Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that supports an individual's spine while the individual is in a forward bent position. The device includes a padded rest on which an individual could lean while working in a forward bent position and brackets for adjusting the angle, height, and position of the device. Since the individual leans against the rest, the stresses experienced in the lower, middle and upper back are substantially decreased. Reducing such stress decreases the pain experienced by the individual as well as extends his or her productive life.

Abstract: Dredge heads, for use with a dredging system, include one or more movable members, e.g. grate members, adapted and configured to selectively extend across the opening of the dredge head. The movable member(s) enables a user to clear the dredge head of plugging masses or blockages without having to de-energize the dredge system pump. Also, the movable member(s) enable a user to clear the dredge head of plugging masses or blockages without requiring the user to manually, by using his or her hand, withdraw the plugging masses or blockages from the opening of the suction/dredge heads.

Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed for facilitating blood circulation in the lower extremities of a person's legs and feet. The exercise device includes a one piece member having upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface has an arcuate section designed to directly contact a floor. The arcuate section is located between first and second planar sections. Each of the first and second planar sections is inclined downward at an angle relative to the arcuate section. A pair of spaced apart ramps is formed in the upper surface and each extends downwardly from a back surface to a front surface. Each of the ramps is designed to receive a portion of a person's foot while an adjoining heel of each foot rest on the floor. The person can rock the exercise device back and forth by shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Abstract: A light weight vibrating tile setting tool, optionally having a self-contained power supply, vibrates at high frequency while setting/leveling tiles during a tile installation process. The tool comprises a housing which houses a vibration mechanism which includes a motor. An off-set weight 75 is attached to an output shaft of the motor. Rotation of the shaft, and off-set weight, causes the entire tool to vibrate. Ratio of frequency of vibration to mass of the tool is at least 200 vibrations per minute per pound mass. The high frequency of vibration causes a tile, to which the tile setting tool is applied, to be easily manipulated, by the user of the tile setting tool, into its set location in an array of such tiles.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus comprises a plurality of walls defining a feeder body, mounting structure, and a feed holder. The feeder body is hingedly, optionally hingedly and/or removably, mounted to the mounting structure. In some embodiments, the feeder apparatus further includes a blocking plate which is hingedly, optionally hingedly and removably, mounted to the mounting structure. One or more of the feeder body walls and the feed holder have cooperating sliding structures, enabling the feed holder to be slidingly received into, and/or removed from the remainder of the feeder apparatus.

Abstract: Metal cladding as jamb cover assemblies and mullion cover assemblies, for door frames and mullions, using extrusions as cladding over substrates. A jamb cover assembly includes a jamb plate, a nosing, and a nailing fin. The nailing fin extends from a distal side of the assembly. Accordingly, the frame can be secured in a rough opening of a building with the nosing assembled to the jamb plate, and using the nailing fin for the securement, without any assembly or disassembly of the frame at the construction site. Regarding the mullion cover assembly, first and second jamb plates are on opposing sides of a mullion substrate. A mullion nosing is assembled to the jamb plates, and bridges the jamb plates to join together the two jamb plates and the nosing, to provide complete overlayment of the outer surface of the mullion substrate and to space the front panel of the nosing from the outer surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device which supports a user's spine while the user is in a forward bent position. The device includes a padded rest on which the user can lean while working in a forward bent position, and support structure enabling at least three of lateral adjustment of the rest along the projected perimeter of the work area, adjustment of the rest across the projected perimeter, height adjustment of the rest, and angular orientation of the rest. Since the user leans against the rest, the stresses otherwise normally experienced in the lower, middle and upper back are substantially attenuated. Attenuating such stress attenuates the pain experienced by the user as well as potentially extending his or her productive life.

Abstract: A camper-utility trailer assembly has a convertible trailer and at least one enclosure structure communicating therewith. The convertible trailer is convertible between a stowed configuration and a set-up configuration. In at least one of the configurations, the convertible trailer has at least one flexible shelf extending laterally therefrom. The flexible shelf is adapted and configured to be rollingly collapsed down e.g. for stowage in a receptacle beside the outer surface of a sidewall of the convertible trailer. The at least one enclosure structure can generally overlie the convertible trailer and flexible shelf and/or can generally overlie a portion of the ground adjacent the convertible trailer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a bio-mass processing system, and method of processing waste bio-mass, wherein one or more mixers mixes a bed of bio-mass material such as manure at substantially any and all locations in a defined length and width portion of the bed, in a dryer. Heated air percolates upwardly through the bed. Separation apparatus separates a relatively dryer fraction of the bio-mass material from the dryer. The separated finished product from the dryer is optionally fed to a boiler where the dried bio-mass material is burned. Heat of combustion from the boiler is used as dryer heat for drying the bio-mass feed material in the dryer. Excess heat is optionally used to produce steam, which powers a turbine, which powers an electrical generator. Residual ash from the combustion process comprises about 2% by weight of the solids content of e.g. a feed stream coming into the dryer.

Abstract: A forklift rollcage protector has a housing, attached to a forklift rollcage, and an insert which has a length dimension, an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface. The inwardly facing surface of the insert communicates with an outwardly facing surface of the housing. The outwardly facing surface of the insert faces generally outwardly away from the housing and the rollcage. The insert removably interfaces with the housing and generally attenuates scraping, cutting, and/or other wear of the rollcage.

