Abstract: A screwdriver with a bit storage member rotatable about a slotted, apertured core. A magnet-tipped push rod slides through the core. A magnetic lever arm is pivotally coupled to the core and biased toward its slot. The rod moves through the member between extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, the core is rotatable with respect to the member to position the slot adjacent a bit storage cavity; and, the lever arm is pivotally biased toward and through the slot, magnetically attracting the tool bit in the cavity. While the rod moves into the retracted position, the member is not rotatable about the core; the rod pushes the arm and bit away from the cavity, through the slot into the core; the rod's magnet moves forwardly magnetically attracting the bit; and, pushes the bit forwardly through a shaft to protrude through the shaft's open forward end.

Abstract: A polyphasie multi-coil generator includes a drive shaft, at least first and second rotors rigidly mounted on the drive shaft so as to simultaneously synchronously rotate with rotation of the drive shaft, and at least one stator sandwiched between the first and second rotors. A stator array on the stator has an array of coils mounted to the stator in a first angular orientation about the drive shaft. The rotors each have an array of magnets which are equally circumferentially spaced around the rotor and located at the same radial spacing with respect to the center of the rotor and the drive shaft. The arrays of magnets on adjacent rotors are off-set by an angular off-set relative to one another.

Abstract: The suspension and level control system for vehicles includes, so as to independently control inflation and deflation of left and right front and rear air-springs, corresponding left and right front and rear pneumatic circuits in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. Each air-spring may have at least one air ride cushion reservoir mounted in a parallel pneumatic circuit in parallel fluid communication with the air-spring. Each pneumatic circuit includes a selectively actuable valve for selectively passing pressurized air from the air source into the corresponding parallel pneumatic circuit to selectively inflate the corresponding air-spring thereby raising a corresponding corner of the vehicle; and for selectively venting pressurized air from the corresponding parallel pneumatic circuit to selectively deflate the corresponding air-spring, thereby lowering a corresponding corner of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the probable existence, location, and type of defects in a workpiece is described. The apparatus includes a sensor subsystem, an optimizer, a control subsystem, and a computer system having a processor and computer readable memory. Sensor subsystem senses a first section of the workpiece and produces signals corresponding to a physical characteristic of the workpiece. The computer system is configured to generate a workpiece model based on the signals produced by the sensor subsystem. In an alternate embodiment, a defect assembler can be provided to merge signals from a plurality of sensor subsystems. The defect assembler can also be configured to generate the workpiece data model. The optimizer is configured to generate workpiece segmentation recommendations based on the workpiece data model.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A sawguide assembly includes a plurality of sets of sawguides, the sawguides within each set positioned adjacent to one another to create an array of laterally-abutting sawguides. Corresponding sawguide biasing assemblies bias the sawguides in each set against one another. The arrays are supported for independent movement along a lateral path generally parallel to the axis of the arbor. Lateral drivers are used to move each array in unison along the lateral path but independent of the other arrays. A sawguide array skewing assembly couples the sawguides of each array to one another so that the sawguides can be pivoted in unison about their respective pivot axes by a corresponding skewing driver.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool lock integral to the structure of a pneumatic tool and adapted to replace the existing male nipple component of the pneumatic tool is provided. The pneumatic tool lock includes an outer housing adapted to provide access to inner components of the pneumatic tool lock, the outer housing having a first end for securely mating with the pneumatic tool and a second end for coupling with a fluid source. An inner passageway within the outer housing provides a means for fluid to flow through from the fluid source to the pneumatic tool. A key operated lock mounted on the outer housing is displaceable between a first open position and a second closed position. A needle valve attached to the key operated lock disengageably mates with a channel extending between the inner passageway and the outer housing so as to block and un-block fluid flow into the inner passageway.

Abstract: The valved ostomy drainage device of the present invention includes a primary conduit which may be inserted into either a colonoscopy or ileostomy. Once inserted, a balloon cuff or collar on the inner aspect of the conduit is inflated which holds the conduit in place in the ostomy. The conduit is anchored on the exterior surface of the patient by a soft, malleable ring which acts as a resilient pad seal and by an anchoring collar which mounts onto the exposed end of the conduit to sandwich the ring against the patient's abdomen. With the collar so mounted the remaining exposed end of the conduit is adapted for sealing by the releasable mounting thereon of a rigid sealing member such as a threaded cap or other means of closure.

Abstract: A method of forming a workpiece into sectioned parts using a pair of laterally translatable chipping heads and, downstream, a cutting device of the type having a plurality of rotatable cutting members mounted for rotation on a common axis which is movable and including workpiece transport means for moving the workpiece from a starting position to a final position along a path which extends first past the chipping heads and then past the cutting device.

Abstract: A drip berm for mounting onto a drip mat includes one or more inner berm members and one or more cooperating outer berm members. Each inner berm member is mountable contiguously around the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each outer berm member is mountable along an inner edge of the outer berm member contiguously along or around an outer edge of, or perimeter of a frame formed by the inner berm member or members. Each inner berm member includes at least one clamp member for mounting onto the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each clamp member includes a pair of jaws for mounting inwardly of the circumferential edges of the drip mat. The jaws are pivotable about a clam-shell hinge so as to, in a closed position, engage and clamp the circumferential edges of the drip mat between the pair of jaws, and so as to, in an open position, release the circumferential edges of the drip mat from between the pair of jaws.

