Abstract: A safety device designed to attach to a ladder used for accessing an aboveground pool to prevent small children from entering the pool unattended. The safety device is also designed for use as an emergency rescue flotation device. The safety device comprises a body portion made of a light weight floating material and an attachment portion for temporarily engaging the ladder and holding the safety device in place over a plurality of ladder rungs. In the event of a water emergency, the safety device may be used to extend the reach of a rescuer from a safe position without the need for the rescuer to enter the water.

Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly for sealing between a frame and a closure member of a vehicle is provided. The weatherstrip includes a retaining clip having a mounting portion for securing the weatherstrip to the frame and having an outwardly extending leg defining a first channel. The weatherstrip also includes a cover having a first flange protruding downward from the concealing member to extend at least partially into the first channel. The weatherstrip also includes a seal member having a body portion and at least one sealing protrusion extending outwardly from the body portion. The body portion has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is sandwiched between the leg of the retaining clip and the first flange of the cover. The cover further includes a retaining tab extending outwardly opposite from the concealing member, with the retaining tab engaging the upper end of the body portion.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a first wedge block and a second wedge block disposed opposite each other across a path. The first wedge block rotates about a first axis and includes a first cam surface defining a continuously variable distance to the first axis for engaging the latch mechanism. The second wedge block rotates about a second axis and includes a second cam surface defining a continuously variable distance from to the second axis for engaging the latch mechanism. Abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the first cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a first direction, and abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the second cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a biasing mechanism that, when engaged by the latch mechanism, simultaneously biases the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. The biasing mechanism provides dual damping rates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secure shelter for housing at least one individual for a sustained period during and after a natural disaster event. The shelter comprises a hardened enclosure having a securable hatch access door, an interior cabin and at least one user seat with a full safety harness. Each seat is preferably attached to the enclosure walls and may include an energy attenuating connection, while life supporting elements within the cabin include lighting, air filtration and intake means, communication and locating means, storage for supplies, as well as a power supply for sustained and independent operation. The device is preferably positioned within the basement of a home and tethered to a structural wall, or alternatively is affixed to the ground using structural footings when in use outside of a mobile or trailer home. The device protects users and maintains a comfortable, survivable environment during and after a natural disaster event.

Abstract: A shielding device for protecting decks from rotting includes an upper member, a pair of opposing main body sidewalls, an upper grip, and a side tab. The main body sidewalls may include a first portion and a second portion terminating with a drip edge. The upper grip may protrude from the bottom of the upper member, and the side tab may protrude from the inner portion of at least one of the main body sidewalls.

Abstract: A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.

Abstract: An assembly of blocks for use in yard and garden environments includes a plurality of discrete blocks each having a body portion and a joining portion, the joining portion having a plurality of angled teeth. The teeth of a first one of the plurality of blocks interlock with the teeth of a second one of the plurality of blocks such that the first and second blocks are connected together and arranged perpendicular relative to one another so that the plurality of blocks has an L-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A headstone support system includes a pole having a first auger attached to the pole proximate a first end thereof, the first auger configured to drill through soil upon rotation of the pole, and a headstone support attached to a second end of the pole.

Abstract: A headstone support system includes a pole having a first auger attached to the pole proximate a first end thereof, the first auger configured to drill through soil upon rotation of the pole, and a headstone support attached to a second end of the pole.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a modular dwelling comprises a beam connector comprising a body and multiple arms that extend out from the body, structural beams comprising outer sides that define elongated channels that extend along a length of the beams, each beam being connected to an arm of the beam connector, a locking means that secure the structural beams to their associated beam connector arms, and a structural panel that comprises multiple edges, at least one edge of the panel being received by a channel of at least one structural beam.

Abstract: An attenuating element includes a head part, neck part and base part. The neck part is narrower compared to the head part and neck parts of adjacent attenuating elements form a continuous channel. Via the head parts, this channel is connected so that the cross-sectional area of the head parts is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the base parts. In this way, a water-control structure, sound-attenuating wall and the like can be provided. Such attenuating elements can be produced in a very simple manner by dividing them vertically and producing each of the vertical parts from concrete in a mould.

Abstract: Flexible structures for use with dock seals and shelters are disclosed. An example flexible structure includes a rigid backer to couple a flexible panel assembly to a loading dock wall and a flexible, self-supporting sheet-shaped member having sufficient rigidity to enable the flexible sheet-shaped member to be cantilevered from a surface of a building without substantial sagging. The sheet-shaped member has an inner surface and an outer surface defining a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge where the first and second longitudinal edges couple to the rigid backer. The inner surface defines an empty cavity when the sheet-shaped member is coupled to the rigid backer.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank has a tower section. A tank shell above the tower section encompasses a tank volume that has a capacity of at least 100,000 U.S. gallons. A reinforced ringbeam at the top of the tower section surrounds an internal area that withstands the downward force of the liquid. The ringbeam has at least one supporting face that resists downward forces. A dome sits on the supporting face and essentially covers the internal area. The dome is made of a series of laterally adjacent dome where each dome segment has an inner end that is positioned above an outer end.

