Abstract: A nut assembly comprises a capture nut having a smooth bore adapted to fit around the threads of a threaded member such as a bolt or a threaded rod. The capture nut includes a tapered bowl which defines a hexagon in cross section, for example. The nut assembly further includes a split nut having a surface which snugly mates with the tapered bowl of the capture nut. The split nut engages the threads of the threaded member, but only after the split nut is brought into close proximity to the capture nut, thereby avoiding the need to thread the nut assembly the entire length of the threads of the threaded member. The split nut may be formed to two separable pieces, or it may be formed of two integral halves joined together by a thin membrane.

Abstract: A nut assembly comprises a capture nut having a smooth bore adapted to fit around the threads of a threaded member such as a bolt or a threaded rod. The capture nut includes a tapered bowl which defines a hexagon in cross section, for example. The nut assembly further includes a split nut having a surface which snugly mates with the tapered bowl of the capture nut. The split nut engages the threads of the threaded member, but only after the split nut is brought into close proximity to the capture nut, thereby avoiding the need to thread the nut assembly the entire length of the threads of the threaded member. The split nut may be formed to two separable pieces, or it may be formed of two integral halves joined together by a thin membrane.

Abstract: A nut assembly comprises a capture nut having a smooth bore adapted to fit around the threads of a threaded member such as a bolt or a threaded rod. The capture nut includes a tapered bowl which defines a hexagon in cross section, for example. The nut assembly further includes a split nut having a surface which snugly mates with the tapered bowl of the capture nut. The split nut engages the threads of the threaded member, but only after the split nut is brought into close proximity to the capture nut, thereby avoiding the need to thread the nut assembly the entire length of the threads of the threaded member. The split nut may be formed to two separable pieces, or it may be formed of two integral halves joined together by a thin membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in electrically connecting common terminals are adjacent duplex plugs of a double duplex wall plug to one another. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a generally U-shaped jumper element which is fabricated from a sheet of flexible conductive material and which has a base portion and two leg portions which extend away from the base portion and which have slotted terminal lugs at their ends for connection to common terminals on adjacent duplex plugs. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises two of the aforedescribed jumper elements which are in inverted relationship to one another and where the terminal lugs of the two jumper elements are aligned along a common axis. Flexible insulating material encloses the second embodiment and may be used to enclose the first embodiment.

Abstract: A drawer is disclosed which is installed in a cabinet structure containing plumbing comprising water lines and a waste line. The drawer comprises a sink which is disposed in the drawer proximate the top of the drawer near one side of the drawer and the sink comprises a fold-down faucet, valves and a drain. The drawer also comprises a plumbing mount plate for connection to the water and a waste line in the cabinet structure. Flexible tubing connects the valves and drain of the sink to the plumbing mount plate.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to s paint roller storage system. This system employs a receptacle for receiving a paint roller cover that contains wet paint. In one embodiment, the receptacle comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, an internal cylindrical space having sidewalls defining a cylindrical inner diameter between the top end and bottom end, the inner diameter being at least the same or greater than the roller diameter, a floor at the bottom end enclosing the cylindrical sidewalls, and an open mouth at the top end. A cap capable of attaching over the mouth end of the cylinder when the paint roller is received within the receptacle is also disclosed. In another embodiment, a flared section is installed at the top of the cylinder to create a flared mouth opening having a larger diameter than the cylinder diameter and paint roller cover diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable air compressor accessory connectable to the chuck-end of a hand held electric drill via a shaft mount capable of rotating in the same axis of rotation as the chuck. The shaft passes through a housing via bearing mounts. Within the housing is a plurality of radially oriented piston-containing cylinders connected at their respective check valve governed air discharge outlets to a manifold. The manifold discharges to a suitable outlet connection to provide compressed air. Each cylinder has a check valve governed air inlet. Within the housing, the shaft attaches to a cam having a spindle, offset from the axis of rotation, swivel connected to a hub. Piston rods are connected at one end to hub and at the other end swivel connected to the respective pistons. One rod is fixedly connected to the hub, the other rods are swivel connected to the hub as articulating rods.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a rapidly deployable, low cost, submersible leak remediation device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid. The device features: an anchor unit; a collection shroud capable of being anchored in place in proximity over the submerged leak location to permit the materials to flow upward into the collection shroud interior space, through a riser conduit and into a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a shroud system that can be employed to capture materials leaking from a side rupture of a substantially vertical pipeline and direct such materials, through a conduit, to the surface collection hub. A method of deployment and use of these embodiments to collect such leaking materials from subsea locations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in electrically connecting common terminals are adjacent duplex plugs of a double duplex wall plug to one another. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a generally U-shaped jumper element which is fabricated from a sheet of flexible conductive material and which has a base portion and two leg portions which extend away from the base portion and which have slotted terminal lugs at their ends for connection to common terminals on adjacent duplex plugs. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises two of the aforedescribed jumper elements which are in inverted relationship to one another and where the terminal lugs of the two jumper elements are aligned along a common axis. Flexible insulating material encloses the second embodiment and may be used to enclose the first embodiment.

