Abstract: A pipe saddle having an elongated band with a radially outward extending hub on one end and a set of teeth extending along a latching member. The hub includes a finger engagement region and an internal tooth for engagement with one of the teeth in a set of teeth on the latching member. A finger engagement region on the latching member allows a user to use one hand to extend the latching member into the hub and to push the latching member into locking engagement in the hub by compressively squeezing on the two finger regions. In order to prevent withdrawal of the latching member from the hub a stop in the hub maintains the teeth in engagement with each other thereby maintaining the band in pressure engagement with a circumferential region of a pipe. Use of multiple teeth permits the pipe saddle to be used on different diameter pipes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spatter painting wherein an open-loop paint applicator which can be a paint roller cover having a set of elongated interconnected members or fibers that are rolled in a shallow layer of paint, preferably a thixotropic paint, to randomly draw paint from the paint reservoirs onto peripheral portions of the open-loop members that extend into the paint reservoir to produce a partially loaded paint roller cover having randomly spaced globules and droplets of paint thereon. When the partially loaded paint roller cover is rolled over a surface the paint globules and droplets located in a random pattern on the paint roller cover are transferred to a surface to produce a “spatter effect” even though the paint roller cover normally produces a textured surface.

Abstract: A convertible headwear including a nose brim with the nose brim containing a wind-block material to prevent moisture laden air from being expelled therethrough with an unimpeded opening around the user's mouth and nostrils to permit a person to exhale a moisture laden breath away from the user's face to thereby avoid a feeling of clamminess and to inhibit the fogging of a user's eyeglasses should the user be wearing eyeglasses with the nose brim foldable to condition for blocking access through the headwear when the headwear is used in the neck gator mode.

Abstract: A ladder which is particularly useful as a boat ladder is constructed with a pair of centrally located side-by-side elongated support members which are movable lengthwise, to a limited degree, with respect to one another. The ladder rungs are pivotally attached to the support members such that when one support member is moved lengthwise the rungs are swung to extend outward from the support members for use as a stepping ladder and swung inward to be in line with the support members to make the ladder compact for storage. The ladder is pivotably engageable with a storage compartment in a boat hull for swinging the ladder downward for use from an opening in the compartment and upward in line with the opening for insertion into the compartment for storage.

Abstract: A method of connecting pipes in a fluid-tight end-to-end relationship and a universal pipe coupler that maintain the pipe ends proximate one another as the coupler simultaneously aligns the ends of the pipes and draws the pipes into a fluid tight sealing relationship with the universal pipe coupler colorable with frictional engaging collars or fixedly engaging collars to hold the pipe in position.

Abstract: An inline apparatus and method for processing an unworked masonry article to produce a decorative masonry article having pitched face edges located in a non-parallel relationship to each other. The inline apparatus includes a conveyor line for carrying the masonry article, a pitching machine for pitching at least one of the frontal face edges of the masonry article, a flipping machine for repositioning the masonry article while the masonry article is in the conveying line and a second pitching machine for processing at least one additional face edge which is located in a non-parallel condition to the face edge of masonry article that has been pitched.

Abstract: A perforated trocar sleeve (20) is disclosed. The trocar sleeve has an elongate tubular body member (21) having a proximal end (22) and a spaced distal end (24). An inlet port (25) is defined in the proximal end of the body member, and an outlet port (26) is defined at the distal end thereof. The inlet and outlet ports, in association with the body member, define a continuous fluid flow conduit (28) within the body member. A plurality of openings (29) are defined in the exterior surface of the tubular body member and extend from the distal end of the body member at least partially toward the proximal end thereof. The fluid to be delivered into a body cavity is passed through these openings and dispersed through an arc extending radially about the axis of the body member. The openings may be spaced randomly or regularly along the length of the body member, and may be positioned within at least one recess (40,60) defined within the exterior surface of the body member.

Abstract: A construction tool having a reference end with a hanger holder positioned a builders unit from the reference end to enable the construction tool to be used as a marking guide or to carry a joist hanger to enable a user to accurately and quickly position and secure a joist hanger on a cross member.

