Abstract: An apparatus to improve a golfer's swing, the golfer having a leading arm and a trailing arm, the golfer's swing having a back swing portion, a downswing portion, and a follow through portion, the apparatus having a chest loop adapted to encircle the chest area of a golfer; a biceps loop connecting to the and adapted to encircle the biceps area of the leading arm of a golfer; and a forearm loop connecting to the chest loop and adapted to encircle the forearm area of the leading arm of a golfer, where the biceps loop and the forearm loop are further adapted to cooperate during a golf swing to restrain the elbow of a golfer's leading arm from detaching during the follow through portion of a golf swing and to have substantially no impact on the golfer's leading arm during the back swing and downswing portion of a golf swing.

Abstract: A device to assist in removing a fetus from a woman's birth canal during childbirth is provided. The device includes a pliable, elongated cylinder with at least one end to fit over the head of the fetus, insertion wands for positioning the cylinder over the head of the fetus, wand sheaths which hold the insertion wands in place, and a drawstring attached at the open end. An insertion sleeve is used to compress the open end of the cylinder so that the cylinder can be inserted into the mother. An application cone is provided for spreading the open end of the cylinder and guiding it over the head during application. The cylinder is constructed so that as it is pulled from the end opposite the open end, the cylinder will axially grip the head of the fetus and extract the fetus from the mother. A method of using the device is also described.

Abstract: A fishing tackle organizer for securing and arranging fishing baits and lures is provided that includes a flexible nylon casing member having attached binder rings, a plurality of plastic serf-sealing storage bags attachable to the rings, and a carrying handle attached to the rings. Each plastic storage bag has a extended strip on a bottom end with two pre-punched holes for securing the bag to the rings. Optionally, a pocket for holding bait jars is also provided, either as an integral part of the organizer or as a removable attachment. A replacement device having adhesive tabs for holding conventional storage bags to the binder rings is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel grapple type of device for removing bulky materials from containers such as rail cars. The invention conforms to the general shape of rail cars and is able to enclose the bulky material from all sides. Therefore a grapple is provided comprising a housing which has a side and an end, with the end being shorter in length than the side. The grapple also has an attachment device positioned on the housing for attaching a tension member to the housing. A plurality of tines are pivotally attached to the housing along the side and at least one fine is pivotally attached to the housing along the end. There are further a plurality of fine actuating devices, each of the actuating devices having a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to one of the tines. Additionally, the grapple contains a fluid supply mechanism operatively attached to the tine actuating devices, the fluid supply mechanism being positioned on the grapple.

Abstract: An adjustable crate assembly is disclosed. The assembly is composed of a pair of opposing sidewalls and adjustable crossbars which connect the opposing sidewalls. The crossbars connect to mateable portions on the inner surfaces of the panels which make up the sidewalls. The crossbars serve as a top of bottom to the crate and hold the item being crated. In one embodiment the sidewalls and the crossbars are formed of modular panels which may be strung together end to end.

Abstract: A device to assist in removing a fetus from a woman's birth canal during childbirth is provided. The device includes a pliable, elongated member open at at least one end to fit over the head of the fetus, insertion means for positioning the elongated member over the head of the fetus, and restricting means attached at that one end of the elongated member to decrease the size of the opening at the one end. The elongated member is constructed so that as the elongated member is pulled from the other end, the elongated member will axially grip the head of the fetus.

Abstract: A suitable liquid-solid separator tank having a bed with a drain, surrounding sides and a dividing wall. A grate overlays the interior of the vessel, bed, and sides, and forms the dividing wall. A filter overlays the grate, extending up the sides and overlapping the side grate and covering the dividing wall. The separator is filled with a sludge which is then separated from the liquid it contains by gravity and hydrostatic pressure which force the liquid through the filter. Liquid is drained out of the bottom of the vessel and the solids are transported within the vessel. The solids are removed through a gate that may be provided in the tank, or by using a hydraulic lift system in much the same manner as a garbage truck empties a municipal dumpster. The filter is removed with the solids and usually discarded.

Abstract: A spinal column fixation device and method is disclosed. Generally, the device contains a pedicle screw that has a first and second end. The first end of the screw has a threaded portion and the second end has a spherical handle. Also included will be a clamping apparatus that will clamp onto the spherical handle ends as well as having a receiving portion for placement of interconnecting rods. A novel intra-vertebral body wedge is also included. Further, a method of stabilizing motion of a plurality of involved spinal diseased vertebrae with the spinal column fixation device and wedge has been claimed.

Abstract: A method for treating municipal wastewater in an oxidation ditch activated sludge system by automated determination of the nitrogen depletion inflection point, which enables anoxic cycles to be utilized to achieve improved settling of the activated sludge by providing selective pressure against the growth of filamentous bacteria, by providing improved total nitrogen removal, by providing energy savings and by providing recovery of alkalinity.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the birth of livestock is disclosed. The device, known as a fetlock puller, is elongated, has at least one end open, and is sized so that the one open end will fit over the fetlock of an unborn animal fetus. The fetlock is the large bulge on an animal's foreleg just above the hoof. The fetlock puller is constructed of braid material which will cause the device to axially grip the foreleg as traction is applied. The device can also be used to suspend a newborn animal and hook it to a scale so it can be weighed.

