Abstract: A heating and cooling system incorporates a heat pump that operates conventionally with air drawn from outside the system through its condenser coils that remove heat to the exterior for cooling. In the heating cycle, the condenser motor blower stops and reverses rotation. Outside air is drawn in by the condenser fan, is circulated across the diesel engine and generator, and is blown through the condenser coils outside of the unit. In the heating cycle, a circuit monitors the temperature of the compressor coil and controls the speed of the condenser motor. The heat recovery method of the system maintains power input to heat output ratios in excess of 2:1, even at low outside temperatures. The recovery method also allows the system to operate without defrost cycles. This system may provide auxiliary power, block heat, and battery charging, utilizing a small diesel engine and generator components, and can be installed within a truck, bus, boat, cabin, camper, and the like.

Abstract: A shredder, crusher, hammermill, ringmill or the like is provided with a multi-sided rotor shaft to which spider arms and hammers are mounted. The rotor shaft has at least one pair, and preferably two or more pairs, of opposing sides. The hammers are pivotally mounted between supports in the shape of spiders or discs. The supports include openings which have straight sides corresponding to the number of straight sides on the rotor shaft. The straight sides of the support openings engage the rotor shaft straight sides. Hence, the supports are rotationally fixed in place relative to the rotor shaft without the use of keys and keyways, pins, bolts, or other types of fasteners, allowing for easier assembly and reduced maintenance costs for the crusher.

Abstract: A three piece beverage carrier has an outer ply, a partition assembly, and a box with the outer ply secured to the partition assembly and the partition assembly expanded and secured to the box. The outer ply comes from a rectangular blank folded lengthwise and the partition assembly comes from another blank that extends the transverse and cross partitions. The box takes shape from a third blank having wall panels and bottom flaps. The bottom flaps fold and glue together forming the bottom of the carrier. The partition assembly includes a transverse partition and at least one cross-partition. The partition assembly blank has a first body section, a second body section, and a handle section. The first and second body sections have a hinged connection at the handle section and form the transverse partition of the assembly. The first and second body sections further include at least one fold out section that defines the at least one cross-partition of the assembly.

Abstract: An adapter for use with at least a pair of dispensers, to provide for convenient stacking of a plurality of dispensers one upon the other, one of such adapters being arranged intermediate each pair of vertically stacked decanters, during usage. The adapter includes a series of ribs and flanges, that provide convenient seating and stable support for a variety of the decanters when stacked one upon the other. The adapter includes an aperture approximately centered thereof, through which a beverage may be brewed, into the decanter arranged therebelow, and the adapter being applied to a beverage brewer during usage, as during a beverage brewing cycle. The cap provides for closure of the adapter aperture, to provide the adapter with the attributes of a lid, and to help retain the warmth of any beverage contained within its dispenser upon which the adapter is applied.

Abstract: A revolving tongue for application to footwear provided a central pivot point that rotatably connects to a crossbar of the footwear, the crossbar extending between the lateral openings of the shoe, at upper edges of the shoe quarter portions. The tongue may be rotated, to disclose variations in coloration material and design for the shoes, as applied. A pivot pin or other connector secures the tongue, approximately centrally, to the crossbar, a guide may be provided at the lower or lateral edges of the circular tongue, secured within the shoe, to act as a guide to retain the tongue for its circular motion. In addition, openings may be provided within the upper quarter portions of the shoe, so the tongue coloration can show therethrough, and change, as the tongue is being pivoted for a different setting, and in addition, can also provide for aeration of the foot, at such location.

Abstract: A sphere mount for a ball mounted retro-reflector having a perimeter recess and a base shank. The sphere mount is configured to receive a ball mounted retro-reflector in a centrally disposed conical nest, such as a three-point conical nest, and to position it with a high degree of precision over the central axis of the base shank to within ±0.0005 of an inch. The perimeter recess is in the form of a single oblique scallop, orientated from the upper surface to the lower surface, and permits a maximum negative acceptance angle for incident light to a mounted spherical retro-reflector with no occlusion by the sphere mount perimeter.

Abstract: A mandibular and maxillary arch expansion apparatus having a first and second forward orthodontic bands and first and second rear orthodontic bands. The respective forward and rear orthodontic bands are interconnected by an expansion sheath element. The two forward bands are connected by a substantially straight, solid rod. The expansion sheaths exert lengthening forces while the solid rod resists lateral or widening forces. Also provided is a maxillary apparatus connected to a mandibular apparatus by a telescoping contraction connector. The device is positioned to exert adjustable contracting pressure for the correction of Class II malocclusions or overbite. Also provided is an arch expansion apparatus with a centrally disposed expansion element having two forward connector wires extending outwardly therefrom and two rearward connector wires extending outwardly. Each connector wire has an orthodontic band on the terminal end.

