Abstract: A process for producing preshrunk hardwood floors. The process comprises the steps of selecting untreated hardwood flooring having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined width and then placing such untreated hardwood flooring in a drying kiln. Another step is operating the drying kiln for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature in order to remove moisture from the hardwood flooring and then determining one of the moisture remaining in the hardwood flooring or the moisture that was lost during the operation of the drying kiln. Another step is removing the hardwood flooring that was dried in the drying kiln in the previous steps. This is followed by sealing the pores of the hardwood flooring, while the wood is still hot, that was kiln dried in the previous steps, with a sealer.

Abstract: A system for converting marine surface wave energy into electric energy includes a barrier disposed generally vertically and having at least a portion thereof disposed above a surface of a body of water. The portion has a substantially planar surface disposed generally transverse to direction of marine surface waves. Bottom edge of the barrier is pivotally connected to one of a floor bed, a rigid formation and a rigid structure. At least one linear electric generator is coupled to storage of electric energy and is operable by a pivotal movement of the barrier. One type of electric generator is disposed external to the barrier while another type is mounted within a barrier chamber.

Abstract: A solar heat collector for using solar energy to heat a fluid flowing therethrough includes a housing having a portion facing the sun. A predetermined plurality of tubular members are disposed within the housing with each tubular member connected to a fluid input and a fluid output for carrying a fluid through the housing. An absorption film is attached to the sun facing portion of the housing. A filler member engages the absorption film and a predetermined portion of each tubular member for improving heat transfer efficiency of the absorbed solar energy from the absorption film to each tubular member. A material of the filler member has thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of air at zero degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A continuous electro-cleaning, pickling and electroplating apparatus and method using a plurality of elongate tubes that are electrically conductive.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an air filter includes a body, a closed chamber formed within the body, a fluid dispersing member having a portion thereof mounted for rotation within the body and passing through the chamber, a plurality of orifices formed through the wall of the fluid dispersing member and an arrangement for rotating the fluid dispersing member. The arrangement either includes a combination of nozzles secured to the fluid dispersing member and positioned within the chamber and an irregular inner wall surface of the chamber capable of providing resistance to a fluid flow discharged into the chamber or fins disposed on the fluid dispersing member and a passageway through the body for directing fluid under pressure onto the fins. Fluid supplied under pressure to the fluid dispersing member exits through the plurality of orifices toward an inner surface of a air filter filtering medium causing contaminants to exit therefrom.

Abstract: A multipurpose brush includes a body with a first portion having each of a top surface, opposed bottom surface and a peripheral edge, and with a second portion having each of a first surface thereof disposed on and secured to one of the bottom and top surface of the first portion, an opposed bottom surface thereof. At least one set of bristles is secured to and extending outwardly from at least one predetermined surface of the body. The second portion may have a generally triangular cross-section disposed in a plane generally planar to the one of the bottom and top surface of the first portion and may also have a pair of concave ends. A third portion is also provided in generally planar relationship with the first portion and may be adapted for scrubbing and exfoliating human skin, particularly of feet.

Abstract: An apparatus to prevent a pet climbing up a Christmas tree includes a screen member having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size. The screen member is formed from a pre-selected material. An aperture, having a second predetermined size, is formed through the screen member at a predetermined location for receiving therein a trunk of such Christmas tree. A slit is formed through the screen member beginning at an outer edge thereof and extending to an edge of a perimeter of such aperture to enable placing the screen member around the trunk. There is further a mechanism engageable with each of the screen member and a bottom branch of the Christmas tree for connecting such screen member to such Christmas tree beneath bottom the bottom branches thereof.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for a railway car includes a ratchet mounted for rotation on a threaded piston rod of a brake actuator and a holding pawl engageable with the ratchet for maintaining a push rod of the parking brake assembly to apply braking force when the air pressure is lost in the brake pipe and releasing the push rod to accordingly release the braking force when the supply of air pressure in the brake pipe is restored. An operating lever and a cylinder connected thereto are provided for selectively rotating the holding pawl. Valve is provided for supplying air pressure to and evacuating it from the cylinder. Release mechanism is provided for manually releasing the braking force. The parking brake assembly is employed with either truck-mounted or carbody-mounted braking system.

Abstract: A process for the integral production and reactive consumption of hydrogen peroxide combines oxidation of a high-boiling secondary alcohol to form hydrogen peroxide and the ketone analog, recycle of a hydrogenated ketone/alcohol stream to the oxidation step, and epoxidation of unsaturated fatty acid esters utilizing a gaseous hydrogen peroxide stream as it is produced. The epoxidized esters are known to have desirable characteristics for use as plasticizers and similar products.

