Abstract: A device for breaking rocks comprising a substantially vertical guide column which houses a weight for delivering an impact to a tool held within a cushioned tool holding structure that is itself supported from the guide column by a resilient recoil assembly is herein disclosed.
Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall having a bottom with a non-planar portion which creates a gap between the bottom surface and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon. This gap assists the block in resting on the lower course of blocks by providing a space where small amounts of rubble and dirt may exist without interfering with the stacking of the blocks. Preferably, the block's bottom surface further comprises a plurality of grooves which provide additional clearance in the gap for larger stones. It is envisioned that these grooves be “V” shaped, thereby having angled walls which act to funnel the larger stones into an area when the block is being placed on a lower course of similar blocks.
Abstract: A rotating lubrication applicator is provided for metered lubrication of machine parts including parts of drive mechanisms. The preferred applicator includes an inner hub and an outer lubricating portion. The outer lubricating portion is made out of a solid lubricant containing microporous polymeric matrix material. Tensioning devices including the rotating lubrication applicators are also provided as are methods of using the same. The applicator will provide a metered amount of lubricant to surfaces which come into contact with outer lubricating portion.
Abstract: A sealable electrical junction box of one piece unitary construction which incorporates one or more sealing chambers through which one or more electrical wires can pass before they reach the main chamber of the inside of the box. These chambers may then be filled with an expandable foam sealant to form an airtight seal around wires. A flange around the outside of the box allows a vapor barrier to be sealed to the box, so that an airtight seal may be formed around the outside of the box. When properly installed, no air or water vapor can pass from the inside of a building to the outside around or through the sealable electrical junction box.
Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food items over an open fire which allows a cook to turn the food and adjust the position of the food over the fire while maintaining a safe distance from the fire. The apparatus is constructed and arranged to allow hands-free operation or, if desired, allow a cook to continually control the position of the food over the fire using one hand. This is accomplished using a telescopic handle and two supports.
Abstract: An improved bicycle dropout frame member for simultaneously mounting a plurality of accessories such as panniers, baskets, trailer hitch and trailer, luggage carrier, wheel fender, etc. to a bicycle frame is disclosed. The improved bicycle dropout may include a central body having slots for releasably receiving accessory support legs. The central body may also include a slot for receiving a towing hitch apparatus to enable a rider to tow a trailer behind the bicycle incorporating the improved bicycle dropout frame member of the present invention.
Abstract: The present invention is a spill-resistant beverage server ideally suited for pouring beverages aboard airliners in flight. The server utilizes a plurality of small pour openings and a closed top which prevents accidental spillage in the event of rough flying conditions. A thumb actuator lever opens the pour openings when in use and a closing device closes the pour openings when the thumb actuator is released. The server is shaped to provide a low center of gravity, even when the container is full, thereby providing a stable server resistant to tipping. A rubber coating over the handle gives the operator a positive grip and prevents accidental dropping. The server also incorporates an indicator device used to display the type of beverage contained therein.
Abstract: A system for simultaneously mounting a plurality of accessories such as panniers, baskets, trailer hitch and trailer, luggage carrier, wheel fender, etc. to a bicycle frame includes an upper mounting block rigidly attachable to the frame below the bicycle seat, and two lower stirrup members rigidly attachable to the frame adjacent the wheel axle on either side of the wheel. The upper mounting block has a socket for holding a tow bar and slots for mounting a luggage carrier, both of which have legs which are lockably inserted into receiving slots in the stirrup members. A key lock locks the mounting block to the bicycle frame and the accessories to the mounting block. Accessories may be locked to the carrier.
Abstract: A compact, easily transportable, surface preparation or road mill apparatus which includes a road mill housing or surface treatment unit having a cutter drum powered by its own power source. The apparatus also includes a mounting device for attachment of a working machine, such as the road mill housing, to a land vehicle having a lifting mechanism, preferably of the type provided on “front-end loaders”. The surface treatment unit or road mill housing preferably has an opening for receiving a cylindrical shaft and the mounting device includes an attachment device for attachment to a land vehicle and an interconnected cylindrical shaft upon which the road mill housing can be secured once the shaft is received within the shaft receiving opening.