Abstract: A bracket assembly rests upon a pier set adjacent to a foundation and a secondary component elevates the bracket assembly. The bracket provides adjustable engagement to limit rotation of the bracket with respect to an installed pier. The bracket assembly has an housing, a bearing member, load transfer plates, reinforcing means, and an adjusting bolt beneath the bearing member. The housing is either two parallel plates or a tube. In the plates embodiment, two slots receive either a pin, a gate alone, or a gate with a moveable plate. In the tube embodiment, the pier fits snugly within the tube. Further, the bracket permits locating tools over the piers to reduce induced bending moment at the junction of the pier and the bracket. The bracket assembly stabilizes and lifts piers.

Abstract: A spiral configured structure formed of metal or polymer is naturally biased into an erected and spiral arranged position, to form either a cone, a cylindrical structure, or other shaped structure, and which includes a series of lights, or a highly illuminated or phosphorescence dyed cloth, to act as a warning structure to the surrounding environment. The spiral structures can be contracted, into a flattened or near flattened configuration, and held by a fastening band, into closure. Various cross bracings or members are applied, at particular locations of the spiral structure, to provide it with reinforcement and rigidity at their upper and lower regions.

Abstract: A process to improve ethanol yield, decrease fermentation time and reduce byproduct formation by monitoring and controlling oxidation reduction potential (redox) of the fermentor is disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound cavital probe suitable for transrectal or other usage, includes an ultrasound probe, having an outer housing, a pair of motors within one end of the housing, a first shaft operatively associated with one of the motors to provide longitudinal movement to the ultrasound transducer, while a second shaft operatively associated with the second motor, and which extends through the hollow interior of the first said shaft, provides for pivotal or rotary movement to the ultrasound transducer and probe, to furnish a 2-dimensional view of the surrounding anatomy, and which in combination with the movement from the first shaft, furnishes a 3-dimensional volumetric scan of the surrounding anatomy, along with facilitating the image plane movements normally obtained by a standard probe while used in a stepping device.

Abstract: A grilling surface, and a grease diverter, within a standard gas grill having a cover, base, and a gas burner. The grilling surface is formed of a series of integrally structured inverted and truncated pyramids, or cones, connected together, and having an aperture provided through each pyramid or cone, at its downward edge, to allow for drainage of grease therethrough, but to generally retard the direct access of flame to the food being cooked. A grease diverter, may be positioned below the grilling surface comprising a compound sloping plate, having its apex at the midpoint, and sloping downwardly to its front and back edge to divert grease away from the open flame.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle having a dripless spout has a nozzle for placement in a tank. The nozzle has a housing with an air bleed device, an attitude support device extends from the housing, a gland joined to the attitude support device and then the spout attaches to the gland. At fuel shutoff, fuel remains in the gland and the spout. Fuel drops exit the gland then the spout. Regulations limit the drops to three or less. Smooth tubes have little if any capillary action while tubes with roughened interior surfaces retain fluid. The dripless spout has a texture applied to the interior surface of the gland, the spout, or both by way of a screen; a hole in the attitude support device; and the air bleed device located in the vapor path to reduce negative vacuum.

Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker or trailer 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. Pivotal 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 wedge base for a lamp including a body section for mounting the lamp envelope with filament lead wires extending out, the body having a shoulder and an integral, depending rib. The bottom edge of the rib has notches formed along the lower edge. Lead wire bores are formed through the shoulder and rib and terminate in the notches. The lead wires extend through the bores, out of the notches and are folded upwardly against the rib. A bracket secures the lead wires against the rib. The bracket has a first side with at least one pin and a second side with at least one hole. Each bracket side has vertical wire grooves its inner face. The bracket sides are laterally positioned on each side of the rib with the pin engaging the hole and snapped together to secure the lead wires within the groves and against the rib. When assembled, the base is configured to fit securely, with electrical contact, within the socket of a lamp fixture.

Abstract: A shoe, sandal, beach shoe, or other form of footwear, integrates a slot within its sole structure, as this footwear is assembled, and within the slot is a continuous band, that may form part of the shoe vamp, strapping, or related structure, and which vamp or band may be turned, for displaying different coloration or designs, texture, or means for providing support, massaging, or stimulation, of the foot, as through interiorly protruding tips, or to form and dispose apertures that furnish ventilation and aeration to the foot thereunder, all in order to change the aesthetics of the footwear at the desire of the user. In addition, to add to the structural integrity of the constructed shoes, a part of the vamp or its strapping, may extend upwardly, and have a loop formed therein, or even loop back on itself, and which may embrace the upper part of the changeable vamp, to facilitate its retention, and structural configuration, when the vamp is turned, to vary its appearance.