Abstract: A bracket assembly for connecting a cup holder or other accessory to a bar or other support structure includes first and second telescoping bracket portions that fit around and clamp to the support structure. One of the bracket portions includes a connector wall with an opening sized to receive a mounting trunnion of the accessory and a pair of ears with a slot formed therebetween in communication with the opening. Each ear has a convex inner edge that faces the inner edge of the other ear to define the slot. A width of the slot is less than a diameter of the trunnion such that the ears deflect upon insertion of the trunnion through the slot and return to an undeflected position with the trunnion located in the opening to thereby mount the accessory to the bracket assembly, and thus to the support structure.

Abstract: An optical gauge for measuring the level of a liquid in a container comprises an elongate, tubular member with a central bore. A light source is positioned for projecting radiant energy into the bore along a length of the tubular member. An elongate light collector is spaced from the light source and extends along the length of the tubular member for receiving radiant energy from the light source. The light collector has opposite ends and is formed such that radiant energy incident on a length of the light collector is transmitted to the light collector ends. A light blocking member is located within the bore and extends between the light source and at least a portion of the elongate light collector for blocking at least a portion of the radiant energy from the light collector.

Abstract: A litter box for separating pet waste from litter material includes a housing having a front panel connected to a rear panel through a pair of side panels extending therebetween, and top and bottom panels extending between the front, rear and side panels to form an interior space for retaining litter and pet waste. The front panel includes an access opening such that a pet can enter into and exit from the interior space. A collection screen is removably mounted in the housing. The collection screen has a bottom wall extending at least substantially between the side panels and the top and bottom panels. The bottom wall includes openings that are sized to permit passage of clean litter material therethrough while preventing passage of pet waste when the litter box is rotated from an upright position where the bottom wall is oriented substantially vertically to a tipped position where the bottom wall is oriented substantially horizontally.

Abstract: A panel assembly for transferring fluids from one location to another comprises a panel structure with openings, a nozzle projecting through each opening and a sleeve affixed between the nozzle and its respective opening. Each nozzle includes a tubular portion with a connection end adapted for connection to a transfer conduit. The connection ends of the nozzles are preferably aligned with a common reference plane. Each sleeve has an outer surface with a length that is greater than a combination of a thickness of the panel and any deformity on the panel. With this arrangement, alignment of the connection ends with the common reference plane is independent of any deformity on the panel. A method of constructing a panel assembly includes determining if any defects are present on the inner surface of the tubular portion before installing the nozzle on the panel, and precluding potential inner surface defects during installation of the nozzle on the panel.

Abstract: An optical transducer includes a light source, a fluorescent-doped fiber optic spaced from the light source for receiving radiant energy from the light source, and a light blocking member interposed between the fiber optic and the light collector. A photosensor is positioned adjacent each end of the fiber optic. The light blocking member extends between the light source and at least a portion of the fiber optic for blocking at least a portion of the radiant energy from the fiber optic. The light blocking member is movable with respect to the fiber optic in response to an applied force on the light blocking member for varying the position of the radiant energy incident on the fiber optic to thereby vary the amount of radiant energy transmitted to the fiber optic ends. With this arrangement, the amount of radiant energy received by the fluorescent-doped fiber optic and detected by the photosensor is indicative of the applied force.

Abstract: A pedal-powered watercraft comprises a unitary hull having an upper wall extending from a bow portion to a stern portion of the watercraft and a pair of spaced hollow sponsons located on either side of the upper wall. The upper wall together with inner walls of the sponsons form a tunnel that opens generally downwardly and extends from the bow portion to the stern portion of the watercraft. A deck is connected to the hull and includes an elongate opening that defines a cockpit area for receiving an occupant. A seat is located in the cockpit area and a pedal assembly is connected to the hull forwardly of the seat. The pedal assembly includes a pivotal pedal tower and a pair of pedals rotatably mounted on the pedal tower. The pair of pedals are operably connected to drive the propeller during pedal rotation.

