Abstract: A system for supporting a door frame, and in particular a metal door frame, during build-up of a wall about the door frame. Vertical alignment devices allow for placement of the door frame in a plumb configuration with respect to the floor and allows for fine adjustment through use of turnbuckle devices. A horizontal spreader device, also having longitudinal adjustment, provides lateral support to the door frame to reduce inward bowing of the sides of the door frame towards one another during build-up of the wall. Also, a header support device serves to maintain a parallel relationship between the header of the door frame and the threshold by compensating for sagging in the header, and also uses a longitudinal adjustment device.

Abstract: A brace arm for connection to a crossarm of a utility pole. The brace arm includes an elongated wooden strut having a pole bracket at one end and a crossarm bracket at the other end thereof. Each of the brackets are injection molded of plastic or other polymeric material to the end of the strut. The injection molding of the brackets to the ends of the strut causes the brackets to be firmly fixed to the strut. Each end of the strut includes a passage therethrough for receipt of mold material during the injection molding process, and each bracket includes a finger of material which extends into the passage in each end of the strut.

Abstract: A utility knife for receipt of a blade and including a handle and a blade carrier pivotally connected to the handle. A threaded fastener fastens a blade retainer to the blade carrier, and the threaded fastener is preferably configured for engagement by the user's hand to move the blade carrier between the retracted position and the extended position. A locking member automatically locks the blade carrier in an extended position upon the blade carrier being moved to the extended position. An actuator moves the locking member against the force of a spring from the locking position to the unlocking position, the actuator extending from the first side of the handle to the second side of the handle. A storage compartment is configured for receipt of plurality of blades, and a closure member allows selective access to such blades.

Abstract: An improved insulation and an improved method for preparing and installing sheets of insulation having a vapor-barrier jacket or “finish” to ductwork and other fluid conduits or other surfaces. Anchor tabs are provided on the insulation, as are also studs for anchorage and mechanical attachment. Pressure sensitive tape with a split release strip is applied to the sheets prior to the installation of the sheets to the ductwork or other fluid conduits. The pressure sensitive tape is for sealing of any penetrations in the vapor-barrier by the mechanical attachment devices and for sealing of the edge of the vapor barrier jacket flange to the adjacent piece vapor-barrier jacket. The insulation is configured such that during storage and shipment, the jacket attachment flanges are positioned to avoid crumpling.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage having a geometry designed to substantially hold the plane of a main screed and the plane of an extension screed at a generally constant relative angle with respect to one another through a predetermined range of screed depth adjustments. The linkage is configured to allow the extension screed to be raised and lowered by an amount sufficient to compensate for angle of attack and elevation changes in the main screed. In particular, the linkage compensates for the effect of the radial distance differences from the axis of rotation of tow bars of the main screed and extension screed as the main screed pivots with respect to the tow point of the tow bars for different asphalt mat depths. An alternate embodiment includes actuators, together with sensors, for sensing the position of the extension screed with respect to the main screed and automatically compensating for changes in main screed position to properly orient the extension screed with respect to the main screed.

Abstract: A combination machine for trenching, for forming the edge of a bed, and for laying and burying tubing, cable, piping, and the like. The machine includes steerable caster wheels mounted on the rear of the machine which, together with a single front wheel, allow for a tight turning radius when using the machine. The machine also includes a blade height adjustment which allows for the trenching or edging blade depth to be readily adjusted in a substantially infinite variation. Other aspects of the present invention include an edging machine and a trenching machine, both being of a compact design. Both include an extendable handle which, in a preferred embodiment retracts or folds to allow for the volume of space occupied by the machines to be minimized, preferably, to the extent that either of such machines can typically be carried in a trunk of a standard automobile.

Abstract: A process for applying a weld overlay to a tube with a single pass of a weld head. An inverter-type alternating current pulsed power source, composed of a primary inverter and a secondary inverter, is used to control the melting rate of welding wire during welding of the overlay to the tube. The primary inverter controls the value of output current, and the second inverter changes the polarity of output current between electrode negative. For a given welding current, the wire melting rate increases significantly as the electrode negative ratio increases, and this makes a relatively high welding speed attainable. Increasing the electrode negative ratio at a fixed, predetermined wire feed rate decreases the weld penetration depth, which correspondingly lowers the dilution rate and results in a smooth and narrow welding bead.

Abstract: A signal device for attachment to a vehicle having a housing with a plurality of signal members carried therein. The signal members are pivotally connected within an interior compartment of the housing and may be individually pivoted out of the compartment through an opening provided in the housing. An attachment device is connected to the housing and provides that the housing may be attached to a vehicle window in such a manner that the housing projects generally perpendicularly outwardly with the respect to the vehicle window, with one or more preselected signal members being exposed and hanging downwardly from the housing for alerting passersby.

Abstract: A generally T-shaped paint shield formed of a flexible plastic such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). The paint shield includes straight edges of varying and variable lengths to allow it to be used for shielding a variety of surfaces. The paint shield includes left hand and right hand inside corner shields, and left hand and right hand outside corner shields. Preferably, the paint shield includes radiused corners for the left and right hand outside corner shields for accommodating the slight radius typically found on sheet rock, plaster, etc., wall constructions. Because of the inherent flexibility in the paint shield, it can be bent to conform to various wall configurations.