Abstract: A rail mounting system is provided for mounting skylights and other structures directly to rib elevations of a metal panel roofing system. The rail mounting system has a side rail for each side of a skylight or run of skylights that mount to the metal panel roof's rib elevations. Each side rail includes a vertical riser wall, an upper flange extending from the riser wall to provide a top bearing surface for one side of a skylight or run of skylights, and a bottom shoulder structure extending from the riser portion which is adapted for attachment to a rib elevation of the roofing system. The rib elevations on which the side rails of the rail mounting system are attached provide structural support for the skylight or run of skylights supported thereon for substantially the entire length of the skylights or run of skylights.

Abstract: Fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, including but not limited to intumescent material. The fire-retardant material can be attached to the tracks such that the fire-retardant material expands and seals gaps and/or areas between the tracks and wall components such as ceilings, floors, and drywall. Various assemblies and methods can be used to cover the deflection gap.

Abstract: A cast concrete wall panel is secured to a concrete foundation by an anchor system which includes a steel base plate embedded adjacent the bottom surface of the wall panel and welded to a tapered channel projecting upwardly adjacent the inner surface of the wall panel to define a cavity. Reinforcing bars have bottom ends welded to the base plate and project upwardly into the concrete wall panel, and a hole is formed in the base plate at the bottom of the cavity. The hole receives a self-tapping concrete anchor bolt which is driven into a hole drilled within the foundation at an acute angle less than twelve degrees and preferably about six degrees from vertical. The channel has a removable cap to prevent concrete from entering the cavity during casting of the wall panel and to provide a decorative inside cover for the cavity after installing the anchor bolt.

Abstract: Wall panels and building walls, comprising inner and outer layers, and spaced reinforcing webs extending between the inner and outer layers. Optionally studs extend inwardly from the inner layer away from the outer layer with one of the stud legs on each stud being aligned with one of the reinforcing webs. or the building load delivered to an underlying footer varies less than 50% ser 10 foot length of the wall or height of the wall varies no more than 0.25 inch over a 40 foot length of the wall. The resulting wall panel can provide tough, water-proof, otherwise weather-proof, building systems and buildings.

Abstract: A vibration isolator of a wind turbine system installed between a wind tower and a concrete foundation includes a plurality of bearing units arranged along the periphery of a flange of the wind tower, each bearing unit having elastic material layers and rigid material layers stacked alternately.

Abstract: A column assembly includes a shaft, a capital, an opening formed in the capital, and a retaining member. The capital has a lower surface and a substantially planar upper surface. The opening is sized to receive the shaft therethrough, and extends from the lower surface to the upper surface. A channel is formed in a surrounding wall of the opening. The length of the channel may, for instance, extend at least partially around the perimeter of the opening. Regardless, the retaining member advantageously holds the capital at a fixed vertical position along the shaft by engaging the channel and the shaft. The retaining member may be a resilient member (e.g., foam) that seats within the channel and frictionally engages the outer surface of the shaft. Alternatively, the retaining member may be a spring member that mounts onto the upper end of the shaft and engages the channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a block deck used as the interior or exterior material of a building. More specifically, disclosed is a block deck using concrete, wherein a hollow portion is formed inside and filled with concrete so as to exhibit superior strength. The present invention provides a block deck including: a frame member formed with a hollow portion inside; and filler formed of a concrete material so as to be filled in the hollow portion. At this time, the concrete may be foamed according to desired strength with a foaming rate in the range of 0-50%. The frame member may be formed of natural wood, synthetic wood and synthetic resin materials. And, the frame member may be formed integrally or divisionally into two or more so as to be coupled, wherein coupling is carried out by being fitted in a sliding manner.

