Abstract: A mobile screening apparatus for gravel and other aggregates includes a three sided box adapted to rest on the ground surface. A vibrating screen is located above the box in a tilted, or sloped condition, so that gravel deposited on the screen is in a fluidized condition. Relatively fine gravel particles (stones) pass downwardly through the screen into the box. Two upwardly divergent trough walls are rigidly secured to side edges of the screen to guide gravel particles onto the screen. A rotary motor is mounted on the undersurface of the screen to rotate an elongated shaft that acts as a counterweight to oscillate the screen in a generally vertical direction. The motor and elongated counterweight shaft are exposed so as to be readily accessible for inspection or maintenance purposes.

Abstract: An outdoor umbrella table can be equipped with a modified central post structure that forms a protective cage for a kerosene lamp light source. The flame generated by the kerosene lamp provides sufficient illumination of the table top surface as to permit use of the table during non-daylight hours.

Abstract: A sea anchor may be lifted from the sea bottom by remotely inflating an inflatable float connected to the anchor. The inflated float provides a buoyant lift force that automatically lifts the anchor to the water surface or assists a person in lifting the anchor to the surface. The anchor may be lowered to the sea bottom by venting air out of the float from a remote point on the water surface.

Abstract: Biodegradable bags can be formed out of two-ply sheet materials that include an outer ply of kraft paper and an inner ply of biodegradable thermoplastic material. The two-ply sheets are formed and connected together with the use of biodegradable adhesives that do not constitute barriers to biodegradation of the bag material in a composting environment. The sheets are preferably laminated and joined together, using heat-sealing procedures. Preferred biodegradable materials are polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyethylcellulose polymer, polyethylene glycol polymer, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, hydroxybutyrate polymer, hydroxyvalerate polymer, and a copolymer of hydroxybutyrate and hydroxyvalerate.

Abstract: A mop assembly is described, which includes a triangularly-shaped support bar having straight terminal end portions attached to a mop handle by two or more transverse bolts. A central bar portion of the triangularly shaped support bar cooperates with an elongated rail to form a clamped connection between the support bar and an essentially conventional flexible dirt pick-up means. The triangular support bar is preferably formed out of aluminum bar stock having a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: A mobile cooler includes a container that is partitioned to form a cold compartment and a non-cooled compartment. A cover is removably mounted on the container to overlie both compartments. In one position, the cover can function as a small chair. In an alternate position the cover is held close against the container to facilitate compact storage of the cooler in a minimum space, and easy towing of the cooler from one place to another place.

Abstract: A residential oil-fired furnace heating system includes an oil storage tank having a fuel level gauge, and a second fuel level indicator located in a zone remote from the fuel oil storage tank. The homeowner can read the oil level from the second indicator without having to go down into the basement or other area where the tank might be located. The second indicator can have an alarm device that is triggered when the indicator reading reaches the near-empty reading. The alarm device alerts the homeowner that it is time to reorder a new supply of fuel oil.

Abstract: A process for resurfacing asphalt roads, includes the step of spraying a thin film of heated asphaltic material onto the road surface, and then laying an aggregate layer on the film while the film is still hot. The asphaltic material is preferably composed of from about sixty (60) to ninety-five (95) parts asphalt, about 40 to 5 parts waste oil, about one-half (1/2) to one and one-half (11/2) parts finely divided latex, and about one-half (1/2) part anti-stripping agent. The material is heated to a temperature between two hundred twenty (220) degrees Fahrenheit and two hundred fifty (250) degrees Fahrenheit to achieve flowability on the road surface. Advantageously, the process can be carried out without air pollution problems or material runoff problems. The process is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A utility knife can be equipped with a removable blade protective guard structure to prevent the person from being cut when the knife is not in use. The guard structure includes a mounting element having a pivotable connection with an elongated guard element near the leading end of the knife handle. A torsion spring is coiled around the pivot shaft to normally urge the guard element to a position extending along the cutting edge of the blade. However, the guard element can be swung through an arc of about one hundred eighty degrees (180) to assume a position lying alongside a side edge of the knife handle, away from the cutter blade.

Abstract: A shoe is equipped with a circular rotatable traction pad having cleats projecting downwardly a slight distance below the sole bottom surface. The pad is rotatably attached to the shoe sole so that when the wearer of the shoe turns his or her ankle to execute a pivot turn, the shoe turns with the person's ankle while the traction pad remains anchored to the ground surface. The rotatable traction pad facilitates pivot turning maneuvers, and minimizes ankle injuries associated with such maneuvers.

Abstract: A swimsuit for a female infant wearing a diaper, includes a tubular main section enclosing the torso of the infant, and a T-shaped flap extending from the lower rear extremity of the tubular main section. The flap includes a relatively narrow strip portion adapted to extend along the crotch area of the infant's body, and a relatively wide triangular portion adapted to extend across the infant's abdomen. Fastener assemblies are provided at the upper corner extremities of the flap for releasably securing the flap to the lower front edge of the swimsuit main section. The fastener assemblies can be disconnected (or detached) for unfolding the flap to expose the infant's diaper for diaper-changing purposes.

Abstract: A centrifuge is utilized to extract asphalt from a test sample containing asphalt and dispersed aggregates, so that the sample can be analyzed for asphalt content, and aggregate particle size distributions. Organic solvent, water and liquid soap are fed sequentially (selectively) into a rotatable bowl in the centrifuge for dissolving the asphalt, emulsifying solvent films on the aggregate, and rinsing soap film off of the aggregate particles. The quantities of solvent, water and liquid soap are controlled by a programmable controller containing a microprocessor, such that the asphalt extraction process is accomplished automatically, with minimum consumption of solvent, liquid soap and water. The controller can be reprogrammed as necessary to achieve different operational cycles, based on experience and test sample variations.

Abstract: A fluid filtration bag includes an outer porous fabric sleeve, and inner porous fabric liner, and a coherent filler material between the sleeve and liner. The filler material can act as the ancillary filtering media, while the sleeve and liner can act as containment mechanisms for the filler material. The liner has a pleated configuration, in which trough areas of the pleats are stitched to the fabric sleeve to form a series of tubes for containment and support of the filler material.

Abstract: A portable doorstop is formed to a circular disk configuration so that the doorstop disk enjoys a stable positionment on the floor surface. The disk upper surface includes a conical surface portion centered on the disk central axis for wedge fit interaction with the lower edge of a door. The disk can be placed in any desired position in the path of the door because the conical surface achieves a wedge fit with the door no matter which area of the conical surface comes into contact with the door lower edge.

Abstract: An infant carrier is mounted on a platform located directly over the rear wheel of a bicycle, such that the infant can become a passenger along with the bicyclist. The carrier has an arcuate cradle-like configuration that causes the infant to be in a semi-prone inactive position in the carrier. A helmet is releasably retained on the carrier body to provide head protection for the infant. A retention strap encircles the helmet to stabilize the helmet position, and to reduce the loading of the helmet on the infant's head and neck muscles. The carrier is selectively positionable on the platform to face either toward the front or the rear. The carrier is detachably mounted so that it can be used for carrying the infant when the carrier is in a detached condition.