Abstract: An interchangeable hitch ball assembly that may be easily interchangeable with the hitch of a towing vehicle and that may prevent a trailer socket from being connected to the hitch ball prior to securing the hitch ball to the hitch bar. The hitch ball assembly may include a ball member, a body, a passageway, at least one locking member, an elongated member located within the passageway and biased toward the at least one locking member, and a plunger capable of being moved by the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked or release position. The plunger may be moved toward the locking member to force at least a portion of the locking member outside of the body to lock the assembly. The plunger may be moved away from the locking member to allow the locking member to retreat into the body and unlock the assembly.

Abstract: A manual litter box provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the manual litter box is configured to use a disposable cartridge which may include a litter compartment and a waste compartment. In another embodiment, the cartridge may be non-compartmentalized. The cartridge may be disposable, thus eliminating the need for the user to clean the litter tray and handle heavy litter containers. In other embodiments, the system includes a rake assembly configured with a manual shuttle chassis drive assembly that is protected from contamination. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the manual litter box is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spreader structure (10) for introducing into a hollow organ, comprising spreader rods (12), which radiate from a first connection section (14) essentially in the longitudinal direction (36) of the spreader structure (10) up to a second connection section (16), are distributed around the periphery of the spreader structure (10) and can be placed against a wall of a hollow organ by means of radial expansion. The aim of the invention is to provide a spreader structure (10), which is versatile and cost-effective to produce. To achieve this, the spreader rods (10) have at least one zone (22) running in the longitudinal direction, which has a reduced flexural strength in comparison to neighboring zones (20, 24). The invention also relates to the use of said spreader structure, to a spreader device and to a method for positioning a spreader structure.

Abstract: A system and method for filling a collapsible container are provided. Such a collapsible container may be made of a relatively rigid portion and a collapsible portion, with the collapsible portion having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. An obstruction maintains the collapsible portion in the collapsed condition while the container is filled with contents. The obstruction may remain in place until the container is capped and sealed with the contents stored inside the container.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes a cylinder head having a plurality of exhaust ports. Integrally formed with the cylinder head are a plurality of independent and separate tubes. The tubes are cast, molded or otherwise integrally formed with the exhaust ports of the cylinder head. The cylinder head and tubes eliminate the need for an exhaust flange, welding the tubes to the exhaust flange and securing the exhaust flange to the cylinder head. As a result, the exhaust system has less weight and improved performance over prior art cylinder head and exhaust assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for a winch assembly. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly. Embodiments of a winch assembly disclosed include novel drive systems, novel ratchet and pawl systems, novel systems for guiding a winch strap, novel systems for securing the winch assembly to a towing trailer, and a novel frame member for a winch assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a mining and demolition tool are described herein. In an embodiment, a mining and demolition bit tool includes a mining 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 is at least one flute positioned along the tapered surface, where the flute is helical in shape. The stem extending 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 provides a retractable adapter for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The retractable adapter may include a lower housing, an upper housing and a retractable mechanism to store the wiring harness when not in use with the towed vehicle. The lower housing may be attached to the towing vehicle. The adapter may include a rotating disc assembly, a wire guide assembly and an electrical connector or wiring harness that may be coiled around the wire guide assembly. The adapter may also include a circuit tester with light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a backup alarm. In addition, the adapter may mate a seven-way blade connector to a four-flat connecter harness.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a trailer wiring connector is described. The mounting bracket may attach the electrical connector to a cross bar of a towing vehicle. The mounting bracket may include an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing may include a mounting aperture and a plurality of slots. The lower housing may include a threaded aperture and a plurality of tabs. The tabs may be capable of engagement with the slots to secure the upper housing to the lower housing. The lower housing may also include a clamping fastener, such as a set screw, that may be capable of engagement with a threaded aperture, wherein the set screw may be capable of clamping engagement with the electrical connector. The mounting bracket may also include a cover capable of engagement with the electrical connector.

Abstract: A body mount included at least one clip, at least one plate and a sleeve. The clip may include a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture therethrough. The clip may further include at least one set of inwardly extending prongs. The clip may further include at least one set of outwardly extending prongs. The sleeve may have opposed openings capable of engaging a first clip and a second clip between their respective plates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for determining a fluid level in a vessel. The system comprises a first differential pressure transducer, a second differential pressure transducer, a pressure delivery system, and a fluid passage. The first differential pressure transducer includes a first side and a second side. The first side is selectively in fluid communication with a portion of the vessel above the fluid level. The second differential pressure transducer includes a third side and a fourth side. The third side is selectively in fluid communication with a portion of the vessel below the fluid level. The fluid passage is in fluid communication with the second side of the first transducer, the fourth side of the second transducer, and the pressure delivery mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ramp insert for insertion between rails and/or rungs of a ramp. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body that may have an adjustable length. The body may include a first section that may include a track portion and a second section that may include a groove portion. The groove portion may be capable of fitting together with the track portion. The first or second section may be capable of slidably moving with respect to the other section via the track portion and the groove portion. The ramp insert may be placed between the rails and/or rungs of the ramp whereby the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths. Since the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths, the ramp insert may fit many different kinds of ramps having various widths.

Abstract: A method of increasing strength, flexibility, and coordination that may establish a person's baseline strength, flexibility, and coordination, while identifying any deficiencies to establish an exercise regimen to address those deficiencies. The method may also include a systematic and consistent warm-up step that will ensure the proper building of strength, flexibility, and coordination while minimizing any potential injury. Lastly, the method may be capable of accurately measuring the progress of the person's training regimen.

Abstract: A convertible implement is provided having a first implement with a first operable head connected to a first handle. The first implement is removably connected to a second implement having a second operable head connected to a second handle.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging a locking differential. In an embodiment, an assembly for use with a locking differential is provided. The assembly includes an actuator, a housing, a shaft, a pair of biasing members, a side gear, and a locking pin. The actuator is arranged to move the assembly from a first position to a second position. The housing is coupled to the actuator. The first biasing member biases the housing, and the second biasing member biases the housing and shaft. The side gear includes an aperture for engaging the locking pin. The locking pin is coupled to the shaft such that the biasing of the shaft determines whether the locking pin is biased into engagement with the aperture or out of engagement with the aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects possessing minute but significant details is described. At its core, the system includes a user interface, means for comparatively identifying the object and means for displaying results. Notably, because the system does not rely upon highly specialized or complex equipment, the invention is expected to have particular applicability in a wide variety of every-day situations. Moreover, the system is explicitly designed for user friendliness, so as to eliminate that need for extensive training for any prospective user of the system. The system should have particular applicability in key blank identification and key duplication processes.