Abstract: A trash container lifting device adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle for lifting and transporting a filled trash container to a remote site for pickup is disclosed. The lifting device includes a supporting frame which is attached to the motor vehicle, such as a pickup truck, sport utility vehicle or the like without tools or attaching hardware. The supporting frame is mechanically coupled to an articulating frame for engaging a trash container on the ground surface and lifting it with a manual lever to a raised position for transport by the vehicle. At least one spring extends between the supporting frame and the articulating frame to provide the user with a mechanical advantage in lifting a loaded container which would otherwise be an unmanageable task for a single individual. The lifting device is adaptable to trash containers of various sizes and configurations with minor modifications.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower adapted to separately power an auxiliary apparatus includes a platform, front and rear wheels attached to and supporting the platform, a cutting blade, an engine connected to the platform and a converter mechanism connected with the engine for separately transferring power from the engine to the cutting blade and to the auxiliary apparatus. The converter mechanism includes a frame connected to the engine and dual coupling device for coupling the engine with the cutting blade and for separately coupling the engine with the auxiliary apparatus. When the dual coupling device is in a first position, the engine shaft is coupled to drive the cutting blade for movement thereof and is not positioned for coupling with the auxiliary apparatus for movement thereof. When the dual coupling device is in a second position, the engine shaft is coupled with the auxiliary apparatus for movement thereof and is not positioned for coupling with the cutting blade for movement thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing an access door assembly for providing entry to a crawl space or other storage area within a building is disclosed. The present access door assembly is constructed from a single blank of material by accurately cutting a door panel from the blank and simultaneously creating a peripheral frame wherein the door panel is mounted. The kerf resulting from the cutting process provides a predetermined clearance between the door panel and peripheral frame to permit installation of hinges and latching hardware to ensure proper functioning of the completed door assembly. The method of the present invention significantly reduces the labor costs involved in installing an access door by the conventional process, which requires sizing of a door to a preexisting opening, mortising hinges, and mitering and fitting a finished molding about the access door.

Abstract: This invention can either be built into sources of direct current, or can modify existing sources of direct current to provide a quick-connect and disconnect single point direct current connector that prevents reverse polarity from occurring. This is in the form of a receptacle connected to positive and negative terminals with positive and negative openings into which positive and negative prongs of a plug can be inserted. The other end of the plug cable can be permanently or removably connected to jumper cable clips, to another male plug, or directly to the equipment that is driven by the direct current.

Abstract: A combination nail set includes an outer cylindrical impact sleeve within which a dual tipped setting tool is slidably supported for reciprocation between detented operative positions to expose selectively a setting tip for recessing nail heads of varying sizes into a workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention is a means and method for powder dusting various manufactured products such as extrusions, sheet materials, thin films, and piece parts. The powder dusting system includes a regenerative compressor which propels an air/dust mixture through a control valve body into a cone shaped filter where a majority of the air is filtered out. The remaining concentrated air/dust mixture enters a head component where head jets direct the air/dust mixture to the item that is being coated. The powder duster of the present invention also provides a method of coating manufactured products on both their interior and exterior surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal screen guard clip for projection type television sets. These clips are extruded and can be inserted between the projection screen and the front frame in various manners, depending on the configuration of the particular television on which the screen guard is being placed. The screen guard clip of the present invention is arcuate shaped in cross-section and is curved back on itself along one edge. A longitudinal locking tab is also provided to make the screen guard clip even more universal.

Abstract: A vending machine featuring rotating stacked carousels for the display and sale of floral and plant arrangements is disclosed. The vending machine is capable of carrying out both cash and credit card transactions and includes a certified credit card terminal for connecting to the credit card processing network. The present vending machine includes an integrated microprocessor to control the mechanical motion and position of the stacked carousels, accept payment from either cash or credit cards, maintain accounting records, provide printed receipts, and to control on-line modem communications with credit approval sources as well as dial-up auditing of machine's inventory. A significant feature of the certified credit card terminal is the ability to transact purchases in both an off-line and on-line mode and the ability to enter bad credit card numbers into a credit card file when purchase is attempted with an invalid card number.

