Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring device for teaching incremental measurements to a user of the measuring device. The measuring device comprises a fastener and a plurality of rulers containing graduated markings and rotatably attached to the fastener. Each ruler is positioned to horizontally align and vertically juxtaposed the graduated markings of consecutive rulers. In a preferred embodiment, the sets of graduated markings vary in numerical increment from other sets of graduated markings. Also each ruler varies in color from the other rulers of the measuring device.

Abstract: A reversible child resistant closure system including a closure and container having a neck portion, an engaging means and an axis extending therethrough about which the closure is rotatable. The closure has a child resistant mode when applied to the container in a first child resistant position and has a non-child resistant mode when applied to the container in a second non-child resistant position. The closure includes an outer cap and an inner cap. The inner cap is coaxially positioned and nested within the outer cap and is axially movable between the first child resistant engaging means and the bottom edge of the outer cap such that a plurality of angular abutment surfaces of the inner cap engage a series of angular abutments of the outer cap upon rotation of the outer cap to rotate the inner cap in a closing direction.

Abstract: A tool system for inserting temple screws in eyeglass frames includes first and second scissor arms, with each scissor arm having proximal and distal ends, the arms pivotally connected so that the ends can be moved towards and away from one another when the arms are pivotally moved using finger-receiving devices at the distal ends of the scissor arms. A clamp locking mechanism is an extended ratchet device for providing stepwise engagement of the first and second scissor arms in a position where the finger receiving devices are moved closer together and prevented from moving further apart. Clamping and gripping surfaces at the proximal ends of the arms grip the spring hinge eyeglass frames, with an elongated projection extending away from the clamping surface on one arm to engage the eyeglass temples to temporarily secure the spring hinge in a state of extension.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for hardening a metal article, comprising a holding device, an energy beam generator pointed at the holding device for directing energy beams at the holding device, and a movement system supporting the holding device, wherein the movement system varies the orientation of the metal article relative to the energy beam generator. The apparatus includes an energy beam delivery instrument system positioned between the energy beam generator and the holding device so that the energy an energy beam delivery instrument directs the energy beam to the holding device. Also, the apparatus includes an auxiliary heating device engaging the holding device, wherein the auxiliary heating device heats the metal article independently from the energy beam.

Abstract: A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of fiber reinforced composite material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment the barrel portion of the bat may have a fiber reinforced composite layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior fiber reinforced composite shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a fiber reinforced composite outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bone grinding apparatus, which comprises a grinding chamber, primary and secondary cutting elements positioned within the grinding chamber to sequentially perform primary and secondary cutting operations on the bone, and a drive mechanism operatively engaging the primary and secondary cutting elements. The apparatus also includes a bone supplying cylinder engaging the grinding chamber and adapted to transport the bone to the cutting elements at a consistent pressure. The apparatus also includes a sealing component designed to operatively engage the drive mechanism and to separate the drive mechanism from the cutting elements.

Abstract: A sub-surface direct expansion geothermal heat exchange unit, which can be placed in sub-surface ground and/or water, consisting of at least one smaller interior diameter refrigerant liquid/fluid transport line with an optional vertically oriented U bend at the bottom, operatively connected to at least one larger interior diameter refrigerant liquid/fluid transport line, with at least one refrigerant flow metering device installed at either an accessible location in the liquid/fluid line or at the sub-surface point where the liquid/fluid line connects with the vapor/fluid line, for use when the system is operating in the heating mode, together with a refrigerant flow metering device by-pass means so as to enable additional refrigerant fluid flow around the refrigerant metering device when the system is operating in the cooling mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for hardening a metal article, comprising a holding device, an energy beam generator pointed at the holding device for directing energy beams at the holding device, and an auxliary heating device engaging the holding device, wherein the auxiliary heating device heats the metal article independently from the energy beam. The apparatus includes an energy beam delivery instrument system positioned between the energy beam generator and the holding device so that the energy an energy beam delivery instrument directs the energy beam to the holding device. Also, the apparatus also includes a transport system supporting the holding device, wherein the transport system varies the location of the holding device relative to the energy beam generator.

