Abstract: A firefighter backpack assembly for transporting equipment for wildfire fighting includes a panel that is wearable on a user's back and a pair of shoulder straps each being coupled to the panel for wearing over a respective one of the user's shoulders. A tool bag is coupled to the panel to carry tools thereby facilitating hands-free transportation of the tools when the user wears the panel. A pair of belts is each coupled to the panel to secure a chainsaw to the panel thereby facilitating hands-free transportation of the chainsaw. A storage pouch is suspended from the tool bag to contain a fire shelter.

Abstract: A removably attachable reflective covering has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end and lower end may be removably attached to the upper end and lower end of a backpack or other item, respectively. The removably attachable reflective covering having a device attachment site to carry a light or GPS tracking device. The upper end has a void that can be inverted and receive the lower end and closed to completely enclose the lower end, allowing the removably attachable reflective covering to be conveniently stored.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted table system includes a table portion that is movable from an expanded configuration to a storage configuration and vice versa. The table portion includes a first table element, a second table element, and a third table element. A first hinge couples the first table element to the second table element, and the first hinge facilitates pivoting motion of the second table element relative to the first table element about a first axis. A compound hinge assembly couples the second table element to the third table element. The compound hinge assembly includes a hinge table element, a second hinge, and a third hinge that facilitate pivoting the second table element relative to the hinge table element about a second axis and the third table element relative to the hinge table element about a third axis. The second and third axes are substantially parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A removably attachable reflective covering has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end and lower end may be removably attached to the upper end and lower end of a backpack or other item, respectively. The removably attachable reflective covering having a device attachment site to carry a light or GPS tracking device. The upper end has a void that can be inverted and receive the lower end and closed to completely enclose the lower end, allowing the removably attachable reflective covering to be conveniently stored.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted table system includes a table portion that is movable from an expanded configuration to a storage configuration and vice versa. The table portion includes a first table element, a second table element, and a third table element. A first hinge couples the first table element to the second table element, and the first hinge facilitates pivoting motion of the second table element relative to the first table element about a first axis. A compound hinge assembly couples the second table element to the third table element. The compound hinge assembly includes a hinge table element, a second hinge, and a third hinge that facilitate pivoting the second table element relative to the hinge table element about a second axis and the third table element relative to the hinge table element about a third axis. The second and third axes are substantially parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Controls for a transmission brake include a switch that employs resistance to motion of an axially movable plunger in order to provide tactile feedback to the operator as to the current position of the plunger, thus reflecting a particular state of the switch. In a fully depressed position of the plunger, the transmission brake is on. Shortly before this position is reached, resistance is encountered at an intermediate position at which the transmission brake is already engaged, thereby giving the user of the option of depressing the plunger further in order to provide a longer travel time of plunger back to its normal spring-biased position in which the brake is disengaged. Some embodiments activate other brake control components at partially depressed plunger positions preceding the intermediate position, whereby controlled creeping of the vehicle can be accomplished before the transmission brake is returned to a continuously engaged state.

Abstract: A mixer designed to generate high mixing turbulence within the bottom zone of a liquid holding vessel while simultaneously entraining and transferring liquid from the upper surface down to the vessel bottom. Mixing action is accomplished through the incorporation of two jet nozzles, nested one inside the other, strategically located and powered by pressurized liquid drawn from the vessel being mixed. Mixer component dimensions are adaptable to multiple vessel types and configurations. Surface liquids are entrained using a weir section that is either a fixed or floating component of the mixer assembly. Liquid used for developing outlet velocity in primary jet is drawn from multiple locations including the vessel center zone, the vessel bottom and mixer annulus. Mixing in the vessel center zone can vary from gentle upward flow in tall tanks to complete turbulent mixing in shallow vessels.

Abstract: A high pressure mixer is designed to generate high mixing turbulence within the bottom zone of a liquid holding vessel while simultaneously entraining and transferring liquid from the upper surface down to the vessel bottom. Mixing action is accomplished through the incorporation of two jet nozzles, nested one inside the other, strategically located and powered by pressurized liquid drawn from the vessel being mixed. Surface liquids are entrained using a weir section that is either a fixed or floating component of the mixer assembly. Liquid used for developing outlet velocity in primary jet is drawn from multiple locations including the vessel center zone, the vessel bottom and mixer annulus. Vessel pressure is maintained sufficiently high for a period to create a high concentration of dissolved gas in the slurry during digester operation. After shutting off the mixer pressure is lowered to release dissolved gas resulting in a three region segregation of slurry components.

