Abstract: A wind-driven turbine assembly useful for the generation of electricity. The turbine assembly has a frame which holds two parallel turbines supported by the top and floor of the frame. Each turbine has a central support pipe with turbine veins extending outwardly. The wind enters the front of the frame and is split into two streams which strike the outer blades of each of the two turbines, causing them to rotate in opposite directions. The frame has side doors which tend to open as wind velocity increases. The frame also has a back panel which also may be adjusted between open and closed positions. Electrical generators are operably connected to shafts of the turbine to convert the energy absorbed from the wind into electricity.

Abstract: A process of electrically heating a spa having electrically operated devices connected to the spa, such as one or more water pumps, lights, and at least two heaters, in an environment in which there is not enough current to operate all spa devices simultaneously. The process includes the steps of providing a control system with data as to which devices are connected to the spa and how much current each device requires, and how much current is available to the spa. Next, the amount of current that is being used by the devices currently operating, other than the two heaters, is calculated. This provides the amount of the residual current available. If the spa water temperature is below a desired temperature, a determination is made as to whether there is enough current to operate one or both spa heaters and either one heater or both heaters are turned on based upon this calculation.

Abstract: A brake assembly for inline skates. The assembly includes a brake arm which is supported by a wheel frame and can be moved between a free running position and a braking position. At least one wheel is a “braking wheel” to which a braking force may be applied. The braking wheel has a brake ring held by the wheel, which ring rotates with the wheel. The brake ring has a radially outwardly facing circular brake contact surface positioned so that it is contacted by the movable brake arm when the movable brake arm is in its braking position.

Abstract: A bearing with one or more layers of lubricated spacers for dynamically brace-supporting first and second slide surfaces independently movable relative to each other. The spacers are positioned between the first and second slide surfaces, and each spacer has a pair of opposing spacer slide surfaces which are adapted to slide in surface-to-surface contact relative to an adjacent slide surface. Lubricants are used to facilitate low friction relative sliding motion between the slide surfaces, which can be either bonded to the spacers, or separately deposited between the slide surfaces.

Abstract: A laser activation system for use with a crossbow having a trigger mechanism mounted on a crossbow stock. An electrical circuit for a laser mounted on the crossbow has a primary switch for opening and closing the electrical circuit. The primary switch is actuated by a safety device which releasably locks the trigger mechanism between a locked position which opens the electrical circuit, and an unlocked position which closes the electrical circuit to produce a laser beam.

Abstract: An easily removable and replaceable toilet seat lid and hinge assembly. When it becomes necessary to clean the top of the toilet, toilet seat, and lid, the toilet seat and lid may be readily removed without having to remove the bolts which hold the seat on the toilet. Instead, male and female clip members hold the seat to the toilet and may be readily snapped in and out of attachment to remove or replace the toilet seat.

Abstract: A water driven vibrating massager mounted in an opening in the wall of a spa. The massager is supported in a massager mounting frame secured in the opening in the wall of the spa. The mounting frame has a frame elastic member support portion extending inwardly from the frame. An elastic member is held by the elastic member support portion, which in turn holds a massager body. The massager body extends interiorly to a support area on the mounting frame and an inner elastic member is held between the support area on the mounting frame and a support portion on the massager body. The massager body fits within a mounting frame for a water jet and the process of the present invention includes the unscrewing of a locking ring and the removal of a water jet followed by the insertion of the massager body and the replacement of the locking ring. In this way, the massager body can be placed at any position where a spa jet is held.

Abstract: An improved fluorescent bulb for use in a work lamp for rough service applications. The fluorescent bulb is of the type having a fluorescent tube which emits light when energized by electric power. A base portion connects to the fluorescent tube and encloses a base cavity which supports a starter switch bulb electrically connected to the fluorescent tube. The starter switch bulb is protectively surrounded by a preferably woven glass-fabric sleeve which absorbs impacts caused by relative movement of components within the base cavity, including the starter switch bulb itself.

