Abstract: An improved waste container is disclosed comprising a container body having a bottom and a sidewall defining an opening in the container body. The container body has a first and a second handle support for supporting a handle. A first and a second aperture is defined in the first and second handle supports. A container lid has a first and a second lid support with a first and a second pin extending therefrom. The first and second apertures receive the first and second pins for pivotally connecting the container lid to the container body. A barrier comprising the handle and the lid supports limits the pivotal movement of the container lid.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for an improved device for covering an aperture disposed on a horizontal surface. The cover has sidewalls, a top surface, and a lip which defines a cover opening within a sidewall. The improvement comprises a first and a second guide rail extending from the cover and disposed on opposed first and second sides of the cover opening. A slot is defined in the cover and disposed along a third side of the cover opening. A frame defines a screened window and includes fastener projections which extend outwardly from the frame. The frame is inserted within the slot with a first and a second side of the frame being guided by the first and second opposed guide rails. The fastener projections engage the lip of the cover opening for retaining the frame and the screened window within the cover opening.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method is disclosed for recovering a cleaning material (12) and a surface material (20A) with a vacuum source (25). The surface material (20A) is removed from a surface (20) by projecting the cleaning material (12) such as sand, water or the like from a nozzle (14) to impact upon the surface (20). The apparatus (10) comprises a housing (16) having a housing opening (18) for projecting the cleaning material (12) through the housing opening (18) onto the surface (20). A fluid seal means (30) provides a seal between the housing (16) and the surface (20). The vacuum source (25) is connected to the housing (16) for withdrawing the impacted cleaning material (12A) and the surface material (20A) removed from the surface (20).

Abstract: A conversion arrangement for mounting optical units on a camera such as a film or television camera has a generally cylindrical mounting body (12, 14) for attachments to the camera body, a generally cylindrical carrier (B) for attachment to the optical unit, the carrier being coaxially coupled to the mounting body for axle movement relative to the mounting body, and a focusing ring (22) which is co-axial with and coupled to both the mounting body (12, 14) and the carrier (B). The focusing ring is rotatable relative to the mounting body and carrier to move the carrier axially off the mounting body to focus the optical unit. Backlash during focusing is reduced to negligible proportions by use of a screw-thread arrangement in which a screw-thread is formed on a radially inner wall of the focusing ring by means of a wire coil (44), the pitch of the wire coil being set by end members (46) and gapped rings (48) acting as spacers between the turns of the wire coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved laser radiation barrier for shielding a surface from laser radiation comprising an outer polymeric layer comprising a dispersion of mica, an intermediate mica layer for retarding the penetration of the laser radiation therethrough and an inner polymeric layer comprising a dispersion of mica bounded to the intermediate mica layer. The polymeric layers comprises a dispersion of titanium dioxide. An optical metallic barrier may be interposed between the outer polymeric layer and the intermediate mica layer for distributing thermal energy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved absorbent pad and thermal pack for absorbing a liquid discharged from a patient. The absorbent pad and thermal pad comprises an outer sheet made of a liquid impermeable material and an inner sheet of a liquid permeable material. An absorbent sheet is disposed between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. A flexible liquid impermeable container having a chemical mixture which undergoes an thermal reaction upon activation thereof is interposed between the outer and inner sheets to enable the thermal source to be applied to the patient and to enable any liquid from the patient to permeate through the inner sheet to be absorbed by the absorbent sheet. The inner sheet of a liquid permeable material provides a moderate insulation barrier whereas the absorbent pad provides a substantial insulation barrier for directing the thermal source to the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for an improved one-way valve comprising a base for mounting in a chamber with a valve surface engaging with a sealing surface to close an input aperture of the chamber. A flexible web is interposed between the base and the valve surface for resiliently biasing the valve surface into engagement with the sealing surface thereby closing the input aperture. When a fluid pressure from the input aperture exceeds the resilient bias of the flexible web, the valve surface is displaced from the sealing surface for opening the input aperture to permit the flow of the liquid from the input aperture through the chamber into an output aperture. Upon a sufficient fluid pressure within the chamber, the valve surface engages with the sealing surface for closing the input aperture to inhibit the flow of fluid from the chamber into the input aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved control system for a series resonant converter for transferring power between a source and a load. The control system comprises a series resonant circuit including a capacitor and an inductor with a first and second switching matrix connecting the series resonant circuit to the source and the load, respectively. A controller selects a combination of switches for transferring power between the source and the load using a single segment half-cycle resonant waveform that produces a final voltage on the capacitor within a preselected boundary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved carrying container for a food product such a roasted fowl, ham or the like impaled on a skewer rod. The, container comprises a bottom wall and side wall elements with a first and a second aperture defined in opposed walls. The skewer rod ends are insertable within the first and second apertures in the opposed walls for supporting the food product within the container interior of the container. The first and second apertures are positioned for spacing the food product from the bottom wall and the side wall elements.

