Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular storage system for storing items on a trailer. The modular storage system includes a plurality of containers connected to the railing of a trailer. The containers may be modular so as to be selectively arrangeable along the railing. The containers may be connected to the outside or inside of the railing. At least one of the containers may be positioned over a wheel of the trailer and include a wheel well for housing and protecting the wheel. The containers may include lockable lids for protecting the stored items. The containers may further include one or more attachments, such as a tool rack or T-mount.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible shaft (28) to be inserted into a channel of a living body provided with a plurality of adjacently abutting cells (26), the walls (30) of which are formed from wall sections. For this reason the flexible shaft (28), which is particularly cost-effective to produce and which demonstrates high flexibility paired with ample stability, is constructed such that in at least one cell (26) in the cross-section of the wall (30) a concave wall section (44, 46, 48) is circumferentially alternated with a corresponding neighboring convex wall section (50, 52, 54).

Abstract: Pythium, when cultured with crude glycerol as a carbon source, produces useful polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The crude glycerol is pretreated to remove soaps and methanol. An exemplary Pythium species for use in the production of EPA is Pythium irregulare.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a mining and demolition tool are described herein. In an embodiment, a mining bit tool includes a mining and demolition bit tool base and a mining bit tool tip coupled to the mining bit tool base. The base includes a tapered portion and a stem. The tapered portion includes a first end and a second end, with a surface tapering from the first end to the second end. There are at least two flutes positioned along the tapered surface, where a first flute is positioned at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis passing through the center of the mining bit tool and a second flute is positioned to cross a path of the first flute. The stem extends from the first end of the tapered portion, and the tip is coupled to the second end of the tapered portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for distributing the weight of a trailer to a towing vehicle and controlling the sway of that trailer relative to the towing vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention includes a spring arm coupled to the towing vehicle and an attachment mechanism for selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with the trailer. The attachment mechanism includes a bracket assembly reversibly attachable to the trailer; a shoe bracket reversibly attachable to the bracket assembly; and a friction pad coupled to the shoe bracket.

Abstract: A jack assembly for adjusting the height of a trailer is provided. The jack assembly is moveable between an operable and a stowed position. The assembly includes a tube having a slot portion and a slide block moveable within the slot portion. A post connected to the slide block protrudes through an opening in the slot portion to engage a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is movable between a clamped position where the slide block is clamped to the tube to prevent the jack from moving, and an unclamped position where the slide block is movable within the slot portion to allow the jack assembly to be moved between an operable position and a stowed position.

Abstract: A signal converter and method of converting a signal are provided. The converter includes a power supply, microcontroller and current sensor. The microcontroller is connected to a power supply and is configured to receive inputs from a vehicle and output signals to loads of a second vehicle. The sensor is connected to the microcontroller to monitor current flow at the loads. The output channels are configured to stagger activity on the output signals. The microcontroller reduces the duty cycle of the output signals if the current flow rises above a first threshold and resumes the output signal to full strength once the current flow falls below a second threshold. The method includes receiving an input signal, sending an output signal, measuring current flow, measuring temperature, reducing the power of the output signal, and restoring the output signal.

Abstract: An improved projectile having a penetrator and a body is disclosed. The penetrator is secured to the body. Upon impacting a target, the pentrator travels into the body and deforms the body. The body optionally has one or more portions, such as slots in the body, to promote deformation of the body upon the penetrator impacting the target. The body optionally has a bore extending at least partially therethrough that permits attachment of the penetrator at a second end of the body opposite the first end.

Abstract: A device is provided for securing an item comprising a body, a plurality of fingers having a first end secured to the body with the first end having an aperture, a second end, a cavity defined by the interior of the finger that is accessible from the aperture to receive a fluid therein to extend the second end from a first position outwardly from the body to a second position to secure the item, and a plurality of valve elements in fluid communication with the aperture to prevent backflow of the fluid from the cavity.

Abstract: The swivel jack assembly is used with trailers to vertically position a trailer tongue for mounting onto a hitch of the towing vehicle. The swivel jack assembly includes a jack-mounting bracket welded to an outer housing of the jack, and a tongue-mounting bracket mounted onto the tongue portion of a trailer. The jack also includes a novel swivel mechanism for pivoting the mechanism in either an upright support position or a horizontal stowed position. A cup-shaped section of the jack-mounting bracket nests within a cup-shaped section of the tongue-mounting bracket. When in the upright position, the jack extends vertically and may be used to raise or lower the tongue and support the trailer. The swivel jack assembly keeps the trailer in a level position when the trailer is disengaged from the towing vehicle. The swivel jack assembly is pivotally mounted onto the trailer tongue such that they can be pivotally repositioned to a stowed position when not in use.