Abstract: A sluice-gate wall thimble has a support stem (1, 12) which covers an embedment side of a sluice-gate nut (2) and is fixable to a wall anchor (5, 11). The sluice-gate nut is inside threaded and fixable to an embedment side (16) of a predetermined sluice-gate wall (7) with an axis of the sluice-gate nut being in line concentrically with an axis of a wall-bolt aperture (8) on the predetermined sluice-gate wall. A plurality of the support stems on a plurality of the sluice-gate nuts in line with a plurality of the wall-bolt apertures and fixed to at least one wall anchor are employed first to prevent encroachment of fluid concrete (3) or other foundation material onto inside-diameter threading (4) of the plurality of sluice-gate nuts during construction of a predetermined sluice gate.

Abstract: A PVC-pipe-end smooth-surfacer has a reamer cylinder (1) sized and shaped to fit slidably on an outside periphery of an external periphery of a PVC pipe (2) proximate a pipe end (12) to be cut with a cutting wheel (5) rotatable in a cylinder-base bearing (3) while a cutter shaft (4) on the cutter wheel is being rotated with a cutting element (15, 16) of the cutting wheel in cutting contact with the pipe end. A shaft keeper (14) on the cutter shaft assures limited travel of the cutter shaft through the cylinder-base bearing. An insertion spring (10) on the cutter shaft positions the cutting wheel in predetermined pressure against the pipe end. A reamer-cylinder base can have chip-removal apertures (13) for discharge of pipe-end cuttings. The reamer cylinder can have one or more internal graspers (23, 24) which can be used to center and to fix the reamer cylinder non-rotationally but removably on the external periphery of the PVC pipe.

Abstract: A transparent planar storm shield has framed panels (1, 2, 12) with predetermined transparency and predetermined resistance to storm pressure and to storm-debris impact. Panels (3, 9, 10) of the framed panels are preferably shatter-proof plastic material that includes predetermined polycarbonate. Frames (4, 5, 6, 7, 13) of the framed panels have strengths in proportion to thicknesses for predetermined storm protection by predetermined areas of the storm shield. The storm shield is a cover of a predetermined portion of a building orifice which can include a door or a window. The predetermined resistance to storm pressure and to storm-debris impact of the panels is about an equivalent to a commercial grade of polycarbonate or an equivalent thereof that is twenty-five inches square with a thickness of one-eighth of an inch and being rectangular with less than twenty-five percent deviation from being square.

Abstract: A fixable-seal sluice gate has a valve vise (18, 19, 25, 26, 31, 32) that forces a sluice-gate valve uniformly and tightly in sealing-surface contact with a domed seal ring (4) that is fixable conveniently and removably intermediate a sluice-gate plate (3) and a sluice-gate wall (1) of a sluice-gate flange that encompasses a valve side of a sluice-gate aperture (2). A plate locator on the valve vice sets the sluice-gate plate in predetermined sealing-contact position for select structure of the fixable-seal sluice gate. The domed seal ring is a plastic material such as Hypalon® having predetermined toughness to resist particle embedment in combination with having predetermined softness for select uses and objectives. A dome flange (5, 6) on one or both sides of a base of the domed seal ring is bracketed removably to optionally the sluice-gate wall or the sluice-gate plate for rigid, reliable, long-enduring and yet quick and convenient attachment and detachment of the domed seal ring.

Abstract: A mixture of granulated particles comprising ceramic fibers sized to pass through a screen having an opening measuring not more than 3/4of an inch, a binder of colloidal silica, and water are mixed to form a granulated mixture. The ceramic fibers comprise 68.3 wt % of the mixture, colloidal silica comprises 7.5 wt %, and water comprises 24.2 wt % of the mixture. Further, the mixture may be encased in a moistureproof bag for storage and shipping.

Abstract: A vertical-rebar-support system has a ring base (1) oriented horizontally intermediate side walls (2) of a concrete-foundational excavation (3). A vertical-rebar receptacle (4, 9, 10, 18) is off-centered on the ring base and a rebar-L-base receptacle (7, 8) for an L-bent rebar (5) is disposed oppositely on the ring base to retain a vertical rebar rigidly upright. Optionally, a vertical rebar (17) without an L-bend can be used for some construction and in non-hurricane areas. The ring base and vertical rebar can be positioned above or below horizontal rebar (13) proximate a bottom (15) of the concrete-foundational excavation. A use method is rotating the ring base with the vertical rebar attached to position the vertical rebar laterally between the side walls of the concrete-foundational excavation while moving the ring base intermediate terminal ends (19) of the concrete-foundational excavation in accordance with a guide line (20) and desired measurements.

Abstract: A spring-hinged actuator has a first attachment member (1) joined pivotally to a second attachment member (2) with a hinge (3). The first attachment member and the second attachment member are spring-tensioned pivotally on the hinge with at least one torsional spring (4, 5) fastened to the first attachment member. At least one base torsional extension (6, 8) of the torsional spring is positioned to direct base torsional-spring pressure against the first attachment member in a first rotational direction and to direct torsionally rotative spring pressure in an oppositely second rotational direction against the second attachment member. The first attachment member and the second attachment member have sides at a dihedral angle proximate an axis of the hinge. The dihedral angle is maintained in opposition to opposite-directionally rotative pressure from the torsional spring by a releasable tensioner (14) that is extended intermediate the first attachment member and the second attachment member.

