Abstract: A split body, rotary C gate, removeable stem vacuum valve using an input assembly with handle extensions that allow for hand movement of the incoming pipe to access an inner aperture body with a curved sealing face that directly seals to a C shaped gasketless gate that can be rotated into and out of the inner body aperture for easy cleaning. The gasketless gate is held in position using gate axles with an outer axle stem connected to a polygon lower body that mates into a matching polygon aperture on the gasketless gate. The middle valve assembly's gasketless housing body defines upper and lower axle washer pockets for locating the axles for proper operation and simple axle pins for securing the axles in position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bracket and a rack. The bracket may be attachable to a vehicle. The rack may include (i) a rail having a U-shape forming two side sections separated by a handle section, (ii) a respective joint at each free end of the rail and pivotally connected to the bracket and (iii) cross members attached between the side sections of the rail. The rail generally forms a carry section and a retainer section. The side sections may include a curve. The rail may be rotatable about the joints. The handle section may be in contact with a ground while the rack is in a load position. The retainer section may be approximately parallel to a hood of the vehicle while the rack is in a stored position. The retainer section may be approximately perpendicular to the ground while the rack is in a carry position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bracket and a rack. The bracket may be attachable to a vehicle. The rack may include (i) a rail having a U-shape forming two side sections separated by a handle section, (ii) a respective joint at each free end of the rail and pivotally connected to the bracket and (iii) cross members attached between the side sections of the rail. The rail generally forms a carry section and a retainer section. The side sections may include a curve. The rail may be rotatable about the joints. The handle section may be in contact with a ground while the rack is in a load position. The retainer section may be approximately parallel to a hood of the vehicle while the rack is in a stored position. The retainer section may be approximately perpendicular to the ground while the rack is in a carry position.

Abstract: Felted fibrous construction materials and articles formed therefrom. The felted fibrous construction material is adapted to provide adequate strength to permit construction of three dimensional structures by use of standard joining techniques such as screws, nails, glue and the like. Panels of the felted fibrous construction material also provide substantial impact resistance when used in storm shutter applications.

Abstract: Interior design structures and lightweight furniture formed from a felted fibrous material such as needle punched felt as the material of construction in replacement for wood. The felted fibrous material is adapted to provide adequate strength to permit construction of three dimensional structures by use of standard joining techniques such as screws, nails, glue and the like. At the same time, the nature of the felted fibrous material affords the opportunity to bend and shape the material thereby allowing additional freedom in construction and use.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite structure having a plurality of layers of nonwoven fiber batting bonded in laminating relation to one another by a localized adhesive disposed between the layers. The adhesive between the layers of fiber batting preferably extends across the interface between the adjacent layers so as to at least partially penetrate each of the layers thereby enhancing the bond strength between the layers. The bond strength between the layers and the uniformity of the resultant bonded structure may be further enhanced by forcibly extending fibers from at least one layer of batting through the material forming the adhesive such as by needling prior to activation of the adhesive such that a portion of the fibers forming the layers of batting extends across the adhesive between the bonded layers.