Abstract: A portable candle lantern with safety features designed to be used with a tub candle. The candle lantern includes an upper cover that selectively attaches to a lower base. The lower base has a plurality of feet with enable it to be supported in an elevated position on a support surface. Located inside the lower base is a candle holding assembly which removably holds a tub candle in an elevated, longitudinally aligned position therein. Formed inside the lower base is a centrally located, longitudinally aligned, upward extending, air delivery tube which delivers cool air directly against the sides of the tub candle and the candle holding assembly. By delivering cool air in this manner, the temperature inside the candle lantern is reduced thereby preventing a "flash" condition from occurring. Also, a collection cavity is formed between the air delivery tube and the sides of the lower base in which spilled wax from the tub candle is collected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and presenting visual and audible information to an individual. Audio source signals from a stereophonic audio source are processed by a microcontroller-controlled circuit that also receives commands from a programmer. The programmer commands cause the generation of pulsed low audio frequency control signals for each channel. The audio source signals are processed so that their frequencies are translated above the low audio frequency range of the pulsed control signals and inverted. The pulsed control signals are then added to the corresponding processed audio source signals to produce two combined audio signals which are then recorded on a compact disc. To replay the recorded information, the recorded combined audio signals are read from the compact disc. The pulsed control signals and processed audio source signals are separated by filtering and the processed audio source signals are reprocessed to recreate the original audio source signals.

Abstract: An amusement and exercise device which includes an elongated pole pivotally attached at one end to a base which is removably attached to the ground or floor. Attached to the distal end of the pole is a rope which is manipulated by the user which causes the pole to rotate in a circular path around the base and under the user. The user must coordinate his or her arm and wrist movement and jump over the pole to operate the device.

Abstract: A disposable camera strap kit is provided consisting of a plurality of self-adhesive, display hangers designed for hanging merchandise on a hook, peg or arm attached to a display fixture each of which is placed onto one side or two opposite sides of a disposable camera, and a strap capable of attaching to one or both display hangers to secure the camera around the user's neck or wrist. An optional container is also provided for storing extra display hangers and the strap when not is use.

Abstract: This is an air register having a grille member pivotally attached to the register housing. A spring is disposed between the grille member and the register housing which biases the grille member in an upward, diagonal extended position from the central passageway formed inside the register housing. During use, the grille member is automatically disposed in an upward, diagonal extended position which deflects the exiting air at an angle into the room. When a downward force is applied to the top surface of the grille member, say by a person's foot, the grille member is able to pivot downward around one edge into a retracted position inside the central passageway. The air register also includes a pair of overlapping plates controlled by a control knob which control the amount of air exiting from the air register.

Abstract: A temporary power/data tap for delivering both electrical power and data service line to a work surface from a distant standard wall or floor mounted electrical receptacle and data port. The power/data tap is designed to be selectively moved between retract and extended positions to provide electrical power and data service line to the work surface. The power/data tap is a self-contained unit designed for easy installation on the work surface which meets or exceeds United Laboratory standards. At least one electrical receptacle and one data port is mounted on a pivoting outlet enclosure housed inside an enclosure assembly. The electrical receptacle and data port are disposed in two separate compartments formed in the outlet enclosure. A power cord capable of being plugged into a standard wall or floor receptacle delivers electrical power to one side of the enclosure assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible, cargo carrier designed to be attached to the rack on the roof or truck lid on a vehicle. The carrier includes an enclosure made of durable, water-proof, coated vinyl material with a closeable inner lid. An outer lid is disposed over the inner lid and the enclosure to provide two wind and water-proof barriers over the cargo. The outer lid is attached along one edge to the front panel of the enclosure via a flexible, water-proof hinge also made of coated vinyl material. The enclosure and inner and outer lids are made of coated vinyl material which enables them to be sewn or heat welded together during manufacturing. A plurality of adjustable anchor straps are disposed longitudinally over the cargo carrier which are used to selectively attach it to the rack. A plurality of compression straps are disposed transversely over the cargo carrier which are used to adjust the shape of the carrier to the shape of the cargo items carried therein and to make the cargo carrier more aerodynamic.

