Abstract: A vehicle for transporting and installing an annular patch in a pipeline having a curved inside surface. There is a tubular support member and an annular bladder mounted on the support member for forcing the patch against the inside of the pipeline when inflated. Pivoting wheel assemblies are mounted to the ends of the tubular support member so that the wheels extend normal to the curved inside surface of the pipeline. A ballast member is mounted between the wheel assemblies to maintain the vehicle in an upright orientation. Compressed air for inflating the bladder is supplied by hose to a fitting within the hollow interior of the tubular support. The wheel assemblies may be removable or inwardly pivotable so as to provide clearance for the patch to be slipped over the support and bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dust and fumes from a flow of air, particularly a flow of air exhausted from an industrial work area. There is a large, cylindrical filter element mounted within a cylindrical collector barrel so as to define an annular flow space between the two. A vane assembly is mounted at the top of the collector barrel for directing the incoming flow of air along a generally cyclonic path through the flow space, so that sparks and heavy particulates are forced outwardly away from the surface of the filter element, thereby increasing filter life and reducing the chance of fire. The filter element and collector barrel are mounted atop a cabinet which encloses a blower and a silencer section. The silencer section includes one ore more chambers having interior walls for redirecting the flow of air exiting the blower, and the walls are lined with an acoustic insulation material for absorbing sound energy as the flow of air is redirected, thus reducing noise emissions from the assembly.

Abstract: An insole assembly for a shoe or other article of footwear. The assembly includes a soft, cushioning foam blank having an upper surface which is contoured to engage the plantar surface of a foot, and a thin, substantially rigid, resiliently flexible cap which is mounted to the bottom of the blank so as to extend around the heel end and forwardly along the medial and lateral sides thereof. The rigid cap includes an upstanding wall which engages and buttresses the perimeter of the foam blank, and a series of medial and lateral flanges which extend across and support the bottom of the blank. The flanges are configured to cooperate with the foam blank to define zones of support in specific areas, with the maximum support and rigidity being provided for the rearfoot and midfoot areas of the foot.

Abstract: A chest-worn tackle box assembly. The assembly includes a breast plate that is supported by a shoulder harness, and a storage box which is mounted to the breast plate so as to be pivotable from a vertical stowed position in which the top of the box lies against the breast plate, to a horizontal position in which the access opening of the box is disposed upwardly. The assess opening is covered by a tambour door having edges retained in tracks in the sidewalls of the storage box. The tambour door is slid open to access an internal compartment of the storage box, a vertical space being provided between the lower wall of the storage box and the floor of the internal compartment to receive the door as it slides into the lower runs of the tracks. The internal compartment may be subdivided for segregated storage of tackle items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting a shooter in holding an aiming eye at a predetermined level relative to the barrel of a shotgun. Light is reflected or projected along a path extending at a predetermined rearward, so that the shooter's aiming eye receives a first image when it is at the proper level and a second image when it is above the proper level, thus indicating to the shooter when the aiming eye has been raised too high. The images may be different colors, produced by dispersing the beam by reflecting it from a diffraction grating or passing it through a prism. A lenticular sheet may also be used to create different colors or images that are received above and below the dividing plane. Moirè patterns may also be used to produce an image that shifts with movement of the aiming eye.

Abstract: A two-piece orthotic insert assembly. A post member is fixedly mounted in the heel end of a shoe, and has a generally concave bearing surface. A separate plate member is placed in the shoe so that the heel end thereof rests in the post, the heel cup of the plate member having a generally convex lower bearing surface which engages the concave bearing surface in the post member so as to permit a predetermined range of pivoting motion between the two pieces. The concave upper bearing surface of the post member defines a generally U-shaped bearing area which supports the rear foot portion of the plate at a predetermined angle for heel strike. Following heel strike, the plate member pivots so as to permit a controlled amount of pronation of the foot.