Abstract: Spinal plate assembly, and methods of use, wherein a retaining element such as a retaining band, optionally a resiliently flexible band, mounted to a spinal plate, activates a blocking feature of the spinal plate assembly to thereby prevent the bone fastener from withdrawing out of the spinal plate assembly and past the blocking member. The apertures are typically, but not necessarily, elongate slots, elongate axes of all such slots being commonly oriented. The band can be fabricated from a variety of bio-stable, bio-compatible medical grade materials, including metals or implantable plastics. The retaining element or elements can be disposed in intermittently-located channel elements in the plate.

Abstract: A welding gun power pin for attaching a welding gun to a power block of a welding system. The welding gun power pin includes a generally cylindrical pin body, and insertion stop member, and a withdrawal stop member which defines a withdrawal stop member length dimension. A channel extends into the outer circumferential surface of the pin body, generally separates the pin body from the withdrawal stop member, and is adapted and configured to accept a generally rigid projection member therein, whereby to mechanically resist withdrawal of the welding gun power pin from the remainder of the welding system. The channel defines a channel width dimension which has a magnitude that is less than the magnitude of the withdrawal stop member length dimension.

Abstract: A power block for holding a welding gun power pin has a receiving structure which defines a bore which receives and holds a welding gun power pin. The power block further includes a projection movable between at least a first position and a second position. When the projection is in the first position, the projection extends at least partially into the receiving structure cavity. When the projection is in the second position, the projection generally does not extend into the receiving structure cavity. In some embodiments, the projection has a generally straight line distal edge. In other embodiments, the projection has a generally arcuate distal edge.

Abstract: Spinal plate assemblies, methods of fabrication, and methods of use. Such assemblies comprises blocking structures assembled to spinal plates. The blocking structure comprises an elongate band which can be against structure of the plate. The band is mounted into a continuous or intermittent channel in the plate, and extends into an aperture in the plate. The band responds to side forces applied by interfering elements of bone fasteners driven through an aperture, by moving away from the interfering element, and returning to a blocking position over the interfering element after the interfering element has passed the band. Methods of fabrication include inserting the blocking structure, optionally longitudinally, into the channel. Methods of use include advancing bone screws through an aperture and past the band. The bone screw deflects the band as the screw passes, and the band moves to the blocking position when the screw has moved past the band.

Abstract: Removable door jamb assembly guard, guarded jamb assembly, and methods of controlling a doorway. The guard preferably covers the full length of the jamb assembly, and the full width of the jamb assembly between an outer trim element and the door-arresting surface. The guard has a central section, a door leg section, an outer leg section disposed outwardly of the central section, and optionally a transition section between the central section and the outer leg section. Preferred embodiments of the guard can be installed on a jamb assembly while a conventional door slab is mounted to the jamb assembly, and the door slab can be closed and opened without the guard interfering with such operation of the door slab.

Abstract: A massage device has a close-packed presenting structure of massage elements, mounted on a working unit. The presenting structure is sufficiently closely packed to prevent insertion of an adult's digit, e.g. finger or toe, into the spaces between respective ones of the massage elements. Such close packing, in a drum-type structure of closely-packed massage elements, prevents a user from accidental injury to his/her fingers or toes if and as the presenting structure is rotating about an axis of rotation. The massage device can have a heel rest, a variable speed drive, and/or a heater which heats the massage elements.

Abstract: Lumber having stud locator markings spaced along lengths thereof. The marked lumber assists in layout and assembly of a frame wall comprising bottom plate, top plate, and a plurality of studs extending between the bottom and top plates at one or more of a limited number of regularly-spaced pre-determined stud spacings along the plates. Respective pieces of the lumber are useful in the bottom and/or top plates. Stud locator markings define positions for placement, on the respective plate, of stud ends to be mounted against the respective bottom or top plate. Stud locator markings indicate where front and back surfaces of the studs intersect the respective plate. The stud markings are spaced along the bottom and top plates at one or more of the pre-determined stud spacings. Each stud marking comprises marking material affixed directly to the respective piece of lumber. Preferred spacings for stud markings are about 8 inches, optionally 16 or 24 inches.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus, comprising a support structure, a cooking vessel having an opening therein, a cover controlling access to the vessel, and cover actuation apparatus. The cover actuation apparatus pivots the cover, and optionally includes slide structure enabling the cover to slide out of full overlying relationship with the vessel opening to a partially overlying relationship, before the pivoting action occurs. Optional biasing structure biases the cover upwardly from a position overlying the vessel opening. Preferred structure combines both sliding action and pivoting action to displace the cover from over the vessel opening, and to present the cover to the opening for sealing over the cooking vessel.

Abstract: Improved drilling and pinning machines and methods for processing elongate flexible e.g. rubber strips of seal material for forming seals about openings. The machines and methods form precisely positioned holes in the rubber strip, and insert pins in the holes. Opposing ends of the pins are ultimately received in cooperating holes in the opening, mounting the seal strip to the opening. Machines and methods of the invention temporarily fix a strip or portion of the seal material to a rigid component of the machine. While the seal material is fixedly held, first and second holes are formed in general alignment with the length of the strip, or a subsequent hole is formed wherein location of the subsequent hole is based on location of a previously-formed hole. The formed holes and/or inserted pins are automatically inspected. The inspection information is forwarded to, and used by, the machine controller.