Abstract: A diesel particulate filter cleaning machine. The filter is filed with a soaking solution comprising water and a surfactant and retained within the filter during a soaking interval. The filter is placed in a rinsing station after the soaking interval. A rinse water head positioned above an upper surface of the filter supplies rinse water into the filter, the rinse water passes through and drains from the filter. During the rinsing process, an actuator moves the rinse water head relative to the upper surface of the filter. A drain receives the rinse water after draining from the filter.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter cleaning machine. The filter is filed with a soaking solution comprising water and a surfactant and retained within the filter during a soaking interval. The filter is placed in a rinsing station after the soaking interval. A rinse water head positioned above an upper surface of the filter supplies rinse water into the filter, the rinse water passes through and drains from the filter. During the rinsing process, an actuator moves the rinse water head relative to the upper surface of the filter. A drain receives the rinse water after draining from the filter.

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) for use in a watercraft (12) having a deck (14). The seat assembly (10) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) spaced from the first portion (16). First (52) and second (54) connector panels that are separable from and independent of the first (16) and second (18) portions interconnect the first (16) and second (18) portions. A plurality of locking tabs (56) extend from each of the connector panels (52,54) and are inserted into a plurality of slots (58) defined in the portions (16,18) to connect the connector panels (52,54) to the first (16) and second (18) portions. A mounting bracket (84) is attached to a base (82) of each of the connector panels (52,54) and perpendicularly extends from the connector panels (52,54) to mount the connector panels (52,54) to the deck (14) thereby securing the first (16) and second (18) portions to the deck (14).

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) for use in a watercraft (12) having a deck (14) is provided. The seat assembly (10) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) spaced from the first portion (16). First (52) and second (54) connector panels that are separable from and independent of the first (16) and second (18) portions interconnect the first (16) and second (18) portions. A plurality of locking tabs (56) extend from each of the connector panels (52,54) and are inserted into a plurality of slots (58) defined in the portions (16,18) to connect the connector panels (52,54) to the first (16) and second (18) portions. A mounting bracket (84) is attached to a base (82) of each of the connector panels (52,54) and perpendicularly extends from the connector panels (52,54) to mount the connector panels (52,54) to the deck (14) thereby securing the first (16) and second (18) portions to the deck (14).

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly which can be transported along a surface and also secured to a vehicle. The cooler assembly includes an insulated container body having walls and a bottom defining a storage chamber. A lid is pivotally mounted to the container body for covering the storage chamber. A pair of wheels are each rotatably mounted to the container body for transporting the cooler assembly along the surface. A pair of retaining brackets are mounted to the vehicle. The container body abuts the retaining brackets, with the retaining brackets at least partially encompassing the walls of the container body, when the cooler assembly is secured to the vehicle. The cooler assembly also includes a pair of releasable fasteners. At least one of the walls, bottom, and lid preferably has a wheel recess with the wheels being fastened within the wheel recess when the wheels are removed from the container body.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly which can be transported along a surface and also secured to a vehicle. The cooler assembly includes an insulated container body having walls and a bottom defining a storage chamber. A lid is pivotally mounted to the container body for covering the storage chamber. A pair of wheels are each rotatably mounted to the container body for transporting the cooler assembly along the surface. A pair of retaining brackets are mounted to the vehicle. The container body abuts the retaining brackets, with the retaining brackets at least partially encompassing the walls of the container body, when the cooler assembly is secured to the vehicle. The cooler assembly also includes a pair of releasable fasteners. At least one of the walls, bottom, and lid preferably has a wheel recess with the wheels being fastened within the wheel recess when the wheels are removed from the container body.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat bottom having first and second portions and a central support portion, disposed between the first and second portions, and a seat back having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the seat back extends upwardly from and supported by the seat bottom. To support a user and to provide resiliency to the seat assembly, the invention includes an elastic mat having a first end mounted to the first portion and a second end mounted to one of the second portion and the bottom portion of the seat back such that the elastic mat is suspended over the central support portion of the seat assembly. The seat bottom includes at least two rails adjacent and spaced from one another for retaining a portion of a seat track of a base that is further attached to a post, extending from a floor of the boat.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat bottom having first and second portions and a central support portion, disposed between the first and second portions, and a seat back having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the seat back extends upwardly from and supported by the seat bottom. To support a user and to provide resiliency to the seat assembly, the invention includes an elastic mat having a first end mounted to the first portion and a second end mounted to one of the second portion and the bottom portion of the seat back such that the elastic mat is suspended over the central support portion of the seat assembly. The seat bottom includes at least two rails adjacent and spaced from one another for retaining a portion of a seat track of a base that is further attached to a post, extending from a floor of the boat.

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) for use in a watercraft (12) having a deck (14). The seat assembly (10) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) spaced from the first portion (16). First (52) and second (54) connector panels that are separable from and independent of the first (16) and second (18) portions interconnect the first (16) and second (18) portions. A plurality of locking tabs (56) extend from each of the connector panels (52,54) and are inserted into a plurality of slots (58) defined in the portions (16,18) to connect the connector panels (52,54) to the first (16) and second (18) portions. A mounting bracket (84) is attached to a base (82) of each of the connector panels (52,54) and perpendicularly extends from the connector panels (52,54) to mount the connector panels (52,54) to the deck (14) thereby securing the first (16) and second (18) portions to the deck (14).