Abstract: A floor formwork system is disclosed. The floor formwork system comprises a form member having a reinforcement beam attached to a surface of the form member. The reinforcement beam of the floor formwork system is positioned and attached in grooves within or on the contact surface of the form member. The reinforcement beam comprises a plurality of longitudinal rods or members, one or more of which are connected by a diagonal support member. Concrete is added to the assembled form member and reinforcement beam so as to create a floor or ceiling, or other structure. A method of assembling the formwork system and use for preparation for a floor or ceiling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system is provided comprising at least first and second parallel inverted tee-runners. Each tee-runner comprises a horizontal flange and a vertical web, with the vertical web having at least two spaced openings therein. At least one ceiling panel is associated with the parallel tee-runners. The ceiling panel has opposed side walls and opposed end walls, with a pair of first tabs formed at one end of the ceiling panel and a pair of second tabs formed at the opposite end of the panel. At least one of the first tabs is relatively longer than at least one of the second tabs, and has a length sufficient so that it extends through one of the spaced openings in the web of the first inverted tee-runner and rests on the flange of the first tee-runner, with the second tabs being supported by the flange of the second tee-runner.

Abstract: Provided is roofing tile system that includes a roofing tile having a substantially wedge shaped tile body. The tile body including a bottom surface to be disposed adjacent a roofing deck during use, a top surface angled relative to the bottom surface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body has a first height and a second end of the tile body has a second height that is greater than the first height, and a recess extending into the bottom surface at the second end. The recess is shaped substantially complementary to the first end of the tile body.

Abstract: A window surround molding is secured on a vehicle door flange with a retainer clip. The molding extends in a longitudinal direction and has a cross-section including first and second channels separated by a Dutch bend. The flange is disposed in the second channel on one side of the Dutch bend. The clip is disposed in the first channel on an opposite side of the Dutch bend. An arm extends in the longitudinal direction away from first and second ends of the clip and engages the molding to secure the clip within the first channel. The clip also includes a lower edge that engages the Dutch bend. A flex tab protrudes from a front face of the clip and engages the flange to secure the molding on the flange and to prevent rotation of the molding relative to the flange.

Abstract: A method including placing a body defining an undifferentiated lumen therein over a portion of a fixture coupled to a building structure, the body having at least one opening that can be expanded from a contracted state and that is biased toward the contracted state, the placing including applying an expansion force to the opening; conforming the body to a shape of the fixture at a contact portion where the fixture contacts the structure by releasing the expansion force; and treating the structure.

Abstract: A shake jig which comprises a base member which supports an adjustable member and a releasable fastener which facilitates releaseable retention of the adjustable member in a desired relative position with respect to the base member. The base member is substantially planar and has a shake shelf for abutting against a surface of a shake to prevent further insertion thereof, between an installed topmost shake and an at least partially overlapped shake, and facilitate desired alignment of the shake jig with respect to the installed topmost shake. At least one projection is formed on a surface of the base member, adjacent a leading end thereof, to facilitate retention of the shake jig following insertion of the base member. The adjustable member has a ledger shelf for engaging with a ledger board to retain the ledger board in a desired horizontal orientation with respect to the shake shelf and to assist with installation of shakes.

Abstract: A prefabricated shearwall including a central diaphragm having a height generally defined by top and bottom edges, and a width generally defined by a pair of end sections. The diaphragm further includes at least one corrugation extending in the height direction at least partially between the top and bottom edges. The corrugation increases the ductility and ability of the shearwall to withstand lateral forces such as those generated in earthquakes, high winds, floods and snow loads.

Abstract: A horizontal plastic stretch wrapping apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of control components, an electrical enclosure, a plurality of control buttons, a slip ring, a wrapping arm, and a wrap dispenser. The electrical enclosure and the plurality of control components are positioned within the main frame, and the plurality of control buttons is positioned on the main frame. The plurality of control buttons controls the plurality of control components and the electrical enclosure. The wrap dispenser is connected to the wrapping arm, and the wrapping arm is connected to the main frame. The slip ring is positioned in between the main frame and the wrapping arm and provides electrical power from the electrical enclosure to the wrap dispenser. Once the horizontal plastic stretch wrapping apparatus is powered, a skid can be horizontally wrapped with a wrapping material by the rotating wrapping arm.

Abstract: A sealing machine adapted to support a plurality of different heating/sealing/cutting mechanisms, including tubular heaters and heated cutting blades, is disclosed. The sealing machine utilizes a common interface and mounting system for all side sealers. In addition, in some embodiments, the control system within the sealing machine is adapted to monitor and control the temperature of these various mechanisms automatically so as to create proper seals.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for sealing an airtight bag includes a tongue in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber and base members that close around and seal a section of the bag. The once closed, the apparatus facilitates fluid communication between the interior of the airtight bag and the vacuum chamber, allowing actuation of the vacuum chamber to result in evacuation of air from the bag. The tongue may take the form of a removable tube device or may be designed to puncture the bag. The apparatus may be wholly removable after evacuation of the bag, or some part of the apparatus may remain on the bag in order to maintain the airtight seal.

