Abstract: A potential energy storage system incorporating multiple track mounted shuttle units having motor/generator drive bogies and structure with an integral transfer mechanism for removably carrying energy storage masses from a first lower elevation storage yard to a second higher elevation storage yard employing excess energy from the electrical grid driving the motors, removing the masses in the second storage yard for energy storage, retrieving the masses and returning the masses from the second storage yard to the first storage yard recovering electrical energy through the generators.

Abstract: A potential energy storage system incorporating multiple track mounted shuttle units having motor/generator drive bogies and structure with an integral transfer mechanism for removably carrying energy storage masses from a first lower elevation storage yard to a second higher elevation storage yard employing excess energy from the electrical grid driving the motors, removing the masses in the second storage yard for energy storage, retrieving the masses and returning the masses from the second storage yard to the first storage yard recovering electrical energy through the generators.

Abstract: A potential energy storage system incorporating multiple track mounted shuttle units having motor/generator drive bogies and structure with an integral transfer mechanism for removably carrying energy storage masses from a first lower elevation storage yard to a second higher elevation storage yard employing excess energy from the electrical grid driving the motors, removing the masses in the second storage yard for energy storage, retrieving the masses and returning the masses from the second storage yard to the first storage yard recovering electrical energy through the generators.

Abstract: A potential energy storage system incorporating multiple track mounted shuttle units having motor/generator drive bogies and structure with an integral transfer mechanism for removably carrying energy storage masses from a first lower elevation storage yard to a second higher elevation storage yard employing excess energy from the electrical grid driving the motors, removing the masses in the second storage yard for energy storage, retrieving the masses and returning the masses from the second storage yard to the first storage yard recovering electrical energy through the generators.

Abstract: A malleable metal insert installed longitudinally in the container cavity of a squeezable, flexible, collapsible wall, plastic container used to package and dispense viscous material. The insert is made from malleable, bendable metal such as copper, aluminum or steel and can be protectively coated to avoid chemical reaction with the packaged product. The insert is installed before or after the tube and contents are sealed. When the tube is squeezed and folded/rolled, the malleable insert bends and conforms to the folded/rolled tube holding the folded tube in position permitting the tube to be either partially or fully emptied.

Abstract: A piston pulling apparatus constructed like a mandrel; having top and bottom ends and a cylindric periphery body defined by an array of piston bowl gripping segments having tops and bottoms and lying longitudinally between the top and bottom ends. The top end and the proximate tops of segments are held to each other with a fixed radius and circumference. The bottom end and its proximate array of bottoms are coupled to enable the radial expansion of the array from its bottoms. A threaded shaft lies axially within the body and is coupled to the bottom end to move it vertically upward axially, to displace the segment array bottoms radially, to increase the effective circumference of this apparatus near its bottom end; which, during the expansion, can be positioned to grip the inner sides of a piston bowl.

Abstract: A piston pulling apparatus constructed like a mandrel; having top and bottom ends and a cylindric periphery body defined by an array of piston bowl gripping segments having tops and bottoms and lying longitudinally between the top and bottom ends. The top end and the proximate tops of segments are held to each other with a fixed radius and circumference. The bottom end and its proximate array of bottoms are coupled to enable the radial expansion of the array from its bottoms. A threaded shaft lies axially within the body and is coupled to the bottom end to move it vertically upward axially, to displace the segment array bottoms radially, to increase the effective circumference of this apparatus near its bottom end; which, during the expansion, can be positioned to grip the inner sides of a piston bowl.

Abstract: A waterproof earmold-to-earphone adapter is provided for use in conjunction with an earmold. The earmold has a passageway extending transversely therethrough to allow sound to pass through the earmold, and the adapter has a hollow, elongated stem which slides into and frictionally engages the passageway in the earmold. The adapter has a resilient, cylindrical holder carried by the stem, the holder being adapted to receive a waterproof earphone whereby sound from the earphone passes through the hollow stem directly into the user's auditory canal. The passageway of the hollow stem is of small enough diameter and great enough length to prevent water passing through, but allows air and sound to pass through.

Abstract: An integrally formed earmold is provided which supports a headset or stethoscope, for example, without requiring either a headband or arms extending into the ear canal. The earmold is formed from a soft, flexible elastic plastic and has an inwardly extending conical portion adapted to fit into the concha and outer portion of the auditory canal, terminating in a rectangular knob with a small flange thereon, the knob sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. A hollow cylinder extends laterally from the knob a sufficient distance to form a support for a headset or the like. The earmold is sufficiently flexible that standard sizes will fit the general population, without requiring molds formed for particular users.

Abstract: An earplug for attenuating sound and providing a watertight seal at the auricle is provided which is made of solid, closed cell, slow recovery foam having an external flange adapted to extend beyond the auricle, the surface of the plug being convex to reflect away sound, and having an inwardly extending conical portion fitting into the auricle or cavum concha and the outer portion of the auditory canal sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. The closed cell foam provides a multitude of convex and concave surfaces which dramatically reflect, dissipate and attenuate sound waves.

Abstract: An earplug is provided which does not enter the ear canal but which merely blocks the entrance of the canal. The plug is made of a closed cell elastomeric foam having a tear drop elipsoid shape when viewed from above and a rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The plug is slightly compressed and placed in a blocking position behind the tragus.

Abstract: An earplug particularly adapted for use by surfers and swimmers is provided having a small hole therein which keeps out water but which allows the user to hear, said plug being made of a soft plastic having a density of less than 1 whereby said plug will float.