Abstract: A winch operated hoist has a first elongated vertical member is operatively attached at a lower end thereof to a frame. A second elongated vertical member telescopically disposed in the first elongated member. A third elongated member operatively attached to a top end of the second elongated member, the third elongated member being perpendicular to the second elongated member, the third elongated member being operatively pivotally disposed with respect to the first elongated member about a substantially vertical axis. Using a series of idler pulleys, over which a cable of the winch is trained, the second elongated member telescopes up to raise a load higher than it could be lifted using prior art technology.

Abstract: A method for renewing a sheet-type filtering material to a flowing gas stream inside a conduit by converting some of the energy of a flowing gas stream traversing the filter assembly to rotate a propeller and the propeller shaft. The rotational energy from the propeller shaft is operably coupled to a gear that causes a supply of unused sheet-type filter material on a first side of the filter assembly top move across the filter assembly to a second side of the filter assembly, so that the portion of the sheet-type filtering material in a position to filter a flowing gas stream changes over time as the flowing gas stream rotates the propeller.

Abstract: An improved gearbox and a method and apparatus for renewing a sheet-type filtering material in a flowing fluid inside a conduit such as for replacement of filters for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) by applying a force to a force transferring device to ultimately cause movement of a roll of sheet-type filtering material. The method includes attaching one end of the sheet-type filtering material to a gathering roll; stretching the sheet-type filtering material across the conduit and using the force from the force transferring device to rotate the gathering roll, thereby causing a movement of the sheet-type filtering material, in the direction of fluid flow, to the gathering roll thereby advancing the sheet-type filtering material, such that clean filtering material is exposed to the fluid flow.

Abstract: The replacement of filters for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Organizations having responsibility for many apartment or dormitory units can spend a significant fraction of their man-hours replacing such filters. A novel approach to reducing the labor for this task is to attach one end of sheet-type filtering material to a dispensing roll, and the other end to a gathering roll; both rolls being affixed to a frame. The assembly is installed into an air duct and the filtering material allowed to blouse, somewhat. The flow of air is intermittent in typical HVAC systems, so when the air begins to flow, the filtering material is forced, due to its resistance to flow, in the direction of the flow. This energy—a force applied through a distance—is utilized by a lever arm bracket to advance the gathering roll. In this fashion, new material leaves the dispensing roll and is exposed to the air, while the dirty filter sheet accumulates on the gathering roll.

Abstract: The replacement of filters for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Organizations having responsibility for many apartment or dormitory units can spend a significant fraction of their man-hours replacing such filters. A novel approach to reducing the labor for this task is to attach one end of sheet-type filtering material to a dispensing roll, and the other end to a gathering roll; both rolls being affixed to a frame. The assembly is installed into an air duct and the filtering material allowed to blouse, somewhat. The flow of air is intermittent in typical HVAC systems, so when the air begins to flow, the filtering material is forced, due to its resistance to flow, in the direction of the flow. This energy—a force applied through a distance—is utilized by a lever arm bracket to advance the gathering roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for massaging a person's back of a type including a housing adapted to be positioned beside and above a bed. A back contacting portion is provided for rubbing the back of a person lying on the bed and a reciprocation mechanism is operatively attached to the housing for automatically moving the back contacting structure back and forth over a person's back. The reciprocating structure includes a frame with an endless flexible member thereon, such as a chain. the endless flexible member is joined at both ends thereof to allow it to move in an elliptical path. A cog is attached to the endless flexible member so that when the endless flexible member is driven, the cog will also travel in such elliptical path. A reciprocating member is disposed around the frame and has a first cog engagement portion in one side thereof for engagement with the cog when the cog is moving in one linear direction whereby the reciprocating member will be moved in such one linear direction when the cog is so moving.