Abstract: An apparatus intended for incorporation as a module within ground improvement pokers such as those already patented (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,554,543 and 8,419,316) in order to enhance the field performance of those hydrodynamic compactors by either improving their ground penetration capability, and/or, maintaining or recovering the permeability of their outer seepage filtration element; involving a method which can be activated remotely at the operator's discretion, while those parent devices are at depth within the earth. This apparatus and method may have application in water well installations and reviving flow in oil wells.

Abstract: The proposed method involves deploying and activating three ground improvement machines together in a triangular array, rather than a single machine working alone in isolation. The machines are of the type both capable of producing vibratory excitation, and also a pump capable of creating fluid flow, in the ground at depth. Each of the three machines is independently controlled so as to create ground vibrations which are either in, or out, of phase, and at the same time create the hydraulic gradient required to cause fluid flow and seepage forces in the ground within their compass.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are given for a novel way to overcome the difficulty of achieving absolutely certainty that the contents of a cargo container have not been accessed between the time it is packed and sealed at its point of origin and the time it is reopened at its destination. The concept is rather than to try to make the container impregnable, is to make certain that if the integrity of a container is violated, then than fact will be recorded without fail. The method consists of placing the cargo inside a secure enveloping structure, the physical continuity of which cannot be cut, or interrupted however briefly, without authorities being alerted. To achieve this the enveloping structure is made of semiconducting material. Immediately prior to sealing the contents at the point of origin a monitoring device housed inside the envelope is switched on.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are given for a better approach to the pre-loading technique currently used to improving otherwise unsatisfactory ground conditions so that a site may be used to support an engineered structure or building. The method allows for pre-loading of a site to proceed where there are preexisting buildings on adjoining properties without causing damage to, or interference with, those properties while at the same time allowing full utilization of the building area. This involves using sections of sheet piling to isolate and contain ground movements in the subject site from having any influence on adjacent land, thus preventing damage to neighboring property. Apparatus to effectively support minimal lengths of sheet piling by means of a novel adjustable anchoring system is given. Apparatus for a novel monitoring system to provide comprehensive data on the progress of ground improvement is also given.

Abstract: A method is given for an efficient and effective means of eliminating the possibility that civilian airline passenger belongings could be used as an opportunity for terrorists to kill passengers in transit. The essence of this method is to arrange for the passengers' baggage and personal transit articles to be conveyed to the destination in a separate aircraft from the one in which the people travel. There are two levels of caution, with the ultimate level of certainty requiring passengers to change into flight suits provided to them at the airport by security staff.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a tub/shower mixing valve onto a fiberglass shower stall wall. The assembly comprises a valve mounting sleeve and a locking plate that helps secure the mounting sleeve to the shower stall wall. Alternatively, the mounting sleeve may be secured to the shower stall wall by bolts threadably connected to the mounting sleeve.

Abstract: The information management system such as might be used for a source code management system. The information management system is distributed throughout an enterprise and is operated to allow secure communications with remote sites connected to a central site over an unsecured network. A secure channel is created through the unsecured network to transmit encryption and identifier information for one or more artifacts. This information is used to access an artifact from a remote site and decrypt it. Because artifacts, though encrypted, retain an identifiable form, they may be cached throughout the information management system. The ability to cache artifacts significantly reduces the bandwidth required for operating the information management system from remote sites.

Abstract: The invention includes an electronic utility meter, a data collector/meter and a method for communicating data in an automated meter reading system. The inventive method includes communicating data with a network and a first electronic utility meter, and communicating the data with the first electronic utility meter and one or more other meters.

Abstract: A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instructions to the level one meters to scan for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the level one meters. The collector registers meters that respond as level two meters.

Abstract: A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instructions to the level one meters to scan for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the level one meters. The collector registers meters that respond as level two meters.

Abstract: A shower drain having a tapered body and arcuate keepers circumferentially disposed around the body and capable of being drawn up the tapered body from a lower position to a higher position to engage the underside of a shower drain floor and hold the drain in place. When the keepers are in the lower position the drain readily fits through the floor drain opening. The keepers are drawn up the body by turning bolts extending through openings in the drain flange. The keepers extend substantially the full circumference of the drain body to provide maximum seating area against the underside of a shower floor.

Abstract: A shower drain having a tapered body and arcuate keepers circumferentially disposed around the body and capable of being drawn up the tapered body from a lower position to a higher position to engage the underside of a shower drain floor and hold the drain in place. When the keepers are in the lower position the drain readily fits through the floor drain opening. The keepers are drawn up the body by turning bolts extending through openings in the drain flange. The keepers extend substantially the full circumference of the drain body to provide maximum seating area against the underside of a shower floor.

Abstract: An animal litter comprised of a liquid absorbent aggregate impregnated with a litmus agent for indicating a urinary track infection in felines.

Abstract: A closet flange having a shoulder and a body portion extending therefrom, the body portion having a substantially cylindrical upstream portion and a smooth tapered downstream portion, the downstream portion configured to receive an elastic o-ring. The o-ring travels up the tapered portion as the closet flange is inserted into a drain pipe, providing an increasingly tighter seal between the closet flange and the pipe. O-rings of various outer diameters may be provided to accommodate pipes having different internal diameters. The flange is installed without tools by pushing the flange into the end of the pipe until the desired tightness is achieved.

Abstract: A closet flange with a body portion having a tapered end and a plurality of grooves circumferentially disposed about the tapered end. The grooves increase in diameter in the upstream direction and are configured to receive an elastic O-ring. As the closet flange is inserted into a drain pipe the O-ring travels from groove to groove providing an increasingly tighter fit. The flange is installed without tools by pushing the flange into the end of the pipe until the desired tightness is achieved.

Abstract: An animal litter comprised of a liquid absorbent aggregate impregnated with a litmus agent for indicating a urinary tract infection in felines.

Abstract: A pipe hanger for suspending a pipe from a support structure at a variety of angles includes a stem and a flexible hook attached to the stem. The stem has at least one groove suitable for accepting a staple for hanging the pipe hanger from the support structure. The grooves may be polygonal, allowing the pipe hanger to be suspended at a variety of angles. The hook has a curved portion to accept a pipe in a snap-fit position. The stem may be shortened to a suitable length by severing the stem at any one of the grooves.

Abstract: A ratchet type closet flange for replacing broken cast iron closet flanges in old buildings or in new construction in place of conventional cast iron closet flanges. The patented invention comprising a flange body, a cup, a rubber seal, and a means for applying pressure. After removing the broken closet flange, the ratchet type closet flange is inserted into the existing pipe. A compression seal is formed between the flange body and the inside of the pipe by applying pressure to the flange body and the cup, forcing a compression seal between the rubber seal and the pipe. The ratchet type closet flange may slide up and down inside the pipe to achieve the desired height.

Abstract: A reusable concrete spacer sleeve comprises a substantially cylindrical body having a plurality of inwardly extending fins. The sleeve is placed over a vertical drain pipe prior to pouring a concrete floor. After the concrete has set, the sleeve is removed, leaving an annular space around the pipe for accommodating a flange. A lid may be fitted onto the sleeve to prevent debris or other foreign matter from entering the pipe or the annular space around the pipe.

Abstract: A street compression closet flange for replacing broken cast iron closet flanges in old buildings comprises an upper cylindrical section, a lower cylindrical section, a rubber seal, and three sets of nuts and bolts. After the broken closet flange has been removed, the street flange is inserted inside the existing pipe. A compression seal if formed between the street flange and the inside of the pipe by tightening the nuts and bolts. The street flange may be slid up or down to achieve the desired height. The street flange may also be used in new building construction instead of conventional closet flanges.