Abstract: A strap and cord winder is adjustable for different width straps and reconfigurable for cords. The winder includes a handle assembly with a center shaft and an offset pin for engaging and winding a strap. The center shaft adjustably passes through a face plate creating an adjustable width between a handle arm of the handle assembly and the face plate for winding different width straps. A cylindrical grip is attached to the face plate opposite the handle arm and the face plate attaches to a chest plate. A spool may be positioned on the center shaft between the handle arm and face plate for coiling cords and hoses and the offset pin engages a notch on one end of the spool to couple rotation of the handle to rotation of the spool. The spool includes disks at each end including open ended slots reaching radially to capture cord ends.

Abstract: A load bearing robotic turntable includes a first rotating sine table, a second rotating sine table, and a rotating and tilting workpiece table. A motor rotates the first rotating sine table. The second rotating sine table is rotatable with respect to the first rotating sine table to change a tilt of a top surface of the second rotating sine table. The workpiece table is rotatable with respect to the second rotating table to present different faces of a workpiece mounted to the workpiece table. A first actuator cooperates with the second sine table to change the tilt of the top surface of the second sine table with respect to the horizontal. A second actuator cooperates with the workpiece table to rotate the workpiece about a tilted axis. Rotation and changes to the tilt are obtained solely by positions of the actuators and rotation of the first sine table by the motor.

Abstract: A ground fitting allows electrical connection between a ground wire carried in a metal sheathing, and a ground point such as a water spigot on a short pipe extending from a wall. The pipe clamp is tightened on the short pipe or ground rod. The metal sheathing is cut to expose a short length of ground wire. The ground wire is inserted into the wire clamp, and the metal sheathing is inserted between a clamping plate and clamp seat at the near end of the wire clamp. A ground screw is tightened against the ground wire to hold the ground wire in the wire clamp and plate screws securing the clamping plate are tightened to secure the sheathing between the clamping plate and clamp seats. The wire clamp is attached to the pipe clamp selectively parallel or perpendicular to the short pipe or ground rod to compete the ground fitting.

Abstract: An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a motor, gear and shaft assembly which rises as a unit with the juicing cone. A fixed guide extends upward from the base and inner and outer shafts reside inside the fixed guide and are driven by the motor and gear assembly to rotate and advance the juicing cone into the fruit. The juicing cone, strainer and a bowl release and catch the juice. The outer shaft includes threads to vertically advance and retreat the outer and inner shafts when the outer shaft turns. The inner shaft rises with the outer shaft and lifts and rotates the juicing cone, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. The bowl is fixed to the base.

Abstract: A bracket and junction box assembly and method allows simplified wiring at a prefab production facility and at a construction site. A junction box including a detachable and reattachable rear cover plate is pre-assembled with a plaster ring, electrical device, and leads attached to the switch or outlet, at a prefab facility. A Metal Clad (MC) cable may be attached to the junction box and wires carried in the MC Cable may be connected to the leads. A mounting bracket is generally sandwiched between the junction box and the plaster ring for mounting to framing members at the construction site. Following assembly at the prefab facility, the prefab junction box is shipped to the construction site where the bracket and junction box assembly is mounted to framing members. Connections to wires carried by MC Cables are then facilitated by removing the rear cover plate to access the interior of the junction box.

Abstract: An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a clutch and gearing assembly connected to a motor. A center column assembly rotates and advances the juicing cone. The juicing cone, strainer, and a bowl release and catch the juice. The center column includes an outer column fixed to the base, a rotating drive shaft driven by the motor but not advancing vertically, and a driven shaft which rotates with the drive shaft and advances and retreats vertically. The bowl is fixed to the base. The strainer advances vertically with juicing cone but does not rotate. The juicing cone is attached to the driven shaft and rotates and advances vertically, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. Knife edges on the bottom of the juicing cone scrape pulp from the strainer to prevent clogging.

Abstract: A programmable electric breast pump system includes a vacuum pump pneumatically coupled to breast cups and a vacuum relief valve bypassing the vacuum pump. A controller receives command input from a vacuum level selector and a vacuum rate selector, and feedback from a pressure sensor measuring vacuum in the breast cups. In response, the controller cycles the relief valve between minimum and maximum vacuum setpoints to create a periodic vacuum pulse in the breast cups. By adjusting the vacuum min/max levels and vacuum rate, a user may change the strength of the pulse after let-down, or synchronize the frequency of the pulse with the natural refractory time of a lactating breast.

Abstract: A novelty skateboard includes features common in skateboards and further includes an air passage and a cup for producing bubbles. The skateboard includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck is made from cross laminated layers of a wood material. The air passage is formed lengthwise through one or more of the layers in the center of the deck and reaches from one end of the deck to an opposite end of the deck, and may be formed by a hollow rectangular insert laminated into the deck. One of the trucks includes a bypass reaching from a base plate of the truck to the cup. The bypass may pass through a hollow kingpin of the truck, or through the hanger of the truck.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing an automatic transmission. Access is obtained to the valve body and a special shaped Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) regulator apply valve clip is inserted against a TCC regulator apply valve to hold a TCC regulator apply valve in a fully open position. The clip is dished to avoid wear when engaging the TCC regulator apply valve and has an asymmetric top portion which cooperates with the shape of the valve body chamber the TCC regulator apply valve clip is inserted into, to ensure proper placement.

Abstract: An electric powered vehicle includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The first drive unit and the second drive unit are coupled to one of the drive wheels. At its maximum power within the system, the second drive unit drives the vehicle at a higher speed than the first drive unit. A clutch automatically disengages the first drive unit from the drive wheel while the second drive unit is operating. The clutch may include a uni-directional device. An electronic control unit automatically adjusts the voltage supplied to the second drive unit to maintain the efficiency of the second electric drive unit within a predetermined efficiency range.

