Abstract: An articulating fence post and gating system, which resiliently articulates from an upright position, perpendicular to the ground, to a flattened position, parallel with the ground, is described. The gating system comprises at least one resiliently articulating fence post, where the posts are connected by strands of fencing material. The gating system may be disposed with a standard stationary fence or an articulating fencing system. The gating system of the present invention avoids damage from a collision between farm equipment, such as a mobile irrigation system, and the fence by having the gating portion resiliently articulate, from an upright position to the ground, in order to allow the mobile equipment to run over the gate portion without breaking fence posts or snapping strands of fencing material. Once the equipment completely rolls over the gated portion of the fence, the gated portion automatically returns to its upright position.

Abstract: A modular junction box receptacle includes parallel high and low voltage circuitry portions separated by a barrier. A base housing of the receptacle receives a termination block that includes high and low voltage connections to respective high and low voltage portions of the base housing. A housing cover is installed over the base housing and termination block; the cover has an opening for passage thereinto of a face portion of the block. The receptacle accommodates a plug and play unit containing smart circuitry, the unit including high and low voltage circuitry connections for respective high and low voltage portions of the termination block. The unit can act as a variety of interchangeable devices in a smart system that incorporates pluralities of receptacles, including electrical outlets and simple electrical toggle switches, each containing low voltage connections. A plurality of such units may be incorporated in, for example, a household circuitry system.

Abstract: A thermally regulatable, pulsating cushioning device having a deformable outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid material therein; a foam core being encased within and in intimate contact with, but not bonded to the flexible, deformable outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane; a liquid material, sealably contained within the flexible, deformable outer membrane and saturating the foam core, with the liquid material being at least partially circulatable throughout the foam core, wherein the cooperation of the saturated foam core and the sealable flexible membrane provide a uniform, thermally regulatable medium and structural support such that the pulsating cushioning device is readily, uniformly deformable when a load is applied thereto; a means for directly pulsating the liquid within the flexible, deformable outer membrane, causing the device to undulate or vibrate; and a thermal regulator cooperating with the liquid material to e

Abstract: An interlink system for conveying security quotations and other related data to remote locations by means of satellite down link and preferably providing a satellite up link for remote users to place authenticated orders for securities. The satellite uplink/downlink is preferably by synchronous satellite. The hand held portable receiver/transmitter for receiving a plurality of said quotations and broadcasting data representing each of said orders with appropriate encrypting has storage capacity individually storing the received data representing each of said quotations. A display on the handheld unit coupled to the storage allows the user to display individually selecting data representing any one of the received quotations. The device can also store and transmit an encrypted, authenticated order to transact securities by means of the handheld unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively determining physical characteristics of subterranean geological formation which for example bear oil or gas or commercial important ore deposits such as precious metals. The apparatus includes an antenna for acquiring low frequency signals naturally emanating from the earth. The received signal is first put through a low pass filter and buffer and then converted from analog to digital, stored in a memory buffer, converted to a frequency spectrum by a Fourier transform, and then further processed to display geophysical information versus the depth of such discontinuities.

Abstract: A wiring system for providing electrical service to a structure allows all electrical service ports to be wired in series. The electrical service ports consist of a junction box in electrical communication with a receptacle. The functionality of the receptacle is determined solely by a processor, which is preconfigured (i.e., preset or preprogrammed) to determine the functionality of that specific electric receptacle. Thus any receptacle, in electrical communication with any junction box in the wiring system, where the junction boxes are wired in series, could be a switch, a switched outlet, a switched light or the like without the necessity of wiring a particular junction box in a manner to provide that receptacle's functionality.

Abstract: An improved portable, electronic survey and satisfaction questionnaire device adapted for use in the hospitality industry, and more particularly restaurants, which incorporates a transceiver to signal restaurant personnel upon the achievement of certain threshold, pre-programed, criteria allowing contact with the customer prior to exiting the hospitality establishment. The device electronically presents a series of questions, records the answers, and stores and/or transmits all or a portion of the survey response. Preferably, the transceiver communicates with a silent pager, worn by a restaurant manager, if certain threshold responses are registered.

Abstract: A system and device for insuring the integrity of an automatic garage door has a sensor to determine the status of the door with respect to a predetermined position and a programable actuator which provides a positive signal for automatically activating a warning or alert system when the door is in predetermined position when the programmable actuator is activated and the sensor indicates that the door is at other than the predetermined position. Preferably the programmable actuator is a timer and the predetermined position is closed. The timer can be remotely programmable. The actuator can also be triggered by a sensor of an event such as darkness. Remote means are provided for manually activating the door to return to the desired position by an RF frequency transmitter.

Abstract: A fencing system which can resiliently articulate from an upright position, perpendicular to the ground, to a flattened position, parallel with the ground, is described. The fence system comprises at least two fence posts, where at least one fence post is a resiliently articulating fence post, and where the posts are connected by strands of fencing material such as barbed wire. The strands of fencing material are kept taut across the fence system by a tensioning system. The articulating fence posts include a shaft that supports the strands of fencing material, and an isotropically flexible member which is attached to the bottom end of the shaft. The fence system of the present invention avoids damage from a collision between farm equipment, such as a mobile irrigation system, and the fence by having the fence resiliently articulate, from an upright position to the ground, in order to allow the mobile equipment to run over the fence without breaking fence posts or snapping strands of fencing material.