Abstract: This invention is a tray having a plurality of parallelly disposed open topped, open ended channels. These channels are filled with a mixture to be cooked and a cutting, shaping and dispatching knife is used to remove any excess mixture from the tops and ends of the channels. The knife is then turned over where the blade has a plurality of grooves formed therein to allow the knife to cut the mixture laterally in each channel simultaneously. The blade is then moved longitudinally toward the end of the channels to dispatch the cut mixture from the channels into a cooking medium. Indicia are included on the channels to allow even amounts of mixture to be dispensed each time such mixture is cut.

Abstract: An improved intermodal transport system combining trucking and railway technology for the transport of passengers and freight. The present system includes a so-called Super Rail Train which incorporates an automotive truck drive system and components in a fuel efficient power vehicle which replaces the conventional locomotive. The present system also includes a plurality of secondary power units having an automotive truck drive system which are operated only during peak load conditions. The present system features a self-powered tandem device which replaces the conventional railroad dolly or bogie used in the transport of highway semi-trailer containers by rail and permits movement of a partially assembled train without a switching engine. A further feature of the present invention provides a switching ramp which is installed at truck/train terminals to facilitate the efficient assembly and breakdown of the train upon arrival at a destination for rerouting semi-trailer containers to highway use.

Abstract: A shoulder launched unmanned reconnaissance system for providing overhead visual surveillance of remote targets is disclosed. The present system includes a reconnaissance air vehicle which may be fired from a portable launcher, accelerated to flight speed, and remotely controlled using a ground control system. The vehicle is flown to the target area to enable an onboard wide angle video system to transmit video images of the target by radio or fiber optics link to the ground control system for processing and display. The ground control system enables the reconnaissance vehicle to be flown to a recovery area and to descend in a stall mode after the flight is completed for maintenance prior to reuse. The air vehicle includes collapsible wings which are deployable after launch by a spring actuated mechanism. The fuselage of the air vehicle carries an onboard video camera, an electric motor, a battery, a global positioning system receiver, flight controls, and a data link system.

Abstract: A hand held soccer scoring computer for tracking and recording conditions and activities taking place in a soccer match includes a keypad for entering and a display for showing information evolving during the course of the event with regard to player, team, activity and activity location, and the game time associated with the entry. The recorded data may be contemporaneously reviewed and edited and upon completion of the soccer match transferred to a processor printing in desired statistical formats.

Abstract: An automatic debris removal system for use in combination with a pre-existing construction hoist of the type including a plurality of telescoping extension members. Such a hoist includes a carriage device which traverses the extended hoist by means of a cable/winch mechanism that is an integral component of the hoist. The present debris removal system includes a tilting dumpster or bucket which is mechanically coupled to the carriage device and is transportable from ground level to the roof under construction for carrying debris and other materials. The present system includes a detachable chute device which is attached at the base of hoist to receive debris from the dumpster which is conducted by gravity to a dump truck for disposal. The present system also includes an automatic release mechanism for dumping the contents of the bucket as it contacts the chute at the lowermost position of its travel.

Abstract: A dual blade teasing comb and hair pick includes a laterally space pair of comb blades, each including an elongated spine having a longitudinal series of teeth depending therefrom and an elongated rearwardly extending cylindrical hair. The combs may be pivotally and slidably interconnect whereby the comb teeth are effective for increasing teased volume during backcombing and the picks may be pivoted to permit repositioning of the teased volume.

Abstract: This invention is a composition of matter and method of preparing the same. More specifically the present invention is a medicated vapor candle consisting of a homogenous mixture having approximately three parts petroleum jelly containing the active ingredients of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus, melted and mixed with four parts candle wax. The active ingredients, by volume, of approximately 5% camphor, 2.5% menthol and 1.2% eucalyptus oil.