Abstract: In an engine having a crankshaft driven by reciprocating pistons in an arrangement of cylinders, a spider bearing is fixed to a crankshaft journal that is offset from the central axis of the crankshaft. Each piston is drivingly linked to the spider bearing by a connecting rod. Circular links at the opposite ends of each connecting rod are fitted with an inner bearing ring to provide low friction movement of the ends of each connecting rod relative to the piston and the spider bearing. Hubs equally spaced about the central axis of the spider bearing enable connection of the rod links to the spider bearing. In a preferred embodiment, the spider bearing is formed of a bearing material that surrounds the outer surface of the connecting rod links which, combined with the inner bearing rings, provides a double-backed bearing for carrying the piston load.

Abstract: A heat regenerative engine uses water as both the working fluid and the lubricant. In operation, water is pumped from a collection pan and through a coil around a cylinder exhaust port, causing the water to be preheated by steam exhausted from the cylinder. The preheated water then enters a steam generator and is heated by a combustion chamber to produce high pressure super heated steam. Air is preheated in a heat exchanger and is then mixed with fuel from a fuel atomizer. An igniter burns the atomized fuel as the flames and heat are directed in a centrifuge within the combustion chamber. The speed and torque of the engine are controlled by a rocker and cam arrangement which opens a needle-type valve to inject high pressure super heated steam into a cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein. The injected steam expands in an explosive action on the top of the piston at high pressure forcing the piston down and drivingly rotating a linked crank cam and crankshaft.

Abstract: This simplified self powered aircraft attitude survival indicator is easily and readily transportable from one aircraft to another and provides a simple indicator which gives a visual indication of aircraft attitude and alarms when the aircraft is in a dangerous attitude. The aircraft attitude indicator includes a housing containing a power source, multiple attitude sensors, and at least one piezoelectric alarm, and a front panel display with an arrangement of light emitting elements (electric bulbs or LEDs) providing visual attitude indicators.

Abstract: A safety razor having a blade cartridge attached to a neck and a replaceable dispenser cartridge adapted for removable attachment to the razor to thereby form a portion of the razor handle or, alternatively, the entire razor handle. The cartridge includes and interior chamber for containing a shaving conditioning compound (e.g., shave cream or shave gel) and a pressurized dispensing gas. A bottom end of the dispensing cartridge, defining a bottom end of the razor handle, is fitted with a valve to control release of the shaving conditioning compound from the cartridge. An actuator assembly controls operation of the valve to selectively dispense a desired amount of the shaving conditioning compound from the bottom end of the razor handle while the razor is held upright in the normal shaving position.

Abstract: A centrifugal condenser in an engine has a stacked arrangement of interleaved plates surrounding a central core. Exhaust steam from the engine is directed through interior cavities of the plates while external cooling air from intake blowers circulates over outer surfaces of the plates to cool the plates and condense the steam on the opposite inner side of the plates. The water condensation is returned to a collection pan or sump for subsequent use in the engine.

Abstract: A slurry coat of formulated concrete is applied to a new or existing top coat of lightweight insulating concrete to repair cracks and holes and attach a base ply roof membrane, thereby eliminating the need for a base sheet and mechanical fasteners when installing a roof membrane system on the lightweight concrete deck of a roof structure. The formulated concrete slurry comprises a mixture of Portland cement (type I), cellulose, poly vinyl alcohol, and water. A base ply (modified or single ply) roof membrane having a sanded or fleece bottom side is set into a ¼ inch thick slurry coat of the formulated concrete to effectively attach the base ply roof membrane to the lightweight concrete deck.

Abstract: A disposable safety razor having an integral shaving conditioner dispenser includes a neck to which a blade cartridge is affixed at a top end thereof and a handle extends downwardly therefrom. The handle is ergonomically shaped and has an exterior wall that defines a pressure cavity therein for receiving a shaving conditioning compound and a pressurized dispensing gas. The handle has an opening at its bottom and a valve received in the opening. The valve is configured to dispense the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve with the razor held upright. A dispensing cap covers the valve and is engaged therewith such that movement of the dispensing cap causes release of the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve and out from a discharge opening in the cap while holding the razor upright with the blade cartridge and neck positioned higher than the handle bottom and dispensing cap.