Abstract: A turf aeration device is provided, comprising a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein the frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off capability. Balanced chain and sprocket assemblies are used to transfer power from the power take-off to the drive shaft, and a plurality of aerator mechanisms are attached to the drive shaft and the frame. Each aerator mechanism comprises a link member which supports a pivotable tine holder having at least one tine, a stop member attached to the link member for contacting the tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; a means for adjusting the predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; an elastomeric band pivotally connected between the frame and the tine holder for urging the tine holder against the stop member; a drive link attached to the drive shaft; and a connecting rod pivotally attached between the drive link and the link member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe utilized in an ultrasonic ranging system for determining fluid volume and/or fluid leakage in an underground storage tank, as well as monitoring fluid inventory, is provided which is characterized by (i) having its calibration reflectors positioned whereby each of the secondary echo packets formed by the calibration reflectors of the ultrasonic probe becomes imbedded into the trailing edge of a primary echo packet of another calibration reflector or to cause its secondary echo packet to be detected by the transducer after the transducer has detected a primary echo packet associated with the fluid surface, (ii) each of the calibration reflectors being positioned perpendicular to and offset from the longitudinal axis of the probe body, (iii) an ultrasonic sound wave dampening member fixedly positioned in the probe body between the transducer assembly and the tank bottom, the wave dampening member having a surface facing toward the transducer assembly wherein the surface is configured to damp

Abstract: A denitrification apparatus, for use in a wastewater treatment system having a mixed liquor source, is disclosed. The apparatus has at least two non-aerated continuous channels, connected in series. Wastewater flows from the mixed liquor source into the series of channels and then flows back into the mixed liquor source. In a preferred embodiment the inlets and outlets for each channel are arranged so that the flow into the channel is into the lower portion of the channel, and the flow from the channel is from the upper portion.

Abstract: A method of removing noxious odors and preventing erosion within waste water headworks, said headworks including a headworks structure for waste water, an inlet line, an outlet line and a vent line; a method of removing noxious odors and preventing erosion within said headworks structure, comprising the step of introducing into a vapor space above the level of said waste water in said headworks structure, a low turbulence flow of ozonated air in sufficient volume of said ozonated air to form a blanket above said level of said waste water in said headworks structure and in an ozone concentration effective to prevent the formation of a biofilm, said introduction of ozonated air further being of a sufficient volume and ozone concentration to substantially react with malodorous gases present in said headworks structure without causing substantial erosion of said headworks structure by said ozonated air.

Abstract: A device for gauging the depth of suture penetration and for easing the withdrawal of a suturing device is provided. The device has a sheath with a closed end, where the interior of the sheath is sized to fit over a finger, a plurality of tines positioned on the closed end and a device for firmly holding a suturing device positioned on the closed end. The tines are positioned so that a suturing device has at least one path across the surface of the closed end to the device for firmly holding a suturing device unobstructed by the tines. The sheath is generally constructed of material resistant to puncture or penetration by a suturing device. The device can be incorporated into one fingermember of a glove.

Abstract: The invention includes a tunnel-conveyor section designed to process large-scale quantities of such materials as automobile tires for frangiation and embrittlement to low- or cryogenic-temperature levels for separation of fibrous and metal portions and subsequent granulation into fine-mesh particles. The system is also designed to subject food products to low- or cryogenic-temperature levels prior to for long-term storage and shipping as well. The system can also be used for freeze drying at very low temperatures (-380.degree. F. and lower) when nonconveyor procedures are used. The unit can be adapted as a horizontal-cylinder as well as a spiral or circular system for large-scale conveyor operations. Smaller systems can also be fabricated for laboratory or smaller-scale procedures.

Abstract: A device and method for maintaining effective bacterial levels within a collecting container of an organic matter collection system of the type having a collecting container having a bottom and a liquid to air interface-surface is provided. The bacterial incubator comprise: a housing having a first and second interior chamber; an elongated feed tube, connected to the housing, having a passageway terminating at one end in connection with the second interior chamber and terminating at the other end in a feed opening; and a plurality of high surface-area members that are contained within the first interior chamber. The first interior chamber is in fluid connection with both the second interior chamber and the exterior of the housing. The elongated feed tube is of a length sufficient to allow a section thereof containing the feed opening to be positioned above the air to liquid interface-surface of a collecting container.

Abstract: A neck wrap comprising a wrap member and a fastening means is described. The wrap member includes a center section and two extended sections. The center section is of a first predetermined width and has a first and second end and a heat transfer unit retaining means, located between the first and second ends, which has dimensions sufficient to allow a desired heat transfer unit to be inserted and retained within the heat transfer unit retaining means during use. Each of the two extended sections is of a second predetermined width greater than the first predetermined width of the center section. The extended sections are connected at the first and second end of the center section in a manner such that a flap portion is created on each of the extended sections of sufficient width to allow the extended portions to be attached together without constricting the throat area of the user when the neck wrap is in use.

Abstract: An improved cartridge mounted mechanical seal for providing a seal between a housing and a rotatable shaft is provided, including at least one radial stud which extends from the inside of the rotary sleeve of the seal through the rotary sleeve and into the lock collar of the seal so as to transmit torque from the shaft to the rotating face of the seal. The radial stud is preferably removably insertable into said lock collar and is held axially in place by an elastomeric o-ring positioned in a groove in the stud.

Abstract: A device for gauging the depth of suture penetration is provided. The device has a sheath with a closed end, where the interior of the sheath is sized to fit over a finger, and a plurality of tines positioned on the closed end so that a suturing device has at least one path across the surface of the closed end unobstructed by the tines. The sheath is generally constructed of material resistant to puncture or penetration by a suturing device. The device can be incorporated into a fingermember of a glove.