Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment and preservation of wooden materials includes depositing wooden materials to be treated into a confined, thermally insulated container and introducing smoke from a charcoal oven into that space to heat that space and treat the wooden materials. After a pre-determined amount of time of exposure to the treatment smoke at a controlled temperature and humidity level, the wooden materials will exhibit increased resistance characteristics.

Abstract: Optical instruments having, inter alia, optics to process wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to produce an interferogram. The instruments include at least one optical path and optical elements positioned along this path for splitting and recombining the wavelengths which interfere with each other to produce a plurality of different fringes of different wavelengths. In one group, the optics include matched gratings which are positioned along the optical path outside of the interferometer optics to produce first and second sets of spectrally dispersed beams. The interferometer optics also includes a beam splitter and first and second mirrors. The gratings may be positioned in a variety of locations along the optical path. In another group, the optics include a beam splitter having a plurality of surfaces, wherein each of the surfaces is either 100% reflective, 100% transmissive or 50% reflective and 50% transmissive.

Abstract: The invention is a solar-powered, Rankine cycle, two fluid, engine useable for many functions, especially for pumping liquids from the ground such as water or oil in remote locations. The engine driven by heat energy collected in standard collectors or in solar ponds utilizes a heated fluid such as water to transfer the heat from the collectors to a tank where a volatile working medium is transformed into a pressurized vapor. The heated working medium is then fed to a double acting cylinder where work is extracted from the working medium. The engine is a rather slow moving engine, with the valving controlled by electric switches which are driven by storage batteries. The storage batteries are continuously charged by solar energy. If the source of energy is heat collected by standard collectors, a tracking device for the collectors, also driven by solar power, is incorporated in order to attain high collection efficiencies. The engine is used to drive either mechanical or hydraulic pumping devices.

Abstract: Hydraulic leveling device and system for leveling trailers, mobile homes, platforms and other equipment. The device and system of the invention comprise a hydraulic cylinder, a support leg connected to the hydraulic cylinder, and a wheel for pivoting the support leg upwards into a storage position.

Abstract: A cover for a bathtub/shower soap-holding fixture comprising a shield which wraps around the exterior of the soap-holding fixture and attaches to and rotates about the U-shaped handle of the soap-holding fixture. The invention further comprises a plug which is inserted into the top open space between the U-shaped handle and the wall portion of the fixture. The shield and plug combination prevent water spray from entering the soap dish fixture during a bath or shower, thus preserving soap contained in the soap tray.

Abstract: A security and defense barrier which comprises a vault buried within and transverse to the roadway. The vault has within a latched plurality of barrier arms that may be raised by any powered means, or manually, and the raised barrier arms being positioned within the vault so that impact forces are transmitted directly to the vault, and to a foundation, and little or no load is supported by a pivoting mechanism. Being very strong, the barrier can be made capable of stopping a speeding vehicle. The raised barrier arms have a hook on the end so that a speeding vehicle attacking the barrier will be snagged, and prevented from inadvertently or intentionally vaulting the barrier.

Abstract: A cover for a bathtub/shower soap-holding fixture comprising a shield which wraps around the exterior of the soap-holding fixture and attaches to and rotates about the U-shaped handle of the soap-holding fixture. The invention further comprises a plug which is inserted into the top open space between the U-shaped handle and the wall portion of the fixture. The shield and plug combination prevent water spray from entering the soap dish fixture during a bath or shower, thus preserving soap contained in the soap tray.

Abstract: The invention is a water lifter for use on knocked down multi-hull sailboats. The water lifter comprises a water bucket attached to one or more bucket lines which in turn are attached to one or more down pulleys. The down pulleys are in turn connected by pulley ropes to one or more top pulleys to provide sufficient mechanical advantage for a small single person to lift the water bucket out of the water. The top pulleys are attached to the uppermost hull of the knocked down multi-hull craft. On small sailboats, a single small person then braces his feet against the down hull, and positions his back against the water bucket, and pushes the water bucket as far as he or she can from the down hull, using his or her strong leg and back muscles.