Abstract: Hermetic gate valves and globe valves having a bonnet assembly that does not require stem packing and includes a harmonic drive and locking mechanism. The bonnet assembly includes a main body which is sealingly engaged on the valve body and includes an elongate tubular portion that completely encloses the valve stem and has a sidewall with an internally threaded portion formed of a material so as to be relatively flexible radially inward toward the valve stem, and is surrounded by an outer sleeve having a sidewall formed of a material so as to be relatively rigid radially and defining an annulus therebetween.

Abstract: A display support system for releasably supporting a plurality of product-containing containers for display and sales of the products contained therein. The system includes at least one container having an open top end, a bottom end wall, and at least one generally vertical side wall adjoined to the bottom end wall defining a bottom corner and the open top end and forming an interior for containing a plurality of products; and a product display adapted to be supported on a flat surface, which may be formed of cardboard or wire rod. The display has at least one depending retention member for releasably receiving and engaging the top end of the container side wall, and at least one corner support member disposed a distance vertically below a respective retention member having a protruding support surface for receiving and supporting the bottom corner and a portion of the bottom end of the container having its side wall engaged with the retention member.

Abstract: Column-stabilized floating offshore platform structures (10) having spaced apart buoyant main vertical columns (11) joined at lower ends by horizontal lower truss members (13) in a pin connection and joined at upper ends by a buoyant deck mount structure (14), and/or by horizontal truss members, to form a moment connection. A buoyant keel tank (15) having a central moon pool (15A) can be retracted and extended relative to the main columns between a retracted transport mode and an extended operating mode. Ballast of the columns and keel tank can be adjusted to raise or lower the center of gravity of the structure with respect to its center of buoyancy to stabilize the structure and compensate for variable or fixed loads, deck payloads, environmental conditions, and operational and installation stages. A three-sided deck mount allows on-site float-over deck installation.

Abstract: A palletized shipping container (10) for bulk handling of liquids and fluent materials has a collapsible inner bag (30) enclosed in a flexible outer liner/bag (11) having rigid stiffener panels (20) in pocketed sides. The inner bag has a bung at its top end for filling or discharge and a valve fitment (50) near the bottom for receiving a discharge valve. Tape tabs (34, 19) at upper ends of the inner bag and outer liner/bag attach to the top panel and/or stiffener panels to maintain the bags in an erect uncollapsed configuration. The stiffener panels prevent bulging of the inner bag and provide vertical support, but their lateral sides are spaced apart and form non-structural “floating corners” to maximize volume, minimize shock, vibration and abrasive forces on the inner bag, yet maintain impact and compression strength meeting international certification standards. The bung is disposed beneath the top panel after filling the bag to prevent access and provide a tamper resistant assembly.

Abstract: An offshore floating production, storage, and off-loading vessel has a hull of generally cylindrical or polygonal configuration surrounding a central double tapered conical moon pool and contains water ballast and oil and/or liquefied gas storage compartments. The exterior side walls of the polygonal hull have flat surfaces and sharp corners to cut ice sheets, resist and break ice, and move ice pressure ridges away from the structure. An adjustable water ballast system induces heave, roll, pitch and surge motions of the vessel to dynamically position and maneuver the vessel to accomplish ice cutting, breaking and moving operations. The moon pool shape and other devices on the vessel provide added virtual mass for increasing the natural period of the roll and heave modes, reducing dynamic amplification and resonance due to waves and vessel motion, and facilitate maneuvering the vessel. A disconnectable turret buoy at the bottom of the moon pool connects risers and mooring lines.

Abstract: A portable basketball training device and method for creating visual distractions adjacent to an elevated transparent basketball backboard in the vicinity of the rim to facilitate increasing a player's concentration, focus, skill and accuracy in goal shooting. The device includes a housing mounted on the backboard that contains a motorized reciprocating member, and a plurality of movable vision distracters disposed on a back side of the backboard suspended from the reciprocating member having body portions extending downwardly from the housing in the vicinity of the rim which swing or bounce from side behind the backboard in the vicinity of the rim. This motion tends to distract the player's attention and cause them to lose their concentration on making the shot. However, over time, a player will learn to increase their concentration and focus to overcome this distraction, and thereby enhance their skill and accuracy in goal shooting.

Abstract: A two-piece video laryngoscope includes a disposable handle/blade unit having a handgrip portion with a cavity at the proximal end, a curved distal end portion extending from the handgrip portion terminating in a terminal face containing a LED and a lens and digital image sensor connected with a first connector in the cavity, and a tube receptacle channel extending distally along the dorsal surface of and a vacuum/oxygen passageway extending through the curved distal end portion; and a power/video module releasably engaged in the cavity having a flat panel display pivotally mounted at the proximal end thereof and containing a rechargeable battery and electrical and video circuitry connected with a second connector. An endotracheal tube is received and releasably retained in the tube receptacle channel in a preloaded condition. When assembled, the connectors are engaged to complete the electrical and video circuits and allow viewing of insertion and intubation.