Abstract: An improved friction material includes inorganic fibers formed from a melt of volcanic black rock and additives. The black rock comprises silica oxide, magnesium oxide, potassium permanganate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, sodium oxide, and boron. The additives include potassium permanganate and boron. As a result of their composition, the fibers are temperature resistant and lightweight, yet strong. The fibers exhibit a melting point between 1500 degrees centigrade and 1650 degrees centigrade, a working range of ?130 degrees centigrade to 700 degrees centigrade, a density of 1.8 g/cc, a surface density between 160 g/m2 and 350 g/m2, and a tensile strength between 500 lbf/in2 and 1800 lbf/in2. The friction material is made from layers of the inorganic fibers and a bonding material and has a working temperature between 250 degrees centigrade and 650 degrees centigrade, with a melting point of approximately 1200 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrocution and disposal of pests includes a reusable power source and a low cost disposable portion. The reusable power source includes batteries and a circuit to provide a high voltage and low current signal through external leads to the disposable portion, to electrocute small pests without presenting a risk to humans or pets. The disposable portion is constructed from low cost material, for example, cardboard, and may be packaged for sale in a flat folded state, and easily configured into a container with a floor including conducting surfaces connected to the external leads. In one embodiment, the conducting surfaces are formed of a conducting material formed or glued on the floor of the disposable portion and the conducting material further forms internal leads reaching to a male connector surface configured to cooperate with a female connector of the external leads.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning the magnetic field of brushless motors and alternators to obtain efficient operation over a broad RPM range. The motor or alternator includes fixed windings (or stator) around a rotating rotor carrying permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are cylindrical and have North (N) and South (S) poles formed longitudinally in the cylindrical magnets. The magnets reside in magnetic conducing pole pieces (for example, low carbon or soft steel, and/or laminated insulated layers, of non-magnetizable material). Rotating the cylindrical permanent magnets inside the pole pieces either strengthens or weakens the resulting magnetic field to adjust the motor or alternator for low RPM torque or for efficient high RPM efficiency. Varying the rotor magnetic field adjusts the voltage output of the alternators allowing, for example, a windmill generator, to maintain a fixed voltage output. Other material used in the rotor is generally non-magnetic, for example, stainless steel.

Abstract: A low volume hygienic apparatus used a high pressure spray to break up solid waste material in a containment chamber and to push liquid and broken-up solid waste from the containment chamber. A high pressure nozzle is pointed into the containment chamber and configured to break-up the solids using a prescribed pressure level and to propel the liquids and the broken-up solids from a chamber interior through a chamber outlet of the containment chamber. A completing structure is disposed between the chamber outlet and a drain and is configured to draw liquids and broken-up solids from the chamber at the end of a flushing cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting a convention centerless grinding machine to a centerless grinding machine having a servo motor mounted inside the top slide using an internal servo motor bracket. The servo motor bracket is bolted to the spindle head assembly housing and is cantilevered into the top slide to allow required tilt adjustment of the regulating wheel with respect to the top slide while maintaining correct alignment of the servo motor with the regulating wheel spindle. The bracket includes slots allowing a servo motor belt tension to be adjusted. The tension adjustments are conveniently made through an existing opening in the top slide. Locating the servo motor inside the top slide using the internal servo motor bracket of the present invention significantly reduces conversion costs and servo motor maintenance otherwise required by the environment the centerless grinder is operated in, for example, oils and the presence of metal grindings.

Abstract: A combined multirate-based Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter equalization technique combines a low-order FIR equalization filter operating at a lower rate for equalization of a loudspeaker-room response at low frequencies, and a complementary low-order minimum-phase FIR equalization filter operating at a higher rate for equalization of the loudspeaker-room response at higher frequencies. The design of two complementary band filters for separately performing low and high frequency equalization, keeps the system delay at a minimum while maintaining excellent equalization performance. Splicing between the two equalization filters, for maintaining a flat magnitude response in the transition region of the two complementary filters, is done automatically through level adjustment of one equalization filter relative to the other. The present invention achieves excellent equalization at low filter orders and hence reduced computational complexity.

Abstract: An improved Exhaust Intake Bonnet (EIB) for an Advanced Maritime Emissions Control System (AMECS) includes a ribbed frame lowered and then drawn around a stack of an Ocean Going Vessel (OGV), and a shroud unfurled over the ribbed frame. The ribbed frame has a more flexible structure to better conform to rectangular and oval stacks. The bonnet includes a peak with a duct for receiving exhaust gasses captured by the shroud. The bonnet is positioned over the stack using a deployment arm. A duct carries exhaust from the stack to an Advanced Maritime Emissions Control Unit (AMECU) where the exhaust gasses are processed before releasing to the air. The AMECU) may reside on a ship, a barge, a trailer next to a docked OGV, or be a stationary AMECU) on a dock.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning the magnetic field of brushless motors and alternators to obtain efficient operation over a broad RPM range. The motor or alternator includes fixed windings (or stator) around a rotating rotor carrying permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are generally cylindrical and have North and South poles formed longitudinally in the magnets. Magnetically conducting circuits are formed by the magnets residing in magnetic conducting pole pieces (for example, low carbon or soft steel, and/or laminated insulated layers, of non-magnetizable material). Rotating the permanent magnets, or rotating non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces, inside the pole pieces, either strengthens or weakens the resulting magnetic field to adjust the motor or alternator for low RPM torque or for efficient high RPM efficiency. Varying the rotor magnetic field adjusts the voltage output of the alternators allowing, for example, a windmill generator, to maintain a fixed voltage output.