Abstract: An improved air-source heat pump for residential and commercial use, employing two closed refrigerant systems having different refrigerants in cascade relationship to each other to address efficiency and space concerns, with the first closed refrigerant system partitionable into a first sub-system and a second sub-system, with the first sub-system working in conjunction with the second closed refrigerant system in heating mode and the second sub-system working independently in cooling mode.

Abstract: A projectile-based system for impeding the escape of a game animal, whereby the projectile is an arrow or a crossbow bolt, the system comprising an environmental engagement device, a retention device, and a tether, with the environmental engagement device suitably adapted to pass through the game animal and thereafter to engage with the environment, the retention device suitably adapted to engage with the game animal and become secured thereto, and the tether suitably adapted to attach the environmental engagement device to the retention device, the tether being suitably adapted to withstand without breaking the forces applied by the game animal to the tether in the course of attempting an escape, thereby retaining the game animal to the environmental engagement device, whereby the engagement of the environmental engagement device with the environment substantially impedes the escape of the game animal.

Abstract: An improved osteotomy guide and retraction device for use during the performance of bunionectomies, whereby the improved device provides a self-supporting instrument that does not require independent fastening means to secure the device in the desired position at the surgical site, and a method of use of the device.

Abstract: An improved structure, whereby the log structure is comprised of at least two adjacent walls mated to form a corner, with each wall constructed of logs laid horizontally upon each other, the logs alternating between protruding and nonprotruding logs, such that the ends of the protruding logs of the walls are interleaved, with the ends of the protruding logs of the first wall having notches cut from them to facilitate the mating of the first and second walls, and further comprising plugs to be inserted into the notches upon completion of assembly of the log structure, and a method for constructing same.

Abstract: An improved training bat having training assemblies affixed thereto on either side of the preferred hitting region of the bat, said assemblies constructed of a rigid, durable material which, when struck by a ball, emit a sound different from the sound emitted by the preferred hitting region of the bat when struck by the same ball, such that a batter using the improved training bat will immediately recognize by the sound made whether a ball contacted by the improved training bat was properly hit; and a method of constructing same.

Abstract: An improved hand tool for use with threaded rods, comprising a pair of partially threaded jaws whereby said partial threads of each jaw mate with the thread of the threaded rod, such that the jaws may be clamped onto either side of a threaded rod by a clamping device and simultaneously rotated, causing the threaded rod to rotate along with the jaws without damage to the thread of the threaded rod.

Abstract: An improved snow plow dolly having a low center of gravity for improved stability when supporting a snow plow, together with front and lateral support members to retain the snow plow in place during movement.

Abstract: A bed enclosure having a frame, four sidewalls, and a mattress support component suitable for supporting a bed mattress, wherein the bed enclosure is adapted to safely retain within its interior a person who may be prone to falling out of bed or who otherwise may need to be restrained therein, with the bed enclosure having component subframes that can be disassembled for ease of use and storage and sidewalls that can be removed for ease of cleaning, repair, or replacement.

Abstract: An improved locking clamp device having independently extendable jaws and interchangeable quick release clamping members, said clamping members configured in unlimited variations of shape, texture, and hardness and optionally being moveable relative to the jaws of the device. The improvements allow increased flexibility of the device over traditionally configured locking clamps with regard to use of the device with difficult work pieces and environments. The interchangeable clamping members allow a single device to be used for multiple applications, thereby making the invention a low cost and convenient alternative to multiple special purpose tools, as well as permitting quick and inexpensive replacement of wear elements.

Abstract: An improved in-building radio frequency communications system with automatic failover recovery comprising a primary external antenna and at least one ancillary external antenna, each antenna directed to a primary transmission tower and to at least one ancillary transmission tower, respectively, and a diversity site donor system capable of monitoring the strength and/or quality of the radio frequency signals received from the primary transmission tower and switching communications between the primary transmission tower and the ancillary transmission tower(s) based on the strength and/or quality of the radio frequency signals received from the primary transmission tower.

Abstract: An improved clamp device having interchangeable quick release clamping members, said clamping members being moveable relative to the jaws of the device and being magnetic so as to retain the clamp device to a ferro-metallic work piece. The improvements allow increased flexibility of the device over traditionally configured clamps with regard to use of the device with difficult work pieces and environments. The interchangeable clamping members allow a single device to be used for multiple applications, thereby making the invention a low cost and convenient alternative to multiple special purpose tools, as well as permitting quick and inexpensive replacement of wear elements.

Abstract: A multi-piece display device for the point-of-sale display of produce and other damageable items, manufactured out of a closed cell foam material and of solid construction, with each piece being a monolithic, flexible support block, whereby each of said support blocks has a top surface and is of a different size than each other support block, and with each said support block other than the smallest support block suitably adapted to support upon its top surface a smaller said support block, thereby allowing the device to be arranged into any number of configurations for the display of produce or other items. The foam construction of the device protects the items from damage while being light weight and easy to clean.

Abstract: A window mounted automatic pet door device having a pet-specific identification component whereby only authorized animals are permitted to access the pet door. The device includes an automatically operated interally sliding door to accommodate pet ingress and egress. The device is intended to solve problems inherent in the prior art by providing for installation and use of the device in a window, including upper floor windows, without significantly modifying the window unit, thereby increasing the availability of suitable installation locations and appealing to pet owners who do not wish to structurally modify their homes. It also provides a pet access platform component to give a pet a convenient structure for approaching the device.

Abstract: A removable sealing device for a standard container having a neck, which allows the container to remain sealed while it is being properly positioned with respect to a receptacle and then to be remotely unsealed after it has been properly positioned with respect to the receptacle, thereby preventing the contents of the container from spilling on or around the receptacle. A method of sealing containers involving dispensing removable membranous seals from a continuous length and attaching the seals to standard containers.

Abstract: A one piece display stand for the point-of-sale display of produce, such as bananas, manufactured out of a closed cell foam material and of solid construction, with generally flat sides and bottom and a top surface having a number of concave troughs for holding the produce. The display stand is used in a retail setting by first being placed onto a table or other means of support, and then having produce placed within the concave troughs of the top surface. The troughs hold the produce in a visually pleasing manner, while the foam construction of the stand protects the produce from damage.

Abstract: A detachable nock for use with a bow hunting arrow carrying a locating device within its hollow shaft. The detachable nock engages with the target animal and removes the locating device from the arrow shaft as the arrow passes through the target animal, thereby retaining the locating device with the animal to permit tracking. The detachable nock may be constructed with various fixed or movable retention components to accommodate the needs of a wide range of hunters. The design of the detachable nock minimizes its impact on the flight of the arrow and allows the bow hunter to use any style of hollow-shaft arrow, broadhead, and fletching.

Abstract: A vertically movable loading dock bumper device to be attached to a loading dock and interposed between the loading dock and a vehicle during the loading/unloading process, in which the vertical movement of the bumper is in concert with the vertical movement of the vehicle as the vehicle moves vertically during the loading/unloading process. The dock bumper device consists of a mount component, a bumper component, and a slide component, whereby the mount component is fixedly attached to a loading dock, the bumper component accommodates a bumper, and the slide component connects the bumper component to the mount component in a manner permitting the bumper component to move along the mount component in a vertical direction.