Abstract: An automatic storm shutter. A shutter is hingeadly attached to a wall over a structure opening. An actuator is attached to the shutter, and releasably engaged with a support, which is rigidly attached to the wall. When external atmospheric pressure descends, as would happen at the approach of a wind storm such as a tornado, gas pressure within the actuator automatically releases the actuator from the support, which permits the shutter to quickly close as urged by gravity, to cover the structure opening and protect it from storm winds. An alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein one or more additional shutters are installed below the automatic storm shutter. The shutters are mutually attached with an elongate member. When the automatic storm shutter automatically closes, so also do the shutters below.

Abstract: A tornado resistant dome house. The shape of the dome house is a spheroid section, and is given by a formula. The dome house shell is made up of a plurality of tiles formed to conform to the shape of the dome house. The tiles are mutually connected by means of horizontally and vertically disposed elongate members extending through lumens in adjacent tiles. The tiles are also attached to a dome house foundation. The curved, low-profile shape of the house, combined with the mutual attachment of the tiles, and their attachment to the dome house foundation, improves the resistance of the dome house to high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes. Adjacent tiles are cushioned by springs, and are maintained in position relative to each other by means of a tongue-in-groove attachment between adjacent tiles.

Abstract: An automatic storm shutter. A shutter is hingeadly attached to a wall over a structure opening. An actuator is attached to the shutter, and releasably engaged with a support, which is rigidly attached to the wall. When external atmospheric pressure descends, as would happen at the approach of a wind storm such as a tornado, gas pressure within the actuator automatically releases the actuator from the support, which permits the shutter to quickly close as urged by gravity, to cover the structure opening and protect it from storm winds. An alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein one or more additional shutters are installed below the automatic storm shutter. The shutters are mutually attached with an elongate member. When the automatic storm shutter automatically closes, so also do the shutters below.

Abstract: A tornado resistant dome house. The shape of the dome house is a spheroid section, and is given by a formula. The dome house shell is made up of a plurality of tiles formed to conform to the shape of the dome house. The tiles are mutually connected by means of horizontally and vertically disposed elongate members extending through lumens in adjacent tiles. The tiles are also attached to a dome house foundation. The curved, low-profile shape of the house, combined with the mutual attachment of the tiles, and their attachment to the dome house foundation, improves the resistance of the dome house to high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes. Adjacent tiles are cushioned by springs, and are maintained in position relative to each other by means of a tongue-in-groove attachment between adjacent tiles.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for structure. A valve with a spoiler around its edge sits in a valve seat around a structure valve aperture, and is spring-loaded into a closed position. Storm wind entering the structure through a breached window, door, or other structure opening escapes through the valve, which opens when exposed to a pressure differential of approximately 1.5 psi. Lift created by storm wind impinging on the spoiler tends to urge the upwind side of the valve closed. The valve may incorporate a skylight. In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the valve was a spherical or spheroid section, and the spring-loading was provided by a plurality of spring assemblies disposed around the edge(s) of the valve.

Abstract: A fishhook removing apparatus for removing hooks from a fish's mouth. The fishhook removing apparatus includes a fishhook remover comprising a shaft. The shaft includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaft includes a bend therein. The bend is positioned generally adjacent to the first end such that a hook portion is defined. A handle member is securably coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: Freeze damage to pipes containing liquids is accomplished by including in the interior of the pipe an elongated section of tubing sealed at each end and containing internally an inert gas under pressure; a means for attaching one end of the tubing to the pipe to prevent linear axial movement of the tubing and a means at the other end of the tubing to maintain it concentrically within the pipe and to permit safe linear axial expansion of the tubing.