Abstract: A drive is disclosed that is useful with a variety of apparatus for either multiplying torque or increasing rotational speed. The drive includes a supported inner shaft having a sun gear at one end, the inner shaft receivable through a hollow outer coaxial shaft having an engageable transmittance (a spur gear, for example) intermediate first and second opposite ends thereof. A planetary gear set platform is located at one end of the outer shaft, planet gears rotatably mounted thereabout in engagement with the sun gear received through the platform for rotation in a stationary ring gear. A right angle translate gear is affixed to the inner shaft adjacent an end thereof opposite the sun gear, a rotational source engagable at one of the translate gear and the transmittance and a utility output engagable at the other.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for selectively orienting material from a coiled supply relative to a fastener driver utilized to secure the material at a work surface. The apparatus includes a mount body having structures adapted to receive and secure the driver and the coiled material supply in a substantially fixed relationship to one another, a material feed orientation arm receiving material fed from the supply and providing the material at an outflow locator adjacent to the drive head of the driver and the work surface when the apparatus is assembled and in use. A pivot stud is affixable to the fastener driver over its drive head and is receivable through openings in the mount body and feed orientation arm so that the outflow locator is pivotable about the drive head to selectively change direction of material feed presentation relative to the drive head.

Abstract: Improved grips for retaining plural concrete reinforcing bars in a selected association are disclosed. The grips include a base portion and a retention portion including engageable structures establishing first and second spaced opposing pairs of clamping formations. Each of the plural reinforcing bars in the association is positively gripped along a length thereof between the clamping formations. Grip embodiments for parallel and right angle reinforcing bar associations are disclosed.

Abstract: Interchangeable tubing manipulating appliances for use with nut driving tools are disclosed for tubing manipulation, cutting, bending and the like. The appliances include tubing locating and stabilizing structure and securement for aligning and stabilizing the locating and stabilizing structure at one side of the driving tool adjacent to its nut driving head. A rotatable member is engagable at the nut driving head for selective rotation thereof relative to the tubing locating and stabilizing structure. The rotatable member includes a tubing engaging portion and a faceted engagable portion receivable at the nut driving tool. Embodied for tubing cutting, a cutting utility is included mounted adjacent the securement. The rotatable member receives and rotates the tubing. Embodied as a tubing bender, the rotatable member includes a tubing guide end, the locating and stabilizing structure adapted to receive tubing thereat and having an opening for receipt of the rotatable member therethrough.

Abstract: A compact biological treatment assembly, apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a movable belt biological contactor having selected microbial cultures established thereon. The apparatus further includes a tank having a volume for receipt of wastewater to be treated, first and second drums positioned at the tank each connected to an end of the belt contactor, and a motor or motors together with a controller for rotating the drums cooperatively to move the belt contactor between the drums thereby coiling and uncoiling the belt contactor on the drums.

Abstract: An operator propelled and/or guided portable trencher is disclosed having a wheeled carriage with an operator manipulable handle bar mounted thereat. The carriage includes a wheel mounting base assembly and a drive frame assembly pivotably connected to each other. A trenching chain assembly is mounted to the drive frame assembly and has a chain maintained at a multi-sprocket chain guide. One sprocket of the chain guide is movably mounted and biased to tension the chain while allowing sprocket movement to partially relieve chain tension during chain use in case of debris entrainment at the chain. An operator manipulable support is connected with the mounting base assembly and is engageable at structure at the drive frame assembly providing operator selection of pivotable location of the drive frame assembly relative to the wheel mounting base assembly during trencher storage and use.

Abstract: Trenching chains and chain links are disclosed, the trenching chains including a plurality of chain link bodies joined at the ends thereof and a plurality of carriages each having one end pivotably attached at an end of a link body and an opposite end unengaged and freely pivotable. Cutting or trench sweeping implements are maintainable on the carriages. The carriages can thus be configured with lengths greater than the lengths of the link bodies.

Abstract: Powered tools and interchangeable driver assemblies for removal of fasteners from a host material are disclosed. The tool includes a housing having a chamber operatively associated with an actuator assembly. Interchangeable driver assemblies may be provided that include a plurality of interchangeable particularly configured drive pins and a plurality of interchangeable guide elements, each guide element selectively adapted for use with a different one of the drive pins. The guide element has an elongate central passage therethrough, is receivable by a mount releasably maintained at the housing adjacent the chamber, and may be configured for slidable retention thereat. In such case, the guide element is biased toward a fully extended position and is slidable between the fully extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: Sensors, apparatus and methods are disclosed for detecting airflow direction between two volumes. The preferred airflow sensor includes a tube for conducting an airflow stream between the volumes, a first temperature sensor sensing ambient temperature in the first volume and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature of the airflow stream in the tube. A heat source heats air in the tube adjacent the end thereof communicating with the second volume and a comparator receives and compares output signals from the temperature sensors, providing an output indicative thereof. Various means are provided responsive to the output advancing appropriate response thereto. The disclosed sensors, apparatus and methods are particularly well adapted for indicating positive and negative pressure differentials at flues associated with combustion appliances.

Abstract: A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit is movably maintained through the head, and a probe is associated with the reaction unit. The methods of this invention include setting a selected rotational limitation at the driver relating to fitting characteristics, operating the driver to cause relative rotation of a connector nut located in the socket and connector body engaged by the reaction unit. One of a plurality of operational modes for driver operations is selected and relative movement of the head and reaction unit are monitored during driver operation. The driver is controlled so that driver operation ceases when a selected combination of events related to operational mode selected and at least one of rotational limitation setting, monitored relative movement or driver operation occurs.

