Abstract: A bimodal refrigeration system for use in refrigerated transport containers or refrigerated warehouses. The present invention includes a refrigerated container having an enclosed cargo chamber for storing refrigerated goods and a mechanical refrigeration unit that produces a chilled forced-air current within the cargo chamber. The cargo chamber is designed to guide the forced-air current in a specified discharge and return path. In accordance with the present invention, a row of thermal storage ducts for retaining endothermic storage material are disposed within the cargo chamber. The thermal storage ducts are longitudinally disposed in parallel with the air flow direction of the specified forced-air discharge and return path to enable maximum convective thermal exchange between the forced-air current and the endothermic storage material without obstructing the specified forced-air discharge and return path.

Abstract: A wearable drink holder apparatus. In accordance with one embodiment, the wearable drink holder apparatus includes an animal-shaped body member having an interior compartment for securely encasing a drink container therewithin. Elongated support straps shaped as grasping animal limbs are utilized to attach the animal-shaped body member to a wearer's body. A protuberance member formed in the shaped of an animal face extends from the top of and approximately centrally aligned with the body member. The protuberance member includes an interior cavity through which a drinking conduit extends from the drink container to the exterior of the protuberance member toward the wearer's face.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure having a squid-like appearance with a generally cylindrical body and a skirt with a plurality of thin, elongated, flexible streamers, wherein the nose of the body is formed by the combination of a rearwardly inclined planar surface intersecting with a rounded surface, wherein the central axis of the lure body extends through the planar surface.

Abstract: A wheelchair vehicle access system, wherein the wheelchair has a detachable seat connected to a carriage, and the vehicle has a folding ramp and a pathway for movement of the seat. The carriage locks onto the ramp and the seat is detached and moved on the vehicle pathway to a desired location, where it is secured in place. The ramp is then folded, which brings the carriage into the vehicle. To unload, the ramp is extended, the seat is released and rolled back onto the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides a visual indication to the operator of a forklift that the forks are properly vertically aligned, the apparatus having a laser module which produces a visible light beam at the same height as the forks creating a focused dot or similar shape on a solid object. The laser module is retained in a laser housing which is preferably mounted onto the carriage of the forklift between the forks. Vibration-responsive, height-responsive, distance-to-load-responsive and temperature-responsive actuation means, alone or in combination, control the operational state of the laser module.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker game using a standard deck of cards, a first die having indicia representative of Jokers and numbers, a second die having indicia representative of numbers, and Joker icons, wherein the number of cards and Joker icons from which a player builds the best possible five card poker hand is determined by rolling the dice.

Abstract: A pad for supporting the head and neck of a supine patient during medical imaging, wherein the pad produces either flexion or extension of the cervical vertebrae. A cavity is provided in the pad to define an area of non-contact on the back of the neck and to receive a secondary coil if present.

Abstract: An anastomosis punch device, and method of using same, for creating a circular hole in the aortic wall, where the device also segregates the hole from the blood flow path such that no blood is lost through the hole during attachment of the vein graft. The invention is a hand-held punch comprising an elongated housing to be gripped by the surgeon, the housing retaining in a coaxially aligned manner a distally extended punch head and cutting disk mounted onto a shaft, a cutting sleeve having a distal cutting rim which cuts a circular plug in cooperation with the punch head, an umbrella-like flexible dam formed of an elastic material and adjoined to the punch shaft adjacent said punch head in a manner which allows it to be deployed radially outward with the enlarged open rim facing the proximal direction, and a deployment ram movable axially relative to the dam to spread open the dam.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device having a spacer member and a pair of fixation plate members, where the spacer member is a cage-like structure having a generally open and exposed interior defined by a pair of superior-inferior bores intersecting a lateral bore, the spacer member having a pair of opposing, generally planar, contact surface members having a plurality of anterior-posterior oriented, beveled ridges disposed thereon, with the fixation plate members attached to the anterior of the spacer member, the fixation plate members being asymmetrical and each containing a generally circular and a slotted screw-retaining aperture, with each disposed to one side of a lateral midline in reversed manner relative to each fixation plate member.

Abstract: This invention describes photopolymer printing plate developing solvents comprising diisopropylbenzene, alone or in combination with one or more co-solvents. Compared with solvents of the prior art, the developing solvents of the present invention have lower toxicity, higher flash points, a milder and more pleasant odor, increased resistance to thermal decomposition, higher solvency, faster dry time, and pose reduced threat to the environment. The solvents of the present invention can exhibit azeotropic-like properties resulting in improved recycling characteristics and reduced drying times. Also, the solvents of the present invention exhibit a degree of selective solvency towards non-crosslinked photopolymers vs. crosslinked photopolymers that is not seen in solvents of the prior art.

Abstract: Jewelry pieces formed entirely or partially of a shape memory alloy provided with a pre-determined memory shape, where the shape memory characteristic and/or the superelastic characteristic of the alloy is used either in the construction of the piece or to facilitate repair of damaged pieces, since plastically deformed alloy shapes can be corrected by raising the alloy above the phase transition temperature, whereupon the piece resumes it memory shape.

Abstract: A device and method for sharpening the blade of a lawn mower without removing the blade from the mower, the device comprising a motor, a flexible drive cable, a grinder housing and a two-sided grinding disk. Most preferably, the motor is powered by a rechargeable battery, and the drive cable is connected to the grinder housing by a universal joint.

Abstract: The invention is a self-aligning cementitious block and a wall system of such blocks stacked and joined by mortar to form a vertically oriented wall structure, where the block comprises alignment means which correctly align the block relative to the blocks upon which it is stacked such that the side walls are parallel to the side walls of the lower blocks. The alignment means comprise tongue members and groove members of corresponding configuration, where the tongue members preferably extend downward from the two end walls and the middle wall a distance below the lower edges of the side walls, and where the groove members are positioned on the tops of the end walls and middle wall, the groove members of inferior or lower blocks receiving the tongue members of a superior or upper block stacked thereupon. Starter blocks with a flat underside and corner blocks are also provided.

Abstract: A pivot door hinge having a door receiving channel member pivotally connected to a fixed base plate member, the base plate member having a pair of opposing parallel ridge members defining an alignment channel, such that the channel member is retained within the alignment channel until pivoted from the centered orientation, whereby the channel member rests on the ridge members.

Abstract: An aquarium filtering system for gravity flow systems wherein a float valve is incorporated in the drain conduit from the aquarium, wherein the float valve is operated by the water level of filtered water within a sump, such that if the water level in the sump rises above a predetermined level due to inadequate water return to the aquarium, the drain conduit will be closed by the float valve. A pre-filter is incorporated in the drain conduit to filter water upstream of the float valve, with the filter preferably being a sock filter enclosed in a sealed housing which remains filled with water. Most preferably, the float valve and any pumps utilized in the system are submerged within the water in the sump to reduce noise.

Abstract: An hydraulic power system having a reversible motor operating a pump to deliver liquid under pressure to operate an actuator mechanism, where the motor is submerged within the liquid inside a reservoir. Flow direction of the liquid is controlled by alternating the direction of rotation of the motor and pump.