Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for tensioning a screen in a vibrating screen separator of the type having a box structure defined by two opposing spaced-apart upright side walls separated by at least one screen bed support structure. Included is an actuator support mounted to an exterior surface of a side wall of a box structure for pivotally securing the stationary end of an actuator thereto. The actuator includes a movable end that is cyclically movable from a first releasing position adjacent the sidewall, to a second engaging position, transversely spaced apart from the side wall, responsive to a track follower moving along a track inclined transversely to the side wall of the box. A clamp rail assembly is fixed to the movable end of the actuator to engage and tension a screen responsive to transverse movement of the movable end of the actuator.

Abstract: A knockdown pump containment assembly for supporting a stator that employs a rotor therein. The pump containment assembly comprises a removable pump housing that defines a containment chamber for receiving, containing and directing the flow of a liquid material. The pump housing also includes an inlet port disposed for directing the flow of liquid material into the containment chamber, and an exit port for directing the flow of liquid material out of the containment chamber, into a stator. The pump containment assembly also includes a pump housing base provided for releasably receiving and supporting portions of the pump housing, and a pump housing retainer designed to releasably engage with the pump housing base to releasably secure the pump housing to the pump housing base.

Abstract: A dewatering apparatus for removing water from the interior volume of a closed, loaded clamshell dredging bucket. The dewatering system comprises at least one conduit adapted for support from a clamshell type dredging bucket. The conduit has a first end adapted for placement within the interior volume defined by a closed dredging bucket, and a lower second end disposed to allow communication between the space surrounding the exterior of the dredging bucket and the interior volume thereof. The conduit is positioned so that the first end thereof is disposed within an upper layer of retained water contained in the interior volume of a loaded clamshell dredging bucket when the same is moved to the closed position and lifted above the dredging area with a load of sediment and water therein. The upper layer of water is drained by gravity through the conduit and the lower end thereof for removal from the interior volume of the clamshell dredging bucket.

Abstract: A string attachment system for securing a string to a stringed musical instrument. The string attachment system includes a bridge pin having an elongate stem defining an outer surface formed for longitudinal mating insertion into a pin hole defined by the walls of a walled opening through a bridge assembly disposed on the body of an instrument. A passage is formed to extend transversely through the stem from a front entry point to a rear exit point. With this arrangement, the bridge pin can receive an end of a musical string through the front entry point, through the passage, and out through the rear exit point to enable the string to pass through the bridge pin and into the pin hole along with the stem of the bridge pin. A rear groove is formed in the outer surface by two planar walls intersecting to form a v-shaped groove for receiving the string.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher comprising a blower tube assembly that includes an outer tube with an inner mixing chamber disposed “upstream” from an adjacent outlet port that provides a passage to direct a discharge flow of mixed air and fire retardant out of the outer tube to extinguish a fire. The inner mixing chamber is adapted for communication with a portable reservoir containing a liquid fire retardant which is enabled to flow into the inner mixing chamber. The blower tube assembly further includes an inner tube that defines a blower tube inlet port adapted to receive the outlet port of a portable forced air blower. The inner tube is disposed for communication with the inner mixing chamber of the outer tube to enable a continuous volume of forced air to flow from a portable forced air blower, through the inner tube and into the inner mixing chamber of the outer tube.

Abstract: A retractable hose central vacuum cleaning system comprising a retractable vacuum hose configured to retract through a valve assembly, into a system vacuum pipe responsive to the vacuum communicated from a vacuum source. The valve assembly comprising a static valve seal adapted for coupling a system vacuum pipe to the vacuum hose to create a substantially air-tight sealed communication between the system vacuum pipe and the vacuum hose. The static valve seal being adjustable from a first unsealed configuration where the vacuum hose can move freely through the valve assembly and system vacuum pipe, to a second sealed configuration where the vacuum hose is in sealed communication with a system vacuum pipe, and where the vacuum hose is substantially fixed in relative position to the valve assembly. Wherein movement from first configuration to the second configuration locks the vacuum hose in place relative to the valve assembly.

Abstract: A spa cover lifter comprising opposing left and right side arm supports spaced apart to receive opposing left and right cover side surfaces between the same. Each side arm support has an upper end adapted to rotatably support a portion of the spa cover and an opposing lower end. Each side arm support is rotatably mounted to a spa side. Extending from the right side arm support, around the back spa side, to the opposing left side arm support is a lower linking member having opposing ends spaced apart to pivotally attach to the respective spaced apart left and right side arm supports. The linking member can pivot relative to the side arms, about a substantially horizontal axis to define a linking member pivot angle which is the angle between each side arm support and the linking member. The pivotal attachment point of the lower linking member to the respective side arm support is adjacent the respective lower end thereof.

Abstract: A releasable retaining clip comprising a locking head defining a passageway that extends from an entry point on the locking head to an exit point on the locking head. A pivotable locking member extends from the locking head into the passageway between the entry point and the exit point. The locking member is pivotable between a first blocking and locking position, to an unlocked position. A strap portion extends outward from the locking head, adjacent the entry point of the passageway. The strap portion includes a head end connected to the locking head, a tail end spaced from the head end, and a strap body that extends from the tail end to the head end. A locking seat is formed into the strap body for receiving the locking member when the tail end of the strap portion and the strap body of the strap portion are urged through the entry point into the passageway.

Abstract: A gas spring lock for engaging and locking a gas spring in the extended position so that covers of spas, hot tubs and other similar apparatus that employ gas springs can be safely locked into an open position. A gas spring lock includes an elongate locking arm that extends along the piston of a gas spring, toward the cylinder thereof. Typically, the locking arm is longitudinally fixed in relation to the piston of the gas spring. The locking arm includes a notch which is defined by a portion of the locking arm. The notch is provided to engage the step that is formed between the piston and the cylinder of the gas spring.

Abstract: An adjustable paint tray carrier is provided for carrying and transporting a paint tray of the type having substantially parallel, vertically disposed, opposing spaced-apart side walls that define an upper perimeter lip. The paint tray carrier comprises a first support arm that includes an upper supported end, a spaced-apart lower fastening end and a body disposed therebetween. Similarly an opposing second support arm is provided that includes an upper supported end, a spaced-apart lower fastening end and a body disposed therebetween. Additionally, the first support arm is pivotally connected to the second support arm to allow relative pivotal movement so that the distance between the lower fastening ends of the opposing support arms is variable. To facilitate the connection of each support arm to a side wall of a paint tray, a clamp is disposed on the lower fastening end of each support arm.