Abstract: A process for treating a substrate comprised of sorptive material is provided herein. The sorptive material may be an absorbent synthetic material such as polyester. The material is designed to be used for cleaning surfaces in an ultraclean environment. The process first comprises unwinding a roll of sorptive material as a substrate into a cleaning system. The cleaning system utilizes several sections. These include a pre-washing section, an acoustic energy washing section, and a drying section. Preferably, the process of moving the substrate through the cleaning system is continuous. The acoustic energy washing section employs one or more acoustic energy generators. In one aspect, the process also includes cutting the substrate into sections to form wipers after moving the substrate through the drying section. Thereafter, the wipers are placed into bag, and the bag is sealed. An integrated processing or treating system for a sorptive material is also provided herein.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses having ophthalmically acceptable surface wettabilities are obtained from pre-extracted polymerized silicone hydrogel contact lens products having relatively large amounts of removable or extractable materials. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses can be obtained from non-polar resin based contact lens molds and without surface treatments or an interpenetrating polymeric network of a polymeric wetting agent. Related lens products, polymerizable compositions, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a cold chain package, includes, providing corresponding rolls of dissimilar insulating packaging material; forming separate panels from sheets of dissimilar insulating packaging material provided by the corresponding rolls; enclosing the panels in a membrane, the membrane defining a hinge between the panels that are adjacent to each other; and folding the panels along each hinge to form a box-shaped chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for sealing bags includes a hot air manifold along which a bag is conveyed after the bag has been filled with contents and closed. The manifold includes a hot air chamber having first air passages transmitting hot air under pressure to heat a portion of a first adhesive layer on the bag to an adhesive state, and second air passages transmitting hot air under pressure to heat a second adhesive layer on the bag to an adhesive state. A hot air deflector covers selected second air passages transmitting the hot air, wherein the apparatus is adapted for sealing woven polymeric bags with the adhesive layers. The hot air deflector is moveable to a position uncovering the selected second air passages to increase the amount of hot air, wherein the apparatus is adapted for sealing multi-wall paper bags.

Abstract: A loading, picking or sorting system and a method for loading, picking or sorting packaged items, include a removal device for removing packaged items provided in a warehouse, a buffer device for buffering the removed packaged items, and a dispensing device for withdrawing buffered packaged items from the buffer device according to a particular loading order for outputting to a processing unit handling the packaged items in order to complete the loading order. In order to achieve low production, operating, and maintenance costs, the buffer device includes at least one collecting conveyor on which the buffered packaged items are collected.

Abstract: Devices for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapors by centrifugal force are disclosed. The vortex tube comprises a body, an inlet duct, outlet ducts for the cold and hot gases, a liquid discharge duct, and a power separator. The inlet duct has a device for the introduction of methanol. The body comprises a vortex generator at the inlet duct. The body comprises a separator and a diaphragm with an inner conical surface, both defining an annular channel. The surface of the streamlined end of the separator comprises flutes. The separator is mounted to be capable of moving along the axis of the body and is pressed against the diaphragm by a spring. The inner portion of the body and the outer portion of the separator define a liquid chamber. A vortex reducer having a cross shape is mounted on the end of the power separator opposite the body.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (100; 100?) including a first cyclone component (10; 10?) having at least one substantially cylindrical cell pipe (12) including a guide device (14), a particle outlet (30) for separated particles, and a second cyclone component (20; 20?) including at least one immersion pipe (22). The immersion pipe (22) is received in the cell pipe (12), at the outflow side end and is connected at least partially to the outflow side end of the cell pipe (12) and includes a central outlet (24) for the purified gas stream.

Abstract: A dust collecting device is provided which is capable of preventing static charge while rationally collecting dust generated during operation. A dust collecting device 120 is removably attached to a power tool 101 and can be carried together with the power tool 101, and collects dust generated when a predetermined operation is performed on a workpiece by driving a tool bit 119 coupled to the power tool 101. Further, the dust collecting device 120 has a dust suction region 131 that sucks dust generated during operation in response to the operation of the tool bit 119, a dust transfer region 137 that transfers the dust sucked in the dust suction region 131, and a dust storage region 141 that communicates with the dust transfer region 137 and stores the dust. Furthermore, the dust collecting device 120 has a grounding member 147 through which static charge on the dust is dissipated.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a backside airflow diverter, a backside hood for removing contaminated air from the back side of the pit and at least two baffles on a rotational frame, the baffles each presenting a leading edge that contacts the backside airflow diverter during at least a portion of rotational motion. At least one air intake is positioned to pass through the upper surface of the backside diverter into the backside hood at a location where pressure in the backside hood is maintained at a substantially neutral or negative level even when pressure in the material receiving pit is increased by a down rush of air caused by the exit of the load from the railcar.

