Abstract: A self propelled vehicle for transport and placement of an onboard supply of fill material in an onboard hopper. The hopper is connected to said vehicle at a point operatively positioned to discharge fill material placed therein on a conveyor belt mounted to a support structure. The fill material is deposited on the conveyor at a receiving and discharged at the distal end of the conveyor either directly or via a flow director attached to the distal end attached thereto. The flow director bifurcates the stream of fill material allowing the operator to place more or less of the fill in two streams using a plurality of independently adjustable channeling ramps. The hopper is optionally adjustable from an angle normal to the vehicle to allow for adjustment in the vehicle center of gravity on grades. The flow director can also be configured for attachment to existing conveyors to increase their utility or used as part of the entire self propelled device in a single unit.

Abstract: An improved hoist ring and method of manufacturing a hoist ring having a generally U shaped ring member and two substantially parallel legs. A pair of apertures communicated through the parallel legs and rotationally engage a pair of elongated shoulders protruding from a body member. A taper in the upper wall surface of the apertures allows the ring member to be inserted over the shoulders and then bent to a U shape to form the device and also allows for the assembly of the device from two unitary structures.

Abstract: An improved rolling pivot for suspended support of articulated panels such as shutters or room dividers in an overhead channel. The pivot features angled engagement of overlapped wheels of the rolling pivot in the overhead channel to thereby allow the supported articulated panels to be closed and opened by directing force to side edges of the suspended panels instead of having to pull the lead panel in the array. The pivot also allows for minimizing the width of the overhead channel and easy insertion and removal of individual pivot assemblies with the overhead channel by a simple rotation of the carriage of the pivot assembly to remove the wheels from operational engagement with tracks formed in the carriage and allow the wheels and pivot assembly to slide through a gap in the channel between the tracks.

Abstract: A valve spring device using pressurized gas for use in biasing a reciprocating valve which moves between a seated position and open position. The device features a static housing having a static chamber what is translateably engaged with dynamic housing. Chambers inside both housings are sealably engaged such that the dynamic housing translates away from the static housing when pressurized gas is communicated to the engaged sealed chambers thereby biasing the dynamic housing away from the static housing and moving the attached valve. Timing of oscillation of the translation and resulting valve timing is controlled by a controller activating a control valve between a pressurizing state and a venting state. The timing may be adjusted to accommodate the engine timing through varying the controller's activation of the control valve and optionally varying the pressure of the gas using a regulator.

Abstract: A wireless communication network which includes an antenna array for receiving and transmitting signals to and from remote users which is capable of adapting to widely varying traffic levels. Different antenna elements can be turned on during high user periods and off when there are fewer users. Also, beam width can be varied, with fewer antennas having wide beams in use when traffic levels are low and more antennas with narrow beams when traffic is high. Generally, the maximum capability uses 180 antenna elements with beam widths of about 2° to cover a full 360°. This network can act as either a circuit switched network or a packet switched network, as desired.

Abstract: A low profile, expandable, mobile rigid structure with unique a unique assembly and support system, that can easily be transported by an average sized vehicle. The structure features a central structure with a central roof section, a pair of endwall assemblies, and a central floor mounted to a base. The endwalls are two pieced having a bottom endwall panel and a top endwall panel. From the side of the central structure one or more side sections are retractable and expandable to increase the size of the floor space inside. The two pieced endwalls allow for compaction of the structure for travel by translating the lower portion of the endwall from supporting the upper portion. A two pieced door allows entry into the structure when it is expanded.

Abstract: A light, foldable food cooker that will move from an expanded position to a collapsed position which can be used as a barbeque, stove, oven and smoker, and still fit into a confined area is very desirable. The device has a folding center section assembly made up of side walls, back walls, front doors and support plates pivotally mounted to fold out quickly, with a cover on top. A firebox provides both a spark and ashtray which is easily inserted in the expanded device. With food racks, water tray and fire box, this device can be assembled and disassembled in minutes. The incorporation of the water tray in the smoking process makes a tremendous difference in the quality of smoked meat, especially with fresh fish where the product is tender and moist.

