Abstract: A phosphorescent ring for providing a visual reference cue towards a doorknob or similar opening hardware. The ring may be attached around the doorknob with adhesive, or it may be hung on the doorknob. In the preferred embodiment, the ring is hung on the doorknob, allowing the ring to be used on a motel room door or other location where the room occupant is unfamiliar with the room layout and exit door location.

Abstract: A high-pressure high-velocity target inserter for use in steam cleaning. The target inserter uses an actuator connected to a tube assembly, which connects to a test line. The target inserter uses packing to prevent high-pressure steam from being released through the target inserter when the target rod is inserted and withdrawn from the line. In the preferred embodiment, the target rod passes through a remotely operated actuator controlled valve and a remotely controlled actuator controller, such that the operator is kept a safe distance away from the inserter when the access valve to the line is open.

Abstract: A rod-driven, downhole pump is disclosed, the pump including a traveling barrel contained within a pump housing, a central pump rod extending axially within the barrel, a valve ball located at the lower end of the pump rod, a valve seat near the barrel lower end, the pump rod including a rod shoulder for engaging the upper end of the barrel, the barrel containing annular passageways for the flow of fluid through the barrel, the pump rod reciprocable within the barrel, and the barrel reciprocable within the pump housing. The downward stroke of the pump rod causes the rod shoulder to engage the barrel upper end and concurrently displaces the valve ball below the valve seat, thereby allowing environmental fluid to flow through the barrel annular passageways. On the up stroke of the pump rod, the valve ball engages the valve seat and pushes the pump barrel upward within the pump housing. The sealing of the valve ball on the valve seat and the upward movement of the barrel displace columnar fluid upwardly.

Abstract: A continuous-filtering fryer apparatus for continuous filtering of cooking oil while cooking having a tank with a bottom and side walls extending from the bottom, an inlet port extending into the interior of the tank, an outlet port affixed to the tank and in communication with an interior of the tank adjacent a bottom of the tank, a pump connected to the inlet port and to the outlet port so as to draw cooking oil from the tank and to pass the cooking oil to the inlet port, heating elements extending into the interior of the interior of the tank, and a filter plate attached to the inlet port adjacent to the bottom of the tank for removing particles from the cooking oil. The inlet port is positioned so as to be below the level of cooking oil in the tank. The filter plate has a first mesh screen, a second mesh screen, and a layer of porous material sandwiched between the mesh screens.

Abstract: A support structure and tool guide for use with circular saws and other hand tools comprising two pairs of parallel, vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending support bars; the upper pair of support bars supporting on rollers a tool support plate which is moveable horizontally along the upper support bars; the lower support bars supporting removable workpiece support members; each workpiece support member including rollers allowing horizontal movement of the workpiece transverse to the upper support bars; the upper support bars vertically adjustable in relation to the lower support bars; and devices for aligning the hand tool longitudinally and transversely in relation to the the support bars.

Abstract: A wireline wet connect is disclosed for releasable connection of an electrical contact and receptacle in a well drill string, the wet connect including co-axial connecting male and female connecting assemblies. The male connecting assembly 13 includes a cylindrical body 16, a central conductor rod 18, an electrical contact 24, and an insulating sleeve 20. The female connecting assembly 14 includes a cylindrical outer body 26, an insulating sleeve 28 a retainer sleeve 96, an electrical receptacle 36, and a conductor 32 A spring 34 is provided between the receptacle and the electrical conductor, the spring biasing the receptacle toward the conductor rod contact. Concentric ring seals 110,114 insulate the electrical contact 24 and receptacle 36 from fluids exterior of the said seals 110,114.

