Abstract: The invention is a biomass carrier used in the biological purification of waste water. The design of the biomass carrier is characterized by a surface morphology designed to produce a specific pattern of variations in bio-film thickness, resulting in optimized bio-film conditions for simultaneous nitrification-de-nitrification and biodegradation of trace organic contaminants.

Abstract: A pest deterrent fence is used to deter slugs and snails and similar animals from gaining access to gardens. The fence comprises vertically oriented first and second conductive surfaces that are generally metallic mesh. The conductive surfaces separated by a polyvinylchloride non-polar dielectric. The dielectric is “T” shaped and is dimensioned such that it prevents moisture from connecting the first and second conductive surfaces by promoting beading and dripping.

Abstract: A carton holder is adapted to hold a generally square carton and comprises a bottom sleeve adapted to accept the flat bottom surface of the carton; a top grasping member adapted to exert compressive forces against the outside surface of the carton to firmly holding the carton in a stable configuration within the carton holder; and a handle. The carton holder is specifically designed for use in combination with beverage cartons by persons with reduced hand strength and motor skills due to age, infirmities and disease.

Abstract: A rotating dry drilling bit for low thrust drilling of an annular bore hole into a body of rock and obtaining an extremely small diameter core sample comprises a bit crown moulded to the end of an annular steel body. The bit crown comprises a plurality of radially extending channels and a plurality of evenly spaced radially extending cutting blades surrounding an annulus. The bit crown is a hard metal matrix formed onto the bottom end of the annular steel body using a powdered metallurgy process. Embedded within each cutting blade are natural and synthetic diamonds. A reverse auger mechanism within the annulus removes cuttings from the annulus and the surface of the bit crown.

Abstract: A belt mounted ID/credit card anti-theft device for securely holding at least one such card. The device comprises a first rectangular body and a second elongate body. The first rectangular body includes a chamber adapted for receiving and securely holding the card. The second elongate body comprises means for demountably mounting the first rectangular body to a belt or strap and means for sealing the card securely within the chamber in a locked configuration. Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein the rectangular body comprises a first front card holding chamber and a second rear card holding chamber. Various devices for attaching the device to a belt or strap are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing formation sand from an oil storage tank. The apparatus is mounted to a truck towable trailer so that it may be transported to remote sites. Mounted to the truck towable trailer is a container adapted to accept and dewater a sand-water slurry pumped from the oil storage tank. The slurry is formed by injecting high pressure water from a water reservoir mounted to the truck towable trailer into the approximate centre of mass of the formation sand by way of a pipe having a nozzle generating a spherical spray pattern within the slurry. The pipe is forced into the slurry by way of a two counter-rotating drive wheels in frictional contact with the pipe. Included in the apparatus is a bifurcated conduit adapted for attachment to the storage tank drain port adapted for the injection of high pressure through one branch of the conduit and withdrawal of slurry from the other branch and into the container by way of a slurry pump.

Abstract: A dismountable outdoor shelter kit for mounting upon an outdoor surface characterized by its anticlinal canopy that has an apex for shedding water and dirt and for providing protection from the sun. The shelter kit includes canopy supporting members and bracing members designed to give the shelter kit structural stability once assembled. Each of the main supporting members of the shelter kit is made up of a plurality of mated members, including, a bottom foot member adapted for transferring structural loads from the anticlinal canopy to the outdoor surface; a middle vertical member mated to the bottom foot members; and, an anticlinal cantilevered member adapted to support the anticlinal canopy. The canopy made from a rectangular sheet of material having suitable characteristics of fire resistance. The sheet has valences, depending flaps fixed to the bottom edges of the sheet and a sleeve structure adapted for receiving a bracing rod in order to fix the sheet to the canopy support structure.

Abstract: A beverage bottle holder is adapted to hold a plastic beverage bottle and comprises a bottom collar adapted to accept the bottom surface of the beverage bottle; a top grasping member adapted to exert compressive forces against the outside surface of the beverage bottle to firmly holding the bottle in a stable configuration within the bottle holder; a handle and at least one sinusoidal cusp within the inner surface of the bottom collar. The cusp is adapted to mesh with concavities within the bottom of the plastic bottle. The bottle holder is specifically designed for use in combination with plastic beverage bottles by persons with reduced hand strength and motor skills due to age, infirmities and disease.

Abstract: An in line skate guard for fastening to an in line skate having a plurality of serially mounted rollers that permits the wearer to walk safety using a natural human walking gait cycle. The in line skate guard has an elongate body having a bottom surface comprising a plurality of integral contact planes in a serial and contiguous relationship. These contact planes include a first, second, third, fourth and fifth contact planes each one of which is adapted to promote the natural human walking gate cycle. The elongate body is held onto the plurality of rollers by a deep groove that engages the roller wheels in a pinching relationship. There are also semi circular hoops that engage the front and rear of the in line skate rollers. Tension chords are also used to fasten the elongate body to the skate frame.

Abstract: An acoustic distance measuring device adapted to measure the level of water in a ground water well by first emitting a sonic low frequency acoustic pulse and measuring the time-of-flight for each reflected pulse from the surface of the water in the well. Each reflected pulse must have an amplitude greater than a threshold amplitude or it will be rejected. Based on time-of-flight measurements from the first low frequency sonic pulse reception windows are established for a second higher frequency sonic pulse. To refine the time-of-flight measurements for the second pulse only those reflected pulses whose reception times fall within the reception windows are accepted. A more accurate calculation of the distance from the sonic pulse emitter to the surface of the water is accomplished by using the refined time-of-flight measurements from the second higher frequency pulse.