Abstract: A device for use in combination with a hand held resistance welder to allow for insertion of an elongated portion of metal between two electrodes for welding hard to reach areas. The device features a mount to attach the device to a conventional hand held resistance welder with a laterally translatable pressure shaft. Once operatively mounted, translation of the pressure shaft translates a pivoting electrode which in turn rotates a primary mounting arm which causes two electrodes to move together and form a weld on the metal inserted.

Abstract: An improved louver rotation mechanism for use in a louvered shutter having a frame and a plurality of rotating louver rotationally engaged in the frame. The device features one or a plurality of rack gears slidably engaged in one of the vertical stiles of the frame. The racks are geared about their exterior sides to concurrently engage gears formed on the louver axles of the louvers and a geared knob assembly operatively mounted in the stile such that a twist of the handle of the knob assembly is communicated to at least one of the racks which in turn twists the louvers. When two racks are used of equal weight they function as a counter weight in their engagement with the louvers thereby stabilizing them. Optionally a brake mechanism may be included in the knob assembly to hold the louvers stationary and the brake mechanism may also function as a clutch to prevent damage to the louvers if force is applied to the louvers sufficient to overcome the clutch.

Abstract: An toy vehicle accelerator adapted for engagement with a roadway forming a track for carrying toy vehicles. The device features a lower first pair of rollers mounted adjacent to a first pathway to provide engagement the sides of a toy vehicle passing between said first pair of rollers. At a second level above the first, a removably mountable second pair of rollers may be mounted to form a second pathway at a second level above said first pathway. The second pair of rollers is rotatable by the same power source as the first allowing for the attachment of one or a plurality of different levels of powered rollers to accelerate toy vehicles on the track.

Abstract: A multi-purpose rear door tie down kit providing a plurality of components for securing elongated objects to the rear tailgate of a pickup truck or the rear hatch of a sport utility vehicle. The device in its simplest form features an elongated flexible cushioning member that attaches to the rear tailgate or cargo door. In other preferred embodiments it features a plurality of attachable components configured for removable attachment to the cushioning member which provide securement of articles being transported as well as storage of tools and components. The in a kit form to allow attachment of one or a combination of components configured for releasable attachment to the cushioning member component. The device can be easily stored behind the seat to be mounted onto the tailgate or rear door in seconds when an article needs to be secured. A variety of articles may be secured such as wood, surf boards, skis, ladders and bicycles just to name a few.

Abstract: A racked glass inverter which may be used alone or in combination with a processing system for preparing and filling beverage containers with ice and liquid. The beverage processing system simplifies the task of filling multiple glasses, cups or like containers with ice and a beverage, in a short time period, which is required with large crowds at restaurants and banquets. The system features three components including an ice tray, a glass inverter, and a glass filler, which in the best mode combine to the task of filling such beverage containers. The glass inverter is adapted to cooperatively engage with conventonal glass racks and allow two mated racks to be rotated thereby transferring the glasses from one to the other and inverting them in there position in the second rack.

Abstract: An improved archery arrow rest that holds an arrow in a ready-to-fire position using a biasing mechanism with magnetic attraction on communicating force to the components while not being in direct contact. When the arrow is released by the archer, the flexing of the arrow creates a force on the arrow support which is communicated to a rotating pivot providing enough force to break the magnetic attraction between the a pivot mounted leaf member and a magnet, thus allowing a biasing spring or a secondary magnet to rotate the arrow support down and out of the way of the arrow shaft and fletching or vanes attached thereto. By fine-tuning the gap between the magnet and the leaf member, the force of rearward bias and reaction time of the device can be cut down to react to even the fastest of bows.

