Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle comprising: a chassis (1a) extending in a longitudinal direction (1b) and with lateral sides (1c) parallel to the longitudinal direction (1b); a storage apparatus (5) for a fuel gas; an engine (2) utilizing fuel gas; wheels (2a) at least partly driven by the engine (2); driving means (14); a container (3) for refuse and pollutants; and conveying members (4) suitable to convey refuse and pollutants towards the container (3); the container (3) having side panels (3a) provided with recesses (15) expanding inward and extending above the lateral sides (1c); and the storage apparatus (5) comprising a plurality of tanks disposed in the recesses (15) and supported by the chassis (1a). The recesses (15) are also provided with connecting walls suitable to facilitate the flow of refuse inside said container (3).

Abstract: An electrical fixture for facilitating the location of a corresponding opening in a construction panel. The electrical fixture comprises a housing for mounting to a stationary building structure behind the construction panel and a collar having a back portion that will eventually fit through the corresponding opening made in the construction panel and into the housing. The back portion of the collar can be locked within the housing. A placement jig is removably secured within the housing and has a cylindrical portion extending outwardly from the housing that will extend through a small preliminary opening made in the construction panel, so that the corresponding opening can be made in the construction panel to allow the back portion of the collar to fit therethrough.

Abstract: A safety device for spotting a user of a barbell without a need for human intervention. The device includes a frame, an interface ring assembly, and electrical/electronic apparatus. The frame rests on a level surface. The interface ring assembly is operatively connected to the frame, and interfaces with the barbell. The electrical/electronic apparatus is operatively connected to the interface ring assembly, and spots the user of the barbell without a need for the human intervention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tamper resistant device attachment to a mounting surface is disclosed. A remotely attachable and separable coupling system has: a base member that is attachable to the surface; a covered mount with a cover as a front side suitable for attaching the device thereto; a coupling that removably couples the back side of the mount to the base member such that the base member, the coupling, and a back side of the mount are enclosed between the cover and the mounting surface; and an attachment of the device to the front side of the mount is such that the attachment is only accessible for operation from the back side of the mount. The attachment is inherently tamper resistant in that a tool is required to uncouple it. Attaching the system components as taught makes all parts of the system including attached devices tamper resistant, and applying lock and key technology enhances this.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately measuring the distance between a golf ball and the hole on a putting green, i.e., for determining proximity, especially in golf competitions to see who can hit their ball onto the green to end up in closest proximity to the hole. An accessory to the measurement device is a proximity sign for recording the proximity measurements. The invention comprises apparatus and method for conveniently storing and using the measurement device(s). For proximity measurements, the device is configured to removably and repositionably attach a tape measure to a flag pin (generally the flag pin in the hole on the green in contest). The proximity sign is similarly configured. For storage of a device when not in use, the devices include spring clips and an optional security ring to impede unauthorized removal from the flag pin.

Abstract: Manufacturing equipment and manufacturing process steps that improve upon prior art processes for the manufacturing of filament tube and arc tube light sources, their components and subassemblies, and lamps employing said light sources. A double ended, tipless filament tube or arc tube light source incorporates a drawn-down tubular body, and one piece foliated leads with spurs for process handling and for spudding into a filament with stretched-out legs. Bulged ends on the body provide a novel cutoff means, facilitate a flush-fill finishing process, and enhance mounting and support of the light sources in lamps. The foliated leads are made from a continuous length of wire in a process including foil hammering and two-bath AC electrochemical etching. Cost-reduced light source and lamp production enables affordable household consumer lamps, even when containing two series-connected halogen filament tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling flow of water from a roof valley into guttering comprising: a generally rectangular, generally planar piece of stock material having two substantially parallel side edges, a back end edge and a right-angle V-shaped front edge, an area of the material that is perforated with a plurality of open slots for allowing rainwater but not debris therethrough; and a front wall that extends downward at the front edge. Sidewalls with vertical slits extend downward at the side edges for raising the stock material above the roof surfaces. Pleats in the front wall enable a preferred installation method that laterally curves the stock material, depressing a longitudinal centerline below the side edges. The method further includes trimming the sidewalls to decrease in height front to back to allow inserting the back end under singles, and securing the front wall within an outward wall of the guttering.

