Abstract: The improved battery cable clamp connector provides additional leverage for breaking corrosion and separating the legs of the clamp by positioning the pull for mechanical advantage and designing a lever to orient at a greater angle to the connecting rod and thereby separate the battery cable clamp legs. Self-lubricating and non-corrosive materials are also used to advantage in the manufacture of the connector.

Abstract: A solid fuel cooking device incorporates a combustion chamber bound by an open upper side and an open lower side and is substantially closed on four sides by a retaining wall. The combustion chamber is covered from above by a cooking surface grate and below by a solid fuel support grate where the fuel support is disposed within the retaining wall below and parallel to the cooking surface grate. A housing is attached to the exterior of the retaining wall creating an air space between the housing and retaining wall. The cooking device uses a unique arrangement of gas jets to ignite the solid fuel where the gas jets are mounted horizontally within the retaining wall below the fuel support platform, injecting the lit gas beneath the solid fuel positioned upon the fuel support.

Abstract: A chromatography column has valve and method for filling it with a slurry of media, the valve utilizing a piston to compact the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. The piston assists in compacting the slurry within the column. The method of filling the column does not require disassembly of the column. The piston may also be utilized to change the valve position from a slurry fill position to a normal operation position or other position.

Abstract: A child positioning apparatus for X-ray photography having improved adjustment mechanisms. In particular the positioning of the X-ray film cassette has been improved by using a friction fastner. The friction fastner passes through a groove in the vertical portion of a L-bracket and attaches to a tray for holding the X-ray film. The position of the tray is adjusted by loosening the friction fastener, positioning the tray and then re-tightening to fix the X-ray film cassette into place.

Abstract: A multi-position ratchet mechanism has a retractor holder which receives a retractor stem connected to a retractor. A pawl selectively engages the retractor stem to allow for the retractor stem to be positioned relative to the retractor holder. The retractor holder has a passage and is connected at a base pivot to a base having a toothed hub. The toothed hub extends into the passage and a locking mechanism connected to the retractor holder allows for the selection of a pivot angle of the retractor holder relative to the base. The base rotates relative to a ring holder in a first configuration. In a second configuration a rotation angle between the base and the ring holder is set and locked with a locking actuator. The locking actuator is a cam actuator with drives a cam surface about a locking pivot to allow contact surface between the base and the ring holder to contact one another. A retaining mechanism selectively maintains a ring in a slot in the ring holder.

Abstract: An orthotic device is developed and customized to control the desired movement of a patient's defective lower limb. The device incorporates a footplate made of a rubber-like elastomeric material and a proximal segment that encompasses the foot at the metatarsophalangeal joints and the shin portion of the leg. This proximal segment is made of a rubber-like elastomeric material laminated into multiple layers of fabric throughout the proximal segment. Additional strips of fabric are positioned within the proximal segment of the device to limit or promote certain motions within the foot and ankle.

Abstract: A moisture applicator is positioned to apply moisture to a pile fabric prior to the blades of a tip shearing cutter contacting the carpet so that moisture may be selectively applied for one of a number of purposes such as, but not excluding, creating a pattern, and/or providing a more uniform appearance as viewed from above in the event that the latex securing the polypropylene layer is not uniform across the width of the carpet. While moisture application may take one of a variety of forms, the preferred embodiment utilizes a steam applying moisture applicator wherein the selected portions which have moisture applied are cut to a deeper depth than the unselected portions which do not have moisture applied thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an extruded product includes a machine that cooperates with an extruder. The machine is commonly used as a corrugator and the extruded product is often corrugated piping. The machine has a frame supporting a trackway in a continuous path. A plurality of mold block assemblies travel about the continuous path to form a mold tunnel along a portion of the continuous path. The mold block assemblies include a carriage connected by at least one guide and linear bearings to a pair of mold holders. The mold holders are connected to at least one pair of opposing mold blocks. Guides and directors position the mold block pairs relative to one another while the assemblies travel along the continuous path. As the holders, and thus the mold block halves, are linearly displaceable from one another, the halves may meet to form the mold tunnel and separate to allow removal of the extruded product.

