Abstract: A vertical underground stump grinding apparatus having an elongated stump grinding tool rotatable about a vertical axis with cutting blades on the surface and a drilling end rotatably mounted on a vehicle such as a hydraulic excavator, skid steer loader, self propelled vehicle, or tow behind trailer which provide adequate power to rotate the tool and directional support to provide vertical movement into the ground adjacent the stump, transverse movement underground toward and in grinding engagement with the sides of the stump and removal by lifting out of the ground after the stump is ground away.

Abstract: This invention is a device for translatably positioning a patient along a bed. The device has a motor connected to a series of pulleys. A corresponding series of straps are attached at one end to a respective pulley and at the other end to a bed sheet. As the pulleys are rotated by operation of the motor, each strap is wound around its respective pulley thereby causing the associated sheet to be drawn in the general direction of the pulleys. The device may be operated by the patient or a caregiver and the device contains a safety mechanism that prevents the pulleys from pulling the associated bed sheet completely into the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the components of the device are received onto a portable, adjustable frame that permits the device to be transported to a number of different beds and used with beds of differing sizes.

Abstract: A piering member includes a generally tubular body that has a flarable end so that when the piering member is inserted into the ground, the flarable end of the piering member can be flared outward to increase the area of support for the foundation that rests upon the piering members. The flarable pier includes slits formed in the body to allow a flaring member to force the segments of body, formed by the slits, outward. The flaring member may be inserted from the top of the piering member or may include a conically shaped flaring member inserted into the bottom of the pier.

Abstract: A system support assembly comprises a pair of substantially parallel footer forms, insulated concrete forms, footer form base saddles, a poly form saddle assembly and first and second vertical stabilizers. The footer form base saddle may be generally u-shaped and is driven into the ground forming two substantially parallel areas. Each footer form is placed within the row formed by the footer form base saddles such that a cavity is defined therebetween which will ultimately form the footer of the foundation. The poly form saddle assembly comprises a poly form saddle and fasteners. The poly form saddle may also be generally u-shaped and is placed over both footer forms, thus straddling the same. The poly form saddle may then be secured with corresponding fasteners. The insulated concrete forms are placed side by side and are stacked upward, such that a wall is formed. A first poly form vertical stabilizer is placed over the wall and operatively connected to the footer form base saddle.

Abstract: A system support assembly comprises a pair of substantially parallel footer forms, insulated concrete forms, footer form base saddles, a poly form saddle assembly and first and second vertical stabilizers. The footer form base saddle may be generally u-shaped and is driven into the ground forming two substantially parallel areas. Each footer form is placed within the row formed by the footer form base saddles such that a cavity is defined therebetween which will ultimately form the footer of the foundation. The poly form saddle assemble comprises a poly form saddle and fasteners. The poly form saddle may also be generally u-shaped and is placed over both footer forms, thus straddling the same. The poly form saddle may then be secured with corresponding fasteners. The insulated concrete forms are placed side by side and are stacked upward, such that a wall is formed. A first poly form vertical stabilizer is placed over the wall and operatively connected to the footer form base saddle.

Abstract: A jack (90) typically mounted in an aircraft seat is adapted for use with a variety of headset types. A jack has sockets (92, 93, 94) accepting any of several different types of plugs associated with different types of noise cancellation headsets or aviation industry headsets including one, two, or three pin types. The jack includes sensing components to correctly detect from the number of pins inserted, and the impedance and/or voltages sensed on those pins, the type of headset being used.

Abstract: Electrode and nozzle that seat within a retaining member and in two different seating locations relative to retaining member. The electrode and nozzle each include an interwoven-double-start thread having two thread cuts, which start 180 degrees from one another as measured around the circumference of the electrode or nozzle. Further, the electrode, nozzle, and retaining member include mating frustum surfaces, which are configured and dimensioned so that the electrode and nozzle seat within the retaining member with less than one turn of the electrode and nozzle relative to the retaining member. Therefore, the electrode and nozzle may be quickly inserted in, and removed from, the retaining member.

Abstract: A protective headgear, such as a baseball catcher's mask, is disclosed. The protective headgear includes a shell, a cage, padding, and a strap/harness device. The shell includes a flared jaw area providing protection to the player/wearer's jaw. The cage includes a throat protection portion that extends downward, past the shell, and a flared ear portion, flaring away from the wearer's face, which keeps balls in front of the player/wearer. Padding is strategically placed inside the chin and forehead areas for protection. The protective headgear is designed to be used with a separate catcher's skull helmet. The strap/harness device is used to connect the protective headgear to the separate catcher's skull helmet.