Abstract: A method for secure transmission of data, like e-mail and other secure documents, over a computer network includes the use of biometrics to verify that the sender of the data is confirmed as an individual authorized for secure access transmission of data over the network and by verifying that the recipient of the data is also an individual authorized to receive data by secure access transmission over the network. The methodology comprises creating a database containing the biometric templates of all individuals authorized for secure access transmission of data over the network and connecting the database to a data processor. The transmission of counterfeit messages is prevented by confirming the identity of the sender as an individual authorized for secure access transmission over the network by scanning a predetermined biometric of the sender, and comparing the biometric of the sender with the predetermined biometric of all individuals who are authorized for secure access transmission over the network.

Abstract: An improved coin and token organizing, holding and dispensing apparatus comprises a lower housing for organizing, holding and dispensing a pre-determined number of coins and tokens of varying sizes and denominations. The lower housing has a substantially rectangular shape having a taper along its length so that the apparatus fits conveniently in pocket or purse and is comfortable to hold. The apparatus is well suited for visually and physically impaired individuals as it permits the ready identification and handling of coins based on the tapered shape of the apparatus and the ability to distinguish by touch one coin from another. The lower housing has a substantially open top surface, a closed flat bottom surface; and, closed vertical sides. Within the lower housing is a plurality of linearly disposed cylindrical wells. Each well is adapted to receive a coin or token of a predetermined size.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for ground support comprising a tensionable reinforcing member including at least one nut threadably receivable by the tensionable reinforcing member. The nut body comprises a squared portion and a convex hemispherical portion. The nut includes a bore adapted for engagement with the first end threaded portion of the tensionable reinforcing member. The nut also at least one second bore transversing the squared portion of the nut square body portion. The second bore is adapted to accept a shearing element capable to fix the nut in a temporary first operating position on the reinforcing member. The shearing element is a rolled member made from carbon steel. The shearing element is adapted to shear at a consistent and predetermined torqueshear.

Abstract: An adjustable alarm device for windows and doors is installed between the door or window frame and the door or window sash. The longitudinal axis of the alarm device is preferably horizontal. When engaged, movement of the door or window in an open direction will activate the alarm. The body of the alarm device is elongate, tubular and telescoping. The body comprises an outer tube that receives an inner tube. The body of the alarm device may be locked in an extended position by way of a cam mounted on the inner tube and positioned within the body so that when the inner and outer tubes of the body are twisted about their longitudinal axis, the cam body will engage the inner surface of the outer tube in a releasable frictional locking engagement. The alarm device is coupled to one end of the inner tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering control of water craft by operator body motion commands. The craft is powered by an outboard motor having a first vertical axis. The water craft has a swivel seat co-axially mounted to first and second swivel bodies permitting rotation of the seat about a second vertical axis. There is a first control member-mounted between the seat and the first swivel body and a second control member mounted between the first and second swivel bodies. A connecting member connects the second control member to the outboard motor so that when a pin couples the first and second control members together the apparatus is engaged and swivel seat is able to transmit body motion steering commands via the connecting member to the outboard motor.

Abstract: The tool is adapted for extracting the sheared remnant of a sign post having holes and comprises a shaft having a top and bottom end. To secure the tool to the remnant a clamp is provided comprising a stationary member integral to the bottom end of the shaft and a moveable member pivotally connected to the stationary member. Fixed to the stationary member is a guide member having a plurality of outwardly projecting pins. The pins have a diameter and spaced relationship adapted to correspond to the diameter and spaced relationship of the holes in the sign post remnant. When the clamp is inserted into the sign post remnant the pins will enter and tightly engage the holes in the signpost remnant. Connected to the top end of the shaft is a sliding hammer for imparting extraction forces to the sheared sign post remnant.

Abstract: The invention is an improved aluminum water craft using a plurality of aluminum pontoons to stabilize the craft. The hull of the craft has a truncated “U” shape with a first horizontal section and a second raised bow section. The hull is made from a single piece of construction material and includes a plurality of equally spaced apart concave-shaped reinforcing ribs pressed into the top surface of the construction sheets prior to forming the hull. The ribs provide additional rigidity and strength to the hull. The plurality of pontoons join to form a segmented, un-pressurized, water-tight, air filled floatation collar around the hull of the water craft. The pontoon segments are separated by bulkhead plates. The pontoons are inclined from the horizontal to promote smooth travel over turbulent water. The pontoons are constructed from single sheets of construction material. A plurality equally spaced and parallel reinforcing ribs pressed into the rectangular sheets.

Abstract: A telescopically collapsible image projector has a tri-segmented body. Within the body is mounted a light source, an imaging device such as a fully colour LCD display capable of receiving electronic signals representing images for display, keystone correction means, focusing means, and heat dissipation means. In its operating configuration the body segments are fully extended and a rigid optical pathway is established. Upon full extension, heat sinks in the form of air voids are created to collect radiated heat from operating components of the projector. A forced air system comprising a fan/motor combination draws cooling air in through the body of the projector and exhausts heated air through an exhaust port. In its stowed configuration, the heat sink air voids are used as stowage space to enable the body segments of the projector to telescopically collapse within each other forming a compact object with a small stowage foot print.