Abstract: A mower deck for a rotary vegetation cutting mower device pulled by a motor vehicle includes a housing defining a main portion disposed generally horizontally when the mower deck is in a position for cutting the vegetation and a pair of side walls extending downwardly from the main portion generally perpendicular thereto and forming in combination with the main portion a compartment of the housing wherein the blade rotates. At least one of at least one reinforcing rib and raised portion is disposed on the top surface of the main portion. A plate is releaseably secured to the top surface of the housing and carries a gearbox thereon. The housing and the plate are manufactured from a polypropylene material having a thickness of about one inch.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing carpeting, such apparatus comprises a substantially flat member having a plurality of teeth disposed on an underside thereof for biting into carpeting to be stretched. A handle member attached to such flat member on one end and to an elongated transmission means on another end. There is a connecting means that is engageable on one end to the handle and on the other end with the power transmission means for causing said power transmission means to force such apparatus to stretch such carpeting. The apparatus has an attachment means engageable with the transmission means on one end and with carpeting, wood or concrete on a second end for assisting in stretching such carpet when the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A method for measuring ocean surface currents using a long-range single station high frequency ground wave radar system includes the steps of forming a rectilinear grid based region, dividing the rectilinear grid into a plurality of sub-regions each having a uniform surface current flow therewithin, spanning each sub-region with a predetermined plurality of radial beam lines from the single radar station, dividing each radial beam line into a pre-selected plurality of radial sub-nodes, measuring radial surface current vector projection at each radial sub-node, inputting each radial surface current vector projection into a multiple regression model having two regressors, determining, with the multiple regression model, surface vector components along each of x and y axis, storing the surface vector components determined in step (g) to a database, and editing, with equation of continuity based algorithm, plurality of surface vector components stored in the database.

Abstract: A truck cargo-moving tool combines an elongated extendable arm having at least two telescopically connected rigid coaxial tubes and a substantially rigid head having two faces, at least one substantially flat edge, a blunt heel, and an arcuate toe curved toward the axis of the extendable arm. The extendable arm is attached generally perpendicular to the head proximal the heel in order to form a tool useful for moving items resting on a long horizontal surface. There is at least one locking mechanism attached or built into the extendable arm for securing the coaxial tubes at a desired operating arm length.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in turning the handle of a spigot. The apparatus comprises a first substantially flat member having a first predetermined shape and made of a predetermined material. The first member has a plurality of apertures disposed therein. There is a second member which has a second predetermined shape and is engageable with the first member adjacent an outer edge thereof, such second member is disposed at substantially a right angle to the first member and a means engageable with the first member and such handle for attaching the first member to such handle of such spigot.

Abstract: A pressing iron holder for electric clothing irons includes a substantially planar base defining a blunt butt end, a top end, and two side edges, and a flange is fixedly attached substantially perpendicular to the planar base proximal the butt end. Additional features are cord retention protrusions from one of the two side edges for neatly storing the power cord, at least one semi-rigid retaining clip fixedly attached proximal midpoint of each side edge, and a grasping/hanging extension at the top end.

Abstract: An adjustable exercise device for performing push-ups is provided. The push-up bench is designed to accommodate exercisers of varying heights, sizes and fitness levels. The exercise device comprises a base assembly, an inclined exercise platform assembly flexibly attached to the base along one end, and a connecting leg assembly which is connected to both the base and the inclined platform. Adjustment of the leg assembly with respect to the base adjusts the inclined platform from a fully horizontal position to multiple degrees of inclination, providing multiple degrees of exercise difficulty. The inclined platform may also include foot pads and hand grips to properly position the exerciser. The inclined platform is adjustable lengthwise to permit the distance between hand grips and foot pads to be adjusted, to accommodate users of varying heights.

Abstract: A non-electric drip style coffee maker including a pot member having each of a handle member and a pouring spout. A basket like member for holding a filter having ground coffee disposed therein. Such basket like member includes at least one aperture formed through a bottom surface thereof for allowing freshly brewed coffee to pass therethrough and into such pot member. A generally hollow hot water reservoir having apertures formed through a bottom surface thereof and a predetermined diameter opening adjacent a top thereof is provided. There is a lid member having a predetermined size which will enable such lid member to cover both the opening in such hot water reservoir and the opening in such pot member. The lid member includes a grip member connected to an outer surface thereof for ease of placing and removing such lid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-wind power system for a vehicle having an electrically operable drive system. The system includes at least one battery which is mounted within an interior portion of such vehicle and which is connected to such drive system and at least one air-wind powered turbine which is mounted on the vehicle and which is electrically coupled to the at least one battery. The air-wind powered turbine has a propeller fixed in a vertical plane and mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft having an axis thereof being disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of such vehicle. A rotational movement of the propeller caused by an air current enables the at least one turbine to generate an electric energy which is stored in the at least one battery and which is used by such drive system to move such vehicle in a direction of travel.

Abstract: A preassembled water transfer pipe for use in a fire fighting system includes a generally hollow conduit member formed from a predetermined material and having each of a predetermined length and a predetermined cross sectional shape and a connection member equipped with a predetermined size connection for receiving a hose one of thereon and therein disposed at one end of said generally hollow conduit member. There is a pipe support assembly disposed at an opposed end of such generally hollow conduit member.