Abstract: Empty, flat folded storage bags which may be valve bags are prepared for filling with a flowable material, by seating and stacking a plurality of the bags on a fixed elevation base within a chamber of a bag holding magazine assembly, the resulting stack defining an initial stack rising from a lowermost one the bags on the base to an uppermost one of the bags. In a first cycle of operation, all but the lowermost bag is raised away from the base, the raised bags defining a depleted stack of bags. Then, while the depleted stack remains raised, the lowermost bag is removed from the chamber through a chamber outlet opening. Then, the depleted stack is lowered to seat a new lowermost bag on the base to complete first cycle. The cycle is repeated for each lowermost bag.

Abstract: A compact, three-way ratchet drive mechanism selectively enables ratcheting operation in a clockwise direction, or an anti-clockwise direction, or disables ratcheting behavior. The mechanism includes a ratchet housing, a drive shaft, a ratchet wheel, J-shaped pawls, and a coaxially fitted selector sleeve for selecting a desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A composite form for stabilizing an earthen embankment includes a floor section and a face section and is couplable to other like forms. The floor section includes integrally formed anchoring members for securing a geogrid with at least one anchoring rod. Advantageously, the face section of the form may included integrally formed hydroseeding screens. Also disclosed is a structure for stabilizing an earthen embankment, the structure comprising such a support form together with a geogrid anchored to the floor section of the form advantageously by a pair anchoring rods, an end portion of the geogrid being wrapped back and forth around the anchoring rods.

Abstract: A structure for stabilizing an earthen embankment comprises an embankment support for restraining movement of at least a part of the embankment, a flexible fiber geogrid (5) extending longitudinally through the embankment from a first end portion secured to the support to a second end portion, and anchor means (55, 60, 11) for securing one of the end portions. The anchor means comprises a pair of anchor rods (55, 60) extending transversely in relation to the geogrid, and means (11) for limiting movement of the anchor rods. The end portion secured by the anchor means is wrapped back and forth around the anchor rods so as to tighten thereon when the geogrid is pulled in longitudinal tension away from the anchor means. A method of anchoring a flexible fiber geogrid to a support utilizing such anchor rods is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sun shade apparatus for a vehicle includes a canopy housing and an elongated canopy which is retractable into the housing and extendable from the housing over the roof of a vehicle. Support stands positionable on the vehicle roof serve to engage the canopy while holding it away from the roof when the canopy is extended over the roof. Each of the support stands includes a canopy hook for releasably engaging the canopy. The hooks may be made moveable between an unlatched position facilitating engagement and disengagement with the canopy and a latched position securing the canopy.

Abstract: A hand tool for portably holding a workpiece during drilling or grinding operations is disclosed. The tool comprises first and second locking pliers and a bracing arrangement therebetween. By reason of the bracing arrangement, the tool is able to securely hold the workpiece without loss of grip while torques in excess of that which could be sustained by a single pliers or by two pliers acting independently are applied to the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for regulating the delivery of power from a DC power source (for example, a solar array) to a load by dynamically and accurately tracking the maximum power point (“MPP”) of the source includes a switch mode DC—DC power supply (“SMPS”), a voltage sensor operatively connected to the output of the power supply, a current sensor operatively connected to the output of the power supply, and a controller for providing a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the power supply. The load may be a battery or, if not a battery either a relatively low impedance load or a relatively high impedance load. The PWM signal has a controllable pulse width or PWM on-time. Depending upon sensed load characteristics, the apparatus utilizes measured signals from the voltage sensor or from the current sensor to achieve MPP tracking.

Abstract: A conduit housing for enclosing the juncture between a roof and an elongated conduit such as flexible cable or a pipe extending upwardly through the roof is disclosed. The housing may be installed while the conduit remains in situ and without disconnecting the conduit from an external utility to which it is connected. The housing includes first and second base sections, a hood, and a conduit opening extending through a side wall of the housing. The base sections are slidably engageable with each other around the conduit on the roof to form a base assembly. The base assembly has an open top and extends peripherally around an interior region containing a lower portion of the conduit. The hood is engageable with the base assembly to cover at least the open top of the base assembly. The conduit opening is sized to provide a passage for the conduit from within the interior region to an external region outside the housing, and it may extend through a side wall of the base assembly or a side wall of the hood.

