Abstract: A portable utility shelf having a first shell pivotably connected to a second shell. A channel having a slot is located in the front surface of at least one of the shells. A fastener is mounted in the slot in the channel. The fastener allows for mounting one shell on an attachment surface and pivoting the utility shelf to an open position to create a work surface on the other shell.

Abstract: The beacon for increasing the visibility of a person floating in water. The beacon includes a flotation core constructed of a buoyant material, an outer cover and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism allows the beacon to be attached to a user, user's clothing or life jacket worn by the user. The beacon floats in an essentially vertical position when the bottom end of the beacon is submerged in water.

Abstract: A post attachment device for connecting a helmet to a head and neck support. The device includes a post anchor having a base, a button, a resilient member, a post, a retainer and a catch having a slot with a larger first section connected by a channel to a smaller second section. The button is positioned in an indention in the base with the resilient member positioned therebetween. The post extends through the button, the base and the helmet. The retainer is secured on the post adjacent the inner surface of the helmet. To secure the post attachment device, the catch is orientated over the post. The button is then depressed into the base while the catch is moved backwards to move the post into the second section of the slot.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable hitch having a locking latch. The hitch is quickly adjustable along a vertical hitch bar using pins to secure the hitch. The upper portion of the first end of the body is offset from the center of the mounting base for the hitch in a first direction. The first end of the latch is also offset from the center of the mounting bracket. When the offset latch is secured to the offset, upper portion of the body, the single pivot point of the latch is in the center of the mounting base. The hitch has a locking mechanism which allows the latch to be locked in the open or closed position.

Abstract: A post attachment device for connecting a helmet to a head and neck support. The device includes a post anchor having a base, a button, a resilient member, a post, a retainer and a catch having a slot with a larger first section connected by a channel to a smaller second section. The button is positioned in an indention in the base with the resilient member positioned therebetween. The post extends through the button, the base and the helmet. The retainer is secured on the post adjacent the inner surface of the helmet. To secure the post attachment device, the catch is orientated over the post. The button is then depressed into the base while the catch is moved backwards to move the post into the second section of the slot.

Abstract: A kingpin adaptor system which enables a fifth wheel trailer to be connected to a towing vehicle having an upside down kingpin. The kingpin adaptor system includes an inverted fifth wheel head assembly and a kingpin adaptor. The kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer is secured in one end of the kingpin adaptor and the fifth wheel head assembly is mounted at the other end of the kingpin adaptor. The kingpin adaptor system enables a towing vehicle with a kingpin in an upside down position to tow a fifth wheel trailer without greatly increasing the leverage on the pin box of the trailer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and device for supporting a tool (16, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E 16F, 16G or 16H) or display item (16J) on the rim (17, 47A or 87) of a container (18, 47, 87A or 88), a support bracket (36), a support rod (45 or 45B, or a flat surface (9). The support (12, 12B, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, or 92) extends from the handle (13, 38, 43, 53, 63, 77, or 83) of the tool or the joining leg (93) of the universal support hanger and has an aperture (16, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F, 16G, 14H or 16J) with a sloping line (14, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H or 14J). The sloping line creates a variable sized aperture. The internal surface of the variable sized aperture is in contact with the rim of the container, support bracket or upper support rod thereby securing the tool or universal support hanger in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A ventilation fan assembly (10) having a fan (22) mounted in a housing (12) and a shutter assembly (60). The housing has a square inlet portion (12C), a circular center portion (12E) and a conical outlet portion (12D) having rifling grooves (20). The shoulder (16) formed between the inlet portion and the center portion is radiused to reduce disruption of air flowing from the inlet portion to the center portion. The shape of the blades (32) of the propeller (28) is such that the axial velocity produced as the propeller rotates is essentially constant along the length of the blades. The shutter assembly has a large, radiused entrance and airfoil shaped blades which reduce air disruption. The blades have a flexible flap (68) along the trailing edges (64D) which form a seal between adjacent blades to prevent air from leaking from the housing through the shutter assembly.

Abstract: An air and water hose apparatus for use in an air supply system for firefighters. The air and water hose apparatus has an air hose completely within the water hose. The air and water hose apparatus comprises only a single length of the overall water hose of the system. This ensures that no part of the air hose is exposed to possible damage. The system supplies high pressure air to the firefighters. The system allows for easy connect and disconnect of the air and water hose apparatus to the firefighter's mask and preferably can be used with standard self-contained breathing apparatus having a mask and a regulator. A branched conduit allows several firefighters to be attached to a single air and water hose apparatus.

Abstract: A kingpin coupler for allowing a user to connect a trailer having a kingpin to a towing vehicle. The kingpin coupler includes a head assembly, casting, jaws and a locking slide bar. The jaws are pivotably mounted in the housing and are biased into the open position by springs. When the jaws are in the open position and the locking slide bar is unlocked, the jaws prevent the locking slide bar from moving to the closed position. When the hitch ball is moved between the jaws, the jaws move to the closed position and, the unlocked, locking slide bar automatically moves to the closed position across the front of the jaws when the jaws are in the closed position.

