Abstract: A one-piece equine dental speculum having an open frame, extending from one side of a horse's mouth, across in front of the incisors to the opposite side of the mouth. Bite plates are affixed at the front of the speculum to engage the incisors when the speculum is fully inserted. Two V-shaped projections extending rearward from each end of the bite plates act as wedges to engage the incisors and force them towards the upper and lower bite plates, forcing the jaws apart. Simply, insertion requires placing the speculum frame around the horse's mouth, placing the V-shaped projections between the upper and lower incisors and pushing until the incisors are “walked” along the upper and lower surfaces of the V-shaped projections to open the jaws. Once fully inserted, the incisors are held in place at the bite plates preventing the jaws from closing. Nose and head straps hold the speculum in place in the horse's mouth.

Abstract: A screen retention system is provided for installing screen covers over large openings having polygonal frames comprising a plurality of mounting strips attached to a frame, each mounting strip having a plurality of posts. Each post has a substantial girth and has an enlarged head formed at its tip, the underside of the head forming a catch substantially around the entire underside. Screen material is mounted over the posts and the heads retain the screen thereon and therefore resist large lateral forces exerted by tension in the screen. A closure loop strip entangles the post heads to retain the loop strip thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an electrical power cord against theft comprises cylindrical tube rigidly attached to a padlock. The cord passes through the tube's bore. The bore is too small to pass the enlarged cord ends or plugs, trapping the cord in the tube. The cord cannot be removed without first removing the cord ends or severing the cord. The padlock can be locked to any secure structure, rendering the cord resistant to theft.

Abstract: A beveled edge fork provides a handle and a head portion. A preferred version of the head provides four tines extending from a base of the head portion, which are strengthened by center, left and right reinforcements. A concave upper surface, enclosed by a U-shaped upper convex perimeter surface mates with a lower beveled edge on a lower convex surface, forming left and right cutting edges, allowing a user to cut food with the side of the fork.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a cover or lid between horizontal and upright positions. A foot-actuated device is connected by a first cable to a lift mechanism positioned about the lid's pivot. The first cable lies over the profile of an oblong cam in the lift mechanism. Pulling the first cable rotates the cam for rotating the lid. The cam's profile initially produces a large turning moment which compensates for the initially difficult lift and then smoothly decreases the turning moment to compensate for the decreasing force needed as the lid approaches the upright position. In the context of a toilet seat lid, it is convenient to incorporate an automatic lowering device. In upright position, a latch in the cam engages a trigger. The seat is spring-urged to close, restrained only by the latch and trigger. A second cable is float-actuated to disengage the trigger from the latch when the tank begins to refill after being flushed.

Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible boat comprises twin parallel hulls, a frame and human-powered paddlewheels outboard of the two hulls. The boat's frame is capable of being collapsed and packed into a bundle for carrying as a backpack. The drive comprises a pedal drive for turning a short drive axle which is independently and releasably coupled to paddlewheel driveshafts. Steering of the boat is accomplished by selective engaging and disengaging of the left and right couplings The frame comprises a steering column, an operator's seat support, rear hull spacing members and front hull spacing members which support the driveshafts.

Abstract: A combined material conveyor and electrical generation system is disclosed. The invention may be used to provide electrical energy to a remote location through which the material conveyor passes and/or harness energy which would normally be dissipated in braking a material conveyor. One or more electrical generators is driven by the motion of a belt in a material conveyor. Electrical power generated by the generator is delivered to an external power output. The invention can capture the potential energy of particulate matter which is transported on a material conveyor, particularly through a net elevation drop. Electricity produced may be used immediately or stored in a battery system for future use.