Abstract: A tool box skirt for mounting on a truck tool box in a pickup truck bed and preventing entry of debris into spaces between the truck tool box and the pickup truck bed is disclosed. The tool box skirt includes a skirt frame for attachment to the truck tool box. A skirt is carried by the skirt frame for partitioning the spaces in the pickup truck bed.

Abstract: Devices for enabling a user to locate an object, animal or person or reminding the user of the location of an object, animal or person. In a non-transmitter/receiver embodiment, the device includes at least one alert mechanism which is connected to a digital clock or other timer and microprocessor which times transmission of alert signals emitted from the alert mechanism or mechanisms. The operational components of the device may be contained in a housing which is attached to the object, animal or person to be located. In a remote transmitter/receiver embodiment, the device includes a transmitter which transmits activation signals at preset times to activate an alert feature of a paired remote receiver which is provided on the object, animal or person to be located or tracked. The transmitter may include an on-command button for manual transmission of the activation signals to the receiver. The receiver may have a visible alert mode in combination with a selected audible or vibratory alert mode.

Abstract: A windshield which may be removably attached to an all-terrain vehicle to shield a rider on the ATV from wind. The windshield includes a base portion having notches for receiving various frame elements on the front frame of the ATV and a windshield panel extending upwardly from the base portion.

Abstract: A device which is capable of selectively containing or displaying an article. The article container and display device of the present invention may include a case/stand having first and second case units for removable attachment to each other and containing a display frame which holds the article. The case/stand defines a container configuration when the display frame is contained in the case units and the first case unit removably engages the second case unit. Alternatively, the case/stand defines a display stand configuration when the first case unit and the second case unit are placed in adjacent, semi-facing relationship to each other and the display frame is supported by the case units. A latch mechanism may be provided on one or both of the case units for removably engaging the other case unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading objects, particularly motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the like, on a carrying vehicle. The apparatus typically includes at least one vehicle attachment mount arm for engaging the carrying vehicle. A slide bracket is pivotally carried by the vehicle attachment mount arm, and a support having front and rear ends is slidably carried by the slide bracket. A first winch engages the support for selectively sliding the support forwardly or rearwardly on the slide bracket. A carriage is slidably carried by the support for receiving the object. A second winch operably engages the carriage such that the carriage slidably traverses the support toward the front end of the support responsive to a forward operation of the second winch, and the carriage slidably traverses the support toward the rear end of the support responsive to a reverse operation of the second winch.

Abstract: An adjustable handrest for artists which is capable of attachment to a frame for supporting a worksurface on which a painting or other work of art may be applied. The handrest includes an elongated hand support member which spans the work surface and each end of which is independently vertically adjustable with respect to the other. The handrest is equally well-adapted for use by left-or right-handed users.

Abstract: A method of computing and verifying an authorization code for a transaction. The method includes creating an algebraic formula and storing the formula in a validation unit and a calculating apparatus. A calculation is made by entering values for variables of the formula into the calculating apparatus, which substitutes the values for the variables into the algebraic formula to calculate a value for an authorization code. The variables and calculated value for the authorization code are sent to the validation unit, which calculates the authorization code and determines a match between the values for the variables as determined by the calculating apparatus and the values as verified by the validation unit. The validation unit allows payment authorization only if a match exists between the values for the variables as determined by the calculating apparatus and as verified by the validation unit.

Abstract: A towing safety device for securing a trailer hitch of a trailer in a coupled configuration with a hitch ball of a towing vehicle. In one embodiment, the towing safety device includes a base plate for attachment to the towing vehicle, at least one arm mount socket provided on the base plate and a lock arm having at least one pivot pin inserted in the arm mount socket, respectively. The lock arm can be pivoted between a lock position in which the lock arm engages the trailer hitch and prevents inadvertent uncoupling of the trailer hitch from the hitch ball, and an unlock position in which the lock arm disengages the trailer hitch to facilitate coupling and uncoupling of the trailer hitch and the hitch ball. In another embodiment, the towing safety device includes a lock bracket for extension over the trailer hitch, which lock bracket is provided with multiple shackle openings.

Abstract: A removable mailbox light which can be quickly, easily and removably attached to a mailbox for illuminating the mailbox interior when the mailbox door is opened. In a preferred embodiment, the removable mailbox light is characterized by a housing fitted with an attachment clip for removably attaching the housing to the mailbox, with the housing disposed in the mailbox interior. The housing contains a pair of batteries, and a light bulb disposed in electrical contact with the batteries extends from the front end of the housing adjacent to a beveled, concave or dish-shaped reflection surface. When the mailbox door is closed, a spring-loaded activation clip pivotally mounted in the rear end of the housing is pressed against the housing and breaks electrical contact between the batteries to extinguish the light bulb.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for releasing pressure from a system, which pressure relief valve typically includes a valve housing provided on a pressure relief conduit which receives pressure from the system. A valve opening establishes communication between the valve housing and the pressure relief conduit, and a substantially arcuate valve body is pivotally mounted in the valve housing for sealingly and slidably engaging the valve opening. Accordingly, the valve body is capable of pivoting between a first position to close the pressure relief conduit and a second position to open the pressure relief conduit as the valve body slidably traverses the valve opening. A bias mechanism biases the valve body in the closed position in such a manner that the valve body pivots from the closed position to the open position against the bias mechanism and opens the pressure relief conduit, responsive to a threshold pressure of the pressurized fluid impinging against the valve body in the pressure relief conduit.

Abstract: A blade and skirt assembly for a directional gas cleaning and drying system which is typically installed in a gas pipeline for removing solid and liquid impurities from steam or a process gas such as natural gas in the pipeline. The directional gas cleaning and drying system is typically characterized by a vertical, cylindrical gas vessel having an annular interior adsorption surface. In a preferred embodiment, the blade and skirt assembly of this invention includes multiple, angled vortex blades extending horizontally outwardly from a central cone-shaped blade hub, with the edges of the vortex blades attached to the adsorption surface. A cone-shaped dispersal skirt of the blade and skirt assembly is typically fitted with multiple, radially-extending gas flow vanes and typically attached to the blade hub.

Abstract: A well stimulation and purging composition which is typically used in well cleanup, well stimulation and formation purging applications for enhancing oil and gas production. The composition is a cationic surfactant characterized by a homogenous aqueous solution of a coco diamine amido benzyl chloride type quaternary compound, phosphate chelator/ester, isopropanol anhydrous, ammonium bisulfide, and potassium chloride or a clay stabilizer formulation, and aids in extracting water and condensate from wells and dissipates, disperses and retards bacterial growth and buildup of iron sulfide, iron oxide, calcium and salt. The composition is applied to the wells in order to clear the water and condensate and significantly enhance total well production by chelating minerals such as salt, iron and calcium; retarding bacterial growth; and flocculating and foaming the water, condensate and solids from the well.

Abstract: A border retainer for retaining a decorative wall border segment on a wall after the border segment is pasted on the wall, to prevent the applied border segment from inadvertently curling up and detaching from the wall during the border-hanging operation when it is necessary to temporarily release the border segment before the border application paste dries. The border retainer is characterized by a retainer body typically fitted with a handle. A pair of wall inertion spikes extends from fixed or removable attachment to the retainer body for insertion in the wall and removably attaching the retainer body to the wall, and a retainer flange is provided on the retainer body. After the border segment is applied to the wall typically begin at one end and progressing to the opposite, extending end of the border segment, the extending end portion of the border segment initially remains unpasted to the wall and is retained by the retainer flange of the retainer body.