Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal is disclosed. The method provides a controlled delivery of biocide particles to the surface of water by entraining biocide particles in a gaseous stream and then scattering the biocide particles across the surface of the water by propelling the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of the water, whereat the biocide particles are released from the gaseous stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A device for generating substantially vertically-reciprocating motion uses a plurality of chambers in substantial vertical alignment. Each chamber has an air pocket and a buoyant member which floats at the air/water interface, and such air pockets expand and contract upon receipt of additional amounts of air from below and release of some of the air, usually to a chamber above. As the air pockets expand and contract, the interfaces are raised and lowered, and the buoyant elements are raised and lowered with the interfaces. A method uses such device to generate such reciprocating motion, which optionally may be used to drive electric generators.

Abstract: An elimination-style script-selection method includes a workshop reading of scripts performed before participants who have taken a theater-patronage-frequency survey. Any parallel survey responses between participants of disparate theatrical-patronage patterns are detected, and a weight adjustment factor is applied based thereon.

Abstract: A self-protecting barrier for retarding fire has a combustible hydric member or a network of combustible hydric members having an ignition temperature above 100° C., at least a first surface which is water-permeable and may be flammable, and a sufficient water absorption capacity for fire retardation. The hydric members may be foamed-polymer elements, or superabsorbent polymer-filled matrixes, or loose superabsorbent polymer-filled pouches or pockets. A self-protecting barrier system for retarding fire further includes fire adjacent the water-permeable surface and steam between the water-permeable surface and the fire, and may further include a combustible object adjacent the barrier opposite the fire. A method of isolating a combustible object from the flames of a fire includes the steps of providing at least one fire-retardant barrier between the object and the flames, volatilizing or boiling a portion of the hydration water at a temperature of about 100° C.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting agricultural irrigation water system-wide comprises (a) continuously feeding chlorine to the irrigation system and (b) monitoring an outer field point to determine whether at least a detectable level of residual chlorine is seen at that point, whereby chlorination disinfection system-wide is achieved. An enhanced irrigation system which is adapted for disinfecting agricultural irrigation water system-wide includes (a) apparatus for continuously feeding chlorine to the irrigation system and (b) apparatus for monitoring residual chlorine at an outer field point (to determine whether at least a detectable level of residual chlorine is seen at that point) for the purpose of achieving chlorination disinfection system-wide.

Abstract: A barrier for retarding fire comprises water-permeable fabric for covering a substantial area, the fabric being porous, hydrophilic and flammable, and having at least 9 pockets per square foot, each pocket having a volumetric capacity of between about 0.03 cubic inches and about 17 cubic inches, wherein substantially all of the pockets contain between about 0.01 and about 2 grams of superabsorbent polymer per cubic inch of volumetric capacity of the pockets.

Abstract: A short-nosed wheeled walking aid has (a) a substantially horizontal base member having a front perimeter, a rear perimeter, a right perimeter and a left perimeter; (b) a front wheel assembly mounted to and supporting the base member adjacent the front perimeter, (c) a rear wheel assembly mounted to and supporting the base member adjacent the rear perimeter, (d) at least three upright right panels mounted on the base member, (e) a hand grip spaced behind and substantially parallel to the upright rear panel having a ground height (height off the ground, measured from the plane on which the wheels rest) of from about thirty to about forty inches, and (f) a seat assembly mounted to the exterior side of the rear panel, the seat assembly including a seat member translatable from a substantially vertical posture substantially parallel to the rear panel to a substantially horizontal posture substantially normal to the rear panel. A method of assisting the ambulation of a person employs the wheeled walking aid.

Abstract: A bracelet attachment assistance device has a frame member, a clamp member and a slider arm. The clamp member has a connection segment coupled to the frame member, a first jaw member, a second jaw member movable between an opened-clamp position and a closed-clamp position, and a clamping region along the first and second jaw members. The slider arm member is seated on the frame member, and has a biased distal end, and is movable between a closed position whereat the distal end is positioned adjacent the clamping region of the clamp member and an opened position whereat the distal end is positioned spaced apart from the clamping region of the clamp member. This bracelet assistant is used by gripping the spring ring of the bracelet between the thumb and the finger of either the target hand or the non-target hand with the tab of the spring ring, and then inserting the distal end of the spring ring into the clamp and positioning the spring ring with the tab close to or abutting the forward side of the slider arm.

Abstract: A barrier for retarding fire comprises water-permeable fabric for covering a substantial area, the fabric having at least 9 pockets per square foot, each pocket having a volumetric capacity of between about 0.03 cubic inches and about 17 cubic inches, wherein substantially all of the pockets contain between about 0.01 and about 2 grams of superabsorbent polymer per cubic inch of volumetric capacity of the pockets.

Abstract: A relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus for testing at least the air brakes of trailers includes a portable air-brake governing or actuation system and a hand-held control pendent, operating off an independent compressed air supply. Without the coupling of, and connections with, a tractor, the air brakes of a trailer can be applied and released, and held in a charged mode for a period of time during which any loss of air pressure can be monitored. Using the apparatus a single person can conduct the entire air brake test process, including applying and releasing the brakes while simultaneously visually and manually inspecting the brakes.