Abstract: An after-wet-adhesion building-block system has building blocks (1) with moisture-conveyance means from outside surfaces (4) to adhesive material (3) in a dry state between the building blocks for set-up adhesion after construction. The moisture-conveyance means can be design moisture porosity of the building blocks or such features as moisture-conveyance sections (16), moisture-conveyance contact surfaces of blocks, or moisture-conveyance material (13) intermediate the building blocks. The adhesive in a dry state can be pre-applied, applied with a brush or other applicator, contained in a paper or other moisture-conveyance material that is laid on the blocks successively during construction, sprinkled on with an applicator, or applied otherwise in a dry state.

Abstract: The present invention improves both the quality and the flow of air delivered by a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans provide limited indoor air flow, but do not function as air quality improvement apparatus. The present invention provides all ceiling fans with an ability to increase indoor air quality where they operate. One or a combination of a physical/chemical filter, an electrostatic particulate matter remover, a heating unit, and a secondary multidirectional fan provide consumers with air quality improvement options for ceiling fans to fulfill their specific needs for a given area.

Abstract: A water aerator (1) has a vertically oriented aerator tube (2) with a plurality of water-inlet apertures (3, 16) that preferably are downwardly slanted intermediate an air-inlet end and a water-outlet end of the aerator tube. The aerator tube is positioned linearly inside of a water-input sleeve (4) having a water-input aperture (5) that is proximate a top of the aerator tube. A bottom end of the water-input sleeve is sealed to a portion of the aerator tube that is vertically below the plurality of water-inlet apertures. A one-way air-inlet valve (7, 14) can be provided in an air-inlet conveyance (6) to the aerator tube to prevent possible excess input of water from escaping through the air-inlet conveyance. Pluralities of air-inlet conveyances and aerator tubes can be provided.

Abstract: An aircraft-luggage-bomb protection system has a blow-away plug (1) for each of a plurality luggage-storage units of a cargo section (4) of a commercial airplane (5). Luggage (3) is placed in explosion containers (2, 8, 20) that are positioned over the blow-away plugs. The explosion containers can be structured for select handling equipment such as luggage carts and pallets (23). The cargo sections are structured for quick and easy conversion between passenger use and airfreight use of planes. Procedural methods are provided.

Abstract: A method of making a cast concrete stepping stone whose exposed upper surface has the appearance of two or more grouted attractive natural stepping stones. A liquid release agent is applied to the mold which is then placed on a vibrator table and filled with wet concrete. The mold is vibrated for about 30 seconds and the surface of the concrete troweled smooth. Dry body color is sprinkled over the concrete surface and troweled to completely cover the concrete. A dry release agent containing powdered color having a darker shade than the body color is sprinkled over the dry body color covering the concrete. The desired pattern is then pressed into the surface of the concrete and after a six hour drying time, the cast stepping stone is removed from the mold. Excess body color and release agent are washed away and the washed surfaces totally dried. Finally a clear concrete sealer is applied to the exposed upper surface of the concrete stepping stone.

Abstract: The present invention provides manageable buoyancy and adjustable vessel draft which makes navigation possible in both shallow and deep waters without changing the total vessel weight or its given payload. The seakeeping characteristics and dynamic stability of the vessel are also managed by changing the shape of the buoyancy and by controlling corresponding wet vertical depth necessary for safe operations and navigation in both shallow and deep waters for all purposes. The ability to operate and navigate in both shallow and deep waters makes coastal boarding and unloading possible in shallow waters.

Abstract: A paintbrush case (1) has a selection of paintbrushes hanging with brush handles (9) and having sides (3, 4, 21, 22) that open downwardly to reveal brush bristles (11) and to provide convenient access while the case stands reliably where positioned. Air vents (23) in tops and bottoms of the case aid drying of the brushes after they have been cleaned and prevent buildup of expanded gases from paint. In addition to convenience and efficiency for professional and do-it-yourself painters alike, a major use of this paintbrush case is keeping track of and caring for paintbrushes at construction sites.

Abstract: A toilet (6) has a solenoidal valve (1) in working relationship to a water-level probe (23), an overflow probe (25) and a floor-water probe (21) to prevent leaks reliably. A signal alarm (31) also is provided to warn of any problems and where they are in order to be able to repair them without the services of a professional plumber in many instances.

Abstract: A compact, reliable and convenient drywall-sheet trimmer has opposed cutter disks (7, 8) positioned rotationally in opposing walls (3, 4) of a trimmer channel (2) having a slide bar (19) that is adjustable in positioning intermediate the opposing cutter disks and a channel bottom (21). Pinion teeth (25) on an adjustment shaft (24) are rotated by helical worm gearing (28) with an adjustment knob (30) to actuate rack teeth (26) on slide rods (22) attached to the slide bar for adjusting distance of the slide bar from the cutter disks to control widths of trimming cuts. Surfaces of drywall sheets (6) are scored or cut to cause the drywall sheets to be breakable by applying bending moment along lines of scored or cut surface material and/or indentations caused by cutting entry of the opposed cutter disks.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing either AC mains or DC power for an electrically powered tool having a motor designed to be powered by a removable battery pack which fits into a recess in the tool. The apparatus includes a power block capable of being powered either by AC mains or DC power. The power block includes an AC to DC convertor, a voltage input selector, a DC to DC convertor, an auto voltage selector, and a solid state current monitor which automatically sets the voltage and current to be delivered to the tool motor at the voltage and current required to produce the tool motor's full rated driving torque.