges of the book stand and diverge from each other to form a broad and stable base. The book stand may be set up in operational position with a minimum number of steps, by flipping up the shelf and pivoting the two legs on the backside of the book stand to swing underneath the shelf. In its folded, collapsed configuration, the preferred book stand may be a flat, substantially solid panel approximately 8.5?×11.? The device can also be equipped with a magnification device, light, clip, page protector, or other visual aid devices.

Abstract: A firearm sighting system includes a rear sight unit having a plurality of separate sight elements adaptable for “zeroing” the same gun with different ammunition. In preferred embodiments, a rear sight unit comprises windage and elevation adjustments for each of two sight elements, so that multiple ammunition types having different trajectories may be fired accurately from a single firearm after zeroing-in one of the plurality of sight elements for each of the different ammunition types. Preferably, the separate sight elements may be connected to each other or to a common pivot arm or movable bracket so that moving one sight element into the sight path automatically removes the other from the line of vision. Elevation adjustments may be done in various ways, for example, by sliding sight elements out along an arm or bracket, or by changing an angle of the arm or bracket relative to the firearm.

Abstract: A bracket system holds a filter(s) in quick-attach and quick-release fashion. Brackets are combined in modular fashion, with conduit between the brackets, to create a “bank” of filters easily changed in number, arrangement, and flow scheme. Top brackets and bottom brackets capture/support the top end and bottom end of a filter, respectively, and filter inlet and outlet ports preferably slide onto and off of cooperating tubes/ports in the bracket modules without tools or threaded connections. A retainer may pivot on and off of its respective filter, holding the filter in place and releasing the filter, respectively. After pivoting the retainer up from the filter, the filter may be lifted up off of its respective bottom module, so that the filter is substantially vertically and pivotally removable from the bracket system.

Abstract: A filter assembly is described that includes a substantially recyclable filter cartridge inside a pressure vessel. The invented filter cartridge comprises substantially non-pressure bearing walls, except for a pressure-bearing neck or cap with neck that is adapted to withstand high pressures preferably in the range of at least 200 psi, and more preferably at least 475 psi from the inside. The walls of the filter cartridge that are incapable of withstanding significant internal pressure are surrounded on the outside by a pressure vessel. The invented cartridge need not seal to the pressure vessel, because the cartridge neck protrudes outside of the pressure vessel to seal directly to a filter head. The cartridge preferably includes a quick-disassembly mechanism for allowing quick and non-destructive access to the internal components and media of the cartridge.

Abstract: A high thermal efficiency lean-burn spark-ignition two or four stroke engine operable unthrottled suitable for vehicles using gasoline. It uses an indirect combustion chamber and a transfer orifice aligned to produce a jet of air moving in helical swirl motion around the chamber during the compression stroke. Fuel is injected into the chamber aimed into the air jet to assist rapid vaporization. The position and orientation of the fuel injector ensures that fuel arrives near the spark plug even under idling conditions and the helical swirl flow ensures the stratification of the ignitable mixture formed near the plug.

Abstract: A non-spilling detachable pouring spout configured to transfer liquid from a non-vented filling container to a receiving container. This spout having a spout body defining an open passageway extending from an open first end to an open second end this open passageway having a generally tubular shaped hollow inner conduit positioned within the first hollow passageway, and defining a second hollow passageway. An intermediate sleeve is configured for attachment to the device and is further configured to seal against portions of the spout body and the inner conduit so as to variously control the flow of materials out of the spout body. The movement of said sleeve is controlled by movement of a child resistant sheath.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, shaped, prefabricated, structurally-enhancing support block conforms to the side profiles of conventional I-joists. The support block is preferably installed by fastening it to the I-joist web, rather than to the I-joist flanges, thus preserving the integrity of the I-joist flanges. Further, support blocks may be used in mid-span where additional point-load support is needed, or at joist ends for additional load bearing and/or enhanced rim board, attachment and nailing capabilities. The preferred support block includes a load-jack portion for bearing compressive load and a web and flange support portion reinforcing the thin web of an I-joist to help prevent buckling, rolling, or twisting of the I-joist under peak load conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for use in motorized vehicles to provide a vehicle back-up alarm system, intended for mounting on a vehicle, that also incorporates an apparatus for detecting and alarming low battery conditions. Preferably incorporated into a main housing are the electronic components that perform power regulation, system control, voltage sensing, timing, alarm tone generation, sound emitting and, optionally, light emitting. The housing serves to securely fix and retain these components and to protect them from moisture and dirt. The circuitry is connected to the vehicle upon which it is installed by preferably three connection terminals situated on the housing. Distinctive tones and/or lamp sequences alert the operator and those by-standers within proximity to the vehicle to different alarm conditions.

