Abstract: A collapsible posterior splint capable of sustained biplanar (frontal and sagittal) dorsiflexion of the foot. The splint is comprised of a compression support sleeve, inserted into a flexible frame, and utilizing adjustable tension straps. This splint is a method of treatment for foot pain, including plantar fasciitis.

Abstract: A loop flushing circuit for a hydrostatic transmission module includes a three position, three port pilot pressure operated loop flushing valve having a first inlet port fluidly connected to the first system pressure line, a second inlet port fluidly connected to the second system pressure line and an outlet port fluidly connecting the loop flushing valve to the case drain through a drain line having a drain orifice therein. A loop flushing and lubrication line fluidly connected to the drain line upstream of the drain orifice extends within the casing and has an open end directed toward the rotating elements of one of the pump and motor. The three position valve has an intermediate position operatively located between the opposite end positions. System pressure from at least one of the first and second system pressure lines is always routed to the loop flushing and lubrication line through the valve regardless of which of the three positions the valve is in.

Abstract: A funnel usable for transferring relatively viscous fluids from one container to another. The funnel includes either extending posts or threaded walls which are engageable with the container from which the fluid is to flow. The funnel may have a tubular section to fit into the neck of a receiving container of comparable size, such a section may give added stability to an upper part of the arrangement.

Abstract: A dishwasher cabinet has a front wall, a rear wall, and opposite sidewalls. The cabinet has an intermediate wall for forming the cabinet into a first compartment and a second compartment. The front wall has a first opening and a second opening providing access into the first and second compartments respectively. First and second doors are in covering relation over the first and second openings and are movable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A raft inflation valve has an elongated valve body with first and second ends, and a center bore. A cylindrical member has first and second ends slidably mounted in the center bore. A spring urges the cylindrical member towards the first end of the valve body. An arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the valve body to engage the first end of the cylinder member, and to move the cylinder member towards the second end of the valve body. A cutting element is on the second end of the cylinder member. A pressure gas filled vessel is secured to the second end of the valve body and has a gas discharge port. A seal member is on the gas discharge port of the vessel and is punctured by the cutting element when the arm moves the cylinder member towards the second end of the valve body. A space is in the center bore around the second end of the cylinder member. An annular groove is on the outside of the valve body in communication with the space.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel, biologically-derived carboxylic acid reductase, also referred to herein as an aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase, that has been isolated and purified from Nocardia sp. strain NRRL 5646, and to methods of using the carboxylic acid reductase as a biocatalyst for the reduction of carboxylic acids or their derivatives to the corresponding useful product(s). In a preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to biochemically-produced vanillin, and to the methods of its production by the biocatalytic reduction of vanillic acid, or a precursor or derivative thereof, in a reaction comprising the substantially purified, biologically-derived carboxylic acid reductase.

Abstract: A canopy for a child's wagon including a canopy support structure selectively removably secured to the wagon and extending upwardly therefrom. A canopy is supported on the support structure for shading a child positioned in the passenger seating area of the wagon.

Abstract: A drain water system includes a plurality of containers (7-9) within a building 1 for receiving respective drain waters differing in degree of contamination. A plurality of building 1 having such containers share a main drain water conduit leads to at least two stations (13-15) for receiving the respective drain waterd of differing degrees of contamination. Adjusting apparatuses (including, for example, pumps 17) sequentially discharge the containers depending upon their degree of drain water contamination. During a certain time period, drain waters of the same degree of contamination will be discharged into the main drain conduit and will then flow to a specific station.

Abstract: A side dump trailer comprising a trailer body pivotally mounted on a wheeled frame to enable the material within the trailer body to be dumped from one side of the trailer. The body is pivotally moved with respect to the wheeled frame by means of a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart scissor lift assemblies positioned beneath the body of the trailer.

Abstract: A soil grader is disclosed which is mounted on the forward end of a skid-steer vehicle or to the three-point hitch of a tractor. The soil grader includes first and second side frames having a forwardly extending support secured thereto which enables the grader to be secured to the vehicle or tractor. A cross frame is secured to the first and second side frames and has a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart, elongated, rigid teeth secured thereto which extend downwardly and forwardly therefrom for engagement with the soil being graded. A horizontally disposed soil roller is rotatably secured to the first and second side frames adjacent the lower end thereof rearwardly of the teeth. Spring tooth supports are secured to the first and second frame members rearwardly of the soil roller and have a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart spring teeth secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom for engagement with the soil.

Abstract: A chair comprises a back cushion material, a back plate and a back frame. The chair is used for looking at a display of a personal computer at suitable posture when it is reclined. The back plate comprises upper and lower shell which are connected by a flexible bent portion to each other. The back plate is mounted to the back frame at the upper end and a lower portion. When the chair is reclined, the upper shell is moved forwards and the lower shell is moved rearwards, so that an angle between the upper and lower shells may become smaller. Thus, the operator can take suitable posture for looking at the display any time.

