Abstract: A support for a water heater is constructed of a plurality of component elements including four stacks of two elements each. The first base elements can be positioned to form an approximate cylinder with the second upper elements stackable thereupon. Diametrically opposite pairs of elements are secured in position by steel bands. An elongated trough fits between pairs of adjacent stacks of elements and has laterally extending flanges which engage and support the weight of the trough upon inwardly directed ledges on adjacent component elements. The trough is designed to fit extending laterally or transversely so that it can be extended to lie beneath the spigot on the water heater to facilitate draining, as needed.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electricity is configured as a drum with a housing that has adjustable shutters to control the amount of wind reaching the turbine blades. Alternatively, the turbine blades can be pivotably mounted and opened and closed using a cam follower, cam track system to minimize wind exposure to downstream turbine blades.

Abstract: A fishing jig has a first teardrop-shaped body portion with a generally flat bottom that is curved upwardly toward its peripheral edges. A second semi-hourglass-shaped rudder portion is attached to one end of the body portion by a necked-down region. A hook extends from an eyelet positioned at the center of gravity of the body portion out through the tail and curls over the centerline of the rudder portion. The jig has shown remarkable capacity to imitate the movement of a minnow in both the retrieval and settling directions.

Abstract: A cap, jacket, shirt, or sweatshirt displaying the logos of two rival adjacent a field, court, mat or rink depicting the sport in which the teams vie. These logos may be readily ripped-off, being attached by hook-and-loop fabric, or the like, to enable the following week's rivalry to be displayed on the same item of apparel. The wearer's preference is displayed on that item of apparel by means of a team name/logo/exhortational message displayed elsewhere on the item than in the display region and by a red ‘DIS’ cord stretched across the team the wearer wishes to lose in a manner reminiscent of the international NOT! display.

Abstract: A multi-section board is sandwiched by a fabric base and a fabric pillow-top, with the two fabric layers being stitched together along the edges and along the seams between the board sections. Pockets in the pillow-top receive fill which can be manmade or natural to form a cushion for the pitched elastomeric pitching shoes which are used with the pitching station. The stake is attached to a plate that is received in a pocket in the two fabrics. The stake and plate may be steel or plastic. The pitching station can be formed into a convenient triangular shape for storage and transport.

Abstract: A locator/fastener has a first outer member with a precision-machined external body portion, a retention head protruding from a first end, and a multi-diameter throughbore. A fastener, which may take the form of a cap screw, floats in the throughbore of the locator with the threaded portion protruding from a second end of the locator. A receiver has an internal precision-machined surface which contacts the precision-machined body portion of the locator and a threaded bore which receives the protruding fastener. By separating the locating and fastening functions, a quick connect disconnect device is created which does not bind or gall. A hangar system allows a sub-base plate to be attached to a base using the locator-fastener disclosed herein.

Abstract: A support platform for a video camera allows cushioning of jostling attendant to walking motion so that the video quality is unaffected by the photographer's movements. A sphere of TEFLON polymer floats in a socket plate permitting hand movements about the roll and pitch axes of ±60° and ±360° about the yaw axis without jarring the camera. A second embodiment affords the ability to mount an additional camera to provide shots in a plurality of directions on a single take. Yet another feature of the invention is a hands-free support arm usable with the support platform.

Abstract: A training assistance device capable of significant height adjustment has at least one adjustable, and preferably, two adjustable arms to allow it to simulate a defender in a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Structure facilitating transport of the device from place to place is included.

Abstract: A neutral starter interlock for motorcycles, a form of electronic safety circuit, is disclosed. The interlock is designed as a retrofit especially for Harley-Davidson® Big Twin and Sportster® motorcycles manufactured prior to model-year 2007 and factory equipped with an electric starter and a neutral indicator light. The interlock circuit interconnects the neutral indicator circuit (between the battery and the transmission neutral switch) and the starting circuit (between the battery and the starter solenoid) of the motorcycle, and includes an electronic relay that bars current from flowing from the battery to the starter solenoid unless the motorcycle's transmission is in neutral. This prevents unanticipated movement of the motorcycle if an attempt is made to start the engine with the transmission in gear.

