Abstract: The present invention is a metal memorial marker and a method of making the same. The invented marker is made of metal, preferably ⅛″ to ½″ thick, preferably with steel-chromium alloys, such as stainless steel, or a non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, brass, bronze, or copper. The present invention is created by taking a plate of the metal and making markings upon one of the surfaces of the plate, said markings denoting a decoration. A computer could be used to guide the cutting equipment by following a preprogrammed template, and as such markings upon one of the surfaces of the plate would not necessarily be necessary. A plasma cutting torch, laser torch or other cutting equipment is then used to make cuts along the markings made on the surface of the plate. Cutting the plate in such a manner results in the creation of openings through the plate, said openings when viewed together forming a decorative pattern.

Abstract: The present portable exterminating apparatus uses an ignite charge of gas to produce both concussion and heat within the burrow of a rodent, along with residual toxic fumes, all contributing to rodent extermination. The apparatus includes a barrel, an injection control assembly, an ignition system, and a safety system including a pressure sensor and preferably a check valve. The mixing chamber of the apparatus mixes a flammable gas, such as propane, with oxygen, preferably from a bottled oxygen source, at a desired ratio. The barrel nozzle is placed into the burrow opening, and the flammable mixture is discharged into the burrow, and subsequently ignited. The ignition system including a battery, an ignition switch, and an improved ignition component inducing arcing across a pair of electrodes located within the nozzle of the barrel. The ignition switch is preferably located near the discharge valve for one-hand operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invented fluffer is a retractable hay and bean agricultural design for use in fluffing hay, bean and other crops. The retractable fluffer comprises: a pickup assembly 40 for fluffing hay or beans, the pickup assembly 40 is attached to and supported by a pickup frame 30, the pickup frame 30 is pivotally attached to a hitch attachment assembly 50 at a pair of pivots, the hitch attachment assembly 50 attaches to a standard three-point hitch located on the rear of a tractor 200. Preferably, a gauge wheel assembly 60 is attached to the pickup frame 30 for assisting in holding the pickup frame 30 above the surface of the ground.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and a method of raising a manhole ring during construction or repair of roads are shown and described. The apparatus and method include formation of a manhole collar by use of a form that rests on a manhole cone and trimming the form to have its top edge at the correct elevation and orientation to properly receive the manhole ring. After the manhole ring is received on the form, a single monolithic pour of concrete creates a concrete collar that fills and seals the vertical space between the manhole cone and ring and the manhole ring is thus secured and sealed at the proper elevation that results in the manhole ring and its cover being level with the surrounding pavement. The apparatus includes an accurate custom-trimming assembly indexed off of the pavement surface for trimming the form to the proper dimensions for the particular site.

Abstract: The present invention is a walk-behind power unit stabilizing system for use on portable trenchers and other equipment. The preferred application comprises a retractable wheel assembly mounted at the rear of a trencher where the invented device is allowed to be maneuvered by the user from a lower, stabilization position to an upper, transport position. The device has a handle that allows the user to move the device from the upper, transport position to the lower, stabilized position, and vice versa, easily by raising and lowering the handle, either by hand or by moving the handle up or down using the user's foot. Some of the main benefits of the invented device include: ease of use; a reduction in the physical labor required to operate a trencher; stability; the ability to more consistently control the depth at which the trench is dug; an increased ability to traverse perpendicular trenches; increased force exerted on the boom when inserting the boom into the ground; and trench straightening.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to a portable, fold-up hoist for attachment to a vehicle via a receiver hitch. The hoist has a tongue member for insertion into and securement by the hitch. Pivotally connected to the tongue member is a telescoping vertical support member. On the upper end of the vertical support member is a boom arm, which is both pivotally and swivelably connected to the vertical support member. Thus, the boom arm may be supported perpendicular to the vertical member and swivel around the vertical support member, for example, to move directly above the tongue and to move to be parallel but opposing the tongue. The boom arm may pivot down to be near and generally parallel to the vertical support member for storage. The vertical support member is pivotal on its proximal end from a first (storage) position generally parallel to the tongue member to a second (use) position generally perpendicular to the tongue member.

