Abstract: A composition for regulating the growth of plants in which an effective amount of chlorocholine chloride, poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene]dichloride, and choline chloride, is diluted in an inert carrier. The inert carrier may be water, a solvent, or a surfactant. The composition with the diluent forms a liquid solution, which is sprayed on the foliage of subject plants prior to harvest. At least one inorganic salt may be added to the composition to enhance the efficacy of the liquid solution. A first formulation of the solution, preferably including the inorganic salt additive, may be applied early in the plant's development to discourage rank growth without inducing Cut-Out. A second formulation of the solution, having no inorganic salt but including a greater amount of chlorocholine chloride, may be applied late in the plant's development, to induce Cut-Out.

Abstract: A modular, bolt-in, rack and pinion assembly for replacing an existing steering gear box in a motor vehicle. A rack tube, including a pair of elongated slots in its sidewall, houses the rack. The rack tube is mounted to existing holes in the frame of the motor vehicle by means of a plurality of brackets. The rack has a tooth portion and a shaft portion. A pair of studs projects transversely from the shaft portion of the rack, each stud passing through a receptive slot. The studs are mounted to an elongated center link. The vehicle's factory tie rod assemblies are bolted to either end of the center link. A pinion housing is secured over a proximate end of the rack tube, maintaining a pinion gear in threaded engagement with the rack. In a manual embodiment of the invention, an outer end of the pinion is connected directly to the steering wheel shaft. In a powered embodiment, a servo having its own pinion gear is bolted to the pinion housing.

Abstract: An adjustable length shaft assembly including a handle portion and an extensible shaft. An upper end of the shaft includes a set of locking teeth. The handle has an internal locking mechanism with a tooth rack to accommodate the locking teeth. A control handle is rotated in a first direction, rotating the teeth away from the tooth rack, where the teeth are in a disengaged, unlocked position. With the teeth unlocked, the shaft can be longitudinally adjusted to achieve the desired length. Then, the control handle is rotated in a second direction, rotating the teeth into the tooth rack, where the teeth are in an engaged, locked position. In this manner, the teeth and the tooth rack provide a plurality of positive locking positions, each position providing a different shaft length.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sizing and sorting articles in an article stream. A scanning station includes a plurality of laser line beam generators and a linear array including a plurality of photo detectors. A first group of generators and detectors is horizontally oriented, and second group is vertically oriented. The area between the generators and the detectors defines an exposure window through which the articles are passed. Each line beam generator has a respective cylindrical lens for collimating its output across the exposure window. The output information is sampled, digitized, stored, and analyzed. Computer-based determinations are made regarding the size, configuration, and weight of the articles. Articles determined to have predetermined physical characteristics are selectively removed from the article stream, and directed to diverting conveyors carrying articles having like characteristics.

Abstract: A computer-controlled band saw sharpener employing electrically powered, X and Y axis drivers, each having a reciprocating element. The X-axis driver actuates a feed finger mechanism, to index the saw in repetitive, stepped fashion, while each tooth is successively ground. In concert with the X-axis driver, the Y axis driver repetitively lowers and raises a grinding head, provided with a rotary grinding wheel. Both the X and Y axis drivers include servomotors to rotate the shaft of an elongated ball screw. A carrier box houses a non-rotatable ball screw nut. The nut travels back and forth along the ball screw shaft in accordance with its direction and extent of rotation. Drive arms for the feed finger mechanism and the grinding head mechanism are bolted at their lower ends to a threaded bushing in the nut carrier box. The computerized controller is programmable, to produce virtually any desired tooth shape in the saw.

Abstract: A modular building construction and components thereof. A foundation for a building includes anchor bolts extending around its periphery. A metal lower track is installed over the anchor bolts and secured thereto with nuts and rod couplers. Elongated connector rods are threaded onto the upper ends of the couplers. Pre-manufactured modular wall panels, integrally molded with a metal stud along a first lateral edge and a complementary recess along a second lateral edge, are successively installed in the track. A first panel is installed with an open side of the stud surrounding the connector rod. The second, adjacent panel is installed with its second lateral edge facing the stud. The two panels are slid together to surround and enclose the connector rod. The process continues until the entire peripheral wall is formed. A metal upper track is laid over the upper ends of the wall panels with the connector rods extending therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting indicia on articles. The indicia act to identify a group of articles, having a common characteristic. The articles may be address panels used in mass mailings. Particular address panels, representing the beginning or end of a zip code or a postal delivery route, are pre-marked with one or more special indicia. The apparatus includes a scanning station, a computerized system controller, and a marking station. The scanning station includes a video camera, a video analyzer, a camera controller, and a video monitor. The video camera is programmable by using the camera controller and the video monitor, to scan only a predetermined operative scanning area of each article. The video analyzer assess each pixel within the scanning area and adds up the total number of pixels having a desired characteristic. If the pixel count satisfies predetermined criteria correlating to the presence of an indicia, the article is electronically tagged by the system controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping mortar. A hopper for containment of mortar is mounted on a portable frame. A mortar pump has an inlet located within a lower portion of the hopper, and a discharge located outside the hopper. A rotary drive shaft has a lower end attached to the mortar pump, and a median portion passing through the contained mortar. The drive shaft is oriented at a vertical angle sufficient so that an upper end of the shaft extends above an upper level of the mortar. An engine, also mounted on the frame, rotates the upper end of the drive shaft, powering the mortar pump. One end of a mortar distribution hose is connected to the discharge of the pump. The other end of the hose extends to a remote location, and is fitted with a mortar application nozzle. Mortar is pre-mixed in a concrete mixer and poured into the hopper. The mortar pump forces mortar through the distribution hose and out the nozzle, where it is directed by a mason on to joints and into grout lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for marking the location of an article or piece of cargo which has accidentally or intentionally been dropped from a transport vehicle into a body of water. The marking apparatus includes a housing, having a wall portion, movable from a closed position to an open position when a coupler element is decoupled. A tether line and a float are packed within the housing. The tether line has an upper end attached to the float, and a lower end which passes through a lower wall of the housing before it is attached to the article. An activation cable extends between the vehicle and the coupler element on the housing. A median portion of the housing is buckled to a cargo cable, extending between the underside of the transport vehicle and the suspended article. If the article drops from the vehicle, the activation cable immediately pulls upon, and decouples the coupler element. This allows the movable wall portion of the housing to open, exposing the tether line and the float.

Abstract: A system and method for detachably securing emblems, or the like, to articles of clothing, such as caps, hats, shirts, jackets, belts, and shoes. The system employs the combination of two magnetically attractive elements, for example, a magnet and a plate or a piece of ferromagnetic material. One or more magnets or pieces of the ferromagnetic material may be embedded in or adhesively attached to the clothing. Similarly, one or more magnets or pieces of the ferromagnetic material may be embedded in or attached to one or more emblems. The emblems are placed over selected ones of the magnetically attractive elements in the clothing, and thereby magnetically secured thereto. The method contemplates that a user may retrofit new or existing clothing, to enjoy the advantages of the present invention, without having to buy either new or specially manufactured clothing.