Abstract: An oil/water separator that employs a rotatable drum for separating oil or other contaminants from a fluid, usually water. This drum is partially immersed within the oil containing fluid such that by its rotation therethrough, an oil film adheres to its outer periphery. A blade assembly scrapes or wipes this film from this outer periphery and gathers such film in an adjacent collection trough.

Abstract: A safety shield, suitable for use in a marine environment, which can be quickly and easily removed from around a coupling or the like that is used to secure a pipeline or hose together. This safety shield can also be used to cover or surround an end fitting or plug in the pipeline or hose. It is used to aid in the containment of any leaking fluid from the coupling or fitting, such escaping fluid being collected in a drip barrel or the like. The shield has an inverted U-shaped housing, open at the bottom, with aligned notches in the front and rear walls for a pipeline with joint to pass through. The housing is fastened to the pipeline by chains or ropes, passing under the pipeline and secured to the front and rear walls of the housing, respectively. A window is included in the top wall of the housing of this shield so that the user can view the fitting or coupling prior to installation and/or removal.

Abstract: A floatation device for safely supporting a person, including paralyzed, disabled, or mobility impaired persons, upon a body of water for exercise or relaxation. This device encloses the person within concentric outer flotation members and a seat assembly from which position the person may float, walk or wade in the water as desired while either being continuously supported or providing only the support required. The outer flotation members are spaced from the user to also enclose him and these outer members provide the buoyancy and stability required for use. If desired, a hand rest can be positioned intermediate the outer flotation members and seat assembly of the floatation device for further ease of use and for grasping purposes.

Abstract: A non-contact floating containment or repelling device used to gather, contain or repel a material such as oil that has been spilled on the surface of a body of water. This device consists of a plurality of paddlewheels serially connected along a shaft secured between distant vessels. This shaft is rotated, thereby rotating the paddlewheels which churn the water, thus repelling the spilled material away from the device and toward a central region. By this arrangement, the device itself never becomes contaminated by the spilled material and is sprayed with the churning water, and therefore, should a fire break out, damage to the device is unlikely.

Abstract: This invention is a tool designed to sharpen rotary cutter blades. In a first embodiment, an inside-threaded clamp is screwed down upon the blade, pressing it tightly against a platform from which a threaded shank rises, and holding the blade from turning. When an upper casing containing an inside angled abrasive strip is lowered over the clamp until contact is made against the blade surface, the abrasive strip is brought into contact with the blade edge. When the upper casing is rotated around the tightened clamp, the abrasive acts upon the blade edge and thereby sharpens the edge. A second embodiment is comprised of a blade holder for holding the cutting blade stationary and a ring member with an abrasive strip which fits around the blade holder such that the abrasive strip contacts the edge of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A fruit juice extraction apparatus for processing citrus fruit in general, without manual contact, comprising a tubular chassis having mounted thereon an extraction box affixed to a gearmotor for actuating an crank and rod assembly which dislocates one concave hemisphere against another concave hemisphere, thereby pressing fruit released by a trigger positioned on an opening in a tray in which one of the concave hemispheres has a central pin and on the other a perforating tube for the extraction of the juice, the solid residues of the fruit being released into a receptacle and the liquid passing through a filter, then falling into a reservoir which has outlet ports therein.

Abstract: A clasp for connecting the ends of jewelry members is disclosed. The clasp of the present invention comprises an elongated main body member, a cooperating member for detachable connection to the main body member, and securing the cooperating member in the main body member such that the cooperating member does not dissociate from the main body member. The main body member has an aperture in one end and an elongated slot which terminates in an enlarged end on one end and connects to the aperture on the opposite end. The cooperating member has a spherical portion on one end, an eyelet portion on the opposite end, and a shank portion connecting these two portions. In the one embodiment of the present invention, securing is accomplished by a flat spring which is mounted adjacent to the slot in the main body member and extends partially over the slot to bias the cooperating member into the main body member and against the aperture.

Abstract: An electric generator for generating an electrical current that comprises a continuous housing containing equally spaced-apart magnets that pass the continuous housing through the center of a plurality of individual coils in a concentric larger outer housing. To enhance the current generated, a plate is inserted between adjacent coils in the larger housing and the magnets are arranged so that opposite poles are adjacent each other. To further increase current generation, the coils may be cooled so as to reduce any resistance therein.

