Abstract: A method for repairing a side rail of a roller type conveyer, includes installing a clip on the side rail. The clip has an aperture which replaces a worn or distorted roller aperture on the side rail. The clip is driven onto the side rail at the location of the distorted roller aperture, and grips the side rail so as to maintain the desired location. The end of the roller axle of the roller is then installed into the aperture of the clip to restore proper operation of the conveyer. The repair can be made in a short time, and requires no modification to the side rail.

Abstract: A method and device for steering a heavy load transport vehicle includes a variable length strut which cooperates with a power steering valve. The length of the variable length strut changes as a function of tow bar rotation. This length variation is mechanically coupled to the power steering valve, which in turn controls an automatic steering system. The present invention permits mechanical steering of the transport vehicle even in the event of failure of the automatic steering system, and does so without placing mechanical stress upon the power steering valve.

Abstract: A supply system for providing water from a bottled water cooler includes a pump which pumps water from an upright bottle of water. A pressure sensor turns the pump off when the bottle of water is empty. A prime pump control starts the pump to initiate the flow of water from a new bottle of water.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game includes providing a modified deck of playing cards from which all of the picture cards have been removed. Each player places a wager and is dealt four cards which are set into a two card front hand and a two card back hand. A player/banker sequentially compares both front hands and back hands with each player. The ranking of hands is (1) highest pair, and (2) LSD of the numerical total of the two cards being closest to nine. Several special sequentially applied rules result in the player/banker or the other player winning the wager regardless of the ranking of the two card front and back hands.

Abstract: A method for removing pollutants from a gas such as air includes attaching a multi-layer stack of sheets to the surface of a fan blade. The sheets have a tacky surface disposed on their outward facing side, so that as the fan blade rotates pollutants are captured by the tacky surface. When the tacky surface of the top most sheet becomes contaminated with pollutants, it is peeled off to expose a clean uncontaminated next lower sheet.

Abstract: An ornamental glass object and method of fabrication (20) includes three separate glass elements which are combined in three separate heating operations. A foundation of base glass (22) is formed and partially melted at a high temperature smoothing the edges. Stringer glass (26) and chip glass (28) are combined to form a pattern (30) which is melted at a second intermediate temperature to fuse all elements of the pattern (30) together. Fused pattern (30) is then combined with melted base glass (22) and the combination heated at a third low temperature to bond pattern (30) to base glass (22).

Abstract: A system and method for viewing objects at a fire scene allows fire fighters to view objects, including persons, in a smoke and fire filled environment. The present invention utilizes two different techniques to discriminate reflections from an object from scattered reflections from smoke and fire. In one embodiment of the invention, the coherent nature of laser light is employed to pick out objects. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes a time-gated approach to select reflections from objects which are located a specific distance from the laser transmitter.

Abstract: A method of practicing a golf shots includes using a practice golf club which has a backward bent shaft. By having the shaft bent backward, the player's hands are located in front of the ball both at address and impact. This ensures that the club face will provide the proper ball lift.

Abstract: A platform is selectively attachable to the wall of an open container. The platform includes a hanger which is placed over and engages the top rim of the container wall. A bracket is pivotal between a flat storage position and a locked position perpendicular to the planar body of the platform. When the bracket is placed in the locked perpendicular position, the hanger may be placed over the top rim of the upstanding wall so that the bracket abuts the outside surface of the upstanding wall and the platform is therefore maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: Methods for performing tracheal intubation of small animals are shown utilizing an endotracheal tube specifically designed for them. The endotracheal tube has a zigzag bend and a distal portion having an outwardly facing surface. The outwardly facing surface is used to depress the epiglottis of the animal thereby giving a doctor a clear view of the animal's trachea. The endotracheal tube also includes a tapered end which is easily inserted between the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx, and a pressure sensor which provides a quantitative indication of the air pressure within the cuff of the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A method for attaching a bed covering to a bed includes: (a) providing a bed having a mattress disposed on top of a box spring, (b) providing a bed covering; (c) providing a device for attaching the bed covering to the bed, the device including: an elongated member having first and second ends; a connector attached to the first end; an anchor connected to the second end; (d) positioning the anchor so that it abuts at least one of the side wall of the mattress and the side wall of the box spring; (e) placing the elongated member between the mattress and the box spring; and, (f) attaching the connector to the bed covering, wherein the connector is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring. In another embodiment, the box spring is replaced by a support surface. In another embodiment, the anchor has nubs which horizontally engage both the mattress and the support surface.

