Abstract: The invention modulates the air-volume in both mattress-type foam and traditional coil spring cores interactively, obtaining a wide variety of levels of density and indentation force deflection (IFD or spring-back force). Foam core modulation is used to soften or harden the upper surface of the combined two elements to form enhanced-comfort support surfaces. The combinations include multiple chambers of which at least one is filled with self-inflating foam. In most configurations of the present invention, the chambers are completely sealed and are not air communicable with each other. Each chamber is fitted with a valve used to selectively withdraw air from it—but never to pressurize it by adding air forcibly. The combinations of core layers include traditional coil spring cores that may or may not be completely enclosed in their own enclosure. When air is extracted from a self-inflating foam core, its surface softens uniformly, density increases while its IFD value drops.

Abstract: A large capacity boat lift includes a lift assembly mounted on each side of a boat supporting platform. Each lift assembly includes a support structure that carries a winder. A lifting cable is operably attached at each of its ends to respective sections of the winder. A drive mechanism operates the winder in first and second directions to selectively wind the cable onto and off of the winder. The cable movably interengages a pair of pulleys carried by the platform. A section of the cable between the pulleys is engaged with the support structure such that winding the cable onto the winder raises the platform and unwinding the cable from the winder lowers the platform.

Abstract: A tool is provided for winding a strap or other flexible component onto a winch. The tool is inserted into the axial opening of the winch spindle and includes a longitudinal slot that receives the inner end of the strap. The tool also includes a head portion that is lockably interengagable with a drive component of a rotary drive apparatus. The rotary drive apparatus is interengaged with the tool and rotatably driven such that the tool turns the spindle to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A pressure adjustable foam support apparatus includes a resilient, air pressure adjustable, self-inflating foam core. A flexible, airtight cover encloses the core. One or more air passageways are formed through the covering in pneumatic communication with the foam core. Each passageway carries a valve for alternately permitting and blocking passage into and out of the core through the passageway. The valve is opened to exhaust air from and at least partially collapse the core and to allow a core that is at least partially collapsed to draw in air through the passageway and expand. The valve is closed to maintain a selected air pressure within the core whereby corresponding levels of density and firmness (IFD) are exhibited by the core. At least one level of density and firmness provides the core with a viscoelastic or latex foam feel hence greatly reducing pressure points and increasing comfort.

Abstract: A synchronously driven, multiple cable boat lift is used in combination with proximal and distal support structures located on respective sides of a boat to selectively lift and lower the boat out of and into a body of water. The boat lift includes a motor mountable on the proximal support structure and being selectively driven in opposing first and second directions. A boat accommodating platform is located between the proximal and distal support structures and includes a pair of interconnected cradle beams for extending transversely beneath the boat from the first side to the second side of the boat. Each beam has a proximal portion and a distal portion positionable on the first and second sides of the boat respectively.

Abstract: An outdoor privacy wall that includes at least one self supporting panel mounted on multiple, spaced apart footings disposed in the ground. The panel features a rectangular shape and has opposing faces bounded by parallel upper and lower edges and a pair of parallel side edges connecting the upper and lower edges. At least one of the opposing faces includes a recessed region. A thick peripheral portion surrounds the recessed region and longitudinal reinforcing elements extend longitudinally through the thick peripheral region. A vertically oriented mold assembly is used to manufacture the panels.

Abstract: An ornamental accessory is designed for wearing by a person on a portion of the person's body. The accessory represents a selected martial arts skill level. The accessory includes a flexible band having generally flat inside and outside surfaces for encircling a portion of the wearer's body. A knot assembly, which is separate and distinct from and not unitary with the band includes at least one elongate, flexible and generally flat knot component. The one or more knot components are mounted to the outside surface of the band and depend therefrom to define a pair of tail portions. At least one of the band and the knot assembly includes indicia for representing a corresponding martial arts skill level.

Abstract: A safety hose apparatus delivers water from a standard threaded hose bib to an appliance or plumbing fixture. The apparatus includes an outer hose and an inner hose that extends through the outer hose. A first threaded connector is rotatably attached to the outer hose and is in communication with the inner hose. The first threaded connector is threadably engagable with the spout to communicably connect the inner hose to the hose bib. A second threaded connector is rotatably attached to the outer hose and is in communication with the second end of the inner hose. The second threaded connector is threadably engagable with the inlet to communicably connect the inner hose to the inlet. A first closure is engaged with the first end of the outer hose and a second closure is engaged with a second end of the outer hose for sealing the space between the inner and outer hoses and retaining within the space water leaking through a rupture in the inner hose.

Abstract: A solar powered boat lift includes a support structure adjacent to the boat to be lifted. There is a platform for accommodating the boat thereon and cables are operably connected to the platform for enabling raising and lowering thereof. A plurality of reversible DC motors are mounted to the support structure and operably connected to the cables for selectively driving the cables longitudinally in a first direction to raise the platform and in an opposite direction to lower the platform. A rechargeable battery is operably connected to each DC motor for providing electrical power to drive the motor. A solar collector is connected to the rechargeable batteries for collecting solar energy and converting such energy to electrical power that is delivered to the rechargeable batteries for recharging thereof. In an alternative embodiment, a single solar rechargeable battery is employed and a power cable is electrically interconnected between the motors and attached to the support structure entirely above the water.

