Abstract: An apparatus combining various phases of solar heat influence upon a transversing airstream. Solar heat combines with compost's bacterial-generated heat within the apparatus. Solar collector mechanism and compost cooperate with silage for regulating more even heat output.

Abstract: A double ratchet arm pipe clamp includes a pair of elongated ratchet arms extending outward from a base member with each ratchet arm including a plurality of ratchet teeth. A keeper block is adapted to receive the ratchet arms through a pair of apertures and a respective pawl member is positioned within each aperture to releasably engage the ratchet arm. Both the base member and the keeper block have respective V shaped notches which are positioned in opposition to cradle a clamped pipe or cable and a pair of slits are formed in the keeper block to give added clamping action. An alternative embodiment of double ratchet arm pipe clamp is clamping a pipe to a universal slider bracket.

Abstract: A brace for supporting a wearer's shoulder joint during movement is made of elastic material and comprises a torso strap, a shoulder strap, upper and lower stabilizing straps and a vertical support strap. The torso strap is securable around the torso of the wearer generally across the lower end of the rib cage. The shoulder strap is secured at a first end to the torso strap on a side opposite the shoulder to be supported. The shoulder strap extends across the front of the wearer, over and around the shoulder to be supported and across the back of the wearer and is removably securable at a second end to the torso strap along the side opposite the supported shoulder. The shoulder strap is secured to the torso strap under tension to provide the desired support to the shoulder. The upper and lower stabilizing straps cooperate with the shoulder strap to form a shoulder receiving pocket in the shoulder strap and help hold the shoulder strap in place.

Abstract: An improved outer wall can opener includes a retractable and extendable traction wheel which selectively grips a can to be opened between it and an outer seam wall cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is a ring which is supported by a generally cylindrical stepped bearing which steps outward in increments and also mounts an abutment ring with an outside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the cutting ring. The stepped bearing with the attached cutter ring and abutment ring rotates around a stationary shaft, thus preventing overwear of the cutting ring and allowing wear that does occur to the cutting ring to be uniform and gradual.

Abstract: A hammer with accessories having a head, a handle, and a measuring tape. The head has a poll, a striking surface, and a claw to remove old nails and other embedded objects. The head also has a flattened top so that it may be used with a level embedded in the head parallel to the top of the head, the level being used and read by placing the top of the hammer head along a horizontal surface to be leveled. The handle is formed so that most of its volume is used for one or more storage compartments which are accessible via a slot in each of the compartment walls, the slot being opened or closed by moving an interior part of the compartment so that a matching slot is in or out or registration with the access slot. The measuring tape, which can be several feet in length is attached or incorporated into the bottom of the handle so that it unrolls perpendicular to the length of the handle.

Abstract: A computer-user wrist support for supporting the wrist during operation of a computer inputting device. A resilient cushion located at the underside of the wrist provides the support while fastening means, comprising an elongated radially-stretchable fabric tube with closure means, secure the resilient cushion in place against the wrist.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a respiratory mask and a seal. The mask is adapted to encircle the mouth of a user and convey gasses to and from the mouth of a user through a port therein. The seal is a hydrogel seal that is relatively sticky and resilient so as to provide a tight seal between the mask and the user during usage thereof.

Abstract: A facility access system includes a system microprocessor and input and output subsystems. The input subsystem can include switching devices connected in a parallel configuration for actuating the system microprocessor in a sequencing mode of operation. Input devices are also disclosed which produce input signals corresponding to particular memory storage locations for accessing directional and other information in a look-up mode of operation. The directional and other information is output to text display, graphical display and audio output devices. A user's computer can be linked to the system microprocessor for downloading information therefrom. An emergency subsystem provides emergency exit information, dials out to summon assistance and includes a backup power source.

Abstract: A protective collar apparatus comprising a protective pad operably positioned behind the neck of a user, a torso mounted vest and a pair of flexible and non stretchable connecting straps joining the pad to the vest. An adjustment strap is also joined to the pad and is adapted to be looped around shoulder pads or the like. The adjustment strap allows selective tilting and positioning of the pad. The pad is crescent shaped and has a front side constructed of soft material and a rear side constructed of stiff material. The pad is shaped to cradle the head or helmet when the head is pushed rearwardly relative to the torso of the player.

