Abstract: This invention provides an improved protective mat that includes a magnet at each end for temporally securing the mat to a pipe so that the mat remains in position during a welding process. The mat is flexible so as to conform to the curvature of the pipe and may be placed in any position preferable on the surface of the pipe. The positioned and secured mat prevents spatter from coming into contact with the external surface of the pipe lying under the positioned protective mat. The mat is preferably heat and fire resistant up to temperatures of about 1500° F. and may be a silicone-coated fiberglass mat. When the mat is not in use, the mat may be folded and the magnets may be used to secure the ends of the mat to one another.

Abstract: A training apparatus for use by flyers in a cheerleading squad includes a stable base assembly, a balancing assembly, and a fixed or adjustable column located between the stable base assembly and the balancing assembly. The balancing assembly includes a deflectably resilient member and a standing surface that promotes proper alignment and mimics the feel that a flyer experiences when being supported by a base cheerleader. The deflectably resilient member provides two degrees of freedom of movement to the standing surface when the standing surface is under an external load. The standing surface preferably provides about the same standing area as that typically provided by a base cheerleader. The column may be a fluid-activated cylinder that moves between a first and second vertical position and simulates a flyer being raised by the base.

Abstract: A pipe plug comprising a shaft, a force transmission body disposed in a rotatable and axially movable manner about the shaft via a thread connection, and a stop body. Between the force transmission body and the stop body there is a first compression body disposed in an axially movable manner about the shaft in proximity of the force transmission body; a conical support body disposed in an axially movable manner about the shaft; at least one movable anchoring body on the outside of the support body; a second compression body disposed in an axially movable manner about the shaft; and at least one elastic sealing body disposed about the shaft. The shaft and the first compression body are in direct contact with each other and are connected in a non-rotational manner via complementary connection elements to prevent the compression body from rotating.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a Peer to Peer system for supporting time shift service, which includes: a media source system, used for dividing the input live broadcasting stream into media blocks to form media block sequence, grouping every predetermined number of the media blocks into media segment, and sending the media segment to each of several nodes; a media distribution management system, used for managing the state information of the media segments on the several nodes and realizing positioning function of the media segments, and several nodes, each of the several nodes comprises a playing buffer, a storage buffer, and a disk buffer.

Abstract: A boat trailer step assist includes a first and second support arm in pivotal relation to one another which provide steps that assist a user in entering or exiting a boat when trailered or in the process of being trailered. The support arms are arranged at an angle relative to the trailer tongue, with the first step at the level of the trailer tongue. When not in use, the second support arm pivots downward for compact stowage. When deployed, the support arms are in alignment with one another. A grab handle may be provided to assist the user in climbing or descending the steps.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two pole magnets and oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Each sensor coil set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of sensor coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil. The tool provides improved sensitivity to small defects, substantial decrease in RF pulser power requirements, full circumferential coverage, self-calibration of the transmitted signals, and less interference between transmitter coils caused by acoustic ring around.

Abstract: A bidirectional bristle pig provides a means for collapsing or restraining the bristles so that the pig may be used in a reciprocating manner or, when the pig becomes stuck, the pig may be easily retrieved in a direction opposite that of the initial direction of travel. The bristle pig has at least one set of outwardly projecting cleaning wires or bristles located toward one end of the pig body and a sliding collar. The sliding collar moves between a first position and a second position to restrain the bristles at the desired leading end of the pig and forces the bristles downward and away from the inner wall surface of the pipeline. In the restrained state, the bristles no longer interfere with the movement of the pig in the desired direction. The sliding collar may move in response to pipeline pressure or may include a tether line.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine has a cannister with an inlet port and at least two outlet ports. At least two filters are disposed inside of the cannister, one in pneumatic communication through each of the outlet ports. At least two valves are disposed outside of the cannister. Each valve is in pneumatic communication between a vacuum source and an outlet port so as to permit air to be drawn by the vacuum source from the inlet port simultaneously through the filters. A controller operates the valves to switch the filters from the vacuum source to ambient air so as to permit ambient air to be sequentially intermittently drawn through corresponding valves and filters into the cannister. Preferably, the controller includes a timing mechanism for setting the delay time of the sequential valve operation and a timing mechanism for setting the intermittent time of connection of each filter to ambient air.

Abstract: A pipe plug includes two or more pivotally connected plugging heads that work in combination to double block and bleed a pipe. At least one of the plugging heads has an expandable sealing element that is in communication with an inflation source. The sealing element may be an inflatable sealing element or a compression packer sealing element. A passageway—sections of which may pass through the pivotal connection and into the plugging head—carries the inflation medium from the source to the sealing element. A bleed port passageway is also provided that passes through the plugging head. The leading plugging head may include a cleaning element for sweeping away debris ahead of the plug. The plugging heads may also include a skid plate that slideably engages the interior surface of the pipe to properly orient the plugging heads within the pipe.

