Abstract: A scraper apparatus for a reciprocating sucker rod for prevention of the wearing of grooves in well tubing. The scraper is formed by a body with two opposed spiral vanes extending 180 degrees around the body and defining flow channels positioned between the spiral vanes. The scraper is secured to the reciprocating sucker rod and is positioned within the well tubing. The well tubing has an inner circumference with the two opposed spiral vanes engaging 360 degrees of the inner circumference of the well tubing while enabling fluids to bypass the body through the flow channels.

Abstract: A lockable actuator assembly comprising a base assembly defining an axial through bore. An actuator is accommodated within the through bore and is pivotably supported by the base assembly in a cantilevered fashion. The actuator has an inlet communicating with a discharged outlet via a central bore and a radial bore. A base portion of the base assembly has a plurality of ribs to facilitate engagement with an exterior surface of a mounting cap. An opposed top portion of the base assembly has a plurality of outwardly facing protrusions which facilitate engagement with an annular elongate member, rib or recess of an over cap to rotatably secure the over cap to the base assembly. The over cap is provided with a cutout to facilitate rotation of the over cap relative to the base assembly.

Abstract: A method for order verification, the first step of which involves providing a computer processor having both data storage and computing capability. The second step involves storing data as to a weight for each of a plurality of items offered for sale in the computer processor. The third step involves inputting into the computer processor selected items that make up a customer order from the plurality of items stored in data and computing a projected total weight for the customer order. The fourth step involves assembling the selected items that make up the customer order and placing the customer order onto a weigh scale. The fifth step involves comparing an actual weight of the customer order with the projected total weight to verify the order.

Abstract: A method of forming a wide mouth blow molded thermoplastic container comprising the steps of i) stretch blow molding from a preform, an intermediate article defining the container with the mouth being threaded and/or flanged, the mouth terminating in an accommodation element having a neck finish that supports the preform in the blow mold; ii) heat setting the intermediate article including the entire container while still in the mold, and iii) removing the intermediate article of manufacture from the mold and severing the accommodation element to produce the container, and an article when made by the method.

Abstract: A fuel gas scrubber to remove liquids including a float activated shut off valve includes a pressure vessel with a dry gas outlet aperture extending through the top of the vessel as well as a wet gas inlet near the top of the vessel and a liquid outlet near the bottom of the vessel. The fuel gas scrubber including a float activated shut off valve also includes a valve seat positioned within an interior bore at a first end of a tubular housing. A float is encapsulated within the interior bore. The float is axially movable between the first end and a second end of the tubular housing. The float has a valve seat end facing the first end of the hosing and a liquid engaging end facing the second end of the tubular housing. A valve member is positioned on the valve seat end of the float. A liquids inlet is provided at the second end of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A motor vehicle suspension system includes rear suspension units to adjust ride height between sprung and unsprung parts of the vehicle, control means for monitoring and maintaining ride height at a particular setting and wheel speed monitoring means for monitoring wheel speeds. The control means provides a corrective up height change signal in the event of an unrequested height change and there existed before the unrequested height change a wheel speed signal indicative of vehicle movement. The corrective height change signal may be applied to each suspension unit or the control means may monitor abnormal vehicle activity and provide the corrective height change signal to the appropriate suspension unit. One example of abnormal vehicle activity is when the wheel speeds differ significantly, the control means responding to provide the corrective height change signal to the suspensions unit on the side of the vehicle with the highest wheel speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parking a motorcycle includes a base and an elongate body rotatably mounted on the base. The body a trough that extends between and is accessible from either of a first end or a second end. The trough is at least as long as a wheelbase of a motorcycle and at least as wide as a motorcycle tire. A motorcycle is driven onto the body and along the trough until the motorcycle is fully supported by the body off the ground in a state of balanced equilibrium. Manual motive force is provided by the rider to rotate the body about the base while the rider remains seated to provide lateral stability to the motorcycle.

Abstract: A composite biosorption material is formed of a hydrophilic urethane binder containing immobilized bioactive organisms of at least about one micron in size and having active sites for binding and removing noxious materials such as metal ions from an effluent such as a waste water stream. To form the composite, a prepolymer is prepared by heating polyethylene glycol, having an average molecular weight of about 1000, to over 200.degree. F. up to 350.degree. F., preferably greater than 220.degree. F., and reacting a diisocyanate with the heated polyethylene glycol while mixing to form the prepolymer. After cooling, the prepolymer is mixed with an aqueous slurry containing the organisms such as Datura innoxia cells, and optionally a surfactant and bactericide, in a weight ratio such as 1:1 to 6:1, and the resultant mixture is cured to form the composite material containing a dry weight of the organisms such as about 15% to 90%.

Abstract: A boat transporting device comprising a pair of L-shaped longitudinal members positioned along top surfaces of and proximate the bow end of a boat to be transported. A first cross member is adjustably secured, at opposed ends thereof, to first ends of the longitudinal members and secures, via a first clamping member, the first end portion of the longitudinal members to the gunwales of the boat. A second cross member is adjustably secured, at opposed ends thereof, to an intermediate section of the longitudinal members for and securing, via a second clamping member, the second end portion of the longitudinal members to the gunwales of the boat. A third cross member is adjustably secured, at opposed ends thereof, to a second end of the longitudinal members. An axle is attached to the longitudinal members, via a pair of brackets located intermediate the first and second end of the longitudinal members, and a pair of wheels are attached to opposed ends of the axle.

Abstract: A switch mechanism of a piano with a built-in electronic musical instrument, which eliminates the disposition of switches on the surface of a piano to improve the appearance of the piano. An upright piano(1) includes a hammering mechanism(7) which strikes strings in accordance with the operation of a keyboard(3), and thus it serves as an acoustic piano as well as an electronic piano because it has a built-in electronic sound source(9) controlled by the operation of the same keyboard(3). This upright piano(1) includes an inhibition mechanism(13) for inactivating the hammering mechanism(7) in electronic mode, a pedal mechanism(17) having a muffler pedal(16), a control portion(19) driven by a power supply(18) for controlling the electronic sound source in accordance with the operation of the keyboard(3) to produce sounds, and a power supply switch(21) turned ON/OFF by the actuation of the muffler pedal(16) to make and break the electrical connection between the power supply(18) and the control portion(19).

Abstract: A brake disc has friction ring (4) and a bearing part (1) coupled to the friction ring (4) by linking elements (3). Several linking elements designed as pins, bolts (3) or the like distributed around the circumference of the bearing part (1) and coupled to the bearing part (1) project into recesses (bores) (8) in a circumferential wall (7) of the friction ring (4). The bearing part may be a pot, the wheel hub (17) or the wheel rim.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell (10) having a semiconductor substrate (11), a front passivation layer (12) arranged on the substrate, an emitter layer (14) having a first conductivity type (p or n), a front transparent conductive layer (15), a rear passivation layer (17) deposited on a rear surface of the substrate, a rear layer (18) producing a back surface field having a second conductivity type (n or p) opposite to the first conductivity type, as well as a reflecting element (19) comprised of a transparent conductive layer (20), an adhesion layer (21), and a reflecting layer (22). The disclosed cell has a substantially high efficiency a substantially low fabrication cost and is used in solar cells.