Abstract: A mobile dispensing apparatus capable of onsite bagging of fluent solid materials such as sand. The apparatus includes a hopper supported on wheels and having a trailer hitch. Three augers convey fluent material to three chutes. Each chute has a clamp for supporting a bag being filled. The apparatus has an on-board engine and a transmission selectively driving each auger. A pedal at each chute operates its respective clamp and connects its respective auger to the transmission by an electric clutch. The hopper has side doors and rear doors. A ramp can be removably attached at the rear door of the hopper. An open grate forms a floor within the hopper. Shelves are disposed within the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention features a portable waste disposal unit designed to receive expanded polystyrene or similar polymeric waste. Waste is loaded into a waste reception chamber via a loading door. Once the loading door is closed and locked, a mechanical ram forces the waste charge downward into a removable tank containing a layer of a solvent such as perchloroethylene and an upper layer of water. The waste is dissolved in the solvent and stored until the tank is either removed or drained and the contents shipped to an appropriate waste recovery facility. The small size of the portable waste disposal unit makes it ideal for location near the source of the waste to be recycled. Significant compacting of wastes such as expanded polystyrene may be realized by dissolving the waste in a solvent such as perchloroethylene. In addition, the first step of a recycling process is effectively accomplished within the inventive unit.

Abstract: The invention features a multiple compartment drainage conduit with a plurality of diverter pipes connected thereto. The conduit is generally triangular in shape making leveling and burying less labor intensive, and resulting in less settling of fill material. The attached plurality of diverter pipes discharge a portion of the conduits' flow during periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, preventing a backup at the conduit inlet. The multiple compartment conduit includes a plurality of knock out plugs for the connection of diverter pipes at desired locations. Snap connections at opposite ends of the conduit are provided so that plural conduits can be interconnected.

Abstract: A transceiver is used to receive remotely-broadcast, radio frequency (rf) signals at a first frequency. The remotely-broadcast rf signals contain encoded, partial control commands as message packets. Each transceiver is adapted to respond only to signals addressed to it. Upon receipt of an intended rf signal, the transceiver decodes and authenticates the signal. If authenticity is established and the decoded signal is recognized as a proper control signal, a new control message packet is generated using information contained in the incoming message packet and information stored in the memory of the internal micro-controller. The new message packet is broadcast using by a low-power rf transmitter tuned to a different frequency that the frequency of the incoming rf signal. A random delay may be introduced between the receipt of the incoming message and the broadcast of the outgoing message to minimize the probability of correlating the output signal with the input signal.

Abstract: A pair of snowshoes, or skis, are utilized by the user to go up the slope of a hill. A binding bracket is carried separately to the top of the slope when the user then mounts the binding bracket to the back ends of each snowshoe and thus provides a singular snowboard for the user to slide down the slope.

Abstract: An improved machine for finishing or floating concrete that has been sprayed or blown onto walls or structures. A flat rotating surface is held against the concrete to be finished and a variable speed control is manipulated by the user to smooth and finish the work. The handle of the invention extends radially on opposite sides of the power take off and lies within a plane normal to the axis between the motor and the rotating disk. This plane also passes through the center of gravity between the motor or power means and the rotating working surface. A variable speed control is disposed on the handle to allow the user to vary the revolutions of the float surface. The novel construction of the device allows the user to finish concrete surfaces more quickly and with less strain on shoulders and arms than is presently provided for with either manual floating or prior art tools.

Abstract: An insulating jacket for covering and insulating an exterior faucet against damage from exposure to cold temperatures. The insulating jacket comprises three plastic bags arranged concentrically and all opening in one direction. The innermost bag is covered on its exterior surface with adhesive, to which is adhered loose insulating fill material. The insulated innermost bag is surrounded by a fabric sock. The fabric sock is in turn surrounded by the second bag. A woolen sock surrounds the second bag. The third plastic bag surrounds the woolen sock. The open end of the resultant assembly is rolled to form a cuff. A draw cord is disposed to constrict the cuff over a faucet, pipe, or other component of the object being protected.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint providing longevity especially suitable for use in implants in human bodies. The ball is designed to incorporate specified strength, hardness, and smoothness characteristics. The socket has a cooperating bearing surface which is less hard than that of the ball. This combination of characteristics lead to maximal mutual bearing contact which minimizes local friction and abrasion. Both components are biologically inert. One component is hydrophilic. The ball is preferably formed from a ceramic, such as a metal or silicon oxide or carbide. The socket preferably has a noble metal alloy liner partially surrounding the ball. The socket further includes an insulator isolating the liner from the socket structural member, should the latter be formed from a different metal. The liner can be formed in complementary segments to avoid fracture or splitting. The liner is either mechanically entrapped by the socket structural member or is adhered thereto.

Abstract: A weather cap for use with a vent cap. The weather pipe includes a top surface portion which is mounted at an angle in relation to a side wall extending downwardly from the top surface portion. The weather cap also includes a device for securing the cap structure fixedly to the pipe, and a device for connecting and retaining the cap structure to the securing device.

Abstract: An operator for lowering and retracting two or more landing gear on an aircraft with a single motor. The output of the motor is modified by a reduction gear assembly, then rotates a drive shaft of each drive, there being one drive for each landing gear assembly. Output of each drive shaft turns a universal joint, then a screw shaft fixed to the universal joint. The screw shaft is arranged to turn in a threaded collar fixed to a tubular stabilizing strut connected to the main strut of the landing gear such that rotation telescopically extends and contracts the paired strut and screw shaft when the latter rotates. Two opposing landing gear are driven by mirror image drives of the operator. Optionally, a third drive shaft and screw shaft lower and retract the nose wheel or tail wheel of the aircraft.

