Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a free-weight exercise apparatus is provided that includes a left standard and a right standard that are removably joined in spaced-apart relationship by a cross connector. The left and right standards are preferably generally triangular in shape. According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided for assisting a person with dead-lift type exercises. The apparatus includes left and right lifter assemblies, each of which has an upper bar and a lower bar, the bars being maintained in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship by two vertically oriented piston-cylinder units. A spring is positioned co-axially around each of the piston-cylinder units. One of the ends of one of the two piston-cylinder units of each assembly is pivotally connected to one of the bars and the other ends of the two piston-cylinder units are rigidly connected to the bars, whereby binding of the piston-cylinder units is prevented.

Abstract: An improved pipeline padding apparatus includes a separator for separating fine material out of spoil which is piled along side an excavation, an elevator for transporting spoil to the separator, and a pair of spaced-apart guide projections for guiding spoil into the elevator. The spaced-apart guide projections form a substantially open bottom extending the width of the elevator between the guide projections. A conveyor is provided to transport the separated fine portion of the spoil back into the excavation, thereby padding the pipeline. The separator, the elevator, the guide projections, and the vehicle are all mounted on a support vehicle. According to one aspect of the invention, one or more rotary feeder assemblies is mounted to the guide projections for assisting in moving spoil through toward the elevator. The rotary feeder assemblies have a low profile so that spoil material and rocks do not become stuck as they move toward the elevator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a product which includes a plurality of tapered ducts in a cabinet above and below a conveyor to form streams which are directed toward the product. Spent air is drawn through return ducts which have intake openings centered between entrance and exit openings in the cabinet and centered between lateral edges of a conveyor and between the tapered ducts to provide a balanced flow of spent air in the cabinet to the return opening. Temperature controlled gas is delivered at an angle through an array of openings adjacent opposite edges of an opening through which a conveyor extends to cause most of the heated air to be drawn to the return duct opening and to maintain internal pressure in the cabinet to prevent ingress and egress of air through the opening.

Abstract: Hydrostatic pressure testing apparatus for sealing and delivering fluid into a pipe wherein the pipe wall is maintained in tension. A pair of cam actuated movable jaws are mounted on a body for engaging the outer wall of the pipe. A seal ring on a mandrel is positioned to expand into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the pipe. A shaped passage in segments of a split die block lock behind the upset portion on the end of the pipe.

Abstract: In this improved trailer chassis, the accessories which typically added weight without adding to the structural capacity of the trailer have been replaced with accessories which are incorporated into the structural members. The frame of the trailer chassis is comprised of a front and rear beam connecting two longitudinal side beams that incorporate a recess to capture the trailer floor decking. The axle beam mounts between the two side beams to serve as lateral support to the side beams and as a flooring beam and incorporates a open section into its section through which an axle can be mounted. The fenders for the trailer are mounted so that they contribute to the structural integrity of the frame while serving as a side enclosure in addition to a wheel well.

Abstract: A thin film, solid state amperometric detector for nitric oxide is provided based upon a mobile cation electrolyte that selectively transmits nitrosonium cations (NO.sup.+) therethrough. The presently most preferred embodiment employs NO-.beta.-alumina as the mobile cation electrolyte. The electrodes of the detector are preferably arranged in a bipotentiostat arrangement. The first and second working electrodes share a common reference electrode and a common counter electrode, which are positioned such that the potentials of the first and second working electrodes can be independently controlled. The first working electrode is exposed to a fluid (liquid or gaseous), whereas the second working electrode is normally isolated from the fluid. The first working electrode is set at a potential capable of oxidizing NO to NO.sup.+, the NO.sup.+ moves through the mobile cation solid electrolyte to the second electrode, and the second working electrode is set at a potential capable of reducing the NO.sup.+ back to NO.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a food product at or above a desired serving temperature wherein a volume of dehumidifier material, such as calcium sulfate, is heated to a temperature greater than the predetermined serving temperature of the food product and positioned in heat exchange relation with the food product, such that heat is transferred from the heated dehumidifier material to the food product and moisture is transferred from the food product to the dehumidifier material.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring heat between temperature controlled air dispensed from a pair of oscillating ducts and a food product in a cabinet having an interior compartment bounded by front, side and rear walls. A foraminous partition, having a central portion and extremities, is mounted to divide the interior of the cabinet into a cooking chamber and an air conditioning chamber. It is configured to encircle a portion of the cooking chamber such that the air conditioning chamber extends around a major part of the periphery of the cooking chamber wherein air is drawn along multiple paths toward side walls and toward the rear wall from the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A composite tubular such as a pipe joint and method of forming the composite tubular is provided in which one of the threaded connectors of the tubular has a composite layer of carbon fiber reinforced plastic formed thereon. The body of the tubular or pipe joint is preferably formed of a composite material such as fiberglass reinforced plastic. The connectors of tubulars may be threaded together with a suitable thread sealant to provide a pressure tight seal in the connection. The pressure tight seal may be formed over a wide range of torque values, therefore, the tubular may be made-up to position rather than torque to form a pressure-tight seal and without galling the threads of the connectors. The layer of carbon and resin also reduces or eliminates galling of the threads and reduces thread wear, therefore, many make-and-break cycles are possible without excessive thread wear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a product which includes a plurality of tapered ducts in a cabinet above and below a turntable to form streams which are directed toward the product. Spent air is drawn through intake openings in return ducts in the cabinet. Temperature controlled gas is delivered at an angle through an array of openings adjacent opposite edges of an opening through which a product is loaded on the turntable in a loading zone to cause most of the heated air to be drawn to return duct openings and to maintain internal pressure in the baking zone in the cabinet to prevent ingress and egress of air through the loading opening. Orifices are formed in a circular array of rings such that the sum of the areas of orifices in each ring spaced from the axis about which the turntable rotates is substantially equal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to refrigerate air in a compartment wherein liquid CO.sub.2 is delivered through a first primary heat exchanger such that sufficient heat is absorbed to evaporate the liquid carbon dioxide to form pressurized vapor. The pressurized vapor is heated in a gas fired heater to prevent solidification of the pressurized carbon dioxide when it is depressurized to provide isentropic expansion of the vapor through pneumatically driven fan motors into a secondary heat exchanger. Orifices in inlets to the fan motors and solenoid valves in flow lines to the fan motors keep the vapor pressurized while the heater supplies sufficient heat to prevent solidification when the CO.sub.2 vapor expands through the motors. CO.sub.2 vapor is routed from the second heat exchanger to chill surfaces in a dehumidifier to condense moisture from a stream of air before it flows to the heat exchangers.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed enclosure for encapsulating an in-line splice between cable segments. Cable gripping apparatus in the housing limits movement of the cable relative to the housing to prevent separation of sealant from a cable when a cable is positioned to extend through the entrance into the housing. Walls of top and bottom shell segments are configured to be locked together for forming an enclosure containing encapsulant for protecting the splice.

