Abstract: A drilling unit containing a combined pilot bit and reamer. The drilling unit includes a housing containing a mud motor and a pilot bit extending from its distal end. A reamer is mounted to the housing. The mud motor turns the pilot bit while the reamer is turned either by the mud motor or as the drill string is rotated from the surface. The well bore is drilled and reamed in one pass. By positioning the reamer between the pilot bit and the mud motor, the mud motor must only pass through the larger reamer bore rather than the smaller pilot hole. This will allow larger mud motors to be used than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, the pilot bit is offset relative to the center of the end of the drill housing, providing increased tangential speed at the point of impact between the pilot bit and formation.

Abstract: An improved aircraft passenger boarding bridge is constructed wherein the bridge cabin has at least one side wall in which is installed a baggage chute assembly pivotally attached at its lower end to the bridge cabin wall to permit the assembly to be pivoted outward from the bridge cabin and toward the ground.

Abstract: A tack spraying device mountable on an engine driven vehicle having a storage tank for maintaining tack stored in the container under pressure during operation, a first line connecting the exhaust pipe of the vehicle engine to the storage tank in a manner to permit transfer of the engine exhaust to the interior of the storage tank and to serve as a source of the pressure within the container, and a second line connecting the storage tank to a spray nozzle in a manner to transfer the tack in the storage tank to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A laundry cart having a conical shaped laundry basket that is shaped to prevent contact between the laundry basket and the surrounding equipment such as washing machines and dryers. The bottom of the laundry basket is provided with a padded bumper to minimize damages caused by contact.

Abstract: An apparatus for the loading and unloading of material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a latching and unlatching mechanism that safely and efficiently releases an attached load from a sling after the load has been transported to the desired location. The apparatus further comprises a load-activated locking mechanism that prevents inadvertent release of the attached load, yet is adjustable to the weight of the lifting slings and hardware so as to prevent a premature locking.

Abstract: A mattress cover with massaging mechanism and heating element built in that includes a foam padding structure, positionable over the top of a mattress and having a cavity provided therein, a padding structure cover and a number of multi-fold, massaging ridge members that pass through the cavity and into connection with a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism being controlled by a remote control unit provided to allow a user to adjust the frequency and intensity of the massage, providing movement of the multi-fold, massaging ridge members generated by operation of the drive mechanism while laying down on the padding structure cover; a heating element is optionally added to the padding structure to cover across the user to receive heat treatment while receiving a massage.

Abstract: A float tube cover for covering the exterior of an inflated inner tube or the like with a fabric material which will prevent adhesive burns and abrasions and also prevent the inner tube from becoming excessively heated from exposure to the sun. The cover is desirably provided with a leash to allow the user to retrieve the tube should the fall off of the tube as well as one or more pockets for holding items such as suntan lotion, sunglasses, and the like.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing vehicle misfuelling by utilizing an apparatus that receives a fuel nozzle into the filler neck, and activates a vacuum on the nozzle inserted therein. Using the pump's internal shut-off mechanism, this prevents the fuel pump from dispensing fuel until the sensing unit within the apparatus is able to identify the fuel proposed to be added to the tank. If the fuel is deemed acceptable, the vacuum is released, and the fuel is permitted to enter into the desired fuel tank.

Abstract: A motion waterfowl decoy. The preferred embodiment has a pair of wings mounted to an axle such that the wings rotate with the axle. The wings' undersides are preferably lighter than their topsides. A pull cord is wound about the axle so that unwinding the cord will spin the axle and wings. As the wings rotate, their lighter underside is alternately displayed, creating a strobelike effect resembling wings flapping. A biasing device such as a length of rubber or latex tubing or a spring is attached to the axle. Rotating the axle by pulling the cord loads the biasing device. When the cord is released, the biasing device will unload, causing the axle and wings to rotate in the opposite direction and rewinding the pull cord about the axle. The decoy preferably floats, and can be used to disturb the water's surface in imitation of landing or feeding waterfowl.

Abstract: A vertically stabilized shelf bracket assembly having at least two support strips on which at least one cabinet and preferably one or more shelves are mounted. The shelving is stabilized in several ways. First, the brackets are provided with a shelf engaging recess. Second, the brackets are provided with a vertical member which engages the shelves. Preferably, the recess and the vertical member will engage the shelf at opposite ends of the shelf, securing the shelf to the bracket. The shelves can be further stabilized by securing the brackets against vertical displacement. This can be accomplished by securing the shelf brackets to the support strip with a locking pin. With the locking pin in place, the shelf bracket cannot be moved upward.

Abstract: A disposable extended sump line having a pump end and a mouth end for removing water from a barge or other container. The mouth end has a double layered strainer basket covering its entrance. The pump end preferably has a valve which may be opened to introduce water into the sump line from above. The pump end of the line is also configured to connect to a pump, so that suction may be applied. The double layered strainer basket will keep the cargo away from the mouth end of the sump line and prevent clogging. By adding water to the sump line through the valve, the sump line may be primed quickly. Finally, by making the sump line from disposable materials, the problems of damage to the sump line during unloading may be overcome by simply discarding the sump line and replacing it with another before reloading.

Abstract: A safety syringe having a sheath advanceable into a covered position by operation of the plunger with a mechanism for securing the sheath in the covered position. A bar extends across the interior of the barrel. One or more arms depend from the sheath, engaging the plunger directly or indirectly. Depressing the plunger pushes the sheath, via the arms, into the covered position. The arms each include a first and a second tooth. As the sheath is advanced, the first tooth will encounter the bar. The leading edge of the first tooth is beveled to allow the tooth to pass over the bar. The trailing edge of the first tooth is not beveled, preventing the first tooth from being pulled back over the bar. The leading edge of the second tooth is likewise not beveled, also preventing the second tooth from passing over the bar. The first and second teeth lock the bar between them, preventing the sheath and arms from moving in either direction.

Abstract: A safety syringe for a vacuum specimen tube having a stopper. The syringe includes a shroud with a double ended needle and a sheath slidably positioned over the needle's external end. The sheath's tip can be hypodermically inserted with the needle. The sheath moves between an exposed position where the sharp point of the needle's external end is exposed and a covered position where the sharp point of the needle's external end is inside the sheath. After the needle and sheath are inserted into the patient, the vacuum tube is seated in the shroud, piercing the stopper with needle's internal end and allowing blood to flow into the tube. As the tube is seated, it will also preferably engage an arm extending from the sheath to advance the sheath into the covered position. Thus, the sheath is in the covered position before the syringe is removed from the patient.

Abstract: A wrench assembly including a drive head and an attached socket for engaging a bolt or nut. When the drive head turns, the socket and any engaged threaded member will also rotate. A hydraulic motor and cylinder are also included. The hydraulic motor and cylinder rotate the drive head and socket independently of each other. Typically, the hydraulic motor will rotate the drive head faster than the cylinder but at lower torques. Thus, the hydraulic motor will spin the threaded member down until it is snug, and then the hydraulic cylinder will tighten the threaded member to the desired torque. Alternatively, the hydraulic cylinder may break the threaded member out when it is tight. The hydraulic motor will then spin the loosened threaded member out. Finally, the wrench assembly includes a hydraulic fluid distribution system, including one or more valves that regulate hydraulic fluid flow through the wrench assembly.