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 plant material is preserved by immersing a cross sectional surface of a severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of a plant material into a preservative solution. The preservative solution can include a suitable dye. The plant material remains intertwined with its trellis, lattice or similar support during a preservation process. Alternatively, the plant material remains in a natural configuration during the preservation process. Also alternatively, the plant material also remains in a natural orientation during the preservation process. The cut stem, stalk, trunk or vine can be immersed in a container of preservative solution, at or near the time the stem, stalk, trunk or vine is severed. The cut stem stalk, trunk or vine of the plant can also be tied to a container of preservative solution. A rain shroud can also be placed over the container of preservative solution that contains the severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of the severed plant, to protect the preservative solution during the preservation process.

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 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 method and apparatus for a harrow is provided, and more particularly to a harrow implement with a terrain following frame, able to be pulled by a tractor. The improved harrow includes a main frame that supports at least a floating frame on which harrowing blades are attached. The harrow blades follow the contours of a field or bed of soil, resulting in greatly improved tilling when compared to conventional apparatus used for this purpose. The harrow specifically suits the needs of a reduced tillage farming operation. The harrow is wide, yet the floating frames follow irregular surface contours, significantly improving the potential range of topography that can be farmed efficiently. The harrow can include a clod diverter to move or deflect clods to the irrigation furrows, away from the planting rows. It can also be customized in the field to handle the individual field's requirements, including tilling depth and seed row separation distances.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer, and more particularly a kinesthetic golf swing plane training device and a method for golfers to train and perfect their swinging of a golf club is provided. The golf swing training device includes a training light adapted to be attachable to a shaft of a golf club. The training light is directed to project a head beam of light and a grip beam of light. The head beam of light projects parallel to the shaft of the golf club, toward the head of the golf club and the grip beam of light projects parallel to the golf club shaft, toward the grip of the golf club. The golf swing training device also includes a swing platform that includes a ground positioned pair of parallel tracks. An optically reflective means for reflecting the head beam of light as projected by the training light, and for reflecting the grip beam of light as projected by the training light is provided on the swing platform. The swing platform is preferably adjustable to suit various club lengths and club types.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus is provided that is especially suited for mounting on a towing vehicle and for lifting a vehicle. The invention comprises an L-shaped member with a boom leg. The L-shaped member pivots on a base frame pivot and an upper pivot. Linkage arms hingeably connect the upper pivot to a camming crank. The camming crank has a forward direction of rotation and a rearward direction of rotation, and an actuator pivot. In the forward direction of rotation, a force means rotates the camming crank about the upper frame pivot, causing the linkage pivot of the camming crank to pull the linkage arms, so that the linkage arms tilt the L-shaped bar and so raise the boom leg. In the rearward direction of rotation, the force means rotates the camming crank in the opposite direction about the linkage pivot, pushing the linkage arms so that the linkage arms tilt the L shaped bar, lowering the boom leg. The force means can be an extending and retracting actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder and piston.

Abstract: A hoop shaped massage apparatus and method is provided, and more particularly a versatile massage apparatus with a hoop shaped handle and a universal bracket for receiving a conventional massage unit. The hand held hoop is preferably attached to a conventional "off the shelf" commercially available vibrator. The hoop is adjustably sized to encircle a person's torso, trunk, shoulders or any other portion of the body. The vibrator is removably attached to the hoop by a bracket that includes a hook and loop fastener strap and tabs to hold the massage unit in place. Additionally, the bracket mounts upon the hoop. The hoop is positioned around a selected body area of a user to conveniently and comfortably apply pressure to the massaged portion of the user's body. The hoop acts as guides and leverage arms, aiding the user in applying massage pressure to the massaged area of the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically heating fluid media with a bar shaped immersion heater is provided. The bar shaped immersion heater includes a thin strip heating element within a heat conductive bar. Electrical power is then connected to the thin heating element. The thin-strip heating element eliminates the hot spots found in coiled resistor wire immersion heaters. The heat conductive bar has a first bar and a second bar, the first bar and the second bar adjoin together, and the thin strip heating element is sandwiched between them. The heat conductive bar has fins to increase the surface area of the heat conductive bar. The fins project from the sides of the heat conductive bar to induce a convective flow around the heat conductive bar.

Abstract: An article for forming a cover for a bracket, a method of forming a cover for a bracket from the article, and a cover for a bracket having a substantially pyramidal form, and created from central panel of a flexible sheet material including a first fold line for defining a first substantially triangular panel and a second substantially triangular panel, and at least one flap of a flexible sheet material having an edge in common with an edge of one of the first and the second panels which defines a second fold line.

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 plant material is preserved by immersing a cross sectional surface of a severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of a plant material into a preservative solution. The preservative solution can include a suitable dye. The plant material remains intertwined with its trellis, lattice or similar support during a preservation process. Alternatively, the plant material remains in a natural configuration during the preservation process. Also alternatively, the plant material also remains in a natural orientation during the preservation process. The cut stem, stalk, trunk or vine can be immersed in a container of preservative solution, at or near the time the stem, stalk, trunk or vine is severed. The cut stem stalk, trunk or vine of the plant can also be tied to a container of preservative solution. A rain shroud can also be placed over the container of preservative solution that contains the severed stem, stalk, trunk or vine of the severed plant, to protect the preservative solution during the preservation process.

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: Methods and apparatus for the hydrometallurgical separation and recovery of biological nutrients, cadmium, lead, and gypsum from raw materials such as electric arc furnace flue dust. Biological nutrients, including zinc and iron, are selectively separated and recovered from raw materials, including metals and metal oxides, and are selectively and variably recombined, to achieve a biological nutrient product which a desired relative concentration of zinc and iron. The process is a closed system generating no solid waste, no liquid water or acid waste streams, and whereby gypsum, and substantially all hazardous wastes such as lead and cadmium, are separated and recovered from raw material for sale as commercial products.

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: This apparatus relates to a frame structure for packing multiple vehicles in a stacked configuration into a transport container such that a first vehicle is located above the floor of the container and inclined relative to that floor. The structure includes a base, at least one vehicle support device including two vehicle supports each having a support member vertically and laterally displaced from one another, and attachment devices including at least one pair of attachment members having brackets for being attached across the bottom of the vehicle, laterally spaced from one another and received within receptacle zones defined within the respective vehicle supports, the attachment members being parallel to the vehicle supports.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting and towing method and apparatus is provided that retains a vehicle's opposing set of wheels for the purpose of lifting and towing the vehicle. The apparatus is especially suited for attachment to a tow truck. The apparatus comprises a transverse beam with two legs, articulatably mounted to a tow vehicle. A pair of carriage arms are each attached at their base ends with manually hinging pivots to one of the legs of the transverse beam. The carriage arms each have a socket. A pair of retaining arms are provided, each manually receivable into the carriage arm's socket. Either end of the retaining arm can be interchangeably inserted into the socket. Also, the retaining arms include an offset segment. The orientation of the offset segment relative to the transverse beam allows various widths of tires to be retained by the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hoist system for a vehicle is provided. The hoist system includes a support frame mounted to the vehicle. A slidably extendable pair of parallel rails are mounted to the support frame. The front ends and the tail ends of the parallel rails can be connected. A crossbeam that supports a hoist mechanism is slidably suspended from the pair of rails. The support frame can be collapsibly hinged for transport. The support frame is mounted to the vehicle, at a height above the cab of the vehicle or alternatively incorporated into the ladder rack of the vehicle. The hoist system is light-in-weight with a versatile support frame that can transfer heavy and swinging or shifting loads. The hoist system is also heavy-duty and has an extended and side-to-side reach.

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.