Abstract: Fluid blending apparatus and methods are provided, the blending apparatus including components accommodating both passive and/or active mixing. The apparatus for performing the methods include a main body and closure connectable to define a chamber having a fluid outlet. A valved fluid inlet channel opens into the chamber and is tangentially oriented relative to a peripheral wall thereof so that fluid entering the chamber has a primary vortical flow circulation direction. A fluid injection channel opens to the inlet channel at an acute angle relative to direction of fluid flow through the inlet channel. A plurality of barriers is arrayed in the chamber to define interconnected inner and outer chamber portions. An impeller is rotatably mounted at the inner chamber portion and includes a plurality of blades oriented to urge flow from the inner chamber portion to the outer chamber portion.

Abstract: An adaptable body conditioning apparatus is disclosed having a relatively rigid platform and gripping attachment with a handle and a stem rotatably receivable through an opening at the platform. A flexible material bushing abuts a threaded shaft of the stem and is received in a retention cavity formed in the handle. A flex limiter is threadably engaged on the threaded shaft of the stem and is manually adjustable along the length of the shaft. The limiter is utilized to limit the amount of tilting movement allowed to the handle under the influence of user weight applied at the handle when in use.

Abstract: Low profile printed circuit board assembly test fixtures and methods are disclosed, the fixtures mountable at a tester having a plurality of conductive interface contacts. The fixture includes a low profile mount defined by a frame having an interface bed at one end and a dynamic plate movably positioned at an opposite end thereof, a chamber being thereby defined and having an opening for evacuating air therefrom to effect movement of the plate. A plurality of conductive terminals extend through the interface bed, each of the terminals having a node at one end positioned at the bottom surface of the bed and corresponding to the position of one of the conductive interface contacts of the tester. A plurality of conductive probes in the chamber are secured at the top surface of the bed, are coupled to the terminals, and extend through the plate. The electronic assembly is selectively positioned atop the plate for probe access.

Abstract: A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit having a biased fitting engagement attached to rail guides is movably maintained through the head, and a probe and switch are associated with different ones of the reaction unit and the head. A safety assembly includes a biased gate switch engageble with a roller switch and is located at the head for sending run status electrical signals to the driver dependent on position of the gate switch. Control lights and switches are provided for user interface and driver status monitoring.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for passively and remotely and continuously locating, monitoring, and measuring present weather and nowcasting and forecasting weather and meteorological phenomena and parameters by utilizing observations of infrared emissions and reflections are disclosed. Based on observations of an instrument such as an infrared noncontact thermometer, the methods provide useful information on the presence of aerosol, dust, cloud, and precipitation for the purpose of determining present weather, weather tracking, weather nowcasting, and weather forecasting as well as other weather phenomena. One embodiment of this invention is an infrared sensor pointed vertically and reflected from a suitable mirror rotating about a vertical axis such that the field of view of the sensor scans azimuthally at an elevated angle above the horizon.

Abstract: A seed germination and plant supporting utility are disclosed. The utility includes a spacer having a passageway therethrough between opposite spacer ends. Mesh is positioned at both ends of the spacer. First and second retainers are receivable at the ends of the spacer adjacent to the mesh positioned thereat and have openings therethrough in correspondence with the spacer passageway. The mesh is thus held apart a selected distance with the passageway through the spacer enshrouded by the mesh yet accessible at both ends through the mesh and the openings in the retainers.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for efficient elimination of door and frame condensation at widely utilized commercial freezer/refrigeration display cases. The apparatus includes a local controller unit connected with an array of case sensors including an internal case temperature sensor, an external case frame temperature sensor and a dew point sensor. The case frame temperature sensor and dew point sensor are housed to thermally isolate sensing elements thereof from effects of frame temperature changes and ambient air temperature in the vicinity of a sensing element, and to limit heat transfer by the housing to the sensing elements thereby improving sensing accuracy and apparatus performance.

Abstract: A compact dispensing tube opener for accessing contents of a dispensing tube having a dispensing tip and an inner seal. The opener includes a housing with first and second passageways therein meeting at an angle at an intersection. A blade carriage is movable in the second passageway and across the intersection at one end thereof, a manually accessible portion at an opposite end thereof extending from the housing. A cooperative guide structure at the housing and the blade carriage maintains carriage slidability within the housing during use without binding. Return springs are maintained in the housing for returning the carriage after use. A dispenser tube tip locator is slidably maintained at the housing adjacent to an opening to the first passageway and has plurality of angled passages therethrough each with a different diameter. A lance is mounted at the housing for puncturing the seal, and is pivotable into and out of a channel defined crosswise in the housing.

Abstract: An adaptable body conditioning apparatus is disclosed having a relatively rigid platform and a resilient elevating and locating member receivable in an opening at an elevated center of the platform for adapting the platform for use in balance enhancing exercises. The locating member includes a releasable grip configured to hold the apparatus at the selected surface without surface modification. At least one resiliently stretchable cord attachment may be received through circumferential openings in the platform. A handle attachment having a stem may replace the locating member and is receivable through the opening at the elevated center of the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for characterizing atmospheric refractivity and its evolution in time and space utilizing passive radiation emission measurement devices are disclosed. Based on an instrument such as a passive microwave radiometer, ancillary meteorological measurements and other information and observations, the apparatus and methods provide useful signatures for characterizing atmospheric refractivity. The system can observe to any vector in the sky, giving directional as well as zenithal measurements of the refractivity profile, its spatial and temporal gradients, and the spatial and temporal trending of the profile and its gradients.