Abstract: A tufting machine configured to provide needles co-linearly along a tufting plane from opposing needle holders provided in a needle module. The needle holders may be selectively latched with latch pins connected to limbs extending from a yoke connected to the push rod of the tufting machine. The needle holders are biased in a dis-engaged position with compression springs which extend between caps on the needle holders and a guide plate which locates the needle holders laterally while spacing the opposed needle holders from one another.

Abstract: A water treatment tank for use with water purification apparatus including an ultra-violet lamp within a bulb onto which incoming water is directed to provide a thin laminar flow about the bulb. The tank may have two compartments, one above the other, formed by a separating baffle. The lower compartment has cooling coils about the walls for cooling the water therein relative to the water in the upper compartment. The ultraviolet lamp and a bulb extends through both compartments and the baffle to purify the water. A controller operates a switch to turn the normally off UV lamp on before opening a fill valve to replenish water in the tank. The lamp is turned off after a first run time. The water level is sensed by a low and high level limit which allow for a volume of water in the tank which may be utilized without necessitating operation of the lamp upon each dispensing of water from the tank.

Abstract: Surgical retractor apparatus is shown having at least two independently operable clamping locations for receiving pivot balls therein. These two clamping locations lock and unlock their respective pivot balls independent of locking of the other pivot ball. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms utilized to lock the pivot balls also utilize the lock the angular position of the extension rod relative to the clamp. An adjuster intermediate the clamping positions allows for the movement of the clamping location relative to each other.

Abstract: A needle module contains a plurality of needles having a shank and an eye at a first end and a mounting portion at the second end mounted in a module body. A rod is mounted on and spaced apart from the module body transversely to the needles. Yarn stands pass over the rod and are directed through the eyes of the needles.

Abstract: A beam rack utilizes a plurality of mini-beams located in substantially planar layer arrangements wherein the yarn ends are fed in substantially the same direction to directors which direct the yarn to a header. The mini-beams are stacked both horizontally and vertically in the beam rack. The beam rack preferably includes a bearing arm for supporting a plurality of mini-beams along bushings of the mini-beams. The mini-beam is loaded with a warper wherein a plurality of yarn ends are preferably loaded on a single mini-beam. The yam ends can vary anywhere from one yarn to sixteen or more yarns per mini-beam depending on the number of mini-beams required to correspond with yarn feeds for a particular pattern. The yarn ends proceed from the mini-beams to the director, a header and on to a tufting machine.

Abstract: A hanger supports the weight of merchandise on a merchandise support arm. The hanger proceeds through an opening in a sleeve into a cavity where the merchandise is supported by a merchandise support arm. The hanger arm includes a fixture attachment, such as a hook for cooperation with a display fixture. The sleeve assists in retaining the merchandise on the hanger when inserted properly. Furthermore, a sleeve has at least one display panel which may be utilized to provide information relating to the product. It is further anticipated that some embodiments of hangers may include retention means to assist in retaining the hanger relative to the sleeve and/or merchandise support arm on the support arm.

Abstract: A chromatography column has valve and method for filling it with a slurry of media, the valve utilizing a piston to compact the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. The piston assists in compacting the slurry within the column. The method of filling the column does not require disassembly of the column. The piston may also be utilized to change the valve position from a slurry fill position to a normal operation position or other position.

Abstract: A golf glove including a tab which spans a slit on a back portion of the glove has a removable ball marker connected to the tab. A top surface of a ball marker is substantially flush with a ridge on the tab. A rubber insert having a hole therein receives a back surface of the ball marker within a recessed portion defined within the ridge. A socket is located within the hole of the rubber insert to receive a prong which is connected to the back surface of the ball marker.

Abstract: A new mechanical movement consisting of a main stationary cylinder into which there is a rotary cylinder configured to rotate about a fixed rotor axis, and through which a certain number of vanes are anchored at the center of the main cylinder. The vanes slide in and out of the rotary cylinder by means of wigglets since the internal rotary cylinder is off-center of the main cylinder. As the internal cylinder rotates the space between two adjacent vanes increase or decrease creating a vacuum on one side of the main cylinder and a compression on the other side. This mechanism may be configured as a four cycle internal combustion engine, a steam engine high pressure water motor a compressor or a vacuum pump.