Abstract: An escutcheon is disclosed which comprises a generally circular structure having an outer diameter between 3 inches and 3-1/2 inches and having a centralized hole through which a plumbing pipe may be passed. Once an escutcheon in accordance with present invention is installed, in the amount of touch up work around the escutcheon is minimized if not eliminated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for setting tiles on a substrate to which adhesive material has been applied. The method includes disposing a plurality of tiles on the substrate in a pattern comprising a plurality of substantially parallel rows of tiles, where each of the rows comprises a plurality of tiles in a side-by-side relationship. The method further comprises the step of inserting horizontal alignment strips of a compressible, semi-rigid material between the rows of tiles in the pattern to define spaces between the tiles in adjacent rows. The method further comprises the step of installing vertical alignment tabs of a compressible, semi-rigid material between the tiles in each row to define spaces between the tiles in each row. The disclosed method substantially increases the speed at which tile setting may be accomplished.

Abstract: A lavatory is disclosed which dispenses water from its front side. The lavatory comprises a single body with a concavity for receiving water and a faucet port on the front side through which water may flow into the concavity. A solenoid valve, which is located underneath the sink body, receives water from a water supply and, when actuated, supplies water to the concavity of the sink body via the faucet port. Actuation of the solenoid valve is effected by one or more proximity switches which detect when a user is in proximity to the front side of the lavatory. The lavatory may also comprise a mixer valve which is located underneath the sink body and which is interposed between the water supply and the solenoid valve. The mixer valve functions to receive hot and cold water inputs from the water supply, to combine those hot and cold water inputs and to the combined hot and cold water to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A drawer is disclosed which is installed in a cabinet structure containing plumbing comprising water lines and a waste line. The drawer comprises a sink which is disposed in the drawer proximate the top of the drawer near one side of the drawer and the sink comprises a fold-down faucet, valves and a drain. The drawer also comprises a plumbing mount plate for connection to the water and a waste line in the cabinet structure. Flexible tubing connects the valves and drain of the sink to the plumbing mount plate.

Abstract: Pneumatic apparatus is disclosed for installing a garbage disposer under a kitchen sink which comprises a base structure and an inflatable, air-tight bellows which is attached to the top of the base structure. The bellows is expandable between a deflated position and an inflated position. Pneumatic apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises inflation/deflation apparatus which is disposed in the base structure for supplying air to the bellows to permit it to expand to its inflated position and for removing air from the bellows to permit the bellows to contract to its deflated position. A platform is provided which is attached to the top of the bellows for receiving the garbage disposer which is to be installed.

Abstract: A nut assembly comprises a capture nut having a smooth bore adapted to fit around the threads of a threaded member such as a bolt or a threaded rod. The capture nut includes a tapered bowl which defines a hexagon in cross section, for example. The nut assembly further includes a split nut having a surface which snugly mates with the tapered bowl of the capture nut. The split nut engages the threads of the threaded member, but only after the split nut is brought into close proximity to the capture nut, thereby avoiding the need to thread the nut assembly the entire length of the threads of the threaded member. The split nut may be formed to two separable pieces, or it may be formed of two integral halves joined together by a thin membrane.

Abstract: A structure is mounted on a sink top or counter top between a dishwasher discharge line and a vented plumbing line to provide an anti-siphon feature for a household dishwashing machine. The structure also includes in combination a pump-type soap dispenser. The pump-type soap dispenser includes a push-actuated pump to pump liquid soap from a reservoir bottle, and the pump slides into and out of a mounting collar for ease of removal to facilitate refilling the reservoir bottle.