Abstract: An adjustable and customized dental appliance for the mouth of an athlete is comprised of a composite occlusal posterior pad for each side of the posterior teeth engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the teeth and to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable band or wire is provided connecting the posterior pads together in front of the anterior teeth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for urging proper breathing. The apparatus comprises an oral barrier placed in or over the mouth having an air impervious layer to prevent airflow into the mouth and through an oral air passageway. The oral barrier may also have an appendage extending into the mouth to engage the tongue and teeth. The apparatus may also comprise a mouth closer urging the mouth into the closed position to prevent the entry of air through the mouth and into the oral passageway. The mouth closer further secures the tongue in the mouth.

Abstract: A wheel crushing apparatus for crushing scrap vehicle wheels to prepare the scrap wheels for recycling, the scrap wheels having a tire mounted on the wheel, consists of an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a single hydraulic cylinder and piston driven by the hydraulic pump, a crushing head to hold the wheel and tire for crushing the wheel, a number of crushing arms concentric about the crushing head, and radially movable between an extended position wherein the crushing arms contact the tire tread and a contracted position wherein the wheel is crushed, and a linkage connecting all of the crushing arms to the single hydraulic piston, so that all of the crushing arms are driven by the single hydraulic piston between the extended position and the contracted position.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete consists of an occlusal posterior pad made of triple composite material with a base having a top layer of impressionable material, an intermediate layer of hard material and a somewhat impressionable bottom layer, engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the upper and lower teeth, to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable arch adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing. An optional expandable stiffener may be embedded in the arch. Optional protrusions extend from the bottom layer through the intermediate layer and top layer to engage the central fossae of the molar teeth.

Abstract: An adjustable and customized dental appliance for the mouth of an athlete is comprised of an occlusal posterior pad for each side of the posterior teeth engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the teeth and to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable band is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing.

Abstract: A standard truck topper to which the present invention may be attached is generally designated in the Figures by reference numeral 10. The truck topper 10 consists of a front end 12, rear end 14, roof 16, and sidewalls 18. An openable door 20 is generally provided at the rear end 14 of the topper. Such a standard topper is adapted for placement on the bed 24 of a standard pickup truck.

Abstract: A combination knapsack including a mat permanently attached to one of the walls of a main storage compartment and a flap permanently attached to another of the walls of the main storage compartment. In a storage mode of use, the mat is completely retained within the main storage compartment of the knapsack and the flap covers the opening to the main storage compartment. In an operational mode of use, the mat is fully extended outside the knapsack and the flap is either on the knapsack or on the mat to be used as a headrest or pillow. In another embodiment, the knapsack further comprises a blanket that may be closed about the legs of the wearer in a sitting position and an insulating handwarming muff.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lifting connector for elevating the front end of a Freightliner.RTM. semi-tractor. The lifting connector removably attaches to a vehicle's front bumper and to a jacking mechanism. The lifting connector remains attached to the vehicle's front bumper while the jacking mechanism lifts the front portion of the vehicle. The lifting connector works to support the front bumper at a desired elevation with the aid of the jacking mechanism and/or jackstands.

Abstract: A sticker dispenser for holding a tape of stickers and dispensing the stickers one at a time consists of a case; a loading door for inserting the stickers into the case; a movable plunger mounted to the case and movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position by a spring and the plunger having a gear rack; geared wheels meshing with the gear rack for moving the stickers out of the dispenser; and a sticker door for engaging and guiding the tape of stickers as it leaves the case.