Abstract: An interfacing computer program and system which allows a COBOL program, despite its totally different nature and internal data handling constructs and statement approaches, to effectively generate Structured Query Language (SQL) statements in accessing and using data from a SQL oriented database (8-9) and getting appropriate data back in a form consistent with what the COBOL program expects. The program's interface module (5) receives COBOL statements from an appropriately compiled COBOL program (3), and, using information contained in a data dictionary (4) created when the COBOL program (1) was compiled (note compiler 2), generates the appropriate SQL statements to access and generate the appropriate data from a SQL oriented database (8-9) for sending back to the COBOL program (3). A number of innovative programming and logic techniques are used, with innovative techniques for enhanced speed of execution.

Abstract: A simulated golf game including a substantially reduced size course in which each "hole" (10) and its respective tee marker (40) is separated from each other by a minimum of about fifty (50') feet and a maximum of about one hundred and fifty (150') feet for "holes" having pars "3" to "5" (FIG. 7), that can be played, for example, in the yard of the user, including regulation size balls (20) that are of relatively light weight; "holes" in the form of, for example, relatively large, outer diameter [e.g. twenty (20") inch] and relatively large, inner diameter [e.g. fifteen (15") inch] ramp rings (10, FIGS. 1A & 1B) substantially spaced about on the ground, each having an easy-entry/reluctant-exit hoop configuration; miniature flags (30, FIGS. 3A-C) associated with the "holes", and tee markers (FIGS. 4A-4D) and tees. The ball has an effective "maximum" range of about fifty (50') feet and is formed of an aerated, hollow, plastic hemisphere with a weight of about a tenth (0.1 oz) of an ounce.

Abstract: Holders (10) for growing individual oysters each including a cup-like member (12) having a lip (20) defining a cylindrical cavity (16) of a size sufficient to allow a seedling or juvenile oyster to be at least partially, and preferably completely, placed therein prior to the juvenile oyster's setting with the oyster's hinge located at the cavity's rear. At least one aperture (24/26; 124/126) is formed through the cavity's bottom and side walls with dimensions sufficient to prevent the seedling or juvenile oyster from passing through the aperture(s) but large enough to allow the oyster spat to initially anchor itself to the holder by growing into the aperture(s). The holder further includes a flared, radially extending, shelf extension portion (14) into which the lip of the cavity leads. The shelf portion along with the higher, underside side of the lip directs the growth of the growing oyster's shell over the shelf as it grows up past and outside of the walls of the cup-like member.

Abstract: A protective facial mask system having an outer, high impact, rigid layer (of, e.g., polycarbonate) and an inner, flexible, relatively soft layer of energy absorption and dissipating material (e.g. an unaerated viscoelastic polymer). The inner, soft layer preferably has variable or different thicknesses of material (e.g., going from about an eighth of an inch minimum to about a quarter inch maximum thickness), affording greater protection to facial areas where the underlying bone structure is weaker (e.g., the nasal region), which is where in the invention the inner layer is thickest, and thinner where the bone structure is stronger (e.g. over the flanking, supra-orbital/glabella regions). The inner soft layer thereby best absorbs, redirects and dissipates the energy from impact forces to the face, protecting the facial skeleton from, for example, fracturing. The mask, in all three of its embodiments (FIGS. 1 & 2, FIGS. 3 & 4, and FIGS.

Abstract: A garden cleaning implement (10) for weeds and the like comprising a cutting mechanism (14) and a retractable guard mechanism (28), generally free to "float" up and down about the cutter mechanism, carried on, for example, an extended pole handle (22). The cutting mechanism includes--an associated rotational power source (16/116); an intermediate, rotatable shaft (18) connected thereto; and a rotatable, rectangular blade, cutting member (20).

Abstract: A vegetable harvesting device or cutter (8) for harvesting a harvest portion from a plant, e.g. okra, which plant has a harvest portion supported at the end of a stem. The cutter includes a conduit member (10) that has a passageway (12) therethrough. The passageway includes receiving and discharge ports (20 & 16) and is adapted to allow passage of a desired harvest portion and to receive a portion of the stem adjacent the harvest portion. The perimeter of the receiving port is defined by a peripheral lip located at a surface of the conduit member and has at least a functional portion lying within a plane. A hand-actuated, squeezeable severing means or cutter is in operational connection with the functional portion of the peripheral lip and is selectively responsive to an operator for harvesting the harvest portion by severing the stem while a section of the stem is received within the passageway of the conduit member (note FIG. 4 ).

Abstract: A basic connector body (13) which electrically connects and mechanically secures a ground wire (1) to a grounding member (14), e.g. pipe or electrical conduit, which body is made of a one piece brass alloy casting. The generally cylindrical, basic connector body has a smaller diameter, wire section and a larger diameter, pipe section, the size of the latter allowing the body to be slipped over the pipe end. In contrast, the smaller, wire section prevents the pipe from passing through the connector body due to the presence of a ridge (7). When the connector body is slipped over the end of the grounding pipe until the end of the pipe bears against the ridge, a first set screw (8) is screwed down until it drives itself down against the outer, exterior surface of the pipe, electrically connecting and mechanically securing the connector body to the pipe.

Abstract: A control system for wild oil and gas wells etc. using a centered, angled tubular device placed over and attached to the well head by clamps and remotely controlled hydraulic cylinders. The discharge of the well is directed into the bottom of the device, having movable blades forming two apertures used to minimize the induction of air from the exterior. Inert gas from engines powering pumps is injected into the space between the apertures, so that greater than atmospheric pressure in this chamber will result in the outflow of inert gas and prevent induction of air. Inert gas can also be injected into the main body of the device when required to prevent combustion. High pressure motive fluid is discharged from nozzles within the angled chamber of the device, directing the oil and liquids which impinge on the upper surface of the tube to be directed by baffles to its bottom, then flowing into a collecting trough and drawn through slots in the trough bottom by fluid jet eductors.

