Abstract: A ceramic support apparatus for supporting and holding a ceramic article in a kiln while the ceramic article is being fired has first and second bowed ceramic members pivotally mounted on a ceramic rod with their respective concavities in non-facing orientation. Each bowed ceramic member has an upper hooked end for hooking over the edge of a support flange in the kiln and a lower hooked end for hooking under a support lip of the ceramic article whereby the article may be hung from the support flange in the kiln. The lower hooked end may have one or more cusps extending upwardly for contacting the support lip of the ceramic article. A pair of hooked members may also be provided to be rotated into a position under the support lip and thereafter attached over each end of the ceramic rod to be held thereby. The ceramic article is thereby supported at four different locations about the circumference of the support lip.

Abstract: A method of converting organic waste into useful petroleum products and for recovering previously unrecoverable residual oil in oil bearing geologic layers. An organic slurry containing obligatory anaerobes is first formed from garbage, sewage and the like to which may be added various catalysts such as iron or cobalt. The slurry is then pumped into a geological layer, which is preferably oil bearing, having a temperature of a magnitude which allows anaerobic digestion to continue. One or more explosive devices are positioned above the geological layer and below an explosion directing cap. After a period of anaerobic digestion, the explosive devices are detonated causing heat and pressure to be applied to the organic waste in the geological layer. The combination of heat and pressure cause various chemical reactions, including molecular restructuring, to occur which convert the organic waste into various petroleum products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of harnessing combined wind and wave energy for generating, e.g.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a bumper-air bag system has a resilient bumper with a quantity of compressed gas therein. The resilient bumper is attached to one or more valve assemblies which have an enclosed air-tight region defined by a pair of cylindrical members. A valve inside the enclosed region is mechanically opened by movement of one of the members relative to the other in response to an impact on the bumper. Compressed gas, stored in the enclosed region, the resilient bumper, or both, is released into a passageway, connected directly to one or more air bags, to inflate the air bags when the valve is opened.

Abstract: A ski-skateboard device driven by intermittent downward pressure applied to two foot pads or a pair of hand-operated handles. A disk-shaped platform has a fixed central flange extending downward. A suspension assembly is provided on each side of the central flange with two axles being rotatably attached to each suspension assembly. At least two axles have eccentric portions to which one or more force application rods are attached. Each axle has an outer end to which a wheel is fixed, and an inner end connected to the suspension assembly. The relative position of eccentric portions of selected pairs of axles may be maintained to allow propulsion by a rocking or treading motion supplied by the hands or feet. The suspension assembly may be a suspension spring apparatus or a shock absorber with a pivotal plate apparatus so that at least the right and left portions of the suspension system are independently movable in a vertical direction.