Abstract: A basketball-like member is mounted on one end of a pendulum adapted to swing in an arc about a cylindrical bearing attached to a support extending from a discontinuity of a first side of a partially cylindrical hoop through which the basket-ball member is repetitively swung to score points. A handle on a second opposite side is grasped and the tethered ball manipulated to cause the repetitive arcuate travel through the hoop. A battery-powered counter keeps track of the number of baskets or points scored, at the preference of the player.

Abstract: A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The well cellar system also includes at least one substantially inflexible side member attached to the base, the at least one side member and the base defining a cavity. A seal between the at least one side member and the base substantially prevents the flow of fluids between the at least one side member and the base. The attachment between the base and the conductor pipe substantially prevents the flow of fluids between the base and the conductor. The well cellar system of the present invention substantially eliminates contamination of soil and water sources adjacent the well site during its operation.

Abstract: A retainer for securing a hand-held electronic or optical device is made of a soft, pliable elastomeric material so that inserting and removing the device is accomplished without significant sound so as not to startle wildlife which may be in the vicinity. The retainer has a pair of flexible retention fingers on either side of a slot that receives a retention post affixed to the hand-held device to secure it in the retainer. The retainer has a toothed grip clip which can swivel between a teeth up and a teeth down position and has a toggle mechanism which ensures engagement of the teeth with an article of the user's clothing.

Abstract: A first sheet metal is configured into an enclosure and first and second pluralities of fingers are bent inwardly from the sheet metal to serve retention fingers, the first plurality frictionally engaging the outside of a honeycomb material to retain it in the enclosure while the second plurality serve as a limit stop to keep the honeycomb above the electrical device being protected. The honeycomb may have two sets of oppositely angled honeycomb cells, one capturing airflow from a fan and drawing it into the enclosure which the second set permits convective air currents to rise upwardly out of the enclosure. Alternatively, the cells of the honeycomb may be vertical convective air currents will flow under the wall of the enclosure, with or without the aid of a fan, the vertically directed cells of the honeycomb creating a chimney effect to dissipate the heat.

Abstract: An L-shaped sine plate is mounted to pivot about an arcuately translating pivot point to maintain the sharp corner height at a constant elevation. In this way, no mathematical formulae need be used to calculate adjustments which would otherwise be necessary if the sharp corner height was changing, as is the case with other sine bars.

Abstract: A piezoelectric circuit has a base crystal with electroplated electrodes, at least one of which has a beta emitter such as Nickel 63 vacuum plated thereon to provide a self-powering capability. The size of the radioactive power source will be selected to enable the resonator to function without the benefit of an external power source for some applications. In other instances, the radioactive power source will be sized to enable the resonator to produce higher amplitude output to reduce the level of phase noise and improve resolution.

Abstract: A furniture glide is mountable on the foot of a furniture leg. The glide is constructed around a glide base having an inner portion and foot support surface. A plurality of spring fingers positioned on the glide base have attached and distal ends. The distal ends extend in an inward direction toward the inner portion of the glide base. The distal ends also extend in an outward direction away from the foot support surface. The positioning of heads at about the distal end of each spring finger allows the spring fingers to receive an outward expansion force when the foot is moved toward the foot support surface. The spring fingers are positioned to move in an inward direction toward the inner portion of the glide base to lock the foot to the furniture glide when the foot contacts the foot support surface.

Abstract: A cylindrical tumbler has a plurality of angled slots positioned about its periphery, the leading edge face of each slot forming an angled impeller vane. When the tumbler is placed on an intake plug and suction applied through the plug, the tumbler spins throwing off any debris which may otherwise accumulate on the strainer. In alternate embodiments, lengths of flexible strand can be attached to the periphery of the tumbler or two tumblers with oppositely angled slots, and hence, opposite spin directions can be positioned on the same plug to increase turbulence and further reduce debris accumulation.