Abstract: An artificial log set including a fire grate having a base and an upper section pivotally connected to the base, pivotable between a lowered burning position and a raised access position. A fuel reservoir is supported by the base. A burner head is attached to the upper section so as to be positioned directly over the fuel reservoir when the upper section is in its lowered burning position, and so as to allow access to the fuel reservoir when the upper section is in its raised access position.

Abstract: A telecommunications connectivity system including a patch panel comprising a plurality of ports, each port including first and second electrical terminals, the first electrical terminal enabling at least one data communications standard not enabled by the second electrical terminal. The telecommunications connectivity system also includes a terminal selection system including a terminal selector that houses an electrical connector. The terminal selector may be installed in one of the ports such that the electrical connector connects to either the first or second electrical terminal, as preselected. The telecommunications connectivity system also includes a wall receptacle system electrically connected to each of the ports, the wall receptacle system including first and second jacks, the first jack enabling at least one data communications standard not enabled by the second jack.

Abstract: Multiple-batch train loading systems and methods, for example for loading coal, which are capable of accommodating railcars of a wide range of capacities and designs. Each railcar is loaded with at least a relatively large initial weighed batch having a weight at least approximately equal to the maximum available capacity of a weigh bin, and a relatively small final weighed batch. The initial weighed batch and the final weighed batch are both made up with precision. If required, one or more intermediate weighed batches are loaded into the railcar. The intermediate batches, if required, are made up rapidly, but not necessarily with precision.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed optical waveguide polarimetric chemical analysis. Real-time monitoring of a separation process of a fluid in a capillary column is provided using a distributed sensor comprising a birefringent optical waveguide placed between two polarizers. The optical waveguide has a longitudinal channel defined by a channel surface in its cladding and adapted to receive the fluid such that it travels in said longitudinal channel. The longitudinal channel is positioned with respect to the core such that channel surface absorption of the fluid traveling in the longitudinal channel causes a local variation of the orientation of the polarization axes of the optical waveguide. The proposed embodiment can be used for monitoring the velocity of the separated components along the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rocker arm system for actuating poppet valves in high performance internal combustion engines. The rocker arm provides trunnion journals extending from each side fitted to outboard bearing mounts to guide the motion of the rocker arm. An I-beam rocker arm having high stiffness and low mass is disclosed.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly including a hinge member connected to a structure, a support member, a light source, and an outer shell. The support member is secured to the hinge member to be pivotable between a lighting position, in which electrical components are concealed, and a maintenance position, in which the electrical components are exposed. The light source is supported on a front side of the support member and is operational in the lighting position. The outer shell is secured to the hinge member such as to be pivotable between a closed position, in which the outer shell conceals the light source while being able to allow light from the light source to pass therethrough, and an opened position, in which the outer shell allows access to the light source. A hinge member and method for accessing the electrical components are also presented.

Abstract: A luminaire socket is used in spaced-apart pair to receive a light tube therebetween in a luminaire assembly. The light tube has socket caps with contact pins at opposed ends. The luminaire socket comprises: a base connected to a support surface; electrical plugs within the base, the electrical plugs connected to a power source to provide power to a light tube; a socket connector operatively connected to the base, the socket connector having a slot for receiving the contact pins of a light tube in a locking position in which the contact pins of the light tube are in electrical contact with the electrical plugs for actuation of the light tube; and at least one support wall on the rotor connector, the support wall being displaceable to a support position by engagement of the light tube in the luminaire socket to support the light tube when the light tube is accidentally disengaged from the socket connector in the locking position.

Abstract: An image-based method and corresponding apparatus for measuring, in scientifically basic terms, the complete fiber length distribution from a tapered beard. The method may be referred to as length by image analysis (Li).

Abstract: A crank shaft power takeoff system, including an appliance intended for use in connection with lawns and/or gardens, the appliance including an engine that includes a crank shaft, the system further including an accessory used in conjunction with the appliance, and a transmission for utilizing the crank shaft of the appliance engine to operate the accessory.

Abstract: An aspirator, including a bulb that defines first and second ports, a tube adjacent to the first port defined by the bulb, and means for helping to prevent aspirated material inside the bulb from exiting the bulb through the second port defined by the bulb.

Abstract: A featherboard for use with a cutting machine, such as a table saw, having a table which supports a workpiece, and a fence extending upwardly from the table. A row of flexible fingers lie in respective parallel finger planes and have distal ends for engaging the workpiece. The distal ends generally lie in an engagement plane which is parallel to a featherboard engagement surface of the workpiece, and each of the flexible fingers is capable of flexing in a flex direction perpendicular to its respective finger plane. In a compound angle configuration, the finger planes intersect the engagement plane at a pair of angles so that, during use, a single featherboard provides forces which urge the workpiece both against the fence and against the table as the workpiece is pushed along the fence in a workpiece travel direction. A parallel setting gauge may be included.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing grass sprigs from sod and incorporating the grass sprigs into the ground, including a chassis, a sod conveying system mounted on the chassis and configured such that sod may be placed thereon and transported thereby, and a rotary tilling mechanism mounted on the chassis and oriented such that, during operation of the apparatus, the rotary tilling mechanism engages both the sod transported by the sod conveying system and the ground.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for building a database of bales of cotton available for sale, and for electronic commerce of bales of cotton. A fiber quality measurement instrument located in a cotton gin provides fiber quality data substantially concurrently with the making up of cotton into individual bales. The fiber quality measurement instrument is connected through a communications network, such as the internet, for uploading fiber quality data to a database storage device. For electronic commerce, a search engine is connected via the communications network to interrogate the database to select bales having fiber qualities within specified ranges for a candidate buyer.

Abstract: A combination mirror and amusement system for entertaining and amusing a child in a vehicle. A mirror assembly attachable to a vehicle seat includes a mirror and a frame surrounding the mirror. The frame has at least one ornamented portion and at least one appearing character portion. The appearing character portion in turn includes a sheet of plastic film having a visible front side and a reverse side. The sheet of plastic film has the characteristic of a “one-way” mirror which appears as a mirrored surface on the front side in the absence of illumination from the reverse side. A character image is printed on the reverse side A lamp behind the reverse side renders the character image visible from said front side when illuminated.

Abstract: A method of breath-powered sustained pressure induced breast tissue expansion by way of sucking air through silicone tubes attached to semi-rigid plastic domes cushioned by sticky silicone padding and clamping or locking the air pressure inside the domes to create tension on the breasts to enlarge them over a period of at least ten weeks of wear for ten hours per day or night, further including optional improved domes with silicone padding extensions on the outer edges of the domes below the armpits and hooks in back like a bra to create an improved seal to keep the air pressure in while wearer moves about in her daily activities.