Abstract: The jewelry display device comprises a base portion and a display portion bearing an image, such as an image of a person. Openings, such as apertures and slits, adapted to accept and retain items of jewelry are positioned in the display portion such that the openings align with features of the image appearing on the display portion, thereby allowing items of jewelry to be displayed in a realistic, aesthetically pleasing manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precisely adjusting an article of jewelry to quickly and conveniently accommodate the particular fashions desires, size and clothing of the wearer. According to the invention, a flexible member, such as a necklace chain, is looped upon itself to form a loop portion, a first leg and a second leg. A slidable clamping device is mounted on the first and second legs of the flexible member. The slidable clamping device is adapted, in response to the application of an external compressive force, to slide freely along the lengths of the first and second legs of the flexible member, thereby precisely adjusting the size of the loop portion. When the external compressive force is released, the slidable clamping device securely prevents relative movement between the slidable clamping device, the first leg and the second leg of the flexible member.

Abstract: A joint restraint (10) for securing a first pipe (12) to a second pipe. The joint restraint (10) includes an annular body (14) and a plurality of wedge housings (18) extending from the annular body (14) and characterized by open rear faces (38) to allow coreless casting. A bolt (32) is disposed within a hole (30) in each wedge housing (18) and a wedge (40) is disposed within each wedge housing (18). Each wedge (40) has a bolt-actuated tooth (52), a larger pressure-actuated tooth (54), a top surface (44) having a groove (48) adapted to slidably receive a bolt actuator (32), and a bottom surface (42) that is partially tapered to act as a bearing (76) limiting the extent of bolt-driven actuation.

Abstract: A fluid level detector according to the invention comprises a substrate formed of a heat-insulative material and one or more thermoresistive sensor elements located on the substrate that is adapted to be immersed in a fluid. A current source is connected to the sensor element for producing a current through the sensor element during a predetermined time period. The current heats the sensor element and causes a change in voltage across the sensor element at least during the time period. The amount of change in voltage during the time period is reflective of the fluid level, since the fluid serves as a heat sink for the sensor element. The voltage is measured across the sensor element and a voltage slope is determined. The determined voltage slope is indicative of fluid level.

Abstract: A door operator system for slidable doors comprises an expandable and retractable lattice assembly adapted for connection between a door and a stationary structure. The lattice assembly includes forward and rearward link arms connected together at a pivot joint to form a link arm pair. Several link arm pairs may be pivotally joined together to form the expandable and retractable lattice assembly, such that the distance between a retracted position and an expanded position of the lattice assembly is relatively long. An actuator with a relatively short stroke length has a housing and a shaft that reciprocates with respect to the housing between retracted and extended positions. The housing is connected to a pivot joint of one pair of link arms and the reciprocal shaft is connected to a juxtaposed pivot joint of another pair of link arms.

Abstract: A variable resistance device comprises an inner elongate, flexible electrode having a longitudinal central axis, at least one outer electrode spaced from the inner electrode and at least partially or completely surrounding the inner elongate electrode to form a gap therebetween. The outer electrode has a longitudinal axis that is at least substantially coaxial with the central axis of the inner elongate electrode. An electroviscous fluid is positioned in the gap between the inner and outer electrodes. An electric field applied to the electroviscous fluid between the inner and outer electrodes causes an increase in the stiffness of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the outer electrode is also flexible to form a flexible resistance device, the stiffness of which can be controlled by the application of the electric field. In a further embodiment, an enclosed chamber is filled with an electroactive fluid and a piston assembly is mounted for reciprocal movement in the chamber.

Abstract: A position sensor according to the invention comprises a housing having an internal compartment, a terminal support web extending into the compartment, at least one terminal having a first end in contact with the terminal support web and a second end extending outwardly of the housing, a sensor element located within the internal compartment, and a connector clip. The sensor element includes a terminal portion adapted for contacting the at least one terminal. The clip comprises a bight section, at least one first finger extending from the bight section, and at least one second finger extending from the bight section opposite the first finger. The first and second fingers are adapted to receive the sensor element and the support web therebetween when the clip is installed for holding the terminal portion against the at least one terminal.

Abstract: An optical detector for determining the degree of translucency of a medium includes an elongate collector that gathers radiant energy along its length and transmits the gathered energy to its ends. A sensor is positioned in proximity to at least one of the collector ends to detect the amount of radiant energy received by the collector. The amount of radiant energy received by the collector and transmitted to the sensor is proportional to the degree of average translucency of the medium. In one embodiment, the medium is a filter and the degree of detected translucency is directly proportional to the degree of filter contamination. In another embodiment, the medium is a liquid and the degree of detected translucency is directly proportional to liquid level. The collector is preferably formed from one or more fluorescent-doped fiber optics.