Abstract: A medical vest (10) and a method of using the vest to provide emergency medical care to a patient (102), are described. The vest includes an IV container (28) and a medical supply container (58) which are mounted on mounting pads (22, 24 or 26) on the front (12) or back (14) of the vest. The containers are also connected to the shoulders (16) of the vest by shoulder straps (27). The IV container is configured to carry an IV bag (150) as well as all the medical supplies necessary to provide an IV to a patient. The container is constructed so as to remain in the open position to allow the user to use both hands to tend to the patient. A clip strap (46) with a self-closing hook (48) is provided with the container to allow the container to be hooked near a patient for transport with the patient. The medical supply container has a variety of uses and can be provided with inserts with loops (69) for holding airway equipment or inserts without loops to hold additional emergency medical supplies.

Abstract: A wrecker truck (100) for transporting disabled vehicles is described. The truck includes an under carriage assembly (24), a subframe (10) and a deck (50). The subframe is preferably tiltably mounted on the under carriage assembly (102). The subframe includes a pair of rails (12 and 13) each having an inner rail member (34) and an outer rail member (36). The rail members are mounted parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis A--A of the truck such that a slot (38) formed between the rail members extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck. The deck is preferably slidably mounted on the subframe. The deck has a pair of T-shaped sliding members (52) mounted on the bottom side (50B) of the deck. The sliding members have a top cross bar (52A) and a vertical bottom bar (52B). Holding braces (46) having a short leg (46A) and a long leg (46B) are mounted along the length of the rail members such that the top leg extends parallel to the top wall of the rail member.

Abstract: A feed arm (10) for use with a debarking and delimbing machine (100). The arm is constructed of a first section (12) and a second section (14) which are slidably connected together using an insert (16). The first section is securely mounted on the lower frame (114) of the machine adjacent the end opening (108) at the infeed side opening (110). The feed arm acts to move and guide the trees (150) to be debarked and delimbed into the flailing station (102) of the machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a shroud (10; 40) for use in apparatus incorporating cyclonic dust separation structure for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, the shroud (10; 40) including a perforated portion (14; 44) having a multiplicity of perforations (30; 46) for allowing the airflow to pass therethrough. According to invention, the perforated portion (14) has a lower edge (16) and a lip (18) depending therefrom, the lip (18) including a parallel-sided portion (34) having an inclined distal end and a step (38) formed radially inwardly of the parallel-sided portion (34) and at the proximal end thereof. The invention improves performance of the dust separation apparatus in conjunction with which the shroud (10; 40) is utilized.

Abstract: The invention provides dust separating apparatus (10) including a cyclone (14) having an outer wall (14a) and an air inlet (12), a shroud (16) and an airflow path, the airflow path being arranged so as to direct an airflow flowing, in use, in the dust separating apparatus into the cyclone (14) via the air inlet (12) and out of the cyclone through the shroud (16). The air inlet (12) of the cyclone (14) is formed by a conduit (12a) projecting into the cyclone (14) between the outer wall (14a) and the shroud (16). This allows a swivel coupling to be attached to the air inlet (12) providing greater flexibility and maneuverability of the dust separating apparatus (10).