Abstract: A floor covering repair technique and tool includes placement of a spacer between a patch and a damaged floor covering piece before cutting through both layers. This way, the replacement patch is elevated slightly above the damaged piece and this slight elevation allows for a slight increase in the perimeter/total area of the patch, which offsets the slight retraction/contraction of the edges of the patch and/or the edges of the original flooring after the cut. This results in a more exact fit between the patch and the surrounding, original undamaged when the patch is installed.

Abstract: A warning device in one embodiment includes a housing which is portable, the housing containing preferably a microwave transceiver operating as a proximity-sensing device, a stroboscopic lamp and/or a horn disposed in the housing in electrical connection with the sensing device for emitting a series of flashes and/or honks in response to the sensing of an object within predetermined range of the sensing device, a battery in the housing for powering the sensing device and the lamp and/or horn, and a system for mounting the housing to a variety of supporting objects.

Abstract: A valve system lifter for combustion engines includes a hard metal face pad connected to a lower-grade metal lifter body. The connecting material is one or more materials that are different from both the lifter body and the face pad. Preferably, the connecting material is a silver- and copper-containing material, that may take the form of a wafer with silver or silver alloy layered over a copper alloy core. The preferred body includes one or more ferrous compounds, and the preferred face includes tungsten carbide. The resulting lifter is resistant to the cracking, breakage, and wear that plague conventional lifters, due to the harsh temperature and impact environment of the lifter. The resulting lifter may be used to reduce the need for change-out and down-time in many engines.

Abstract: A sound pickup system for string instruments includes a chinrest and/or tailpiece connected to a first audio interface device—e.g. a piezoelectric transducer-on the instrument's bridge. A second audio interface device—e.g., a microphone-may be attached to and extended from the chinrest and/or tailpiece to provide a second sound pickup mechanism, which improves the quality of the sound reproduced by the sound pickup system. The chinrest and/or tailpiece contains volume and sensitivity control, for one or both audio interface devices, that also acts as a high frequency noise filter; a human grounding point in the chin cup and/or in the strings; and an output jack.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: This invention provides a child safety seat with an integral seat belt tensioner for properly securing the seat to the passenger seat of an automotive vehicle by taking up the slack in the seat belt after it has been fastened through the child seat. The tensioner pulls or pushes the seat belt so that the few inches of slack that usually exist are eliminated by the tensioner. The safety seat is adapted to have internal space, either in its back and/or below the seat, to accommodate the tensioner and the belt movement so that the controls, tensioner, and/or other moving parts are out of the reach of the a child in the seat. A preferred version of the tensioner includes motor and gearing to move a belt holder up and down generally along the rear of the safety seat, for tightening and loosening the belt, respectively.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool is designed to meet the particular needs of commercial truck drivers. Preferably, it has a unitary, single-piece head which includes a chopping tool, a hammering tool, and a prying-pivoting tool, and a nail and/or staple removal assembly. Preferably, there are no sharp edges that are capable of cutting a person's skin. There are multiple surfaces and edges that may be easily wedged underneath an object to pry, lift, or force the object either in a proximal direction toward the user or in a distal direction away from the user, or upwards off a floor or truck bed. It may perform a multitude of functions, such as removing objects embedded in tires, tightening tire chains, repairing pallets (with a hammer/nail remover), moving pallets, prying open frozen doors, chopping ice (for example, removing ice build-up on vehicle). The head of the tool is slightly tilted to facilitate use as a lever.