Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for shaping a tire wherein an outboard pocket assembly (26) and an inboard pocket assembly (24) are radially movable outwardly into engagement with preshaped bead/apex assemblies (60, 76) of a tire band (74) and are movable axially to a cured tire width of the bead/apex assemblies for shaping other tire components to a cured tire shape and for positioning the ply edges at predetermined cured tire positions.

Abstract: A fuel tank protection valve is provided. The valve consists an all-metal diaphragm suitable for operating at low temperatures. The valve includes a tank duct connected to the fuel tank and a second duct connected to a filter. A sealing device is connected to the diaphragm adapted to open and close a passage between the tank duct and the second duct. The valve further includes a one-way, mushroom type valve to allow gas flow from the filter to the gas tank. A clamp cover with air passage openings is included to allow equalization of the pressure between the ambient air and the air pressure within the cover space.

Abstract: A foot pedal is pivotally connected to a bracket member wherein it operatively communicates with a Hall Effect sensing device for use in sensing the position of the foot pedal. A Hall Effect sensing device communicates with a control module, whereby the combination of the assembly operates to logically determine the position of the foot pedal with respect to driving the vehicle in the forward or reverse positions as well as a neutral position. The control module in conjunction with the Hall Effect sensing device is operable to engage various vehicle components such as reverse indicating lights and the like. Additionally, the Hall Effect sensing device and control module may be used to disengage a secondary power source or power take off from the engine when driving the vehicle in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A gear tooth has a main body and a lead-in portion for use in receiving the lead-in portion of a corresponding gear tooth on another gear. The main body may include first and second ends and first and second sides. The sides may form first and second protrusions with the first end. The lead-in portion may include first and second side walls extending from the first end of the main body and first and second sliding surfaces extending from the first and second side walls respectively. The first sliding surface lies on a first plane. The first side wall defines a first shelf on the first end of the main body. The first protrusion, the first shelf and the first side of the main body are all positioned between the first plane and an axial centerline of the main body. To form a gear, powdered metal is added to a gear mold. The powdered metal is then compacted within the gear mold. Next, a green gear is formed. The green gear has a plurality of teeth each having at least one tool shut off shelf.

Abstract: A control valve and feedback system has three operating states including a lifting state, a neutral state, and a lowering state. The feedback control system comprises a cylinder, a pump, a reservoir for holding working fluid, and a control valve. The control valve comprises a valve body having first and second ends with a bore defined therebetween. The valve body further comprises an inlet port, a return port, a first work port and a second work port. The inlet port, return port, and first and second work ports are defined in the valve body. The inlet port communicates with the bore and the pump. The return port is in fluid communication with the bore and the reservoir. The first work port is also in communication with the bore and the cylinder in the lifting state. The control valve is plumbed backwards so that the first work port and the second work port are in fluid communication in the lowering state. The valve also comprises a check valve disposed in the first work port.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pumping system includes a pump housing, a rotor member operatively received in the pump housing, a prime mover coupled to the rotor member for driving the rotor member in first and second directions and a controlling means for actuating the prime mover, wherein the controlling automatically causes the rotor member to be driven in the second direction after shut down or idling of the pumping system. A method of operating the pumping system includes automatically driving the rotor member in a second direction after initiating shut down or idling of the pumping system and prior to start up of the same.

Abstract: A tine assembly for a cultivator includes a first tine member having a plurality of radially extending non-planar tines. At least two tines on each tine member differ in shape from the remaining tines. The tine assembly may include a second tine member which is shaped like a mirror-image of the first tine member. When assembled on a shaft, the second tine member is off-set from the first tine member so that tines on alternating tine members contact the ground as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for high intensity infrared burn-off of contaminants on articles moving continuously through an in-line production process.

Abstract: A vacuum unit used to vacuum lawn debris includes a vacuum unit body having at least first and second inlet openings and at least one flap that can be adjusted to selectively cover and open the second opening. The vacuum unit body includes a flap adjustment member that is located within the second opening and that includes a contact surface that contacts the flap. Preferably, the flap adjustment member has one end that is adapted to receive a vacuum hose. The flap adjustment member can be placed into a first position where it causes the flap to open the second opening and a second position where it permits the flap to cover the second opening. The vacuum hose has a handle that can be attached to the vacuum unit handle permitting the vacuum hose to remain permanently attached to the vacuum unit even when the vacuum hose is not being used.