Abstract: Processes are for the co-deposition of a two component fruit snack confection including a fruit snack material jacket and a distinct center filling and the resulting products. In at least one embodiment, the center filling is jam like and is jelled in part by the action of pectin in the presence of food grade acid. The process utilized incorporates mass flow meters to monitor the specific gravities of the jacket and center filling to keep for the specific gravities of the center material and the jacket substantially the same and the creation of the multicomponent fruit snack.

Abstract: A golf ball marker for use with a golf glove including a tab which spans a slit on a back portion of the glove. A top surface of a ball marker is substantially flush with a ridge on the tab. A rubber insert having a hole therein receives a back surface of the ball marker within a recessed portion defined within the ridge. A socket is located within the hole of the rubber insert to receive a prong which is connected to the back surface of the ball marker. The ball marker is formed with a recess in the bottom surface to receive a base of a stud member so that the stud extends away from the bottom surface of the ball marker and the interfacing surface of the base is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the ball marker.

Abstract: A doll having a sports ball body with attachments connected thereto. The attachments are preferably connected with hooks and loops, commonly known as Velcro(™) with cooperating connectors on the ball body. The body connectors are preferably located on a piece of fabric secured to the inside portion of the ball body with a flap of the ball body cut into the ball body exposing an opening with the body connector therein. The underside of the flap is preferably equipped with a cooperating flap connector which cooperates with the body connector when the attachment is not in use so that the flap is substantially continuous with the remainder of the surface of the ball body.

Abstract: A gauge for use in measuring, or evaluating, conical root canal gutta percha inserts has a body and a plurality of measuring locations. The measuring locations include a chute having first and second ends bounded by first and second walls and a floor. The first and second walls are portions of planes which meet at a first angle and a first distance between the first and second walls at the first end is greater than a second distance between the first and second walls at the second end. A standardized gutta percha cone may be received in the measuring location by placing the gutta percha cone in the chute and pushing it toward the second end to evaluate the taper and apex diameter of the gutta percha cone.

Abstract: A stacking coin holder is comprised of a base and a removable lid. The base contains a plurality of slots defined by separating portions. The slots include planar side slants which contact a coin at two contact points, one on each side slant. A ridge in the lid preferably contacts the coin of a third contact point in order to provide three point contact with an inserted coin. The coin holder is preferably constructed of a translucent material to provide visual information as to the contents of the coin holder.

Abstract: A laboratory station has a sink area and a work area separated by a shield. A computer monitor station is present in the work area having a first and second position. In the first position, the computer monitor is located below the top surface of the laboratory table top. In the second position at least a portion of the computer monitor is located above the table top. The shield is preferably transparent to allow vision there through while preventing water from leaving the sink area and potentially entering the work area.

Abstract: A gear indicator provides a display to a motorcycle driver of which gear the motorcycle is currently operating in. The gear indicator is used with a gear position switch providing ground signal indication to a motorcycle CPU at a connection with a plurality of leads which reflect the gear a motorcycle is operating in, no indication indicating that the motorcycle is in first gear. The gear indicator bridges the gear position switch to the motorcycle CPU receiving this ground information through a bridge and a similar number of leads communicate with the gear indicator processor from this bridge. The processor of the gear indicator processes the information received to drive a display to reflect the gear to the operator.

Abstract: A tufting machine has a yarn feed roller assembly with a plurality of rotatable driver rollers driven at different speeds and a plurality of actuators in the form of a pivotable arm having in one embodiment a pair of yarn feed reels one of which is arranged to selectively press yarn into engagement with one of the drive rollers and the other arranged to selectively press yarn into engagement with another drive roller. Yarn is engaged by each actuator and a selected drive roller for a period of time determined by a pattern. The longer the actuator engages the high speed roller during the stroke of a tufting machine needle the greater will be the pile height of the tufts produced and alternatively the longer the actuator engages the lower speed roller during the needle stroke the lower will be the pile height. Pile height variations between a high pile and a low pile may be obtained by controlling the proportion of time during the stroke that the yarn engages with the high and low speed rollers.

Abstract: A burner having an elongated cylindrical body closed at one end with a plurality of ports spaced apart in two rows along the upper segment of the body, said ports formed by punching. The ports have an upper edge and a lower edge wherein the lower edge is displaced a first distance below the upper edge and a second distance beyond a vertical axis tangent to the upper edge. Accordingly, flames are emitted substantially sideways out of the cylindrical body and any drippings on the tube are directed away from the cavity of the cylindrical body.