Abstract: A slide-out mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out room through a slide-out room opening in a wall which automatically levels or aligns the slide-out room relative to the slide-out room opening in the wall comprises at least one stationary member, a retractable member slidably secured to the stationary member, and a threshold bracket for securing and supporting a front end of the stationary member on an upper surface of a portion of the wall defining a lower edge of the slide-out room opening. A support leg is preferably secured to a rear end of the stationary member for supporting the rear end thereof. The support leg is preferably height adjustable to permit leveling of the rear end of the stationary member relative to the front end.

Abstract: An interactive consumer product promotion method and match game includes a database which is accessed for an information screen displayed on an interactive electronic terminal, such as a personal computer, interactive television, in-store kiosk, etc. The displayed information screen typically includes a listing of popular consumer product categories, such as "Detergents"; "Cereals"; "Motor Oil"; "Cookies"; "Crackers"; etc. along with a matrix of spaces representing a match game such as Bingo or Keno. In each space in the displayed matrix a symbol is displayed. The game is played by comparing selected consumer product categories with preselected spaces on the matrix to detect matches and corresponding prizes. Coupons and/or rebate offers for products with the selected categories are downloaded for printing by the consumer.

Abstract: A pivoting tail light bar system is attached beneath the rear of the deck of a movable-deck trailer and includes a tail light bar which pivots upwards as it contacts the ground during tilting of the trailer deck. The tail light bar automatically returns from its upper position to a normal trailering position as the deck is returned from the tilted to a horizontal transport position. The pivoting tail light bar is attached to a pair of shock absorbing support arms which absorb impacts directed at the tail light bar from the rear of the trailer. In an alternative embodiment, tail lights are conventionally placed on the rear of the trailer deck and a pivoting bumper system is provided which pivots upwards to cover and protect the lights when the deck is placed in the tilted position.

Abstract: Mono- and di- substituted 1,2 and 1,4 benzoquinones and hydroquinones have been found to have significant feeding deterrent effect with reduced toxicity and irritating effect relative to benzoquinone and hydroquinone. Preferred substituent groups include tert-butyl and tert-amyl.

Abstract: A mower clipping collection system for a riding mower comprises a collector housing having an interior collection chamber and having an interior cylindrical wall forming a cylindrical separation chamber positioned above and in communication with the collection chamber. A clipping transfer conduit extends from the mower deck and is mounted tangentially with respect to the cylindrical wall of the collector housing such that mower clippings, entrained in a stream of air exiting the mower, are blown tangentially into the separation chamber through an opening in the cylindrical wall. The collector housing includes a floor which slopes downward to a clipping dump opening extending across a rear side of the housing. A door is pivotally mounted to the collector housing across the clipping dump opening and moveable in and out of covering relationship therewith by a door operating assembly engageable by an operator while seated on the mower.

Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system includes a cabinet with a sink for receiving the canister and a subsink for receiving a lower portion thereof. The subsink is connected to a drain line. A plunger subassembly includes a stopper which functions as a drain valve for the canister. An injection jet is connected to water and cleaning solution sources and discharges diluted cleaning solution into the canister for flushing same. The injection jet engages the plunger subassembly for ejecting the stopper from a canister drain opening. A control system includes a programmable microprocessor which can be programmed to provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined duration. A method of liquid waste disposal and canister flushing utilizes the microprocessor for delaying the flush cycle until completion of the drain cycle. The control system can provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined durations.

Abstract: A movable-deck trailer is provided which includes a frame with front and back ends, a tongue assembly mounted on the frame front end and a deck mounted on top of the frame. A wheeled carriage is mounted on the frame between its front and back ends and includes a pair of walking beam assemblies adapted for pivoting with respect to the frame. Each walking beam assembly mounts multiple torque tube axle/suspension assemblies. The carriage is longitudinally movable with respect to the frame and deck. A multiple-vehicle, movable-deck trailer includes multiple deck portions, the rearmost being tiltable. A movable-deck trailer adapted for tilting under the influence of either gravity or hydraulic power includes a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit interconnecting a frame and a tongue assembly thereof. A movable-deck trailer with a deck adapted for raising to the height of a loading dock includes hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering same with respect to a frame.

Abstract: A golf club organizer includes a top plate and a bottom plate sized to form a top and bottom, respectively, of a golf bag. The top plate incorporates a plurality of through bores, each of which tapers inward from the top of the bore to a center portion thereof, and then tapers outward from the center portion of the bore to a bottom opening thereof. The bottom plate includes a plurality of upstanding pegs, each of which is shaped to receive the butt end of a respective golf club with each of the pegs including a drain opening in the center thereof. A plurality of flexible tubes, each with an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the thorough bores, are connected between respective ones of the through bores and the pegs. Golf clubs can be positioned, butt end down into each flexible tube via a respective upper plate through bore until they rest on a respective lower plate peg.

Abstract: A turf toe brace includes a flexible boot adapted for snugly anchoring the brace to a foot of a user, an elongate generally non stretchable strap releasably joinable in a multiplicity of configurations to the boot by a fastening mechanism and a toe loop. The toe loop is joined to the strap opposite the boot. In use the strap passes under the foot and is connected to at least one side of the boot in such a manner as to pull downwardly on the great toe and help prevent hyper-extension of the great toe, especially during work or athletic events.

