Abstract: A safety shield, suitable for use in a marine environment, which can be quickly and easily removed from around the end flange of a pipeline or hose. It is used to aid in the containment of any leaking fluid from the end flange, such escaping fluid being collected in a drip barrel or the like. The shield incorporates a housing, open at the bottom, with a notch in the front wall for a pipeline to pass through. The housing is fastened to the pipeline by selectively engaging or disengaging the outer circumference of the end flange with an adjustable open annular ring or strap. A window may be included in the top wall of the housing of this shield so that the user can view the end flange prior to installation and/or removal.

Abstract: The mooring line quick release device for quickly releasing a mooring line comprising a chamber, a mooring line support shaft and a mechanical system. The chamber, which is compact and sealed, has a first compartment and a second compartment separated by an open channel bounded by a wall of the first compartment, having formed therein a first aperture, and a wall of the second compartment, having formed therein a second aperture. The mooring line support shaft supports a mooring line wherein the mooring line support shaft has a longitudinal surface which passes through the first aperture to the second apertures via the open channel when the mooring line support shaft is changed between a first state to a second state thereof. The remotely control mechanical system serves to change the mooring-line support shaft from the second state to the first state via a third state for quickly releasing mooring line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clarifying a contaminated fluid mixture containing contaminating fluid, principal liquid and solids. The apparatus comprises a vertically standing cylindrical vessel for separating the contaminants from the principal liquid; a preliminary separator for tangentially introducing the contaminated fluid into the vessel; sparging tubes to aerate the contaminated fluid mixture, thereby separating the contaminating fluid from the principal liquid and solids; and a reservoir for collecting the contaminating fluid. The reservoir and preliminary separator are located in the upper portion of the vessel. The sparging tubes are located in the lower portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A lockable electrical female connector for locking therein prongs of a male plug comprising a female receptacle housing wherein the housing comprises a first cavity and a second cavity wherein the first cavity is isolated from the second cavity. The lockable female electrical connector further comprises a ground receptacle member housed in the first cavity, a first electrical receptacle member housed in the second cavity wherein the first electrical receptacle member comprises a first slot; and a second electrical receptacle member housed in the second cavity wherein the second electrical receptacle member comprises a second slot. The prongs of a male plug are receive in the ground receptacle member and the first and second electrical members and are locked therein via a locking wedge member. The locking wedge member is nested between the first electrical receptacle member and the second electrical receptacle member and is traversed forward via a single knob.

Abstract: A switching circuit for use in a subterranean probe for switching between to two modes of operation used to perform a survey of a well borehole. The switching circuit comprises a first voltage bias network which is biased to a predetermined overvoltage criterion; a second voltage bias network which is biased to a predetermined negative voltage criterion; a switch; and a negative voltage blocking diode for blocking the predetermined negative voltage criterion for allowing the first voltage bias network to fully realize the negative voltage criterion.

Abstract: A method of severing a downhole pipe for forming a region in the well borehole devoid of downhole pipe for enhancing the performance of a perforating gun comprising the steps of: severing, at an angle, by a first cutting tool the downhole pipe to form an upper downhole pipe portion and a lower downhole pipe portion to form a sloped cut line; releasing potential energy stored in the upper downhole pipe portion and the lower downhole pipe portion; inserting a plug to seal an up-hole portion of the upper downhole pipe portion; cutting the up-hole portion via a second cutting tool above the plug into an upper piece and a lower piece; and, jettisoning the lower piece downwardly wherein as the lower piece jettisons downwardly the region in the well borehole devoid of downhole pipe is formed. Such method eliminates the need for: removing a well head; a crane or rig for raising a cut up-hole pipe; and, a pump for controlling the pressure of the well.

Abstract: A rapid low voltage testing apparatus for detecting sequentially a plurality of electrical components of an electrical circuitry device for at least one of a plurality of predetermined low voltage levels. The rapid low voltage testing apparatus comprises a first multi-position switch having an output for sequentially outputting one of a plurality of input voltages; and a second multi-position switch having an output for sequentially outputting one of a plurality of predetermined output voltage levels which adjusts the sensitivity of a voltage detection circuit to the one of the plurality of predetermined output voltage levels. Upon a detection of a match between the first multi-position switch output and the second multi-position switch output, an indicator notifies the operator of the testing apparatus that one of the plurality of low voltage levels has been detected.

Abstract: A binding device for crimping or deforming a U-shaped channel around a plurality of sheets of paper comprises a stationary crimping bar and a rotatable crimping bar rotatable coupled above the stationary crimping bar. The rotatable crimping bar has coupled thereto a first weight member fixedly coupled in the center thereof wherein the first weight serves to provided a centralized force of gravitational pull to urge the rotatable crimping bar toward a crimping position. The stationary crimping bar has coupled thereto a second weight member fixedly coupled in the center thereof wherein the second weight member provides a centralized force of gravitational pull for stability.

