Abstract: The combination of a writing instrument, a lanyard and a panel. The writing instrument has a cap and a body. The lanyard has an end attached to the cap, another end attached to the body, and an intermediate region extending between the two ends. The panel has an aperture through which the lanyard's intermediate region extends. The aperture is large enough to allow the lanyard intermediate region to pass freely through the aperture, yet the aperture is small enough to prohibit the cap and the body from passing through the aperture. The panel remains attached to the apparatus, although the panel can slide relative to the intermediate region of the lanyard.

Abstract: A vibration-reducing eccentric weight system mounted to the driveshaft of a screen box in a screening plant with the eccentric weight system's center of gravity on the driveshaft's axis of rotation. The eccentric weight system includes a weight that is radially slidably mounted to the driveshaft, but biased so that its center of gravity is spaced from the driveshaft's axis of rotation during slow and no rotation. Upon rotation above a preselected speed, the centrifugal force displaces the weight radially outwardly. This causes a gradually increasing vibration corresponding to gradually increasing distance between the weight's center of gravity and the driveshaft's axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pelvic belt is described for firmly gripping a human torso near the pelvic region. The pelvic belt includes three main components: a U-shaped frame with left and right frame legs, a left arm assembly pivotably mounted to the left frame leg, and a right arm assembly pivotably mounted to the right frame leg. Each arm assembly has four main sub-components: an upper arm, a lower arm, a connecting rod connecting the upper and lower arms rigidly together and an adjustment wing for adjusting the dimensions of the interior region of the pelvic belt. The left and right arm assemblies pivot about pivot pins mounting the arm assemblies to the U-shaped frame. This permits a person to enter the interior region of the pelvic belt when the arm assemblies are pivoted open, and then the arm assemblies are pivoted to a closed position. The pelvic belt can be attached to force resisting mechanisms to build strength over time.

Abstract: The present invention is a roofing fastener assembly. The assembly includes a fastener, a barbed washer, and a screw. The screw projects through the fastener and exits the free end of the fastener. Upon installation of the screw and fastener, the barbs of the washer penetrate into the roof membrane and insulation layer. An extending rim on the washer receives the head of the fastener to resist the relative lateral movement of the washer and fastener. Stabilizing fingers project from a free end of the fastener and hold the screw in place during assembly.

Abstract: A composite sheet including a first polymer layer laminated to the first major surface of a ferromagnetic substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces. A second polymer layer is laminated to the second major surface of the substrate, sandwiching the substrate between the first and second polymer layers. The substrate is preferably steel having a thickness preferably between about 1 to 3 mils. A significant advantage of the composite sheet is the increase in the utility of the composite sheet due to the composite structure.

Abstract: A membrane is used as a collection substrate in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Possible material choices include fibers in the form of woven mats, screens made from stainless steel wires or fiber reinforced polymer composite membranes. The membranes have a tensile bias applied during operation, and have impulse tensile force applied during a dust removal step. By combining a dry ESP membrane field with wet-film cleaning field, it may be possible to improve collection efficiencies both by reducing turbulence and eliminating re-entrainment losses due to rapping. Through implementation of new materials that resist hostile ESP environments, the invention enhances the possibility of using novel technologies, such as pulsed corona and others, suitable for removal of molecules such as NOx and SOx, which is very important for meeting proposed PM2.5 EPA emissions regulations.

Abstract: A dispenser for compressible fiberglass nonwoven pads including a bag into which a stack of fiberglass pads is placed. A significant portion of the air within the bag is removed, compressing the stack of filter pads to reduce space. At least two flanges are formed on two adjoining edges of the bag. The flanges can be cut along a portion of their length to form an aperture through which the filter pads can be removed, while retaining the filter pads until deliberate removal by hand.

Abstract: A fluent material containing and dispensing apparatus including a hopper having four sidewalls. A tube mounts to one of the sidewalls, and an auger extends from one end of the tube to the opposite end of the hopper, driving material in the hopper through the tube when the auger is rotated. A flexible hose is mounted to the underside of the tube and material in the tube pours into the hose, which can be kinked to slow or stop flow of material. A gap is formed between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall. A radially inwardly extending flange can be mounted to the tube wall to slow the flow of material through the gap. Alternatively, a compressible sleeve can be mounted in the gap between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall extending a substantial length of the tube.

Abstract: A wall reinforcing system is provided for strengthening of walls formed of masonry or from wood, metal or other structural materials. A basic system comprises utilization of rigid, fiber reinforced polymer plates of a length to extend substantially the full vertical heigth of the wall. These plates incorporate a plurality of filamentary fibers of length to extend the full length of a plate with these fibers formed from carbon, glass or other material exhibiting high tensile strength and are affixed in a cured polymer matrix. A number of these plates are securely fixed to a wall in spaced parallel relationship by a resin bonding agent or by mechanical fastening devices, or by a combination of both. A plate may include a plurality of plates secured in stacked, superposed relationship and ridgidly secured together by a resin bonding agent into a unitary structure.