Abstract: A hay bale handling and wrapping apparatus for removable installation on a truck bed is disclosed, including a tiltable vertical member, a rotatable hay bale handling mechanism and a wrapping mechanism. A motor is connected to the shaft of the hay bale handling mechanism by a sprocket and roller chain for rotating the hay bale handling mechanism. A pulley, a bi-directional electric winch and a cable are provided for tilting the vertical member.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method is disclosed, including a circular aeration basin and a contiguous annular clarifier channel. Rotational flow of an aerated mixture of untreated wastewater and return sludge is induced in the aeration basin at its periphery with relatively less turbulent flow at the center.A clarifier inlet is fluidly connected to the aeration basin through openings provided in the aeration basin wall, the clarifier inlet including means to dissipate turbulence.A sludge removal manifold extends within the clarifier having valve-controlled suction arms. The spaced suction arms provide for precise control of sludge blanket depth and sludge age independent of rate of sludge return to the basin.Process sludge withdrawn from the clarifier is mixed with raw wastewater and returned to the aeration basin.The relatively less-turbulent flow in the central area of the basin allows process sludge to accumulate in said central area.

Abstract: Forming dies adaptable to conventional tube bending machinery, the forming dies including aligned forming rollers engaging the tubing to be bent, said forming rollers containing grooves having curvilinear surfaces said forming rollers initially deforming the said tubing into a first curvilinear shape upon the drawing or pushing of the tubing between the forming rollers. A bend die is aligned with a pressure die roller, the pressure die roller and bend die each containing grooves having curvilinear surfaces defining a second curvilinear shape. Upon drawing or pushing the tubing through the pressure die roller and bend die, a second curvilinear shape is imparted to the tube. The tubing may thus be provided with an enhanced curvilinear shape prior to bending.

Abstract: A crane design which permits limited rotation in the plane of loading of the upperworks of a pedestal crane independently of the central support thereof, and independently of the thrust and radial bearings about an extension of such central support. Means for centering the vertical loading vector and horizontal overturning moments by restricting the possible displacements thereof are disclosed, as are methods for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A spiral jet mixer for mixing fluids comprises an elongated body having a first inlet nozzle for introduction of a primary fluid, a mixing chamber having a diverging wall and a converging wall, a plurality of angled, helical passageways in the diverging wall for introduction of a secondary fluid into the mixing chamber in a spiralling turbulent, initially convergent flow pattern. Removable inlet nozzles allow a plurality of inlet nozzle orifice diameters.

Abstract: A crane design which automatically self-compensates for misalignment between the longitudinal axis of the central support for such crane and the actual axis of rotation of the upperworks thereof when under load. Means for accomplishing both translational and rotational correction as needed are disclosed. Also, method for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: An engine coupler and adapter for installing an automobile engine into a vehicle in which a rear mounted engine was originally installed. The coupler comprises a body which is an elongated hollow cylinder, a mounting flange at one end of the cylinder for mounting the coupling device to the flywheel of a transaxle, and a mounting flange mounted at the opposing end of the cylinder shaft for mounting the coupler to an automobile engine crankshaft gear. The flanges, each of which is positioned at a right angle to the cylinder axis, consist of cylindrical disks. Each of the flanges contain properly positioned and shaped apertures to enable the flanges to be attached to the transaxle flywheel and the automobile engine crankshaft gear respectively. Threading is provided interior of the hollow cylinder for threadable connection of the coupler to a transaxle gland nut. An adapter is provided to connect differently-configured flywheel housing components.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a roll of detachable material including an inner post having a suitable diameter for receiving the roll and a suitable mounting device affixed to at least one end of the inner post. The inner post has a first friction member which extends resiliently outwardly beyond the diameter of the inner post so as to exert a friction force against an inner surface of the roll. The mounting device is suitable for positioning this inner post on a surface. An alternative embodiment includes an outer post slidably received over the diameter of the inner post, the inner post having a second friction member which extends resiliently outwardly of the inner post so as to exert a friction force against an inner surface of the outer post. A mounting member includes a base which is affixed to an end of the inner post so as to allow the inner post to extend perpendicularly relative to the base.

