Abstract: Ramp apparatus conveying water across a thoroughfare includes a pair of ramp elements spaced apart from each other with a liquid carrying element disposed between them. The ramp elements and the liquid carrying element are secured together as an integral unit, and coupling elements are disposed in opposite ends of the ramp for coupling to hoses, etc. The apparatus is designed to be disposed across the thoroughfare, and accordingly has a relatively low profile for ease of traffic problems as traffic moves over the ramp apparatus and at the same time is able to carry a substantial amount of fluid or liquid, such as water, from one side of the thoroughfare to the other side.

Abstract: Rotary brush apparatus usable in the environment of a street sweeper includes a generally circular plate to which are secured brush segments. The brush segments are secured to the plate by pins on plates movable vertically upwardly in response to rotation of a bolt. The use of the pin and bolt elements allow for the quick change of the brush segments. The pins move vertically upwardly and downwardly and are locked in place to keep from rotating by guide elements used for alignment purposes. Apertures in the plate allow for the visual alignment of the brush segments.

Abstract: Rack apparatus for holding and supporting compound bows includes a generally horizontal holding element generally rectangular in configuration and secured to a base element which is of the same general configuration. The rack apparatus is padded for protecting the compound bows stored therein. The rack apparatus may be used in the field as well as in a vehicle and in a storage environment.

Abstract: A marine engine is provided with a drive unit which incorporates a water impeller to supply water to the marine engine in order to maintain proper engine cooling. Devices are currently available that allow the watercraft's engine to be started when the craft is not in actual service. These devices attach to the crafts out drive unit and they provide for water, from a household faucet, to be supplied to the water impeller. These devices have no form of measurement to communicate to the operator that a sufficient amount of water is initially being supplied to the water impeller to prevent damage to that component nor do they communicate if the water impeller is capable of producing sufficient suction to feed the crafts engine with sufficient coolant so that the engine will not over-heat when the craft is placed in its operating environment. The present invention includes an impeller tester which may be placed in existing drive water supply devices or which may be permanently installed in the water craft.

Abstract: Drain apparatus drains an evaporative cooler housing by siphon action. The siphoning action is started when a pump which pumps water for cooler pads is turned off, and the water in a conduit flows downwardly and a valve is switched, directing the downwardly flowing water into a chamber disposed over the overflow standpipe in the housing. The water level in the chamber is the water level in the housing, and the down flowing water fills the chamber, causing the water to flow down the pipe and lowering the atmospheric pressure in the chamber to begin siphoning action. At the same time, a check valve at the bottom of the chamber opens to allow water from the housing to flow into the chamber to drain the housing. Several embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments in which siphoning action may be commenced by raising and lowering a drain hose connected to the standpipe.

Abstract: Bullet resistant curtain apparatus protects the rear of a vehicle. The curtain apparatus includes a curtain secured to the trunk lid of the vehicle and is deployed when the trunk lid is opened. The curtain apparatus includes a flexible curtain made of a plurality of bullet resistant cloth layers. The curtain folds as the trunk closes. A second embodiment includes a movable base with posts to which the curtain may be secured to comprise a portable shield. The base includes wheels for moving the portable shield. The curtain is removably secured to the trunk lid and is thus easily converted into the movable, portable shield.

Abstract: Nitrogen fruit freezing apparatus includes a conveyor on which fruit passes beneath a spray of liquid nitrogen, and the liquid nitrogen falls downwardly, gasifies, and flows to a chiller unit where the gas is used to cool water. The water cooled by the nitrogen gas is sprayed onto the fruit before the fruit is conveyed to the liquid nitrogen freezing area and is sprayed onto the fruit to glaze the fruit after the fruit is frozen. The cooled water may also be used for cooling a room or a building, etc. The nitrogen gas is exhausted to the atmosphere from the water chiller unit.

Abstract: A novelty item ejects a golf ball from a cup in a putting green. The golf ball ejector apparatus includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder movable relative to the outer cylinder. A compression spring is disposed beneath the inner cylinder and the inner cylinder includes a pair of slots which extend axially along the inner cylinder and a transversely or diametrically extending pin extends through the slots and is secured to the outer cylinder. The top of the inner cylinder includes a recess for receiving the golf ball. The top of the slots include recesses for receiving the pin to lock the inner cylinder downwardly relative to the outer cylinder and a golf ball falling onto the top of the inner cylinder causes the inner cylinder to move relative to the pin, and when the pin is out of the recesses the compression spring moves the inner cylinder, with the golf ball disposed thereon, upwardly to propel or eject the golf ball upwardly and out of the cup.