Abstract: A spill preventing device for use on a tubular portion of a well head is provided. The device has at least two sections forming an open-topped container with a bottom, the container being of a size to receive spills around the well. The container sections have a central opening in the bottom of the container of a size to fit around a tubular portion of a well head. An upstanding centrally located cylindrical flange is provided to fit around the tubular member. The flange is formed with upwardly extending walls from the container sections, which are releasably connected together to form the flange. A splash suppression assembly is positioned in the open-topped container to prevent liquid from splashing out. The splash suppression assembly has a plurality of rings mounted above the bottom of the container. The rings are concentrically positioned about the central cylindrical flange.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for measuring and controlling the amount of UV light exposure for tanning purposes. The UV light is measured using a photo diode to produce an analog signal with a strength corresponding to the intensity of the UV light emitted. A microprocessor converts the signal to a digital quantity and integrates the digital quantity over time to determine the accumulated amount of UV light emitted. The quantity of instantaneous or accumulated UV light emitted can be displayed. The accumulated UV light exposure can also be used to control the operation of the UV light bulbs.

Abstract: An armrest for an individual seat wherein the armrest has a deployment arm for extending a video device from inside the armrest to a viewing position and retracting the video device into the armrest for storage.The video device is connected to a deployment arm. The video device and deployment arm are configured to retractably fit within the hollow interior of an armrest. The interior of the armrest has a track system including at least two tracks to which the deployment arm is slidingly engaged. The two tracks diverge from one another so that the spaced relation between the tracks varies along the track system. The deployment arm has at least two rollers that slidingly engage the track system. The diverging tracks urge the deployment arm to change orientation as the rollers slide along the track system, thereby urging the deployment arm to extend the video device from the armrest into a viewing position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for counter-balancing a tanning unit pivotally mounted to a base and having a radiation energy source for artificially tanning a person. The apparatus comprises a base, a tanning unit pivotally mounted to said base, and a device for variably applying torque to said tanning unit so that, throughout the range of rotational motion of said tanning unit, the instantaneous applied torque produced by said device for applying torque to said tanning unit approximately counter-balances the instantaneous torque produced by gravitational forces acting on said tanning unit. Therefore, said tanning unit may be retained in any instantaneous position between a raised position and a lowered position. Said device for variably applying torque to said tanning unit comprises an urging device connected between said tanning unit and said base which provides a variable force vector having a force magnitude, proportional to the deformation of said urging device.

Abstract: A tree stand for use in observing and hunting game is provided. The stand forms an elevated platform and means for connecting the stand to a tree. In one aspect of the invention, the seat and footrest can be folded up for ease of transportation. In another aspect, the ladder assembly can be dissassembled for ease of transportation. In yet another aspect of the invention, the dissassembled ladder sections of the ladder assembly can be mated with a plurality of members on the platform and tied to the platform for secure transportation and storage.

Abstract: The sequence controller disclosed is a microprocessor based unit having a user programmable sequence of electronic pulses for the control or synchronization of valves, relays, solenoids and timers. The controller is connected to spray nozzles adapted for projecting atomized droplets of liquid between charged electrodes in a timed sequence to cause the charged droplets to be attracted to and impinge against partial areas of a grounded surface to form a continuous substantially uniform film of liquid on the surface.