Abstract: A support stand for supporting an elongated rotary drum for rotation about a longitudinally extending drum axis includes a lower portion extending upwardly from a base to a tilted top extending in a plane of tilt; a correspondingly tilted upper portion mounted atop the lower portion, and a carrying roller rotatably mounted on the upper portion for rotation about a roller axis while a riding ring extending coaxially around the drum bears against and rides in rolling contact on the roller. The upper portion is rotatably positionable relative to the lower portion about a skew axis perpendicularly intersecting the plane of tilt at a fixed point. The skew axis substantially radially intersect the drum axis. As well, the skew axis substantially radially intersects the roller axis. A mechanism for adjusting the amount of skew and an indicator for displaying the amount of skew are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a basketball net to a basketball rim includes a collar adapted to hold the net in an open position permitting passage of a basketball, and a plurality of suspension arms having hook-shaped upper ends sized to releasably clip on the rim. As well the apparatus may include a suspension arm that has a horizontally extending plate-shaped upper end that is sized to extend outward over the rim and over a reinforcing plate that is typical of many basketball rim structures. The collar and the suspension arms have a thin sheet construction formed from elastic material having plastic memory. Preferably, the suspension arms are sufficiently resilient to flex from their normal shape to a deformed shape permitting the arm to be forcibly pulled downwardly from the rim, and to return to their normal shape upon release of the deforming force. To faciltate manufacture by injection molding, the collar may be constructed in connectable segments.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus comprises an elongated post supportable in an upright position in proximity to a cooking fire, a collar slidably mounted directly on the post for sliding movement along the post; a cooking platform secured to the collar, a tether, and a hook or link engaging mechanism carried at the upper end of the post. At least a portion of the tether is a link chain. The hook or link engaging mechanism serves to releasably secure the collar together with the platform at a selected position of elevation on the post. In order to control the cooking process, the apparatus may be structured not only to control the elevation of the cooking platform over the cooking fire but also to control the horizontal angular position of the cooking platform in relation to the cooking fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding an elongated tank such as a propane tank in an upright position when the apparatus is positioned on an inclined surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base support to provide a footing for the apparatus on the surface, a tank support for carrying the tank. The tank is secured to the tank support with the longitudinal axis of the tank extending substantially perpendicular to a plane of support associated with the tank support. Further, the tank support is pivotally connected to the base support to permit pivotal movement of the tank support relative to the base support about a pivot axis extending parallel to the plane of support, and is pivotable about the pivot axis between a position where the plane of support extends substantially parallel to the inclined surface and a braced position where the plane of support extends substantially horizontally.

Abstract: A cargo hook for releasably carrying a load includes a support frame, a load support carried by the frame, and a latch. The load support has a closed condition for securing the load and an open condition for permitting release of the load. The latch is for releasably latching the load support in the closed condition and includes a toggle linkage having a first end pivotally connected to the load support, a second end pivotally connected to the frame, and an articulation joint between the ends. Further, the latch includes a mechanism for toggling the toggle linkage between first and second toggle positions, and a catch moveable between a latched position for holding the toggle linkage in the first toggle position and an unlatched position for permitting the toggle linkage to toggle between the first and second toggle positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for restraining the movement of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat includes a restraint member which includes a horizontally extending safety bar supported by side arms extending from opposed ends of the safety bar to distal ends pivotally mounted to associated pivots which permit the restraint member to rotate about a pivot axis between open and closed positions. Pivotal movement is retarded by a fluid resistance. In another aspect, male and female latch portions of a latch such as a conventional seat belt buckle are attached in fixed positions, one to a side arm of a restraint member as described above, the other to an arm rest of a passenger seat. The positions are arranged such that the latch portions will register and latch with one another as the restraint member is pivoted from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A dental X-ray film structure includes a dental X-ray film packet in combination with a strip of soft, flexible cushion material. The strip moisture resistant includes a first portion adhered in partially overlapping engagement with a corresponding portion of one of the film packet surfaces along a selected edge of the packet, and a second portion contiguous with the first portion which extends outside the perimeter of the packet. The second portion serves to cushion the selected edge when the packet is positioned within the mouth of a dental patient for taking a dental X-ray. To completely cover the selected edge, the strip may include a third portion which is contiguous with the second portion, and which is adhered in partially overlapping engagement with a corresponding portion of the film packet surface opposite to the surface to which the first portion is adhered.

Abstract: A remotely controlled door and window locking device is provided with a plurality of deadbolts responsive to master control signals and positioned with respect to associated doors and windows so that when triggered to locked positions, all of the doors and windows connected to the system are locked. The device has retaining means preventing the movement of respective deadbolts associated with the doors and windows when the doors are left ajar or windows are left in other than a closed or predetermined open position, and display lights at a master control panel each one of which remains off when its associated door is ajar, or window is in other than a closed or predetermined open position.