Abstract: The powered hand truck has a chassis supported at one end by a single axle with two independently operable drive wheels. A prime mover is provided generally medially on the chassis, driving the drive wheels and powering the forklift mechanism. There is no operator console housing for the powered hand truck, as it is intended to be remotely controlled. A transmitter provides for specific and precise control of each drive wheel independently of the other, by using two drive wheel control switches. The powered hand truck has a caster wheel actuation strut housing over the caster wheel end of the chassis. A storage rack and dolly may be installed upon a suitable transport vehicle for transporting the powered hand truck. The hand truck forks engage the storage rack dolly, with the dolly translating along the rack to allow the truck to be deployed from, or loaded onto, the transport vehicle.

Abstract: The compound/curvilinear immiscible liquid separator has a separator section with an outer, elongated, cylindrical shell aligned vertically opening into an upper transition section and vapor dome at the top and a lower transition section and solid/heavy crude containment section at the bottom. A center column is disposed in the axial center of the separator section and a plurality of serially connected curved plates are disposed between the outer shell and center column to define an elongated curvilinear flow path having reverse flow pathways. An oil-water-gas mixture is introduced into the separator section under pressure past heating coils and through the curvilinear path, the lighter density oil entering and being removed from the top of the center column, and heavier sludge and brine collecting in the containment section. Gases bubble up through the center column and are removed from the vapor dome.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for positioning a container in a cargo space of a vehicle. The device has a threaded rod attached to a bottom surface of the cargo space, a gear which is in rotating engagement with the threaded rod, a bearing, a flange, and a nut. The nut is attached to the threaded rod, and the container is attached to the flange with a connector. The container further has a tube with an inner surface, where the tube receives the threaded rod, and the nut is in sliding engagement with the inner surface of the tube. When the gear is rotated in a first direction, the container is raised inside the cargo space of the vehicle. When the gear is rotated in a second direction, the container is lowered.

Abstract: A trivia game includes a game board having a plurality of linear playing paths extending from one end of the board to the other, and a plurality of question and response cards each having a series of questions of differing levels of difficulty and corresponding answers. Players may select whichever level of difficulty they may wish, with advance of that player's position marker along the corresponding playing path, depending upon the degree of difficulty of the question correctly answered. The position marker of a player incorrectly answering a question, is set back a number of positions corresponding to the degree of difficulty of the question. The game also allows players to set back the progress of an opposing player, if desired. A player correctly responding to a question at a predetermined level (e. g., the highest level) may advance his/her own position marker accordingly, or may elect to set back an opponent's marker some number of spaces (e. g.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a conveyor belt scraper are disclosed herein, with each including an inflatable bladder urging a scraper blade against the belt when the bladder is inflated, thereby providing even and uniform pressure for the blade against the belt. In a first embodiment, the scraper blade bears against a free section of the belt, with a guide extending across the opposite side of the belt to support the belt. The bladder is enclosed in a housing, with a blade slot formed in the upper portion thereof. A single belt scraper blade is placed within the housing and extends through the blade slot. A second embodiment urges the blade edge against the belt as the belt passes over a roller on the conveyor line. The blade has a double concave arcuate underside, with the two concave curvatures defining a pivot fulcrum therebetween. The inflatable bladder resides in the concave curvature opposite the scraping blade edge, and urges the blade edge against the belt as the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: A fish culturing system including a fish culture tank using opposed water flows, and including a water purification unit using only compressed air to power the system. The fish culture tank uses two opposing flows of water which enable solids to be removed continuously by a waste manifold at the base of the tank on two elongated sides, as well as at the surface of the water by a central overflow manifold. Water flow is developed by use of air diffusers located just above the waste manifolds in conjunction with the opposed water flows generated by two water returns. Waste water flows to a water purification unit having a clarifier, a biofilter, and air uplift tube system. The clarifier has a plurality of baffles in a lower sloped region that slows water velocity, allowing for settling of suspended solids. A lower screen further facilitates this settling. A middle settling region, topped by another screen, completes the settling process.

Abstract: A clamping system of universally interchangeable clamping components and accessories for use with standard healthcare equipment or patient healthcare procedures. The clamping system includes a support rod, a slip-coupling and a mounting bracket from which depends a short perpendicular post, which bracket may be permanently affixed to any piece of furniture. The slip-coupling is a tubular body defining a receiving bore for close passage of the perpendicular post at a first end, and a through bore passing at a right angle to the receiving bore at the opposite end. A set screw is removably threaded through the tubular body and attached to an oversized knob head for easy manual rotation to tighten and release the set screw. The support rod passes through the through bore and from which other slip-couplings or a secondary slip-coupling are mounted.

