Abstract: A parallel ski training or exercise apparatus is described. The ski training device provides the combination of parallel motion, edging, and weight shifting that characterizes downhill parallel skiing. Two foot platforms are mounted on a base, on independent rotation axes centered about the balls of the user's feet. The foot platforms are constrained to rotate together, i.e. their longitudinal axes remain parallel. The foot platforms can tilt from side to side to simulate the edging motion of downhill parallel skiing. Varying amounts of resistance to rotation and to tilting can be obtained by changing the springs or other devices that bias the foot platforms to straight-ahead and level alignment. The base of the parallel ski training device can be tilted to an angle by a support having a circular arc or hemispherical shape. With the front of the base raised, the user's ankles assume the leaning forward attitude that is used in parallel skiing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Abstract: A method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Abstract: A high-temperature burner is provided that is suited for the incineration of shredded plastics, tires, carpet or similar materials. The burner walls are protected from the heat of the ongoing combustion reaction by an annular curtain of water vapor or carbon dioxide that takes the radiant heat energy of the high-temperature combustion reaction. The annular curtain removes the heat energy from the vicinity of the burner walls before the energy can be conveyed to them. Higher temperature combustion can be attained without resorting to jacketed burner construction or the use of refractory materials.

Abstract: An article loading roller mechanism is disclosed. The loading roller permits one person to load or unload heavy articles such as ladders, pipes, lumber, canoes or kayaks. The roller is arranged in a fixed position so that the top of the roller is slightly below the top of the rear cross bar of the vehicle rack. The roller can be removably attached to a rear cross bar of a vehicle rack system by a clamping mechanism. The roller may be covered in part by a pliable scratch-resistant material. An article is loaded by placing a first end of the article onto the roller. The second end of the article is lifted, maintained at an angle such that the article does not touch the vehicle rack nor the vehicle, and is pushed toward the front cross bar of the vehicle rack. The roller reduces the loading friction and facilitates loading with a minimum of effort and time. When an article is in place on the vehicle rack front and rear cross bars, additional articles can be loaded in the same manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a variable pitch propeller mechanism for turbo-prop aircraft is provided. Using the apparatus and method it is possible to perform inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance on hydraulic variable pitch propeller mechanisms that are located in a cold environment, without damaging the seals that are in a non-compliant condition due to being cold. The method and apparatus facilitate the performance of such inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance without the need for relocating the aircraft to a hanger and waiting a number of hours for the variable pitch propeller mechanism to reach a suitable temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the appearance, covering ability and physical properties of woven fabrics by supporting the fabric which is to be treated on a foraminous surface, directing a plurality of columnar liquid streams in the form of oblique vanes against the fabric at an angle which is oblique to the warp direction of the cloth. The columnar streams impinge the cloth under pressure which is sufficient to penetrate and effect an enter-entangling of the fibers in the fabric, and the fabric which is thus treated is advanced under similar streams to treat substantially the entire surface of the fabric. The direction of the jets impinges on opposite sides of the fabric and they are oriented in a position which places them in direct opposition of one another.

Abstract: A melding card game that is played in rounds of an initial turn of card trading and subsequent turn of card drawing and discarding is disclosed. Card trading and drawing is facilitated by the presence of at least one face-up card in front of each player, and the presence of a common discard pile. In addition, the deck has one or more special-effects cards that permit the holder to trade all or some of the cards in his or her hand with cards from each of the other players. When one player has accumulated a qualifying combination of cards, he or she declares the round over, and point values are determined for each player's hand. Additional rounds may be played until one player has accumulated a predetermined number of points.

Abstract: A paintbrush hanger is provided that may be fastened to a paintbrush either permanently or temporarily. In one embodiment, the attachment pad of the hanger has an adhesive backing, whereby the user can permanently attach the hanger to the paintbrush. The hook portion of the hanger is hollow, so that the user can temporarily attach the hanger to the paintbrush by inserting a nail or a screw through the hook and the attachment pad and into the handle of the paintbrush. When the paintbrush hanger is fastened to the paintbrush in this manner, the hanger may be subsequently removed simply by pulling the nail or unscrewing the screw out of the paintbrush. The paintbrush hanger may then be reused on a different brush or another tool. Further, when used, the nail or screw fastener provides additional rigidity and strength to the hook portion of the hanger. The hanger may also be fastened to the paintbrush using both the adhesive and the nail or screw, for maximum fastening strength and maximum rigidity of the hook.