Abstract: A testing device for conducting the Initial Terminal Inspection of the air brake system of a made-up train includes a first valve assembly for at least charging and applying the brakes through the test device operable from the location at which the device is coupled between the train brake pipe and a supply of compressed air, and it also includes a second valve assembly for releasing the brakes actuated by receipt of a remotely-transmitted signal. The Initial Terminal Inspection requires that the brakes of a train be inspected in both their applied and their released positions. A testing device is normally connected to the train brake pipe at the locomotive end. The inspection of the brakes in their applied position requires the inspector to walk the length of the train, usually from the locomotive end to the far end of the train. This can be a distance of a half mile or a mile or more.

Abstract: An in-line skate has an auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted in a raised position relative the primary wheels at the side of the longitudinal alignment of primary wheels. A conventional in-line skate can be retrofitted with an auxiliary-wheel assembly having an auxiliary wheel mounted for rotation on an axle journalled onto a mounting member, which assembly can be easily attached to a conventional in-line skate. Using such an in-line skate, a hockey stop can be readily performed in a method of in-line skating.

Abstract: A multi-depth deflectometer provides use and fabrication advantages. It is comprised of a head member that normally is disposed at the very mouth of a bore hole, an elongated tail member extending down through the bore hole. Displacement transducers are removably positioned within the head member which can be opened from the surface. The transducers can be easily placed in or removed by hand. The first trackings of subsurface deflections are done through mechanical deflection anchors located at desired measuring levels within the tail member. The deflection anchors have transverse-bite actuators and are each separately in vertical-actuation communication with one of the transducers. A method of implementing the MDD reflects the use and fabrication advantages also.

Abstract: Wind-rain induced vibrations of a cable-stayed bridge are damped using tuned mass damper(s) (“TMD”). A TMD-damped cable-stayed bridge is comprised of (a) a bridge having at least one span, at least one pylon, and at least one stay cable extending from a point on the pylon to a point on the span and (b) at least one tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. A TMD-damped stay cable is comprised of (a) a stay cable comprised of a core of at least one longitudinal element or strand within a tube and (b) a tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. The TMD can be mounted on the stay cable in a low-profile position relative the stay cable and/or at any desired position along the length of the cable. The TMD can be of annular configuration and comprised of a viscoelastic spring system and an outer mass. The outer mass can be formed of two mating sections.

Abstract: A treestand platform is strung in a manner at least similar to the stringing of a sports racket, such as a tennis racket, and a treestand having such a platform. The platform might comprise a peripheral frame supporting and delimiting a tension surface formed by a plurality of crossed string sections. The strung surface may be sufficiently resilient to yield very slightly under load, but is sufficiently tenacious that such slight yielding occurs without breakage or permanent deformation. The stringing provides a platform that is both strong and lightweight. The stringing also provides a platform that has a downward visibility comparable to transparency, and which is substantially noiseless during treestand transport, assembly, erection and use, and any other handling.

Abstract: A flash card management apparatus has a progression of compartments that govern or direct which cards are reviewed at a given drill session. When the progression is ordered by card capacities, a given card will come up for review possibly at each drill session for the first few sessions, and then come up for review with ever decreasing frequency thereafter. The use of the management apparatus will assure that each card will be not only periodically reviewed, but also reviewed a fixed number of times before it is put on the side.

Abstract: A fire-fighting hose nozzle or line nozzle, that is, a nozzle used to discharge fluid spray during fire-fighting operations, is accoutered for high water-pressure spraying of water or other fire fighting fluid by professional firefighters. Such a high-pressure can, for instance, put about 200 pounds (p.s.i.) or more pressure on a nozzle tip. The nozzle has a long, slender body member with a weighted and pointed tip, a discharge orifice at a position rearward of the pointed tip, and at least one transverse member, and in embodiments a plurality of transverse members. The transverse member most proximate to the proximal end of the body member functions both as a set of handles and as a stabilizing member. A second transverse member functions as a stabilizing member. The orifice is a slot angle-cut forward or backward from its mid-section which produces a wide and high fan-shaped spray in either the forward or backward direction.

Abstract: A handgrip for a torque tool, such as a screwdriver, provides enhanced tool torque capabilities and improved driving capabilities. The handgrip has a top or free-end segment available for low-torque twirling action using the fingertips, and a bottom or working-end segment that together with the top segment is grasped in one's hand for high torque application. The handgrip has the configuration approaching that of a three-sided bell that provides finger holds, bearing surfaces, and outlying lobes which alone or in combination improve torque capabilities and/or driving capabilities for the effort applied.

Abstract: An attachment element for mounting or otherwise securing an ancillary device to the vicinity of a machine tool or the like provides quick locking/release on a dovetail element. The attachment member has a base member and a pair of spaced arms forming an open-mouthed way that slides over such a dovetail member. At a locking angle relative to the dovetail, the edges of the arms bear against the dovetail sides, and the edges of the distal ends of the arms bear against the surface from which the dovetail extends. That locking angle is less than 90° angle between the plane of the attachment element and the surface from which the dovetail extends. The attachment element is translatable from its locked orientation to a release orientation by a brief application of manual pressure on it.