Abstract: A toilet odor exhaust device for a toilet having a toilet bowl with a rim portion and a hinged seat. The device comprises an air intake nozzle and a vacuum filtering unit. A conduit connects the air intake nozzle to the vacuum filtering unit. A structure is for removably attaching the vacuum filtering unit to the rim portion of the toilet bowl, so that the air intake nozzle will fit between the rim portion of the toilet bowl and the seat. A mechanism is for activating the vacuum filtering unit, when a person sits upon the seat on the toilet bowl. Foul air in the toilet bowl will be sucked through the air intake nozzle, the conduit and into the vacuum filtering unit, in which clean air will exit from the vacuum filtering unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-supporting tire for wheels for bicycles, motorcycles and the like comprising an outer surface layer (5), which establishes contact with the ground (8) and an inner supporting layer (6) realized by a flexible polyurethane elastomer with a cellular structure, which at least partially occupies the internal volume of the tire (1) and supports the outer surface layer, also comprising a flexible membrane (9) substantially having the shape of the outer layer (5) and radially compressing the inner supporting layer (6).

Abstract: A trailer (50) is attachable to a pulling vehicle (22). Attachment to the pulling vehicle (22) provides steering rigidity around a vertical axis (32), permits pivotal freedom around a horizontal transverse axis (30), and optionally permits pivotal freedom around a longitudinal axis (34). A wheel (14), which preferably is steerable, at least partially supports the trailer (50). In a preferred embodiment, a body of the trailer (50) is a clamshell body (52) that is disposed vertically and transversely for traveling, and that includes clamshell portions (54A and 54B). Optionally, the clamshell body (52) is positioned horizontally, the clamshell portions (54A and 54B) are separated, and a tent (74) is erected above one of the clamshell portions (54A or 54B).

Abstract: There is disclosed a self-propelled apparatus for cleaning roads and urban areas, having a longitudinal axis (1a) and comprising: propulsion and control members (2) including wheels and steering means (3) defining an axis of steering (3b) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (1a) and passing through the centre of turning (3a) of the wheels; an accumulation system (8) on the ground of the refuse comprising brushes (11) defining a reference line (10a) transverse to the longitudinal axis (1a); and a collection system (12) to suck up the refuse comprising a collection inlet (13) positioned at ground level; the steering means (3), the accumulation system (8) and the collection system (12) being predisposed suitably to dispose said axis of steering (3a) in a position intersecting a segment (15) parallel to the longitudinal axis (1a) and extending between the collection inlet (13) and the reference line (10a).

Abstract: The invention relates a protective structure for brushes of sweeping machines (30) having a frame (31) and at least one cup-shaped brush (20) supported protruding from the frame (31), said structure (1) comprising a flexible membrane (2), positioned near the cup-shaped brush (20) and suitable to prevent the diffusion of dust in the environment, and a supporting system (3) for the flexible membrane (2), the supporting system (3) being movably connected to the sweeping machine and comprising a movable portion (6) which shapes the flexible membrane (2) and elastically deforms near the frame (31) counter to elastic means (9).

Abstract: A cleaning unit is disclosed, comprising: a containment chamber (2) defining an accumulation base (10), a suction apparatus (3) including a suction inlet (6) positioned close to the ground, and a filtering apparatus (12), the suction apparatus (3) comprising primary suction means (4) and secondary suction means (5) positioned in parallel to one another above the accumulation base (10), the primary suction means (4) controlling said suction inlet (6) and the secondary suction means (5) being suitable to expel filtered air, and the containment chamber (2) including separating element (9) which separates the turbulent zone (5a), the air inside of which being highly turbulent, and a recirculation zone (4a), the air inside of which having a low turbulence, the recirculation zone (4a) being connected to the primary suction means (4) and the turbulent zone (5a) being connected to the secondary suction means (5).

Abstract: An array of photon counting phototoreceivers is constructed as an imager with micro-digitized pixels. Each photoreciever comprises a vertical cavity optical amplifier (VCSOA) as an optical amplifier, an avalanche photodiode as detector and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in an integrated structure. The ADC serves as a 1-bit digitizer and uses a resonant tunneling bipolar transistor RTBT. While the preferred embodiment of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Such modifications are all within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: An auxiliary vacuum device for a central vacuum cleaning system is location specific and comprises a housing mountable externally on an inlet of a mounting plate of the system, a dedicated flexible concertina hose is provided on the device and a cleaning tool mounting probe is registrable with a docking station. With the probe docked in the docking station the device is in the ‘off’ position and with the probe removed therefrom the device is in the ‘off/standby’ mode. A push on/off button is used to complete the procedure for starting the system and for stopping it in an ‘off/standby’ mode.

Abstract: A single leg support for sitting on by a user has a seat member adjustably connected to a post member, with the post member connected to a base member which contacts a ground surface. In typical use, the support axis of the support is between about five and twenty-five degrees relative to the vertical such that the user remains in equilibrium with most of his/her weight supported by his two legs at about five degrees from the vertical with the knees slightly bent. Thus, the support carries only a small portion of the user's weight for increased comfort. The support is adapted to be fitted into a bicycle. Additionally, the support may be used with a heavy base member having a flexible joint allowing rotating movement of the support while a user is seated thereon.