Abstract: An auger assembly transfers particulate material from a source area to a target area using a main auger, an intermediate swing auger and a loading swing auger connected in series with one another. The main auger is supported on a wheeled frame similar to conventional grain augers while the intermediate swing auger is pivotal thereon and the loading swing auger is pivotal on the intermediate swing auger. The inlet hopper of the auger assembly can thus be more easily positioned relative to the main auger for proper alignment with the discharge hopper of a particulate material container even when the discharge hopper is within a confined space.

Abstract: A kit features two arm assemblies, each of which features a longitudinal member with a padded portion extending from proximate one end thereof toward the other end and a connection at each end allowing horizontal and pivotal motion of the arm assembly about. A method of mooring a watercraft involves connecting each arm assembly between a respective connection point on the watercraft and a respective securing point on a body distinct therefrom, allowing horizontal pivoting of the arms to horizontally move the watercraft toward a vertical plane in which the securing points lie and blocking further horizontal pivoting of the arms by contact between the watercraft and a respective one of the arm assemblies before the watercraft reaches the vertical plane. The arm assemblies bind due to contact with the watercraft, thereby blocking impact of the watercraft with the body to which the securing points are mounted.

Abstract: A method and system for wastewater treatment includes flowing a quantity of a wastewater into a first microbubble chamber having a plurality of diffusers for injecting microbubbles into the wastewater to promote oxygenation. The microbubble includes activated sludge for treating the wastewater. The wastewater is then flowed from the first microbubble chamber through a plurality of rotating discs having a biofilm of microorganisms mounted thereon. The discs rotate about a shaft such that a portion of each disc is exposed to air during rotation. The wastewater is the flowed into a second microbubble chamber having a plurality of diffusers for injecting microbubbles into the wastewater. The treated wastewater is then recovered.

Abstract: A system for mounting a hollow post about a pipe features upper and lower mounting devices vertically spaced along the pipe. The lower mounting device is slidable along the pipe to define a height at which the hollow post sits atop a base of the lower mounting device. The lower mounting device is mountable on the pipe to allow control over the post height with minimal ground surface preparation. The upper mounting device features two members that are engagable in a number of different relative positions to allow relative positioning of the pipe and post, to each of which a respective one of the two members is engaged. In one embodiment, engagement of the members to separate ones of the post and pipe allows adjustment of the post's position relative to the pipe after installation without removal of the post for access to the upper mounting device.

Abstract: A personal all-terrain vehicle is provided which is suitable for driving between rows of a vineyard for trimming vines. The vehicle includes a frame and an engine. A driver seat of the vehicle is positioned at an end of the frame beyond the wheels of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle facing perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Drive controls are foot and leg so that the operator's hands are free for performing work. A hitch member is supported at a rear end of the vehicle adjacent the seat for towing a cart including a tub for carrying trimmings therein. A chipper unit on the cart shreds the vine trimmings into smaller particulates.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair (21) and foldable wheelchair frame assembly (26, 126) including a pair of side frames (24, 124, 224, 324), a cross-bracing frame assembly (36, 136) coupling the side frames (24, 124, 224, 324) together for movement transversely between a spaced apart deployed position and a proximate folded position. A variable length link assembly (61, 161, 261, 361) is mounted into and forms a part of the cross-bracing frame assembly (36, 136) in a position between at least one of the side frames (24, 124, 224, 324) and a remainder of the cross-bracing frame assembly. The extensible link assembly (61, 161, 261, 361) being formed for variation of the overall length in a direction extending transversely between the side frames (24, 124, 224, 324) during movement of the side frames (24, 124, 224, 324) between the deployed and the folded positions so as not to force the side frames (24, 124, 224, 324) into unparallel motion which causes the upholstery to bind the folding mechanism.

Abstract: A tubing counter for counting coiled tubing inserted into a well includes an outer housing having a through passage for receiving the coiled tubing therethrough. In some embodiments, pressure rated connectors at both of the ends of the outer housing sealably connect the outer housing in series between the coiled tubing injector head and the outer casing of the well. A plurality of counting wheels are rotatably supported within the outer housing for rolling engagement along coiled tubing inserted through the outer housing while a counting mechanism records a number of rotations of each counting wheel independently of the other wheels to minimize counting errors. Locating the counter below the injector head and below the tubing stripper ensures that the tubing is cleaner and less likely to slip in contact with the counting wheels while also accounting for stretching of the tubing for more accurate measurement.