Abstract: A combination pot includes an outer pot, one (1) or more inner pots and a support frame to support the inner pots in the outer pot. The support frame has a main frame structure and one (1) or more basket supports. The basket supports are connected to the main frame structure and extend downward into the interior of the outer pot. The size and shape of the basket supports are similar to the size and shape of the inner pots. To create the combination pot, filler soil is partially filled into the interior of the outer pot. The support frame is then positioned in the outer pot. The remainder of the filler soil is filled in around the support frame. Next, filler plants are planted in the filler soil. Finally, the inner pots having plant soil and decorative plants are inserted into the basket supports.

Abstract: A flange assembly (10) for connecting a plumbing fixture to a drain pipe (106) in a fluid sealing relationship. The flange assembly includes a ring (12), an extension (20), a gasket (24) and a connector pipe (30). The extension extends outward from the top surface (12A) of the ring and the connector pipe extends outward from the bottom surface (12B) of the ring. The gasket is mounted over the end of the extension opposite the ring. The top wall (24A) of the gasket has an opening (26) which allows access to the center bore (22) of the extension. The waste outlet (104) of the plumbing fixture is inserted through the opening (26) in the top wall of the gasket into the center bore of the extension. When the waste outlet is inserted into the opening in the gasket, the gasket forms a seal between the waste outlet and the extension.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor having a conveyor motor which uses bellows to provide the driving force for the conveyor. The conveyor includes a housing within which is mounted the conveyor motor. The conveyor motor has a pair of bellows, a drive plate and a fluid control system. The drive plate is movably mounted between the bellows. The conveyor plate is mounted to the top end of the drive plate. The fluid control system includes a main control valve, a pair of limit switches, a pair of valves and a flow control valve. The fluid control system allows for inflation of one bellow at a greater rate than inflation of the other bellow.

Abstract: A cabinet and a method and kit for constructing a cabinet (10, 210, 310). The cabinet includes a top plate (12, 312), a bottom plate (16, 216, 316), side or corner panels (20, 220, 320) and rods (22, 222, 322). The components of the cabinet can be provided in a kit along with fasteners (24) to secure the components together and covers to hide the ends of the fasteners. The top and bottom plates have holes (14, 18, 318) which accommodate the ends (22A, 322A, 22B, 322B) of the rods. The panels have curved surfaces (20F, 220F, 320F) along their sides which engage the outer surface (22C, 222C, 322C) of the rods. The connection of the rods and the panels provides a finished appearance to the cabinet.

Abstract: A marionette having a controller and a puppet. The controller having a pair of control wings pivotably connected at the second end to one end of a control rod. The other end of the control rod is connected to the puppet. The puppet can have a human form with a head, torso, arms and legs. A pair of control strings extend from the first ends of the control wings to the arms of the puppet. The arms of the puppet are connected to the torso so as to allow a wide range of movement of the arms. The puppet is moved by tilting and pivoting the control wings on the end of the control rod and by moving the control rod.

Abstract: An adjustable hitch assembly for mounting in the bed of a truck. The hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly for removably securing the hitch assembly in the bed of the truck. The mounting assembly has end rails and side rails with a mounting sleeve mounted between the side rails. The telescoping tower includes an inner tower and a top plate and is slidably inserted into the interior of the mounting sleeve. The inner tower of the telescoping tower has holes which can be aligned with holes in the mounting sleeve. Pins are inserted into the holes in the mounting sleeve and holes in the inner tower to secure the inner tower at a set height in the mounting sleeve.

Abstract: A tracheostomy valve (10) having a low profile for use on a tracheal tube (100) of a user. The tracheostomy valve is a unidirectional valve which allows gases to enter into the tracheal tube but does not allow gases to exit the tracheal tube through the tracheostomy valve. The valve includes a valve body (12), a flapper valve (24), a valve clamp (26) and a cover (32). The valve body has notches (30) which provide inlets (18) for the gases to move past the valve body. The valve clamp has grooves which provide inlets for the gases to move past the valve clamp into the valve body. The cover mounts over the second end (12B) of the valve body and holds the valve clamp and flapper valve in position in the hole of the valve body.

Abstract: A valve for use in a floor drain to prevent the backflow of fluids from the drain system. The valve includes a valve member and a collar. The first end of the valve member is mounted to the outer surface of the second portion of the collar. In the normal position, the sidewall of the valve member at the second end of the valve member is curled and the valve is in the closed position. When a preset amount of fluid pressure is provided through the collar to the first end of the valve member, the sidewall of the valve member flexes to an open position forming an inner passageway between the ends of the valve member.

Abstract: A delineator pole (10) and a mower attachment (100) for turning the delineator pole is described. The delineator pole includes a top portion (10A), a center portion (10C) and a bottom portion (10B) and is intended to be rotatably mounted in the ground (50) adjacent a road. The mower attachment is mounted on the mowing vehicle (150). The mowing attachment includes a bracket (102) and a bumper (110) connected to the bracket by first, second and third connector rods (104, 106 and 108). The connector rods are flexible and resilient such that when the bumper contacts the delineator pole to rotate the delineator pole, the connector rods flex to enable the bumper to turn the delineator pole.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor having a conveyor motor which uses bellows to provide the driving force for the conveyor. The conveyor includes a housing within which is mounted the conveyor motor. The conveyor motor has a pair of bellows, a drive plate and a fluid control system. The drive plate is movably mounted between the bellows. The conveyor plate is mounted to the top end of the drive plate. The fluid control system includes a main control valve, a pair of limit switches, a pair of valves and a flow control valve. The fluid control system allows for inflation of one bellow at a greater rate than inflation of the other bellow.