Abstract: A building has an exterior shell with exterior walls and a roof, defining an interior space. There is a fire resistant, structurally supportive core within the interior space. The core is preferably of hollow, reinforced concrete, having a door opening and a fire resistant door mounted adjacent thereto. There are support members inter-connecting the shell and the core. These may include cables connecting corners of the core to corners of the shell and connecting the roof of the shell to the roof of the core. There may also be rigid supports connecting the roof of the shell to the roof of the core.

Abstract: An impact testing apparatus includes a main frame mounted on a main frame base. There is a pair of spaced-apart guide columns with an impact hammer slidably mounted thereon. A lifting beam is slidably mounted on the guide columns above the impact hammer and can be raised by a hoist to the top of the main frame. There is a specimen base adjacent the main frame base. There is a movable joint between the specimen base and the main frame base, whereby the main frame base is isolated from shock resulting from impact of the hammer on the specimen base. Preferably the joint is occupied by a non-rigid member, such as an elastomeric member. Preferably there is adjustable means for tensioning the guide columns. There may be an electromagnetic latch between the lifting beam and the impact hammer.

Abstract: A tree structure includes three vertically spaced-apart annular members extending about the trunk of a tree. Each annular member has a plurality of pointed members extending downwardly and inwardly into the trunk. The first annular member is below the second annular member and above the third annular member. The first and third annular members have joist supports and the second annular member has cable anchors. Joists extend radially outwards from the joist supports. Outer members are connected perpendicularly to the joists to form first and second outer rings extending about the first and third annular members. There are two platforms mounted on the joists. First cables are connected between the second annular member and the first ring. Second cables are connected between the first ring and the second ring. A roof extends over the first cables. Outer walls extend between the outer rings.

Abstract: A groomer attachment for forklift vehicles includes an elongated rigid member having a top and a bottom. A pair of spaced-apart fork receiving pockets are connected to the rigid member. A flexible blade extends from the bottom of the rigid member. Preferably the rigid member has a front and a rear. The attachment then has a pair of spaced-apart flexible blades extending from the bottom of the rigid member, a first blade being adjacent the front thereof and a second blade being adjacent the rear thereof. The rigid member may be channel-shaped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring electrical signals propagated through a living organism. A bipolar electrode is placed in contact with the tissue of the organism. Means is operatively connected to the electrode for performing a Hilbert transform on signals from the electrode. The individual electrodes of the bipolar electrode are preferably spaced-apart a distance d so as to satisfy the equation: .vertline..pi.Bd/v.vertline.<.pi./2. The Hilbert transform can be implemented by performing a Fourier transform on the signal, multiplying the signal by the imaginary number j, changing the sign of the signal at all negative frequencies, and then performing a reverse Fourier transform on the signal. The resulting signal is then displayed. Preferably brush tip electrodes are used for EMG signals although the method and apparatus is also applicable to needle electrodes.

Abstract: A lock valve apparatus and a hydraulic system incorporating a lock valve apparatus including a lock valve body with a bore, a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. There is a spool valve with a valve spool reciprocatingly received in the bore. The spool valve, a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve normally prevent fluid flowing between the ports. The first one-way valve and passageways in the valve permit a fluid flow from the first port to the third port when the first port is pressurized. The second one-way valve and passageways in the spool valve body permit a fluid flow from the second port to the fourth port when the second port is pressurized. The spool valve is shifted to align passageways, including a first annular passageway, between the spool and the bore to permit a return flow of fluid from the fourth port to the second port when the first port is pressurized. The first annular passageway receives pressurized fluid from the fourth port.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a brush head removably connected to the handle. There is a spring for biasing the brush head away from the handle. A latch normally secures the brush head on the handle. There is a release mechanism for selectively releasing the latch, whereby the spring ejects the brush head away from the handle.

Abstract: A storage locker apparatus includes a cylindrical structure with a plurality of angularly spaced-apart divider walls extending radially outwards. Each wall has an outer end and openings between adjacent outer ends of the walls. There are doors over each of the openings connected to the structure by hinges. Each door has a lock thereon. The lock may be coin operated.

Abstract: A mining cable coupler has a hollow, cylindrical body. There is an entrance fitting for an electrical cable at a first end of the body. A plate-like insulator mount extends over the body near the second end and has insulator receiving apertures with annular recesses extending thereabout and inwardly from the second end of the body. There is a plurality of separate, tubular insulators. Each insulator has an annular outer projection extending thereabout and received within one of the recesses of the insulator mount. There is an annular seal fitted between each recess and the insulator therein. There is an elongated electrical contact within each insulator. A metal member has a tube extending about each insulator. An inner portion of the member is against the insulator mount. The inner portion has an aperture for each insulator smaller than the annular outer projection thereof and closely fitted about each insulator adjacent the projection. Fasteners releasably secure the metal member to the insulator mount.

