Abstract: A security seal with a male part having a security wire extending from it, and a female part that receives the male part. The security wire passes through two grooves on the male part and through a central opening between them. With the security wire so placed, the male part is inserted into the female part where two pairs of resilient spurs on the male part engage knobs in the female part preventing the male part from being removed and a protective cover on the male part receives the female part. The security wire preferably has a metal base with a thin metal thread spirally tightly wound around it that is separable from the metal base when the security wire is violently pulled or bent. The seal is preferably made of a transparent material and preferably has a thread connecting the male and female parts so they stay associated.

Abstract: A magnetic coupler having various holding device embodiments to be quickly magnetically coupled and uncoupled with an industrial strength magnetic base that is fixedly attached to a desired nonferrous surface, such as a dashboard of an automobile. The magnetic base includes a nonferrous low or soft durometer shell that encases the magnet. Preferably, the shell's outer surface is textured, which provides friction for superior magnetic coupling with a ferrous disk. If the device to be held is relatively heavy or has a high profile, the holding device/object to be held includes a support collar assembly that is fixedly attached to an external portion of the holding device.

Abstract: A percussion or hammer tool bit (20) having a substantially rearward shank portion (24) of a first diameter (ds) and an elongated substantially uniformly cylindrical forward tool portion (26) having a second diameter (dt) in the range of 15-20% greater than the diameter of the rearward shank portion. The overall tool length (Lo) is 90-95% of the overall tool length of the prior art (Lopa). The combination of the increased diameter of the forward tool portion and the decreased length of the overall tool length (relative to the prior art) provides substantially the same or greater mass than the prior art tool bit when the tool bit is used percussively, but is less likely to flex, which reduces the likelihood of stress fracture failure. The forward portion (26) includes a striking face (30), such as a blunt (31), moil point (31′), or chisel (31″).

Abstract: Method and apparatus to prevaporize and premix liquid and/or gaseous fuels with air in two stages at two different temperatures prior to combustion. The invention is directed to the entry of a finely atomized liquid fuel, such as No. 2 diesel, into an inlet end of an annular chamber. Air is mixed with finely atomized liquid fuel, preferably generated by a small flow number liquid fuel nozzle, in a first chamber of the annular chamber at a first (relatively high) temperature for a relatively long residence time. The air and liquid fuel is moved into a second chamber of the annular chamber where a secondary hotter air is injected into the annular chamber by a plurality of staggered high velocity jets to prevaporize and premix the combined fuel and air mixture at a second higher temperature, but for a shorter time. The intense prevaporization and premixing make the mixture suitable for entry into a combustor, but without the need to add water or steam to keep pollutant emissions low.

Abstract: A manual two-speed wheelchair having a chair, frame, fixed wheel axles, and wheel assemblies. The wheelchair is capable of driving in a direct (1:1) power mode and a lower gear mode without shifting. A separate secondary input assembly provides for reduced gearing, one secondary input rim assembly per wheel assembly. The secondary input assembly includes a toothed driver gear, a toothed driven gear, and toothed belt. The driver gear and driven gear are offset from each other. This is accomplished by an offset arm. The secondary input assembly drives the driver gear, which, in turn, drives the belt, which, in turn, drives the driver gear, which is fixedly attached to the wheelchair wheel assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for converting a conventional crew cap into a tubular article of outerwear. The crew cap includes a flexible outer layer and a flexible inner layer that together forms a crown portion and an opened end. An opening is positioned on and defined by either the inner layer or outer layer. In a first use, the open end of the inner layer is adapted to be worn by a wearer such that the crown portion of the inner layer covers the wearer's crown. To convert the cap into tubular article of outerwear, the layer not containing the opening is completely pulled through the opening to form a tubular article of outerwear having a first and second open end. The tubular article is adaptable to be worn by the wearer as a headband or neck warmer.

Abstract: A double-inverted wheeled passenger carrier (WPC) that is actively stabilizing on two or more axially-spaced wheels through a controller that senses and adjusts three degrees of freedom that allows the WPC to actively stabilize itself to keep a passenger essentially upright during movement, including traversing stairs and the like. The WPC (10) includes a wheel assembly (12) having at least two axially-spaced wheels (14), each wheel having an axis of rotation (15), a frame (16) having a first pivot (18) and second pivot (22), and a chair (20). The frame (16) is attached to the wheel assembly (12) at the first pivot (18). The chair (20) is attached to the frame (16) at the second pivot (22), allowing the chair (20) to rotate independently of the wheels (14).

