Abstract: A stanchion base shoe support for railings. The stanchions are set into a concrete slab or curb during the construction. Only the top surface of a mounting plate is exposed prior to mounting the base shoe extrusion. The stanchion is constructed from steel or a similar material. A flange plate at the top of the stanchion provides an easy place to mount a temporary support member when placing the stanchion into the concrete formwork. The stanchion system eliminates all field drilling of concrete. The stanchions have a top plate and cylindrical members that have a set of internal threads. After the concrete is cured, workers apply a base shoe, securing it to the stanchions. This makes drilling and securing the base shoe simpler, easier and more accurate. Once the base shoe is installed, the railing system is built up in the normal manner.

Abstract: An improved railing/wall system for elevated slab balconies. The system uses a number of fascia brackets to secure posts to the outer face of the elevated slab balcony. The posts have a base track secured to them. Infill panels are then placed between the posts to provide the wall structure. A top rail can be used to cover the top of the infill panels. The lower portion of the infill panels also can be tinted to conceal the face of the concrete balcony, if desired. The infill panels can be selected from a group of materials, including tempered glass, pickets, expanded metal, perforated metal, metal cut with water jets or a composite material.

Abstract: A lightweight rail that is bolted to the existing structure using standoff brackets. A carrier is attached to the rail to support the antenna. Once the rail and carrier are installed, access to an antenna is from the base of the rail. The rail is made of square aluminum tubing and the carrier is made of aluminum plate. In the lowered position, the carrier is readily accessible and the antenna mast can be tipped down to a horizontal position to access the antenna. The carrier and antenna are lifted using a hand winch, although a motor can be used as well. A simple cable system is used to hoist the carrier into the operable position at the top of the rail. Overall, the system is lightweight, low cost and safe to use.

Abstract: A combination horizontal and vertical rope-pulling device that uses a hydraulic braking assembly that is mounted on a vertical frame to support an endless rope that is placed over a number of pulleys. A pivoting boom is attached at the top of the frame. In the vertical mode, the rotating boom is positioned at an angle extending rearward from the vertical frame. The rope passes over a number of pulleys to simulate a vertical rope for climbing. In the horizontal mode, the rotating boom is rotated down so that it is parallel to the vertical frame. The rope follows the downward run of the boom and around the pulleys. In this way, the user can use the machine as a horizontal rope-pulling machine.

Abstract: A receptacle that is internally hard wired. The body of the receptacle is sealed, except for three outlets, through which pass precut “pigtail” wires. One wire is the “hot” wire, one is the “neutral” and one is the ground. To install this receptacle, an electrician has to remove the end cover from the pigtails and then simply connect them to the circuit wires in the box using common wire connectors such as WIRE NUTS. There is no need to tighten screws or to wrap the receptacle body with tape. The unit is sealed and completely protected. The electrician simply has to push the wires into the box and secure the receptacle with the mounting screws. For circuits that are daisy chained, the electrician simply connects all of the wires together (i.e., al “hot” wires together with one connector, all “neutrals” with another connector, and so on.

Abstract: A trash compactor suitable for backpacking having two parts: a container and a removable plunger. The container is made from a tube. The ends of the tube are formed to accept caps. The caps are fitted with gaskets to prevent leaking of liquids and odors. One of the end caps has a plug to allow liquids to be drained from the container during compression. In one embodiment, the plunger has a flat press end and a handle. In another embodiment, the plunger base is fitted into one of the screw caps. The handle is a threaded shaft that screws into the plunger base. The container may be lined with a plastic bag for disposal or the trash can be stored in the container and then transferred to a separate plastic bag for disposal. The compactor can be used in recreational vehicles, boats and automobiles as well as by hikers.

Abstract: A shot pellet that, has an inner core of a material such tungsten carbide, that is coated with a layer of bismuth. This coating is molecularly bonded to the tungsten carbide and is not an alloy. The unique properties of the shot pellet allow its density to be tailored. Under this process, the effective density of the pellet can be made to be identical to lead for direct replacement in current lead loading formulations. Additionally, the density can be made to be lower than lead for shotguns requiring low barrel pressures, or higher than lead for enhanced energy transfer while maintaining the other advantages of the instant invention.

Abstract: A shot pellet that, has an inner core of a material such tungsten carbide, that is coated with a layer of bismuth. This coating is molecularly bonded to the tungsten carbide and is not an alloy. The unique properties of the shot pellet allow its density to be tailored. Under this process, the effective density of the pellet can be made to be identical to lead for direct replacement in current lead loading formulations. Additionally, the density can be made to be lower than lead for shotguns requiring low barrel pressures, or higher than lead for enhanced energy transfer while maintaining the other advantages of the instant invention.

