Abstract: A shell purfling strip has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The purfling strips are sufficiently flexible to be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an organic shell layer, with a bonding agent attaching the layers together. The organic shell layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the shell layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, such as rubber, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The shell purfling strips may be attached in parallel relationship to other perfling components such that the perfling components can be installed as a unit.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus which removably attaches to the front tubular bumper of a go-kart, allowing a person lifting the front of the go-kart to lift more easily and without excessive bending of the back. The lifting apparatus has a handle member, and a bumper engagement structure which depends from the handle member. The bumper engagement structure is configured to removably attach to the parallel-oriented upper tube and lower tube which make up the front bumper of the go-kart.

Abstract: A wind turbine installation comprises anchor bolts having a sheath or sleeve which extends above the cement foundation and the overlying grout layer. If desired, the sleeve may partially extend inside the base flange of the wind turbine tower. The sleeve may be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene or other materials having satisfactory mechanical properties, primarily that the material be capable of withstanding sufficient plastic deformation to cause the material to conform to the shape of the threads of the anchor bolts without the material failing. This swaging operation results in a crimped end which forms an interference fit with the threads of the anchor bolt thereby preventing or limiting the intrusion of water or other liquids into the bolt-sleeve annulus during the installation of the turbine foundation.

Abstract: The ostomy bag comprises an outer chamber comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, and an inner chamber. The inner chamber may comprise a one-way valve that limits the back flow of the bodily wastes from the lower portion of the bag to the upper portion. The one-way valve may comprise a biasing member and the biasing member may have a length that is longer then the length of the bottom of the inner chamber walls. The bag may comprise an irrigation system that provides for the flushing of both the inner and the outer chambers simultaneously. The irrigation tube of the irrigation system may comprise slits along the portion of the irrigation tube that resides within the inner chamber and the lower portion of the outer chamber.

Abstract: A method for making juice from açaí berries having the steps of: chilling the berries to below about 10° C.; extracting a skin from the berries in an extractor with water to obtain a mixture; acidifying the mixture; finishing the mixture; heating the mixture to from about 40° C. to about 60° C.; de-aerating the mixture; passing the mixture through at least one of the group consisting of a high shear mixer, a colloid mill and a hammer mill to yield juice; and pasteurizing the juice.

Abstract: A process for converting carbonaceous material into diamond utilizing the compressive force derived from an abruptly collapsing magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying and storing watercraft propellers comprises a soft-shell enclosure having a rigid bottom member. The apparatus further comprises means for securing the propeller within the enclosure. An embodiment of the apparatus may shaped in the form of a cube or other parallelepiped with an opening symmetrically bisecting the enclosure along the top and the sides, or a top with a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure. Alternatively, the apparatus may have a cylindrical shape. An embodiment of the invention may further comprise an inflatable support member for protecting the propeller.

Abstract: A self-tapping insert is installed in a pre-existing bore hole in a workpiece by rotating the insert, causing cutting threads on the exterior of the self-tapping insert to cut new threads. Engagement threads on the exterior of the self-tapping insert engage the new threads to retain the self-tapping insert within the workpiece. The self-tapping insert may comprise internal threads which are used to replaced damaged threads in the workpiece. The exterior threads of the self-tapping insert may be configured as left-handed threads, while the internal threads are right-handed threads. The top of the self-tapping insert may comprise a plurality of castellations, and a drive head having matching castellations may be employed to install the self-tapping insert, eliminating the need for installing the insert with a drive bolt. The exterior of the self-tapping insert may further comprise a leading edge for cutting the new threads, where the leading edge has greater radial extension than the trailing edge.

Abstract: Petroleum asphalt emulsions which contain recycled tire rubber and processes for making the emulsions at temperatures above ambient or room temperature. These emulsions may contain significant quantities of recycled tire rubber and recycled and reclaimed motor oils and fluxes. All of these formulations meet current specifications for products used to make slurry seal asphalt pavement coatings, ASTM D 1227 emulsified asphalt roof coatings, and may have applications as crack fillers for asphalt and Portland cement pavements, and as parking lot seal-coat materials.

Abstract: A vegetation attachment device for supporting plant limbs is used in combination with an overhead support member, such as the horizontal support wire of a trellis system used to support grape vines. Embodiments of the device generally comprise an attachment hook configured to engage the overhead support wire, a closing hook, a catch member for engaging the closing hook, a deformable limb containment structure, and biasing means for maintaining the engagement of the closing hook to the catch member. The deformable limb containment structure deforms to accommodate limited lateral deflection or growth in the vine or plant limb. Embodiments of the disclosed apparatus may be used instead of currently known devices, such as wire ties, for supporting vines and branches.

Abstract: Pipe lifting tongs are utilized for lifting cylindrical sections of pipe, where the pipe sections may have different diameters but the jaw assemblies of the lifting tongs do not need to be changed out. The lifting tongs comprise first and second jaw members, where each jaw member may match the other. The jaw members comprise interiorally facing arcuate gripping members. The jaw members are pivotally connected together with a central fastener. Each jaw member comprises a mounting member rigidly joined to its respective gripping member. The mounting member may comprise a pair of parallel plate members, where a spaced defined between the parallel plate members. Each plate member comprises a plurality of apertures, including both circular and slotted apertures. When the first and second opposing jaw members are pivotally connected together, the parallel plate members may be sandwiched together, such that many of the apertures in the parallel plate members are aligned.

Abstract: A pneumatically activated signal flag is used in combination with a first watercraft to provide a visual warning to other watercraft operators of various events which may be occurring around the first watercraft. For example, the signal flag may indicate that a swimmer is in the water adjacent to the watercraft. The signal flag is raised or lowered by activation of a pneumatic activating ram by an operator within the water craft.