Abstract: An automatically retractable stop mechanism is provided for machine tools. The stop apparatus includes a base that is releasably fixed to the machine tool table. A stop bar is retractably mounted to the base. A spring urges the bar into a retracted condition disengaging the metal part being machined. The spring permits the bar to be selectively actuated to engage the part being machined and properly position that part on the machining table. After positioning is complete, the stop bar is released and the springs automatically retracted so that the machining operation can be performed without interference from the stop apparatus.

Abstract: A double-acting, weight distributing trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to a tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a rearwardly extending drawbar extension, which are pivotably connected along substantially vertical axis by a yoke. The drawbar extension is pivotally connected to the yoke by a cam. The drawbar extension is also mounted pivotably to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotably interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension.

Abstract: An applicator mechanism is used in combination with a land vehicle and a source of fluid treatment substance to introduce the substance into a turf surface so that the turf surface is treated by the chemical. The applicator mechanism includes a frame mountable to the land vehicle. The frame is movably supported by gauge wheels and gauge rollers above the turf surface such as the frame is capable of being driven across the turf surface by the vehicle. At least one applicator unit is swivelably attached to and depends from the frame. The unit includes a sled slidably engaged in the turf surface and at least one coulter mounted axially rotatably to the sled and having a cutting edge that extends below the sled for engaging and cutting the turf surface. A chemical dispensing device is mounted to the sled rearwardly of the coulter and extends below the sled.

Abstract: A power driven tool is provided for winding a strap or other flexible component onto a winch. The tool is inserted into the axial opening of the winch spindle and includes a longitudinal slot that receives the inner end of the strap. The tool also includes a head portion that is lockably interengagable with a drive component of a rotary power apparatus. The rotary power apparatus is interengaged with the tool and rotatably driven such that the tool turns the spindle to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A double wall safety hose delivers water from a standard threaded hose bib to an appliance or plumbing fixture. The apparatus includes an outer and an inner hose that extends through the outer hose. The inner hose is communicably attached at each end to respective threaded connector. A closure in the form of a ferrule or bushing surrounds and sealably interengages each end of the inner hose. A corresponding end of the outer hose sealably interengages an enlarged outer surface of the ferrule. This seals each end of the safety hose apparatus so that water leaking through a rupture in the inner hose is retained within the outer hose. A drain port attached to the outer hose discharges water that has leaked from the inner hose to a drain line.

Abstract: An improved safety hose apparatus includes an inner hose having threaded connectors attached rotatably at each end thereof. An inner hose is disposed about the outer hose. The inner hose is alternatable between longitudinally expanded and contracted conditions. The outer hose includes a pair of resiliently expandable end coupling portions. Each end portion is selectively expanded to releasably grip the peripheral surface of a respective threaded connector. This seals the end of the apparatus so that water leaking through a rupture in the inner hose is retained within the outer hose.

Abstract: A decorative wind driven sculpture includes an elongate support member that is mounted to and extends upwardly from the ground. An exterior frame is mounted proximate an upper end of the support and is rotatable about a first axis that is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the support member. An interior decorative component is mounted within the frame in a rotatable relative to each the frame and the support member about a second axis that is generally aligned with the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the support member. The exterior frame and the interior decorative component are independently rotated by movement of air about the first and second axes respectively.

Abstract: A synchronously driven, multiple cable boat lift is used in combination with proximal and distal support structures located on respective sides of a boat to selectively lift and lower the boat out of and into a body of water. The boat lift includes a motor mountable on the proximal support structure and being selectively driven in opposing first and second directions. A boat accommodating platform is located between the proximal and distal support structures and includes a pair of interconnected cradle beams for extending transversely beneath the boat from the first side to the second side of the boat. Each beam has a proximal portion and a distal portion positionable on the first and second sides of the boat respectively.

Abstract: A rotary compressor includes a housing having a generally cylindrical chamber and rotor mounted eccentrically within the chamber to define about the rotor a main chamber region, which narrows to a constricted region. There is an intake port formed in the housing for introducing air into the main chamber region and an exhaust port for discharging air from the constricted chamber region. At least pair of curved vanes are pivotably attached to the rotor and extend in generally opposite arcuate directions from the rotor into the chamber. The rotor is driven in a single direction such that the vanes are urged against the walls of chamber to define at least one compartment that transmits air from the main chamber region to the constricted chamber region. This compresses the air, which is discharged through the exhaust port.

Abstract: A fiberoptic cable tester includes a body having an inlet fitting, an outlet and a channel that extends between the inlet fitting and the outlet. A magnification and focusing assembly is mounted within the channel between the inlet fitting and the outlet. A fiberoptic cable end fitting is communicably interengaged with the inlet fitting and light is transmitted through the magnification and focusing assembly and the channel to the outlet. The light is projected from the outlet and against a target area to produce an image which is indicative of the condition of the fiberoptic cable.

Abstract: A dental whitening kit is used to apply a tooth whitening composition to a user's teeth. The kit includes a mouthpiece having a cavity for receiving the teeth and a separate and distinct thin sheet composed of a heat and pressure deformable plastic. The sheet is heated to a temperature and for a duration such that the sheet is sufficiently pliable to form a dental impression therein. The sheet is disposed over the cavity such that the user bites into the sheet and the cavity to form a tray having an impression of the user's teeth. The tray and the mouthpiece are disengaged from the teeth. The tray is then separated from the cavity of the mouthpiece and receives the tooth whitening composition. The user re-engages into the tray with the teeth to apply the whitening composition to the teeth.