Abstract: An improved, easily cleanable folding pan with a continuous cooking surface includes a pair of pan sections with generally planar cooking surfaces joined at the perimeter in side-by-side relationship by a pair of upstanding hinges. The hinges permit pivotal movement of the pan sections from a generally flat cooking position into a folded position for cleaning or storage. The fold margin of one of the pan sections slightly overlaps the fold margin of the other cooking surface, so that in the cooking position the pan presents a continuous cooking surface. The fold margin of one of the cooking surfaces may include a dependent lip for overlapping the fold margin of the other cooking surface when the pan is in the cooking position. A pair of opposed, upstanding handles may be coupled with the perimeter margin of the cooking surface. The perimeter margin of the pan section may be surmounted by an upstanding sidewall.

Abstract: A low profile and removable set screw for use in connecting one medical implant to another and for similar uses. The set screw has a base and a head that is breakable from the base in a breakaway region at a preselected torque, such that the head allows rotation of the screw and torquing of a tip of the base against one of the implants during installation. The screw includes a groove or notch at the breakaway region to trigger breaking. The screw also includes a pair of slots extending radially from an outer threaded surface of the base part way into the base. The slots intersect with the breakaway region, but not with each other leaving a center core in the base. A tool is provided for removing the base after the head is broken away. The tool includes a pair of spaced ears that are received in the slots and provide for rotation of the base by rotating the tool.

Abstract: A padlock cover assembly for use in latching and locking doors includes a cover with a peripheral wall. The cover is pivotally mounted to a pivot base which is pivotally mounted to a first door member by a pivot pin. The cover is pivotal relative to the pivot base into and out of covering relationship with a padlock supported by its shackle on a padlock mounting bracket secured to the second door member. A pawl is formed on the cover and sized and positioned such that the pawl is advanceable between the shackle and an upper surface of a padlock body when the cover is advanced into covering relationship with the padlock supported on the mounting bracket in an unlocked condition. The cover is then pivotable about the pivot pin such that a portion of the peripheral wall of the cover engages a bottom of the padlock body advancing the padlock body toward the shackle and into a closed condition.

Abstract: An improved set screw with a break off head for use in an osteosynthesis apparatus. The set screw comprising a head or stem preferably having a hexagonal external cross-section, a lower portion having a thread extending around an outer surface thereof and a shank connecting the head to the threaded lower portion. An outer diameter of the shank is equal to a minor diameter of the threaded lower portion, i.e. the outer diameter of the threaded lower portion at the base of the thread. A bore extends into the set screw from an upper surface thereof. The bore has a first bore section and a second bore section wherein the second bore section has a reduced diameter relative to the first bore section and is separated from the first bore section by an internal shoulder. The internal shoulder extends into the bore below an upper end of the thread.

Abstract: A system for germinating livestock feed grains and growing sprouts therefrom using a plant nutritive effluent from a manure treatment process includes a germination tray conveyor having an endless sequence of trays thereon, a grain deposit station at one end of the conveyor, a sprout offload station at an opposite end of the conveyor, and a plurality of effluent spray stations spaced between the grain deposit station and the offload station. Grain is deposited in a tray at the deposit station, solenoid spray valves are opened at timed intervals, and the trays are advanced to the next station in a timed sequence to allow the grains to germinate and the sprouts to mature by the time each tray reaches the offload station.

Abstract: A splint to splint injured parts of a body. The splint includes three rigid members one pair of which are joined together by a hinged joint and a second pair of which are joined by a pivot joint. The hinge joint and the pivot joint each include a locking mechanism that allows the user to select from plurality of numerous positions and thereafter lock each of the joints in a selected position. The splint is used to fix a particular body part in a selected position which may require the members to be hinged with respect to each other, pivoted with respect to each other, or both.