Abstract: An electrical power control apparatus and method for a conventional 60 hertz or other conventional frequency electrical AC power supply voltage waveform to proved an effective output current and voltage to an intended load whereby the output frequency is the same as the input frequency. Using a switching means capable of micro switching the current on and off, and a plurality of substantially equal length and duration interruptions of current on both sides of an AC current oscillation, the output effective voltage and resulting current may be preset and controlled to a pre-programmed output level regardless of input voltage having one or more phases. Or, the output voltage and resulting current may be continually monitored with the load integrated into the circuit being monitored and continually adjusted to yield maximum power use savings while avoiding damage to the components attached to the circuit.

Abstract: An assembled or user assembleable and configurable eyewear kit to assemble protective eyewear adapted to the facial structure of the user and the environment in which the device will be used. The device features a frame member and two temple members for support over the ears of the user. The lenses chosen by the user are cooperatively engaged with the frame member and slideable thereon to the correct position in front of the eyes. An attachable nose bridge provides nose support for the frame member and attaches to the sides of the lenses. Optional side shields and seals between the users face and the assembled eyewear device may also be attached.

Abstract: A golf practice device, for use in combination with a golf ball which simulates the performance of a real hole of a conventional golf course. The device has a planar base support with a base aperture formed in its top surface to accommodate an appropriately sized base rim for either stationary or rotational engagement therein. A deflector attached to the base rim with an inner surface curved to dissipate a determined amount of the total kinetic energy from the golf ball struck toward the device redirects the ball into or away from a base cavity depending upon the amount of force the ball possesses when it strikes and travels over the curved deflector. Additional dissipation of energy from the golf ball may be achieved by forming the deflector from material which will absorb some of the balls energy when striking the deflector.

Abstract: An improved sanding block for sanding high and extended surfaces configured for use in combination with an attached pole. The sanding block is round in shape and is rotationally mounted on a pole mount that interfaces between the sanding block and the pole which attaches to a rotatable hub of the pole mount. This allows the sanding block to rotate during use and the pole to be rotated to different angles in relation to the flat working surface of the sanding block. Adjacent surface marring is prevented by the rotation of the sanding block upon contact of a side edge with such an adjacent surface. Optionally the pole mount can be locked to prevent rotation if desired and a barrel can provide an interface between the pole and the pole mount. This barrel can be straight, angled, or adjustable for angle, in the different preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A lens carrier for operative engagement of a camera lens with an image sensor such as a Charge Coupled Device or CMOS device. The lens mounts in a lens barrel on the lens carrier and may be laterally translated along the lens barrel to focus the image projected by the lens on an adjacent image sensor. The lens carrier also provides for self centering of the center axis of the lens with the center point on the imaging surface of the image sensor and for a perpendicular alignment of the lens center axis with the imaging surface to achieve the best conversion of the visual image from the lens into analog or digital format for use by electric devices.

Abstract: An improved sport goggle featuring apertures communicating with a pressurized air flow provided by focusing channels in a ledge projecting from the goggle body thereby increasing air flow into the eye cavity of the goggle. Venting of the eye cavity of the sport goggle is aided by forming of the goggle body shape to create low pressure zones adjacent to side and top venting apertures that communicate with the eye cavity. During use by a user, forward motion creates air flow through the focusing channel thereby increasing the air pressure entering the goggle through intake apertures and the curved shape of the goggle body creates low pressure zones adjacent to venting apertures to pull air from the eye cavity thereby increasing air flow and eliminating fogging. Additional utility is provided by aperture gates that are cooperatively engageable with the venting apertures to regulate air flow and/or absorb moisture.

Abstract: To obtain metal oxide layer having a reactiveness to electromagnetic wave whose wave length is longer than that of ultraviolet rays, for example, visible radiation or the like. A metal oxide layer is a layer of a stable metal oxide, for example, TiO, ZnO, WO, SnO, ZrO or the like obtained by melting and adhering metal powder for forming a layer of titanium (Ti), zinc (Zn), wolfram (W), stannum (Sn) and zirconium (Zr) or the like on a surface of a product to be treated comprising of a metal, ceramics or a mixture of them by injecting the metal powder with high speed by dint of using a compressed air and has oxygen deficit tilting structure wherein bonding quantity of oxygen is decreased as goes from the surface to the inside gradually.