Abstract: A coin operated machine, preferably a gaming machine for a casino but also including vending machines, having a removable coin collecting box and electronic memory for associating the box with the machine to enable subsequent reconciling of accounts. Both machine and box are provided with respective memory devices. The machine and the box have complementing structure for positioning the box accurately and appropriately within the machine, the structure allowing the box to be inserted reversibly. This structure comprises a tapered projection formed in the machine and cooperating, closely fitting walls surrounding the projection, formed in the box. Electrodes enabling communication between the memory devices are disposed upon contacting surfaces of the box and the projection. In alternative embodiments, the electrodes have sliding contacts, induction coils, or radio transmission apparatus for completing communication circuits.

Abstract: An auxiliary stake or stabilizer for reinforcing a rod turned into the ground and placed under tension from a guy wire. The stabilizer has a flattened body characterized by a partially circular groove extending longitudinally along the body. The groove engages the rod and prevents the stabilizer from being displaced from parallel orientation to the rod while the stabilizer is being driven into the ground. The groove is preferably partially circular, for cooperating with rods having circular cross section. The stabilizer has a broadened head for receiving impacts and driving forces, and a tapered distal end for readily penetrating the ground. A preferred material is recycled plastic, which is substantially impervious to natural deterioration.

Abstract: A compact, portable weather station for predicting local extreme weather conditions and for reporting remote weather conditions. The weather station has sensors for determining local temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, ambient light, and ambient static charge. A microprocessor has memory for storing data relating to past weather conditions and data processing apparatus and algorithms for determining probable developing weather conditions responsive to sensed local conditions. The weather station has a radio receiver for communicating with global weather reporting communications systems utilizing cellular communications. Operating commands, predicted local weather conditions, and remote weather conditions are annunciated in synthesized voice in any one of a variety of predetermined languages. The weather station includes voice synthesizing and recognition apparatus for annunciating verbal prompts and weather conditions, and for responding to vocal control.

Abstract: A sea wall able to diffuse sheets of wind borne water being blown over the sea wall by a strong wind. The sea wall has a vertically extending barrier, preferably topped by a cap, and wind diverting member mounted above the uppermost surface of the barrier, or cap, if the cap is provided and is disposed above the barrier. The wind diverting member has curved internal air passages gathering air from the water side of the sea wall and discharging air upwardly. The air passages optionally accelerate gathered air by causing the air outlets to be of smaller cross sectional area than that of the air inlets. The sea wall includes drains for disposing of water gathering on the sea wall and the wind diverting member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting continuous automated querying of collection receptacles from a passing motor vehicle to ascertain whether articles have been deposited in each collection receptacle. Each collection receptacle has a detector capable of detecting whether at least one article has been placed within the collection receptacle, and a radio frequency transceiver. A motor vehicle provided for the purpose of collecting articles from the collection receptacles also has a transceiver. The transceiver of the motor vehicle continuously transmits a querying signal which is recognizable by the transceiver of each collection receptacle. When the detector has detected an article and a querying signal is received, the collection receptacle transmits an encoded response signal. This response signal is recognized by the transceiver of the motor vehicle, the identity of the transmitting collection receptacle is determined, and the results are annunciated to the operator of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An ascending and descending device, or ladder, having a single central mast and a hand and two foot supports axially slidably engaging the mast. Each hand and foot support has a spring biased clutch normally preventing axial motion of its associated support along the mast, and a lever for releasing the hand or foot support to move along the mast. The hand support has weight bearing platforms, or grips, projecting to both sides of the mast. Each foot support projects to one side of the mast. The foot supports are tethered together to limit the distance by which they become separated when lowering one foot support. The mast has at its bottom end a base having folding legs. The mast selectively receives at its top end a pronged support for engaging the roof of a building and a chair to enable a person to remain seated above the ground. The chair has a safety tie for securing the chair to a tree.

Abstract: A protector for an electrical receptacle. A flat housing has a stepped cylindrical bore communicating from the front of the housing to the rear. A cover including a disc bearing slots fits closely yet rotatably into the larger of the two steps. The slots are configured to correspond to, but to be slightly smaller than, openings formed in a receptacle, so that conductive prongs of a plug may be inserted through the cover into the receptacle. The cover is rotated such that its slots align with those of the receptacle when it is desired to connect a plug to power. The cover may be rotated to misalign the respective slots for safety. When the protector is attached to the front of a receptacle, the smaller step of the bore serves as a stop entrapping the cover in the bore, the receptacle blocking escape of the cover at the other end of the bore. The larger step of the bore is long enough to enable the cover to move axially therein.

Abstract: A webbing type tether is disclosed having two terminal harness loops that are dimensioned to be fastened around the waists of both the care giver and the child. Embedded in the webbing is a length of wire that ends in cooperating pairs of conductive panels at the open ends of the harness loops. These panels complete a circuit when the harness loops are fastened in place, and the whole is powered to sound an audio alarm when the circuit is broken. Additionally, intermediate the two harness loops, preferably closer to the child's harness, is a third loop that will allow the care giver to pull the child towards them quickly in case of an emergency or sudden hazard. The invention is also provided with a test switch to simulate the breaking of the circuit and a power indication LED.

Abstract: A fender cover having removable, repositionable pockets. The fender comprises a main panel of flexible material of characteristics suitable for protecting painted finishes and similar delicate surfaces. The main panel has snap fasteners disposed in plural rows on both sides of the main panel. A pocket bearing member having a plurality of separate but adjacent pockets has corresponding snap fasteners enabling the pocket bearing member to be fastened on the main panel selectively at a variety of locations. More than one pocket bearing member may be provided and fastened to the main panel. The fender cover has eyelets for tying to an environmental surface. Optionally, the fender cover also has suction cups for adhering to a smooth surface by suction.