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly which can be transported along a surface and also secured to a vehicle. The cooler assembly includes an insulated container body having walls and a bottom defining a storage chamber. A lid is pivotally mounted to the container body for covering the storage chamber. A pair of wheels are each rotatably mounted to the container body for transporting the cooler assembly along the surface. A pair of retaining brackets are mounted to the vehicle. The container body abuts the retaining brackets, with the retaining brackets at least partially encompassing the walls of the container body, when the cooler assembly is secured to the vehicle. The cooler assembly also includes a pair of releasable fasteners. At least one of the walls, bottom, and lid preferably has a wheel recess with the wheels being fastened within the wheel recess when the wheels are removed from the container body.

Abstract: A vibration dampened fuel tank assembly includes a fastener system and a fuel tank having integrated retention areas for horizontal and/or vertical retention to a fixed surface. Each retention area includes an access area that leads to a mounting lip having a semi-annular opening for receipt of the fastener system. The fastener system preferably includes a bolt-like member, a compression surface and a vibration dampening member, wherein the vibration dampening member has a first and a second diameter such that the first diameter fits within the mounting lip opening while the second diameter overlies the mounting lip. When mounted, the fastener system is engaged to the mounting lip of the fuel tank and affixes to a fixed surface such as a floor or sidewall. The fuel tank assembly, thereby, effectively secures the fuel tank and dampens the repetitive vibrations typically associated with the dynamic watercraft environment.

Abstract: A watering device for use with an open basin includes a tank structure, a support structure and a nozzle. The tank structure is supported by the support structure and encloses a reservoir. Fluid flow through the nozzle is controlled by a surface seal between the nozzle and the open basin. When the watering device is overturned, it pivots about certain edges of the nozzle and tank structure until it lands in a stable rest position. The nozzle is then located above the water level in the reservoir so that the fluid cannot drain from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified fuel tanks for use in watercrafts and, in particular, to the use of a fuel cell in a fuel tank to concentrate fuel about the fuel intake line to prevent air from entering the fuel intake line due to shifting of fuel within the fuel tank. The fuel cell includes a body portion having four walls defining a rectangular inner chamber. Apertures, preferably square apertures, are formed in the port and starboard walls of the fuel cell. These permit fuel to enter the fuel cell as the fuel shifts within the tank. Additionally, at least one small aperture is formed adjacent the base of the fuel cell to ensure that the level of fuel in the fuel cell is always at least equal to the level of fuel in the fuel tank. Inner and outer mounting plates are used to mount the fuel cell to a standard fuel tank. The outer mounting plate is also adapted to receive fuel intake and return lines, as well as fuel gauges.

Abstract: A quartz tank member produced by a new method of production having continuous inner corner surfaces formed through bending and welding processes with welded seams being smooth without any hills, valleys, pits, crevasses, or irregularities therein.

Abstract: A device which fits onto a dental hand piece providing a spinning polishing cup at an angle to a long axis of the hand piece. A dental practitioner may use the device to effectively clean and polish teeth and prosthodontic structures within a patient's mouth. The device is disposable for greater sanitation. The device rotates in a direction in conformity with other fittings for dental hand pieces. The device is designed for easy manufacture by snapping a long gear and a short gear into contact with each other within a housing. Low friction secure interfaces between the short gear, the long gear and the housing allow the device to operate effectively at high speeds.

Abstract: This invention provides improved prosthetic devices for the replacement of a ligament or a tendon. The tension borne by the prosthetic ligament or tendon can be readily increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of the device to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament or tendon from the other components of the device.

Abstract: A method of detecting axial force in human and animal fibrous tissue such as ligaments, tendons and muscle tissue employs an implantable force transducer or IFT which measures lateral compressive forces as axial force is applied to the fibrous tissue. The lateral compressive forces are proportional to the axial force. Preferably the device is a curved clip formed from a band of spring steel utilizing bonded strain gages. This device is connected to a Wheatstone bridge circuit to detect flexure of curved metal clip. The device is suitable for in vivo and in vitro use.

Abstract: A knee brace for preventing abnormal anterior or posterior movement, and abnormal internal or external rotations, of the tibia relative to the femur includes a femoral cuff adapted for attachment to the thigh, a tibial cuff adapted for attachment to the calf and a pair of linkage assemblies interconnecting the cuffs. Each linkage assembly comprises a pair of link elements pivotally connected to one another, one of which is mounted to the femoral cuff and the other of which is slidable relative to the tibial cuff along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tibia of the leg of a patient to prevent forces from being applied to the knee by the brace except in the anterior-posterior direction. The location of the hinge axis of the brace is adjustable relative to the flexion axis of the knee to impose an anterior or posterior force of variable magnitude on the tibia depending upon the ligament injury or deficiency.

Abstract: This invention provides improved prosthetic devices for the replacement of a ligament or a tendon. The tension borne by the prosthetic ligament or tendon can be readily increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of the device to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament or tendon from the other components of the device.

Abstract: Two separate sling lines (13, 14) have inner end portions secured to a drum (6 or 6') mounted in a block (2 or 2') and are wound in opposite senses around the drum. The block is adapted to be connected to a hoist and the free end portions (15) of the sling lines are adapted to be connected to a load at spaced locations. During or after lifting the load by use of the hoist, the drum can be rotated to haul in one sling line while automatically paying out the other and thereby tilt the load. Mechanism (10, 12 or 8', 30, 35) is provided for locking and unlocking the drum relative to the block.