Abstract: A slip mechanism is utilized between tubulars in the drill string to reduce torsion energy in the drill string. The slip mechanism is connected to release when the tubular below the slip mechanism spins faster than the tubular above the slip mechanism. When the tubular below spins more slowly or at the same speed then the slip mechanism firmly secures the upper and lower tubulars together to rotate the bit. The effect is to release torsional energy in the drill string to reduce and eliminate slip stick oscillations. A computer is programmed to determine an optimal position in the drill string to release the torsional energy in the drill string.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting flowing wastewater in a conduit with a liquid disinfectant from a reservoir of liquid disinfectant. A valve assembly is operatively connected to the liquid disinfectant source for selectively dispensing liquid disinfectant from the source. The valve has a movable valve element normally biased to the closed position. There is an actuator connected to the movable valve element which is responsive to at least one of flow or level of wastewater in the conduit to overcome the biasing force and allow the valve member to move the valve from the normally closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A washer assembly for use in affixing a guardrail support to a floor surface. The washer assembly holding at least one washer in place such that it does not fall out during assembly of the guardrail, disassembly of the guardrail, or transport of the materials.

Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a clog-catching member detachably connected to the handle. Wings, barbs or hooks project radially from the clog-catching member. The wings, barbs or hooks provide an angled projection that catches and holds a clump of debris in a drain pipe for pulling the clump out and unclogging the drain. Different end tools can be removably connected to a clog-catching member or to a smooth extension member to provide multifunctionality. The handle, clog-catching members, smooth extension members and tools can be connected together using a quick-connect connector, such as a snap fastener, a keyhole fastener or a side-release buckle, or a threaded connector. In addition to drain cleaning, the apparatus can be fitted with tools such as a magnet, grabber, light, camera and/or video for retrieval of objects and inspection of a space that is difficult to view directly.

Abstract: A clamping device that protects male patients, who suffer from incontinence, from urinal leakage, which is designed to make wearing it more comfortable, makes attaching it to the patients penis simplified, and has foam rubber cushioning devices attached by “VELCRO”, to make them exchangeable and therefore easily replaceable by new ones to avoid replacing the entire device, when such cushioning parts wear out or become too unsightly after long-time usage, and can no longer be kept clean by washing them with soap and water.

Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a clog-catching member detachably connected to the handle. Wings, barbs or hooks project radially from the clog-catching member. The wings, barbs or hooks provide an angled projection that catches and holds a clump of debris in a drain pipe for pulling the clump out and unclogging the drain. Different end tools can be removably connected to a clog-catching member or to a smooth extension member to provide multifunctionality. The handle, clog-catching members, smooth extension members and tools can be connected together using a quick-connect connector, such as a snap fastener, a keyhole fastener or a side-release buckle, or a threaded connector. In addition to drain cleaning, the apparatus can be fitted with tools such as a magnet, grabber, light, camera and/or video for retrieval of objects and inspection of a space that is difficult to view directly.

Abstract: A washer assembly for use in affixing a guardrail support to a floor surface. The washer assembly holding at least one washer in place such that it does not fall out during assembly of the guardrail, disassembly of the guardrail, or transport of the materials.

Abstract: In a shallow water anchor of a parallelogram design which lowers a rod down from a fishing boat into contact with the ground to keep a boat from drifting out of a chosen location, a depth the rod can reach depending on the combined extended length of the unfolded parallelogram and the length of the vertical rod, a first improvement to increase the maximal depth without concomitantly increasing the length of the parallelogram frame, the improvement using the relative motion and geometry of parallelogram parts to lengthen a telescoping rod, and a second improvement of a flexible coupling to an electric drive motor.

Abstract: In a shallow water anchor of a parallelogram design which lowers a rod down from a fishing boat into contact with the ground to keep a boat from drifting out of a chosen location, a depth the rod can reach depending on the combined extended length of the unfolded parallelogram and the length of the vertical rod, a first improvement to increase the maximal depth without concomitantly increasing the length of the parallelogram frame, the improvement using the relative motion and geometry of parallelogram parts to lengthen a telescoping rod, and a second improvement of a flexible coupling to an electric drive motor.

Abstract: A shallow-water anchor comprises a parallelogram design which is relatively low cost to manufacture. It is electrically powered, eliminating cumbersome hydraulic components. The anchor moves down and out of the way when in operation. Two such anchors can be installed at an angle such that their outer ends and vertical rods are far apart to provide maximal holding power to prevent the boat from weather-vaning. Its electrical power source is located on top of the boat and is never under water, making the installation of the anchor very easy.

