Abstract: A saltwater intrusion prevention system for use at an interface between a fresh water body and a saltwater body includes a water recovery subsystem for recovering fresh water from a fresh water body. A retention reservoir in fluid communication with the water recovery subsystem receives and redirects the recovered fresh water. A saltwater intrusion barrier subsystem in fluid communication with the retention reservoir is positioned at an interface of the fresh water body and the saltwater body. The saltwater intrusion barrier subsystem includes a plurality of submerged return discharge ports for vertically ejecting the recovered fresh water for providing a hydraulic mounding zone, and a fine air bubbler header for creating a mixing zone. The hydraulic mounding zone and the mixing zone increase the density of the fresh water for offsetting saltwater from the saltwater body.

Abstract: A collapsible frame for use in erecting tents, canopies and the like at outdoor venues includes a plurality of telescopic legs for providing vertical structural support, and a plurality of top corner joints each fixedly mounted upon a top end of a corresponding telescopic leg. A leg slider joint is adjustably mounted upon each telescopic leg for sliding along that telescopic leg. A truss pair of link members is mounted to a pair of top corner joints and to a corresponding pair of leg slider joints. The link members are mounted on adjacent pairs of telescopic legs for providing a scissors connector. Finally, a plurality of canopy support arms, each including a locking pivotal connector and each fixedly connected to a top corner joint and a corresponding leg slider joint, is employed for raising and lowering the collapsible frame as a stable unitary structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated and streamlined system and method for collecting, containing and processing different types of wastes which provides an economically efficient solution of treating wastes and utilizing the collected data in an operationally useful manner either or both of the waste generator and processor. The present system and method include waste containment in compliance of the laws and governmental regulations, and processing of the wastes. In one embodiment, the system and method also includes compilation and utilization of data relating to the collected and processed wastes.

Abstract: A swimming pool ladder typically utilized with a large capacity swimming pool for enabling bathers to conveniently enter and exit the pool. In its most fundamental embodiment, the swimming pool ladder includes a first ladder section connected to a second ladder section by a top platform. Each ladder section includes a pair of J-shaped side rails for providing a ladder frame. A plurality of rung anchors are mounted upon each of the side rails for supporting a plurality of rungs. Each of the rung anchors includes a load bearing flange. Further, each of the rungs includes a pair of U-shaped openings and a pair of grooves formed within the U-shaped openings for receiving and cooperating with one of the rung anchors and the corresponding load bearing flange. Finally, a plurality of retainer pins are provided for removably securing the rungs to the rung anchors.

Abstract: An inflatable flotation device for use by persons in a swimming or wading pool includes an inflatable floating chamber for providing buoyancy in water. A bottom seat is provided for supporting a person. The bottom seat includes a pair of penetrations formed therein for enabling the person to extend their legs through the bottom seat. A pair of inflatable arches are removably attached to the inflatable floating chamber, and a canopy is affixed to the inflatable arches for blocking sunlight. At least one of the inflatable arches is removable from the inflatable floating chamber for facilitating entry into and exit from the inflatable floating chamber. An alternative embodiment of the inflatable flotation device having a removable canopy exhibits a construction in which the canopy is fully detachable from the inflatable floating chamber.

Abstract: A pointer interactive apparatus for use with a computing device typically employed to identify and track the movement of a character or object of interest appearing in a video image on a monitor screen. In its most fundamental embodiment, the pointer interactive apparatus comprises a construction having a video source for providing a video image on a monitor screen. A current time code mechanism is associated with the video source for providing a current time code as a time reference on the video source. A pointer device cooperates with the current time code mechanism for identifying a specific location appearing on the video image over which the pointer device is positioned. A data storage mechanism provides stored data for comparing with the current time code and a plurality of input signals from the pointer device.

Abstract: An inflatable bed includes an inflatable mattress that is attached to the top surface of an inflatable air box spring. An inflatable, stabilizing tube is attached to the bottom of the air box spring to provide additional stability and height by increasing the footprint of the inflatable bed. The interiors of the inflatable mattress and air box spring contain a plurality of I-beam structures arranged longitudinally to provide further support and stability. Alternatively, the inflatable mattress is separate and detachable and can be fastened to the top surface of the air box spring. An additional stabilizing tube is attached to the periphery of the top surface of the air box spring to cradle and support the detachable inflatable mattress.

Abstract: A dental ring for use in installing interproximal fillings in the teeth of human patients in a dental office. In its most fundamental embodiment, the dental ring exhibits a circular ring comprised of metal which includes a gap formed in the ring for defining a first terminal end and a second terminal end. A pair of downward extending parallel flanges includes a first parallel flange extending from the first terminal end and a second parallel flange extending from the second terminal end where the parallel flanges serve to separate a decayed tooth from an adjacent tooth. Finally, a protuberance is formed onto an interior surface of one of the parallel flanges for securing a matrix foil about the decayed tooth. In an alternative embodiment, a protuberance is formed onto an interior surface of each of the first and second parallel flanges for securing a matrix foil about the decayed tooth.

Abstract: A collapsible frame for use in erecting tents, canopies and the like at outdoor venues includes a plurality of telescopic legs for providing vertical structural support, and a plurality of top corner joints each fixedly mounted upon a top end of a corresponding telescopic leg. A leg slider joint is adjustably mounted upon each telescopic leg for sliding along that telescopic leg. A truss pair of link members is mounted to a pair of top corner joints and to a corresponding pair of leg slider joints mounted on adjacent pairs of telescopic legs for providing a scissors connector. Finally, a plurality of canopy support arms each including a flexible connector, and each fixedly connected to a top corner joint and a corresponding leg slider joint, is employed for raising and lowering the collapsible frame as a stable unitary structure.

Abstract: A large capacity reinforced swimming pool for use in an above-the-ground environment includes a flexible plastic liner for containing water. The liner includes a continuous sidewall and a bottom wall bonded to the sidewall by a joining seam. The continuous sidewall is formed from a partial outer layer and a partial inner layer. An inflatable top ring is mounted to the top of the sidewall for supporting the liner in an upright position. A continuous reinforcing layer is bonded to the continuous sidewall with a first plurality of continuous reinforcing seals for reinforcing the sidewall. A second plurality of continuous reinforcing seals located at an interface between the partial outer layer and the partial inner layer of the sidewall functions to reinforce the sidewall. Each of the first and second plurality of continuous reinforcing seals includes at least two seals.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress comprises a flexible bottom layer, a top layer sealed to the bottom layer through a wall, wherein the bottom and top layers and the wall define an outer frame of the inflatable mattress, and a middle layer disposed between the top and bottom layers. The bottom surface of the middle layer is sealed to the bottom layer through a plurality of laterally disposed I-beam structures to form a lower chamber. The top surface is attached to the top layer through a plurality of X-beam structures to form an upper chamber. A peripheral edge of the middle layer may be sealed with the wall to prevent the upper and lower chambers from being in fluid communication with each other. Alternatively, the peripheral edge may be detached from the wall so that the upper and lower chambers are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: An inflatable play structure comprises at least one inflatable house defining a cavity for accommodating a child and an inflatable tunnel detachably attached to the house. The house includes two side walls and front and rear walls connected together to form a continuous wall, and support tubes placed at each corner of the two side walls and front and rear walls. The house has a first access opening and a first one flap extending from a lower portion of the wall having a pair of hook and loop fasteners. The inflatable tunnel has two arched tubes erected from and affixed to a bottom wall defining a first opening and a second opening. The tunnel includes at least one open window and a second flap extending along the bottom wall and having a pair of hook and loop fasteners aligned with corresponding hook and loop fasteners of the house.