Abstract: A flapper valve assembly is described having an equalizing port assembly with a bleed valve member that is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The equalizing port assembly features a structural support member in the form of a retainer key that is secured to the flapper valve member both axially and radially. Additionally, a compressible spring is located between the structural support member and provides biasing force upon the valve member to urge it toward a closed position. Additionally, the flapper valve member presents a pair of raised, substantially flat actuator contact portions upon its downstream face to meet an actuating tube in a mating contact arrangement and resist material deformation that could tend to clog or block the equalizing fluid flow port.

Abstract: An impact sensing system for detecting downhole impacts within a toolstring, such as a jarring tool string. The system includes an impact sensing sub that is integrated into the tool string and contains an impact sensor for sensing impacts. Additionally, the sub has means for storing impact-related data and correlating it with time, inclination, and other data.

Abstract: A mosquito misting system is described having a liquid reservoir that is operably associated with a fluid pump and motor and fluid conduits to transmit a fluid insecticide to one or more dispersal nozzles. A controller is used to control the frequency and duration of dispersal. An agitator device is preferably associated with the fluid reservoir to adequately agitate the insecticide mixture within the reservoir during or just prior to dispersal of the fluid insecticide. The controller is interconnected with a level sensor assembly to provide a graphic indication of the level of fluid insecticide remaining in the reservoir. Additionally, the misting system is provided with a fluid pressure switch that detects a rupture in the fluid conduit and prevents further flow of fluid from the reservoir. In further aspects, the system is provided with remote control and, optionally, a remote monitoring feature that allows improved service and maintenance for the system.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of forming a hydraulic control valve system is provided. The system may include a hydraulic control valve, a removable mounting module, and a mounting assembly. The hydraulic control valve may have a valve body, the body having a function port, a supply port to allow for the supply of fluid to the function port, and a vent port to allow fluid to vent from the function port. The control valve may also have a gate assembly, the gate assembly having a gate, a seal assembly, and a roller bearings assembly. The seal assembly may include a seal carrier slidably mounted within the gate and a shear seal, to selectively direct hydraulic pressure to and from the subsea function. The hydraulic control valve may also include an actuation assembly for slidably moving the seal assembly, and a female coupling assembly integral with the hydraulic control valve body.

Abstract: A rifle barrel for realigning a projectile which is propelled through the barrel by gas pressure, the barrel comprising: a bore having a bore diameter through which a projectile may travel; rifling ridges within the bore; and at least one bore expansion chamber in the bore, wherein a diameter of the at least one bore expansion chamber is greater than the bore diameter, wherein a length of the at least one expansion chamber is smaller than an overall length of the projectile and greater than a contact length of the projectile. A process for projecting a projectile from a rifle barrel, the process comprising: increasing gas pressure behind the projectile in the rifle barrel, whereby the projectile is propelled through the rifle barrel; and passing a burst of gas around the projectile, whereby the projectile is aligned coaxially in the rifle barrel.

Abstract: A cable release anchor having an improved breakaway post design with a cable release feature. The cable release anchor includes upper and lower anchor portions that are readily separable from one another during an impact. A bearing plate is retained within the end of each of the upper and lower anchor portions, and each bearing plate has a bearing surface that is oriented at an acute angle with the vertical when installed in the ground. Each of these bearing plates contains a U-shaped cutout. When the upper and lower anchor portions are joined, the cutouts form an opening through which an end of the tension cable is disposed. An impact to the upper anchor portion readily releases the upper post section from the lower post section and frees the cable. The cable release anchor provides positive anchorage to react to tensile loads on a rail member to redirect a vehicle impacting along the length of the terminal or guardrail.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing temporary handrail systems such as those used to surround the periphery of a building rooftop. A number of handrail sections are reversibly interconnected to one another to form a continuous protective rail. In practice, the rail is quite stable and resistant to tipping. In described embodiments, the handrail systems of the present invention feature load-distributing support bases and weight support platforms. Weights are selectively added to the weight support platforms to anchor the handrail in place. The weight support platforms are located above the surface of the roof and do not contact the roof surface. The weight load is transmitted via a support leg downwardly to a load-distributing support base that is placed in contact with the roof. As a result, the roof membrane is not damaged by a point load applied to it. In addition, a portion of the weight load from the weight support platform is transmitted directly to the vertical support rails of the rail sections.