Abstract: A mobile heating system for providing hot liquids is provided. The system includes a trailer mounted liquid boiler, an exit manifold for distribution through hoses, a return system communicating with a return manifold in communication with a reservoir for storing heated liquid and a bypass valved shunt such that by providing incremental heat through the liquid boiler back to the reservoir via the bypass valved shunt and then back to the boiler through the exit manifold and back to the reservoir by means of the return manifold, sufficient energy is maintained to allow atmospheric 205+ degree liquid to be circulated within the system. In one aspect of the system, by means of contact with the hot hoses, a substance is used for thawing ground, heat, melting snow and ice, curing cement, and the like. In another aspect, the liquid is water used to provide for example, hygienic liquid or hot water for field showers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating implement storage device to store garden implements and similar tools in garages, tool sheds, or like storage facilities where storage space has traditionally been linear along a wall. The device of the present invention permits more efficient use of limited storage space by providing a suspended, rotating carousel attached to a mounting bracket having a plurality of retaining hooks or brackets about the periphery of the carousel upon which a variety of implements are retained. Preferably, the device is mounted to a solid support and has a swivelling S-shaped rigid shaft from which the rotating storage carousel is suspended thereby allowing the carousel to rotate freely and providing for improved storage of various implements as well as improved accessability to those implements.

Abstract: A device, which can be incorporated into a kit, useful in carving decorative designs in the shell or skin of fruits or vegetables having a base plate, which is preferably flexible, containing a plurality of co-planar, upstanding, piercing elements, in a decorative pattern relative to the base plate, whose axis are formed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base plate. The drive pins forming an elongated shaft, having one end secured to the base plate and the other forming a piercing point. The carving kit includes the device having driving pins configured in a pattern, at least one cutting tool for inserting into the perforations made by the device; and instructions for use of the device in conjunction with the cutting tools. Preferably the device is used to facilitate carving of pumpkins at Halloween.

Abstract: A valve for dispersing a fluidic substance into a carrier fluid is disclosed. The valve is constructed from few moving parts and is particularly well adapted to distribute fluidic substances with little or no solubility in the flowing liquid into the carrier fluid. The valve is able to disperse difficult to dissolve fluids into the liquid stream by dispersing the fluidic substance into the carrier fluid at the stream's point of highest velocity and creating local turbulence at the points of dispersion. The design of the valve is such that the carrier fluid constantly flushes the valve's moving parts, and the valve is sealed from the dispersed fluidic substance to prevent jamming or clogging the moving parts by undissolved portions of the fluidic substance. The fluid pressure at which dispersal occurs and the volume of dispersal is precisely adjustable. The valve finds use in the irrigation of farmland, golf courses, athletic fields, public parks, and the yards of private homes.

Abstract: A mobile heating system for providing hot liquids is provided. System includes a trailer mounted liquid heater, an exit manifold for distribution through hoses, a return system communicating with a return manifold in communication with a return reservoir for storing heated liquid such that by providing incremental heat through the liquid heater to the return material sufficient energy is maintained to allow atmospheric 220+ degree liquid to be circulated within the system. In one aspect of the system, by means of contact with the hot hoses, a substance is used for thawing ground, heat, melting snow and ice, curing cement, and the like. In another aspect, the liquid is water used to provide for example, hygienic liquid or hot water for field showers. In a further aspect, the apparatus can be hooked into the hose line to provide for example, radiated heat for convection into space, such as in construction of a building, house and the like.

Abstract: A novel system for gathering, analyzing and storing information for the purpose of motor vehicle theft and vandalism investigations. An on board secure vehicle mounted surveillance system, that can monitor the vehicle for brief or extended periods of time that can operate whether the vehicle is on or off, having a video camera for generating video signals of an incident proximate the vehicle, having an audio device for monitoring events proximate the vehicle, motion sensor to activate the system and lights activated by the system to illuminate the area viewed by the camera. The video signals are digitized into a synchronized data file, carrying a unique vehicle identification and a time indicator with other input data occurring on or about the vehicle such as audio recordings and the like. The file is encrypted and stored on a large capacity, code accessible device or transmitted, via a transceiver, real time to authorities and/or an off vehicle storage site.

Abstract: A replica of a fish or other aquatic animal, capable of placement into indoor and outdoor fish ponds, with or without fountain current flow, with no overhanging or suspension member provided. An aquatic or marine animal replica, and preferably a Koi fish, is tethered to an anchor or the bottom of the pond to provide lifelike movement to the replica submerged in the pond water. In one aspect the replica is flexible to simulate swimming movement in a current. In another aspect the buoyancy of the device can be manipulated for depth placement.

Abstract: A kit for packing residential or business goods for relocation includes at least one corrugated packing container, mastic means for securing the containers in its constructive position, wrapping materials for safely securing and placing items within the container, markers and other means for indelibly marking items and instructions for use of the kit.

Abstract: A thermal regulating cushioning device for heating and/or cooling is provided. The thermal regulating device comprises a flexible, deformable outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid-like material therein. A foam core is disposed within the flexible, deformable outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane. A liquid-like material is sealably contained within the flexible, deformable outer membrane and saturating the foam core with the liquid material being at least partially circulatable through the foam core wherein the cooperation of the saturated foam core and the sealable flexible membrane provide a uniform, thermal regulating medium and structural support such that the cushioning device is readily, uniformly deformable when a load is applied thereto. An external heater and/or cooler circulates the liquid through the cushioning device.

Abstract: A checkvalve is provided for dispersing a fluid into a flowing stream. All operating parts of the checkvalve are located in the flowing stream to provide uniform and rapid dispersion of the fluid.