Abstract: A lift system 100 may comprise two sets of two pistons with each set of pistons attached to an upper cross bar 210 and a lower cross bar 275, with the lower cross bar having distal ends comprising distal insertion areas 276 with the distal insertion areas passing through a first void 241 defined within a wheelie bar 240 and the distal insertion areas 276 reaching further to move a wedge bar 270. To lift a patient from a lowered position, a piston moves a lower cross bar 275 which in turn moves a wedge bar 270 into a wedge 280, causing the lower cross bar to break out of plane with a top bar 205. The use of two wheelie gears 220 ensures that the lift remains horizontal even if piston forces are not uniform. The use of four top bars 205 allows for folded storage.

Abstract: A lift system 100 may comprise two sets of two pistons with each set of pistons attached to an upper cross bar 210 and a lower cross bar 275, with the lower cross bar having distal ends comprising distal insertion areas 276 with the distal insertion areas passing through a first void 241 defined within a wheelie bar 240 and the distal insertion areas 276 reaching further to move a wedge bar 270. To lift a patient from a lowered position, a piston moves a lower cross bar 275 which in turn moves a wedge bar 270 into a wedge 280, causing the lower cross bar to break out of plane with a top bar 205. The use of two wheelie gears 220 ensures that the lift remains horizontal even if piston forces are not uniform.

Abstract: A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston.

Abstract: A lift system 100 may comprise two sets of two pistons with each set of pistons attached to an upper cross bar 210 and a lower cross bar 275, with the lower cross bar having distal ends comprising distal insertion areas 276 with the distal insertion areas passing through a first void 241 defined within a wheelie bar 240 and the distal insertion areas 276 reaching further to move a wedge bar 270. To lift a patient from a lowered position, a piston moves a lower cross bar 275 which in turn moves a wedge bar 270 into a wedge 280, causing the lower cross bar to break out of plane with a top bar 205. The use of two wheelie gears 220 ensures that the lift remains horizontal even if piston forces are not uniform. The use of four top bars 205 allows for folded storage.

Abstract: A lift system 100 may comprise two sets of two pistons with each set of pistons attached to an upper cross bar 210 and a lower cross bar 275, with the lower cross bar having distal ends comprising distal insertion areas 276 with the distal insertion areas passing through a first void 241 defined within a wheelie bar 240 and the distal insertion areas 276 reaching further to move a wedge bar 270. To lift a patient from a lowered position, a piston moves a lower cross bar 275 which in turn moves a wedge bar 270 into a wedge 280, causing the lower cross bar to break out of plane with a top bar 205. The use of two wheelie gears 220 ensures that the lift remains horizontal even if piston forces are not uniform.

Abstract: A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston.

Abstract: A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised or seated position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston. A seat plate 420 may rest upon a non-tilting seat strut 310 and become a seat as the lift rises. During the lifting process, a back plate 400, attached to a back strut 205 gently rises to place the patient in a seated position as a leg plate 440 lowers.

Abstract: A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised or seated position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston. A seat plate 420 may rest upon a non-tilting seat strut 310 and become a seat as the lift rises. During the lifting process, a back plate 400, attached to a back strut 205 gently rises to place the patient in a seated position as a leg plate 440 lowers.

Abstract: A portable baking oven for a pizza or other food item includes a food item heating plate, a base having a heating chamber, and a top cover having a moisture vent and a heat reflector structure extending across the inside of said top cover. When placed on said base, the top cover forms a baking chamber above the heating plate. Heat produced in the base's heating chamber circulates up through air passageways in the base into the baking chamber above the food item heating plate. This circulated heat is reflected back down toward the food item heating plate by the top cover's heat reflecting structure to accelerate baking of the top of a food item placed on the heating plate. The top cover's moisture vent can be located above the heat reflector structure in the top cover, and openings can be provided in the heat reflector structure which allow moisture emitted by a food item being baked in the oven to pass through the reflector structure and out through the top cover moisture vent.

Abstract: A portable baking oven for a pizza or other food item includes a food item heating plate, a base having a heating chamber, and a top cover having a moisture vent and a heat reflector structure extending across the inside of said top cover. When placed on said base, the top cover forms a baking chamber above the heating plate. Heat produced in the base's heating chamber circulates up through air passageways in the base into the baking chamber above the food item heating plate. This circulated heat is reflected back down toward the food item heating plate by the top cover's heat reflecting structure to accelerate baking of the top of a food item placed on the heating plate. The top cover's moisture vent can be located above the heat reflector structure in the top cover, and openings can be provided in the heat reflector structure which allow moisture emitted by a food item being baked in the oven to pass through the reflector structure and out through the top cover moisture vent.

Abstract: A device of any material, shape, size, texture, style, color, configuration, and orientation that is affixed, secured, or is an integral part to a staircase handguide, to a handguide support or frame, or to a sidewall. The device provides anyone, ascending or descending the stairs, with a tactile cue that indicates the pedestrian's approach to a final step in a series of steps. A pedestrian senses the tactile indicator to determine when he or she is at the last step so as to change accordingly his or her walking or motion. This safety indicator is intended for the public at large. A pedestrian without sight, with impaired or limited sight, or with compromised sight (due to power outage, light-source outage, smoke-filled stairwell, temporary blindness, etc.) can negotiate stairs with greatly increased safety, speed, and confidence.

Abstract: A collapsible structure comprising a non-rigid helicoidal sheet braced by light-weight members according to one of several methods. The structure is used in the construction of a wind turbine, wherein a flexible fabric sheet (21) is reinforced by wires (42) sewn into its edges, and may be further reinforced by ribs or battens (30) sewn crosswise into the sheet. One end of the turbine is cnnected via a swivel (24) to a fixed mast (22) while the other end is conneced to the shaft (26) of an alternator. The electrical output of the alternator is connected through a rectifier/regulator (34) to a storage battery (38), thereby providing constant DC power. An alternative method of bracing employs ribs (30) along with counterhelical cables (64).

Abstract: A plastic part has a broad surface area for solvent bonding to another plastic part; the bonding surface has a groove, recess, or non-dissolvable portion for restricting the solvent to a narrow marginal edge area for uniform distribution. In one embodiment, a plastic hinge (FIG. 2) and two hinged members (64,66) are pivotally interconnected by the leaves. Grooves (52, 54) are formed on the mating surface of hinge halves. These grooves define and isolate marginal portions (56, 58) on the faces of the leaves from inner portions (60, 62). The grooves act as barriers to prevent penetration of a solvent, used for bonding the hinge leaves to the two hinged members, from the inner support portions of the leaves. When the solvent is injected into the area of contact between the mating plastic parts from the outer edge of each hinge element, e.g., by a syringe, it wets and dissolves the marginal portions and the underlying areas of the two hinged members but is restricted to the marginal areas by the grooves.