Abstract: What I believe is a totally new way to help the people addicted to smoking cigarettes to quit the habit by spacing the time between smokes and preventing the unconscious reach for one by means of a case or container for the cigarettes with a timing mechanism that will not open the container until a pre-determined time is reached. That timing mechanism can be reset from a few minutes to several hours therefore gradually reducing the absorption of nicotine until the craving for it is negligible and quitting the habit is easy.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing an imbedded flooring product having a skeletal frame in the form of a mesh at least partially imbedded into a vinyl sheet substrate. The method provides for the mesh to create a pattern visible from above the sheet.

Abstract: This is a totally new way to harness the power of wind and running water as in rivers and ocean currents. It consist mainly of two supporting wheels mounted permanently on a main shaft. Between those two wheels are four blades, or sails, that will transfer the power of wind and running water to the main shaft to make it rotate. Those sails will be mounted between the supporting wheels at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees by means of secondary shafts attached permanently to the center of them and free to rotate between the supporting wheels. Those secondary shafts will protrude through one of the supporting wheels and a sprocket wheel is attached to each of them. All four sprockets will be connected with a chain and positioned in such a way that the sail mounted at zero degrees will be in a vertical position and the one mounted at 180 degrees will be in a horizontal position. Sails mounted at 90 and 270 degrees will be at 45 degrees angle but in opposed orientation.

Abstract: A method for controlling the spread of kudzu utilizes vertical, or near vertical, smooth surfaces which do not provide a horizontal step for continued vertical growth of kudzu. Accordingly, a clear zone may be established mechanically or otherwise and guards placed intermediate the kudzu and an area to be protected wherein when the vines contact the guards, they are unable to unsupportedly span the guard to continue upward growth and then into the protected area.

Abstract: A multi scrim non-slip pad has a first scrim which is coated with a first polyvinyl chloride product to encapsulate the first scrim therein to form a first coated scrim. The first coated scrim may then be partially cured in some embodiments. A second scrim is coated to form a second coated scrim. The first and second scrims are applied together and then cured to form a multi scrim non-slip pad having at least a first foam layer adjacent and external to the first scrim, a second foam layer between the first and second scrim, and a third foam layer external and adjacent to the second scrim.

Abstract: A portable boom for use with a support, such as a tree, has a support extendable from a mound. The mount secures to a tree and supports a lifted weight connected to the support. The portable boom is designed to be portable and easy to connect to the support.

Abstract: Accordingly, a tank, preferably on a wheeled vehicle such as a railcar or trailer, is provided with a protective liner. Two electrodes are preferably permanently mounted within the tank and respectively connected to a monitor. Another two ground connections are made from the monitor to the tank. At least one of the two probes in the tank are utilized with the monitor to measure the voltage between the tank and the selected probe. When the tank is filled with an ionic solution, a breach of integrity of the liner results in a voltage corresponding to the difference in potentials of the metals forming the probe and tank is read by the monitor. This triggers an alarm. Furthermore, the monitor provides a voltage or current from probe to probe, probe to shell, and shell to shell on a periodic basis to measure and then record the performance of the liner.

Abstract: A series of transport carts (21) are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van (22) to leave an aisle (58) between them. The carts have wheel supported frames (28) with bottom supports (131) for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts (58) which are disengageably locked in track sections (66, 67) provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets (30) with discs (34) projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack (31) from the cart.

Abstract: Surgical retractor apparatus is shown having at least two independently operable clamping locations for receiving pivot balls therein. These two clamping locations lock and unlock their respective pivot balls independent of locking of the other pivot ball. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms utilized to lock the pivot balls also utilize the lock the angular position of the extension rod relative to the clamp. An adjuster intermediate the clamping positions allows for the movement of the clamping location relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a mini-pallet to create, organize, and move product stacks. In a preferred configuration, the mini-pallet is a nestable lightweight shipping tray which provides a convenient means for handling packaged units, in particular packages of beverage containers. The mini-pallet can support loads at an elevation above a supporting surface through the use of a deck supported by two side legs and a central support. The legs are located to facilitate a user in positioning a carrier under the deck for transportation. The central support, in a preferred embodiment, compatibly fits with a designated opening in the lifting portion of the carrier. When not loaded, the mini-pallet is capable of “nesting” within another mini-pallet for convenient storage.

Abstract: A point to multipoint messaging system includes utilizing the FM 57 kHz Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) standard and a novel receiver. A single broadcast source sends messages from multiple senders, in a variety of manners including automatically and semi-automatically, to a plurality of receivers who may select to receive or not to receive particular senders' messages. The receiver is remotely programmable by the user so that the user may select to receive at least some messages.