Abstract: A riser section having a generally tapered, e.g., frustoconical wall, the riser section having a first connector assembly at one end of the riser section and a second connector assembly at the other end of the riser section.

Abstract: An elongate anchor arm is rotatably secured to the side of a boat so that the arm may be rotated down from the floating boat and locked into engagement with the water bottom. An anchoring and/or orienting effect is achieved by rotating and locking the arm such that a portion of the side of the arm is forced into and held against the water bottom. For anchoring in water deeper than the length of the anchor arm, one end of a flexible anchor line is secured to a conventional line-deployed anchor and the other line end is attached to the far end of the anchor arm. The arm is rotated to achieve the anchoring and/or orienting effect of attaching the anchor line at different points on the boat.

Abstract: A shallow-water anchor comprises a parallelogram design which is relatively low cost to manufacture. It is electrically powered, eliminating cumbersome hydraulic components. The anchor moves down and out of the way when in operation. Two such anchors can be installed at an angle such that their outer ends and vertical rods are far apart to provide maximal holding power to prevent the boat from weather-vaning. Its electrical power source is located on top of the boat and is never under water, making the installation of the anchor very easy.

Abstract: An automobile sun visor attachment is configured to attach to a sun visor. The attachment includes means to easily apply and remove the attachment to an existing sun visor. An opaque or dark translucent blade is flexibly joined to the existing visor offering degrees of freedom of movement, allowing the user to orient the blade at any desired position and orientation.

Abstract: An elongate anchor arm is rotatably secured to the side of a boat so that the arm may be rotated down from the floating boat and locked into engagement with the water bottom. An anchoring and/or orienting effect is achieved by rotating and locking the arm such that a portion of the side of the arm is forced into and held against the water bottom. For anchoring in water deeper than the length of the anchor arm, one end of a flexible anchor line is secured to a conventional line-deployed anchor and the other line end is attached to the far end of the anchor arm. The arm is rotated to achieve the anchoring and/or orienting effect of attaching the anchor line at different points on the boat.

Abstract: A riser section having a generally tapered, e.g., frustoconical wall, the riser section having a first connector assembly at one end of the riser section and a second connector assembly at the other end of the riser section.

Abstract: A shallow water anchor system provides a single arm arrangement with a fixed end of the arm mounted to the transom of a boat and the distal end of the arm retaining a rod adapted to be buried into the bottom of a lake, estuary, or other shallow body of water. The fixed end of the arm includes a first sheave and the distal end of the arm includes a second sheave, with a cable under tension between the first and second sheaves. A hydraulic operating mechanism drives a sliding block clamped to the cable. A hydraulic pressure is applied to one side of the other of a hydraulic piston with a cylinder to drive the operating mechanism, the sliding block moves back and forth thereby moving the arm up and down in a rotary motion about a shaft on the fixed end of the arm. In the down position, the rod is embedded into the bottom. In the stowed position, the arm is oriented straight up in a vertical position.

Abstract: A bottle cap is adapted to retain a quantity of an additive, such as for example aspirin or the like. The additive is retained in an isolated condition within a sealed chamber or within a bladder inside the bottle cap but in fluid communication with the liquid within the bottle, such as water. A cap with at least one downward extending protrusion is provided to breech the seal of the chamber or the bladder, thereby releasing some or all of the additive retained within the bottle cap.

Abstract: A shallow water anchor system provides a single arm arrangement with a fixed end of the arm mounted to the transom of a boat and the distal end of the arm retaining a rod adapted to be buried into the bottom of a lake, estuary, or other shallow body of water. The fixed end of the arm includes a first sheave and the distal end of the arm includes a second sheave, with a cable under tension between the first and second sheaves. A hydraulic operating mechanism drives a sliding block clamped to the cable. A hydraulic pressure is applied to one side of the other of a hydraulic piston with a cylinder to drive the operating mechanism, the sliding block moves back and forth thereby moving the arm up and down in a rotary motion about a shaft on the fixed end of the arm. In the down position, the rod is embedded into the bottom. In the stowed position, the arm is oriented straight up in a vertical position.

Abstract: A shallow water anchor system provides an upper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the upper arm hingedly attached to a hull of the boat whereby the upper arm is adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position; a lower arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the lower arm hingedly attached to the hull of the boat at a point lower on the boat than the upper arm; a cross beam hingedly attached between the distal end of the upper arm and the distal end of the lower arm; an actuator adapted to move the upper arm between the raised position and the lowered position, the actuator hingedly attached to the hull of the boat at the proximal end of the lower arm and further hingedly attached to the distal end of the upper arm; and a rod affixed to the distal end of the lower arm, wherein the rod is adapted to engage the bottom when the upper arm is in the lowered position.