Abstract: An embodiment of a vehicle mounted table system comprises hardware adapted to attach to a cargo area of a vehicle by way of one or more coupling mechanisms. The embodiment has a slider assembly adapted to slide relative to the hardware whereby the slider assembly can be slid at least partially out of a tailgate of the vehicle while the hardware remains attached to the vehicle. Operatively coupled to the slider assembly is one or more platforms, the platforms folding out of the vehicle through a hinge-turntable assembly. The embodiment also includes a canopy assembly having a flexible covering and one or more associated canopy supports, the one or more canopy supports adapted for attachment to the table structure when the tailgating assembly is fully deployed.

Abstract: An ulcer, lymphoedema and DVT treatment device (10) comprises a drive unit (12) adapted to deliver mechanical vibrations at its surface in three orthogonal directions at a frequency in each orthogonal direction of between 15 and 75 Hz and with an amplitude in each orthogonal direction of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. A pad (110) is connected to the drive unit, and a strap (46) enables the pad to be pressed against the limb of the animal or human. The motor drives an eccentrically mounted weight (22) to provide oscillations of the casing in a radial plane. The device is employed to treat a patient suffering from leg ulcers, lymphoedema and DVT by applying three-dimensional vibrations. A cover (150) is provided to protect the pad (110) from contamination.

Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.

Abstract: An embodiment of a vehicle mounted table system comprises hardware adapted to attach to a cargo area of a vehicle by way of one or more coupling mechanisms. The embodiment has a slider assembly adapted to slide relative to the hardware whereby the slider assembly can be slid at least partially out of a tailgate of the vehicle while the hardware remains attached to the vehicle. Operatively coupled to the slider assembly is one or more platforms, the platforms folding out of the vehicle through a hinge-turntable assembly. The embodiment also includes a canopy assembly having a flexible covering and one or more associated canopy supports, the one or more canopy supports adapted for attachment to the table structure when the tailgating assembly is fully deployed.

Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.

Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.

Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.

Abstract: An ulcer, lymphoedema and DVT treatment device (10) comprises a drive unit (12) adapted to deliver mechanical vibrations at its surface in three orthogonal directions at a frequency in each orthogonal direction of between 15 and 75 Hz and with an amplitude in each orthogonal direction of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.

Abstract: A flooring system positionable in an aircraft is disclosed. In one embodiment, the flooring system includes a floor platform and at least three tracks positioned about a top surface of the floor platform, the tracks being adapted to receive support members. In particular, three parallel tracks form two track pairs which are capable of receiving one of a first and second support member.

Abstract: An electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle includes an actuator and a carrier movable to electrically actuate a steering column tilting device and a steering column telescoping device. A post and a receptacle assist to align the carrier during its linear switching movement. An actuator assembly is provided which includes a shaft, a partially spherical ball, a first set of crossed arms and a second set of crossed arms while a centering spring biases an actuator toward a centralized neutral position. A modularized electrical switch is also mechanically and electrically connected to a second circuit and housing in a single assembly motion.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for converting zinc sulfide in an ore containing zinc sulfide, said zinc sulfide being chemically converted at elevated temperatures to ZnSO.sub.4.xH.sub.2 O which crystallizes substantially in the monohydrate formas ZnSO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O in a conversion solution having a high concentration of H.sub.2 S.sub.4. The process comprises:i) contacting the zinc sulfide of the ore with the conversion solution which comprises a concentration of sulfuric acid selected from the range of about 45% by weight up to about 70% by weight of the conversion solution and at the elevated temperature in the range of 90.degree. C. to less than boiling point of the conversion solution for the selected concentration of sulfuric acid;ii) maintaining the conversion solution at the elevated temperature and at the range of concentration of the sulfuric acid to ensure continued formation of the crystals of ZnSO.sub.4.H.sub.