Abstract: A food thermalizer includes a food chamber which is vented to atmosphere. A wet bulb temperature sensor preferably is located adjacent to the vent and uses the condensate in the vent to keep its outer surface wet. By sensing the wet bulb temperature within the food chamber and controlling a wet heat source that heats the water in an evaporator in the food chamber, the vapor surrounding the food can serve as a vapor thermostat to control the final food temperature. The cook also can control the dry bulb temperature relative to the wet bulb temperature by controlling a dry heat source that heats the air, thereby controlling the degree of browning or texturing of the food.

Abstract: A rack includes vertical columns and horizontal beams and connecting clips that connect accessories, such as roller tracks, to the horizontal beams. The connecting clips are connected to the beams by inserting arms of the clips into slots of the beams and pivoting the clips into position. Then attachments are mounted to the clips.

Abstract: A shaft support for vertical blinds wherein a swing arm automatically extends to span the head rail space in order to support the cords and tilt rod in the head rail as the carrier assembly retracts to open the blind. This swing arm automatically stows away along the head rail when the carrier assembly extends to close the blind so as not to interfere with the motion of the carrier assembly. The automatic operation of this shaft support is such that the mechanism is self correcting in the event that it is installed incorrectly or that it is accidentally moved to an incorrect position during operation.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a sulky includes a removable, adjustable foot platform, replaceable axles, and a hitch including stops that limit the extent of pitch, roll, and yaw motions between the sulky and the towing vehicle. The foot platform preferably projects downwardly from the frame on which the axles are mounted. The foot platform is mounted on a frame, and the frame preferably is structurally stronger than the foot platform.

Abstract: A clamp assembly has a separate and independent clamp stand base, such that several clamp stand bases may be mounted on desired surfaces at various locations, and the clamp may be moved from one clamp stand base to another for quick and easy mounting at the different locations, and to minimize the number of clamps required to service of all of these different locations. The assembly permits the position of the clamp to be adjusted relative to the stand by pivoting and by raising and lowering the clamp relative to the base.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a sulky includes a removable, adjustable foot platform, replaceable axles, and a hitch including stops that limit the extent of pitch, roll, and yaw motions between the sulky and the towing vehicle. A preferred embodiment also includes damping of motion in the yaw direction to reduce jerkiness in the ride.

Abstract: A saddle for a vehicle lift provides a flip-up bracket and a body portion that mates with an insert, with the flip-up bracket overlying the body portion when the flip-up bracket is in its extended position.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for separating solids from a slurry includes a screen, and an extractor screw connected to the screen outlet by means of a flexible conduit, wherein the outlet of the extractor screw is at a higher elevation than the outlet of the screen.

Abstract: A cable lift includes a platform supported on posts and raised and lowered by cables. Yoke ends support the platform on the posts by means of dogs which project into openings in latch plates on said posts. The dogs are retracted in order to lower the platform. In the event of a slack cable condition, a slack cable actuator moves the dogs back into contact with the latch plates.

Abstract: A trowel machine has replaceable blades. In a preferred embodiment, the blade can be replaced separately from its backing bar, and the same fasteners that secure the blade to the backing bar also secure the blade to the trowel arm of the machine. In a preferred embodiment, the blade is deformed in the area of the mounting holes, providing a clamping surface recessed from the working surface of the blade to provide retention of the blade on the trowel machine.

Abstract: A tie down device for securing equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, and generators to the deck of a trailer comprises a retractable arm which hangs under the trailer deck when not in use but which may be extended above the deck in order latch onto a mating projection on the equipment to be secured.

Abstract: A device for cleaning contact lenses, which device comprises a first chamber (1) provided with draining means (3,8), a second chamber (2) adapted to be fluidly communicable with the first chamber (1), a lens holder (20) adapted to be inserted in the first chamber (1) and agitating means (22-28) adapted to agitate the lens holder, wherein the device further comprises a valve (5) adapted to control fluid flow between the first chamber (1) and the draining means (3,8) and between the first (1) and second chambers (2). The valve (5) can be automatically controlled.

Abstract: An adjustable aperture forming mechanism provides a tapered hole, an O-ring located in the tapered hole, and a pusher that pushes the O-ring and compresses it into the tapered hole in order to reduce the size of the aperture. When the pusher is retracted, the O-ring returns to its uncompressed, enlarged shape, enlarging the shape of the aperture.

Abstract: A cyclone for high temperature applications where the outlet pipe is vertically hung, properly located, and sealed over the vessel outlet opening without the need for bolts, so as to allow dimensional growth due to thermal expansion without failure-causing stresses induced on welds.

Abstract: A pole assembly includes two parts—a hollow stub foundation and a hollow pole, which telescopes over the stub foundation and rests on the ground. The stub and the pole preferably are adhered together. The stub preferably has a roughened outer surface at least in its upper portion to help it adhere to the inner surface of the pole when the two are assembled together. The stub has access openings to facilitate running wiring through the stub into the pole, and the pole preferably has an access opening that is aligned with an opening in the stub when the pole is installed on the stub to provide access for connecting wiring running inside the stub to wiring running inside the pole.

Abstract: An article of manufacture having a wear-resistant cylindrical surface is made up of a metallurgically tough base steel with a substantially cylindrical surface, a thin, cylindrical metal sleeve mated to and affixed to the cylindrical surface of the base steel, and a composite metallic coating containing particles having a hardness greater than Rockwell C 70 metallurgically bonded to the surface of the sleeve opposite the base steel/sleeve interface.

Abstract: An articulator that can be recalibrated easily in the field. The articulator has left and right condyle elements that resemble barbells, with an inner sphere, an outer sphere, and a shaft connecting the inner and outer spheres together. In the preferred embodiment, the outer spheres are releasably fixed to the lower frame member by clamping members, and the inner spheres are pivotably mounted to the upper frame member. To calibrate the articulator, the clamping members are loosened, an alignment fixture is installed to ensure that the articulator is in proper alignment, and then the clamping members are tightened into position, fixing the outer spheres in the properly-aligned position.

Abstract: A water recycling device, wherein gray water from a bathroom sink is reused to flush a toilet. The device includes a gray water reservoir, means for sensing the level of water in the toilet tank, a pump to transfer water from the gray water reservoir to the toilet tank, and a mechanical means to stop the normal potable water supply from filling the toilet water tank as long as sufficient water is being supplied from the gray water reservoir. The mechanical means physically holds the float valve of the fresh water line closed by holding the float in the up position, unless there is no flow of gray water into the toilet's tank, in which case the float is released, allowing the normal potable water supply to fill the tank.

Abstract: The present invention, a hermetically sealed picture frame, comprises a frame, a lens and a seal wherein the seal is an elastomeric seal, preferrably an elastomeric o-ring seal. The frame comprises a lens locking groove, a seal groove and mounting framework. The lens snaps into the lens locking groove, compressing the seal in the seal groove between the lens and the frame, providing a hermetic seal for a picture contained between the lens and the frame. The mounting framework is slideable over a mounting base that can be attached to a surface.

Abstract: A load lock for a rack includes a mounting clip mounted in a recess of the mounting bracket, which makes the lock easy to install and impossible to remove without dismantling the rack. The load lock also includes a locking pin having an enlarged head, and the bracket includes a recess for receiving the enlarged head, so the locking pin can be retracted to install and remove the beam, but the recess provides a stop to prevent the lock from being retracted far enough to damage the lock.