Abstract: A sawguide assembly includes a set of sawguides positioned adjacent to one another to create an array of laterally-abutting sawguides. A sawguide biasing assembly biases the sawguides against one another. The array is supported for movement along a lateral path generally parallel to the axis of the arbor. A lateral driver is used to move the entire array in unison along the lateral path. A sawguide array skewing assembly couples the sawguides to one another so that the sawguides can be pivoted in unison about their respective pivot axes by a skewing driver.

Abstract: Waste heat from a steam cycle employing a steam boiler is used to heat water, on an on-demand basis, in a steam-to-water heat exchanger wherein the supply of steam into the heat exchanger is regulated so as to maintain the temperature of the heated water exiting the heat exchanger at a relatively constant pre-set temperature. Further waste heat may be recaptured from the steam boiler steam cycle by pre-heating the incoming cold water being fed into the steam-to-water heat exchanger in the on-demand water heater using the still-hot condensate from the condensation of the steam in the steam-to-water heat exchanger. A condensate-to-water heat exchanger may be employed to pre-heat the cold water infeed to the steam-to-water heat exchanger.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing particulate matter includes a hollow elongate body having sidewalls extending between opposite first and second ends. First and second end seals seal the first and second ends respectively. The first end seal has an orifice through which the particular material, when stored in the body, is dispensed. A baffle is mounted within the first end, generally abutting against one side wall of the body. The baffle at least partially occludes the orifice and forms a pocket between the orifice and the baffle. A convoluted dispensing flow path is thereby formed for dispensing the particulate material from the body, around the baffle and out of the dispenser through the orifice.

Abstract: A fold-down work surface includes a planar top frame having first and second opposite ends and mounted thereto at least one parallelogram frame lying in a vertical plane orthogonal to a wall. The top frame is horizontal when deployed and vertical when raised into a storage position adjacent the wall. Each parallelogram frame is mounted to a corresponding slide. The top frame, a lower longitudinal element, the slide, and a vertical leg for each parallelogram frame form a frame pivotable in the corresponding vertical plane. Each slide is slidably mounted in a vertical track which is mountable to the wall. The top frame is constrained to rotate about the upper end of a primary brace member. The lower end of the primary brace member is pivotally mounted to the wall.

Abstract: The modular drive wheel for log processors includes a tubular midsection sandwiched between a pair of annular rings mounted concentrically on opposite ends of the midsection. The midsection has a resilient outer surface extending around the midsection. The pair of annular rings each have a radially spaced apart array of notches therearound. The notches in the radially spaced apart arrays of notches are sized to snugly receive in releasable locking engagement therein links on opposite ends of chain segments extending between the pair of annular rings. The drive wheel further includes means mounted between the pair of annular rings for selectively forcing apart the pair of annular rings along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the midsection.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniquely identifying a golf ball at a target includes a simulated golfing green having one or multiple target area apertures therein. A ball collector is mounted under each aperture. A ball identification means cooperates with the ball collector for identifying uniquely identified game balls from non-uniquely identified golf balls and transmits identity information corresponding to each game ball of the game balls to a remote processing station for correlating the identity of a golfer with the identity information. A surveillance means cooperates with the first target area so as to provide for remote monitoring of the first target area. A first signal means is provided for signalling the golfer and a remote monitor when a uniquely identified game ball has entered the aperture. A first sensor means is provided for detecting when a uniquely identified game ball lands in the first target area and for signalling the golfer and a remote monitor upon such detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the provision in an automobile of a tamper-evident combined Odometer and Engine Run-time recorder, optionally with display of average speed or indication of type of vehicle use.

Abstract: An improved slider block is a length of flanged channel having a cut-out in the lower web of the channel to accommodate mounting a flat bar journalled in the cut-out. The flanged channel is resilient. The flanged channel has a length sufficient to cover the length of a base plate on which the flat bar is orthogonally mounted. The sides of the channel define a cavity having a depth corresponding to the thickness of the base plate. A pair of flanges extend inwardly over the cavity from the sides of the channel so as to define a chain-receiving slot therebetween. The base plate mounts within the cavity. The base plate is welded to a chain so that when the base plate is mounted in the cavity the chain is mounted in and along the chain-receiving slot.

Abstract: A log delimbing processor includes two pairs of grapples for holding workpieces for translation along their length so as to engage delimbing knives. The workpieces are urged by a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the workpieces, by a driven upper roller mounted to a backbone of the processor, and by a driven lower roller mounted on the end of an articulated arm which is actuated to tuck up under the workpieces held in the grapples so that the workpieces are engaged and driven from all sides. A swing out saw on one end of the processor provides for delimbing large forked branches.

Abstract: A power protection device protects electronic equipment from AC supply system disturbances. An electronically controlled relay circuit passes power to connected equipment if the electrical supply system, to which the equipment is connected, is properly wired for continuity and correct polarity of line, neutral, and ground conductors, and the line voltage is within twenty-five percent of nominal levels. Thermal cut-offs are used as a back-up to the over-voltage protection provided by the electronically controlled relay circuit. These thermal cut-offs are connected in a way that when either or both trip, the relay of the electronically controlled relay circuit is de-energized and power is disconnected to the device output stage and connected equipment.