Abstract: A patient lifting system is provided having a vest component adjustably proportioned to fit upon the torso of a patient, and a leg belt component adapted to embrace the patient's legs just below the knees. A caregiver utilizes the lifting system by standing in front of the patient while pulling upon the vest and applying pushing force with his knee upon the leg belt. Such action causes the leg belt to act as a fulcrum which redirects the pulling force upwardly to lift the patient.

Abstract: A ball hitch device mountable upon the rear of a tractor vehicle is interactive with a ball-receiving socket disposed upon a forwardly directed tongue of a trailered apparatus. The ball hitch device includes paired rigid extension arms pivotably secured to the tractor vehicle and which embrace a tubular receiver into which a hitch bar is telescopically inserted. A hitch ball extends upwardly from the rearward extremity of the hitch bar. An electrically driven winch has a lifting cable attached to the receiver. When activated, the cable causes the assembly of extension arms, receiver and hitch bar to pivot upwardly in a circular arc, thereby controllably raising the hitch ball toward engagement with the ball-receiving socket.

Abstract: Trace levels of dissolved toxic species are removed from water flowing horizontally in a conduit equipped with overhead debris-excluding structure by suspending from the overhead structure elongated absorbent structures in the form of porous bags which confine particulate absorption material. The bags are free to swing upwardly in the downstream direction in response to heavy water flows, thereby avoiding blockage of the conduit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a primary internal combustion engine is equipped with a secondary engine and an electric motor to supplement the power produced by the primary engine. The primary engine provides power for acceleration and hill climbing. When in a cruising mode of travel, the primary engine is deactivated, and the secondary engine, which is smaller and more fuel-efficient than the primary engine, provides the driving power. The electric motor adjustably augments the power provided by the secondary engine.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine for a wheeled vehicle is divided into at least two power producing sub-units designated primary and secondary sub-units. The primary sub-unit operates during all powered movement of the vehicle. The secondary sub-unit is activated only when additional power is needed. When inactive, no fuel is delivered to the secondary sub-unit, and there is no movement of its components. Each sub-unit has its own crankshaft, and the crankshafts are connected by a clutch mechanism interactive with a single output shaft that delivers power to the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting and storing cigarette butts includes a housing having a central bore with a releasable bottom closure, a closable upper extremity, and a plunger which can be forced downwardly to compact butts within the bore. The plunger also serves as releasable closure for the upper extremity of the bore.

Abstract: A vehicle warning light system employs sensors associated with the brake and accelerator pedals to generate warning light signals at the front and rear of the vehicle to indicate whether the vehicle is in a coasting state, or is undergoing mild or severe deceleration. An electronic equivalent of the light signals is also generated and transmitted to a following vehicle which converts the electronic signals to corresponding light signals at the rear of the following vehicle.

Abstract: A process for the selective removal of toxic heavy metals from a flowing stream of water involves causing the stream to flow through a stationary bed of particulate polymer having amine functional groups, and injecting into the stream, adjacent the upstream extremity of the bed, a substantially continuous flow of carbon disulfide.

Abstract: A leg support accessory releasibly interactive with a hospital shower room chair is provided as an integral structure fabricated of PVC pipe and fitting components. The accessory includes an elongated leg rest section adapted to extend horizontally forward of the seat of the chair. An upper support member extends upwardly from the leg rest section and rearwardly to engage a front leg of the chair. A lower support member extends downwardly from the leg rest section to engage a crossbar that extends horizontally between the front legs of the chair.

Abstract: An optical correcting system which enables a shooter to better see both the sights of his firearm and the target includes a series of lenses of sequentially incremental one quarter diopter optical power, a chart which facilitates selection of the appropriate lens, and a headband assembly which secures the selected lens in a manner to fit over the shooter's aiming eye. An identification code correlates the information on the chart with the chosen headband assembly.

Abstract: A system for remotely manipulating circuit breakers between open and closed conditions in an electrical panel having a number of circuit breakers in a vertical array includes an activator unit removably attachable to the panel and having an elongated shaft equipped with a series of control switches adjustably spaced apart to interact with the circuit breakers. A motorized drive feature achieves controlled axial rotation of the shaft to a sufficient extent to cause effective movement of selected circuit breakers. A wireless control unit activates the drive feature to rotate the shaft in either direction to move the circuit breakers to their open or closed positions.