Abstract: A flight control apparatus (10, 210, 310 or 410) for use in a model airplane (50, 250, 350 or 450) is described. The apparatus includes a weight (20, 220, 320 or 420) and a resilient band (24, 224, 324 or 424). In the first three embodiments, the weight is mounted in a housing (12, 212 or 312) with the resilient band connected between the weight and the housing. In the fourth embodiment, the weight is mounted on the fuselage (452) of the airplane. The airplane is launched using a standard slingshot-like launching device (56). The resilient member (56A) is mounted around the extension (22, 222 or 422) of the weight in the first, second and fourth embodiments. In the third embodiment, the resilient member is mounted around a hook (354) on the head (350A) of the airplane. To launch, the user (100) holds the tail (60) of the airplane and pulls forward on the post (56B) of the launching device which pulls the weight of the apparatus to the forward most position.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (100) including an airflow path, dirt and dust collecting device arranged in the airflow path, a motor or fan unit (110) for causing air to flow along the airflow path and also arranged therein, a first filter (112) arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit (110) and a second filter (114) arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit (110), wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use the dirt and dust collecting device are made accessible or removed for emptying or replacement, both filters (112, 114) are visible to the user. This arrangement encourages the user of the vacuum cleaner to regularly maintain both filters (112, 114), thus improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner (100).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the Fiber Orientation Distribution (FOD) in an injection molded polymer is described. The transparent sample (12) is comprised of a matrix material, reinforcing fibers and opaque tracer fibers (12A) which are analyzed to determine the FOD and the fiber length of all fibers in the sample. The sample is formed in an injection molding apparatus (14) which includes an injection mold (16) and an injection molding unit (34). The sample is constructed and placed in the imaging apparatus (58) in order to be optically sectioned. The imaging apparatus includes an inverted microscope (60), a camera with a controller (62), a motion controller board (64) and a frame grabber (66). The sample is scanned along three (3) axes in x-y plane in the field of view of the microscope at increasing depths in the sample along the z-axis which is the line of sight of the microscope. The 3D images are analyzed to determine the FOD and fiber length of the fibers in the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rating geographical areas based on the severity and/or frequency of different meteorological conditions. To determine the rating of a geographical area, raw data information from meteorological charts is gathered. The raw data scale for each meteorological condition is divided into ranges. The distribution of the geographical areas over the entire scale is determined. Individual rating factors are assigned to each of the ranges based on the distribution of the geographical areas throughout the scale. The individual rating factors are preferably selected such that the incremental change in the individual rating factors between ranges is preferably proportional to the incremental change in the number of geographical areas between the same ranges. All the individual rating factors for a single geographical area are used to calculate a cumulative rating factor for the geographical area.

Abstract: A combination square and bending tool (10, 210 or 310) is described. The tool has a first leg (12, 212 or 312) and a second leg (14, 214 or 314) with the first leg having a bending portion. The bending portion includes a plate (16 and 18 and 316 and 318) mounted on the first leg and parallel and spaced apart from the first leg to create a slot (20, 220 and 320). To bend metal, the metal is inserted into the slot and the tool is rotated using the second leg to provide leverage.

Abstract: A mailbox system (10) for the delivery and retrieval of mail, is described. The mailbox system has a rack ladder system (12) within which is mounted mailboxes and parcel lockers (30). The back of the mailbox system is closed by back doors (46 and 48). The doors are mounted by hinges (50) to the rear face plates (42) of the rack ladder system. The doors have a locking system (52) which prevents the doors from being opened from the inside of the boxes or lockers and allows quick and easy access to all the boxes or lockers at the same time. The locking system has a top and bottom lock rod (54 and 56) and a handle assembly (60). When the handle (66) of the handle assembly is rotated, the rods move into and out of top and bottom lock brackets (78 and 80) to allow for locking and unlocking the doors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading a container (250) onto a trailer (10) for transport by a vehicle (200) and for unloading the container from the trailer. The trailer includes a frame (32) mounted on two rear axles (36 and 38), a lift device (86) and front and rear securing pads (68 and 44). An adjustable and removable spider (122) is connected to the lift device and connects to the front end (250A) of the container to allow the lift device to move the container onto the trailer. To load the container, the spider is adjusted to the correct height by adjusting the length of the side members (126). Adaptors (154) can also be used for shorter containers. The lift device is extended and the spider is attached to the top and bottom corners (252 and 254) of the container. Securing chains (164) having lifting lugs (166) and are connected between the spider and the bottom corners of the container. The lift device is then retracted and the container is loaded onto the trailer.

Abstract: An instantaneous reversible scarf consisting of a neckpiece, built out of two similar patterns (1 and 2), and a bib or chestpiece, constructed of 2 similar patterns (13,14), and a hook 15. Patterns 1 and 13, and patterns 2 and 14 are fastenened separately prior to constructing the scarf. The single pieces obtained from fastening the conjugate patterns are then fastened together so as to construct a single double sided piece having a chestpiece and a neckpiece. A fastener 16 and its mate 17 are placed on opposite ends and opposite faces of neckpiece and a hook 15 is attached to the resulting shape for ease of storing.