Abstract: Devices and methods for strengthening the upper portions of the support posts for guardrails and guardrail end treatments against the forces that are imparted to the post during an impact. The upper portions of support posts, particularly the areas proximate the bolt connection, are reinforced. Preferably, a compressive force is applied to those areas as well by the reinforcements. In one embodiment, reinforcement for the upper portion of the post is provided by metal banding that is disposed around the periphery of the post. Alternative exemplary embodiments are also described in which reinforcement to the upper portion of the post is provided by plates that are secured into place on a location proximate the connection bolt and by a metal cap that sits atop the post. In another embodiment, the drilled hole and connection bolt are eliminated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for protecting weepholes in brick veneer structures against insects and other pests while still allowing drainage and for helping prevent mortar portions and other objects from blocking the weepholes. A weephole device is described that includes a substantially vertical spacer portion having a pair of side walls that are maintained in a spaced relation to one another to define a gap for the passage of water or other fluids. The spacer portion is shaped and sized to be inserted into a weephole space between a pair of bricks. A tray is affixed to the spacer portion and includes a substantially horizontally disposed tray portion that is shaped and sized to capture falling mortar portions or other objects that might block the weephole were they to fall behind it within the air gap between the brick veneer wall and the structural inner wall. The rear edge of the tray portion has an edge that is intended to contact the inner wall when the weephole device is emplaced.

Abstract: Devices and systems for housing cables and conduits. An exemplary cable tray is described having a number of interconnectable base members fashioned of pliable elastomer that are designed to be disposed upon a rooftop, floor or other support surface. The base members each contain a number of channels within which cables or conduits are disposed. Separate grooves are provide to retain ground wires. The base members may be formed to provide straight runs, angled turns or T-connection sections that are used as intersections. Cover pieces, also fashioned from pliable elastomer are removably affixed to the base members to enclose the cables or conduits. It is currently preferred to fashion the base member and cover components of the cable tray from crumb rubber or other recycled rubber. The components may thus be easily colored during manufacture. This same material is used for fabrication of interconnectable elements used to create walkways in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Flow enhancing restrictors are located within a fluid conduit to provide pressure reduction and flow enhancement. The restrictors may be used in combination with a conventional choke valve or as a stand-alone pressure reduction means. Alternative exemplary embodiments for flow enhancers are described. Each of the flow enhancers has a generally cylindrical base with at least one fluid passage disposed therethrough. Each of the flow enhancers also provides a dome that projects upwardly from the center of the base to assist in directing fluid flow and receiving the abrasive forces associated with the fluid.

Abstract: Slot guards for a slotted rail terminals are described having a central section and a pair of wing portions that are angularly disposed with respect to the central portion. The wing portions are folded away from the plane of the central section along lines that are angularly oriented with respect to one another so that the wing portions are wider at one end of the slot guard than at the other end. As a result, the slot guard provides a greater height at one of its ends than at the other end. Apertures for connectors are disposed through each of the wing portions, but not through the central portion. The slot guard preferably provides an asymmetrical aperture pattern and/or conspicuous markings so that the slot guard is not inadvertently installed in a reversed configuration on a guardrail. Methods for forming the slot guard are also described wherein a blank for a slot guard is cut or stamped out of a sheet of metal.

Abstract: Resilient shock absorbing pads that fully support ground contacting portions of machines, equipment or other loads and, thereby, provide protection from shocks and vibration. The pads receive the ground contacting portions of a load, such as a base plate. Described pads are square-shaped and are substantially formed of a resilient shock and vibration absorbing material, such as elastomer. It is particularly preferred that the pads be fashioned from compression-molded crumb rubber that is readily available from recycled tires. The pads also include structures, such as recessed portions or an upwardly extending rigid dowel, that help to stabilize a load.