Abstract: A semi-submersible floating platform (10, 10A) for use in offshore applications has a semi-submersible hull structure (11) including support columns (12), a pontoon structure (13) adjoined to the lower ends thereof, and a deck structure (14) supported at an upper end of the columns for supporting the deck and equipment mounted thereon above the water surface. One or more passive damper weight members (15) are suspended below the hull by flexible connection members (16) at variable distances to provide hydrodynamic mass, damping, and in-water weight to the platform during operation, and the flexible connection members are maintained in tension by the damper weight(s) during operation.

Abstract: A lightweight comfortable support sling formed of soft flexible fabric material is supported around the back of the neck of postoperative patients in an inverted U-shaped configuration with the opposed ends of the sling hanging down along the front or sides of the patient's torso. Multiple conventional post-surgical fluid drainage receptacles can be secured at each end of the sling by hook and loop fasteners and adjustably positioned at locations adjacent to the body of the wearer to allow easy access and avoid tangling and stress on the drain tubes. While still having the drainage receptacles attached, the sling can be separated in the middle and easily removed from the patient's neck to relieve pressure, then re-fastened for ambulation. The sling is capable of supporting ten or more drainage bulbs.

Abstract: A buckle fastener system and method for releasably fastening together two straps of an article utilizes a buckle attached to the free end of the first strap and a clasp member attached to the free end of the second strap of the article. The clasp member has a hook portion which slides onto the first strap adjacent to one end of the buckle and the clasp is positioned beneath the buckle such that the buckle is captured by the clasp to releasably fasten the first and second straps together. To unfasten the straps, the process is reversed.

Abstract: A wall-mounted lawn sprinkler system disposed along an exterior wall of a building for watering a lawn or garden area adjacent to the building. The system includes at least one sprinkler water supply conduit connected with the existing pressurized water supply line associated with the building, at least one housing mounted on the exterior wall of the building, and a water sprinkler device housed within each housing. The sprinkler device has a body with an interior chamber connected with the water supply conduit, a retractable member slidably mounted at a first end in the chamber having a sprinkler head at a second end exterior of the chamber, and a spring engaged with the retractable member to bias it into a normally retracted position. The retractable member and sprinkler head are extended outwardly of the housing when water under pressure is supplied to the chamber.

Abstract: A non-lethal and non-destructive electromagnetic personnel interdiction control stun type weapon system and method utilizes beamed radio frequency energy in a frequency range and modulated to impose a Lorentz force on the vestibular system or sensory cells of a remote human subject sufficient to disrupt the mechanical transduction process and/or the chemical engine by which sound, position and other sensory input are converted to messages by nerve cells and processed by the brain to produce complete disorientation, confusion, and incapacitation sufficient to temporarily render the subject powerless to resist arrest or subjugation. Removal of the electromagnetic energy leaves the nerve cells and surrounding tissues with no damage and second order effects of severe motion sickness and psychological effects of helplessness remains until the subject's body chemistry returns to normal.

Abstract: An organizer that attaches to a computer monitor or other display monitor and has a transparent dust, glare, and/or UV radiation shield and at least one lateral storage panel with pockets that hold various documents and materials and maintain them in a convenient location for easy access or viewing while working on the computer.

Abstract: A combination cemetery vase and flag holder adapter attaches to the mounting ring of an invertible type cemetery vase to hold the invertible vase in an upright or inverted position and has a laterally spaced smaller aperture for mounting a flagstaff and flag. The adapter has an elongate body with generally flat top and bottom surfaces, a larger aperture near a first end, and a smaller aperture near a second end. Depending lugs on the bottom surface surround the larger aperture and engage slots in the vase mounting ring secured to a gravestone surrounding an underground receptacle. Slots in the top surface and side wall of the larger aperture receive and detachably engage peripheral lugs on the base of the vase in an upright or inverted position. Slots in the top surface and side wall of the smaller aperture receive and detachably engage peripheral lugs of a collar at the bottom end of a flagstaff for supporting a flag a distance outwardly from the vase.

Abstract: A game comprises a frame and 82 cubical playing pieces, or playing cubes, 81 of which cubes are removably retained in the frame. For playing purposes, the playing cubes are divided into 3 groups: 27 scoring cubes, 54 blank cubes, and 1 pilot cube. During play cubes are inserted into the frame, forcing another cube to be ejected from the opposite side of the frame. A score is tallied for a player when a scoring cube is ejected from the frame.

Abstract: A releasable clasp or coupling includes a female member and a male member each having a cylindrical body, a flat front end disposed at an angle diagonal to the longitudinal axis of its body, and a rear end adapted to be connected to the end of a flexible member such a necklace, or the like. The female member has an aperture through its diagonal front end and the male member has a tongue element that extends outwardly from its diagonal front end. The aperture and the tongue element are aligned and slidably engaged to place the diagonal front ends face-to-face, and upon relative pivotal movement of the bodies, the longitudinal axis of the male and female members become axially aligned and the aperture and tongue element become oriented out of alignment to prevent accidental removal. The tongue may also frictionally engage the female member.