Abstract: A vehicle lifting and towing apparatus is provided. The disclosure includes a transverse beam articulatably mountable to a tow vehicle, the transverse beam has the ability to be positioned beneath a separated pair of wheels that are attached to a vehicle. Each end of the transverse beam is received into a middle socket of a carriage. Each carriage includes a fore-socket and a rear-socket. Four tire arms are provided that are manually insertable into the fore-socket and rear-socket of each carriage. The tire arm can also be manually inserted into the sockets of each carriage. Each carriage is positioned proximate an interior facing sidewall of each separated wheel and each tire arm is positioned proximate an edge of each wheel's ground contact. Each pair of tire arms are together able to support at least a single wheel. The transverse bar is raised to contact the tread surface of each of the wheels with the respective tire arms, and further raised to lift the separated pair of wheels and the attached vehicle.

Abstract: A method for recycling contaminated flush water from a wet electrostatic precipitator emission control system in a wood panel fabrication process. The recycled flush water containing solid byproducts from the emission control system is combined with wood products in a wood panel fabrication mix in a predetermined ratio of flush water to wood products, resulting in a finished wood panel having improved internal bond strengths and formaldehyde scavenging capacity without the need for excess binding resins and formaldehyde scavengers.

Abstract: A signal translator that translates a device detectable signal into an electrical signal directed to an output that an operator with impaired hearing can perceive. Preferably, a detected signal is translated into a generated electrical signal directed to a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker then sounds a tone of a volume and a frequency selectable by an operator. Alternatively, the device detectable signal is a detected audio signal. The detected signal can also be a turn signal flasher of a vehicle. The detected signal is translated to a generated electrical signal transmitted to a loudspeaker. A strobe light from an emergency vehicle can also perform as the detected signal, when the invention includes an emergency vehicle signal decoder for discerning the strobe light from an emergency vehicle. The signal translator includes a trigger for translating a detected signal into a generated signal for transmission to an operator perceivable signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a bin with articles such as fruit is provided. The apparatus has a filling conveyor pivotable between a position within the bin to he filled and the top of the bin. The discharge end of the filling conveyor is maintained at an offset distance from the contents of the bin. The filling conveyor carries a plurality of resilient flaps pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the filling conveyor for movement therewith. The flaps successively carry rows of the articles along an upper run from a take-up end to a discharge end, at which end the articles are dropped off of the flap. A second flap, moving along a lower run in a direction opposite to the upper run, gently catches the dropped articles, and deposits the articles in the bin. Subsequent flaps moving along the lower run then sweep the deposited articles away from the drop location and toward to other end of the bin, allowing the articles to pile up at that end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically releasing a gas from a pressurized cartridge of the gas is provided, especially for the purpose of inflating an emergency balloon. The apparatus includes an automatic signal balloon inflator, having a support structure, an upper surface and a bottom plate. The bottom plate has at least a single cartridge mount, each with a vent and a pin port. The pin port connects to the cartridge mount. At least a single pressurized cartridge, containing a gas stored under pressure, is received into each cartridge mount in the support structure. A spring loaded piston is mounted upon the support structure. A plunger with a piston contact surface and a puncture pin is forced by the spring loaded piston to depress and penetrate the pressurized cartridge, releasing the gas contents of the pressurized cartridge through the vent. A firing spring forces the piston to engage the plunger.

Abstract: An inexpensive, uncomplicated ball throwing apparatus to huff balls for hitting and fielding which includes a frame having a front end and a back end supported by a base. The frame has a firing bar hingeably attached to the frame. A pitching armature having a cup end, a hinged mid-point and an elastic band end is coaxially connected to the firing bar at the pivot hinge. A latching mechanism automatically releases the pitching armature at a firing point and includes a latch that attaches the pitching armature to the firing bar. An elastic firing band connects the elastic band end of the pitching armature and the back end of the frame. A latch release cord connects the latch to the front end of the frame and disengages the latching mechanism to release the pitching armature when the firing bar is pulled to a firing point thereby causing the elastic firing band to force the pitching bar to pivot about the pivot hinge.

Abstract: An extendible and tiltable shim is provided having a hingeably connected leg that is extendable. The leg can extend to adjust the height and the angle of the shim. The shim is mounted to a structure member and abuts to a frame member. The structure member can comprise a rough opening in a wall. The frame member can comprise a door jamb or a window jamb. The method of the invention includes an initial step of attaching the bottom plate of the shim to a structure, extending the leg to contact the frame member, and adjusting the extension of the leg to center and plumb the frame member. The shim accurately and reliably adjusts a door jamb or window jamb within a rough opening in a wall for proper alignment. The shim tilts at an angle and offsets to accommodate crooked and misaligned wall structure. The shim can easily retrofit to a standard door jamb or a window frame for the purpose of aiding in the square alignment of the door jamb or window jamb within a rough opening in wall structure.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for monitoring propulsion water flow in a water jet propulsion system that distinguishes propulsion system impairment from other potential causes of marine engine over-revving, allowing the accurate assessment of propulsion system function from a remote location, such as the vessel's instrument panel. This monitoring also prevents engine power loss, damage or failure and provides for the accurate assessment of propulsion system function from a remote location minimizing dangers arising from unmanned vessel operation and direct inspection of equipment. This marine propulsion system monitoring method and device, and a water craft pumping system monitoring method and device can both be monitored with the same display equipment, saving on the space and expense of two displays, one for each monitored system.

