Abstract: A Hang Level Suspension System, hereafter known as Suspension System, for articles such as frames for pictures, mirrors, or other articles to be supported on a wall in a level attitude. The Suspension System for the frame includes two wall hangers, which are attached to a wall in a level attitude, two suspension elements comprising two washers, two equal lengths of chain and two eye-screws. These two suspension elements are mounted, one on each side of the frame, at a precise distance from the top of the frame. Two hangers are spaced apart, on the wall in a level attitude, the same distance as the suspension elements attached to the back of the frame. When the Suspension System is completed, a washer of the Suspension System is placed on the corresponding wall hanger on the wall. The suspended article will hang level at all times.

Abstract: The tool is coupleable to an arm of a reel of a fishing rod. The tool includes a shank at one end removably coupleable to a rotating drive. A cylinder is oriented opposite the shank with a hollow bore extending into a free end of the cylinder. A slot extends through a wall of the cylinder with an axial leg adjacent an entry of the slot and a circumferential leg spaced from the axial leg by a bend. The arm passes into the bore with portions of the arm first passing through the axial leg and then into the circumferential leg. The arm is thus securely held within the slot of the cylinder and the arm rotates when the cylinder is caused to rotate along with the shank when the shank is coupled to the drive and the drive is rotated, and line is drawn onto the reel.

Abstract: Air is removed from a bottle by placing the apparatus over the bottle in a manner similar to that of a cork. A switch is activated by placement of the apparatus over the bottle and causes a pump to evacuate air from an interior of the bottle. A pressure sensor senses reduced pressure and shuts off the pump when a sufficiently low pressure is reached. An indicator also visually indicates that a vacuum state exists within the bottle. A temperature probe is provided, coupled to a display for visual readout of temperature of liquid within the bottle. A tilt sensor is provided to shut off the pump if the apparatus is tilted excessively. A button is provided which can be depressed to cause air to return into space in the bottle to return the bottle interior back to atmospheric pressure for removal of the apparatus.

Abstract: A suspension is provided for mud flaps to be deployed behind wheels of a vehicle. The suspension allows for resilient translation of the mud flaps, such as should they get pinched against a curb and the wheels. A housing is adapted to be coupled to a bumper or other frame portion of the vehicle. The housing supports a spring therein. Cables are coupled to opposite ends of the spring and also to one of the mud flaps. When downward forces are exerted on one of the mud flaps, the cable associated allows the mud flap to translate downward slightly and cause the spring to be extended. When the loads subside, the spring causes the mud flap to return. In one embodiment a single suspension suspends two mud flaps over separate wheels. In a second embodiment, the suspension supports a single mud flap over a single wheel or wheel set.

Abstract: The subcutaneously implantable vascular access port has two parts including a body and a wing. The body supports a chamber covered by a septum, with a septum held in place over the chamber by a collar. The chamber is coupleable to a vascular structure, such as through tubing extending from the body, for delivery of medical preparations. The body is preferably elongate in form. The wing is configured to be adjustable in width. In one embodiment the wing rotates relative to the body and has an elongate form similar to that of the body. When the wing is rotated it extends laterally from the body and enhances a stability of the body. In another embodiment, the wing is provided as a deformable wing which can expand laterally out of side openings of a cavern in the body into which the deformable wing is inserted.

Abstract: A sprinkler system that can be quickly deployed for preventing brush and forest fires from engulfing a home. The system includes at least one assembly with a sprinkler on a base. The base straddles the roof ridge. The base adjusts to different roof pitches. The assemblies include hose interfaces to allow connection of a hose routed from a water supply. A fire retardant solution or fire fighting foam can be added downstream of the supply. The sprinklers wet the rooftop and a portion of the surrounding grounds. An optional pump and independent power supply can be added to route water from an available reservoir.

Abstract: A shoe is provided with a writing surface so that temporary expressive indicia can be applied to the shoe. The writing surface is preferably in the form of a side surface of the shoe extending between a tread and a foot contacting surface of the shoe. The side surface is preferably formed of patent leather compatible with a dry erase marker provided as a writing implement. In a most preferred form of the invention, the shoe includes a bore which acts as a housing for the marker or other writing implement to conveniently store the writing implement when not in use. The bore or other housing also keeps the writing implement fresh by sealing the writing implement within the bore when not in use, especially when the writing implement is a dry erase marker.

Abstract: A pair of foils are pivotably coupled to a nacelle. The nacelle is pivotably coupled to a mast extending down from to a frame and below a water surface. A push rod oscillates, causing the nacelle to experience a heaving motion, in turn causing the foils to flap up and down. The push rod is driven by a power plant such as a human rider. Angles of attack for the foils are actively controlled to optimize lift and propulsion forces provided by the foils to cause the water craft to move over the water. A steering fin is also provided for heading control of the water craft. A control system for separate angles of attack for the foil sends appropriate information to servo motors which cause the foils to rotate relative to the nacelle to achieve optimal angles of attack relative to the particular position of the nacelle at any given moment.

Abstract: An implant assembly is provided for surgical implantation into an intervertebral space, such as for stabilization of vertebrae adjacent the intervertebral space during a spinal fusion procedure. The implant assembly includes a primary segment separate from a secondary segment. These segments are elongate and of sufficiently small cross-section that they can be implanted posteriorly in a minimally invasive manner. The primary segment preferably includes a tunnel and the secondary segment preferably includes a neck with the tunnel and neck sized complementally so that the segments stabilize each other where they intersect with the neck within the tunnel. The entire implant assembly is thus provided which both widens and supports the intervertebral space and is sufficiently rigid to provide adequate support for the intervertebral space as the vertebrae are fusing together.

Abstract: A method for transporting people and cargo from the surface of the Earth to orbit around the Earth is disclosed. The present invention uses a series of lighter-than-air vehicles to allow for a far safer and less strenuous trip to orbit than using current rocket-based technology. The high altitude atmospheric airship is flown from the ground to the upper atmosphere, where it docks with the buoyant transfer station, and from there, the people and cargo transfer to an orbital airship for the remainder of the trip to orbit. The orbital airship returns to the station for another transfer back to the atmospheric airship for the return back to the surface of Earth.

Abstract: A vascular access port is disclosed for subcutaneous implantation. The port is particularly adapted to be affixed to a bone to securely hold the port in position, to assist medical personnel in finding the port and to decrease a visibility of the port. The port has a chamber therein which is accessed by a needle through a septum adjacent the chamber. The chamber is placed into fluid communication with the vascular structure of the patient, such as through catheter tubing. The chamber is surrounded by a body with an outer surface which is preferably fitted with threads to facilitate secure but removable attachment of the port within a hole in the bone where the port is to be implanted.

Abstract: A tool is provided for filling sandbags in an efficient and easy manner, even with a single individual. The tool is in the form of a chute suspended above ground by a plurality of legs. The chute has a mouth at one side and a spout opposite the mouth. The mouth presents a large target into which sand can be placed. This sand then travels through the chute and exits through the spout. A sandbag is placed over the spout so that it captures sand exiting the chute. A fastener is provided, such as in the form of a clip, which removably attaches an opening of the sandbag over the spout. A ballast bag is provided which can be filled with sand and suspended from the chute to enhance the stability of the filler. The legs are removably attachable and the chute is configured to nest with other chutes.