Abstract: A pressure regulator having a conduit with a plurality of adjustable valves inserted reversibly into the conduit. The valves are aligned along the axis of water flow. The interior of the conduit is divided into an inlet chamber and outlet chamber by a septum. The valves are inserted into the inlet chamber, and valve seats protrude through holes in the septum into the outlet chamber, thereby sealing the inlet chamber from the outlet chamber. Fluid flows into the conduit, into the inlet chamber, through the open valve, into the outlet chamber, and then flows out of the conduit. The valves regulate fluid pressure in the outlet chamber. The degree of pressure regulation can be adjusted for each valve by turning pressure adjustment knobs on the top of the valves to produce precise regulation of pressure and fluid flow. A conduit plug can replace a valve in the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and processes for preparing metallic ions for deposition on and/or into conductive substrates, such as metals, to substantially eliminate friction from metal to metal contact. It is used in the aqueous embodiment to form new metal surfaces on all metal substrates. The processes form stable aqueous solutions of metal and metalloid ions that can be adsorbed or absorbed on and/or into conductive substrates. The aqueous solutions consist of ammonium alkali metal phosphate salts, and/or ammonium alkali metal sulfate salts mixed with a water soluble metal or metalloid salt from Group I through Group VIII of the periodic table of elements. The aqueous solutions allow for a nano deposition of the metal ions on and/or into the surfaces of conductive substrates. The surfaces created by the deposited metal ions will provide metal passivation and substantially eliminate friction in metal-to-metal contact without the use of hydrocarbon based lubricants.

Abstract: An cylindrical hollow anti-backflow insert that can rapidly retrofit a fire hydrant to prevent a forced liquid inflow into the fire hydrant after simple insertion of the insert into the outflow nozzles of a fire hydrant. A curved anti-backflow flap having a hinge at one end and an inflow fin at an opposite end is positioned within the insert. Outflow of water from the fire hydrant will cause the flap to rotate upwards, at which point the inflow fin protrudes into the interior of the insert sufficiently to catch any forced liquid inflow stream which will force the flap downward towards a curved flap seal. The curved flap seal reversibly engages the perimeter of the flap, thereby reversibly closing the rear end of the insert and preventing the forced inflow of liquid into the fire hydrant.

Abstract: A wire saw assembly having a slide frame, support frames, a tensioning carriage, and a diamond wire cutting saw. The slide frame has a mounting plate attached slidably to mounting plate rails. The mounting plate engages a lead screw so that rotation of the lead screw moves the mounting plate along the mounting plate rails towards or away from a work piece. Two support frames are attached to the mounting plate. Each support frame has two drive wheels and a hydraulic motor for each drive wheel. A hydraulic fluid flow divider distributes hydraulic fluid evenly to each hydraulic motor so that the drive wheels operate in unison. The tensioning carriage has a slide plate with an idler pulley attached slidably to the slide plate rails. The slide plate engages a threaded rod so that rotation of the threaded rod moves the slide plate and idler pulley along the slide plate rails to increase or decrease the tension in the wire saw.

Abstract: An improved disposable pin site wound protection system for covering the entry or exit site of a surgical pin, wherein the system substantially reduces the time required to change a dressing at a pin site wound. The invention comprises a sponge (11) and clip (21), both of which are designed to be attached to a pin (15) adjacent a wound. The clip (21), when compressed, crosses the legs (23, 25) of the clip and when released will attach to the full-range of external fixation pins and wires. This reverse action of the clip, opening when compressed and closing when released, is a self-closing and self-holding clip that can be applied and removed with one hand. The sponge (11) is preferably cylindrical or hemispherical in shape, and may include a spiral cut (12) to resist accidental displacement from the pin.

Abstract: A detachable, trackable arrow nock, comprising a proximal end for detachably coupling to a hollow distal end of an arrow shaft, a distal end for receiving a bow string, a plurality of fins for engaging the hide of an animal to prevent the nock from penetrating the hide, an electronic tracking device, and an anchor tethered to the nock, wherein the anchor is positioned within the hollow distal end of the arrow shaft when the proximal end of the nock is coupled to the distal end of the arrow shaft. As the arrow shaft moves through the animal, the nock is operable to detach from the arrow shaft when the fins engage the hide of the animal and the anchor is operable to engage internal tissues of the animal to secure the nock to the animal.

Abstract: A system for the electrical agglomeration of particles in a fluid using a plurality of electrically charged panels, such as electrets, metal panels, or any conductive material, positioned in series perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid. The panels are about 20% to 80% open to the flow of fluid. The panels produce agglomerates of increasing size and number from the particles in a fluid as the fluid flows through each of the panels. The panels have an electrical charge of about 5,000 to 12,000 volts with amperage about 0.001 amps to 100 amps. Agglomerates are trapped by downstream capture media.

Abstract: A wall forming system utilizing flowable construction materials, such as concrete, to construct walls. The wall forming system comprises a wall forming assembly and a method of using the wall forming assembly to form a wall having an exterior surface. The wall forming assembly comprises an exterior first panel having a plurality of openings therethrough and a second panel. The first and second panels are spaced apart so that a cavity is formed therebetween for receiving the flowable construction material. The flowable construction material will flow through the openings in the exterior panel and extend beyond an external surface of the exterior panel. The flowable construction material that extends beyond the external surface can be shaped to form various surface designs. The exterior panel and the flowable construction material become a substantially monolithic structure when the flowable construction material is set.

