Abstract: A valet rack assembly includes a three-piece fully extendable slide assembly having a base rail for installation on a closet sidewall in an operative position, an intermediate extension member slidably coupled to the base rail, an outer housing member slidably coupled to the intermediate member, and an apparel support member in the form of a tie clasp or belt post slidably coupled to the outer housing member. The intermediate extension member provides a first range of extension from a first position wherein the intermediate member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the base rail, to a first stop position wherein the intermediate member only partially overlaps the base rail. The outer housing member provides a second range of extension from a second position wherein the outer member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the intermediate extension member, to a second stop position wherein the outer member only partially overlaps the intermediate extension member.

Abstract: Make-up water derived from an on-shore treatment facility is returned to a slurry processing unit on board a dredge by means of a water supply pipeline floating alongside a slurry delivery pipeline that conveys dredged material to the on-shore treatment facility. After separation from the slurry solids, the return water is pressurized to a transport pressure at the treatment facility with a centrifugal pump and then boosted to the desired working pressure once aboard the dredge. This two-stage pumping and re-cycling process reduces the amount of clear make-up water needed for proper operation of the slurry processing unit by more than 50%. This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the overall cost of remediation by reducing the amount of water that must be cleaned prior to disposal.

Abstract: Passenger boats are accelerated along a submerged guide rail structure that is arranged in various closed loop courses, including “Figure-Eight,” hour-glass, serpentine and oval patterns, as well as linear guide track structures that extend in parallel between a launch station and a return station. A dual “Figure-Eight” watercourse includes a simulated jump ramp and an underground tunnel arrangement. The launching and operating speed of each boat relative to the other is controlled so that the boats approach and pass in close proximity to each other and then recede from each other as they travel in opposite directions along adjacent guide track sections, and in passing, project water spray onto each other.

Abstract: An ergonomic handrail adapted for use with a stairway or in a toilet has a generally wavy shape. It is mounted generally obliquely on a wall to provide an alternating combination of generally vertically and horizontally disposed portions which are disposed generally above steps and risers of the stairway, respectively. The generally vertically and horizontally disposed portions are adapted to be grasped by a user without bending his or her wrist forwardly in ascending and descending a flight of stairs, respectively. This arrangement enables infirm persons such as elderly or disabled persons to grasp it readily and firmly without causing their hands to accidentally slip from grasping engagement with it.

Abstract: A cable is installed in a guide tube by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during this installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable has passed the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. A hollow chamber filled with foam-plugs saturated with lubricant forms the cable lubricator. To avoid buckling, cable guide blocks are placed, which also divide the lubricator in different sub-chambers, each with its own foam-plug and content of lubricant. The airflow, needed to propel the cable during blowing, can bypass the lubricator.

Abstract: A remotely accessible power controller communicates power reduction command signals by power line carrier (PLC) signaling over existing AC power distribution conductors for automatically disconnecting building lighting loads. Turn-off command signals from a local or remote controller automatically disconnect building lighting loads according to a time-of-day schedule to comply with mandated energy consumption codes applicable to the automatic shutoff of electrical lighting. Load shedding (selective turn off and/or dimming) command signals transmitted from public or private utility companies automatically disconnect or reduce building lighting loads in accordance with load curtailment agreements to limit total connected power consumption below an agreed level.

Abstract: A quick release security grating is coupled to a retention frame by a hinge assembly which permits swinging movement from a closed position preventing intrusion through the window opening to an open position allowing emergency exit of an occupant through the window opening. The security grating is held in the closed position by a quick release latch assembly which is locked by an actuator arm urged by the force of gravity into locking engagement with a latch receiver. The actuator arm includes a handle which is concealed behind the retention frame when the security grating is in the closed position, making the handle immediately accessible to an occupant inside the building structure and hiding it from an intruder. A utility hook is attached to the handle and overlaps the window opening at an easy-to-find location relative to the window opening when the security grating is closed and the actuator arm is in the locked position.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is used as a distributed temperature sensing (DTS) transducer for temperature profile measurements in a protective underground duct in which a high voltage (HV) cable has already been laid. The sensing cable is not incorporated into the power cable itself, and in some installations does not have direct physical contact with the HV cable. The sensing cable is installed externally (along side) of the HV power cable, either in direct surface contact with the HV cable, or alternatively, the fiber optic sensing cable is installed in a small diameter guide tube that is placed in the upper annulus between the HV cable and the protective duct. The sensing fiber and one or more guide tubes are installed in a loose bundle at least in part by fluid drag forces (blowing with pressurized air) using conventional cable launching equipment.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a seat frame, left and right arm frames attached to the seat frame, and a back frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame. The back frame can be manually rotated to a folded, minimum profile position in which the chair back overlaps the chair seat, for example for shipping and storage, and rotatable to an upright, fixed position to accommodate lounging in a semi-reclining or sitting position. Stop apparatus on the chair frame is engagable with one of the seat frame and the back frame for fixing the back frame in the upright position, and releasable therefrom to permit closing rotational movement of the back frame to the folded position.

Abstract: An ice ball launcher simulates the impact of a storm-generated hailstone falling onto a test specimen or structural component exhibit such as a roofing shingle, skylight, automobile panel, aircraft fuselage panel, aircraft wing panel and the like. The launcher includes a tripod base, a rail, a sled, an ice ball holder cup, a manually operable trigger latch assembly, an elastic band and a laser beam aiming device. The ice ball launcher consistently and repeatably projects ice balls at a predetermined velocity and impact energy onto the component sample. The velocity of each ice ball is measured as it transits from the ice ball launcher to the installation mockup, verifying that the ice ball velocity is within a predetermined velocity tolerance range. The measured velocity and known mass of the ice ball are used to calculate the kinetic impact energy on the component sample material, and to determine whether the calculated impact energy is within a predetermined impact energy tolerance range.