Abstract: A hand pump includes a body member having lower and upper ends, a cavity formed between the ends and an inlet opening that fluidly connects the cavity with a fluid reservoir. A piston assembly is slidably mounted in the cavity and includes a plunger tube slidably extending through a hole in the body member and a piston secured against axial movement on the plunger tube. The plunger tube has an inlet end disposed within the cavity and an outlet end disposed at the upper end of the plunger tube outside the cavity. A first gravity-operated check valve disposed in the cavity below the piston assembly blocks the inlet openings. When the check valve is closed, fluid cannot flow between the cavity and the reservoir. However, when the first check valve is open, fluid can flow between the reservoir and the cavity. A second gravity-operated check valve is associated with the outlet end of the plunger tube. When the second check valve is open, fluid can be discharged from the cavity through the plunger tube.

Abstract: A sausage conveyor hook has an elongated flat support arm having first and second ends and first and second arm portions disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The first arm portion normally is disposed in a horizontal position on the conveyor, and the second arm portion extends downwardly and outwardly from the first arm portion. The support arm extends outwardly from the conveyor chain at a right angle. The support arm is of a flat construction and has forwardly and rearwardly side edges. A head is located on a lower end of the second arm portion and has a blade with an upper support edge extending upwardly and forwardly from the lower end of the second arm portion. An elongated tang element is on the head and has a link engaging portion located rearwardly and below the support edge. When a strand of linked sausages comprised of a plurality of sausage links separated by link points is draped over the support edge, the strand will bend on the pivotal link point proximate the support edge.

Abstract: A special ball joint for servo piston actuation in a bent axis unit includes an elongated actuator rod having a substantially spherical external surface on a first end and a servo piston on a second end. Also included is a single-piece yoke adapted to carry a cylinder block and rotate about an axis of rotation. A socket having a substantially spherical surface is interposed between the yoke and the spherical surface on the rod such that the actuator rod rotates the yoke with forces residing in at least two planes when hydraulic pressure is applied to the servo piston. Two servo pistons and two such ball joints can be applied to the yoke to obtain rotation of the yoke which is up to greater than plus or minus 45° from a neutral position. The external surface on the first end of the actuator rod and the socket must be mating so as to provide freedom of movement. The socket can be incorporated into the yoke itself. The foregoing servo pistons are received in servo bores of a one-piece control housing.

Abstract: A window retention system includes a door frame having an exterior panel, an interior panel, an opening therethrough defining an inner peripheral channel, the exterior panel includes an upright portion extending along the channel so as to be directed toward the interior panel; and a resiliently flexible window retainer strip yieldably interlocked with and thereby detachably mounted on the door frame. The retainer strip has a longitudinal axis and a first upright portion spaced from and in opposing relation with the upright portion of the exterior panel so as to delimit a first track in the channel and retain the window element therein. The strip includes a second upright portion laterally spaced from the first upright portion. The second upright portion is biased towards and yieldingly interlocks with the channel. A flange extends from the first upright portion of the strip to engage one of the door frame panels and thereby secure the first upright portion of the strip against rotation in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A sweep auger apparatus is radially disposed within a circular bin for moving a free-flowing granular material across the floor of the bin towards the center of the bin. A motor is connected to the radial inner end of the auger shaft to rotate the auger flighting about its horizontal axis. A drive wheel is connected to the radial outer end of the auger shaft for supporting the outer end of the auger shaft and for revolving the auger around the central vertical axis of the bin. The improved sweep auger includes panels or a tube connected to the backboard of the auger so as to reside beneath the auger flighting, and thereby minimize the amount of granular material left on the floor as the sweep auger revolves around the bin floor. The panels are adjustably mounted to accommodate variations in the level of the bin floor.

Abstract: A single piece injection molded flip top cap for a beverage (or any other non-beverage) container is comprised of a base portion and a lid portion. The base portion forms a substantially large opening to allow for liquids to freely flow through the cap. When the lid is in the closed position, the contents of the container are sealed within the container. By pressing up on a thumb lever, the lid is flipped to an open position allowing the contents to be poured from the container without removing the cap from the container.

Abstract: An alignment control is provided for long center pivot irrigation systems which include a center pivot structure having an elongated water pipe extending outwardly therefrom with the water pipe being supported upon a plurality of drive units which propel the water pipe around the center pivot structure. A first GPS control is positioned on the center pivot structure which functions as a stationary reference. A second GPS control is positioned on the center drive unit near the center length of the water pipe. A third GPS control is mounted on the last or outermost drive unit. A computer-operated control is operatively connected to the drive motor on the center drive unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for security of individual communications over a composite communications channel such as T1 or E1. The composite channel is digitized. Individual channels are separated, but identifying information of each channel is retained. A level of security can be chosen for each channel by digitally processing the selected call with a selected level of scrambling or encryption prior to passing the call to an end-user.