Abstract: An octagonally-shaped, orange colored sign display (10) having intelligible, informational indicia (20) thereon, such as "CALL 911," using chemi-luminescence to provide illumination from within the indicia in emergency situations. The indicia consist of a series of separate, hollow, formed containers, which are made of at least translucent, if not transparent, material and contain a special, generally isolated chemical, which is ultimately mixed with another special chemical located in an upper, horizontally disposed, reservoir tube (30/330), with the tube connected to the indicia containers by connector lines (40). A membrane divider (31/331) extends across the bottom portion of the reservoir tube, isolating the upper chemical from the lower chemical, until steps are taken to break or rupture it. The two chemi-luminescent chemicals are mixed by breaking the membrane by bending the tube until the membrane breaks.

Abstract: Two embodiments (FIGS. 1+ & FIGS. 5+) of a double, by-pass valve system for a closed refrigerant system allowing its safe servicing, the first being included in the original manufacturing of the compressor unit in the refrigerant exit line of the compressor (FIG. 4 ) and the second installed as a retro-fit on the compressor unit and provided "in-line" in the liquid refrigerant line. In the first a double valve body with a transverse bore through a main shut-off valve allows the flow of refrigerant to pass or be shut down to the rest of the system, while a secondary, access port with a transverse bore intersects the main flow valve on the upstream side of the seats by means of a manifold bore, providing a by-pass passageway to an access connection (minus a depressible valve core or "Schrader" valve) for a refrigerant hose to connect to the manifold charging gauges, allowing communication with the closed refrigerant system.

Abstract: A holder usable to hold various food items, such as ham, chicken, etc., but particularly efficacious as a combined catfish killer and holder for skinning. The device includes a longitudinally extended, base platform (1); an upwardly extended, fish positioning, holding plate (2) at one end of the platform having a "V" shaped opening into which the fish's head is positioned; a killing spike (4) carried by a sleeve (5), which is carried by a laterally extending, "floating" top bar (6) slidingly mounted on the exterior sides of the diverging "V" legs (21); a laterally extended, stop railing (7) provided at the other end of the platform extending below its bottom (11); and a lateral trough (8) across the top (12) of the platform.

Abstract: A blade sharpening device (8) easily connectable to a source of rotating power, such as a battery powered hand drill (66), and having a guard member (14), a selectably locatable handle member (16/16') attached to the guard member, and hand-manipulatable means for maintaining the grinding surfaces of the sharpening device at a desired grinding angle and moving it along the length of the blade edge. The guard extends completely over the width of the rotatable sharpening members (10 & 58) and over about eighty (80.degree.) degrees or approximately a quadrant (ninety degrees) of their sides and provides an upper, curved surface (18) or a side, flat surface (19), depending on which handle location (30/28) is used, against which the user's hand can be rested for greater control and stability of the sharpener when in use on, for example, a lawn mower blade (62) which is still attached to the lawn mower drive shaft (63) at the underside of the lawn mower housing (64).

Abstract: A basic connector body (13) which electrically connects and mechanically secures a ground wire (1) to a grounding member (14), e.g. pipe or electrical conduit, which body is made of a one piece brass alloy casting. The generally cylindrical, basic connector body has a smaller diameter, wire section and a larger diameter, pipe section, the size of the latter allowing the body to be slipped over the pipe end. In contrast, the smaller, wire section prevents the pipe from passing through the connector body due to the presence of a ridge (7). When the connector body is slipped over the end of the grounding pipe until the end of the pipe bears against the ridge, a first set screw (8) is screwed down until it drives itself down against the outer, exterior surface of the pipe, electrically connecting and mechanically securing the connector body to the pipe.

Abstract: A display device system preferably made of flexible material for the removable, changeable displaying of bumper stickers and related indicia on vehicles and the like. The improved system includes a rectangular display sleeve having a transparent outer wall with a like configured, rectangular base member joined to the sleeve member by a heat seal at their side edges. The base member on its rear face includes an adhesive surface for adhering the display device to the vehicle. The sleeve member utilizes a flexible, zippered sleeve or envelope with a transparent front, with the display indicia item being inserted into the sleeve through the zippered edge, which is thereafter zippered closed. The base and sleeve members form an accordion-type fold, in which the fold faces are adhered together during use using an adhesive with lesser holding strength than that used to adhere the base member to the vehicle.

Abstract: A hazardous waste containment system for preventing the lateral migration of hazardous fluid substances (including both liquid and gas wastes) into the water table, particularly for sites which are located over a fluid impermeable strata of clay (20) or the like. The system uses an encircling (FIG. 8) barrier containment wall (W) comprising a plurality of slidingly engaged, interlocked, vertical barrier members (501/101) which extend down to and sealingly interface with the underlying fluid impermeable strata (20). The barrier members are slidingly engaged via interlocking male and female appendages, which mate and form vertically extended, interlocking, sealed joints, in which fluid impermeable seals (508/108) are formed.

Abstract: A pollution pad cleaning system for recyclably removing hydrocarbons from an absorbent material such that the material is re-useable as originally designed. As the preferred embodiment a pollution pad cleaning system comprises a multi-stage treatment process wherein polypropylene absorbent pads soaked with waste oil and the like are treated via a system of squeeze rollers, a solvent shower, centrifuge spin, and then drying and fluffing, restoring the pads to a "like new," reusable condition. The collected waste oil and solvent are removed at a predesignated concentration from the system for recycling.