Abstract: An improvement to an easy opening beverage container lever operated opener comprising a novel compound lever, utilizing an inclined plane and a pivoting operating lever, that easily raises primary positioned operating lever lift end to an attitude that allows operator to safely and efficiently engage a finger on operating lever lift end and proceed with opening process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved mobile apparatus for removing contaminants from a site containing granular material with the contaminants being affixed thereto. The mobile apparatus comprises a processor which extracts the granular material containing the contaminants from the site. The processor containing a liquid agent separates the contaminants from the granular material and creates a slurry comprising the granular material, the liquid agent and the contaminants. A conduit conducts the slurry from the processor to a mobile reservoir. A separator extending angularly relative to the mobile reservoir conveys the granular material, the liquid agent and the contaminants away from the mobile reservoir and separates the granular material from the liquid agent containing the contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an enhanced fish attractor device for use on a surface of a body of water to entice fish. The enhanced fish attractor device comprises a body member having a volume for floating the body member on the surface of the body of water. The body member supports a porous container for receiving the chum material enabling the chum material to migrate through the porous container into the body of water for luring fish thereby. An audible generator and/or an illuminator generate an audible output and/or illuminate the body of water to attract fish thereby. An optional plurality of flexible webs extend from the body member into the body of water for simulating seaweed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved system for introducing a fluid into a cable mounting tube of an outboard motor for treating an inner cable of a motorboat steering device. The improvement comprises a pressurizer tube having a sealed first end and a second end having a connector for attaching the pressurizer tube to a threaded exit end of the cable mounting tube. The fluid is introduced into the pressurizer tube and a pressurized gas is applied to the pressurizer tube for driving the fluid into the cable mounting tube for treating the inner cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved apparatus for removing fruit from a tree comprising a rotatable member rotatably mounted to a frame having a first and a second array of picking arms with each array having a plurality of parallel spaced picking arms. The picking arms extend radially outwardly from the rotatable member with each of the picking arms having a transfer portion, an extracting portion and a retaining portion. The extracting portions define a curvature in a general shape of a hook with the retaining portions defining a barb. Rotating of the rotatable member entraps the fruit between adjacent picking arms with the extracting portions removing the fruit from the tree and with the retaining portions enabling the migration of the fruit along the transfer portion to a collector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved aquatic exercise device for a user immersed in water, comprising a restraining member having a top surface and a bottom surface with the restraining member defining a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion. A float comprises the restraining member having an outer skin with an internal surface defining the internal volume for receiving a gas for providing increasing the buoyancy of the aquatic exercise device. The internal volume may receive a ballast for reducing the buoyancy of the aquatic exercise device. The restraining member is secured to a foot of a user to enable the restraining member to restrain the foot movement of the user and with the flotation means to partially supporting the user in the water.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for laying an underground member such as a service wire, tubing or the like. The apparatus includes a frame having a plurality of wheels with a rotatable cutting blade and a fixed cutting blade mounted to the frame for extending below the surface of the ground. The underground member is secured to the fixed cutting blade. An operating handle is pivotably mounted to the frame for rotating the rotatable cutting blade upon a pivoting of the operating handle. A propelling arm is pivotably mounted relative to the operating handle for moving the apparatus over the surface of the ground concomitantly with the rotatable cutting blade and the fixed cutting blade cutting a trench and laying the underground member therein.