Abstract: A full frontal facial safeguard or protective facial shield apparatus protects the facial area of a horse against unwanted and unnecessary injuries, wounds and scaring caused by facial cuts, scratches, scrapes, bumps, and bruises. The apparatus comprises of a protective, padded facial shield spanning from a bridge area to a poll area of a horse while cheeks and the eye area of the horse remain unobstructed. The full frontal facial safeguard can be produced in various sizes to fit most breeds and sizes of horses.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system is responsive to vehicle speed and position as determined by GPS or other location based system information to alert a vehicle operator of potentially unsafe conditions when either exceeding the speed limit on a given road segment or when approaching coordinates of a designated location alert point. The system comprises a portable device, a simple device personalization process using a single physical data communications interface to a local computing device connected to the Internet, and a remote server with a segmented database that provides access to common data services, positional data updates, and device personalization functionality.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with providing a fret for a stringed musical instrument having strings containing ferromagnetic material, wherein the fret is arranged to be magnetic. Having a downward magnetic force exerted on the strings by a fret ensures full and consistent contact between a string and the fret when the string is pressed down against the fret. The invention has three embodiments that describe different ways of providing magnetism to the fret. In a first embodiment the fret is comprised of magnetic material. In a second embodiment a magnet is coupled to the fret to supply magnetic properties to the fret. In a third embodiment an electromagnetic coil is wrapped around a portion of the fret in order to induce magnetism.

Abstract: An electrical shocking device is used for realistic defence training against edge weapons such as a knife. The device includes a handle and blade body shaped to resemble a knife. Spaced apart contacts along the edge of the blade body are selectively coupled to a voltage source for delivering an electrical shock through the contacts when contacted. The voltage source delivers a non-incapacitating electrical shock to produce a fear response in the person being trained without injuring or incapacitating the person. The voltage applied can be incrementally increased as training progresses.

Abstract: A lifting device and method of use permit objects having a flat bottom supported on particulate material to be readily lifted. The device includes an elongate shaft member extending in a longitudinal direction between respective first and second ends. A hook member is supported on the first end of the shaft member to extend substantially straight along a hook axis lying substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member. A gripping member supported on the shaft member adjacent the second end permits gripping in a hand of a person. The substantially perpendicular configuration of the hook member readily permits rectangular objects to be well supported on the hook member for lifting heavy objects including pre-cast concrete sidewalk slabs and the like.

Abstract: An article of furniture, for example a chair, is upholstered with a sports jersey for displaying the jersey thereon. The front side and logo of the jersey are displayed on the back supporting surface of the chair while the rear side and player number of the jersey are displayed on the seating surface of the chair. The chair arms are upholstered with arms of the sports jersey. By providing a chair upholstered with a sports jersey conventional, authentic and readily available sports equipment can be reused in a practical way and displayed in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Abstract: An antiglare device comprises a housing for coupling to a headlight of a vehicle. Surfaces of the housing which face a passenger side of the vehicle are reflective to encourage reflection of light away from oncoming traffic while surfaces of the housing facing towards the driver side of the vehicle are preferably non-reflective to reduce the amount of light reflected towards oncoming traffic. Plates may be supported within the housing through which the light passes in which the plates similarly include reflective and non-reflective surface. The plates may be pivotal between a high beam position parallel to the direction of light projected through the housing and a low beam position in which the plates are deflected in the direction in which the reflective surfaces face towards the passenger side. The plates may instead be horizontal in the high beam position and deflected downwardly in the low beam positions.

Abstract: A safety shut-off system controls power supply to an appliance to prevent accidental fires and the like. The shut-off system includes a shut-off switch for connection in series with the power supply of the appliance. A controller opens the switch in response to detection by the detector of a prescribed fire condition. Failsafe means are provided on the controller for opening the shut-off switch in response to a malfunction of the detector to, ensure that the appliance is only permitted to operator under safe conditions when the detector is properly operating. In order to avoid false alarms the detector may take various forms including the detection of sound or other conditions which may be indicative of a potential fire. There are also incorporated switching capabilities to control additional a/c outlets, gas, propane and other appliances which work in unison with this system.

Abstract: A kit and method are provided for conversion of a vehicle to a high clearance vehicle. The method includes supporting the rear end of the vehicle in a raised position by providing replacement rear wheels of larger diameter. A lifting bracket associated with each front wheel includes a socket for receiving the existing wheel spindle of the respective front wheel therein and a replacement wheel spindle lying parallel and spaced below the socket for supporting the respective front wheel thereon. The use of lifting brackets mounted on the existing wheel spindles of the vehicle permits the existing steering linkage and suspension of the vehicle to function normally so that minimal modification to the vehicle is required for conversion to high clearance.

Abstract: A spacer is provided for use in a standing seam roof system in which roof panels are provided having a base portion and upstanding side flanges along opposed longitudinal sides of the panel. The panels are installed sequentially along roof purlins in a working direction. Occasionally a portion of each panel being installed trails in the working direction in relation to the remainder of the panel. A spacer element is provided with a hook for being suspended in the seam between upstanding side flanges of adjacent panels to advance the trailing portion of the panels and thereby straighten the panels of the roof system.

Abstract: An anchoring tool anchors a tubing string within a surrounding well casing against rotation in either clockwise or counter clockwise directions. The tool includes a tubular housing for connection in line with the tubing string. A fixed jaw is fixedly mounted on the tubular housing and a floating jaw is supported for full rotation about the tubular housing past the fixed jaw. When the floating jaw engages the well casing, the overall diameter of the tool is varied as the fixed jaw is rotated with the tubing string relative to the floating jaw and the surrounding well casing. The tool can be used for anchoring the tubing string to the well casing in either direction while the tool remains down hole in the well casing due to the floating jaw being rotatable past the fixed jaw.