Abstract: A process for applying weld overlay material to a tube with a single pass of a weld head. A gas tungsten arc welding process with high frequency wave pulse current is preferably used to apply the overlay material. The overlay material is preferably in the form of weld wire and is pre-heated and mechanically fed into the resultant weld pool on the tube. The wire is preferably resistance-heated to a temperature lower than its melting point prior to contact of the wire with the molten weld pool, and the weld pool is preferably oscillated during the overlay process. Use of the gas tungsten arc welding process provides sufficient weld fusion to allow the overlaid tube to be subsequently bent and formed, and use of the high frequency wave pulse current provides for reduced dilution of the overlay.

Abstract: A trailer for attachment to a hitch of a tow vehicle, the trailer comprising a bed, or some other type of load carrying portion, connected for pivotal movement with respect to the draw bar of the trailer. The bed is movable between a generally horizontal, hauling position and a tilted, dumping position. The bed includes a forward portion adjacent the draw bar and a rearward portion opposite the forward portion. An axle is connected to the bed to which wheels are attached. Blocking members contact the axle as the tow vehicle moves rearwardly, the blocking members being movable between a blocking position, for contacting the ground to substantially block rearward movement of the bed as the trailer is moved rearwardly, and a retracted position, wherein the blocking members are substantially out of contact with the ground. Upon the blocking member being moved to the blocking position and the bed being in the hauling position, and upon the trailer being moved rearwardly, the bed pivots to the dumping position.

Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of capped writing tools that facilitates the artistic process of artists that require mobility and quick accessibility to their tools. The device consists of a generally planar base with the shape of an artist's palette. The base has a plurality of holes arrayed on its surface with a twist to lock capability. Inserts that interface with the twist to lock or snap into the holes provide the capability to accept a wide variety of capped writing tools. The inserts have threaded holes or have integrally molded caps to accept the capped writing tools. The inserts can provide additional functionality such as providing holding for cleaning wipes. The device is useable by both right- and left-handed artists. The device allows the artist to carry an assortment of tools chosen by the artist in the arrangement desired by the artist for quick accessibility.

Abstract: A further folding knife which automatically locks upon being moved to the open position. The knife includes a blade having a tang with a ledge portion defined in an upper region of the tang for receipt of a sliding bolt. The bolt is provided for sliding movement within a channel defined in the handle, and the bolt is urged forwardly towards the tang of the blade by a bolt spring, such as a coil spring. A band is connected at one end to the bolt, and the other end of the band is connected to a spool, which is carried for rotation within the handle. The spool can be rotated with respect to the handle to cause a winding of the band thereon, which in turn causes retraction of the bolt, such that the blade can be pivoted out of a locked extended position, towards a retracted position.

Abstract: A combination machine for trenching, for forming the edge of a bed, and for laying and burying tubing, cable, piping, and the like. The machine includes steerable caster wheels mounted on the rear of the machine which, together with a single front wheel, allow for a tight turning radius when using the machine. The machine also includes a blade height adjustment which allows for the trenching or edging blade depth to be readily adjusted in a substantially infinite variation. Other aspects of the present invention include an edging machine and a trenching machine, both being of a compact design. Both include an extendable handle which, in a preferred embodiment retracts or folds to allow for the volume of space occupied by the machines to be minimized, preferably, to the extent that either of such machines can typically be carried in a trunk of a standard automobile.

Abstract: An automatic tank clean out system provided in the slurry collection tank a soil reduction system. When the slurry collection tank becomes full, the vacuum system is automatically shut down to prevent the slurry mixture from being drawn into the vacuum pump. When it becomes necessary to empty the slurry collection tank, the liquid contents can be drained through a valve in the tank. A series of nozzles, such as fan nozzles, are provided which are connected to a water supply pipe running axially through the tank. These fan nozzles are actuated to deliver high pressure water to automatically clean the tank.

Abstract: A device for picking up material, such as animal droppings, which includes a container defining a compartment and a slot. A flexible elongated member is provided, one end of the elongated member being fixedly attached to the container, and the other end of the elongated member being a free end. The elongated member is configured to form a loop outside of the compartment. The loop is movable between a first position, for generally surrounding the material, and a second position, wherein the loop is substantially inside of the compartment. Upon the loop being in the first position and positioned for encircling the material, the free end of the elongated member is pulled such that the loop and the material it surrounds is pulled into the compartment to the loop's second position. The device may then be disposed of in its entirety.

Abstract: A dispensing system having a hopper with at least one wall moveable to form a dispensing opening at the base of the hopper. At least one air knife is provided which blasts air upwardly into the hopper to lift, levitate, and mix the product within the hopper. Upon termination of the air blast, the product falls downwardly into the base for the hopper, and a selected number of items fall through the dispensing opening. The remaining items tend to bridge the dispensing opening, thereby blocking further dispensing of the product. During subsequent air blasts, the product is repeatedly levitated, agitated, and allowed to drop through the dispensing opening to ultimately dispense the entirety of the product from the hopper.