Abstract: A new and improved waste oil management system is described herein. A remote storage tank, with a control panel and a pumping mechanism is connected to a fryer via metal tubing. The used oil is pumped from the fryer directly to the storage tank. In another embodiment of the system, a storage caddy, equipped with a filtration system, is used to transport the used oil from the fryer to the storage tank.

Abstract: A tire press has an upper mold fixedly attached to a top plate. A bottom mold is fixedly attached to a bottom plate. The tire press has a plurality of guide posts adapted to maintain proper alignment of the upper mold and the lower mold as the tire press opens and closes. A plurality of lock rods, which are independent of the guide posts, are positioned about the tire press. Each of the lock rods has a first end and a second end. The lock rods may have an adjustment mechanism positioned on the first end of the lock rods to adjust the various mold heights. Locking means are a part of the tire press, which are adapted to selectively engage the second end of the lock rods. Further, each of the lock rods has cylinder mechanism operatively connected to the locking means. The cylinder mechanism is adapted to force the locking means to the surface of the lock rods. The cylinder mechanism is a hydraulic cylinder having the piston disposed within the chamber.

Abstract: A home exercise device is of greater value when it is capable of multiple functions and can be easily stored when not in use. Lightweight springs are used in place of heavy weight plates to reduce shipping costs and simplify storage. The device also includes a frame that supports a base, providing linear movement of the base relative to the frame. A bar, with spring tension, is coupled to a multi-position lock. This allows the bar to be positioned in a variety of locations relative to the frame and the user, thereby providing a variety of exercises. A head portion is also provided that includes a torsion spring. This spring can be engaged or disengaged from the frame to allow the user to provide spring tension to resist movement of the head portion. The diversity of movable components offers a vast variety of exercises that can be performed on the unit as well as enabling the unit to fold down for storage when not in use.

Abstract: A personal lift aid for lifting and lowering ambulatory patients and other individuals by unassisted and assisted means. The invention device comprises of a stanchion assembly having a palm grip to an upper end thereof; three adjustable hand grips located below said palm grip; and a (step-on) anchor pad located at the lower end of the device to anchor the personal lift aid to the floor or ground during lifting and lowering of individuals. Methods of moving a person with the aid of the personal lift aid include methods of a caregiver assisting the person; methods of unaided moving by the person, and methods of traversing stairs.

Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a central portion. A first airflow enhancing device (“AED”) is positioned, by being molded onto or operationally attached to, the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes a central portion, which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable spindle when the first AED is positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes at least one fan blade projection outwardly extending from the periphery of the central portion of the first AED. The fan blade projection facilitates the movement of debris directly or indirectly from the first end of the rotatable spindle toward the central portion of the rotatable spindle. A second AED device may be positioned on the second end of the rotatable spindle, wherein the second AED has similar structure to and attaches in similar fashion as the first AED.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses associated with measuring and profile tools utilized in crafts, particularly in the design of quilts. More specifically, the invention provides an improved measuring tool that incorporates a variety of undulating profiles and is useful in the construction of quilts of other items of craftsmanship that incorporate non-linear, undulating, curving or wavy profiles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a mold having a wall with a recess defined therein and magnetic means, wherein an associated insert is adapted to be selectively held within the recess via the magnetic means, such that the insert is substantially flush with the wall. Using the magnetic inserts in both the upper and lower mold halves results in a tire identification number being imprinted on both sides of a tire during a curing cycle. The inserts are easily and quickly changed so that down time during production is minimized, tire appearance is improved, and eliminates tire scrap.

Abstract: A mold for sequentially curing sections of a belt includes two end zones, a center zone, and transition zones between each end zone and the center zone. The mold is heated and/or cooled by heat transfer fluid flowing from intake manifolds through heat transfer cavities. The intake manifolds are preferably arranged perpendicular to the mold length. In the end zones and in the center zone, the heat transfer cavities are arranged substantially parallel to the length of the mold. The arrangement of the heat transfer cavities provides for a more controlled cure of the belt by allowing the center zone to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the center zone while allowing a cooler consistent temperature to be maintained in the end zones. The transition zones allow a steep temperature gradient from the cooler end zones to the hotter center zone. Heat transfer rates are adjustable without modification to the body of the mold.