Abstract: In the method of this invention, a radioactive isotope, for example, U.sup.238, is placed within a region. High-energy electrons or high-energy photons in the form of X-rays, gamma rays, or laser excitation are applied to the region. This energy is absorbed by the nucleus of the isotope, placing the nucleus in an excited state. Upon relaxation, the nucleus ejects a neutron, or neutrons, through the gamma-neutron reaction, resulting in a product isotope, namely U.sup.235.

Abstract: Embodiments of a stairway or walkway handrail construction tool are shown and described, each embodiment comprising a frame of four outer members. The members are pivotally joined at or near each end and can thus be moved to form a square or rectangle and variously-angled parallelograms. Whether used on sloping stairs or flat floors, the top and bottom members of the tool will be parallel to each other and to the corresponding stair slope or floor. Thus, the invention may be placed temporarily in the subject location, it may be adjusted up or down according to taste or other criteria to chose a particular configuration for the prospective rail, and then the inventive device may be used to mark, align, plan, and/or visualize the layout of the railing or other feature for its construction. The preferred tool may be fully collapsed to a nearly-flat configuration, to make it very portable and amenable to transport within a case such as a carpenter's level case.

Abstract: The present invention is a power cell for directly converting ionizing radiation into electrical energy. The invented isotopic electric converter provides an electrical power source that includes an electronegative material layered in a semiconductor, to form a first region that has a high density of conduction electrons, and an electropositive material also layered in the semiconductor material to form a second region with a high density of holes. Said N-layers region and P-layers region are separated by a neutral zone of semiconductor material doped with a radioactive isotope, such as, but not limited to, tritium. No junction is formed between the N and P layers regions. Rather, the potential gradient across the neutral zone is provided by the difference between the work functions of the electronegative and electropositive electrodes. Electrical contacts are affixed to the respective regions of the first and second type conductivity which become the anode and cathode of the cell, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing litter from being scattered upon the floor outside the litter box and beyond, whether strewn by the cat during or after using the litter box, or by the owner when cleaning the litter box. The present invention comprises an enclosure having a front side, a left side, a right side and a base. The present invention is designed to encourage the cat to step out of a litter box and into a tracked litter receptacle for collecting tracked litter. The front side has a portal allowing a cat to step into the invented apparatus. The present invention is further designed to corral not only litter tracked on the bottom of the cats paws, but litter tossed, flipped and spilled out of the litter box.

Abstract: A phase shifter/modulator which provides linear phase control of a microwave continuous wave carrier signal. Linear phase shift range in excess of 360 degrees is provided as a result of linear variation in control voltage. A reference signal, at a subharmonic of the output carrier signal frequency, is injected into a highly linear fractional range reflection type phase shifter. This fractional phase modulated signal is input to a field effect transistor (FET) based frequency/phase multiplier. The frequency/phase multiplier translates the subharmonic reference signal to the desired output carrier frequency with the full 360 degree phase shift range imposed on the output carrier signal.

Abstract: A frame that folds to a compact, folded, generally flat shape, and that unfolds to an A-frame with spool-receiving bars hung preferably on both the front side frame and back side frame of the A-frame. The spool-receiving bars are removably received in the cradle spaces of open-topped brackets that extend from the frames. Preferably, no connection is made between the A-frame and the bar or spools, except that the bar rests securely in the brackets due to gravity. Each bar has at least one, and preferably only one, set of radial plates near one end. The plates are spaced to abut the sides of the bracket and/or the side surfaces of the preferred square tubing of the frame legs, so that the plates prevent axial movement of the bar so that the bar ends do not slide or fall out of the brackets. The plates may be sized to also act as a retainer for holding the spools from falling off of that end of the bar when the bar-spool unit is being removed from the caddy and transported or otherwise handled.

