Abstract: A barbecue cooking system with moveable charcoal chimney device is provided, the system comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, and the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; and a chimney movable through the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl, and at least a portion of the chimney is situated within the firebowl during a usage position and at least a portion of the chimney is moveable to a position below the firebowl during a stowage position.

Abstract: A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside which has a circumference smaller than a circumference of the topside of the firebowl, and the bottomside of the firebowl comprises at least one central aperture situated adjacent at least one peripheral aperture; a base frame comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a central cavity, and the peripheral aperture of the firebowl leads to the central cavity of the column, and the top end of the column is connected to the bottomside of the firebowl; and an ash scraper assembly comprising a frame having at least one arm designed to cover and uncover the peripheral aperture and an actuator pivotally attached to the frame and designed to rotate the arms to cover and uncover the peripheral apertures and scrape the bottomside of the firebowl.

Abstract: A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside with at least one aperture; a base attached to the bottomside of the firebowl, and the base comprises an internal cavity, and the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leads to the internal cavity of the base; and an ash bin and chimney device comprising an open topside and at least one side wall forming a device cavity, and the device designed to fit within the internal cavity of the base, the aperture of the firebowl is situated above the open topside of the device when the device is situated within the internal cavity of the base, and the device further comprises at least one screen and a movable flap situated within its device cavity.

Abstract: A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; a column has a top and a bottom, the top of the column is attached to the bottomside of the firebowl, the column comprises an internal cavity, the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leads to the internal cavity of the column, the column has at least one opening for ventilation; a base connected to the bottom of the column; a lid situated atop the open topside of the firebowl, the lid has at least one opening for ventilation, the lid further comprises a device for opening and closing the opening; and at least one ash scraper assembly, the assembly comprises at least one scraper and at least one scraper handle, the scraper comprises an axle rod and at least one arm extending from the axle rod, the scraper handle designed to be connected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm to allow the arm to cover and uncover the aperture for venting purpose

Abstract: A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside which has a circumference smaller than a circumference of the topside of the firebowl, and the bottomside of the firebowl comprises at least one central aperture situated adjacent at least one peripheral aperture; a base frame comprising a top end, a bottom end, and a central cavity, and the peripheral aperture of the firebowl leads to the central cavity of the column, and the top end of the column is connected to the bottomside of the firebowl; and an ash scraper assembly comprising a frame having at least one arm designed to cover and uncover the peripheral aperture and an actuator pivotally attached to the frame and designed to rotate the arms to cover and uncover the peripheral apertures and scrape the bottomside of the firebowl.

Abstract: A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside with at least one aperture; a base attached to the bottomside of the firebowl, and the base comprises an internal cavity, and the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leads to the internal cavity of the base; and an ash bin and chimney device comprising an open topside and at least one side wall forming a device cavity, and the device designed to fit within the internal cavity of the base, the aperture of the firebowl is situated above the open topside of the device when the device is situated within the internal cavity of the base, and the device further comprises at least one screen and a movable flap situated within its device cavity.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting flow interface equipment to a subsea manifold is disclosed. The connection system relates particularly to a connection apparatus adapted to land a conduit means on a subsea manifold in a first stage of the connection and to connect a conduit means of the connection apparatus to a choke body of the manifold in a second stage of the connection.

Abstract: An introducer for use with an ultrasonic imaging system. The introducer comprises a tubular member having a connecting end, a positioning end, and a central lumen, the connecting end including a coupling for attaching the introducer to an ultrasonic imaging system, and the positioning end comprising a plug or other structure that facilitates positioning of the introducer inside a urethra at a fixed anatomical landmark.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system and methods of using the same. In one preferred form, an ultrasound scanning system comprises an acoustic imaging catheter comprising an ultrasonic transducer, a motion control system and an imaging computer system for imaging a patient's genitourinary system. In another preferred form, an ultrasound scanning system is used for imaging a patient's prostate gland.

Abstract: A skateboard includes a motorized drive assembly and a motorized brake assembly, both operable with a wireless remote control to be carried by a rider. The drive assembly is free-wheeling permitting normal use of the skateboard in the event of battery depletion. The brake system includes a motor operable through a simple machine structure to move a brake pad against a brake disk mounted against a wheel. A self-adjustment mechanism presets the brake pad a predetermined distance from the disk prior to brake application. Motor enertia is relied on to store potential energy in a wheel axel in accordance with an associated method of operation.

Abstract: A cooker has a pan of circular configuration with an open upper end receiving a circular lid and a bottom having apertures therein. A disk shaped drip tray disposed below the pan and having upstanding lugs thereon is selectively moved between raised and lowered positions using opposite latching mechanisms which adjustably couple the drip tray to the pan. In the raised position, the drip tray engages the bottom of the pan and the lugs on the drip tray extend into and close the apertures in the pan. In the lowered position, the lugs are removed from the apertures, permitting greases, fats and similar substances to drain through the apertures and onto the drip tray. The latching mechanisms permit separation of the drip tray from the pan for separate cleansing thereof such as by placing in a dishwasher.

Abstract: A door hold open and controlled release mechanism is designed for usage in a doorway system having an inner door, an outer door and a door closer. It includes a catch mechanism and a catch release mechanism. The catch mechanism holds the outer door, typically a screen door or storm door, in an open position against the closing tendency of the door closer. Movement of the inner door to an open position then toward a closed position triggers the catch release mechanism which allows the outer door to close under the urging of the door closer.

Abstract: A door hold open and controlled release system is provided wherein the system comprises a door arrangement having a first door mounted in juxtaposition with a second door, the first door being movable between a first open position and a first closed position, the first door having a biasing device exerting a biasing force against the first door tending to move the first door from the first open position to the first closed position and to maintain the first door in the first closed position, the second door being movable between a second open position and a second closed position; a catch mechanism connected to the first door, the catch mechanism being designed to hold the first door in the first open position; and a catch release mechanism connected to the catch mechanism, the catch release mechanism causing disengagement of the catch mechanism upon the second door being moved from the second open position toward the second closed position thereby allowing the biasing device to move the first door from the f

Abstract: A curve projected onto a NURBS surface defines trim regions on the NURBS surface. A plurality of spaced-apart points are defined on the curve and rays are project through the points toward a NURBS surface. Any intersections of the rays with the NURBS surface is mapped into the U,V domain. Corresponding points of adjacent rays are connected to define at least a portion of each trim region on the NURBS surface. Transitions on the NURBS surface between adjacent rays are detected based upon differences in the number of intersections of adjacent rays. The location of each transition is determined to within a selected tolerance by using a binary subdivision of the interval between adjacent rays. The location of such transitions is used to determine how intersections of the rays with the surface at the boundaries of the NURBS surface should be connected. Parity assigned to the rays at each intersection determines the direction in which intersections along the rays are connected.

Abstract: An adjustable shoe heel spring and stabilizer device provides the wearer of a shoe the ability to adjust the energy absorption and return characteristics of the shoe to suit their particular needs. An operable adjustment device is located on an exterior surface of the shoe. The wearer operates the adjustment device to selectively position a fulcrum at a desired location relative to upper and lower members of a spring mechanism disposed within the mid-sole of the shoe. The position of the fulcrum defines the energy absorption and return characteristics for the shoe. An indicator is provided for displaying to the wearer the relative position of the fulcrum, and hence the energy absorption and return setting for the shoe.

Abstract: A probe cover for an infrared thermometer has a pleated sheath which fits over the thermometer probe and a base, which is engageable with the probe, is attached to the periphery of the sheath to hold the sheath over the probe. The sheath is made of a thin infrared transparent film and is formed with a window which causes minimal attenuation of infrared emission received by the thermometer.