Abstract: A monitor implements a protocol for evaluating the sufficiency of a worker's hand washing activity in a desirably sanitary area. After a quantity of cleanser has been dispensed to the worker, data representative of the frequency, amplitude and duration of hand reciprocation by the worker are combined according to a predetermined mathematical proposition to provide a hand cleansing quality indicator. The indicator is then compared to a predetermined threshold level to determine if the protocol has been satisfied. Preferably, the predetermined mathematical proposition includes variable multipliers which can be selected to reflect the importance to the user of the frequency, amplitude and duration components of the proposition and the user can also select the predetermined pass/fail threshold.

Abstract: A stand secures a loaded firearm in an inoperable condition for quick release to an authorized user in the event of an emergency. A housing serves as a base for the stand. A mechanism fixed to the housing prevents the firearm from firing. For example, a rod fixed to the housing is inserted through the muzzle and into the bore until it extends into an empty chamber of a revolver or into the receiver of an automatic pistol. Another mechanism mounted on the housing is operable between a first position in which it permits engagement of the firearm on and disengagement of the firearm from the rod and a second position in which it prevents disengagement of the firearm from the rod. The operating mechanism may be actuated manually by a key or electronically by a key pad, a fingerprint recognition pad or the like.

Abstract: A wall-mounted, self-storing ironing board includes an elongated ironing platform connected to a turntable by a pivot pin located approximately at a center point of the platform, thereby providing a full 360° rotation of the platform when the ironing board is in the horizontal use position. Rotation of the platform 90° clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the turntable allows the user to stand directly opposite either end of the platform and to use either end in ironing an article of clothing. In another embodiment, the pivot pin is located forward of a linkage that connects the turntable to a wall-mounted casing and allows for the turntable to move between a vertical stored position and the horizontal use position.

Abstract: The present invention is a crane operating system and method which monitors the crane moment load in order to keep the crane within the safe operating envelope. In determining the current crane moment load the system considers boom raising cylinder pressure, boom angle, chassis incline, as well as hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A caddy for storing diamond polishing pads used by grinding machines holds multiple containers in a rack in a case. Each container is independently removable from the rack and case and stores a complete set of stacked pads so that sets of used pads are always sorted and accessible according to both their grit and wear characteristics. The case, rack and containers are configured with respect to the sets of pads and to each other so as to minimize their relative three dimensional motion during transport of the caddy. The case, rack and body of the containers are preferably made of cardboard so that many sets of pads can be stored and transported in one or more lightweight and inexpensive caddies.

Abstract: A fusible completion plug and method for its use includes a cylindrical plug body having a lower portion that includes a fusible element in communication with an electric power supply. The completion plug also includes an elastomeric seal that provides for a temporary seal. A pressure balancing port and equalization valve are provided to relieve the differential pressure across the completion plug as the plug is positioned in place. The pressure equalization valve also includes a fusible element for fusing the valve within the port, thereby preventing a leak path through the plug body. A blind flange may be installed above the completion plug in case the plug fusion fails. The blind flange may be a traditional blind flange or may be a fusible blind flange.

Abstract: A safe, environmentally-friendly, fluorocarbon-free temperature suppressing composition includes water in combination with a sugar alcohol in solution with the water and having a general formula H(HCHO)n+1H. Sorbitol is a preferred sugar alcohol (n=5) but sugar alcohols having n=3 to 4 or 6 to 11 may be used. The composition provides a heat absorption greater than the water alone and the sugar alcohol alone. Other sugar alcohols having the general formula H(HCOH)n+1HC, where n=10, may also be used. The composition may further include a wetting agent, an emulsifying agent, a viscosity adjusting agent, a preservative or biocide, or a freeze suppression agent. The composition affords levels of protection suited to a variety of applications including possibility of damage from exposure to excessive heat, combustion or explosion such as may be experienced in military combat.

Abstract: An unlimited stroke drive method for pumping fluid from an oil well in which the well has a tubing string extending from the earth's surface down to a fluid producing formation. The method includes the steps of positioning a pump barrel within the tubing, an upper end of the pump barrel having communication through a standing valve with the interior of the tubing string, vertically reciprocating a length of flexible cable within the tubing string to vertically reciprocate a plunger within the pump barrel to allow a lower portion to quickly fill with fluid from the producing formation and then to a downward position in which fluid within the pump barrel lower portion is transferred through a traveling valve to an area within the pump barrel above the plunger to move formation fluid from within the pump barrel to the interior of the tubing and thence to the earth's surface.