Abstract: A power tool dust collecting device includes a fan chamber and a dust collecting chamber. The fan chamber is formed in a housing which is mountable on a hammer drill and in which a suction opening is provided protrudingly. The fan chamber houses a fan that rotates in accordance with driving of a motor. The dust collecting chamber is formed on an upstream side of the fan chamber. Mounted on the dust collecting chamber is a filter through which passes air that has been sucked up from the suction opening by the rotation of the fan and which collects dust included in the air. An air pumping unit that pumps air from a downstream side of the filter toward an upstream side is provided inside the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: A vortex finder support is provided for fixing a vortex finder in an inlet region of a cyclone that includes a waste gas conduit leading out of the inlet region. A sleeve-shaped support element is configured to be disposed in the waste gas conduit and associated to the vortex finder, the support element including at least one lateral mounting hole having an approximately rectangular cross-section. A ring is configured to surround the support element and at least one of surround and be integrated in the waste gas conduit, the ring including a lateral opening. At least one holt having an approximately rectangular cross-section is configured to extend through the lateral opening of the ring and the mounting hole of the support element so as to connect the ring with the support element.

Abstract: A filter housing includes a duct having at least one registration flange and an access port sized to pass a plurality of seating rail assemblies. Each seating rail assembly is releasably engaged with the duct includes a seating flange. By locating the seating rail assembly at a particular distance from the registration flange, a channel of different sizes can be formed for receiving a filter having a corresponding dimension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas filter assembly (100) comprising a support frame (101) and a number of filter pockets (102). The support frame (100) comprises a first subframe (203) and a second subframe (204) connected to each other by means of at least one locking element (105, 106), said first (203) and second (204) subframe constituting the inner wall (110), the front face (109) and outer wall (111) of the support frame when connected together. Each filter pocket has an air inlet opening (113) at one end defined by opposing sides each having an edge (114, 115). The filter pockets (102) are sealingly secured to each other by means of at least one connecting means (116) bridging between, and extending along substantially the entire length of the edges (114, 115) of two adjacent filter pockets (202). The at least one connecting means (216) has two opposite end portions (219), each end portion (219) being arranged between said first and second subframes.

Abstract: SNAPSTIK's unique gripping features eliminates air bypass between air filters when connected properly. The gripping feature was developed by examining numerous poly vinyl chloride (PVC) resins to establish the final formulation. The vinyl formulation allows for the PVC to retain its memory to return to its original position. After hundreds of tests, the material's gripping feature showed minimal degradation of the material. SNAPSTIK, when installed properly, connects and holds with its unique gripping features each air filter within the air handling duct tracks, allowing for elimination of air bypass.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus that chops off a weed at or below ground level and applies a small shot of herbicide to the freshly cut weed base. More particularly the present invention is a rechargeable, battery operated, solenoid driven, and hand held device with a herbicide reservoir on the handle and a reciprocating cutter blade with a directed herbicide spray nozzle at the base.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a multi-fuel hybrid rocket motor. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for producing a multi-fuel hybrid motor. The method can include forming a body, where the body includes one or more intake ports; one or more exit nozzles; one or more channels connecting the one or more intake ports with the one or more exit nozzles; and a plurality of cavities comprising segment walls in communication with the one or more channels. The method also includes depositing a propellant fuel within the plurality of cavities, wherein at least a portion of the propellant fuel is exposed to the one or more channels and wherein the propellant fuel has a higher burn consumption rate than the segment walls.

Abstract: A method of treating emissions from an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle includes directing a flow of air created by the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is spinning but not being fueled through a hydrocarbon absorber to collect hydrocarbons within the flow of air. When the hydrocarbon absorber is full and unable to collect additional hydrocarbons, the flow of air is directed through an electrically heated catalyst to treat the flow of air and remove the hydrocarbons. When the hydrocarbon absorber is not full and able to collect additional hydrocarbons, the flow of air is directed through a bypass path that bypasses the electrically heated catalyst to conserve the thermal energy stored within the electrically heated catalyst.

Abstract: A control system for reducing nitrogen oxides in an engine exhaust of an engine includes an emissions catalyst having an inlet adapted to receive an exhaust from the engine. A reductant tank stores a reductant. An injector is in fluid communication with the reductant tank and is operable to inject the reductant into the exhaust upstream of the catalyst. A reductant pump pumps the reductant from the reductant tank to the injector. A controller determines a target pressure of the reductant based on an engine operating condition and operates the reductant pump based on the target pressure.