Abstract: A tapered compression ring for flared tube applications includes a generally ring-shaped body having (a) a gap defining a first end and an opposite second end, (b) a first face, (c) an opposite second face, and (d) a central axis. The first face is tapered at the first end, and the body is twisted so that the first end is offset from the second end along the central axis in a direction away from the first face.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transporting an animal container with a towing vehicle is disclosed. The animal container is rotatable about an axis from (1) an upright position disposed on a support surface, to (2) a tilted transportable position. The apparatus includes a tongue having a pivot end pivotally connected to the animal container and an opposite towing end selectively connectable to the towing vehicle. A stop is connected to the animal container, wherein when the animal container is in the upright position and the towing end of the tongue is pulled by the towing vehicle in a direction away from the animal container, the stop engages the support surface thereby enabling the rotation of the animal container about the axis.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game includes providing a set of 30 numerical playing pieces. The set includes three 1's, three 2's, three 3's, three 4's, three 5's, three 6's, three 7's, three 8's, three 9's, and three 0's (zeros). A banker is selected before each round of play. Each player, except the banker, makes a conventional wager. Each player except a participating house dealer can optionally make supplemental bonus wager. After the house dealer distributes three playing pieces to each player, the players set a two playing piece hand and discard the third playing piece. The banker then compares hands and settles wagers with each player. The hand having the highest pair wins (a pair of zero's highest and a pair of 1's lowest), else the playing pieces in each hand are summed and the sum having the highest least significant digit (LSD) wins (nine being highest and zero being lowest).

Abstract: A special tape (22) for measuring blocks used in the construction of wood structures includes two special scales. A first scale has marks (32) spaced at 14½ inch intervals for making blocks for studs, and a second scale has marks (34) spaced at 22½ inch intervals for making blocks for rafters. The tape (22) is longitudinally placed along a two-by board (500) and marks (36) made on the two-by board (500) at the desired intervals of 14½ or 22½ inches. The two-by board (500) is then cut at the marks (36) to create the blocks, which are then placed between the studs or rafters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the interpupillary distance of viewing glasses includes pivotally connected right and left lens holders which fit into right and left eye openings. The edges of the lens holders rest upon the inner surface of the eye openings. As the pivot axis of the right and left lens holders is vertically moved up or down along a slotted throughway in the bridge of the glasses, the lens holders move horizontally inwardly or outwardly to adjust the interpupillary distance. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the center of the lenses remain at a constant height as they move inwardly and outwardly.

Abstract: An altimeter (24) of the aneroid type having a correctable digitizer 26 is shown. When the pilot sets the altimeter to the local barometric pressure, the correctable digitizer is also set to the local barometric pressure. An input device (58) connected between the barometric pressure correction control (66) and the digitizer (62) generates a barometric pressure correction signal (67) which is routed to digitizer (62). Barometric pressure correction signal (67) modifies the aircraft altitude output value of digitizer (62) to a corrected aircraft altitude output value (68) which is routed to one or more external navigation systems (70).

Abstract: A tool for separating coals from ash, includes and elongated body having a handle at one end and a plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart first fingers longitudinally disposed along the body at an opposite second end. The first fingers form a curved shovel-like structure which outwardly projects substantially perpendicular to the body. The distal ends of the first fingers are connected by a cross member. A plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart second fingers are longitudinally disposed along the body on the opposite side from the first fingers. The second fingers form a tapered rake configuration. The tool is used to (1) push a coal/ash mixture to one area of a fire box, (2) sift the coals from the ash, (3) flip the separated coals to a second area of the fire box, (4) rake coals from the coal/ash pile, and (5) drag coals from the top surface of the coal/ash pile.