Abstract: A weight measurement method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring the weight load on a vehicle such as a tractor trailer rig. A load pin and bearing assembly mechanically couples the weight of a trailer and its payload to the leaf springs of a tractor trailer truck. The shackle pin is intersected by a longitudinal bore in which multiple strain gage sensors are mounted. A miniature signal processing unit is totally enclosed and shielded within the longitudinal bore and is electrically connected to the strain gage sensors. The signal processing unit develops weight signals that are communicated by conventional low voltage signal cabling to a load display unit in the tractor cab. An offset lubricant passage provides a means for lubricating the load pin bearings while preventing contact of the lubricant with the strain gages, internal wiring and signal conditioner components housed within the main longitudinal bore.

Abstract: A bale processor for cutting or dicing a bale or slab of unvulcanized rubber produces small cubes or blocks of a predetermined size and uniform shape for continuous feeding at a predetermined rate into a mixing machine or blender. A bale or slab of feedstock rubber is advanced incrementally along a slider platform and a segment is sliced from the leading end of the bale. After separation, the segment falls onto a receiving panel from which it is transferred by a vacuum pick-up head to a vacuum hold-down table. Multiple slices are then formed through the segment along the X-axis by circular cutting blades of an X-axis cutter head, thereby forming elongated segment strips. Next, multiple slices are formed through the segment strips in the Y-direction by a Y-axis cutter head which includes circular cutter blades that are extendable and retractable along the Y-axis.

Abstract: An improved tunnel or covered highway structure with means for easy and quick access to the interior. The structure includes a wind tunnel built over a highway and a wind deflector slab provided near the exit end of the tunnel and having an opening for permitting vehicular traffic to pass therethrough. The wind deflector functions to deflect upwardly the air flow generated by the piston action of traffic moving in the tunnel so as to diffuse air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and traffic noise. The wind tunnel includes vent openings and/or side entrances which are normally closed to prevent ventilation of the tunnel therethrough but can selectively be opened to reduce wind pressures generated by piston action of the moving traffic so that the operation of maintenance personnel may not be hampered thereby during repairs.

Abstract: A golf course is laid out for play in a front round and a back round, with each round being played on a sequence of eleven holes spaced apart along a course that traverses natural rough environs. The holes are integrated into the existing natural rough environs thereby forming playable green areas adjoining out-of-play rough areas. Each hole includes a green located within an out-of-play boundary line, and the distance between the approximate center of the green and its out-of-play boundary line is fractionally proportional to the spacing distance that separates the green in play from the preceding green. All play is single stroke from green-to-green (hole-to-hole). The spacing distance from one green playing area to the next is limited to a predetermined distance that is calculated to allow it to be spanned in a single stroke by a beginning player.

Abstract: In an integral production pumping tree, the bottom connection, blow-out preventer, flow tee and top connection are positioned to one side, with the vertical rod bore off-center. Up to three vertical ports are provided in the other side of the tree, for providing access to the production casing bore for an electric heating string, an instrumentation string and a small diameter injection tubing string. The ports accommodate sealed connection assemblies, from which the strings extend. The upper portion of the other side of the tree is cut away to create space for introducing the connecting assemblies. The tubing hanger is provided with matching bores.

Abstract: A filling body is inserted together with a loose bundle of guide tubes during installation in an existing protective duct, thus enlarging the bundle diameter (which reduces the buckling risk) and making crossing of the guide tubes impossible. The guide tubes are positioned along the outside of the filling body, providing access to the guide tubes during post-installation branching. The filling body may include radially projecting spacer ribs that separate the guide tubes, thereby preventing crossing movement and helical stranding. The guide tubes are thus constrained and carried along with the filling body in alignment with the spacer ribs, so that buckling, helical stranding and three-dimensional restrictions or tangles cannot occur. The filling body may include a thin tubular sidewall enclosing a longitudinal airflow passage that may be pressurized during installation, and deformable when unpressurized, thus providing mechanical protection against damage of the protective duct after installation.

Abstract: A forward/reverse transmission, shiftable under servo-control, includes a movable clutch bell and a free-wheeling, one-way centrifugal lock-out clutch that permits a gear change from forward to reverse or reverse to forward only while the engine is operating at or below idle speed. The centrifugal lock-out clutch includes a spring-loaded pawl which is yieldably biased by a compression spring and held in a non-interfering, shiftable position when the engine is being operated at or below idle speed. As the engine rpm increases above idle, the centripetal acceleration force overcomes the bias force of the compression spring and the pawl is extended radially outwardly for engagement with a torque transfer pin. In the radially extended position, the pawl is disposed for interference contact against the clutch bell housing, thus preventing clutch engagement/disengagement.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading open a rib cage of an animal carcass, and for holding, supporting, and maneuvering the carcass while holding open the rib cage of the carcass, is provided. A first support member is coupled to a first actuator for up and down movement along a first axis. A second support member is pivotally coupled to the first support member so that the second support member can be pivoted about a second axis by a second actuator. A third actuator is attached to and supported by the second support member. A scissors linkage is coupled to the third actuator at a first end of the scissors linkage, coupled to the second support member at central portion of the scissors linkage, and coupled to the spreading plates at a second end of the scissors linkage. The actuators may be pneumatically, hydraulically and/or electrically driven, for example.