Abstract: A current controller for controlling an input current carried by a primary conductor. The current controller has a gapped core of magnetic material magnetically coupled to the primary conductor, as for example by the primary conductor being wound around the core. A secondary conductor is magnetically coupled to the core of magnetic material in an opposite manner to the primary conductor such that current flowing in the secondary conductor generates a second magnetic field in the core opposed to the first magnetic field. A Hall effect latch is located in the air gap and has output voltage corresponding to a hysteresis function of the difference in the first and second magnetic fields.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a hydraulic/pneumatic post driver is described. The post driver has a hammer and a guide for directing the hammer from a raised release position along a substantially vertical downward impact path. A hydraulically or pneumatically actuated fluid expandable cylinder is disposed above the hammer and has a telescopically extendible piston for lifting the hammer to the raised release position. The improvement includes one of the piston and the hammer having a female member with inwardly directed gripping dogs. The other of the piston and the hammer has a male member with outwardly directed gripping rollers. One of the inwardly directed gripping dogs and the outwardly directed gripping rollers is spring biased to maintain engagement between the dogs and rollers. A triggering mechanism is provided on the guide to overcome the biasing force of the spring to disengage the dogs and the rollers when the hammer reaches the raised release position.

Abstract: A mobile crushing plant is described which was developed for processing concrete or masonry waste and includes a trailer with a primary crusher mounted on the trailer. The crusher has an inlet and an outlet. A screening assembly is mounted on the trailer. The screening assembly has a screen disposed at an angle such that pieces of waste material too large to pass through the screen roll down the angled screen to a drop off area. A first conveyor extends from the outlet of the primary crusher to above the screen, whereby crushed pieces of waste material exiting through the outlet of the primary crusher are conveyed to the screen. A second conveyor extends from the drop off area adjacent the screen to the inlet of the primary crusher, whereby pieces of waste material too large to pass through the screen are reprocessed through the primary crusher.

Abstract: A paint trimming apparatus is described which includes a body and a pad removably secured to the body. The pad has a top, a bottom and an edge angled outwardly from the top toward the bottom. The edge is covered with a liquid impermeable membrane. A guide support is pivotally secured to the body and moveable between a first position covering the impermeable membrane and a second position spaced from the pad. A guide blade is removably secured to the guide support. A handle is secured to the body. The paint trimming apparatus, as described, reduces the frequency of fouling and is easier to clean when fouled by paint.

Abstract: An improved article mounting assembly for a vehicle mounted carrier is described. This particular style of vehicle mounted carrier has an upright primary support member with a bottom end adapted for attachment to a square tube trailer hitch on a vehicle and a top end having means to secure articles to the primary support member. The improvement includes a tubular primary upright support member having a top end, a bottom end and an interior bore. A lower mounting member is provided having a first portion and a tubular second portion. The first portion has article receiving depressions. The second portion has having an interior bore that telescopically receives the top end of the primary support member. A stop is provided to limit the relative telescopic movement of the tubular second portion of the lower mounting member and the primary support member. An upper mounting member is provided having a first portion and a second portion.

Abstract: A teaching aid for spinal mobilization and manipulation therapy is described which includes a first support on which is mounted a spinal model. A second support underlies the first support. A third support underlies the second support. The third support has a cavity into which the second support is telescopically received. Telescopic movement of the second support relative to the third support occurs when a force is applied to the first support. A load sensor is disposed between the first support and the second support whereby a force with which the first support is pressed toward the second support is measured. A plurality of springs are disposed between the second support and the third support to provide resistance to telescopic movement of the second support relative to the third support. A displacement sensor is secured between the second support and the third support whereby the displacement of the second support relative to the third support is measured.

Abstract: A retrieval system for a range animal injection apparatus is described. The retrieval system includes a valve positioned between a syringe and a needle. In an open position there is a free flow of liquids from a syringe to the needle. In the closed position flow is precluded. A contact member is movable axially in relation to the needle between a first end and a second end. A rigid coupling couples the movement of the contact member and a valve member. The valve is in a closed position when the contact member is positioned adjacent the second end of the needle. The valve is in an open position when the contact member is positioned adjacent the first end of the needle. When the second end of the needle enters a hide of an animal the contact member is pushed toward the first end of the needle by the hide of the animal forcing the valve into the open position.

Abstract: A method of connecting a down spout extension to an eave trough down spout. Firstly, pivotally connect a down spout extension to a lowermost end of an eave trough down spout such that the down spout extension is movable between a substantially vertical stored position and a substantially horizontal operative position. Secondly, position a spring at the connection of the down spout extension and the eave trough down spout biasing the down spout extension into the stored position. The spring tension is set such that a flow of water through the down spout provides a force to overcome the biasing force of the spring thereby moving the down spout extension to the operative position.

Abstract: A method for Refuse Disposal in Solution-Mined Salt Cavities is described. Firstly, crush municipal refuse to a particulate size of less than one inch. Secondly, compact a mixture of particulate refuse and brine into cakes less than one inch in thickness at densities in excess of 77 pounds per cubic foot. Thirdly, mix the cakes with brine to form a slurry with a minimum volume ratio of 2 portions brine to 1 portion cakes. Fourthly, inject the slurry into a brine filled salt cavity, whereby the cakes, being denser than the brine, settle to the bottom of the salt cavity.