Abstract: The hair curling kit of the present invention preferably comprises a first parting device, a second parting device, and respective first, second, and third types of conventional hair rollers to facilitate the curling of hair for a myriad of hairstyles. The parting devices are designed to uniformly and quickly part a section of hair that corresponds to a respective type of hair roller included in the hair curling kit. The parting of hair is accomplished with a single passage of the parting device along the roots of the hair and scalp without requiring a second parting that is customary with conventional combs. The segregated hair is engaged to conventional hair rollers included with the hair curling kit in order to curl hair for a myriad of hairstyles. The parting devices can alternatively include integral elements that facilitate the combing and/or picking of hair with a single implement.

Abstract: A split ring restraint device having dual pipe size capability for securing the connection between adjacent pipes in water piping systems to prevent leakage or failure of the pipe connection. The restraint device comprises an interlocking, stepped joining interface that can be assembled in one orientation to fit a pipe having a first outside diameter and assembled in another orientation to fit a pipe having a second outside diameter. The restraint device can be used without modification on pipes having different outside diameters. The restraint device can be installed more rapidly than current state-of-the art split ring restraint devices.

Abstract: A cargo carrier having a U-shaped hitch sleeve on its bottom and legs with wheels on its sides. A hitch shaft is inserted into a trailer hitch on a vehicle and the U-shaped hitch sleeve fits over the hitch shaft. The legs have an internal screw type jack mechanism to raise and lower the cargo carrier to place the U-shaped hitch sleeve above and over the hitch shaft, and to raise the legs so that the vehicle can transport the cargo carrier on the hitch shaft without having to remove the legs. The wheels allow the cargo carrier to be portable when not connected to the vehicle. They also allow the U-shaped hitch sleeve to be aligned above the hitch shaft to permit lowering the U-shaped hitch sleeve down over the hitch shaft for the insertion of bolts through the U-shaped hitch sleeve and hitch shaft, thereby fastening the cargo carrier to the hitch shaft.

Abstract: A dental implant having a hollow ceramic cylinder compressed between two metal components of the implant. A principal embodiment comprises a hollow ceramic cylinder, a hollow abutment with an anti-rotational feature, a metallic tip with a hollow metal core, and a screw. The metal core is press-fit into the ceramic cylinder providing a metallic tip at the apical or bottom end of the ceramic cylinder. The screw is inserted into the hollow abutment and extends into and screws into the metal core. By tightening the screw, the ceramic cylinder can be compressed to improve its strength, and the abutment is thereby reversibly attached to the hollow ceramic cylinder. The hollow ceramic cylinder is implantable in both bone and soft tissue, extends through the interface between the bone and soft tissue, maintains the normal appearance of gum tissue after implantation, and has a maximum diameter between 1.8 to 6 mm.

Abstract: A powder dispenser comprising a powder container having an opening in a lower end thereof, a powder receptacle having a flange, and a flow control assembly having pivotable flow control arms biased against each other, pivotable activation arms biased towards each other, and connecting members for connecting the flow control arms to the activation arms for concomitant movement, wherein the receptacle flange is operable to engage the activation arms to pivot the activation arms away from each other and thereby pivot the flow control arms away from each other so that powder is allowed to flow through the flow control assembly into the receptacle. The dispenser may further comprise an agitator that is operable to agitate the powder in the container when the flow control arms are pivoting towards or away from each other.

Abstract: A slide valve system for a powder or liquid reservoir bottle which closes the reservoir bottle and allows the reservoir bottle to be tipped away from a subjacent dispensing bottle fed by the reservoir bottle. Once the reservoir bottle is tipped away the slide valve can be opened and the reservoir bottle filled. The reservoir bottle can then be closed by the slide valve and tipped back onto the dispensing bottle. Once on top of the dispensing bottle the valve can be opened and the contents of the reservoir bottle can enter the dispensing bottle by gravity flow. The slide valve must be closed in order to rotate the reservoir bottle away from the dispensing bottle. Likewise, the reservoir bottle must be locked in a vertical position with the reservoir bottle over the dispensing bottle in order to open the slide valve.

Abstract: A structural support member for use in a roof deck system that is supported on an upper surface of a roof deck support structure. The primary embodiment comprises a substantially vertical outer segment, a substantially horizontal lower segment connected to the outer segment, a substantially horizontal upper segment connected to the outer segment, a substantially horizontal intermediate segment connected to the outer segment between the upper and lower segments, and a substantially vertical inner segment connected to the intermediate segment and the lower segment. The lower segment is secured to the upper surface of the support structure and supports a metal deck. The upper, intermediate, and outer segments form a C-shaped cavity for receiving the end of a barrier material, such as insulation or concrete, which is supported on the metal deck. The lower, intermediate, inner, and outer segments form an elongated channel that preferably has a plurality of vent holes therethrough.