Abstract: Holster apparatus for a hand held weapon and on which weapon are photoluminescent elements, chargeable by light produced by a lamp disposed in the holster and a switch controlled battery is used to power the lamp. Mirror elements may be used to insure that the light produced by the lamp is spread relatively uniformly to all of the photoluminescent elements. Depending on the size of the weapon disposed in the holster apparatus, a plurality of lamps may be used, and a switch, which is preferably spring loaded to the off position, is actuated as desired by the user of the holster and weapon.

Abstract: A marine engine is provided with an drive unit which incorporates a water impeller to supply water to the marine engine in order to maintain proper engine cooling. Devices are currently available that allow the watercraft's engine to be started when the craft is not in actual service. These devices attach to the craft's drive unit and they provide for water, from a household faucet, to be supplied to the water impeller. An impeller tester of the present invention is connected to such devices to measure the pressure of the input and output of the impeller. This allows an operator to determine if the impeller will produce sufficient pressure for cooling the engine.

Abstract: Scope cover apparatus includes a generally cylindrical element made of stretchable material with end pieces and with a relatively narrow and elongated opening through which a scope fits into the scope cover. The material out of which the scope cover is made is elastic enough to stretch to fit onto a scope and yet to substantially cover the scope when the scope cover is placed on the scope for maximum protection.

Abstract: Support apparatus includes a pair of folding leg elements pivotally secured to a longitudinal beam assembly. The beam assembly includes two beams longitudinally aligned with each other and secured by a U-shaped clamp. The leg elements are secured to the center, longitudinally extending beams by a pair of cam lock units, secured to the leg units. The cam lock units pivot and are lockable to the beam in both the open, support position and in the folded, storage position. The use of the two beam elements and the U-shaped channel connector allows the beam elements to twist relative to each other, and the twisting allows the leg elements to remain stable while disposed on an uneven surface.

Abstract: Dolly apparatus for hauling loads on a pitched surface includes frame structure secured to wheels, with the wheels being adjustable in height so that the dolly may be moved along a pitched surface with the load maintained in a proper horizontal orientation. Different embodiments are disclosed, which embodiments may be used for different types of loads. One embodiment is a relatively simple embodiment which may be used for a relatively light load, and a second embodiment is a relatively complicated embodiment which may be used to transport heavier loads. The second embodiment includes wheels which may be oriented ninety degrees for moving in two directions, for example for moving a load to a specific location in one direction and then moving it in a second direction for specifically positioning the load.

Abstract: A patching compound for patching holes in drywall, cement, and the like, includes well known drywall mud material, water, and various other ingredients such as calcium carbonate, gypsum, perlite, mica, talc, clay, starch, cement, and a preservative, such as sorbic acid or a product sold as boroguard ZB. The various ingredients are mixed with water to provide a relatively soft and pliable filler compound. Silicone caulking may also be used for moisture retention, if desired. The compound is place in a dispenser for dispensing, and the dispenser may either be a relatively small dispenser for household use or a relatively large dispenser for commercial and industrial use. For the household use, the dispenser preferably includes a housing having an asymmetrical configuration in which is disposed a piston. The piston moves within the cylinder and is prevented from rotating by the asymmetrical configuration of the cylinder. Rotation of a threaded rod causes the piston to move the compound, as desired.

Abstract: Aluminum can recycling and coupon dispenser apparatus includes a housing having a front door and a can receiving slot on the front of the door. Cans fall onto a conveyor belt which transmits or transports the cans to a conduit through which aluminum cans fall to a crusher. Ferrous cans remain on the conveyor held by magnetic elements and are pushed off the conveyor and are discarded. After being crushed for recycling, the cans are transported upwardly by a moving air stream to the upper portion of the housing and the cans fall rearwardly and downwardly to a storage bin where they remain until the bin is transported out of the apparatus. The storage bin may be removed intact and replaced by another storage bin. All of the active elements are secured to the door. The door is pivoted to remove the storage bin containing the crushed cans. Information is displayed while the can crushing is being accomplished and coupons are dispensed in response to user input on a keypad.

Abstract: Portable metering and mixing apparatus includes a trailer having a hopper thereon divided into two compartments, one compartment for aggregate and another compartment for cementitious material. An auger receives aggregate from one compartment and feeds aggregate into a mixing compartment where cementitious material is added, and the resulting mixture is then delivered as required. Metering elements meter the aggregate and the cementitious material as desired, and the metered aggregate and cementitious material are mixed in a mixing chamber. A metering sleeve over the auger insures that only the metered amount of aggregate is conveyed by the auger to the mixing chamber. A second embodiment utilizes only a single hopper which contains premixed aggregate and cementitious material, and the premix is fed to the auger through a metering sleeve. Water is added to the material while in the auger and prior to the mixing chamber.