Abstract: In an engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston and a connecting rod for driving rotation of a crank disk and a crankshaft, a cam sleeve is moved along the crankshaft in response to a change in engine speed. The cam sleeve is coupled to a cam ring that moves with the cam sleeve and in a spiraling motion about the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. A follower engages an outer face of the cam ring and is movable against a push rod that opens an injector valve. The follower is structured and disposed to move in response to contact with a lobe on the outer face of the cam ring to urge the push rod against the injector valve.

Abstract: In a roof system, a top coat of lightweight insulating concrete is anchored to an underlying base slurry coat of lightweight concrete and a metal, gypsum, tectum or concrete roof deck by installing anchoring devices at spaced intervals. The anchoring devices may be made of plastic, steel or aluminum and include a threaded shank extending upwardly from a base plate. The anchoring devices are installed by fastening the base plates to the underlying roof deck structure or by setting the base plates in the lightweight base concrete slurry coat so that the threaded shanks of the anchoring devices extend upwardly through holes in EPS board insulation and into the subsequently applied top coat of lightweight insulating concrete. The base plate and threaded shank effectively anchor the attachment of the lightweight insulating concrete top coat to the underlying base slurry coat and roof deck to enhance resistance to wind uplift forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-site manufacturing of lightweight concrete used for insulation in roof decks and roof systems of building structures. The apparatus is supported on a transportable trailer frame and includes a mixer, a concrete pump, and one or more tanks for holding a mixture of water and chemical products, such as foaming agents. The chemical agents/water solution is mixed with pressurized air according to a desired foam density and volume and is pumped through a foam cylinder ejector. The air/solution mixture exiting the ejector is directed into a carburetor which generates a foam product by mechanical impact of the air/solution mixture with beads contained in the carburetor. Concrete and the foam product are combined in the mixer, in accordance with a predetermined mixture ratio, and released into the concrete pump for forced discharge from the apparatus and application to a roof structure.

Abstract: A cleaning composition contains all natural ingredients and is both environmentally safe and hypoallergenic. One embodiment of natural glass cleaner contains white vinegar, natural aloe vera gel, fresh rosemary, filtered water, pure eucalyptus oil, lauryl glucoside, green food color, and a preservative. One embodiment of natural scrub wash multi-purpose cleaner contains lemon juice, fresh rosemary, lauryl glucoside, filtered water, fresh peppermint and a preservative. One embodiment of natural shine furniture cleaner contains lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, pure orange oil, pure lemon oil, pure eucalyptus oil, filtered water, and a preservative.

Abstract: In an engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston and a connecting rod for driving rotation of a crank disk and a crankshaft, a cam sleeve is moved along the crankshaft in response to a change in engine speed. The cam sleeve is coupled to a cam ring that moves with the cam sleeve and in a spiraling motion about the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. A follower engages an outer face of the cam ring and is movable against a pushrod that opens an injector valve. The follower is structured and disposed to move in response to contact with a lobe on the outer face of the cam ring to urge the pushrod against the injector valve. The pushrod passes through a throttle control ring that rotates in an arc. Rotation of the throttle ring, with the use of a control lever, shifts the position of the pushrod on the follower relative to a fulcrum of the follower to control the distance the pushrod is driven by the follower and, thus, the amount the injector valve is opened.

Abstract: An insulated drinking vessel includes an inner wall surrounding an interior for containing a liquid beverage and a transparent outer wall spaced from the inner wall to form an air space which acts to insulate the vessel interior in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid beverage contents within a desired range throughout a period of time which is normally required to consume the entire beverage contents. A removable top lid for covering the open top of the vessel includes an integrated sip spout extending upwardly from the lid. In one preferred embodiment, the drinking vessel and lid are in the form of a child's sip cup. The drinking vessel may further be provided with light-absorbing luminescent material to enhance the appearance and visibility of the drinking vessel as well as the level of the liquid contents when in a dark or dim light environment.

Abstract: A razor includes a handle, a flexible neck extending from the top of the handle and a blade-carrying razor head removably and pivotally fitted to grasping arm members extending from the neck. The handle portion is structured and disposed for receipt of a pressurized shave product dispensing canister therein. A lower portion of the handle functions as an actuator for dispensing the shaving product in the pressurized canister and is operable between a stop position and a dispensing position. The pressurized canister is removable from the handle to facilitate replacement and, in a preferred embodiment, includes a cap defining the actuator and forming the lower portion of the handle when the canister is inserted and operatively positioned within the handle. The flexible neck is formed with a scoop for directing a stream of water through the razor head in a flushing action in order to remove debris and residue which accumulates on the blades.