Abstract: A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.

Abstract: A medical waste disposal apparatus for receiving and retaining waste articles, such as catheter fittings, and the like, for controlled and facilitated handling and disposal of such waste articles, during and following the performance of treatment procedures on a patient by a practitioner. The waste disposal apparatus includes a first retaining member, mounted on a base panel, for receiving and retaining a waste article placed there by a practitioner during a treatment procedure, and further includes at least one side panel, for covering the waste article, after placement of the waste article on the first retaining member. Alternative configurations of retaining members are provided.

Abstract: A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces.

Abstract: A method of animating feather elements includes: specifying initial positions for a skin surface and for feather elements; specifying positions for the skin surface at an animated time; determining a feather-ordering sequence for placing the feather elements on the skin surface; determining positions for skirt elements that provide spatial extensions for the skin surface at the animated time; determining positions for feather-proxy elements that provide spatial extensions for the feather elements at the animated time; and determining positions for the feather elements at the animated time by extracting the feather elements from the feather-proxy elements. The feather-proxy elements are determined from the skirt elements according to the feather-ordering sequence, and the feather-proxy elements satisfy a separation criterion for avoiding intersections between the feather-proxy elements.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: A locking clamp device is provided with first and second clamping members. The first clamping member includes a base member with a first clamping surface and a locking member movable with respect to the base member between a securing position and a releasing position. The second clamping member is slidably engaged with the first clamping member and selectively movable to a plurality of clamping positions. The second clamping member includes a second clamping surface opposite the first clamping surface. The lockout device further includes a means for preventing movement of the locking member from the securing position to the releasing position. The locking member is configured to secure the second clamping member in one of the plurality of clamping positions when the locking member is in the securing position.

Abstract: A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.

Abstract: The telemedicine method and system disclosed includes at least one remote exam module which in turn includes a plurality of optical devices configured to examine a patient's eye, and a controller for collecting and transmitting the examination data of the patient's eye. The information collected is transmitted via a communications link to a diagnostic center for analyzing the information collected at the remote exam module. The diagnostic center further maintains a database of patient records corresponding to the remotely collected examination information and an exam console for enabling a diagnosis based on the collected information.

Abstract: A safe includes a housing, a door and a locking mechanism. The housing includes a lock interface disposed on an external surface of the housing. The housing defines an internal cavity in communication with an opening of the housing. The door is configured to be assembled with the opening of the housing. The door includes first and second shackle legs configured to extend into the housing when the door is assembled with the housing. The locking mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes at least one locking member configured to lockingly engage the first and second shackle legs when the door is assembled with the housing. When the door is assembled with the housing, proper manipulation of the lock interface disengages the at least one locking member from the first and second shackle legs, thereby allowing the door to be removed from the housing.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: A conversion unit for an air conditioning system to cause it to act like the cooling unit of a refrigeration system comprises a frost detector, a heater and a control unit which operate together to force the range of operation of the air conditioning unit into the range of operation of a refrigeration unit. The conversion unit is particularly useful for providing low cost cooling systems for farmers in third world countries for keeping their produce fresh and safe, not to mention its use by all farmers around the world and by florists or others in need or desire of an economical refrigeration alternative.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for installing between a master cylinder and a brake line includes a housing having an internal bore, an inlet port, a passage, and an outlet port. A reciprocating piston is movable within the bore. A locking lever is coupled to the reciprocating piston for actuating the reciprocating piston. A fastener having an internal fluid passage for providing fluid communication between the passage and the master cylinder secures the housing to the master cylinder. The locking lever is moveable between a first position, wherein the hydraulic fluid can flow freely between the master cylinder and the brake line for engaging and disengaging the vehicle brake and a second position, wherein the hydraulic fluid is prevented from returning to the master cylinder for maintaining the vehicle brake in an engaged state.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: A safe includes a housing, a door and a locking mechanism. The housing includes a lock interface disposed on an external surface of the housing. The housing defines an internal cavity in communication with an opening of the housing. The door is configured to be assembled with the opening of the housing. The door includes first and second shackle legs configured to extend into the housing when the door is assembled with the housing. The locking mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes at least one locking member configured to lockingly engage the first and second shackle legs when the door is assembled with the housing. When the door is assembled with the housing, proper manipulation of the lock interface disengages the at least one locking member from the first and second shackle legs, thereby allowing the door to be removed from the housing.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: A trailer hitch ball for use with a trailer hitch, a lock housing, a lock washer and a nut. The trailer hitch ball can be used to secure a trailer to a vehicle. The hitch ball includes a ball portion, a base portion and a threaded portion. The ball portion includes an integral drive member such that when torque is applied to the drive member, force is applied to the ball portion and the ball portion rotates relative to a trailer hitch. The outer surface of the ball portion may define two parallel and opposing tool engaging surfaces. When a trailer coupler is locked to the ball portion, the trailer and trailer hitch ball are secure from theft.

Abstract: The telemedicine method and system disclosed includes at least one remote exam module which in turn includes a plurality of optical devices configured to examine a patient's eye, and a controller for collecting and transmitting the examination data of the patient's eye. The information collected is transmitted via a communications link to a diagnostic center for analyzing the information collected at the remote exam module. The diagnostic center further maintains a database of patient records corresponding to the remotely collected examination information and an exam console for enabling a diagnosis based on the collected information.

Abstract: Extensions to the concept of using a power line carrier to convey a data record from the secondary side of a first transformer to a receiver in a power distribution substation include receiving the data record over a secondary data path in the event that the primary path is not available. The data record received over the secondary path through a second transformer rather than the first transformer must not interfere with other data transmissions from other transmitters and needs to identify the source of the transmission. An alternative to using a secondary data path through second transformer rather than the first transformer is to provide a data bridge around an opening in the primary path. This abstract is drafted to aid those searching for relevant patents and does not represent a legal limit on the scope of claims arising from patents claiming priority to this application.

Abstract: A pin tumbler lock of a first embodiment includes a shell containing top pins; and a plug, rotatable within the shell, containing standard bottom pins, and a shorter bottom pin, set back from the face of the plug. A tubular key has bitings corresponding to the standard bottom pins, and a projection corresponding to the short bottom pin. When the key is inserted, the bitings and the projection press all the bottom pins to the shear line. In a second embodiment, a lock includes a shell containing top pins and a depression; and a plug, rotatable within the shell, containing bottom pins. The depression is configured and dimensioned to receive one of the bottom pins. The depression may be opposite one of the bottom pins, and there may be one more bottom pin than top pins. When the key is inserted, the bottom pins are moved to the shear line.

Abstract: The telemedicine method and system disclosed includes at least one remote exam module which in turn includes a plurality of optical devices configured to examine a patient's eye, and a controller for collecting and transmitting the examination data of the patient's eye. The information collected is transmitted via a communications link to a diagnostic center for analyzing the information collected at the remote exam module. The diagnostic center further maintains a database of patient records corresponding to the remotely collected examination information and an exam console for enabling a diagnosis based on the collected information.