Abstract: A breakaway closure member for removably covering an opening in a plumbing device, such as a laundry box, pressure test cap, floor drain, shower drain, closet flange, or the like includes a circular disc with a peripheral rim and a hollow nipple extending outwardly from the circular disc. The peripheral rim is connected to the plumbing device by a thin web or area of reduced thickness. The nipple is radially outwardly offset from the center of the disc so as to be generally adjacent or tangent to the peripheral rim. If the nipple is radially compressed, such as by squeezing with a pair of pliers, the peripheral rim is pulled radially inward in an area proximate the nipple, thereby creating a crack in the area of reduced thickness.

Abstract: A chemical application line is provided having a core chemical application carrier to dispense a desired chemical into a target environment over a period of time. The chemical application line includes a degradable film or paper covering the carrier to provide protection from the chemical when handling. The chemical application line also includes a degradable rope surrounding the carrier to provide strength and durability to the line.

Abstract: A displacement-injection molding system utilizes a plasticizing vessel with cylindrical heat transfer cores extending into the cavity of the plasticizing vessel to efficiently heat polymer granules to their injection temperature and a variable volume mold utilizing back pressure to maintain the injected polymer under pressure. A plunger for ejecting polymer from the plasticizing vessel incorporates openings for receiving the cylindrical cores. The plasticizing vessel is preferably sized to receive at least two shot sizes of polymer material to permit continuous heating of the granules of plastic material between shots as additional granules are added to replace the ejected material.

Abstract: A microphone mounting system for an acoustic, stringed instrument that places the microphone in sufficient proximity to the instrument sound hole to capture the warmth and tone of the instrument while assisting in feedback control, and without altering or damaging the finish or structure of the instrument. The system includes a grip, such as a corrugated plastic tube, attached to a microphone and wedged into the instrument sound bole to be held in place through frictional engagement. The microphone is connected to an instrument cable coupler, clamped to the side of the instrument, which is then connected to a sound amplification system.

Abstract: An anti-pinch chainsaw bar assembly for enabling the extraction of chainsaw bars when bound or pinched during cutting includes rolling bearing members integrated into outer surfaces of the bar. The bearings are arranged in groups of at least two bearings in rolling contact with one another. At least one bearing in each group extends outwardly from each outer surface of the bar. The assembly preferably also includes wedge structures mounted on the distal end of the bar for spreading out the sides of a cut.

Abstract: An insulator comprises at least three sections hingedly connected to one another, including a center section and a pair of outer sections. The sections are shaped so that if the outer sections are folded in a first direction relative to the center section, the insulator can be used with a first tube of a first diameter, and if the outer sections are folded in a second direction relative to the center section the insulator can be used on second tube of a different diameter from the first diameter.

Abstract: A fence wire unrolling and stretching apparatus includes a base, a spindle extending upwardly from the base, and a hitch member extending outwardly from the base in approximately perpendicular relation to the spindle. The hitch member is sized and shaped to be receivable within a receiver hitch of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. The spindle has a plurality of transverse holes formed therethrough, each hole being at a height above the base selected to correspond to a height of a roll of a respective type of fence wire. A lock bar comprising a shaft and a flange connected to the shaft along a portion of its length is receivable through any one of the holes in the spindle. The flange has an edge which is engageable with an end of a roll of fence wire positioned on the spindle to prevent the roll from rotating.

Abstract: A rail threading mechanism for a rail handling vehicle includes a thread box mounted on the outer end of a manipulating arm. The thread box includes a platform and a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the platform and moveable between open and closed positions. The platform includes a support roller for rollingly engaging the flat bottom of a rail. Each jaw include a plurality of jaw rollers positioned for rollingly engaging a rail positioned on the support roller when the respective jaw is in the closed position. The jaw rollers on each jaw preferably include a pair of base rollers positioned for engaging an edge of the base of the rail, a pair of flange top rollers positioned for engaging a top surface of the top flange of the rail, and a flange side roller positioned for engaging an edge surface of the top flange of the rail.

Abstract: A weather resistant permit display apparatus includes a base, a cover hingedly connected to the base and a permit display panel connected to the base inside of the cover when the cover is in a closed position. A transparent portion of the cover allows a permit mounted on the display panel to be viewed through the closed cover. The display panel may be hingedly connected to the base to provide access to a document bin positioned behind the display panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides drumsticks for training percussionists to use proper form, which may increase learning speed and enable faster and more efficient drum strokes. Each drumstick includes a tip or bead with a wing extending therefrom. The wing extends beyond the width of the shaft of the drumstick so that the percussionist must strike the drum head with wing extending parallel to the drum head surface to achieve a proper and acceptable sound. A grip is also provided to properly orient the user's hands for the matched grip variation desired.

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: A modular utility box system includes separate supply and drain boxes. The supply box has at least one supply opening and the drain box has a drain opening but no supply openings. The supply and drain boxes are interconnectable by a generally U-shaped clip having legs spaced apart a distance selected to accept the narrow dimension of a wall stud therebetween so that the supply and drain boxes may be mounted on opposite sides of a stud. The clip also spaces the supply and drain boxes in the proper vertical and horizontal alignment to facilitate securement of a cover plate to the boxes once installed. The clips engage the boxes to permit interconnected of the boxes in multiple orientations. Elongate brackets may be used to support the erboxes between adjacent studs.

Abstract: An electronic flow meter having sensors to determine the temperature and flow rate of a fluid flowing through the flow meter and into a downstream circuit, such as a cooling water circuit, of known diameter is flowing under turbulent or laminar conditions based upon a calculation of a corresponding Reynolds number and comparison of the calculated Reynolds number to Reynolds numbers indicative of the desired flow characteristic. A display is provided to indicate the flow characteristic of the fluid flowing through the flow meter as determined by the processor.

Abstract: A storage device for storing rolled documents includes a tube pivotally mounted to a housing and advanceable between retracted and extended positions relative to a roof of the housing. The roof covers an open end of the tube in the retracted position. In the extended position, the open end of the tube is advanced away from the roof to permit rolled construction drawings to be inserted into and removed from the tube. A floor extends across at least a portion of the tube to prevent the rolled documents from falling out of the tube. Clamps mounted on the housing enable mounting of the storage device on a post, such as a T-post. The storage device may include a display panel having a pocket formed by a sheet of transparent flexible plastic into which a building permit may be positioned and displayed.

Abstract: A method for interpreting an image into sound is provided and includes scanning an image to provide a plurality of scanned elements which are assigned a value and an associated sound element. The sound elements are arranged to produce a sound track for the scanned image.