Abstract: A brake light configuration for a truck having an engine brake is described which includes the engine brake, a pedal activated brake, a power source and brake lights. A first circuit connects the power source and the pedal activated brake to the brake lights such that the brake lights are illuminated with power from the power source upon the brake activated brake being activated. A second circuit connects the power source and the engine brake to the brake lights such that the brake lights are illuminated with power from the power source upon operation of the engine brake. This system is intended to prevent accidents occurring in which motor vehicles drive into the rear end of trucks that have slowed down using their engine brake.

Abstract: A method of preventing a back flow of oral contaminants in a low volume suction line of a dental saliva ejector is described. This method consists of the single step of placing a vacuum release aperture through a tubular sidewall of a saliva ejector tip. The aperture is spaced from a mouthpiece of the saliva ejector tip such that when the mouthpiece is inserted into a patient's mouth, the patient's mouth will not block the aperture.

Abstract: A two stage rotary vaned internal combustion engine using cylindrical rotors that spin inside a pair of specially shaped chambers with extendable vanes that seal the space between the spinning rotor and the stationary chamber each rotor and chamber form a plurality of compression spaces connected by valves to combustion/expansion chambers the intake flow runs along the axis of the rotors and is partially pressurized before being directed into the compression chamber where further compression takes place and compressed air is then directed through the valve body into the combustion chamber where ignition and expansion take place causing the rotor to rotate exhaust takes place simultaneously with the next ignition and expansion process. This process takes place at the same time in all chambers. This engine will operate on gasoline and alternative fuels.

Abstract: A measuring tool includes a primary body having an elongate rectangular primary ruler with a primary protractor at one end describing a segment of a circle. A secondary body is provided having a pair of parallel spaced members. Each of the parallel spaced members has an elongate rectangular secondary ruler with a secondary protractor at one end describing a segment of a circle. The secondary body is pivotally connected to the primary body such that the primary body is positioned between the parallel spaced members of the secondary body with the secondary rulers overlying the primary ruler and the secondary protractors overlying the primary protractor. The measuring tool, as described, combines in a single tool functions which would normally require multiple tools.

Abstract: A power driven wheel chair is described which includes a rear wheel support frame and at least two ground engaging rear wheels mounted in spaced relation to opposed sides of the rear wheel support frame. A front wheel support frame is pivotally secured to the rear wheel support frame for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis. At least two ground engaging front wheels are mounted in spaced relation to opposed sides of the front wheel support frame. A drive motor provides motive force to at least one wheel of one of the pairs of at least two ground engaging wheels. A chair is mounted on one of the rear wheel support frame and the front wheel support frame. The wheel chair, as described, has added stability as relative pivoting of the rear wheel support frame and the front wheel support frame maintains the wheels in contact the ground at all times.

Abstract: A backwater valve is described which includes a liquid retaining body having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, opposed sides and an inner chamber. A first flow conduit extends through one of the top of the body and the first end adjacent the top of the body and protrudes into the inner chamber. A second flow conduit extends from the inner chamber through the second end adjacent the bottom of the body and protrudes past the second end. An annular seal is positioned on an annular peripheral edge of the first flow conduit which protrudes into the inner chamber. A plate is pivotally mounted to the body. The plate having a wear resistant lubricious first face, a second face, a first end and a second end. The first end underlies the first flow conduit. The first face extends past the first flow conduit thereby serving as a spillway for liquids flowing through the first flow conduit. The plate is pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon deposit overlying an aquifer, including injecting a hydrocarbon solvent in the vapour phase into the aquifer to mobilize hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon deposit; and producing mobilized hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon deposit. Mobilized hydrocarbons are produced from the aquifer, and the hydrocarbon solvent is injected along one or more predominantly horizontal injection wells in the aquifer that are spaced from and alternate with the production well or wells. The hydrocarbon solvent is a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, butane.

Abstract: A gantry-style apparatus for positioning a working member with respect to plurality of "X" and "Y" coordinate positions is described which includes a pair of parallel spaced apart "X" support members defining a plurality of "X" coordinate positions and a "Y" support member defining a plurality of "Y" coordinate positions. The "Y" support member extends transversely across the "X" support members and has a first end, a second end and a mid-point between the first end and a second end. A center-pull "X" drive system is provided for moving the "Y" support member axially along the "X" support members. A working member mounting is movably secured to the "Y" support member. A "Y" drive system is provided for moving the working member mounting axially along the "Y" support member.

Abstract: A vacuum hose storage and access apparatus for a central vacuum cleaning system is described, which includes a power unit. A 12 volt direct current retraction motor powered by the power unit is mounted on a base and has an output shaft. A gear reduction unit is provided having an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is rotatably coupled to the output shaft of the motor. A clutch is disposed between the output shaft of the gear reduction unit and a vacuum hose reel. The clutch has an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the disengaged positioned the reel is freely rotatable thereby enabling vacuum hose to be freely pulled from the reel. In the engaged position the reel is indirectly coupled through the gear reduction unit to the output shaft of the motor such that upon rotation of the output shaft of the motor the output shaft of the gear reduction unit rotates the reel at a reduced rate of rotations per minute in a direction which retracts the vacuum hose back onto the reel.

Abstract: A boot binding system for a snowboard includes a rigid heel support adapted for attachment to a heel of a boot. The heel support has a protruding member. A rigid ankle support is provided which is adapted for attachment along a rear spine of a boot. The ankle support is pivotally secured to the heel support, such that the ankle support pivots laterally, and flexes forwardly, while providing rigid support rearwardly. A heel binding is provided having an overlay member which overlays the protruding member thereby preventing the heel of the boot from being raised. A toe binding is provided which is adapted to secure a toe of a boot to a snowboard thereby preventing the protruding member from being moved relative to the overlay member.