Abstract: A chafing dish skirt made of fabric having fire-retardant qualities and a method of making a particular fabric fire retardant. The chafing dish skirt is sized and configured to shield the heating device for the chafing dish while permitting air circulation to the heating device if such device is an open-flame type device. The chafing dish skirt is weighted to counter the effects of wind. The device is flexible, easily washable, and economical to produce. The skirt device helps retain heat within the chafing dish. The fire-retardant chafing dish skirt is attached to the chafing dish or the chafing dish frame.

Abstract: A rotatable tree stand that allows a hunter or wildlife photographer to comfortably and safely shoot or photograph approaching wildlife. The tree stand has two primary components. The first is an upper support which contains the seat structure and an assembly for attaching the seat structure to the tree, comprised of an upper brace and lower brace. The second is a lower support which contains a platform and an assembly for attaching the platform to the tree. The supports engage opposite sides of a tree trunk in offset transverse planes of the trunk, thereby allowing a cantilevering action when the seat structure is occupied allowing the downward force of gravity to act through the braces and in opposing directions against the tree trunk, thereby firmly gripping the tree. The platform is positioned directly below the seat structure, such that, when the user is situated within the seat structure, his feet can rest comfortably on the platform.

Abstract: A machine tool which is a template tracing attachment which significantly reduces the slack or hysteresis in the operation of a machinist's lathe. Optical or magnetic scales and respective sensors assist in the accuracy of producing workpieces from a template. The accurate reproduction of a workpiece can be manual or computer assisted. The attachment can be retrofitted or included in the production of a lathe.

Abstract: An accessory which becomes an integral part of a semi-automatic firearm whereby a detachable box magazine is converted to no longer be immediately separable for exchange with another magazine. The firearm is preferably an AR-15 firearm which is modified by the accessory to pivotally mount the firearm's magazine to a non-removable shroud affixed to the firearm. The magazine shroud includes a retaining band which generally encircles the magazine, and provides a track to allow the magazine to be disengaged from the firearm and dropped sufficiently therefrom to be tilted to an open position for loading and unloading cartridges.

Abstract: A medical clean up kit made up of a container with multiple compartments for storing the clean up material. A first compartment dispensively houses a supply of moistened towelettes saturated with anti-pathogenic agents for destroying various viruses and bacteria. A second compartment dispensively houses a supply of dry towelettes. Various lids and closures are disclosed for sealing the compartments, and preventing the accidental spillage of anti-pathogenic agents which might precipitate from the moist towelettes.

Abstract: A scratch post having a vertical and rotatable tread path which exercises cats or other animals by a treading action of the forelimbs of the animal while in a stationary and upright posture. The scratch post for treading comprises a freestanding base and a vertical treadmill portion. The vertical treadmill portion includes a frame, which has an upper end portion and a lower end portion defining a vertical and longitudinal axis, the lower end portion being engaged to the base. The treadmill portion further includes a looped belt circumvolving the elongated frame vertically depending from the freestanding base. The outer surface of the belt is made of a material suitable for safely engaging the claws of a feline pet. A lighting and batting accessory is also provided.

Abstract: Modular children's furniture with components including a planar panel that can serve as a base and/or a top, a stackable cube, a stackable rectangular cubicle, a drawer component, a shelf, and a playpen. The planar panel with rubber caster wheels is a base upon which the modular components are stacked. The planar panel without caster wheels is a counter-top and caps the modular components. Each cube and cubicle has a hingedly connected panel that functions as a door or lid. Also included are a stackable drawer component and a shelf component. The playpen includes two side panels that are made of a plastic coated wire mesh. The playpen also has two solid side panels that can be attached to a standard bedframe and thus serve as a headboard.

Abstract: An airtight cigar package made up of rectangular, transparent front and rear sheets, which are made of 3 mil gauge polyethylene. The sheets are heat-sealed together to form an airtight envelope. The envelope has a head portion where a paper label is affixed. Sealingly stored within the envelope are four individually wrapped cigars with support members between and alongside the cigars to prevent crushing of the cigars during package transport and storage.

Abstract: A water-soluble coffee tablet comprising a mixture of ground coffee and an agglutinating agent is manufactured under arid conditions by grinding soluble coffee powder in the presence of an agglutinating agent to produce a granular mixture, then sifting the granulated mixture through a thin sieve to obtain a homogenous mixture, and compressing the homogenous mixture to form a coherent tablet. The coffee tablets may be individually sealed in an impervious wrapping or enclosed in air-tight containers to retain the flavor and aroma characteristics of the product under long-term storage.