Abstract: A wheel for a cart has a static dissipative mechanism. The wheel has a hub that has a central bore for receiving one or more bearings. The outer periphery of the hub has a conductive ring that has projections extending radially outward. The projections are surrounded by a tread material. A conductive wire extends from the central bore where the bearings are, on the outside of the hub, to the conductive ring. A conductive path is provided for the cart through the bearings, the wire, the conductive ring to ground.

Abstract: The lid is used to cover a utility box which houses a meter such as a water meter. The lid is compression molded from a plastic material such as medium density polyethylene, and has a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. In one embodiment, a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart recesses are formed in the lower surface. The recesses are spaced inward of the outer edges of the lid. The area of the lower surface of the lid is greater than the total area of the recesses in the plane of the lower surface. In another embodiment, an opening leading to a cavity is formed in the edge of the lid with a press fit passage for receiving a transponder device.

Abstract: The tilt detector has a container with a receptacle located therein. The receptacle has open and closed ends. In its normal, upright orientation, a first mass is located inside of the receptacle. A second mass is located adjacent to the open end of the receptacle. When the receptacle is in its normal, upright orientation, the second mass is located above the receptacle and blocks the exit of the first mass from the receptacle even when the first mass moves in response to vibration frequencies to which the first mass is sensitive. When the receptacle is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, the second mass moves from its blocking position so as to allow the first mass to exit the receptacle. A tilting indication occurs when the first mass has exited the receptacle.

Abstract: A horse blanket has a back portion and side portions that extend down from the back portion. A neck opening is located between a neck end of the back portion and a chest area. A fleece portion lines an edge of the neck opening, with the fleece portion located so as to be aligned with the mane of a horse wearing the blanket. The fleece portion is removably coupled to the neck opening edge. This allows the fleece portion to be removed from the blanket and cleaned separately from the blanket and also allows the replacement of the fleece portion when worn or soiled.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body has upper and lower fluid ports to allow the ingress and egress of well fluids from the body as the plunger reciprocates. If the tool fails, it typically does so by the body breaking into two parts, namely the upper body and lower body, at the upper fluid ports. The upper end of the plunger is provided with a fishing neck. Thus, upon failure of the body at the upper fluid ports, the fishing neck is exposed and can receive a fishing tool for retrieval of the tool and the pump.

Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the Kinetic Energy generated and experienced while aircraft are executing either normal, overweight or hard landing events. Pressure sensors and motion sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record the impact loads and aircraft touch-down vertical velocities experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft landing gear initially comes into contact with the ground. Velocity adjustments are made to correct for errors caused by landing gear per-charge pressure and landing gear strut seal friction. The system also measures the landing loads experienced by each landing gear strut during the landing event and determines if aircraft limitations have been exceeded.

Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the initial touch-down descent velocity experienced while aircraft are executing either normal, overweight or hard landing events. Pressure sensors and motion sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record the impact loads and aircraft touch-down vertical velocities experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft landing gear initially comes into contact with the ground. Velocity adjustments are made to correct for errors caused by landing gear per-charge pressure and landing gear strut seal friction. The system also measures the landing loads experienced by each landing gear strut during the landing event and determines if aircraft limitations have been exceeded.

Abstract: The separator has a vane assembly made up of a number of corrugated vanes that provide serpentine paths for the gas stream therethrough. As the gas stream flows through the serpentine paths, it changes direction and liquid in the gas stream impacts the surfaces of the vanes. The upstream section of the vane assembly has roughened surfaces to decrease the surface tension of the liquid, thereby causing the liquid to coalesce. The downstream section of the vane assembly has smooth surfaces so as to increase the surface tension of the liquid. The vane assembly is followed by filters, which capture the liquid that passes through the vane assembly. The vane assembly coalesces the liquid to enable the filters to operate more effectively.

Abstract: A free point tool has at least one sensor to measure deformation of a stuck conduit in a borehole. A set of anchors is located adjacent to and on each side of the sensor. The anchors include anchor arms that move from a stowed position to an extended position. Each of the anchor arms has a pad, which pad has a contact face. The contact face is structured and arranged to engage the conduit. The pad is coupled to the respective anchor arm in an articulating manner, such as by a pin joint or a ball and socket joint. The pad can be easily coupled to or disconnected from the arm. This allows the pad to be selected for the downhole conditions, including conduit physical characteristics and environmental conditions downhole. The anchors also include cam arms coupled between the anchor arms and an actuator. There are provided at least two sets of anchor linkages of cam arms and anchor arms so as to adapt to the conduit inside diameter.

Abstract: A horse blanket has a back portion and side portions that extend down from the back portions. The side portions couple to each other at a front chest area. The straps that couple the chest area side portions together are elasticized. A neck opening above the chest area is elasticized around the entire circumference. The areas of the blanket near the horse's front legs are also elasticized. The elastic portions allow the blanket to fit snuggly around the horse's neck and front area, while allowing flexibility for the horse to exercise. In another embodiment, the blanket has a notch in the neck opening at the mane and another notch at the rear for the dock of the tail. The notches reduce the wear of the blanket on the mane and tail.

Abstract: A platform lift has support posts, and a platform that is coupled to the lift so as to be capable of being raised and lowered relative to the posts. A lifting mechanism moves the platform up and down relative to the posts. The platform has support structure and decking located on top of the support structure so as to provide a work area. An opening is provided in the support structure and the decking, which opening receives an engine, such as an aircraft engine. The platform provides a work area around the entire circumference of the engine, while the platform can be raised or lowered to provide access along the length of the engine. Filler plates can be provide so as to change the size of the opening to work on engines of different diameters.

Abstract: A method of cleaning bedding sand soiled with animal manure removes the bedding sand from an animal bedding area. An aqueous slurry of the bedding sand is made. The slurry is subjected to cyclonic action so as to separate the sand from the manure. The separated sand is then respread back into the animal bedding area for reuse. The clean bedding sand is free of organic contaminants such as manure, urine and milk. In addition, the bedding sand may contain inorganic contaminants such as clay and silt particles as well as fine particles which are undesirable in a bedding material. Processing the sand removes these inorganic contaminants and fine particles to produce a superior bedding sand for animals.

Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.

Abstract: A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the landing loads experienced while aircraft are executing either normal, overweight or hard landing events. Pressure sensors and motion sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record the impact loads and aircraft sink rates; experienced by landing gear struts, as the aircraft landing gear initially come into contact with the ground. The computer of this system measures the landing loads experienced by each landing gear strut and determines if a hard landing event has occurred. Additional features include automating the inspections required to aircraft components, after overweight or hard landing events.

Abstract: A protective cage for a motorcycle has a member with a bottom and two side portions. The two side portions are spaced apart from each other so as to receive the motorcycle. The side portions are coupled to the sides of the motorcycle frame at coupling points. The cage provides a low profile protective barrier between the engine and the ground when the motorcycle is on its side and does not interfere with the rider who wants to perform stunts on the motorcycle. At least one of the coupling points on each side is provided with a projection, which projection has a replaceable cap.

Abstract: A caster includes a yoke having a yoke leg with a yoke leg axle opening through the yoke leg. A wheel having a hub and a hub axle opening through the hub is attached to the yoke leg with an axle bolt. A thread guard is located between the hub and the yoke leg. The thread guard has a disk-shaped body with a thread guard axle opening through the body for receiving the axle bolt. The thread guard further includes an outer surface facing toward the yoke leg and an inner surface facing toward the hub, and the outer surface includes a raised ridge extending away from the body. The ridge substantially surrounds and conforms to the shape of the yoke leg. The ridge preferably extends from the body past the outer surface of the yoke leg.