Abstract: An assembly for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. A drain emanating from a substantially circular opening in a basin, sink or tub is provided with a substantially cylindrical member releasably connected to the basin, sink or tub. The substantially cylindrical member is provided with a fluid inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and an expandable bladder located within the substantially cylindrical member in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, wherein the bladder is sized and positioned such that when expanded, it blocks the drain to the passage of water. A mechanical pump is provided having a pump chamber and a stem emanating from it such that when the stem is moved, fluid pressure is applied to a hydraulic line connected to the fluid inlet for selectively expanding the bladder.

Abstract: Door and cabinet catch with a bumper member, a bumper housing, a compression spring, a ball with stem, a ball joint mounting plate, a ball joint nut, a catch member and an L shaped catch retaining member. The bumper housing includes a clevis that hingably retains the catch member. The catch member includes a spring biased tab for opening the catch member. The compression spring holds the bumper member in an extended position so that it can compress during use thereby reducing the chance of rattling. A preferred embodiment includes that the ball joint allows the bumper housing and bumper member to angle as much as thirty degrees in any direction through a three hundred and sixty degree arc thereby making it possible to obtain a latching action even if the relationship between the catch member and the catch retaining member is not parallel.

Abstract: A wall fastener locating and marking tool including a generally elongate vertical member having an upper end, a lower end; a generally elongate horizontal bar attached to the upper end of the vertical member and substantially normal to the vertical member; a handle portion, and a marking tool assembly releasably connected to the vertical member and vertically slidable along the vertical. The marking tool assembly has a marking tool tip protected by a depressible collar and includes retention means for bearing an object by its wall fastener hardware during the locating, marking, and installation of the object.

Abstract: A board game is disclosed, said game including a board having at least nine squares arranged in three rows of three squares each. In a first preferred embodiment, each player receives six pieces arranged in two stacks of differentially sized and nested pieces, three pieces to a stack. The object of play is to occupy squares on the board forming a continuous straight line of three pieces of the same color.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method to control input to an alternating current (AC) induction motor from a power supply that includes steps of: (a) determining a measure of reactive power (VAR) in two input lines to the motor during a time period; and (b) maintaining an SSR (solid state relay) connected in series between the power supply and the motor in a non-conducting state for a subsequent time period, the length of which subsequent time period is determined by analyzing the measure of VAR.

Abstract: Door Catch with a catch retaining assembly and a catch. The catch assembly is comprised of a rigid first ball retaining mounting plate, a first ball, a concave disk, a rigid J shaped rod and a second ball retaining cup shape. The catch is comprised of a door mounting plate, an L shaped rod terminating at one end in the door mounting plate and at the opposite end in a second ball. The J shaped rod terminates at its top portion in the second ball retaining cup and at the lower portion in the first ball. The first ball retaining plate includes a centrally disposed concave ball retaining portion including a vertically disposed slot capable of receiving the J shaped rod. The ball retaining cup is capable of fitting snuggly over the the second ball so that no rattling can occur between the retaining cup and the the second ball.

Abstract: A bi-directional, clean or grey medium, wide temperature range, low intrusion, low turbulence, mass flow meter extends multiple pressure sensing tubes, each containing multiple pressure sensing ports, into a bounded path a distance no more than one half the diameter of the path, or semi-traversing. These sensing tubes sense impact or static pressures to obtain a sensing pressure, and are in fluid communication with a channel located externally of the bounded path which provides a total average sensing pressure for measurement. A series of reference pressure ports are located flush to the wall surface of the bounded path to obtain a reference pressure. These reference ports are in fluid communication with another channel located externally of the bounded path which provides a total average reference pressure for measurement. The difference in total average sensing pressure and total average reference pressure can be measured and used to calculate the average velocity and volume of gas within the bounded path.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetic coupling device that utilizes a supported spherical magnet to attach to a hole in a ferromagnetic object. The hole shape and the orientation of the spherical magnet are predetermined to form a relatively strong magnetic attachment. The magnetic coupling device exhibits unique characteristics such as angular tolerance, precise positioning and controllable release characteristics.

Abstract: A liquid level control system for detecting and responding to changes in the level of liquid in a container. The system includes a transmitter in radio communication with a receiver, which is in turn connected to a valve assembly. The transmitter unit is programmable to respond to changes in the level of liquid in a container and to emit a radio signal receivable by the receiver unit, which controls the release of liquid to the liquid container via the valve assembly. The signal may be suppressed by a timing circuit in the transmitter circuitry unless and until a liquid level change is sufficiently sustained. The receiver is also programmable to keep the liquid control valve open a predetermined amount of time or to close the valve upon receipt of a high liquid level signal.

Abstract: A tailgate pocket step including a pocket step box and a pocket step assembly slidably insertable into the pocket step box. The step assembly includes a planar plate and a hinged platform that lies in the plane of the plate when the step assembly is in the stored position and angle outwardly to form a step when the step assembly is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly chilling liquid or slurried food products through a two-stage sequence of jacket cooling followed by vacuum chilling. Slurry and liquid food products heated in a batch are chilled by first employing a chilled liquid flowing through a double walled jacket (22) surrounding the vessel chamber (17). When the food product reaches a temperature at which jacket cooling becomes inefficient, this is followed by pulling a vacuum in the space above the product to vacuum cool the product to the desired chilled temperature.

Abstract: A method to limit ozone production in wind ion devices while simultaneously realizing incidents of high acceleration in such devices varies the high voltage potential across the array of emitter(s) (10) and collectors (20) over time in such a manner as to generate a wave effect of airflow. The variance may be achieved by switching, ramping, or gating the high voltage potential delivered to the array.

Abstract: A low pressure steam jet fabric finisher (10) for steam setting of dyes on fabric during a steaming cycle, having a substantially cuboid housing (12) which defines a water reservoir (70) with a heating element (72) and a cylindrical steaming chamber (88). Steam from heated water rises into the steaming core (80) having an inlet (84) in fluid communication with the water reservoir (70) and thereafter into the steaming chamber (88) through a plurality of holes in the steaming core (80). Dyed fabric is rolled onto a helical coil spring (90) which is inserted over the steaming core (80) and placed in the steaming chamber (88) for dye setting during a steaming cycle.