Abstract: A dispenser reel assembly for automatically dispensing a fire extinguisher upon activation. This dispenser reel assembly is typically supported from an overhead support well above the floor, thereby protecting the fire extinguisher from damage and/or theft. To operate the assembly, a release plate covering a lower opening of a supporting frame is removed, thereby permitting the cable, and hence the suspended fire extinguisher, to be dispensed from the reel assembly via gravity. Typically, the fire extinguisher will come to rest about eight (8') feet above the floor so as not to inadvertently cause injury or damage. To lower the extinguisher further, a short retrieve rope is used to pull the extinguisher downwardly so that the extinguisher can either be used or removed from the dispenser reel assembly for use and/or inspection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for cutting trees and grinding and mulching tree stumps. The apparatus includes a semi-spherical arcuate shield with a control mount and a foot mount attached to the arcuate shield. A cylindrical drum having cutting teeth mounted on the periphery of the drum is mounted below the arcuate shield such that the arcuate shield covers the upper forward and rearward surfaces of the drum. The drum is preferably mounted a constant radial distance from the arcuate shield. Debris limiting rings are mounted below the arcuate shield on each end of the drum. A belt guard is mounted on each debris limiting ring. An end plate is mounted on each belt guard, enclosing the space between the debris limiting ring, the belt guard, and the end plate. An output shaft extends through the drum and debris limiting rings, rotatably mounted in an end cap on one end of the apparatus and having a pulley mounted on the other end. The pulley engages a belt which engages a shaft above the arcuate shield.

Abstract: A portable illumination device for reading material in dark or underlit environments. This illumination device is operable upon the opening of its book-like folded covers and upon the tilting of the device to a pre-set angle or greater to close a circuit containing a mercury tilt switch, battery and sources of illumination. Once the device is properly positioned, the plurality of individual illumination sources are activated to illuminate the reading material placed therein. A reading bar incorporating a magnifying glass can be slid along the reading material so as to magnify or highlight such material for easier reading thereof. The tilt switch and battery power sources are preferably located along the spine of the device.

Abstract: A surge pressure control valve for blocking surge pressures that may occur in a fluid line. This surge pressure control valve contains a fluid biased plunger therein that retracts upon the application of fluid pressure. However, the rate of retraction of this plunger is limited to the rate at which the fluid bias is released by flowing through a relief opening controlled by a needle valve. As this plunger is allowed to retract, it uncovers a passageway connecting the inlet port to the outlet port, thereby permitting fluid to flow through the valve. By such construction, this plunger does not react immediately to the application of pressure, instead, the plunger only gradually retracts (thereby only gradually uncovering the passageway) after fluid is first forced through the relief opening. Thus, this plunger serves the purpose of dampening the effect of any surge pressure that may arise in the line.

Abstract: A method of making a personalized children's storybook using preprinted books and inserting stickers containing personalized data to create a personalized book.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped lateral liner having a radially outwardly directed flange at its proximal end is drawn through a main pipe into a lateral pipe to be lined. A generally U-shaped main pipe liner is drawn through the main pipe to be lined, with a side wall portion overlying the radial flange of the lateral liner. Steam is supplied to reform the main liner into a generally cylindrical configuration into conformance with the interior walls of the main pipe. A pair of packers are disposed in the lined main pipe on opposite sides of the lateral pipe and a ball-like member with surface grooves is provided between the packers. Upon application of steam to the region between the packers, the steam raptures the side wall portion of the main liner, causing the ball to seat in the opening. Steam flow along the grooves at high velocity causes heat transfer to the abutting main and lateral liners to fuse the liners one to the other. Steam supplied through the grooves also reforms the lateral liner.

Abstract: An aerator for aerating a body of first liquid such as a pond, waste-water site or marina. It consists of a pair of concentric elongated tubes whose lengths can vary depending on the needs of the aerator and the depth of the liquid to be aerated. Above the level of the first liquid, at least one air inlet port is secured to the upper region of the outer tube of the aerator to provide air flow in the annulus between the tubes while at least one second liquid inlet port is secured to the upper region of the inner tube for the passage of the second liquid therethrough. This second liquid and air travel along these separate flow paths within the inner tube and annulus, respectively, before reaching a mixing area in the lower end of the outer tube and adjacent a diffuser manifold positioned below the surface of the first liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting seawater or other contaminated water into pure water for reuse including: a source of the contaminated water; a first horizontal housing connected to the source of contaminated water and having a heat exchanger therein for vaporizing the contaminated water therein; a vertical housing connected to the distal end of the first horizontal housing for fluid communication therebetween; a second horizontal housing connected at its proximate end to the vertical housing for fluid communication therebetween, the second horizontal housing having a heat exchanger therein for condensing vapor therein; a weir vertically mounted in the first housing for retaining a portion of the contaminated water in the first housing and allowing the other portion of the contaminated water to pass through the heat exchange evaporator from the proximate to distal end of the first housing.