Abstract: A device for capping and sealing a refrigeration service valve fitting of quick disconnect type for minimizing unwanted seepage of refrigerant from the fitting. The device includes a cap defining a base and an open-ended sealing portion extending longitudinally from the base. The sealing portion defines first and second internal cylindrical surfaces wherein the first surface defines a first internal diameter and the second surface defines a second internal diameter greater than the first diameter and wherein a shoulder defines a boundary between the surfaces. The first surface defines a groove containing an annular flexible member for sealingly engaging the fitting when the device is positioned on the fitting. Features are provided in relationship with the sealing portions for removably retaining the device on the fitting by engaging a conventional lock groove in the fitting.

Abstract: A device for use at construction sites, the device having a plurality of brackets for quickly and easily mounting the device on building studs and for supporting a length of material, such as a two by four, and wherein two or more of the devices can be mounted on neighboring building studs to create a work or work surface supporting apparatus.

Abstract: A portable public restroom door lock for holding stall doors of restrooms closed when the locking system normally provided for the door is inoperative. The device comprises opposed metal or plastic elastic arm members that can be squeezed together and slidably positioned between the stall door and the stall wall and then released to engage the stall door and the stall wall to hold the stall door in closed relationship with the stall wall.

Abstract: A flexible cast that constructed out of a group of cells. Each cell is filled with a filler that contains a substance that can be heated or cooled. The cast is held onto the user's body by a set of straps and fasteners. The cast is intended to immobilize the body part and either heat or cool it as desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for sanitizing objects by use of ultraviolet light includes an enclosed container defining a first object entry opening and a second object exit opening. A first inclined slide is mounted within the container and is positioned adjacent to the first entry opening, and a second inclined slide is mounted within the container beneath the first slide and positioned adjacent to the second exit opening. The slides are positioned at angles with respect to horizontal such that the pull of gravity on the objects moving down each of the slides is greater than restraining electrostatic or frictional forces on the objects. A baffle is mounted within the container and is positioned with respect to the slides for redirecting objects from the first slide onto the second slide, and ultraviolet light sources are mounted in the container and positioned above the slides for irradiating the objects as they move down the slides.

Abstract: A variation of the poker card game known as Texas Hold'em provides for players folding their cards during a hand to fold the cards face-up. This provides the remaining players in the hand with more information and enables those players to make better decisions as they continue to play the hand.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly for attachment to a preexisting sun visor mounting rod of a vehicle. The assembly includes a first portion for shielding the windshield having four overlapping panels vertically and laterally adjustable with respect to each other. The assembly further includes a second portion rotatably positionable with respect to the first portion for shielding the vehicle's side window. The second portion includes four additional overlapping panels vertically and laterally adjustable with respect to each other. Each of the first and second portions are universally rotatably positionable for deployment beside the windshield and side window, respectively, when in use and for deployment in a compact stored position away from the windshield and side window when not in use.

Abstract: A jack for raising, lowering and holding articles such as wallboard can be used by a single installer to install a wall-board panel. The wallboard panel is lifted by turning a knob that moves a foot member down against the floor to lift the wallboard. The installer can easily make small adjustments of the wallboard position by turning the knob to raise or lower the wallboard panel.

Abstract: An improved carrier apparatus for use by fire fighters to carry fire hose and to serve as a personnel carrier includes an elongate bottom, a first end wall connected to the bottom and first and second opposed and spaced apart side walls connected to the bottom and to the first end wall. A second fire hose retaining end wall is movably connected to the first side wall for removable connection to the second end wall. A gap is formed between a lower edge of the second end wall and the elongate bottom when the second end wall is removably fastened to the second side wall to permit water and debris to pass out through the gap while preventing the fire hose from falling out of the carrier prematurely.

Abstract: A newspaper inserting machine for inserting supplements or inserts into signatures or newspaper jackets improves upon conventional inserting machines by modifying the conventional inserting machines existing belt gripping mechanisms for gripping the inserts and for propelling the inserts into the newspaper jackets as the jackets are moved by a conveyor past insert-containing containers. The existing belt gripping mechanisms are modified to be adjustably positionable to accommodate inserts of different thicknesses and are also modified to be adjustably positionable in directions parallel with the conveyor to accommodate inserts of different sizes while reducing the machine set-up time required by operators for different sizes of inserts. The adjustability of the belt gripping mechanisms also increase the capacity of conventional machines for the number of different inserts which can be placed into the newspaper jackets along a conveyor of predetermined length.

Abstract: A high capacity, multiple-stage railway car switching yard connects together two or more subyards. Each subyard has a fully open arrival/departure end and may have a continuously descending gradient throughout the entire length of its classification tracks. The subyards are positioned opposite one another, so classification tracks of one subyard can serve as receiving tracks for another subyard. Escape tracks are interconnected between the two subyards to provide a higher capacity and more efficiency and flexibility than a single yard by itself.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding an object stationary includes a first supporting element or housing and an anchor or screw element for attaching the housing to a supporting surface. A claw-shaped element is pivotally connected to the housing and is normally urged by a spring positioned within the housing in a first direction for enabling the claw-shaped element to cooperate with or engage a bar element connected to the bottom of the object, whereby the object is prevented from being blown over, toppled, moved or carried away by the action of animals or the wind.

Abstract: A puzzle forming a cube when assembled includes a plurality of hexahedron blocks, each block defining at least one hole therein which passes completely through the block. A plurality of fastening elements of substantially identical dimensions with respect to each other are provided, and the blocks are assembled together in a predetermined manner to form a cube with each of the fastening elements passing through predetermined holes of the blocks.

Abstract: A new method of sorting railroad cars in yards is presented, whereby outbound trains are built in proper standing order for departure directly on classification tracks, using a continuously sustainable multi-stage sorting process. During this process, cars are easily separated based on priority or according to their delivery time commitments, so connections of cars needing to go on a specific train can be protected. During second stage sorting operations, railcars may be inspected or repaired while they await outbound connections on classification tracks, effectively utilizing otherwise idle time and resulting in considerable savings in time required for railcars to pass through the yard. The need for a separate departure yard, along with the bottleneck “flat” switching operation at the departure end of the classification yard, is also eliminated.

Abstract: An animated light sculpture framework is configured for enabling the framework to be quickly and easily unfolded and erected for use and to be quickly and easily folded together into a compact configuration for transport and/or storage. A head and neck portion of the light sculpture framework is movable from side-to-side in an oscillating manner to simulate natural movement by use of a motor connected to the framework.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a diffraction grating, such as a CD, CD-ROM, DVD, laserdisc, mini disc or the like, positioned with respect to the light bulb for reflecting light from the bulb to produce a pleasing spectral visual effect.

Abstract: A suturing needle assembly enables simultaneous passage of suture and introduction of local anesthetic into body tissue. Two suturing needle assembly embodiments are described and methods of using the needle assemblies include cystopexy, cystourethropexy, urethropexy and uteropexy procedures.