Abstract: A tension rod positioning apparatus and method for C-type clamps and Vises including a shaped threaded rod inserted into a shaped threaded hole on an engagement collar. When the shaped rod and shaped hole are aligned, the rod may be freely positioned within the collar. When the shaped rod is inserted into the collar and turned, the rod engages and turns the engagement collar. The engagement collar includes an external thread sized to fit an internal thread on a clamp base. In this manner, the rod may be inserted and then turned in one direction to both engage the engagement collar and increase the clamping pressure. After clamping, the shaped rod may be turned in the opposite direction to loosen the clamping pressure and disengage the engagement collar. Once the rod and collar have been disengaged by aligning the shaped rod and shaped hole of the engagement collar, the length of the rod may be freely moved within the engagement collar to reposition the clamp for the next operation.

Abstract: A trailer storage rack for transporting material and fluids with a livestock trailer. The trailer storage rack mounts to the livestock trailer to transfer the weight and forces of operation to the trailer. The storage rack may be spaced above the trailer to allow for the use of trailer roof vents. An open compartment, dry storage compartment and a fluid compartment are described. Loading and unloading means for the open and dry storage compartment include a rotatable lifting crane that may be compacted and stored in the storage compartment. Access for filling and the draining the fluid compartment is provided by connecting the fluid compartment to side conduits of a ladder such that the side conduits of the ladder act as pipes connected to the fluid compartment. A water hose connection valve is attached to the conduits for access at the ground level to provide easy access for filling and draining the fluid storage compartment.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for application of a protective covering to an unprotected paper roll in locations without major paper handling equipment is described to provide an inexpensive and portable system for paper roll refurbishing. Apparatus used in the present invention includes: an apparatus for holding the body wrapper supply roll and measuring the unrolled wrapper to a desired length; an apparatus for rewinding and cutting individual wrappers for transport to the point of use; an apparatus for applying the wrappers to the paper roll; an apparatus for transporting the rolls from the resizing area to the wrapping area; and an apparatus for crimping the body wrap over the end of the roll to retain the header; an apparatus for retention of the headers and caps under pressure during curing of the retaining adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a helmet with self-adjusting padding designed to adjust to various head sizes of individual wearers of the helmet. The protective helmet comprises a helmet shell having a interior surface, a first helmet pad, a second helmet pad, and at least one expandable band. Each of the first and second helmet pads comprise a first pad section attached to the interior surface of the helmet and a second pad section spaced away from the interior surface of the helmet. At least one expandable band is attached to each of the second pad sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locking device designed to open by tactile manipulation, without visual confirmation, of the locking combination. This device comprises a housing, a securing element, and a plurality of tumbling levers located inside the housing. Each tumbling lever is located in a plane of movement parallel to other planes of movements of the other tumbling levers. Also, each tumbling lever includes a tactile engagement surface and engages the securing element so that movement of a tactile engagement surface disengages the corresponding tumbling lever from the securing element.

Abstract: A dual hoist bucket crane controller for operating a closing motor and a holding motor using a close inverter adapted to control the closing motor and a hold inverter adapted to control the holding motor where the hold inverter and the close inverter are internally controlled and operate independently from the other drive. Also covered is a dual hoist bucket crane controller for operating a closing motor and a holding motor using a dual axis master switch adapted to provide a close inverter input signal to the close inverter and a hold inverter input signal to the hold inverter.

Abstract: A modular chassis for use in a manufacturing process line wherein manufacturing process steps are performed by manufacturing devices on workpieces carried by pallets. The chassis top plate is machined attaching one or more different types of manufacturing devices to the chassis, such as a robot or automatic parts feeder. A non-synchronous incoming pallet conveyor is aligned horizontally to receive a set of incoming pallets. A pallet transfer and index module is attached and aligned to accept the set of incoming pallets from the incoming pallet conveyor. The transfer and index module includes an indexing mechanism to accurately position each of the retrieved incoming pallets in one of a plurality of workstations so that at the end of the transfer cycle the process steps can be performed on each of the workpieces.

Abstract: A bird attraction apparatus for simulating the movement of a bird in relation to a surface, including a support base, a transport arm with a first section pivotally mounted to the support base and a second section adapted to move between a location proximal to the surface and a point distal to the surface, and a decoy attached to the second section such that the movement of the transport arm moves the decoy in relation to the surface. Also disclosed is a method for attracting wildlife, by providing a decoy connected to a pivotally mounted transport arm, and moving the transport arm to position the decoy along the arc of the transport arm between proximal an distal locations relative to a surface.