Abstract: There is a tactile indicator for the visually impaired having at least one marker head (22) which in a position of use protrudes above a walkway surface. A flange (23) extends down from the underside of the marker head (22) and is adapted for a close tolerance sliding fit into a channel cut in said walkway surface. There are a plurality of upwardly inclined ribs (25) formed on the flange (23) so that the flange (23) once push fitted into the channel is secured in place without adhesive by outward pressure of the ribs (25) on the sides of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein an extendible piston includes sidewalls for shutting off the supply of molten lead and an impact surface that extends in a side-to-side condition to form an end surface of a battery part cavity so that when the extendible piston is brought into an intensifying condition the extendible piston shuts off further supply of molten metal while a heat source maintains the lead in a molten state as the impact surface of the piston forms a side-to-side mold cavity surface to complete the mold cavity surface thereby eliminating unevenness in the surface of the finished battery part by generating a force with the extendible piston which is sufficient to form a battery part so that upon removal from the mold the batter part is substantially free of tears and cracks as well as surface irregularities.

Abstract: A marker for attachment to a helmet head covering or the like of a friendly force member, and more particularly to an on-the-go hand securable marker having at least one extension with a retaining head for inserting into a hole in the uniform with the retaining head sufficiently rigid to prevent withdrawal therefrom under field conditions with the marker having a limited wavelength reflective surface thereon to enable a person observing under nighttime conditions to determine if a person is a friendly force member by the presence of reflections of electromagnetic radiation from the marker on the friendly force member. If field conditions change one can quickly remove the marker and replace the marker with conventional camouflage materials.

Abstract: A soil aeration tine having a nose or apex end for soil penetration with a set of soil fracture faces carried thereon to fracture a portion of the soil in engagement with the soil aeration tine and a cutting tube positioned on the soil aeration tine with the soil cutting tube cutting a soil plug free of a further portion of the soil with the soil penetration tine having a lateral face for scooping out soil as the soil aeration tine is removed from the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein at least one of the mold members forming the surfaces of an internal battery part cavity are displaced with respect to one another to reduce the volume of the mold cavity formed between the two parts to thereby intensify the pressure sufficiently high pressure so as to inhibit the formation of cracks and tears in a cast part.

Abstract: A water treatment device, method and system with the water treatment device having a container for holding a water treatment material therein with the water treatment device including a shroud extending in a direction generally normal to a flow of debris laden water with the shroud inhibiting direct flow of debris into a water inlet in the water treatment device by directing water and debris over the shroud and around the water treatment device while a portion of the water can be directed laterally into the water treatment material within the water treatment device to thereby purify the water that flows over the water treatment materials with the water treatment device including multiple spaced and positioned water inlets so that the likelihood of the water inlet being completely obstructed is remote.

Abstract: A drainage valve tap assembly for connection of a branch line to a main line while simultaneously forming a freeze proof drain comprising a hollow body having a first end and a second end, a cutting tube attached to the first end of the body; a handle having a hollow interior, the handle attached to the second end of the body for rotating the body; and a resilient drain plug extending at least partially in the body for blocking off the flow of water therethrough under a water pressure and for allowing the draining of water therethrough and out of the drainage valve when the water pressure is cut-off.

Abstract: A method the method of transferring a roll of sod while inhibiting an unwinding of the roll of sod comprising the steps of: (a) rolling a slab of sod into a first sod roll; (b) forcing the first sod roll onto a sod roll handling mechanism containing a second sod roll with the first sod roll forming pressure contact with the second sod roll on the sod roll handling mechanism; and (c) advancing the sod roll handling mechanism with the second sod roll while maintaining the first sod roll and the second sod roll in pressure contact to thereby inhibit the unwinding of the first sod roll as the first sod roll is transferred to the handling mechanism and an sod harvester guidance system for maintaining a full cut.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable pedestal for a boat accessory such as a table or seat is made up of a pair of telescoped tubular members having opposite facing lengthwise recesses which contain rods to allow one member to adjustably slide with respect to the other yet preventing rotation. A releasable locking device holds the adjusted member at its desired elevation.