Abstract: A bi-component microporous hollow fiber membrane structure is provided for in vivo propagation of cells and use in testing of the effect of medical treatments on cells within the structure. The structure has an inner structure fabricated from a first bio-compatible polymer and an outer structure fabricated from a different polymer that has a lower tendency for cell adhesion than the inner structure polymer. In this way, the inner structure can be selected to optimize cell propagation and the outer structure can be fabricated from a polymer which optimizes the removal of the bi-component structure from its implanted location. The inner and outer structures may have a pore size between 10 and 1000 Angstroms and 100 and 2000 Angstroms, respectively, and be formed from polysulfone or polyether sulfone and polyvinyledene difuoride, respectively. The membrane structure can form macrocapsules containing media and living cells for implanting.

Abstract: A process for a caregiver using a movable stand to assist a reclined person to move from a reclined position to a sitting and/or standing position. The process includes the process of moving a movable stand which has a floor contacting base which supports a vertical pole. The stand is moved to a place adjacent the reclined person. The caregiver places at least one foot on the floor contacting base and grasps an upper portion of the generally vertical pole. The reclined person grasps an intermediate portion of the pole and pulls on the pole to assist the reclined person to sit or stand without placing a strain on the back of the caregiver.

Abstract: A cap lock system for restricting access to a threaded cylindrical end of an access or security device, such as a Schrader valve. An inner lock has a threaded cavity which screws onto an externally-threaded cylindrical end of the Schrader valve. The inner lock itself is received into an open end of an outer cap which captively encloses the inner lock in a manner which allows free rotation between the inner lock and outer cap and prevents the inner lock from being unscrewed. An upper endwall of the outer cap has a keyhole leading into a recessed cavity of the inner lock, with the recessed cavity surrounded by an annular wall. A key is provided for locking and unlocking the inner lock from the Schrader valve. The key has a pivot shaft which is matingly insertable into a section of the keyhole which is configured to support radial loads similar to a journal bearing. A tab connected to a leading end of the pivot shaft is insertable through the keyhole and into the recessed cavity.

Abstract: A can holder for supporting a smaller can on top of a larger can during shipping in a carton. The can holder fits closely within the raised lip around the cover of the larger can. The can holder has one, two, or three raised cylindrical rings are capable of holding the bottom of a smaller can within one of the rings. When the larger can, the can holder, and the smaller can are placed in a proper sized carton, the lid of the carton holds the smaller can in the ring on the can holder and prevents if from shifting during shipping.

Abstract: A head restraint for supporting a user's head with respect to the head rest portion of a seat. The head restraint has a headband strap for placing over the head across the forehead of the user. An anchor band is secured around the head rest portion of the seat. A righthand securement strap is affixed between the strap placed over the head of the user and the anchor band. Similarly, a lefthand strap is affixed between the strap placed over the head of the user and the anchor band.

Abstract: A hockey puck with a set of runners extending from the upper and lower surface thereof. The runners are movable with respect to the puck and as the puck hits the playing surface, one or more runners strike the playing surface and move slightly inwardly with respect to the puck, absorbing some of the shock of the puck hitting the playing surface. In this way, the puck tends to bounce less away from the playing surface.

Abstract: A puck for use on a non-ice surface such as cement. The puck has an outer ring made from plastic or other elastic material so that it will deform slightly when the side of the puck is struck against a wall or other object. The runners extend upwardly from the upper and lower surfaces of the puck to reduce the friction of the puck against the floor surface.

Abstract: An earthquake actuated automatic gas shutoff valve having a valve bottom portion with a generally horizontal floor having a ball seat and a valve seat surrounding a gas outlet passageway. A ball having an elastomeric outer surface is held in the ball seat and in the event of an earthquake, the ball is shaken out of the ball seat and rolls into the valve seat to stop the flow of gas. The ball can either be a solid elastomeric ball or a metal ball with an elastomeric outer coating.