Abstract: A lifting device includes a base comprising a horizontal portion for engagement with the bottom of an object to be lifted and a vertical portion for engagement with the side of the object. A handle is secured to the base and extends vertically upwardly from the vertical portion. A handle grip is mounted on the handle for selective engagement to impose an upwardly directive force on the handle and the base, thereby lifting an object mounted on the base in engagement with horizontal and vertical portions thereof. The handle grip may be selectively positioned or located vertically relative to the base. The handle grip may be tubular in construction to facilitate the receipt of a bar therethrough thereby facilitating lifting by multiple persons. The lifting device maybe provided with brackets, slots, apertures, and/or rings for receiving straps or ropes to secure objects to be lifted to the lifting device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are thermally stable ZSM-5 zeolite materials. The novel materials having substantially uniform micropores narrower (about 0.49 nm) or wider (about 0.55 nm and above) than those of conventional ZSM-5 zeolite (0.52-0.54 nm). Also disclosed is a preparation method (desilication/reinsertion/stabilization or DRS) for converting conventional ZSM-5 zeolite materials to the thermally stable zeolite materials of the present invention. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of sequentially treating ZSM-5 zeolite with aqueous solutions of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide to obtain a desilication of the zeolite, reinserting some of the silicon species (mainly sodium orthosilicate and sodium pyrosilicate) which have been selectively removed from the zeolite framework during the desilication operation, and activating the resulting materials in air or in the presence of steam at high temperatures. The amount of the reinserted silicon species depends on the pore size wanted.

Abstract: A differential pressure monitor measures the pressure at a plurality of heights in a filter bed. A preferred embodiment of the monitor comprises an elongated body, a plurality of pressure sensors located on the elongated body for obtaining the pressure readings, a control apparatus for determining differential pressures from the pressure readings, each differential pressure being the difference in pressure between pressures measured at two different heights in the filter bed, and transmission apparatus to transmit the pressure readings from the pressure sensors to the control apparatus. Methods of monitoring and controlling the performance of a filter bed during filtration and during backwashing also are provided. Two such methods include measuring turbidity levels in a filter bed and obtaining water samples from a filter bed.

Abstract: A hand tool for installing small parts such as door bushings in hard to reach areas. The hand tool includes a tool body having a handle section, a transition section and a head section. The head section includes first and second portions. The first and second portions are substantially cylindrical in shape. The diameter of the second portion is smaller than the first portion to readily receive and hold in place a small hollow part such as a bushing. The handle section, transition section and head section are oriented relative to each other to permit an individual to readily install a small part such as bushing in hard to reach areas on the first attempt. Preferably, the transition section and the handle section form an angle greater than 90.degree., while the transition section and the head section form an angle less than 90.degree.. Preferably, the tool body is formed from steel.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system having at least three vibration isolation units. Each of the units preferably has the same general configuration. The isolation units each include a support stand having three (3) adjustable feet for adjustably supporting and leveling the isolation units on the floor of the site of operation of the precision equipment desired to be isolated. The units further include a fluid tight cylinder. The fluid tight cylinder is connected to the support stand via three uniformly spaced rods in such a fashion that allows horizontal movement of the cylinder relative to the support stand. A fluid is disposed in a chamber formed intermediate the fluid tight cylinder and the support stand thereby providing a thin film viscous shear damper for damping excitations having a horizontal component. The fluid tight cylinder is sealed by a diaphragm. A piston is positioned directly above the diaphragm. A pair of stops limit the upward and downward movement of the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to a surface. Preferably, the coating is a polymer fortified cement applied to protect various surfaces. The apparatus includes a support frame and a tank for storing coating materials. The tank is operably associated with the support frame. The tank includes a dispensing conduit for dispensing coating materials onto a surface. The apparatus further includes a coating material applicator operably associated with the support frame for applying the coating material to a surface. In other words, the coating applicator is directly or indirectly connected (i.e. operably associated) to the support frame to apply the coating material to a surface. The coating material applicator includes a first blade, a finishing blade and at least one end blade. The end blade is configured such that the portion directly adjacent the surface to be coated is the thinnest portion of the end blade.

Abstract: A moveable cover assembly including a cover, a support frame, a motor and drive linkage. The motor automatically raises and lowers the cover such that the cover maintains a horizontal orientation throughout the raising and lowering process. This permits the particular object utilizing the cover assembly such as a pick-up truck, a trailer and/or a camper to store and.backslash.or transport tall objects. In an alternative embodiment, the cover is pivotally mounted to the support frame so that the cover can be opened like a hatch back to gain access to the particular object being covered. In another embodiment, the cover may be manually raised and lowered. The manual operation is performed by utilizing a conventional lug wrench. In a further alternative embodiment the support frame is two tiered so that the cover assembly can be raised to greater heights when utilized in environments requiring such, e.g. campers.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and transporting bales of hay or straw. The apparatus includes a chassis, at least one bale receiving table, a bale loader pivotally mounted to the chassis and having an inwardly disposed longitudinal arm and an outwardly disposed longitudinal arm spaced apart by a cross member with at least one of the arms pivotally connected to the cross member. The inwardly or outwardly disposed longitudinal arms are pivotal about the cross member to increase or decrease the distance between the arms so as to grasp or release a bale of hay or straw therebetween. The bale loader is piovotal about the chassis to enable the lifting of a bale of hay or straw onto the bale receiving table. The chassis has a plurality of wheels to permit it to be moved along the surface of the ground.

Abstract: Sludge collection and removal systems are disclosed. The present invention provides methods and apparatus that include piping system of headers and laterals selectively provided with flow from a central point so that sludge can be removed from areas where it accumulates most rapidly. The adaptable nature of the piping system additionally permits the number of collection laterals and orifices to be varied to suit the sludge accumulation characteristics of the sludge basin. Additionally, improved multiple port valves are disclosed that permit the selective connection of the flow among sections in preferred embodiments of the sludge collection systems.

Abstract: A releasable connecting member for a mannequin having a resiliently deformable first contact member with a contact area, connected to one of a support end and object attachment end, and a second contact member, connected to the other of the support end and object attachment end, contacting the contact area. The first contact member includes an adjuster for adjusting the mass of the first contact member in the contact area. The force required to overcome the contact force between the contact area and the second contact member is increased or decreased with a corresponding increase or decrease of mass of the first contact member at the contact area by the adjuster.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for decorating a picture holder having an original picture, with a removable decorative display. The system includes a picture holder having at least one original picture and a decorative covering. The decorative covering has front and rear surfaces. The front surface of the decorative covering has a decorative display formed thereon in conformity with a particular seasonal or special event. The front surface of the decorative covering is opaque so that when mounted over the original picture, the original picture cannot be seen. The decorative display includes a border area and a pictorial area. The border area has a uniform appearance so that the size of the decorative covering can be readily adjusted to fit at least two different size picture holders. The decorative covering is formed from a material exhibiting static cling thereby permitting the decorative covering to be readily mounted over the original picture.

Abstract: A joint for releasably and pivotally connecting a mannequin to a support structure as might be used, for example in simulating martial arts skills such as those associated with judo, wrestling, jujitsu, akido, karate, taekwon do, etc. and other body contact sports including football, rugby and the like and in related testing, training and rehabilitative programs. The support structure includes a pivot member connected to the mannequin having a semispherical shaped pivot contact surface and an annular ring connected to the support having an annular ring contact surface for receiving the pivot member which permits circumductal rotation of the pivot member in the ring. A connector connects the pivot member to a resisting force which acts to constrain the pivot member within the ring against the ring contact surface and to permit pivotal movement of the pivot member within the ring against the force of the resisting force.