Abstract: A fire pit includes an engine having at least one wall defining an inner chamber. At least one primary air aperture is defined through the inner chamber wall at a first, lower level, and at least one secondary air aperture is defined through the inner chamber wall at a second, upper level. A fuel grate is supported within the inner chamber at a level between the lower level and the upper level.

Abstract: A support pole is received in a pole receiver. The pole has an outwardly biased spring tab that is compressible by an inside surface of the pole receiver until the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole.

Abstract: A support pole is received in a pole receiver. The pole has an outwardly biased spring tab that is compressible by an inside surface of the pole receiver until the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole.

Abstract: A fire pit screen has a fire pit screen lower portion including an upright screen wall defining a top opening and a bottom opening, and a fire pit screen upper portion comprising a screen top panel sized to fit on top of the screen wall covering the top opening thereof.

Abstract: A table accessory for use with a fire pit. The table accessory may be supported by a fire pit for use as a table, for supporting a storage cover, or, when the fire pit is in use, may be moved below the fire pit for use as a heat shield. A plurality of accessory legs extend from the lower surface of the body. The terminal ends of the accessory legs are configured to be received on a top panel of the fire pit. A fire pit stand has a plurality of fire pit legs for supporting the fire pit. The fire pit legs define a fire pit leg height. The height of the table accessory is less than the fire pit leg height for facilitating locating the table accessory under the fire pit chamber of the fire pit for use of the table accessory as a heat shield.

Abstract: A support pole is received in a pole receiver. The pole has an outwardly biased spring tab that is compressible by an inside surface of the pole receiver until the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole.

Abstract: An optical receiver including an ASIC, a light detector element, and a protective mask is disclosed. The light detector element is disposed on the ASIC and has a top surface oriented toward incident light, the top surface including a portion configured to receive the incident light and via which the incident light reaches an active area of the light detector element. The protective mask is placed over the ASIC so as to (i) cover, from the incident light, a portion of the ASIC, and (ii) provide an aperture that defines an optical path for the incident light through the protective mask to the portion of the top surface of the light detector element.

Abstract: A torch and support pole combination has a wick extending upwardly therefrom. A pole adapter with a pole receiver is affixed to a torch assembly. A support pole is received in the pole receiver. The pole has an outwardly biased spring tab that is compressible by an inside surface of the pole receiver until the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole. The upper end of the pole is inserted into the pole receiver. The outwardly biased spring tab on the pole is compressed with an inside surface of the pole receiver. Compression of the spring tab is relieved when the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole.

Abstract: A table accessory for use with a fire pit. The table accessory may be supported by a fire pit for use as a table, for supporting a storage cover, or, when the fire pit is in use, may be moved below the fire pit for use as a heat shield. A plurality of accessory legs extend from the lower surface of the body. The terminal ends of the accessory legs are configured to be received on a top panel of the fire pit. A fire pit stand has a plurality of fire pit legs for supporting the fire pit. The fire pit legs define a fire pit leg height. The height of the table accessory is less than the fire pit leg height for facilitating locating the table accessory under the fire pit chamber of the fire pit for use of the table accessory as a heat shield.

Abstract: A torch and support pole combination has a wick extending upwardly therefrom. A pole adapter with a pole receiver is affixed to a torch assembly. A support pole is received in the pole receiver. The pole has an outwardly biased spring tab that is compressible by an inside surface of the pole receiver until the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole. The upper end of the pole is inserted into the pole receiver. The outwardly biased spring tab on the pole is compressed with an inside surface of the pole receiver. Compression of the spring tab is relieved when the spring tab is inserted to a location above a top surface of the pole receiver, thereby creating a secure attachment of the torch assembly to the pole.

Abstract: A fire pit screen has a fire pit screen lower portion including an upright screen wall defining a top opening and a bottom opening, and a fire pit screen upper portion comprising a screen top panel sized to fit on top of the screen wall covering the top opening thereof.

Abstract: A spinal fusion cage, having a C-shaped posterior body with a plurality of insertable shims passing therethrough and into a vertebral body above or below the C-shaped posterior body; an anterior plate that is attachable to the opposite ends of the C-shaped posterior body; and a plurality of screws passing through the anterior plate and extending into a vertebral body above or below the anterior plate.

Abstract: A fire an inner chamber wall circumscribing and defining an inner chamber. A plurality of primary air apertures defined through the inner chamber wall at a first, lower level and a plurality of secondary air apertures defined through the inner chamber wall at a second, upper level. A fuel grate is supported within the inner chamber at a level between the lower level and the upper level. Solid fuel supported by the fuel grate, when combusted, is provided primary combustion air from below the fuel grate by the primary air apertures and provided secondary combustion air from above the solid fuel by the secondary air apertures, the secondary combustion air promoting combustion of unburned gasified combustibles rising within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A fire pit includes an engine having at least one wall defining an inner chamber. At least one primary air aperture is defined through the inner chamber wall at a first, lower level, and at least one secondary air aperture is defined through the inner chamber wall at a second, upper level. A fuel grate is supported within the inner chamber at a level between the lower level and the upper level.

Abstract: A system includes a torch top having a wick holder extending along a portion of a wick in contact therewith for retaining the wick to extend from a lower side of the torch top to a level above an upper side the torch top. The system includes an adjustment sleeve exterior and concentric to the wick holder and moveable to extend upwardly to such an elevation as to be at least partially above an uppermost portion of the wick holder.

Abstract: A spinal fusion cage, having a C-shaped posterior body with a plurality of insertable shims passing therethrough and extending out from the C-shaped posterior body into a vertebral body above or below the C-shaped posterior body; an anterior plate that is attachable to the opposite ends of the C-shaped posterior body; and a plurality of screws passing through the anterior plate and extend into a vertebral body above or below the anterior plate.

Abstract: A fire an inner chamber wall circumscribing and defining an inner chamber. A plurality of primary air apertures defined through the inner chamber wall at a first, lower level and a plurality of secondary air apertures defined through the inner chamber wall at a second, upper level. A fuel grate is supported within the inner chamber at a level between the lower level and the upper level. Solid fuel supported by the fuel grate, when combusted, is provided primary combustion air from below the fuel grate by the primary air apertures and provided secondary combustion air from above the solid fuel by the secondary air apertures, the secondary combustion air promoting combustion of unburned gasified combustibles rising within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A shallow water anchor and related methods are provided. The shallow water anchor includes a four-bar linkage and a hydraulic actuator for actuating the four-bar linkage. An anchoring element is connected to the four-bar linkage. A hydraulic control arrangement operates the hydraulic actuator to transition the hydraulic actuator between stowed and deployed positions and vice versa. The shallow water anchor can incorporate a controller which monitors a current limit, a pressure limit, or both to perform a variety of anchoring functions.

Abstract: A self-extinguishing torch top has a wick holder with an upper end and a lower end, affixed to a fuel canister top. An extinguisher surrounds the wick holder and has at least a retracted position wherein a wick protruding from the wick holder is sufficiently exposed to be allowed to burn, and at least an extended position wherein the extinguisher extends beyond the wick so far as to extinguish any flame on the wick. A biasing member urges the sliding tube toward the extended position, and an arrest mechanism retains the sliding tube in the retracted position until an impact occurs, upon which the arrest mechanism releases the sliding tube to allow its extension to the extended position.