Abstract: The present invention is related to lawn maintenance and describes a system for mounting an accessory, such as a grass trimmer, to a riding lawnmower. The mounting system is simple, durable, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, but provides a lawnmower operator the ability to operate an accessory while seated in the lawnmower. The mounting system is also advantageous in that the lawnmower operator need not specifically align the mower with any objects that present an obstacle for mowing, but may instead move the accessory to the object. The accessory mounting system comprises at least one link between a vertical pivot bar forming an axis for horizontal movement of the accessory and horizontal pivot point allowing vertical movement of the accessory.

Abstract: An interment container includes upper and lower members that define an internal cavity. The remains of a deceased are placed within a liner adapted to be positioned within the internal cavity. The liner is peripherally sealed about the remains of the deceased, to prevent leakage of fluids from within the liner and infiltration of fluids into the liner. The liner includes lower and upper sections that define facing peripheral flanges which are sealed together by positioning a heating member between facing surfaces of the flanges, and imparting heat to the heating member so as to liquefy the adjacent material of the flanges. The liquefied material flows together about the heating member and the heating member is then cooled, such that the liquefied portions of the flanges solidify to integrally seal the flanges together.

Abstract: An interment container, such as a casket or vault, includes a lower member defining a recess, and an upper member adapted for engagement with the lower member so as to enclose the recess to define an internal cavity. The remains of a deceased are adapted to be placed within the internal cavity of the interment container, and a liner is located within the internal cavity. The liner is peripherally sealed about the remains of the deceased, to prevent leakage of fluids from the interior of the liner and for preventing infiltration of fluids into the interior of the liner. The liner includes a lower section which is received within the recess in the lower member of the interment container, and an upper section peripherally engaged with and sealed to the lower section. The upper member of the interment container is located over the upper section of the liner, such that the liner is concealed from the exterior of the interment container.

Abstract: A sealed underground containment vault has an outer shell made of non-biodegradable plastic such as polyurethane or polypropylene. The vault has a containment compartment defined by a bottom wall, and sidewalls and endwalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. A container, such as a casket, is placed within the lower containment compartment. The outer shell for the lower containment compartment has an upper edge portion that extends completely around the upper edge of the lower compartment. A fusible element, such as an outwardly extending plastic flange, is provided around the upper edge portion completely around the lower containment compartment. A cover for the vault has an outer shell that includes a lower edge portion, which likewise has a fusible element extending completely around the lower edge portion of the cover.

Abstract: A spray gun for applying a liquid spray coating, such as paint, to a surface incorporates a light source and detection system for analyzing the position of the spray gun relative to a worksurface in order to optimize application of the coating to the surface. The light source is preferably in the form of a laser which emits a beam of light toward the worksurface. The laser is interconnected with the housing of the spray gun in a location over the spray gun handle so as not to effect the center of gravity of the spray gun. Optical sensors are mounted to the spray gun housing for receiving light reflected from the work-surface, and the sensors are interconnected with a processor for providing the operator with a real time visual indication as to compliance with predetermined paint application criteria. In addition, information can be stored to memory and downloaded for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A spray gun for applying a liquid spray coating, such as paint, to a surface incorporates a light source system for gauging the position of the spray gun relative to a worksurface in order to optimize application of the coating to the surface. The light source is preferably in the form of a laser which emits a pair of light beams toward the worksurface. The pair of light beams converge toward each other in a direction toward the surface, and the position of the beams on the surface is used by the operator to judge the distance of the spray gun from the surface. An adjustment mechanism is interconnected with one of the light beam sources, so as to adjust the point of convergence of the light beams. A closable door is associated with the spray gun housing at one of the light beam emitting locations, to selectively prevent emission of one of the light beams from the spray gun, such that a single light beam is emitted from the spray gun for use as a reference for spot application of the coating to the surface.

Abstract: An optical spray coating monitoring system uses a laser displacement sensor and a data acquisition system to monitor a spray gun operator's technique, and display information relating to coating conditions and/or technique. The system includes a laser displacement sensor having a sensor head that is removably attached to a hand held spray gun. The laser displacement sensor measures the distance from the spray nozzle to the surface being coated. The laser displacement sensor also preferably measures the angle of orientation of the spray gun with respect to the surface being coated. The sensor head can also include an infrared temperature sensor. Another embodiment of the invention also uses a second laser displacement sensor.

Abstract: An optical spray paint optimization system can be removably mounted to a spray paint gun, thus enhancing the ability of the user to guide the direction of the spray and also locate the nozzle at an optimum spray distance from the surface being painted. The preferred apparatus uses a diode laser, a beam splitter and a reflecting mirror to generate a reference beam and a gauge beam. The reference beam propagates in a fixed forward direction, but the direction of the gauge beam is adjustable by adjusting the attitude of the reflecting mirror. The reference beam and the gauge beam intersect at a convergence point which can be repositioned to a selected distance from the nozzle of the spray painting system by adjusting the path of the gauge beam, thus allowing the user to spray at the optimum spray distance by locating the convergence point on the surface being painted. The beams also aid in aiming the spray.

Abstract: A case for an elongated tool such as a level or the like includes outer walls which cooperate to define an internal cavity into which the tool is placed. Spaced indentations are provided along the length of the case, with the indentations extending around the entire periphery of the case. Each indentation provides a supporting surface adapted for placement closely adjacent an outer surface of the tool, for maintaining the tool out of contact with the outer walls of the case. An end cap encloses the open end of the case for securing the level therein, and indentations are formed in the end cap and in the end of the case for spacing the ends of the level inwardly from the end walls. The level is cushioned by an air space between the outer surfaces of the level and the inner surfaces of the outer walls.

Abstract: A tool and method for making a longitudinal mark on, or cut through, a piece of siding. The tool includes an upper plate portion and a lower plate portion, with a step therebetween, which is adapted to fit onto a piece of siding having an upper panel and a lower panel, with a ridge therebetween. The upper and lower plate portions each have a series of openings in predetermined locations along the length of the tool. The tool is used by engaging the step with the ridge of the piece of siding, such that the upper plate portion of the tool is located against the upper panel of the siding and the lower plate portion of the tool against the bottom panel of the siding. A pencil is placed through a selected one of the openings, and the tool and pencil are then moved along the siding while maintaining the step in engagement with the ridge. The ridge of the siding is thus used as a guide in making a longitudinal mark on the siding.

Abstract: A case for an elongated tool such as a level or the like includes outer walls which cooperate to define an internal cavity into which the tool is placed. Spaced indentations are provided along the length of the case, with the indentations extending around the entire periphery of the case. Each indentation provides a supporting surface adapted for placement closely adjacent an outer surface of the tool, for maintaining the tool out of contact with the outer walls of the case. An end cap encloses the open end of the case for securing the level therein, and indentations are formed in the end cap and in the end of the case for spacing the ends of the level inwardly from the end walls. The level is cushioned by an air space between the outer surfaces of the level and the inner surfaces of the outer walls.