Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.

Other

John A Brown

Frank Meyers

Robert Reidel

Michael C Vahrenwald

A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members. The system also may include one or more tension members attached diagonally between adjacent compression members to keep the system in the deployed configuration. The standoff system can be a separate, free-standing structure placed between a ship and a boom or it can be integrated with a containment boom.

Floating standoff assembly

A rapidly deployable breakwater is disclosed having a primary barrier containing liquid under pressure, and one or more overtopping barriers. The primary barrier floats at, and extends substantially below, the surface of the water, while the overtopping barriers are positioned on the primary barrier and extend substantially above the surface of the water, the combination being adapted to attenuate wave action in open water. The liquid in the primary barrier is pressurized to a level substantially greater than the pressure of the surrounding water, and such pressure may be maintained or varied during the period of deployment of the breakwater.

System and apparatus for rapidly installed breakwater

An improved heat-resistant surface contaminant containment boom is described, which has a floatation section incorporating refractory materials and spacing materials providing an air-gap around an inner float assembly which can be formed of less heat-resistant and more flexible materials. Further, the boom provides a water wicking action which draws water into the boom to be converted to steam. Provision is made for the steam to escape from the boom removing heat therefrom allowing the float assembly within to remain at a cooler temperature.

Heat resistant contamination control boom

An improved rear-view wiping mirror assembly is described in which a rear-view mirror has placed against it a horizontal wiper connected at both ends to a bracket. The wiper is driven in oscillation by a vertically-positioned improved helical screw having expanded reversing grooves and a tanged cylinder member. The entire drive mechanism is contained within a sealed enclosure which includes yieldable seals through which the bracket oscillates. Ease of manufacture and reliability are enhanced through minimization of parts, molding of the oscillation mechanism, and utilization of a single connecting rod/guide rod member.

Wiping mirror assembly

A plant container adapted to be either suspended from an overhead support structure or supported above a base means and comprising a container preferably constructed from a transparent plastic material, a centrally disposed elongated support rod also preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material and extending axially outwardly from the container, either downwardly therefrom or upwardly therefrom as desired, and bearing members interposed between the container and the support rod whereby the container is freely rotatably about the longitudinal axis of the support rod, a drain port provided in the bottom of the container and having one element of a quick-connect coupling sealingly secured therein, a hose member having a mating element of the quick-connect coupling secured to one end thereof, for selective engagement with the first mentioned element to receive water draining from the container during watering of the plant, and a capturing vessel in communication with the opposite end of the hose for receiving and storing the draining water therein.

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Lomita, CA, United States of America

John A Brown