Abstract: A bolt-on clamp assembly for mounting a hydraulic line to a support structure, such as a boom or articulated arm. There are upper and lower clamp members having jaw portions that define a receiving area for the hydraulic line. The clamp members are joined by a hinge structure on one side of the receiving area, which forms a fulcrum for downward pivoting motion of the upper clamp member while the lower clamp member rests on the underlying structure. A mounting area is formed on the opposite side of the receiving area, and includes coaxially aligned bores for passage of a mounting bolt through a upper and lower clamp members. As the mounting bolt is tightened, the hydraulic line is gripped between the jaw portions of the clamp members. Opposing stop faces are formed on the mounting portions of the upper and lower clamp members to limit the pivoting motion and thereby prevent crushing or deformation of the hydraulic line.

Abstract: A self-centering line connector for insulated window spacer frame tubing. There is an elongate connector body having first and second ends. First and second ramps extend upwardly from the connector body towards a mid-point of the connector body. The base ends of the ramp portions are yieldingly mounted to the connector body, and the free ends have perpendicularly extending stop surfaces. Either end of the connector can be inserted into the open end of a section of spacer frame tubing. As this is done, the first ramp portion is depressed by the web of the tubing so as to permit the tubing to pass thereover until insertion is arrested by the end of the tubing coming up against the stop surface of the second ramp member, at approximately the mid-point of the connector body.

Abstract: A disc golf target assembly. A plurality of chain segments are suspended from a support member by generally U-shaped attachment loops. The attachment loops have upwardly and outwardly sloped side portions, so that the energy of the disc is absorbed and dissipated by spreading and lifting the chain segments as the disc strikes the target assembly. The support member, attachment loops and chain segments may be mounted on a vertical support, and the assembly may include a basket that is mounted beneath the support and chain segments for receiving the disc therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving wood scraps from a work area and reducing the scraps to wood chips having a saleable consistency and size. The apparatus includes a combined chipper and a blower section, the chipper section being mounted on the intake side of the blower section so that the blower section draws the wood scraps into the chipper section, and then draws the resulting chips from the chipper section and discharges them to a predetermined collection area. The chipper section includes a grate having a plurality of through openings, and a rotating chipper blade that is positioned in front of the grate. The blower fan is mounted behind the grate so as to receive the chips passing therethrough, and discharges the chips through an opening in the surrounding housing. A flexible hose or other conduit may be mounted to the intake opening of the chipper section for vacuuming up and collecting wood scraps from the work area.

Abstract: A composite material blank for an orthotic insert. The device is formed of layers of fiberglass and graphite fiber material. A first graphite fiber layer provides the overall structure with increased strength, while secondary graphite fiber reinforcement strips are arranged below the first and fifth rays of the foot to provide additional rigidity and control in these areas. The edges of the graphite fiber layers are recessed inwardly from the edges of the fiberglass layers so as to provide a graphite-free border which prevents cracks from propagating into the graphite fiber layers. The layers are bonded together by heat curing over molds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a teat cup liner for milking domestic animals such as cows and goats. The liner includes: an opening into which an animal's teat may be inserted; an outlet for discharging milk from the animal; a teat engaging portion with annular walls; and a collapsible portion having relatively thinner inner walls and seals for a teat cup shell between which lies all of the collapsible portion so a vacuum pressure may be applied to a teat cup assembly to milk the animal. The distance from the opening to a point at which the collapsible portion collapses is sufficient so that the collapsible portion collapses substantially away from the animal's teat. The collapsible portion has an elongate cross section, there being a tapering section between the teat engaging portion and the collapsible portion.

Abstract: A method and composition for grouting a water-flooded cavity. Water and portland cement are combined to form a fluid cement slurry, the slurry being substantially free of sand or other aggregate material, and the slurry is then colloidally mixed so as to achieve an ultra-fine mixing thereof. An anti-washout admixture is mixed with the slurry in a predetermined amount, and a superplasticizing agent is also preferably included, both the anti-washout admixture and the superplasticizer agent being substantially free of defoaming agents. Finished foam is then mixed with the slurry to form a stable foamed cement grout which is injected into the water-flooded cavity. The anti-washout admixture is preferably a modified cellulose ether solution.

