Abstract: A high strength low density multi-purpose panel. The preferred panel is made of a plurality of sections, organized into rows and columns, and each preferably including two voids. The voids are preferably triangular in cross-section and may be rounded at their apex and corners. Solid strips of material, extending between opposite corners and between the faces of each section, intersect at the center of each face, resulting in an X-shaped cross in each section. Each section is rotated ninety degrees with respect to each adjacent section. Each section shares sides with four adjacent sections and corners with four cater-corned sections. The common sides create perpendicular sets of parallel braces running the panel's length and width. The shared corners align and join the X-shaped cross braces with the X-shaped cross braces of their cater-cornered neighbors, creating diagonal braces that run across the entire panel.

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: A new and improved reversible necktie is disclosed. The reversible necktie maintains the conventional appearance of traditional neckties, yet its versatile design allows it to be worn by either gender. The necktie comprises two display sides and an integrated reversing mechanism that enables a user to reverse the tie to selectively expose either side. The necktie further comprises an integrated securing mechanism to allow the user to adjustably secure the reversible necktie to the user's shirt at the desired location. The necktie further comprises an interfacing structure that provides for a durable construction, while not making the tie bulky or overweight.

Abstract: A method of enlarging a ring. A ring to be enlarged is severed, preferably with an end mill, and then expanded. The end mill will preferably cut a circular section from the ring, so that the ends of the now severed ring are concave. A plurality of preformed bars are also provided. The bars will have curved ends that match the curvature of the ring ends. The curvature of the bars and the ring will also match. The width of the various bars, between the ends, will be selected to correspond to desired increases in the ring circumference. A cross-sectional slice will be cut from a bar of the appropriate width and inserted into the severed ring. The ring and the cross-section will then be joined together, preferably with an induction welder, which can be used to quickly heat only a limited portion of the ring and insert.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for latching and unlatching a load from a sling comprises a housing attachable to a load lift line extending from a crane or other similar equipment. Contained at least partially within the housing is a load engaging assembly including a latch, such as a conventional sling hook used to attach a load containing sling. The load engaging assembly further includes a latch attachment assembly and an unlatching trigger assembly. The apparatus further includes a load activated lock operatively attached to the latch attaching assembly to latch and unlatch the load engaging assembly. The load activated lock includes a support structure affixed to the housing, a latch activating member slidably mounted on the support structure and a movable locking structure positioned within the housing and operatively adjacent the latch activating member to engage and prevent latch activating member from sliding movement when a load is applied to the latch.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing backup community power. The improved system is able to deliver power to a community in the event of power failure of the lines feeding it by way of a large scale generator being integrated with the existing power lines in a community and being selectively switched between power sources to maintain electrical power to a community.

Abstract: A vertically stabilized shelf bracket assembly having at least two support strips on which a plurality of shelf brackets are mounted. A cover is provided that aesthetically enhances the shelf bracket assembly and stabilizes it at the same time. In one embodiment, the cover includes a cap and a hanging casing. In one embodiment, apertures are provided in the shelf brackets to support a rod. In another embodiment an adjustable mounting slot is provided in the support strips to facilitate their parallel installation.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure that is reliable and efficient to use in fishing operations, is disclosed. The invention is designed to provide an increased visual attraction, as well as to provide for a more natural and lifelike lure movement, to attract fish thereto.

Abstract: An improved chair for supporting intersecting wires forming a wire mesh at a pre-selected elevated position above a bearing surface during formation of a concrete slab is constructed having a base member shaped to rest on the bearing surface, a compressible support structure having a lower section affixed to the base member, a middle section and an upper section affixed to a setting shaped to support the wire mess at the elevated position. The chair is constructed having an improved compressible, generally bell-shape support structure having two pairs of opposing arched-shaped openings in the middle section forming two intersecting arches, each arch having a pair of opposing flexible legs that bow outward when a pre-determined load is applied to the upper section.