Abstract: The present invention provides a display container for retaining retail sales products. The display container includes a housing having a bottom portion having a plurality of sides and a top portion which can engage the bottom portion to form an enclosure within which the retail merchandise can reside. The housing is in a closed orientation when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion. The top portion is preferably interconnected with one of the plurality of sides of the bottom portion so that the top portion can engage the bottom portion to form the enclosure. The housing further includes a tamper proof clasp or snap closure mechanism. The snap closure mechanism includes a latch strap and a lip over which the latch strap can extend, the latch strap having a strap surface extending away from a first portion. The latch strap further includes a catch protruding away from the strap surface to define a catch face generally extending away from the strap surface at an angle of about 90°.
Abstract: A self-contained, continuous flow pasteurizer is herein disclosed. Such a pasteurizer comprises a first tank and a second tank interconnected by a pasteurization conduit. A single pump pumps fluids from the first tank to the second tank at a predetermined flow rate. Fluids are heated to their desired pasteurization temperature in a first section of the conduit and are held at this temperature while flowing through a second section of the conduit. Fluids not reaching the desired pasteurization temperature do not pass into the second section of the conduit but are recirculated back to the first tank by a recirculation valve and conduit connected between the first tank and the pasteurization conduit. A third section of the conduit passes through a cooling structure so that the fluid flowing in the conduit will be cooled down from its pasteurization temperature before being deposited in the second tank.
Abstract: A combination self-contained golf club bag/cart/shipping container combines all three functions in a single hard-shell unit. An array of downwardly converging tubes mounted in bulkheads of lightweight foamed or reticulated plastic hold the clubs, and an extendable cart with chassis, together with a towing handle is completely foldable into the orthorhombic case.
Abstract: Molding material consisting of resin coated reinforcing fibers in a molten mass of resin and fibers is prepared at a molding site for controlled supply to a molding machine. A conveying device, such as a pair of pinch rollers, serves to pull fibers from supply spools through guide orifices of a coating die having a chamber within which the fiber is coated with molten resin. Further impregnation of the fibers with resin takes place in the conveying device, which also develops pressure on its output side serving to push the mass of hot resin and fiber into a receiving device for movement to a molding machine. The receiving device may be the feed screw for an injection molding machine or simply a plate movable to and from a compression molding machine. The fibers may be cut into predetermined lengths by a cutting device positioned downstream of the aforesaid conveying device.
Abstract: A bileaflet heart valve comprising an annular base and pivoting leaflets. Each leaflet is “free-floating” within recesses without fixed rotational axis in order to increase translational movement and redistribute stresses. Each recess fluidly communicates with a groove extending at least partially around the inner surface of the annular base and fluid flow is directed through the recesses at different angles during antegrade circulation, retrograde circulation, and valve closure. A recess entrance angle to each of the recesses preferably being less than about 35° and the pivoting mechanism within the recess including first and second fulcrum edges of each leaflet shiftably engaged with side surfaces of the respective recesses. The leaflets have a beveled bottom side having two separate planar surfaces which lie at an angle to one another.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 1998
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2001
Assignee:
CV Dynamics, Inc.
Inventors:
Nandkishor G. Patke, Adel A. Mikhail, Gene E. Stobbs
Abstract: A compact, easily transportable, surface preparation apparatus which includes a surface treatment unit having a cutter drum powered by its own power source. The apparatus includes transport/support wheels and a tow bar preferably interconnected at each end, of the surface treatment unit the rearward connection being a pivotal connection. The surface treatment unit has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the towing direction and the transverse axis coincident with the towing direction. The cutter drum has a rotational axis and is contained within the surface treatment unit and arranged such that the rotational axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surface treatment unit. The cutter drum is off-set relative to the transverse axis of the surface treatment unit such that the cutter drum operates at one end of the surface treatment unit.