Abstract: An electronic mailbox including a mailbox housing (12), a door (16), an alarm system (20), a door sensor (34) a first timer, a second timer, a programmable controller (26), and a power source (42). Housing (12) defines an opening of a size and shape to receive mail. Door (16) is of a size and shape to cover opening (14). Door (16) is movably operable between an open state and a closed state. The alarm system (20) is controlled by the controller (26) between a first unarmed state and a second armed state. A keypad (22), door sensor (34) and timers input signals to controller (26). The timers along with the door state determine whether the armed state or unarmed state is in effect. Controller (26) sends output signals to activate the alarm system when the door (16) is opened by an unauthorized user. An authorized user inputs a deactivating code into the keypad (32) to deactivate the alarm system. Optional LED mail deposit indicator, latching (locking) mechanism, and illuminating lights(s) may be provided.

Abstract: An improved hammer tool (20) for a boom mountable power hammer (14) for use in demolishing a work surface (12) of concrete and the like. The hammer tool (20) includes an elongated cylindrical body (22) having a first end (24) and a second end (26). The first end, (24) has a shank (28) of a size and shape to be received into the commercial power hammer (14). A hammer head (30) includes a top (32) and a bottom (34). The top (32) connects the hammer head (30) to the second end (26) at a transition section (38). The bottom (34) includes a convex shaped radial striking face (40), which is a portion of a sphere having a center (54) within a portion of the body. In use, the shank (28) and a portion of the body (51) containing center (54) is received and supported within the power hammer (14). The hammer head (30) is raised and lowered to make striking contact with the work surface (12) in a number sufficient to demolish the work surface (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for recapture of fresh water flow released from a shower head (12). The collection device (10) includes a supported frame (18) that is proximate the shower head (12) and adjacent a wall (16) to which the shower head (12) is ultimately attached. The device (10) also includes a movable water flow diverter assembly (32), capable of being moved from a first in use position to a second at rest position, and at least one collection container (24) that is supported by the frame (18). The moveable water flow diverter assembly (32) is connected to an upper portion of the frame (20) by a pin (34). Diverter assembly (32) includes an arm (36, 36'), and a collection basin (38) that is connected to arm (36, 36') and a flow director (42) that directs the water flow to the at least one collection container (24, 24').

Abstract: An artificial reef (10) that can provide a safehaven for small aquatic life and promotes phytoplankton growth (37), of which phytoplankton is food for the small aquatic life. The reef (10) includes at least one tubular vehicle tire (12) having a wall (14) that defines an exterior (16) and a hollow interior (18). The wall (14) includes oppositely situated sidewalls (20) that are interconnected by a treadwall (22) to provide a substantially U-shaped radial cross-section (23). At least one elongated corrodible iron insert (24) is inserted through each wall (14). Each insert (24) has a first end (26), a second end (28) and a center (30). The first end extends into the hollow. interior (18), the center (30) is securely positioned through wall (14) between the exterior (16) and the interior (18), and the second end extends externally of the exterior (16). The insert (24) is preferably a nail, but may be a staple or other shape.

Abstract: A separator for separating gold particles from ore including a rotatable pan, and frame for mounting the pan through a recessed hub cup assembly at an angle from horizontal. The pan includes a frusto-conical side wall. The pan inner surface also includes a riffle spiraling inwardly from the outer end of the side wall to create loops that spiral to the hub cup. The riffle and the pan inner surface form a slide track in which the gold particles move along the riffle to reach the hub cup. One of the improvements includes a plurality of agitator knobules that are positioned between the loops of the riffle. Another feature is an easily removable insert cup inside the hub cup for easy collection of gold. In use, ore is introduced into the pan during rotation. Particles are agitated by the knobules to separate the particles from the ore and aid the particles down the slide track, moving the particles inwardly along the riffle into the insert cup.

Abstract: A sensor that senses the absence of a high-magnetic permeable coin box (10) that, in its quiescent state, is mounted within a compartment (12) of a coin operated device, such as a pay telephone (14). The compartment has at least one interior surface (16). The sensor includes an electromagnetic switch (20) having two states (open circuit, closed circuit) that affect a signal to an output device (22) when the switch (20) is activated from one state to another. In preferred form, the switch (20) is a reed switch. A magnet (18) normally provides magnetic flux flow to the switch. When the magnetic flux flow is disrupted, the switch (20) changes from one state to another. The switch (20) and the magnet (18) are fixably-connected to at least one surface (16) of the compartment (12).

Abstract: A picture frame storage box (10, 10A) having a body (12) with a front (16) and two oppositely situated endwalls (20, 22) that connect the front (16) to the back (18). The front and back each have top edges (28). Each endwall (20, 22) is of a size and shape to extend above the front and back top edges (28), creating an abutment (32). Each abutment (32) has an exposed surface (34) that faces the other. A base (24) adjoins the front (16) the back (18), and two endwalls (20, 22) to form a storage compartment (26) of a size and shape to hold CD's, videos, trading cards, and the like. One or more dividers (44) may connect front (16) to back (18) and is laterally spaced between endwalls (20, 22). Each divider (44) divides storage compartment (26) into separate compartments. Each divider (44) includes a top (46) that is of a size and shape to extend above the front and back top edges (28), creating an abutment having two oppositely situated exposed surfaces (48, 50).