Abstract: A method of producing methane from organic waste includes the following steps: The waste is first shredded. The waste is inoculated first with aerobic microorganisms. The waste is then fermented with the aerobic microorganisms. Then the waste is inoculated with anaerobic microorganisms. The waste inoculated with anaerobic microorganisms is placed in an oxygen free environment. Methane is then evolved from the waste. Preferably the waste is enriched with nitrogen prior to the anaerobic fermentation.

Abstract: An electrode is used the connecting apparatuses to the skin surface of a living body. It includes a tube having an end and a plurality of hard, resilient wires extending outwardly from the end of the tube. The wires have splayed ends in a brush-tip-like arrangement having an end formed by the spaced-apart wires which is multi-pointed and abrasive.

Abstract: A visor includes thin, flat, opaque member. The rear of the member is concave to conform to a wearer's forehead. There is means for mounting the visor on the top of a pair of eyeglasses so the member extends forwardly in front of the eyeglasses and rearwardly to the wearer's forehead. The means may be a pair of spaced-apart clips extending from the bottom of the member intermediate the front and the rear thereof. Each clip has a bottom, an aperture above the bottom and a slit extending from the aperture to the bottom of the clip. The slit is narrower than the aperture. The top of the frame of a pair of eyeglasses is receivable in the aperture of each clip to secure the visor to the eyeglasses.

Abstract: A water saving apparatus includes a bowl-like container having a open top, a bottom, a front and a back. The top of the container slopes downwardly from the front to the back thereof. The container has a pedestal on the bottom thereof and a drain hole in the bottom extending through the pedestal. A drain pipe extends from the drain hole. There is a fitting for compressing the pedestal against a flat surface. The container may be flexible, having a suction cup-like pedestal.

Abstract: There is a winch bar for winding a winch having a winding drum with an annular wall and a circular opening. A plurality of winch bar receiving apertures extend diametrically through the drum on opposite sides of the wall. The winch bar has an outer portion dimensioned to extend through the apertures. The winch bar also has an inner portion larger than the apertures and a first shoulder between the inner portion and the outer portion. The outer portion includes an outer tip which tapers outwardly. There is a first segment of reduced section adjacent the tip and dimensioned to receive the wall of the drum on the first side thereof. A second shoulder is located between the tip and the first segment. There is a second segment of reduced section adjacent the first shoulder and which is dimensioned to receive the wall of the drum on a second side thereof. The bar has a third segment having a larger section than the first and second segments and which is located therebetween.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for a marine craft includes an actuator assembly including a hydraulic steering actuator. The steering actuator is operatively connected to the tiller of the craft. A hydraulic servo actuator is mounted on the steering actuator. The servo actuator is permitted limited axial displacement relative to the steering actuator. The servo actuator is operatively connected to the steering actuator. A servo valve is mounted on the actuator assembly and has ports for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid. The servo valve is hydraulically connected to the steering actuator. A member operatively connects the servo valve to the servo actuator. Displacement of the servo actuator opens the valve to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the steering actuator. The steering actuator includes a steering cylinder, a piston reciprocatingly received in the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and end fittings on each end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A bicycle stand includes a base and a pair of spaced-apart braces, each having a first end connected to the base and a second end. There is a pair of mounting members, each having a female threaded aperture which can threadedly receive a threaded outer portion of a bicycle axle. The second ends of the braces are pivotally connected to the mounting members. For example, the mounting members may be cylinders, the female threaded apertures extending axially inward from first ends thereof. Each of the braces has an aperture near the second end. The cylinders extend rotatably through the apertures. The base may have devices for mounting the stand on a roof rack of a vehicle including apertures in the base and tubular members having pins releasably engaging the apertures.

Abstract: A rotary device has a stator having a space therein with an oval peripheral wall. A rotor is rotatably mounted within the space. The rotor has a circular outer wall. There are two chambers on opposite sides of the stator between the peripheral wall and the outer wall of the rotor. Vanes are reciprocatingly mounted on the rotor for radial movement towards and away from the rotor. Each vane has an outer wall. There is a cam mechanism for maintaining the outer walls of the vanes in contact with the peripheral wall of the stator as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: A rotary-vibratory drill coupling has a first component with a plurality of spaced-apart members. Each member has a pair of opposed, spaced-apart faces defining a slot therebetween. A second component has a plurality of angularly spaced-apart blade-like projections extending radially thereon. Each of the projections is slidably received between one pair of the opposed, spaced-apart faces on the first component. Preferably there are anti-friction linings between the projections and the faces.