Abstract: A pontoon water bike raft comprises two rear pontoons disposed parallel one another on either side of a longitudinal axis, with a transverse, planar truss spanning between them. Coupled by quick release joints to the midpoint of the truss and extending forward to rest on a third, front pontoon, a vertical frame supports a swivel seat for a driver. The frame includes a steering column similar to that of a conventional bicycle, allowing steering the water bike by turning the front pontoon. The steering column is tilted rearward slightly, and rests on the front pontoon rearward of its longitudinal center, to provide positive steering return when released. To propel the water bike, the driver manipulates a foot pedal mounted near the steering column and coupled by a chain to a transverse axle beneath the seat. Coupled to the axle are a plurality of planar water paddles arranged around a hub.

Abstract: A hydraulic tube bender comprises a hydraulic cylinder adapted to cause a mandrel to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis in a first plane in which two forming dies are stationed on either side of the axis. A pneumatic cylinder coupled to the axles of the forming dies and applies torque through a tether and pulley system to the forming dies. As the tube engages both the mandrel and the forming dies, resistive pressure in the pneumatic cylinder applies torque to the forming dies to hold them against the tube during the bending operation. A clamp may be applied to the tube to keep it snug against the mandrel as the forming dies rotate along the sides of the tube during bending. The torque system applies continuous pressure to the tube and permits bending of extremely thin walled tubing such as titanium aircraft tubing without wrinkling.

Abstract: An underflow dam unit provides a barrier to pollutants floating in runoff water which otherwise finds its way into storm drains and streams. The underflow dam unit includes a dam disposed between limiting sidewalls, and a baffle spanning between the sidewalls above the dam. The baffle's lower limit extends below the height of the dam, forming a weir channel between the baffle and the dam. Floating pollutants become trapped against the baffle while hydraulic pressure allows subsurface stream water to flow through the weir channel and over the dam. In one embodiment, a plurality of portable emergency dam units may be bolted together and installed through a temporary dirt levee built across a flowing stream or ditch to capture pollutants spilled upstream. In another embodiment, the conventional curb-level inlet to a storm sewer catch basin is replaced by a surface grate which drops runoff water into a chamber buried adjacent the catch basin.

Abstract: Improved posterboard is formed from a rectangular posterboard having vertical side edges and horizontal top and bottom edges. Guide marking are applied to the posterbboard. The guide markings are visually perceptible at a writing distance away from the posterboard, and substantially imperceptible at a viewing distance length away from the posterboard.

Abstract: A folding chair comprises a front, scissors-like X-structure formed by two pivotally coupled rigid members, the lower ends of which form front feet and the upper ends of which form front seat corners of the chair. Rearward the scissors structure, an inverted Y-structure includes a pair of downwardly depending rear legs diverging from a central hinge to form rear feet and a stile pivotally coupled to the hinge and extending upwardly opposite the legs. Two spindles link the front feet to an apex coupled to the hinge by a tether, and two lateral braces link the rear feet to the front seat corners, the braces and the spindles being pivotally coupled together where they cross. The stile opposite the hinge includes a transverse rail from which is suspended a hammock seat extending downward to the front seat corners on the scissors structure. The chair folds to a tight bundle for carrying, the hammock seat doubling as a shoulder sling.

Abstract: A quick release trailer jack comprises a vertical support mast extending through a jack body. Pinion and worm gears housed in the body couple a crank to a rack gear on the mast for vertically raising and lowering the mast relative to the trailer. A plunger coaxial with the pinion gear permits an operator to axially translate the pinion gear lateral the mast axis, thereby decoupling the crank from the rack gear. The pinion gear slides into a cylindrical cavity containing a biasing spring which returns the pinion gear into its normal position, re-coupling the crank and the rack, when the operator releases the plunger.

Abstract: A strike zone mask provides an image of a batter's strike zone for increasing the precision with which an umpire may judge whether or not a pitched ball was a strike. A lens carriage is provided within the viewing opening of the mask, the carriage and lens intercepting the umpire's field of vision in one eye. Lenses within the carriage have vertical scored lines defining the horizontal width of home plate, and a horizontal bar adjustably affixed to the front of the carriage across the lower portion of the lens permits adjusting the height of the strike zone to different players by aligning the top of the lens with the batter's shoulders and the horizontal bar with his knees.

Abstract: An improved water pressurizer comprises a pair of piston and plunger type intensifiers each driven by pressurized oil on one side of the piston and returned to the starting position by air pressure on the opposite side of the piston. Magnetic sensing switches detect proximity of the piston as it nears the end of a power or return stroke and send enabling signals to electropneumatic relays controlling air actuated ball valves on input and output oil lines. Because of the displacement volume and piston to plunger ratio, the intensifiers reciprocate at unusually low frequencies, reducing down time for maintenance or repair and thereby increasing reliability and capacity factor. Installed on a trailer for transportation, the apparatus can be attached to any available water supply for providing pressurized working fluid to a remote site.

Abstract: A tire handling tool for manipulating a wheel-mounted tire while installing or removing it from a vehicle comprises a single steel bar bent to form a forked, substantially planar, elongated body having a longitudinal axis bifurcated at a waist, a handle section adjacent the waist, the handle section formed by two parallel segments of the steel bar spaced apart by a plate at the waist and terminating in a transverse grip opposite the plate, the tool having a tine section adjacent the waist and extending coplanar with and opposite the handle section, the tine section formed by two divergent extensions of the steel bar segments forming the handle section, each tine having a traction means on one side for engaging a tread of a tire. The plate may have a driver stud for attaching a socket wrench extension perpendicular to the plate for tightening and loosening lug nuts. The plate may further include a spin handle opposite the driver stud to facilitate spinning the nuts onto and off of the lugs.

Abstract: A wheeled tire truck is provided for installing, removing and transporting rim-mounted tires for vehicles. The truck comprises an elongated body section and extended fork section supported by a transverse axle having wheels at either end bracketing the body. The body includes a handle section extending opposite the fork section to terminate in a grip, and the fork section extends opposite the handle for straddling the tire on either side of its center of gravity and beneath its tread. The tire rests against the handle portion and separate tire rests over each wheel, and the tire may be transported by balancing the weight of the tire on the wheels while pushing on the grip.