Abstract: A motorized wrench for spinning together (or apart) lengths of drill pipe as typically used in water well drilling. A single motor is connected by a pair of drive chains to two toothed drive rollers to spin the rollers and, thus, spin drill pipe engaged against them. The pipe is so engaged by means of a smooth idler roller within a pivot arm driven open or closed by an air ram. The invention is typically supported via light wire cable from a drill rig mast and when so supported is fast and easy to place, operate, and remove. The preferred configuration of the device operates on hydraulic power and compressed air, both of which are normally present on drill rigs.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vision aid video magnification system for low-vision persons are shown and described. The system includes a balanced arm with a first portion that swivels on a base, a second portion connected to the enclosed camera, and an elbow between the first and second portions. The elbow includes a sliding spring fulcrum which enhances the smooth movement of the second arm portion and camera. The first arm portion includes an inner spring between arm tubes that helps eliminate the dead area that may be otherwise present in balanced arms. Other improvements include a flexible camera mount that preferably swivels relative to the arm, and a mirror attachment for personal care and other use. The vision aid video magnification system allows enhanced, smooth movement and versatility.

Abstract: The invention is a sturdy shield with a generally U-shaped curved piece adapted to fit for several inches along the underside/little finger side/ulna side of the wrist. Near the middle of the U-shaped curved piece is a generally perpendicular ridge, or striking edge, depending vertically between about 1/4" and 3/4", and extending horizontally between about 2" and 6" along the length of the wrist. The U-shaped curved piece is secured to the wrist by any sturdy conventional means, for example, by an adjustable strapping means which passes over the top side/thumb side/radius side of the wrist. A shorter, wristwatch style is envisioned, as well as a longer, forearm length version.

Abstract: Embodiments of an punch machine and a quick-change die assembly are shown and described. The die assembly may be quickly installed and removed from the punch machine, without bolting or unbolting of either machine housing or the die assembly itself. The die assembly is slid into the machine through a hole in the machine housing and into a position which mates part of the die assembly with the push-bar. A clamp, with a handle outside the machine, is then pivoted against the die assembly. The push-bar is adapted to be self-supporting without being bolted to the die assembly, keeping the push-bar in place without manual adjustment and alignment. The die assembly preferably includes a die, pin retainer, and punch pins, and does not require additional structure to secure the pins to the retainer or to connect the die and retainer, but may include a connection system and a pin strap as options.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fence clip installing tool and methods of using it are described. The preferred tool uses a stack of connected fence clips which are loaded in advance for semi-automatic multiple clip installations. Upon actuation, the tool places the simple, pre-shaped clip partially around the fence post, and then bends the clip ends around the wire that runs through the tool and laterally past the fence post. Thus, the clip extends around the back and two sides of the post and surrounds and grips the wire tightly on either side of the post to hold it securely against the front side of the post. The tool quickens the process of clip installation, lessens handling of clips, and results in more uniform installation, with the two clip ends extending in parallel vertical planes around the wire on either side of the post.

Abstract: A tree trunk restraint collar for supporting young or transplanted trees or restraining established trees to a desired position. The preferred round collar is flexible and split at one place so that it may be twisted apart to be installed around the trunk. Thus placed, it is allowed to reform to its natural, circular shape. Some form of cord or wire is then looped through collar eyelets and around the outside middle of the collar, to secure the collar within its closed and circular condition at the one end of the cord and to secure the collar to support posts at the other end. The ring fits loosely around the trunk to allow growth and flow of natural fluids within the trunk. At the same time the ring guides and restrains the tree when forces such as wind, gravity, or the attraction of sunlight are exerted upon it. The device is economical to make and install and is effective in its function.

Abstract: The present invention is an outdoor cooking rack apparatus. The invented outdoor cooking rack apparatus comprises a grooved support post for support of cooking platforms, and a cooking platform for supporting a pot, grill or other device over a campfire. Additionally, the invented apparatus may also comprise a kettle hook attached to the apparatus for holding a kettle or other pot over a campfire. The cooking platforms contain a leveling bend in their attachment arm allowing them to hold pots and other utensils in a level position.