Abstract: One system for forming a consolidated commercial paper issue includes: a plurality of borrowers, with each borrower having a short-term borrowing need; a credit rating agency operable to determine a credit rating for each borrower; a consolidator operable to aggregate the short-term borrowing needs of at least two borrowers into a consolidated commercial paper issue; and a communication network operable to transmit communications between one or more of the credit rating agency, the consolidator, and at least one of the borrowers. One method of forming a consolidated commercial paper issue includes: identifying a plurality of borrowers, with each borrower having a short-term borrowing need; determining a credit rating for each borrower; and aggregating the short-term borrowing needs of at least two borrowers into a consolidated commercial paper issue.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of applying a liquid to a surface from a wheeled receptacle that is disposed on the surface. The wheeled receptacle, itself, includes a circumferential sidewall, a bottom wall connected to the circumferential sidewall, at least two wheels, a steering handle for guiding the wheeled receptacle on the surface, and a spigot; and the wheeled receptacle contains a liquid. The method includes the steps of: opening the spigot, thereby dispensing a liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle and onto the surface; and guiding the wheeled receptacle across the surface via the steering handle, thereby dispensing the liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle onto a selected area of the surface.

Abstract: A cleaning system of the invention may include an operator wearable torso belt, a swivel hook fastened to the belt, and a holder releasably hung on the hook, with the holder sized to releasably hold a chemical container. The cleaning system further may include a chemical container, a spray gun, a chemical draw line connecting the chemical container to the spray gun, and a liquid supply line extending from a multi-functional cleaning machine to the spray gun. If desired, the chemical holder may include a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment. The first compartment holds the spray gun when the spray gun is not in use, the second compartment holds the chemical container, and the third compartment is sized to hold a tool such as a squeegee or the like.

Abstract: A test stand (10) for testing hoists (16) includes a test frame (12) and a tensioning device (14) to apply a tensile load to the hoist (16) being tested. The hoist (16) is connected to the test stand (10) at two connection points (26, 28) to which the tensioning device (14) applies a tensile load. Support legs (18, 20) are mounted to the test frame (12) for orienting the test frame (12) in either a generally vertical orientation or in a generally horizontal orientation to facilitate attachment of heavy hoists (16) for testing. Test frame (12) mounted receptacles (44) cooperate with forklift blades (122) for facilitating the transport of the test stand (10).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of applying a liquid to a surface from a wheeled receptacle that is disposed on the surface. The wheeled receptacle, itself, includes a circumferential sidewall, a bottom wall connected to the circumferential sidewall, at least two wheels, a steering handle for guiding the wheeled receptacle on the surface, and a spigot; and the wheeled receptacle contains a liquid. The method includes the steps of: opening the spigot, thereby dispensing a liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle and onto the surface; and guiding the wheeled receptacle across the surface via the steering handle, thereby dispensing the liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle onto a selected area of the surface.

Abstract: A frame protector may include a first protective sidewall and a second protective sidewall, with at least one of these protective sidewalls sized so as to extend essentially from proximate the first end to proximate the second end of an underlying frame sidewall, as well as downward to a point proximate the lower edge of an underlying frame sidewall. The frame-protector sidewalls may be connected together via a frame-protector bottom wall. And if desired, the sidewalls and bottom wall may be formed so as to include a downwardly-facing arcuate surface.

Abstract: One version of the portable liquid-evacuation device may include: a container having a top wall, a bottom wall, a sidewall, a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and an air outlet, with the air outlet being connectable to a remote vacuum source; a pump positioned in the container, with the pump including a pump outlet; and a conduit extending from the pump outlet to the liquid outlet. In this particular version, the device may be free of both an integral vacuum source and a float-activated liquid-inlet closure. In another version, the device may include: a top wall including a liquid outlet; a pump attached to the top wall, with the pump including a pump inlet and a pump outlet; and a conduit extending from the pump outlet to the liquid outlet. In this version, the device may be free of a container sidewall and a container bottom wall.

Abstract: The ergonomic multi-functional cleaning machine includes a fresh liquid tank, a waste recovery tank positioned atop the fresh liquid tank, and a vacuum source for enabling a soil-containing fluid to be vacuumed into the waste recovery tank. The machine further includes: (1) a fresh liquid pump positioned above the fresh liquid tank, with the fresh liquid pump enabling a liquid or solution to be pumped from the fresh liquid tank; and/or (2) a spigot operatively connected to the fresh liquid tank, whereby a user may regulate the flow of a liquid or solution from the fresh liquid tank. Also, the machine may include an inline wetting apparatus, thereby providing for vacuuming of dry dirt, dust, and other soils.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of applying a liquid to a surface from a wheeled receptacle which is disposed on the surface. The wheeled receptacle, itself, includes a circumferential sidewall, a bottom wall connected to the circumferential sidewall, at least two wheels, a steering handle for guiding the wheeled receptacle on the surface, and a spigot; and the wheeled receptacle contains a liquid. The method includes the steps of: opening the spigot, thereby dispensing a liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle and onto the surface; and guiding the wheeled receptacle across the surface via the steering handle, thereby dispensing the liquid through the spigot of the wheeled receptacle onto a selected area of the surface.

Abstract: One version of the barrier system may include a first barrier and a second barrier, in which each of the first and second barriers may have a support structure and an upwardly-extending structure. In addition, the first barrier may have a retaining structure adapted to facilitate retention of a portion of the upwardly-extending structure of the second barrier when one of the first and second barriers is in an inverted position. This inverted orientation may be especially advantageous when storing a pair of barriers. For example, in such an orientation, the barrier-pair may occupy less floor- or ground-space than two such barriers placed side-by-side. Moreover, depending on the height of the particular storage area, a second pair of similarly inverted barriers may be securely placed on top of the first pair. In this fashion, the barriers occupy relatively little storage space, space which typically is quite limited and therefore valuable.

Abstract: A barbeque grill system include a barbeque grill, a heat source, a thermoelectric generator operable for producing electric power, and a barbeque-grill accessory capable of using electric power. In further detail, the thermoelectric generator is activatable by heat produced from the heat source, so as to produce electric power. In addition, the barbeque-grill accessory is designed so as to receive electric power produced by the thermoelectric generator, once the thermoelectric generator has been activated by heat produced from the heat source.