Abstract: An adjustable mowing and trimming apparatus is presented having a wheel adjust mechanism and trimming assembly. The apparatus includes a housing to which at least two wheels are rotatably mounted at opposite sides of the wheel adjust mechanism. The wheel adjust mechanism includes a pair of wheel brackets having a C-shaped configuration, each of which pivotally attaches to the housing and is provided with an outwardly extending axle for supporting a wheel. A tie rod attaches at respective opposite ends to the wheel brackets. A slotted bracket is attached to the tie rod and movable in response to a movable arm to reorient the wheels on either side of the housing. The trimming assembly is mounted at a front portion of the housing and includes a spindle assembly rotatably attached to a shaft, which is fixedly attached to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gasket with a molded-in bolt retention means is herein provided. The apparatus includes a gasket carrier encased in a silicone rubber gasket, with the gasket carrier containing a series of holes. The holes in the gasket carrier are preferably in a star-shape and secure the bolt in place when the bolt is pressed through the opening. The method of assembling the gasket is also provided, the method including the steps of encasing the gasket carrier within the gasket, attaching an associated cover to the gasket, sliding the associated bolt through the various openings, and securing the bolt in place.

Abstract: A snow thrower comprised of a snow chute and chute deflector includes a joystick controller that may be adjusted between first, second, third and fourth positions. Adjustment of the joystick into one of the four positions causes rotation of the chute in clockwise and counterclockwise direction or causes the deflector to pivot upward or downward respectively. Both, the chute and the deflector are actuated by electric motors.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting structural supports from damage when impacted by an object such as a moving vehicle is provided. The apparatus has a shaped component which in the preferred embodiment is a semi-cylindrical component having a body defined by a wall, a top, and a base. The wall has at least one flat wall face and surrounds a hollow interior. An indentation for receiving a structural support is present in at least one flat wall face. A means for securing the shaped component to the structural support and for firmly seating one component at its flat wall face against the second component at its flat wall face when two components are present. Preferably, each component has a plurality of impact absorbing indentations, each having an aperture, a base and a wall extending from the base to an aperture mouth. These indentations function to re-distribute the energy of impact when a collusion occurs between the apparatus and a moving object.

Abstract: A yard vacuum unit includes a deck including upper and lower housing members that form a discharge outlet and a nozzle operatively connected to the deck. An engine is, mounted to the deck and includes a drive shaft. An impeller assembly is used to draw yard debris in through the nozzle and out through the discharge outlet and is positioned between the upper and lower housing members. The impeller assembly includes an impeller plate, a hub fixedly connected to the impeller plate, and a plurality of fan blades each having first and second ends and first and second sides. Each fan blade first end is fixedly connected to the hub all along the first end and each fan blade first side is fixedly connected to the impeller plate all along the first side. In this way, a continuous airtight seal is formed along the entire first end of each fan blade with the hub and along the entire first side with the impeller plate. Each second end extends to the outer periphery of the impeller plate.

Abstract: A photographic umbrella includes a skeletal frame and both a reflective inner surface and a diffusive inner surface secured in relation to the frame. The frame defines an inner concavity or recess that opens at a mouth portion. A first cover member made from fabric or other suitable material is secured to the frame, and an inner surface of the first cover member conforms generally to the shape of the inner concavity. This inner surface of the first cover member includes a highly reflective surface. A second, translucent cover member is placed in covering relation with the reflective inner surface of the first cover member so that the second cover member at least substantially covers the reflective inner surface. Thus, the second cover member diffuses light incident thereon and the reflective inner surface reflects light that passes through the second cover member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for transporting materials from a shipping end to a receiving end. The device is a slip sheet formed from a flat sheet of material having a flat portion with four side edges. One of the side edges has a compressible tab portion that extends outwardly therefrom. The compressible tab portion has an elliptical lip and an upper lip that forms a convex air foil-type cross-sectional area. The compressible tab portion is canted upwardly from a plane defined by the flat portion of the slip sheet. The slip sheet can be used in combination with a captive pallet to transport materials. Further, a method of transporting materials is disclosed whereby the shipping and receiving ends house the captive pallet whereby only the slip sheet is transported by a push-pull or fork-lift type truck.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises a frame, a motor, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly and an endless drive member. The motor is mounted to the frame and has a motor shaft powered by the motor. The first wheel assembly includes a first axle, a first drive wheel and a first riding wheel. The first axle extends generally transversely from the frame and is journalled for rotation relative to the frame. A proximal end of the first axle is operatively connected to the motor shaft in a manner so that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the first axle. The first axle is operatively connected to the frame in a manner so that a distal end of the first axle is moveable in a generally vertical arcuate path relative to the frame about a first pivot axis. The first drive wheel and the first riding wheel are both mounted to the first axle. Similarly, the second wheel assembly includes a second axle, a second drive wheel and a second riding wheel.

Abstract: There is provided a mower having a high pressure fluid pump powered by a mower engine and communicated to a fluid jet assembly. The pump receives associated fluid from a mower reservoir. An output fluid stream is discharged from a fluid jet under sufficient pressure to sever associated vegetation and impact upon a mower diffusing device.