Abstract: A food cooling device includes a cover, an electric motor powering a fan, and an automatic switch. The cover defines air intake openings beneath a motor housing, a bottom orifice, and vents between the air intake openings and the orifice. The bottom opening rests on a table, covering a plate containing hot food. A fan blade directs air toward the food, the air cools the food, and the heated air escapes through the vents. The cooling device is portable, light in weight, and easy to operate, making it suitable for use by small children as well as handicapped persons of all ages.

Abstract: A process for forming a remateable machined titanium powder base alloy connecting rod using a titanium alloy powder having an average particle size of about 1-20 microns, a mean aspect ratio of about 5 to 300, and a specific surface area of at least about 25 m2/g.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool that makes prying possible without need of a lever point. The tool comprises a pair of handles pivotally connected at an intermediate pivot joint, each handle comprising a gripping section, an intermediate section and a front tip section all located on a same side of the pivot joint such that movement of the gripping sections towards each other spreads the front tip sections apart. The pivot joint, situated between intermediate handle sections, includes a substantially circular pivot pin on a substantially planar base and a protective cover for situating over the pivot pin and further rotationally joining both handles.

Abstract: A Tree Stand Safety Belt device prevents a person (wearer/user) from falling out of a tree stand used for viewing or hunting wildlife. When properly positioned and securely attached, the device of this invention maintains substantially continuous contact of the wearer's back to a tree trunk. This contact not only provides a physical barrier to moving; that sense of contact also protects its wearer/user from experiencing height disorientation and possibly losing their balance. The device is designed for its wearer to use in either a sitting or standing position.

Abstract: An improved wind turbine comprises: (i) a turbine rotor with a support platform; (ii) a rotatable vertical shaft extending from or through that platform; (iii) at least one bearing for the shaft; (iv) a plurality of horizontally disposed, box-shaped wind catchment vanes connected about the shaft; and (v) a plurality of angled braces affixed to the platform for reducing wind force leverage effects and bearing wear.

Abstract: A bed skirt support (10) is disclosed comprising a relatively flat, central portion or decking (14) having at least on side support section (16, 18, 20) removably or fixedly attached thereto.

Abstract: Dissolved metals are removed from contaminated water by passing the water through a bed containing media bodies, preferably limestone bodies. Various contaminants carried by the water become associated with the media bodies, thereby inhibiting water flow. The media bodies are rehabilitated by using an excavator, loader, or other machine to scoop them into a bucket having a peripheral wall including a sieve, immersing the container into a liquid held in a wash pit, rotating the bucket so that contaminants abraded from the bodies fall through the sieve into the pit, removing the container from the liquid, and dumping the rehabilitated media bodies from the bucket. When the media bodies have filtered mine drainage containing a particular dissolved metal such as manganese or iron for example, a residue remaining in the basin is a rich source of metal compounds that can be recovered for economic use.

Abstract: Diffusion bonded brake rotor and hub formed by powder metallurgy including metals such as titanium powder.

Abstract: An electric heater assembly suitable for use with molten metals, the heater employing improved heat transfer media.

Abstract: A method for forming a remateable cracked titanium powder base alloy connecting rod using a titanium alloy powder processed to produce a connecting rod.

Abstract: A device for throwing and swinging sports comprises a semi-transparent bottle into which varying amounts of a media may be added. One embodiment of that bottle is generally concave in cross-section for better gripping and includes markings on at least one side for showing different filling levels. A gripping element extends from a middle of the bottle sidewall. One such element is a baseball, real or simulated. Other embodiments include a softball, a football-sized element and/or a racket handle. In order to assist the user with timed workouts, an optional cap may include a built-in clock for signaling when to switch from one exercise to another. Methods for exercising with this device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy storage system, and related method, comprises a plurality of wind turbines, each with a vertical shaft that passes through a support platform. One or more braces may be affixed to each vertical shaft at one end of this platform, at an angle of less than 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees. At least one heavily weighted device is configured and disposed to be raised with rotation of the wind turbine about its vertical shaft. The subsequent lowering of that weighted device generates electrical energies for immediate use. Alternatively, the weighted device may be suspended for storage of energy and subsequent use. Preferred embodiments include at least one energy storage system for holding excess unused energy. Representative devices include a weighted cylinder on a shaft or cable, and one or more railcars on a series of inclined tracks.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame comprises: (a) a main lens frame for holding one or more optical lenses, said lens frame having opposed lateral ends; (b) means for attaching the main lens frame to the wearer's head when in use; and (c) a carabiner clip extending from either: one lateral end of the main lens frame, or from the main lens frame attaching means. The carabiner clip has at least 3 sides, at least one of said sides including a bar connected to an adjacent clip side with spring biasing for defining a securely closed position for said clip. This eyeglass frame is particularly suitable for use as reading or other vision correcting glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, sportswear, a fashion accessory and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A mold assembly and method of forming a surgical implant from bone cement. The method has the steps of connecting a plurality of mold segments to approximate the size of a patient implant. Each mold segment has an open channel. The method may further include aligning the channels of connected mold segments, positioning a centralizing holder on a reinforcement member, mixing bone cement, pouring at least some bone cement through the channels and into connected mold segments, fitting the reinforcement member into the mold segments, curing the bone cement; and removing the cured surgical implant.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted object detection system utilizing vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes as an emitter source to alert a motor vehicle operator to the presence of another moving vehicle in a monitored zone. The object detection system includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver.

Abstract: A device for operating a computer mouse has improved multi-axes mounting to the arm of a desk chair. The device comprises a platform with a holding area for the computer mouse. The platform should be sufficiently sized for a computer operator's forearm to rest thereon. The improved mounting for this device includes a rod from which at least two brackets are connected. One bracket rotatably connects to this rod and the other bracket slidably connects to same. Preferably, a braking mechanism prevents the platform from being rotated too far about the chair arm and dumping all holding area contents.

Abstract: A wind turbine devices comprises a vertically rotating shaft; and a plurality of horizontally disposed, box-shaped wind catchment vanes connected about the shaft, each vane having an open front face to catch wind flow and a lightweight flap on their rear face that closes when acted upon by wind force to rotate the vane about the shaft. When the latter flap opens, wind spills through the vane thus increasing efficiency.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manual assist for opening a window, door or other mechanism that slides in a preset track. The manual assist comprises an elongated, preferably contoured handle; a wedge near one end of the handle; and a base pivotally mounted to the handle near the wedge end. Preferably, this manual assist may be hung near a window using a Velcro® strip pair, aperture or hook when not in use.