Abstract: A pivotable carrier assembly for mounting to a vehicle trailer hitch. The carrier assemble includes a lower support which is mounted to the hitch, and a pivotable upright support having a rack head rotatably mounted to the upper end thereof. A linkage rotates the head in response to the upright support being pivoted away from the vehicle, so as to maintain the load in an upright orientation. The linkage includes upper and lower crank links which are connected by an elongate actuating rod. The rack may be configured to carry any suitable cargo, including bicycles or skis, for example.

Abstract: A natural draft, gravity feed pellet stove. The body of the stove is formed by a vertical section of large diameter pipe, with an air intake pipe extending from the back of the stove to below combustion grate. Pellet fuel is discharged onto the grate through a slot at the bottom of a hopper, and the grate is sloped so that the pellets roll away from the slot and over the grate as they are combusted. The combustion gasses flow into two exhaust pipes, each having a diameter similar to that of the intake pipe so as to establish a 2:1 exhaust/intake flow ratio. Cross-drilled reburner tubes are installed across the intake ends of the exhaust pipes to provide additional air for complete combustion. The bottom plates of the storage hopper are free from attachment along their lower edges, so that these expand and contract on a continuous basis with changes in the temperature of the stove; this causes cyclical distortion of the plates which shifts the fuel downwardly towards the discharge opening.

Abstract: A load bearing attachment fitting for a composite material structure. The fitting includes an elongate body having a plurality of undulations formed along its longitudinal sides. The undulations engage the fibers in the fiber-resin matrix so as to transmit loads from the fitting into the body of the structure. To form the connection between the fitting and the composite material structure, longitudinal strips of fiber-resin tape are laid over the fitting and an adjacent form which defines the body of the structure. Crosswise fibers are then wound over the longitudinal tape to force and hold the longitudinal fibers in conformity with the undulations along the fitting, so that the longitudinal fibers transmit loads from the fitting into the composite material structure. A fluidizable form may be used to form the body of the structure, and after curing the forms may be removed by washing this out through a threaded bore in the attachment fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biologic treatment of wastewater using both aerobic and anoxic phases. The flow of influent entering the reactor tank is slowed by a conical influent structure and discharged against the bottom of the reactor tank, so that the influent flows outwardly under a sludge blanket near the bottom of the tank without disrupting the blanket. The sludge blanket acts as a cap which prevents the influent from flowing directly to an outflow opening during decanting of the tank. The sludge blanket is dispersed and mixed in the tank during the aerobic and anoxic treatment phases. The invention also provides for treatment of manure-laden wastewater discharged from a confined animal facility, such as a feed yard, pig farm or dairy. The manure solids are separated from the wastewater flow before the wastewater enters the reactor tank. The wastewater is returned to the facility for reuse, and the manure solids can be disposed of in dry form as fertilizer.

Abstract: A spacer frame bar for insulated windows or other insulated glass panels. The bar includes a tubular spacer member having first and second side webs for engaging the spaced apart glass panes, and upper and lower webs spanning between the side webs. The upper web is provided with a series of vertical corrugations, which serve to increase the length of the thermal conductive path across the upper web. The corrugations are also arranged so that only the upper edges thereof are exposed to sunlight passing through the window, thereby minimizing thermal gain due to absorption of solar radiation. Staggered rows of slits may be formed in the channels of the corrugations to as to further increase the length of the conductive path. The channels may also be filled with an insulating material, such as a resilient foam material. The invention also provides a two-piece construction in which the top web clips onto the upper edges of the side webs.

Abstract: A method for filling a void using an aggregate material, such as mine tailings, the fill material being pumped from a site which is located remote from the void. A fluid, aerated material is formed by mixing the particulate solid material with finished foam. The aerated material may also include cement or another binder for applications requiring structural strength. The bubble structure which results from incorporating the foam constituent in the fill material renders this much more fluid and pumpable, thereby allowing the use of much higher solids-to-water ratios than would otherwise be possible while still being able to pump the material over significant distances. This reduces the possibly of fluidic collapse of the material in the void, and produces other advantages as well.