Abstract: A one-piece hollow retroreflector is formed in a cylindrical body of lead or another malleable material in a punch press operation. A punch having a cube corner configuration is used to form a reflecting chamber having three mutually orthogonal surfaces into the cylinder. The reflecting chamber can be formed using a rough punch, and then a finish punch. The finish punch would produce the reflective surfaces of the three walls of the chamber. The chamber walls can be coated with a protective coating to help prevent corrosion of the surfaces. After the reflecting chamber has been formed and finished, the body of the retroreflector can be machined to remove the displaced material and otherwise form the outer surfaces of the body to a desired shape.

Abstract: A fully integrated key fob wherein its base portion and extending tab are injection molded together, to form an integral structure. The extending tab has an aperture also molded therethrough, and into which and through the key ring may be inserted, for retention of other miscellaneous items to the key ring, during usage. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for making the key fob.

Abstract: An underground tank releases vapors depending upon air pressure. As pressure increases, vapors decline. When pressure decreases, vapors increase and escape the tank or spill to pollute the atmosphere. A container for trapping vapors has a housing upon a base. Within the housing one or more bags hang upon stems connected to piping at fittings. The stems have perforations to admit vapors into the bags. The stems are connected serially to the piping upon the base. As vapors enter the piping, the bags inflate within the housing. When tank or spill pressure declines, the vapors exit the bags and return to the tank or spill via the piping.

Abstract: A portable scaffold moving device for connecting to scaffolding and which provides rotary motion to a drive wheel, to move scaffolding in select directions. The portable scaffold moving device includes a power wheel, rotary driven through a perpendicular or right-angled gear reduction, receiving its rotary force from a drive shaft, and the drive shaft couples with a portable drill, which furnishes the rotational force necessary for driving the drive shaft, and its associated drive wheel. The bracket mechanism supporting the portable drill supports the drill during its delivery of rotary force to the drive shaft, and its wheel, and likewise, pivotally mounts to an outer support sleeve or tube that furnishes steering, to the drive mechanism, and consequentially to the scaffolding, during its power movement.

Abstract: A fuel storage tank vapor cooler to effect pressure reduction, in a fuel dispensing system, including the application of a refrigeration unit, that operates under the effects of a control unit, sensitive to vapor pressures, and vapor flow, to initiate the operations of the refrigeration unit, and effecting, through a properly located heat exchanger, a reduction in the temperature of the stored vapors, and thereby reducing its incident pressure. Such heat exchangers may be located either within the vapor storage area of the underground storage tank, the heat exchanger may locate in cooperation with the vapor return line, to the underground storage tank, or it may be located within the vent line from the storage tank, to chill the vapors and thereby provide for a reduction in their pressure. Such heat exchangers may be used in combination, or individually, whatever is determined to obtain the results as desired from the system of this invention.

Abstract: A die-casting method and a device for use in the die-casting method are disclosed. The casting material, which can be liquid metal, semi-solid metal or metal-matrix composite, in the shot chamber of a die-casting machine is driven to flow with high shear rate to mix homogeneously by the electromotive force induced with at least one low-frequency shifting electromagnetic field. The temperature and the microstructure of the casting material near the shot chamber are further controlled and perturbed by at least one high-frequency electromagnetic field to minimize the temperature difference or the growth of dendritic microstructure. To ensure the efficiency of the electromagnetic fields, the shot chamber is made of non-magnetic material and its wall thickness is less than three times the penetration depth of the electromagnetic fields. The shot chamber is surrounded by at least one solenoid coil, a conducting shield and at least one electric motor stator.

Abstract: Antifreeze agent containing alkylene glycol, chlorine containing inorganic chloride, sweeteners like sorbitol, provides prominent antifreezing point depression effects by use of small volume.

Abstract: A foldable automobile shade for use in an automobile prevents sunlight from entering the automobile. The shade comprises a storage accessory having at least one a pocket or chamber, at least one mounting strap used to mount said storage accessory to a visor of said car; a pleated screen operatively connected to the storage accessory near a bottom of the storage accessory and a closure which maintains said screen in its folded position.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum vent utilizing a column of liquid to open and close the vent at predetermined pressure and vacuum levels. A column of liquid is constrained in connection with internal and external passages coupled between a pair of expansion chambers. The external passage is sized to hold a level of liquid corresponding to a predetermined positive pressure level at which the valve will open, while the internal passage is sized to hold a level of liquid corresponding to a predetermined negative pressure level at which the valve will open. At either the predetermined positive or negative pressure level, the valve opens when sufficient liquid has exited either the external or internal passage to permit the flow of a restrained gas past the liquid column.

Abstract: A collapsible automobile shade is described that includes a body comprising at least one material portion, the body having a front side, a back side and a peripheral portion defining an outer edge that extends along a circumference of the material portion, at least one closure apparatus attached to the back side of the body, the closure apparatus being positioned along a midline of the body and extending between the outer edge of the body, wherein the closure apparatus is adapted to support the body in an open configuration when the closure apparatus in a closed position, and wherein the closure apparatus is adapted to allow the body to be in a collapsed configuration when the closure apparatus is in an open position.

Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker, trailer, or other storage unit is provided. The manhole cover includes a hollow neck which is welded in place in the shell of the tanker or trailer. The neck defines an opening which allows access to the interior of the tanker or trailer for filling or cleaning of the tanker. A lid is pivotable about an axis between a closed position in which the manhole cover is closed, and an open position in which the lid is clear of the neck opening to allow access to the interior of the tanker. The lid is provided with an inflatable seal and locking flanges which extend from a rim of the lid. Movable locking members are provided on the neck and are movable between a locked position in which locking member engages the lid locking flange and an unlocked position in which the locking members are disengaged from the lid locking flange. Separate actuators are provide for the cover and the locking members.

Abstract: A boat boarding device for use in combination with the side or transom of a boat, the device hingedly connects with the boat, can be pivoted downwardly into the water, adjusted by an adjustment device for maintaining its horizontal stability, and in addition, floatation devices may be employed, with the side framework of the device, for maintaining the device in a horizontal position upon the water during usage and application. A perforated platform is arranged along the bottom framework of the device, and a step, associated with the bottom platform, allows for stepping from the boat, onto the platform, to facilitate movement into the water, or for returning from the water into the boat.

Abstract: A flexible foldable triangular warning device is provided. The warning device is made from at least one panel and can be moved between a compact or storage position and an expanded position in which the warning device can be made to be free standing. The device can comprise a single panel, in which case, the device includes a base which will enable the panel to be free standing or to be mounted to the window of a vehicle. The device can also comprise two, three, four, or more panels, in which case, the device will set up to form a triangular or rectangular pyramid.

Abstract: A symmetrically formed wire shelf having front and back edges, of equivalent design and dimensions, are snap fastened to a complimentary bracket which accepts the various longitudinal rods of the wire shelf into a locking relationship when the wire shelf is installed onto two or more brackets, as the shelving is attached to the surface of a wall, door, or other vertical surface structure.