Abstract: A figure (10) for use in attracting animals is described. The figure is formed by a right and left side (12 and 14) which are matched together and sealed around their outer circumference (12A and 14A) to form an airtight inner chamber (26). The sides essentially have the shape of the animal. Internal bonded sections (28A to 28F) within the circumference (10A) of the figure divide the inner chamber into smaller, interconnected air passageways (30). The figure is provided with guy wire flaps (16B) and stake flaps (16A) which allow for mounting guy wires (18) and stakes (24) on the figure in order to hold the figure in an upright position.

Abstract: A polarity indicator (10) for identifying the polarity of the terminals (104 and 106) of a vehicle battery (102). The indicator includes a housing (12) which is mounted by a fastener (14) on to the vehicle battery. The top wall (12A) of the housing has positive and negative indicia (16 and 18) for assisting the user in identifying the terminals of the vehicle battery. An electrical circuit is mounted within the housing of the indicator. The circuit includes a pair of light bulbs (30), a battery (32) and a time delay opening switch (34). The indicator is activated by pressing the button (34A) of the switch to complete the circuit which causes the light bulbs to illuminate the positive and negative indicia of the indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for removing hulls (152) from a nut mixture (150) is described. The apparatus includes a gravity feed bin (12), a conveyor (28) and removal units (38). The removal units are comprised of a drum (40), a position roller (50), a beater (56) and a brush (64) around all of which extends a fibrous mat (96). The fibrous mat has looped or curved fibers (96C) and is formed as a continuous belt in the removal unit. To operate the apparatus, the mixture is fed from the gravity feed bin onto the conveyor belt (30) of the conveyor. As the mixture moves along a horizontal path of the conveyor, the mixture comes in contact with the fibrous mat rotating in the removal units. The looped fibers of the mat contact and engage the projections (152A) on the outer surface of the hulls and secure the hulls to the mat. As the mat continues to rotate through the unit the hulls secured to the mat are removed from the mixture on the conveyor.

Abstract: A bracket (10) for mounting a container (100) on a standard, manually movable golf cart (150), is described. The bracket includes a first portion (12) and a second portion (24) which are slidably connected together. The first portion has a connector bar (16) with a mounting post (18) for mounting the first portion on the bottom end (102B) of the body (102) of the golf cart. The second portion is angled and has a support bar (28) adjacent the second end (26B). The container has sleeves (152) which mount over the second end of the second portion and allows for removably attaching the container to the bracket. When the bracket is mounted on the golf cart and the second portion is disconnected from the first portion and the first portion acts to support the bottom portion (108A) of the golf bag (108).

Abstract: A carrier (10) for transporting a snowboard (100) is described. The carrier includes a panel (12) on which are mounted top and bottom securing straps (24 and 26) which are securing through top and bottom securing buckles (30 and 32), on the opposite side of the panel. The snowboard is mounted adjacent the inner surface (12F) of the panel such that the sides (12C and 12D) of the panel are adjacent the sides (100C) of the board. A first carrying strap (34) is mounted at the top (12A) of the panel on the right side (12C) and a second carrying strap is mounted at the bottom (12B) of the panel on the left side (12D). The second ends (24B and 26B) of the first and second carrying straps are connected together to form a complete strap. To use, the user (102) inserts an arm (104) and head (106) through the complete strap such that the complete strap extends across the torso (108) of the user and the panel is adjacent the back (110) of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10, 110 or 210) for cleaning the barrel (100) of a gun, is described. The apparatus includes a container (12, 112 or 212) and a cleaning rod (54). The container has end caps (30 and 32) which seal the container and form an inner chamber (12A, 112A or 212A). The top end cap has an opening for insertion of the cleaning rod. The end caps have holders (48) with recesses (48C) which hold the ends of the barrel in the container. The holders preferably have an opening in the bottom wall (48D) of the recess and orifices (52) around the sidewall. To use, the barrel of the gun is mounted in the bottom end cap inside the container and cleaning fluid (102) is poured into the container. The top end cap is sealed onto the container and the cleaning rod is inserted into the container and into the inside of the barrel.