Abstract: An arm sling comprises a sling pouch in which a retaining strap or belt is secured to a back panel of the sling pouch intermediate the ends of the sling pouch. The restraining strap is secured to the back panel intermediate the ends of the restraining strap and preferably at two points or along two sets of stitches. Opposite ends of the restraining strap are removably securable together by a fastener such that the restraining strap may be readily secured around the torso of the wearer with the sling pouch and the arm therein being held against the wearer's abdomen without pulling on the ends of the sling pouch. The restraining strap is preferably secured to the back panel at a slight angle, approximately five degrees, relative to a bottom edge thereof and from a wrist end to an elbow end of the sling pouch to support the wrist in a slightly elevated orientation relative to the elbow when the sling is donned.

Abstract: A method for promoting a sponsor's products by providing a consumer or potential consumer with sponsor-paid access to the Internet includes the step of distributing a floppy disc with Internet access software thereon. Associated with the floppy disc is a unique PIN number along with instructions on installing and using the Internet access software on a personal computer (PC). The Internet access software accesses and "handshakes" with an "Internet Entry Server", which verifies the PIN number, provides the access and times the sponsor paid Internet access time. In return, the Internet Entry Server performs as registration process which includes a number of personal questions and custom data gathering queries tailored by the sponsor for response by the user and initially gives the user a mandatory "guided tour" of the sponsor's Internet Home Page and domain where the user is exposed to current products and/or services of the sponsor and can download promotional coupons, product information, etc.

Abstract: Benzofuroxan, carboxybenzofuroxan and salts thereof have been identified as insect feeding deterrents with reduced or minimal toxicity relative to halogenated benzofuroxans which are utilized as insecticides. Preferred feeding deterrent compositions include an insect feeding deterrent effective amount of carboxybenzofuroxan or a salt thereof and a suitable carrier.

Abstract: A greaseless mold carrier and alignment system includes a tie rod bracket on each of a pair of lower tie rods of an injection molding machine. Each tie rod bracket has a top bearing plate and a side bearing plate. A center mold section of a stack mold assembly has mold brackets connected to opposite sides thereof, each mold bracket having sets of bearing rollers rotatably supported thereon to engage respective bearing plates. The system provides moving vertical support and lateral alignment to the center mold section for precise engagement with stationary and movable mold sections of the stack mold assembly of the molding machine.

Abstract: A heat and vibration resistant flexible metal hose assembly includes a liner with either spiral or annular corrugations, a medial body section, first and second end sections and first and second tapered, transition sections converging from the body section to the end sections. The corrugations have diameters in the transition sections which decrease from the body section to the end sections. An optional sleeve subassembly receives the liner and comprises a braided woven wire fabric sleeve secured in place on the liner by first and second annular collars welded on sleeve and liner end sections. Vibration is effectively damped by reducing resonance of the piping assembly by covering the liner with the sleeve with contact therebetween, and by providing the tapered transition sections for effectively transmitting vibrational forces from each end to the greater-diameter liner center section.

Abstract: An inflatable protective lining system for shipping containers includes a plurality of double wall inflatable chambers which are interconnected at their edges such that they can be folded to form an enclosure. An article to be protected is placed in the enclosure and the lining system is inserted into a shipping container. The chambers are then inflated via one or more elongate tubes to surround, cushion and protect the enclosed article within the container.

Abstract: An accelerator roll assembly for combines wherein one of the accelerator rolls comprises a conveyor roller having a conveyor belt extending therearound. The improved accelerator roll assembly is particularly adapted for use in a combine including a threshing assembly, straw walkers and a cleaning section and which further includes a belt type conveyor for conveying threshed material falling through the straw walkers to an opening to the cleaning section. An accelerator roll is mounted in front of and in closely spaced relation to a drive roller for the conveyor such that the accelerator roll and the conveyor belt passing around the conveyor drive roller cooperate to accelerate, in a downward direction, threshed material passing therebetween. The threshed material is directed through a rearwardly directed stream of air of sufficient velocity to entrain and carry rearward the lighter chaff and stalk particles while the heavier kernels of grain pass downward through the stream of air to the grain pan.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis having a frame, axles, wheels, and a floor. The frame includes side rails and a tongue assembly. A superstructure is mounted on the frame and includes front, back and opposite side walls. A roof is mounted on top of the side walls. The superstructure components are connected by T-fasteners and are mounted on the frame thereby. A method of assembling a trailer from components includes the steps of providing a frame, mounting side walls on the frame, connecting the side walls and mounting a roof thereon.

Abstract: A collimator for producing an array of non-overlapping parallel microbeams of radiation of adjustable width, from a single wide beam of radiation. The invention comprises two grid assemblies arranged in juxtaposition with each other, each comprising a number of alternating parallel leaves of contrasting X-ray permeability. Each leaf of one grid assembly is of substantially the same thickness as the corresponding leaf of the other grid assembly such that passage of a wide beam of radiation through the grid assemblies results in microbeams of radiation. By offsetting the two grid assemblies slightly, the width of the microbeams may be altered. A housing apparatus is provided to ensure the leaves within one grid assembly remain parallel to one another, and that the leaves of one grid assembly remain parallel to those of the other. A micrometer adjustment apparatus allows precise control of the position of one grid assembly in relation to the other.

Abstract: A tethering system for a novelty balloon comprises a tether having a first portion of a contact type fastener secured thereto and a second portion of a contact type fastener secured to an outer surface of the balloon such that the tether is removably securable to the balloon by contacting the first portion of the contact type fastener on the tether to the second portion of contact type fastener on the balloon. In a preferred embodiment, the tethering system comprises a rod or post having a first portion of a hook and loop type fastener secured at one end and a base secured at an opposite end. A second portion of a hook and loop type fastener is secured to a surface of the balloon such that the tether may be secured to the balloon by pressing the end of the tether having the first portion of the hook and loop type fastener secured thereto against the second portion of hook and loop type fastener on the balloon.