Abstract: An improved relief valve for use in a diaphragm flush valve is constructed having a sealing member provided with an exteriorly threaded shaft extending down into the diaphragm flush valve with a smaller diameter metal stem extending from the bottom of the shaft, a sleeve member slidable along the metal stem and having a vertically aligned slit in its side wall, and a retaining member adjustably vertically positioned on the threaded sealing member shaft, wherein the retaining member having a stop element extendable into the vertical slit to prevent the sleeve member from dropping further than a predetermined distance from the bottom of the threaded shaft.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for quicker, easier and more injury-free catfish skinning utilizing a wedging device to limit movement.

Abstract: The addition of one or more stimulants to a petroleum well in order to enhance the production of the well. If the well is suffering from asphaltene or paraffin build up, the well may be heated either chemically or with steam prior to introduction of the stimulant. Additionally, a solvent may be added to dissolve the asphaltenes and paraffins. The stimulants are allowed to soak into the formation and then the well is returned to production. The stimulants increase the ability of oil to flow through the formation and decrease the ability of water to flow through the formation by coating the water wet portions of the formation with oil soluble chemicals. The stimulants also decrease the viscosity of the oil in formation.

Abstract: A portable air conditioner utilizing low-power draw components, simple and efficient construction, and implementing simple ice water as the medium for heat exchange.

Abstract: A valve cover having a valve cover body, preferably of two sections. These sections are placed on either side of a valve. When joined, the sections enclose the valve, but form line apertures around the lines leading to and from the valve. Once the sections are in place, a cap is placed over the sections. The cap is sized to fit the sections tightly and will prevent the sections from separating. The cap may be provided with a tongue in groove mechanism to prevent accidental removal of the cap and to help secure the cap to the valve cover body. The cap and the valve cover body are also preferably provided with locking apertures. When these locking apertures are aligned, the cap may be secured to the valve cover body with a lock. With the valve cover locked in place around a valve, access to the valve is denied.

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: Disclosed herein is a method for treating odors in wastewater treatment bodies. The pH of the body is preferably established above about 6 and most preferably above about 7, usually by adding a base to the body. The oxidation reduction potential of the body is established at about ?300 mV or higher and more preferably about ?200 mV or higher, usually by adding an oxidizing agent such as oxygen or nitrates. After these conditions are established, sulfur oxidizing bacteria are added to the body. These preferably include Paracoccus denitrificans (formerly called Thiosphaera pantotropha) ATTC number 35,512. The sulfur oxidizing bacterial population should be established at levels of at least about 1×104 cfu/mL and more preferably at levels of 1×105 to 1×106 cfu/mL or higher. The increased ORP and pH levels make sulfate reduction thermodynamically unfavorable. Additionally, the presence of an alternative electron acceptor such as oxygen or nitrate allows the sulfur oxidizing bacteria to oxidize organic acids.

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 fishing accessory that includes a housing and an alerting mechanism for alerting a fisherman when a fishing line connected to the activation switch of the alerting mechanism is being tugged on by a fish. The housing includes a housing having a pair of attachment clamps securable to a fishing rod. The alerting mechanism includes multiple types of alarm outputs that may be selected in various combinations by a user.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the device disclosed is a unified structure which combines various implements useful for automotive applications. Such implements include various lighting devices, a range of power outlets, signal lamps and more. The present invention also includes an independent power supply for such devices as well as the ability to be powered from an outside source, such as a vehicle.

Abstract: A quick connect electrical junction box assembly for receipt and support of electrical appliances including a first support member adapted to be attached to a building, the first support member having a female electrical receptacle connected thereto, a second support member to support an electrical appliance, the second support member having a male electrical plug rotatably connected thereto, the male electrical plug being adapted to be received in the female electrical receptacle to make an electrical connection between first support member and the second support member, the second support member having at least one load bearing connector, the load bearing connector being adapted to be received in the first support member to connect the second support member to the first support member, the load bearing connector being spaced apart from the male electrical plug.

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 skinning card game. The game includes a marked playing surface, one or more standard decks of playing cards, a spinning wheel, and chips. The marked playing surface is provided with several identical player grids and a dealer grid. Each player and dealer grid contains a total of thirteen chip positioning spaces, one chip positioning space for each of the playing cards in each suit. Each grid may be arranged 4×3 array with a single space centered at the top of the array. Each chip positioning space is designated with a designation representing a playing card, such as for instance: A=ace, 1=one, 2=two, 3=three, 4=four, 5=five, 6=six, 7=seven, 8=eight, 9=nine, 10=ten, J=jack, Q=queen, and K=king. The spinning wheel has a spinnable pointer and thirteen card designation sections each designated in no particular order with the card values of ace, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, and King.

Abstract: A high strength low density multi-purpose panel. The preferred panel is made of a plurality of boxes, organized into rows and columns, and each preferably including four alternately inverted voids. The voids are preferably triangular in cross-section and rounded at their apex and corners. The box sides are preferably four solid panels. Cross panels, extending between opposite corners and between the faces of each box, intersect at each box center, resulting in an X-shaped cross in each box. Each box is rotated ninety degrees with respect to each adjacent box. Each box shares sides with four adjacent boxes and corners with four cater-corned boxes. 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 panels with the X-shaped cross panels of their cater-cornered neighbors, creating diagonal braces that run across the entire panel.

Abstract: A ball hitch coupler for use with a towing vehicle having a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler provides an improved and simplified structure designed to make assembly and coupling to the ball hitch easy, while not compromising coupler strength or security. The ball hitch coupler comprises a coupler housing having a ball hitch cavity, a locking passageway also located in the coupler housing, and a locking rod having a keyed section. The locking rod operates as a restraining mechanism to hold the ball hitch within the ball hitch cavity, thereby resulting in a secure coupling of the ball hitch with the ball hitch coupler. In addition, the locking rod, in conjunction with the locking passageway, also serves as a theft protection feature by operating as an inherent lock-key mechanism.