Abstract: A self-contained turn signal indicator unit for signaling to the hearing impaired driver of a motor vehicle that the vehicle's turn signals are activated. The indicator unit is attached to the cover of the vehicle's steering column and produces a loud audible signal and a light signal when the turn signal lever is moved to the turning position. The circuitry includes a battery, a turn switch activated by movement of the turn signal lever, and a buzzer and a lamp. A volume control, operable by a user, controls the volume of the sound. An optional timed switch for turning off the circuit has a normally closed position and has an open position for a predetermined period of time after the turn switch is closed and remains closed.
Abstract: Repair jacket is adapted for repairing or reinforcing elongate structures such as pilings, especially in marine environments. Jacket includes a cylindrical body of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) material that is about 0.5 to 3.5 inches greater in diameter than the piling. The body is wrapped around the piling and sealed. Centering/damping springs keep the body centered on the piling and damp the blows of waves so the body is not damaged. A bottom seal is a resilient tube within an abrasion-resistant tube attached to the bottom of the body for sealing the gap. The resilient tube is filled with expanding grout to create a rigid seal at the bottom of the gap. The gap volume between piling and cylindrical body is then filled with grout to permanently attach repair jacket to piling and repair the surface of the piling.
Abstract: A submersible pump for attachment to the lower end of a well pipe discharge tube for insertion in liquid includes a stationary collecting tube for collecting the liquid and an upward and downward reciprocating pumping tube within the collecting tube for pushing and lifting the liquid into the discharge tube; source of pressurized gas, a casing assembly including a casing tube and a gas valve, and a piston assembly with the casing tube including a piston tube having a lower end connected to the pumping tube for reciprocating the pumping tube and an upper portion having pistons for moving in chambers with the inside of the casing tube. Preferably the same amount of liquid is pumped during the upward movement of the pumping tube as during the downward movement.
Abstract: A dental articulator for connecting first and second dental models generally includes upper and lower arms hinging at their rear ends by a hinge. Each arm front end is connected by a coupling to a dental model. Each coupling generally includes a ball, a coupling, a rear socket and a fastener joining the coupling and rear socket such that the socket is movable rotationally, up and down, and side to side on the ball to a selected position. The hinge also provides for movements of the arms mimicking those of a human jaw. The lower arm means for adjusting the height of the hinge. Upper and lower dental models each include a holder of an incisor spacing assembly co-cast into the base. The holders hold an incisor pin for adjusting the vertical spacing between the fronts of the dental models.
Abstract: A spinner for attachment to the hub of a spoked bicycle wheel generally comprises a body assembly and a contact for contacting a spoke for spinning the spinner about the hub. The body assembly comprises a bearing portion comprised of a plurality of individual bearing arc sections adapted for insertion between the spokes of the wheel and joined around the hub and radial display surfaces, either integral with the arc sections or attached to the bearing portion. The display surface may include an attachable radially outer portion of different wheel sizes and configurations.
Abstract: A frame clamp (40) for connecting a ground anchor strap (30) to I-beam (75) of manufactured home (70) includes top jaw (42), bottom jaw (52) and fastening means (60) therebetween. Top jaw (42) has engaging portion (47) on distal end (46) including arcuate bearing surface (49) for bearing against I-beam top flange distal edge (81) responsive to tension in anchor strap (30) such that clamp (40) aligns with anchor strap (30) when anchor strap (30) is not perpendicular to longitudinal axis (79) of flange distal edge (81). Strap (30) attaches to bottom jaw (52) which clamps clamp (40) to I-beam flange (76).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 27, 2003
Date of Patent:
August 16, 2005
Inventors:
James Oliver, Evon Oliver, Scott E. Oliver, Daniel L. Oliver, John A. Oliver
Abstract: An elongate, cylindrical hand-held powered coping saw adapted for making thin cuts of short length, such as for cutting individual dies from a full arch dental model generally includes a blade assembly, a housing, a rotary motor having a drive shaft, a piston for driving the blade assembly, and a motion converter connecting the drive shaft to the piston for converting rotary motion of the drive shaft into reciprocating linear motion of the piston. Preferably, the blade stroke length is less than the distance between opposing U-sections of a full dental arch model along a cut line.
Abstract: Safe 10 has a firmly secured door 60 and latching and locking mechanisms on the frame 30 rather than on door 60. Door opening side 160 includes fingers 66 with catches 68. A movable latch plate 72 includes a plurality of openings 75 for receiving and retaining fingers 66. A locking mechanism 80 includes a main bolt 81 for locking latch plate 72, a first lock 90 actuated through frame 30 for locking main bolt 81, and a second lock 95, preferably actuated remotely, for locking main bolt 81. The latch and locking mechanisms do not operate through door 60 such that the front of door 60 may be featureless. Safe 10 is adapted for mounting in a wall 100 to framing 110, such as to studs 140.
Abstract: A rotating attachment device for attaching the upper end of a swing to a support bar generally comprises and inner bearing and an outer bearing. The inner bearing comprises at least two inner bearing arc segment members for direct placement on the cross bar, each including an outer side including a raceway including a radial bearing surface. The outer bearing includes a first and second semi-cylindrical outer bearing members including an inner side having a bearing surface, pivotly connected first ends such that the outer bearing is pivotable between an open position for fitting over the first bearing and a closed position bearing on the inner bearing such that the outer bearing is rotatable 360 degrees about the swing support bar, and second ends including a latch for latching the outer bearing around the inner bearing in the closed position.
Abstract: Safety battery (10) includes cathode (21) and attached cover (15) that enclose anode (41). Cover (15) includes via (16) for providing access to anode (41). Anode (41) is protected by penetrable insulation medium (48).
Abstract: Composite coating (10) improves the resistance to blast or seismic forces of a structure (100), such as wall (101). Coating (10) includes a first layer (20) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to wall (101), a second layer (30) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to first layer (20), and a layer of textile (40) embedded between first layer (20) and second layer (30).
Abstract: A device (10′) for storing and dispensing feed (98) to an animal at predetermined times includes enclosure (12) including a plurality of compartments (16), each including a hinged downwardly opening bottom door (17) having a storage position for supporting feed (98) and an open position for dispensing feed (98), a latch assembly (120) including a latch (121) supporting its associated door (17), and a connector (142) for each compartment (16), movable from a storage position to a dispensing position. A connector release assembly (160) includes a trip (162) for disengaging each connector (142), including a movable ratchet bar (61) including cams (163) and rungs (63). Reciprocating assembly (70) includes solenoid (71) moving pull arm (73) for moving ratchet bar (61) and timer (101) for activating solenoid (71) at predetermined times. Down-stop (90) prevents reverse movement of ratchet bar (61). Up-stop (80) limits the upward movement of ratchet bar rung (63).
Abstract: Automated currency changing machine (10) accepts twenty dollar bills and dispenses a combination of dollar and non-cash items in exchange. Bill intake module (20) receives a bill and checks its value and authenticity Programmable controller (32) calculates change to be given by change dispensing module (40), according to a pre-determined algorithm. A combination of dollar bills and non-cash items, such as coupons or tokens, is dispensed.
Non-cash items have “cash equivalent value” to the customer and a smaller “cost equivalent value” to the business where machine (10) is in use. The combined value of dollar bills and “cash equivalent value” of non-cash items is preferably equal to or greater than the value of bill proffered by customer. The combined value of dollar bills and “cost equivalent value” of non-cash items is preferably less than the value of bill proffered.