Abstract: A mechanical cutter for cutting solid materials. It comprises left and right cutting jaws which are moveably connected by a rear hardware unit and rotate about this pivot point. The cutting jaws have opposing curved cutting edges which close but form an opening extending down to the base. The cutting jaws also have central holes. Straps with two mounting holes and an elongated base hole are placed above and below the cutting jaws to guide the linear motion of the cutting jaws. One pair of handle plates is placed above the top strap and another pair of handle plates is placed below the bottom strap. Alternately, a handle assembly is slid over the straps on the right and left side. A circular boss with an eccentric hole is on the end of each top and bottom handle plate. The circular bosses mate with the respective strap mounting holes. The plates are connected with each other through, the eccentric holes in the circular bosses and the central holes in the cutting jaws, by front hardware units.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressure equalizing and foam eliminating cap for a container. Pressure equalization and foam elimination is accomplished by designing the cap so that it can be rotated between a fully closed position, a gas venting position and a fully open position. This is accomplished in several ways. A first embodiment includes a spring biased, gas separation membrane between the cap and the mouth of the container. A second embodiment includes a finely, transversely perforated, annular plug on the underside of the cap and a seal between the plug and the interior of the neck. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the perforations may be larger and protected by a gas separation membrane. A third embodiment is similar to the second but incorporates two seals, one above and one below the perforations. In this embodiment also, the perforations may be larger and protected by a gas separation membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for counterbalancing equipment incorporating an internal spring counterbalancing mechanism housed inside a hollow vertical column. A pair of arms, pivotally attached to the column, and pivotally attached to a pair of L-brackets on the outer end, form a parallelogram. Equipment such as lights, cameras, industrial or medical devices, can be attached to a mounting platform at the L-brackets. The column is attached to a base equipped with lockable wheels.Equipment of varying weights can be balanced by connecting a wire from the spring over a pulley, placed on top of the column, to a slidable connection on the parallelogram. By sliding the wire connection along the parallelogram, varying loads can be easily balanced. The hidden, internal spring-balancing mechanism, eliminates the need for cumbersome external counterweights, counter-boom extensions, or sand bags.The parallelogram can be locked at any position with a clamping mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention has a top plate with a receptacle and handle on its top surface, a bottom plate with cut-outs for holding tools, a fastener assembly for screwing the top plate to the bottom plate and a demountable leg assembly. The receptacle is designed to closely hold a gallon can. An insert enables the receptacle to hold smaller cans. When used with the leg assembly attached to the top plate, the top plate is screwed tightly against the bottom plate. The invention is designed so that the top plate does not interfere with the cut-outs. Preferably the legs telescope so that the invention can be placed on uneven surfaces and the height of the receptacle can be varied. When used without the leg assembly, the top plate is screwed to the bottom plate around any convenient horizontal support member. The screws force the top and bottom plate to clamp securely to the member. The member can be the rung of a ladder or the step of a step ladder.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for absorbing and decontaminating an organic chemical spill comprising the steps of: partially composting plant material; mixing approximately 80% of the partially composted plant material with approximately 20% of dry plant material; inoculating the mixture with about 50 to 100 parts per million by weight of an organic chemical to form an absorbent; mixing the absorbent with about 20% to 40% by volume of spilled organic chemical; adding water; and allowing the mixture to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature until the organic chemical spill is neutralized. The plant material may be cotton gin trash or alfalfa hay; or cotton, legumes, alfalfa, tomatoes or their mixtures. The mixture of absorbent and spilled organic chemical may allowed to incubate in a perforated drum with a lid.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved bioremediation process comprising the steps of: (a) inoculating cotton gin trash or an equivalent plant material with soil from a contaminated site; (b) composting the inoculated cotton gin trash; (c) mixing the contaminated soil at a ratio of about 1:1 to about 1:5 by volume with the composted, inoculated cotton gin trash and certain chemical accelerators; and (d) allowing the mixture to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature until the contaminated soil is cleansed.

Abstract: This invention includes a first balance pH tank, a clarifier tank and a final pH balance tank. The first tank periodically receives a certain volume of the waste stream. This tank is equipped with an automatic system for raising the pH so that all the heavy metals will precipitate as oxides and hydroxides. Next the stream is transferred to the clarifier tank. The clarifier tank has a number of internal vertical baffles. The first baffles have perforations near their lower ends. The stream flows from one chamber to the other over or under the first baffles or through their perforations. Then the stream flows over the last baffle. In the clarifier, the precipitate accumulates at the bottom of the tank and the pH drops. Lastly, the stream is transferred to a final pH balance tank where the pH is adjusted to about 7.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas shut off valve (10) which can be locked without disassembly of the gas service. The preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a valve (10) having two chambers (26a, 26b). The first chamber (26b) is just like a standard gas valve, and has a handle (38) which can be turned with a standard tool, such as a commonly available wrench. This chamber (26b) is not lockable and is available for anyone to use for service modification or emergency shut off. The second chamber (26a) is identical in all respects to the first chamber with the exception of the shape of the handle (34). This second, "lockable" handle (34) is shaped like the plug (50) of plug lock assemblies manufactured by Inner-Tite Corporation. Because it has wrenching flats (45), the lockable handle (34) can also be turned with a wrench. In this way, the second chamber (26a) can be opened and closed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises diamantane groups interspersed among benzothiazole groups, benzoxazole groups or benzimidazole groups. This constitutes a rigid-rod polymer with stable cycloaliphatic groups interspersed into the aromatic-heteroaromatic backbone of the rods. The presence of the aliphatic groups decreases crystallinity by adding disorder to the rods thus minimizing interactions between the heteroaromatic groups. The interspersed aliphatic groups act as insulators and thus permit greater relative protonation. Also, the reduced conjugation of the aromatic-heteroaromatic rings reduces the color of the polymers. The preferred method of manufacturing this improved rigid-rod polymer is by condensation of dimethyl diamantanecarboxylate with 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzenedithiol, 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene, or 4,6-diamino-1,3-benzenediol.

Abstract: A bone prosthesis (10) which is hydraulically operated is disclosed. It comprises a cylinder (12), which is closed at one end, and piston (28), which slides inside the cylinder (12). The relative locations of the cylinder (12) and piston (28) are controlled by a liquid (26) filled bladder (24) which is located inside the cylinder (12). Liquid (26) is introduced into the bladder (24) via a valve (22) which fits through the side wall (21) of the cylinder (12). The valve (22) is constructed so that liquid (26) can be introduced to or removed from the bladder (24). One end of the prosthesis (10) is shaped to mate with the remaining segment of bone. The other end of the prosthesis (10) is shaped to replace the other end of the surgically removed bone segment. In addition, the internal surface (18) of the cylinder (12) and the external surface (30) of the piston (28) are grooved or keyed so as to prevent rotation of the piston (28) inside the cylinder (12).

Abstract: This invention concerns a device applied with a cast for immobilizing an injured limb. A comfort band is applied as a length of cotton tape or other flexible fabric material longitudinally of the limb with the ends of the tape protruding beyond the proximal and distal ends of the zone to be cast. The zone to be cast is then wrapped in an absorbent cotton mesh and padding is applied exteriorly of the mesh. The absorbent mesh and padding together form a cast building substrate. A settable cast forming material is applied to the substrate and allowed to set. Gripping the protruding ends of the comfort band allows movement of the comfort band in the space normally provided between the cast and limb to alleviate epidermal irritation.