Abstract: A hygienic urinal for installation in restrooms is disclosed. The hygienic urinal consists of an outer body and an inner body. The outer body comprises a pair of sidewalls connected at the rear edges to a rear wall, and a horizontally oriented top connected to both sidewalls and the rear wall resulting in a boxlike structure open at the front. The rear wall of the outer body is adjacent to and flush with a vertical wall of the restroom. The urinal bottom is recessed in the restroom floor and gradually sloped toward a centrally positioned drain. The inner body of the urinal consists of two inner sidewalls connected along their front edge to the outer body sidewalls and along their rear edge to an inner rear wall parallel to the outer rear wall.

Abstract: A tent frame comprising a frame-carrying base; means for mounting the base, in use, on a mobile platform such as the roof of a vehicle; an elongate frame member constituting the ridge frame member of the ultimately-assembled tent frame; and respective arms and legs each mounted or adapted for mounting upon the ridge frame member in such a way that the arms can extend from the ridge frame member outwardly, and the legs can extend from the arms generally downwardly, to form the side frame members of the ultimately-assembled tent frame; characterized by the features that the ridge frame member, the base, and some at least of the frame's arms and legs, are packaged in such a way that when the package is mounted on the mobile platform and conveyed to an intended site of use, (a) sufficient of the frame can be assembled for the frame to be self-supported on the surface on which the vehicle rests; (b) the thus-far-assembled frame is then readily separable from the platform; and (c) the frame side members do not then

Abstract: A drinking vessel including a mug having a liquid-tight volume therein, a base detachably connected to the mug, and a plurality of lights extending radially outwardly through the base so as to direct light outwardly from the base. The base has a cylindrical portion and a bottom surface. The base defines a liquid-tight volume therein. A power supply is contained within this liquid-tight volume so as to provide power to the plurality of lights. A switch is attached to the base and extends through the exterior wall of the base. The switch and the power supply are electrically connected to the plurality of lights. A sequencer is positioned within this liquid-tight volume so as to control the light actuation pattern of the plurality of lights. The base is in snap-fit connection with the mug. Each of the plurality of lights is a light-emitting diode spaced at even intervals from adjacent lights. The plurality of lights extend outwardly beyond the exterior surface of the base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt handle assembly which allows a vehicle passenger to conveniently grasp a seat and shoulder belt from its retracted position for engagement. The apparatus comprises a clip assembly slidably attached to the shoulder belt with a handle projecting from the clip assembly. The clip assembly and handle are positioned such that the handle extends forward from the seat and shoulder belt to a location beside and slightly in front of the occupant's torso when the seat and shoulder belt is in the retracted position, thereby allowing the occupant to grasp the handle of the seat belt handle assembly and pull the seat and shoulder belt forward parallel to the direction of the occupant without the necessity of reaching behind the plane of the occupant's torso.

Abstract: A projectile firing weapon is disclosed having a simplified construction and a consequent increase in reliability. The trigger and firing mechanism are completely contained within an easily removable and replaceable cassette which may simply be dropped into a cavity in the weapon's stock. The entire barrel assembly may be attached to the stock by a single bolt and a pivoting attachment. The pivoting attachment allows the ready replacement of the barrel assembly or the ready replacement of the firing mechanism actuator cassette should either of them malfunction. The stock and hand grip may be formed of a single piece to further simplify the construction of the weapon.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering contaminants from liquids such as cooking oil is disclosed. A filter assembly comprises an envelope formed of an upper wire mesh filter element and a lower wire mesh filter element joined about their peripheral edges and a porous insert filter member removably contained centrally within the envelope which has a plurality of voids allowing vertical and lateral fluid flow therethrough. The filter assembly is releasably secured in the assembled condition by a fastener which is adapted to be connected to a pump and the fastener has fluid passageways in communication with the porous insert for drawing fluid through the upper and lower filter elements and said insert. The upper and lower filter elements of the envelope are formed of stainless steel mesh and the porous insert filter member is formed of apertured aluminum plate.