Abstract: An electronic cymbal apparatus which significantly shortens the vibratory response of the prolonged resonating acoustical tone produced by the percussive impact on an electrically conductive striking surface thereby enabling the pick-up of such shortened vibratory response by a transducer, such as, without limitation, a piezoelectric transducer. The electronic cymbal apparatus utilizes conventional cymbal substrates, such as, without limitation, in the form of a broad-brim hat wherein the use of conventional cymbal substrates allows the musician to employ conventional acoustical "striking" techniques while playing the electronic cymbal apparatus.

Abstract: An amphibious gun stand for supporting a hunter's gun in hard or soft terrain and in the ground of a fluid medium while hunting. The amphibious gun stand comprises a vertical telescopic support member, a horizontal ground stabilizer bar, and a gun holder. The vertical telescopic support member has an adjustable length and a lower pointed end wedgeable into the ground, the hard terrain or the soft terrain. The horizontal ground stabilizer bar is perpendicularly coupled to the vertical telescopic support member for maintaining the vertical telescopic support member in a vertical position. The gun holder is pivotally coupled to the vertical telescopic support member and supports a longitudinal length of the gun in a horizontal plane or an upright position. The gun holder is provided with a handle to rotate the barrel of the gun while supported by the gun holder. Furthermore, the barrel of the gun can be pivoted up or down as desired.

Abstract: A bias binder sewing aid which functions to receive fabric or the like having a predetermined width and automatically fold such fabric wherein the center of the width remains the center of such folded fabric The portion of the fabric to the left of the center is substantially folded in half along its center and the portion of the fabric to the right of the center is substantially folded in half along its center.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for an electrical male/female connection comprising a first band member, a second band member and a flexible connecting member. The first band member comprises a top portion having formed therein two parallel slits for forming a first flexible surface area. The second band member comprises a top portion having formed therein two parallel slits for forming a second flexible surface area. The flexible connecting member has one distal end coupled to a distal end of the first flexible surface area and the other distal end coupled to the second flexible surface area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus generates slack in a tensioned cable upon the presence of flame or excessive heat in a predetermined area. The apparatus comprises an enclosure having first, second, and third openings therein with the tensioned cable extending between the first and second openings; a pulley positioned on the cable intermediate the first and second openings the pulley having an eyelet extending therefrom; and a fusible disc secured to the third opening with the fusible disc having a hook extending therefrom and into the enclosure. The hook is attached to the eyelet of the pulley for restraining the pulley, and hence the tensioned cable, in a nonlinear or offset position with respect to the first and second openings. The fusible disc comprises a melting alloy which, upon reaching a known temperature level, undergoes a change in physical properties so as to allow the fusible disc to separate, thereby releasing restraint on the pulley and hence introducing slack into the tensioned cable.

Abstract: A thermoplastic liner is extruded in cylindrical form and deformed at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the polyethylene material forming the liner into a generally W-shaped configuration. The liner in that configuration has three convex lobes and two concave lobes along one side of the liner with a convex portion of the liner wall along the opposite side. The cylindrical liner is initially extruded in cylindrical form and deformed by a series of axially spaced sets of rollers progressively inclined toward a vertical position wherein the final W-shaped configuration of the liner is formed. The liner has a cross-section in any direction less than one-half of the diameter of the liner when expanded into a cylindrical configuration. The deformed liner is coiled about a reel. At an installation site, the liner is pulled from the reel through the pipe and sealed at opposite ends. Steam under pressure expands the W-shaped liner to a cylindrical configuration to line the pipe.

Abstract: A pet dispenser having an outer cylindrical housing with a top lid and an inner cylindrical water container essentially concentric with and inverted in the outer cylindrical housing for storing and automatically dispensing water into a trough to maintain a predetermined water level in said trough. A magnetically responsive switch is coupled to an interior surface of the top lid of the outer cylindrical housing. A low water level condition indicator is externally coupled to the top lid and electrically coupled to the magnetically responsive switch. A magnetic float in the inner cylindrical water container transitions the magnetically responsive switch from an open state to a closed state when as the water level in the inner water container goes below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has a land mode and a water mode wherein in the land mode the front end and the rear end angles of inclination are reduced to minimize the damage to the landscape of the earth's terrain. The amphibious vehicle comprises first and second pontoons, each having a bottom curved surface wherein the bottom curved surface has a knuckle-like point for facilitating turning thereabout.