Abstract:
A loft bed readily configured into expanded assembled and collapsed disassembled positions to facilitate shipping, transport, and/or storage. The loft bed includes a mattress support having a plurality of separable supports for supporting a mattress, a frame including a plurality of multi-piece, bed support rails assemblable into a frame for supporting the mattress support, and a plurality of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including separate upper and lower leg portions. The legs and the bed support rails are attachable to form an expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping, transporting, and/or storage.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for electronically taking photographs of an object to be used for stereoscopic (three dimensional) reproductions of the object in which an electronic camera takes a plurality of electronic photographs of an object from each of a plurality of predetermined spaced positions relative to the object. The photographic image is converted into a video signal which is digitized and the digitized video signals of the images from the plurality of positions are utilized to produce a viewable representation of the object. In a preferred embodiment, the camera has a generally planar element for converting the image into the video signal and the planar converting element of the camera at each position is held in a common plane and the lens system for the camera at each position is kept in a plane generally parallel to the converting element plane and shifted relative to the image converting element of the camera to compensate for the different positions to have the same field of view at each position.
Abstract:
An elongated, cantilever baffle for a fume hood is provided. The baffle has a V-shaped bottom, including a right bottom portion and a left bottom portion that form a substantially horizontal edge. The baffle also has a substantially vertical left wall and a substantially vertical right wall. The substantially vertical left wall has a top edge and a bottom connected to the left bottom portion of the V-shaped bottom. The substantially vertical right wall has a top edge and a bottom connected to the right bottom portion of the V-shaped bottom.
Abstract:
Described is a ratchet strap with a free end securing system. The ratchet strap has a strap with an attachment end and a free end and a strap winding shaft which is capable of receiving the free end in a wrapped relationship. A ratchet mechanism is included for simultaneously shortening the attachment end and the free end wherein the free end is drawn from the wrapped relationship with the strap winding shaft.
Abstract:
A method of treating peat moss, and an fibrous effluent product and a dewatered peat moss product derived from the method, are disclosed. The method of the present invention is to first obtain a sample of peat from a peat bog, and analyze the sample by heating. The moisture content of the heated sample is monitored. As the moisture decreases, the evaporation curve inflects at a point referred to herein as the peat evaporation inflection point (PEIP). Once the PEIP is determined for a given sample, peat moss is harvested from the peat bog and introduced into a feed hopper of a screw press, such as those used in the pulp and paper industry, to heat and de-water the peat to the PEIP, and also to compress the peat material under pressure for dewatering. The fibrous effluent is captured from the press from a liquid effluent output port, and the dewatered peat material is pushed through the screw press and out through a distal end of the press. The resulting dewatered peat material is then collected and then baled or otherwise packaged, and the fibrous liquid effluent is bottled or otherwise packaged.
Abstract:
A timer mechanism including a base piece, a top piece, a rod, and a spiral spring. The base piece includes an inner hub forming a threaded surface and a central passage. The top piece includes an inner post that a central passage and a threaded surface for engaging the inner hub. The rod is slidably disposed within the central passages and is selectively coupled to the top piece. The spiral spring is coaxially wrapped about the inner hub and terminates in a leading end connected to the top piece. The top piece is rotatable relative to the bottom piece to a raised position in which energy is stored by the spiral spring. The spiral spring rotates the top piece in an opposite direction, causing the top piece to wind relative to the bottom piece, forcing the rod downwardly for depressing a camera shutter release button.
Abstract:
A cord securement device for maintaining two interconnected electrical plugs in plugged together electrical connection. The device includes first and second eyelets secured to a base member. Each eyelet defines an opening sized to receive a looped portion of each electrical cord extending from the plugged together ends. The looped portion of each cord is urged through one eyelet to engage a hook member secured to the base member. The hook members transfer the strain of connection of the electrical cords from the plugs to the cord securement device. A method is also disclosed which maintains the electrical plugs in plugged together relationship by transferring the strain of connection from the plugs of the electrical cords to the device.
Abstract:
A method for producing multi-colored articles using injection molding results in an elongated article having a pattern of adjacent areas formed of discrete, separately molded materials, of different colors. Articles produced by this method are sturdy, safe and visually attractive, making them especially suitable for use as handles for personal grooming brushes and similar products.