Abstract: A delimiter that can be arranged along the sides of a runway. The delimiter can be locked in an upright position for most normal operations. When the runway must be cleared of snow, an operator can lower the delimiters in place, either manually or by motor. After the runway has been cleared of snow, the delimiters can be raised again for use. Unlike the delimiters described above, these delimiters meet all aircraft regulation requirements. When collapsed, they do not protrude above the surface of the ground. The delimiters also have a shear mechanism that allows the raised portion of the delimiter to break off when struck. This shear mechanism protects aircraft by breaking away the upper portion of the delimiter.

Abstract: A device that clamps to the flange ring of a tire. The clamp has a rear section that can be used to attach a lifting chain or other implement to facilitate the removal and lifting of these flanges. The device consists of a pair of jaws mounted on a body. The jaws can pivot to open and close them about a rim flange. A bolt secures the clamp in place and is used to remove it when it is no longer needed. The clamp also has an eye or hook for attaching a chain for lifting or pulling on the flange.

Abstract: A holder for golf tees that has a housing with an open interior. The interior has two curved ends and a thin middle section that forms a “dumb bell” shape. A plate that has a matching dumb bell is fitted into the open interior. Two springs are mounted inside of the housing and are attached to the bottom of the housing and to the bottom of the plate. A retainer pin is placed orthogonally across the top opening of the housing. The pin retains the plate in the housing and secures any tees that are installed as well. Tees are placed into the housing by sliding the pointed end under the retainer pin and pushing down on the plate. To dispense a tee, a user pushes down slightly on the pointed end of the top tee, which raises the other end of that it can be pulled from the holder.

Abstract: A multi-step process for desulfurizing liquid petroleum fuels that also removes nitrogen-containing compounds and aromatics. The process steps are: thiophene extraction; thiophene oxidation; thiophene-oxide and -dioxide extraction; raffinate solvent recovery and polishing; extract solvent recovery; and recycle-solvent purification. The thiophene oxidation is accomplished with hydrogen peroxide and the extraction solvent is acetic acid in combination with secondary solvents. The operating conditions in the process are relatively mild at near ambient pressure and less than 145° C. throughout the process, and the only chemical consumed in the process is hydrogen peroxide. The process design can be modified to accommodate a variety of liquid hydrocarbon feeds.

Abstract: A toolbox that has an outer housing, an inner housing and a number of storage trays. The outer housing is removable from the inner housing. To use the toolbox, the outer housing is removed and placed on top of the inner housing. Then, alternate drawers are removed from the inner housing and placed in the upper housing. This creates a number of drawers that have spaces between them. The spaces are large enough to see into the drawers and to reach in and obtain tools. Once the tools have been positioned, they are readily accessible for use. When the job is done, the drawers are returned to the inner housing, the outer housing is removed and fitted over the inner housing for storage. Once locked into place, the complete toolbox can then be transported as desired.

Abstract: A device for cutting floors that attaches to the arbor on a circular saw, including an extension shaft, and an outer brace to support the extension shaft. The extension shaft extends past the outer brace a distance sufficient to permit a small trim blade, with a guard to fit under a cabinet toe kick. The small blade is held on the end of the extension shaft and is provided with a small guard. The device allows a user to place the circular saw on a floor and to position the small blade under the toe kick against the cabinet bottom to cut a line in the floor along the base of the cabinets. In one embodiment, the base plate of the circular saw is removable to allow slightly greater cutting depth. The saw attachment allows a worker to cut through a floor and sub floor around base cabinets.

Abstract: A multi-directional, dynamic, and self-equalizing shock-absorbing harness system for small animals. The system has a collar, to which a length of elastic, or shock, cord is attached. The length of shock cord connects to a ring, through which passes a second shock cord that is generally perpendicular to the first shock cord. The second shock cord is attached to a body strap. A standard leash is then attached to the ring. In this way, the system is able to spread the energy of violent pulling on the leash. This energy is absorbed by the shock cords and is dissipated over the animal's body. Moreover, because the system is self-equalizing, it better enables the handler to keep the animal in proper position, making handling the pet easier.

Abstract: Three-dimensional endoscopic measurements are made by adding an array of reference target points to the scene viewed by an endoscopic camera and characterizing the image formed by the camera when it views the scene from two or more viewing positions. Methods and apparatus are taught which allow one to make accurate measurements with any endoscope, without requiring any modification to the endoscope. Under certain circumstances, the measurements can be made without any pre-calibration of the endoscopic camera. A general measurement reference apparatus comprises a reference target array which is placed near to and fixed with respect to an object of interest inside an enclosure by means of a reference array holding apparatus and a reference array insertion apparatus. This measurement reference apparatus can be used to make either perspective dimensional measurements or to make conventional photogrammetric measurements of the object of interest.