Abstract: A floor drain installation system includes an adaptor attached to a drain pipe projecting from the ground, a coring sleeve having a bowl-shaped upper end attached to or integral with the adaptor, and a coring plug received within the bowl of the receiver to close off the drain pipe during pouring of a concrete floor and to create a space for subsequent reception of a drain head and grate.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing viscous pet food includes a rigid, downwardly curved, perforated dispensing sheet and a container having a cylindrical inner sidewall and a bottom surface that conforms to the dispensing sheet. The dispensing sheet preferably features a plurality of recesses and the container a plurality of corresponding rails that allow the sheet to stably descend within the container as downward pressure is applied to the sheet and the viscous food is dispensed and consumed.

Abstract: A vibratory unit interposed between a planetary drive and earth-penetrating device, e.g., an auger, is powered by the hydraulic system of a tractor, skid loader or the like. The unit includes a housing having a base plate with a slidable striker plate mounted therein. A Kelly bar displaces the planetary drive from the auger and through the housing. A rotatable shaft with weights eccentrically mounted thereon produces vibratory forces and urges the striker plate into contact with the base plate to provide hammer-like forces on the auger.

Abstract: A method and device for relieving muscle tension and spasms in a user's head, neck, shoulders and back is provided. The method and device may be used by an individual to apply pressure to specific pressure points on the trapezius muscles of the user's shoulders, sub-occipital area of the user's neck and rhomboid and thoracic paraspinal region of the user's back.

Abstract: A structural reinforcing panel system for reinforcing a structure against lateral or shear and uplift loads. The system includes a structural reinforcing panel which is installed between the studs in a wall of the structure. The panel is connected to the foundation of the structure and the sill or header. Two or more panels may be connected together at a corner, within a wall, ceiling or floor. The roof rafters of the structure may be attached to a top plate bracket mounted to the sill plate, which may also be connected to one or more structural reinforcing panels, provides uplift load support for the structure. For structures built on piers, a pier mount bracket provides a linkage to one or more structural reinforcing panels.

Abstract: A shower unit includes a shower seat having a plurality of moveable seat pads. Each seat pad is moveable between an extended position wherein the pad is in contact with the body of a user sitting on the seat and a retracted position wherein the pad is spaced away from the user's body. When a pad is in the retracted position, the body surface that would normally be occluded by the pad becomes accessible to spray from a nozzle so that the body surface can be cleaned. While any one pad is in the retracted position, the user is supported on enough of the other seat pads to remain in a stable sitting position. The spray nozzles may be mounted in the seat pads themselves, or may be mounted in the shower seat proximate to the pads.

Abstract: A dental articulator for use in dental education simulates the human mouth and has an adjustable hinge that interconnects upper and lower carrier trays for movement to and from a closed position. Modules of imitation gums and teeth are secured in the carrier trays by neodymium magnets. The hinge structure in the articulator is selectively movable to shift the jaw axis to a position to provide the desired alignment of the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed or demonstrate a misaligned condition. A dental training module may be installed which, upon removal from the articulator, has a pair of separable sections encasing a tooth to permit release of the tooth and removal from the module so that a completed treatment may be evaluated.

Abstract: An athletic protective pad having first and second layers of breathable fabric and a foam body having a layer of perforated foam. The layer of foam is preferably closed cell foam with spaced apart perforations therethrough. The foam body is sandwiched in a secure or permanent position between the first and second layers of fabric, thereby wicking moisture away from a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical imaging and specifically to methods and systems for generating observable real images. The method consists of steps in configuring an image source and optical components, and defining the position of an observer in such a way that a binocular observation leads to a perception of a three-dimensional object being located in front of a background, and/or “hanging in mid-air” in front of an apparatus designed in accordance with the present invention. Particular embodiments of the invention may include various apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and system for real-time signal analysis providing characterization of temporally-evolving densities and distributions of signal features of arbitrary-type signals in a moving time window by tracking output of order statistic filters (also known as percentile, quantile, or rank-order filters). Given a raw input signal of arbitrary type, origin, or scale, the present invention enables automated quantification and detection of changes in the distribution of any set of quantifiable features of that signal as they occur in time. Furthermore, the present invention's ability to rapidly and accurately detect changes in certain features of an input signal can also enable prediction in cases where the detected changes associated with an increased likelihood of future signal changes.

Abstract: A portable automobile lift includes a plurality of portable lifting columns and a portable power unit. Each lifting column includes a column base, a post extending upwardly from the column base, a lifting carriage moveably mounted on a forward side of the post, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the lifting carriage for movement of the lifting carriage along the post. Each column base comprises a respective base plate connected to a lower end of the respective post. The base plate anchor bolt receiving holes extending therethrough for receiving respective anchor bolts. Each column base further includes a pair of wheels positioned to engage a ground surface rearward of the base plate. The lift also includes a portable power unit for providing hydraulic fluid to the actuators. The power unit is mounted on a cart for easy transportation and storage.

Abstract: A unitary valve block assembly is interposed between a hot and cold water outlet and a faucet assembly including a hot and cold valve to convey the initially cold portion from the hot water outlet into an accumulator during all the times when the accumulator is substantially unfilled. This accumulated water is then emitted through the cold water valve each time cold water is demanded. When the pressure ratio between the accumulator and the water source indicates that it contains substantial quantities of un-evacuated stored water the subsequent demands of hot water are conveyed directly to the hot water valve regardless of the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A fuel supply system including a filter removably securable within a filter housing mounted within a fuel tank and a pump removably securable within a pump housing mounted within the fuel tank and interconnected by a pipe. The filter housing includes an inner housing rotatably mounted within an outer housing. Alignable inlet openings and outlet passageways are formed in the inner and outer housings. A removable plug for closing an access opening to the inner housing includes lugs for engaging mating recesses in the inner housing such that rotation of the plug rotates the inner housing relative to the outer housing for rotating the inner housing between an aligned and misaligned orientation relative to the outer housing to control the flow of fluid through the filter housing.

Abstract: A dental articulator for use in dental education simulates the human mouth and has an adjustable hinge that interconnects upper and lower carrier trays for movement to and from a closed position. Modules of imitation gums and teeth are secured in the carrier trays by neodymium magnets. The hinge structure in the articulator is selectively movable to shift the jaw axis to a position to provide the desired alignment of the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed or demonstrate a misaligned condition. A dental training module may be installed which, upon removal from the articulator, has a pair of separable sections encasing a tooth to permit release of the tooth and removal from the module so that a completed treatment may be evaluated.

Abstract: A self latching trailer coupler includes a housing having a downwardly oriented ball receiver for receiving a head of a hitch ball and a latch member mounted in the housing which is moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the latch member prevents the hitch ball from being withdrawn from the ball receiver. The latch member automatically moves into the closed position upon insertion of the head of the hitch ball into the ball receiver and retains the latch member in the closed position. A lock assembly is mounted in the housing and is selectively engageable to lock the latch member in the closed position.