Abstract: An improved method for processing multiple small batches of waste material from different collection sites is provided. The method uses an apparatus designed to process small batches of waste material from a collection site, such as a septic tank, into waste water and sludge material. Using the apparatus, the waste material first undergoes oxidation with an oxidizing agent and separation with a flocculating agent. After the oxidizing and separating steps are completed, the waste water is then drained from the apparatus and returned to the collection site. The sludge material produced is then transported to a second collection site. The waste material from the second collection site is then added and mixed with the sludge material produced from the first small batch of waste material. The new waste material is then oxidized and separated into waste water and sludge material. The waste water is then drained from the apparatus and deposited into the collection site.

Abstract: A water ski handle system designed to partially absorb and evenly distribute forces generated on the handle component and tow line while skiing. The handle system includes a handle component with two L-shaped corner struts attached to its opposite, opened ends. Each corner strut includes a rigid bushing member which mechanically connects to an end on the handle component, and a perpendicularly aligned long leg member which projects in a forward direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main tow line. A continuous, L-shaped inner passageway is formed inside each corner strut through which the end of the tow line passes to connect to the handle component. The corner radius of the inner passageway is relatively large so that point loading on the tow line is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A combination ornamental and gripping device (30), designed especially to allow a novel and improved method for securely holding a flat object (10) such as a gift card or the like to a gift package (20) while providing ornamentation for the gift package (20). The gripping device (30) is preferably a single piece of molded or extruded resilient plastic material and is essentially U-shaped with two side members (32 and 34) that are of similar size and shape and that are essentially planar. The outside face of the ornamental side member (32) typically has a multi-colored design and/or message bonded to it as an ornamental member (46), or integrally molded with it, or printed on it. The outside face of the attaching side member (34) has applied to it an adhesive layer (38) with a peelable, protective liner (40), and is used to attach the gripping device (30) to the gift package (20).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lift gate cargo cart made of strong, lightweight material, which includes a pallet structure designed to transport cargo that can be selectively attached to the hydraulic lift gate on a delivery truck. When attached to the lift gate, the lift gate cargo cart can be lifted to the level of the bed of the truck for loading and unloading cargo therefrom. The pallet structure includes a rigid frame with a plurality of wheel assemblies mounted on the bottom surface thereof which enables the cargo cart to be manually moved across a horizontal surface. Attached to the top surface of the rigid frame are two roller assemblies aligned in a parallel manner which enable cargo to be manually pushed or pulled over the cargo cart during use. Attached to the front surface of pallet structure is a connection bar which together with a plurality of bolts and washer plates, are used to engage the lift gate on a delivery truck.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one volume adjustable cylinder which automatically adjusts its compression ratio during operation. The volume adjustable cylinder includes a movable head insert placed inside the insert space formed on the engine head directly over the piston. An adjustable lock nut is used to attach the head insert to the engine head and to initially set the position of the head insert in the insert space to establish the initial volume of the combustion chamber of the cylinder. An O-ring made of elastomeric material is disposed between the head insert and the inside surface of the engine head which resists movment of the head insert in the insert space. When the engine operates at higher RPMs, the compression pressure increases inside the cylinder which forces the head insert into the insert space to expand the volume of the combustion chamber which, in turn, reduces the combustion pressure of the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus which uses friction to generate heat for heating liquids. The apparatus includes a cylindrical rotor disk housed inside a close-fitting housing structure. The rotor disk is connected to the shaft of a motor which turns the rotor disk at high revolutions inside the rotor chamber of the housing structure. The rotor disk has a plurality of curved, outward radiating, closed-end passageways formed therein. During operation, liquid flows into the housing structure via an inlet port which fills the rotor chamber of the housing structure and the curved passageways in the rotor disk. When the rotor disk is rotated at high speeds, the liquid located inside the curved passageways is pulled outward by centrifugal forces which creates a vacuum therein. When the vacuum becomes sufficient, the liquid "cracks" or boils at a low temperature. The resulting vapor formed inside the curved passageway suddenly forces the liquid remaining inside the curved passageway outward and exit at relatively high speed.