Abstract: A music stand comprising a folding base having a clamp, a two-part vertical post, a music desk support attached to the two-part vertical post by a clamp, and a music desk attached to the music desk support.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a high speed non-bruising dry bin loader for apples and other produce. A transfer belt receives fruit from an transfer source and transfers fruit to a distribution belt once the transfer belt has accumulated a predetermined, staged pattern of fruit. While fruit is transferred from the transfer belt, the distribution belt reciprocates into a bin, which is held in a sideways loading position. As the distribution belt retracts out of the bin, it discharges its load of fruit. The bin is lowered in pre-determined increments between discharge cycles of the distribution belt, so that the fruit is deposited into the bin one layer at a time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for loading a bin with articles such as fruit. The apparatus has a filling conveyor pivotable between a position within the bin to be filled and the top of the bin. The discharge end of the filling conveyor is maintained at an offset distance from the contents of the bin. The filling conveyor carries a plurality of resilient flaps pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the filling conveyor for movement therewith. The flaps successively carry rows of the articles along an upper run from a take-up end to a discharge end, at which end the articles are dropped off of the flap. A second flap, moving along a lower run in a direction opposite to the upper run, gently catches the dropped articles, and deposits the articles in the bin. Subsequent flaps moving along the lower run then sweep the deposited articles away from the drop location and toward to other end of the bin, allowing the articles to pile up at that end.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing hard surfaces, the apparatus having multiple sets of elongated, curvilinear shearing blades. The shearing blades are helically mounted about a rotational shaft, adjacent sets of shearing blades mounted at an inverse pitch angle. The mounting orientation allows layers of the substance to be pulverized to be sheared off a compacted surface, then rotated about the rotational shaft, while also being move back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the rotational shaft, leading to more complete pulverization. The shearing blades are mounted intermediate their edges to the rotational shaft by support members, and at a rake angle relative to the surface for ensuring efficient operation. The total arc length of the blades is at least 360.degree.and the trailing edges of the blades are turned outward to prevent bucking. The arrangement of the blades also causes the apparatus to pull itself into the surface to be pulverized to ease operation. The blades are removably mounted.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for packing multiple vehicles in a stacked configuration into a transport container using a frame structure such that a first vehicle is located above the floor of the container and inclined relative to that floor. The frame structure includes a lower vehicle support member mounted transversely across and above the base on a pair of first vertical support members, an upper vehicle support member mounted transversely across and above the base on a second pair of vertical support members such that the upper vehicle support member is spaced horizontally from and vertically above the lower vehicle support member and also including at least a first and a second attachment member each having brackets thereon for attaching to the first vehicle body, the vehicle support members supporting the respective attachment members substantially parallel thereto.

Abstract: A video game user interface device that allows the user to play standard video games using realistic arm, leg and body movements which relate to the various activities portrayed in the video game being played. The device is sensitive to acceleration and outputs a signal to the video game controller when an acceleration is detected.

Abstract: A tool for removing nail fins from vinyl window frames comprising either a pneumatic wrench or an electric hand drill driving a tool having a slot into which cutter wheels project along with toothed rings above the cutter wheels. The toothed rings move the tool along the nail fin while the cutter wheels cut the nail fin from the frame.

Abstract: A dry fruit bin filler for rapidly filling fruit bins, including a continuous fruit infeed belt and a fruit distribution belt mounted below the infeed belt which reciprocates under the infeed belt to receive and distribute the fruit layer-by-layer in the bin. The distribution belt is coupled to a sensor which controls intermittent activity of the belt based on the position of a discharge end of the belt relative to the bottom of the bin. The distribution belt is activated when the discharge end reaches the bottom of the bin, and lays down a layer of fruit as the belt retracts from the bin. To facilitate the layer-by-layer loading, the bin is held in a rotatable bin holder. The bin holder incrementally rotates during loading, so that the bin is lowered incrementally by a distance corresponding to a height of the layer of fruit.

Abstract: A mobile music stand rack having forward and rear support frames, an upper longitudinal elongate guide section and a lower longitudinally extending support section. These are arranged so that the music stands that are loaded onto the rack are positioned along the longitudinal center line. The rack is supported by forward and rear centrally located swivel mounted wheels, and by two side wheels at the mid-location of the rack. This provides stability for the rack, while permitting it to be conventiently maneuvered.

Abstract: A new variety of apple originating as a spontaneous limb mutation of its parent vairety Jonagold (unpatented) and unique particularly for its over-all, early, broadly striped, red skin color pattern, its tart-like flavor, taste and high dessert quality and otherwise as herein described.