Abstract: An improved single-pole, male, electrical connector for use in industrial applications involving very high currents (e.g., in excess of 1,000 amps) and a method for making and adjusting the connector are disclosed. The connector has a male pin with a slot along most of its length and an adjustment mechanism that is used to vary the width of the slot. By varying the width of the slot, the effective diameter of the pin is changed. The male connector must fit tightly in a female connector, and the adjustment is used to obtain the required fit. In the disclosed invention, the adjustment mechanism is positioned near a tip of the pin and under an insulating safety cap. The adjustment mechanism is configured for adjustment prior to installation of the safety cap.

Abstract: A compression gauge for measuring the compression applied to a test bolt. The compression gauge includes a passive hydraulic cylinder and a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder. The piston and the cylinder define an hydraulic chamber. A threaded test bolt passes through the piston and cylinder to engage a female receiver on the opposite side of the compression gauge. Tightening the test bolt will cause the bolt to compress the piston and cylinder which will pressurize the hydraulic chamber. A pressure gauge measures the pressure achieved in the hydraulic chamber. This pressure can be easily converted to compressive force. When a hydraulic wrench is used to tighten the test bolt, the wrench can be set to apply the same amount of torque to a workpiece bolt and thus apply the desired amount of compression to the workpiece bolt.

Abstract: An improved single-pole electrical connector is disclosed. The connector has a base electrical connection at one end and a pin-and-collet type electrical connection at the other end. A nonconductive mounting base is used to attach the connector to an electrical distribution panel. An electrical cable (e.g., an electrical supply line) is connected to the base electrical connection. Another electrical cable (e.g., from an electrical load) is connected to a pin, which is inserted into the collet. A collet nut is tightened to provide a secure electrical and mechanical connection between the pin and collet. The nonconductive mounting base provides a secure attachment to the distribution panel and insulates the electrically conductive parts of the connector from the panel. An insulating boot may be used to cover the pin and collet side of the connector in use.

Abstract: A cervical brace and therapy device for use to rehabilitate an injured neck of a person is described having a base support structure shaped to fit about the neck and rest on the shoulders of the person; a support ring assembly attachable to the base support structure in a horizontal position below the mandible of the person, the support ring assembly having an anterior section and a posterior section; a rotational member attached to the support ring assembly in a manner to rotate about the support ring assembly; and an occipital-mandible support member shaped to accommodate the mandible and the occipital portions of the head of the person, the occipital-mandible support member being attachable to the rotational member in a manner to permit the occipital-mandible support member a predetermined range of rotation.

Abstract: A drilling fluid or mud additive having several components, including leonardite (humic acid); potassium acetate; partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA); polyanionic cellulose polymer (PAC); sulfonated asphalt; sulfoalkylated tannin; polystyrene maleic anhydride copolymer; micronized cellulose fiber; and calcium carbonate. These components are preferably premixed in a dry formulation as a powder or as pellets, and shipped to the site in bags or bulk tanks. This offers substantial advantages over the prior art in that the drilling mud of the present invention may be formed simply by adding the dry mix to a predetermined amount of water, and is thus much easier to make than the prior art wet mix drilling fluids, which typically require precise ratios of several different powders and liquids to be mixed together. Hydration buffers help keep the powder or pellets dry and flowable.

Abstract: A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the methods and apparatus to acquire, record, and analyze data to determine the draft of a water-borne vessel and/or the amount of cargo that has been loaded in a water-borne vessel. The apparatus includes a portable, handheld housing containing means for use in positioning the housing in a predetermined location and spatial orientation. Such means can include one or more narrow beam emitting devices, such as lasers or other similar devices, or a camera or other image processing level sensors. The housing also containing an ultrasonic transducer and receiver, or alternatively, a laser emitter and receiver, that directs sound pulses or light, respectively, toward the surface of the water body in which the vessel is placed. Within the housing is electrical circuitry to receive either the sound or light beam signals, and from these signals produce a signal representative of the time of travel of the sound pulse or light.

Abstract: A method for producing an enzymatically stabilized soy meal containing a naturally-occurring trypsin inhibitor to produce a soluble, pleasant-tasting soy product which comprises enzymatically deactivating the trypsin inhibitors in the soy meal without using heat, and treating the soy meal makes the carbohydrates and proteins more digestible.