Abstract: An exemplary floatable vessel is described having an upper tower section with a reduced diameter or width and an affixed lower base section having an enlarged diameter or width. The lower section contains weighted ballast distributed upon its lower floor. The lower section also includes flotation tanks which can be filled with air to raise the vessel in the water such that portions of the lower section are raised above the water line. Alternatively, the flotation tanks can be flooded to dispose the lower section and a portion of the upper section below the water level. The upper tower section of the vessel supports a deck structure upon which rig components can be constructed or secured. The tower section includes flotation tanks as well. In preferred embodiments, these tanks are variable tanks that can be partially filled with air and partially flooded with water.

Abstract: A single transportable oversized or extended support base is provided for a conventional equipment shelter and the associated power source. The shelter and power source are separately affixed to the base while at the place of manufacturing to form a transportable unitary shelter facility that is easily and efficiently installed at the use site. Such combination avoids the additional labor and expense associated with installing equipment such as a generator in a separate room within the building because it eliminates the need for the extra door, and larger wall, roof, and floor panels, ventilation systems, environmental controls and related items.

Abstract: Methods are described for measurement and prediction of site specific scour around a structure obstructing a flow. Representative soil samples are collected from an area proximate the structure location and tests are conducted on the samples to determine the erosion rate and hydraulic shear stress imposed. The maximum shear stress and initial scour rates around the structure are also obtained. Next, the maximum depth of scour is calculated, and the depth of scour versus time curve for the structure is then predicted. In a preferred embodiment, the methods described are used to predict a scour depth versus time curve around a cylindrical bridge support standing in the way of a constant velocity flow and founded in a uniform cohesive soil. An erosion function apparatus is also described which can be used to test representative samples of soil in the area where a structure is located.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described by which antennas can be securely mounted upon rooftops and similar supporting surfaces. Antenna mounts are described that distribute the load associated with the antenna substantially evenly upon the rooftop or other support surface, so that potential damage to the roof structure is reduced or eliminated. In preferred embodiments, the antenna mounts are provided with support legs and load-distributing base members that are substantially devoid of sharp corners or angles. The antenna mounts also provide a platform located above and proximate the base members for the placement of weights to ensure the stability of the antenna mounts. This ensures that the weights are disposed above the roof and are not in contact with it. Connectors and/or adhesives are not required to secure the mount to a rooftop as the weighting is sufficient to provide a stable and wind resistant mount.

Abstract: The invention described in the specification relates to a heavy bag for use in training a boxer and to a method for filling the bag. The bag has a substantially cylindrical outer shell made from a fabric-like material, the shell having closed ends. A shredded rubber material fills the bag and provides the bag with sufficient weight for punching and sparring training activities. Use of the shredded rubber material to fill the bag not only permits significant improvement in the bag filling operation but also provides increased durability, improved impact absorbing characteristics and less permanent deformation of the bag during use.

Abstract: A resecting tool contains a rotatable chuck inside a base for engaging the drive shaft of a motor. The chuck extends into a tubular casing that has an outer actuator sleeve. The sleeve is limited to rotation relative to the casing and is used to move a pair of locking elements or balls in separate helical slots in the casing. Each ball is seated in a collar that abuts a collet receiver inside the casing. During implement changeover, the collar abuts the collet receiver and acts as a brake to prevent accidental actuation of the chuck of the tool. The collet receiver is spring-biased into contact with a first collet which closely receives a tool implement within the resecting tool. The sleeve is used to manipulate the collet to clamp onto and unclamp the tool implement. A collet coupling is located on the front end of the casing and has a collet nut on its forward end. The collet nut houses a second collet with a serpentine cut for engaging and retaining a guide sleeve for supporting the tool implement.