Abstract: A swing-out manhole cover assembly having at least one ramp to facilitate opening and closing the cover. The manhole cover assembly includes a frame, a cover, a swing assembly and at least one ramp. As the cover swings open away from the frame about the swing assembly, the ramp imparts linear translation to the cover separating the cover from the frame slightly. As the cover swings back to close the manhole cover, the ramp reverses the linear translation and the cover returns back to the frame. A spring may be included to bias the cover in the closed position.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes features for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. In one embodiment, a sensor air passage utilizes a low pressure region created by the blower to draw air through the passage. In another embodiment, a filter frame includes a plurality of connectors formed integrally with the filter frame. In another embodiment, a screen is positioned adjacent to the blower intake. The screen includes a plurality of angled strands oriented in a particular direction. In another embodiment, a remote control holder is formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, a gasket is positioned between the blower and the housing, forming a seal between the blower and the housing.

Abstract: A protective garment for a torso is disclosed herein. The protective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a screen layer disposed below the outer surface.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes features for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. In one embodiment, a sensor air passage utilizes a low pressure region created by the blower to draw air through the passage. In another embodiment, a filter frame includes a plurality of connectors formed integrally with the filter frame. In another embodiment, a screen is positioned adjacent to the blower intake. The screen includes a plurality of angled strands oriented in a particular direction. In another embodiment, a remote control holder is formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, a gasket is positioned between the blower and the housing, forming a seal between the blower and the housing.

Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.

Abstract: A shredding machine having a plastics loading section and a paper loading section. The two loading sections feed material to be shred into a single cutting section. The plastics loading section may include a ram that urges loaded materials into the cutting section for shredding. The cutting section may include a plurality of cutters mounted on a pair of adjacent cutting shafts. The cutters on one shaft are intermeshed with the cutters on the other shaft. The cutting shafts rotate in opposite directions to cut apart materials fed into the cutting head. The teeth of one cutter are offset from the those of adjacent cutters to evenly distribute the forces generating during cutting. The machine may include a material collection/filtration system having a vacuum that creates a negative pressure in the cabinet and a filtration bag for collecting the shredded material. The filtration system may also include a HEPA filter for collecting airborne particles that are not captured in the filtration bag.

Abstract: A upper body protective garment for cushioning blows imparted upon the wearer's body includes a chest protector portion, a back protector portion, and a pair of telescopic shoulder protector portions. The protective garment includes a variety of different designs formed in the outer surface of the chest protector, the back protector portion and the pair of shoulder protector portions. The designs are formed by radio frequency welding a plurality of different fabric pieces together.

Abstract: A lacrosse head in which one of the opposing sidewall portions is shortened by bringing its lower rim upward relative to the corresponding lower rim of the opposing sidewall. At the same time, the upper rim of each of the opposing sidewalls is maintained at the same level. This moves the pivot point of the shortened sidewall closer to the player's hands and allows faster clamping when facing-off. Faster clamping likely results in an increased number of “wins”, or possessions, that occur after the face-off.

Abstract: A facility for treating solid and liquid waste includes a receiving station, a screening station, a preprocessing station, a press station and a processing station. The screening station is connected to an inlet capable of receiving liquid and solid waste and includes a screen for capturing at least some of the solid waste. The preprocessing station is in fluid communication with the screening station, and includes a degrit chamber for settling out an additional amount of the solids. The press station included at least one alkali mixing tank and a screw press for separating out an additional portion of the solids. The processing station includes at least one aerobic microorganism generating unit for converting nitrites into nitrogen gas and consuming carbon-based waste material.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper secured to a platform defining an aperture, a cushion at least partially in the aperture, a California construction joined with the upper that wraps the platform, and an outsole. The California construction can terminate short of the heel, and the upper can join the platform via another construction, for example, by adhering the upper to the platform, in the heel. The cushion insert can define one or more recesses, such as concave contours in which the toe(s) of a wearer can rest to reduce the profile of the toe(s) above the cushion insert. A method for making the footwear is provided, including: joining an upper with a platform defining an aperture on a last; placing a cushioned insert within the aperture; wrapping a California flange around a portion of the platform; and joining an outsole with the platform, the cushioned insert and/or the upper.

Abstract: A touch free, automatic seat and lid actuating system for toilets includes at least one of an advantageous drive mechanism for raising and lowering the seat and lid, a clutch mechanism enabling manual operation of the seat and the lid, and an attachment system for removably attaching the seat and the lid. The drive mechanism includes a first drive for operating the seat and a second drive for operating the lid. The clutch mechanism includes a pin interfitting into a notch, and biased into the notch with a spring. The attachment mechanism allows the seat and/or lid to be locked on the toilet in a lowered position, and readily removable from the toilet in a raised position.