Abstract: To reduce the complexity, maintenance, and cost and increase reliability of a riding lawnmower employing a center rear discharge deck, the riding lawn mowers may be configured with a cutter engagement system which allows for a cutting system to be engaged and disengaged by a user without a motor clutching system. A riding lawn mower may comprise a center rear discharge deck having a single sided belt and a cutter engagement system. The cutter engagement system may be configured to interface with the belt to provide power and opposing rotation movement through one or more cutter engagements and/or gear boxes.

Abstract: The improved intermodal vehicle has a one-piece upper frame assembly with a horizontal load carrying surface below the ends of a drawbar for connecting the trailers. Each highway trailer has a coupler socket assembly at both its front and rear into which the drawbar enters and connects to the intermodal vehicle by a vertical coupling pin projecting upward from the horizontal load carrying surface. The coupling pin is operated up and down by either manual or air operated actuators, and locks in the up position by a manually operated safety latch. The upper frame is supported from dual steerable lower frames by primary air springs so that when the springs are deflated, the upper frame is lowered to allow the trailers to be pushed upon the load carrying surface. When the air springs are inflated, the trailers are raised so that the trailer wheels are carried above the railroad track.

Abstract: A spiral wound gasket for sealing flanged joints. The spiral wound gasket has improved sealability with a spiral sealing element that includes a metallic strip and a relatively soft filler material, wherein the axial width of the relatively soft filler material is greater than the axial width of the metallic strip. The spiral wound gasket also has improved sealability with a controlled gasket density and in which the metallic strip has a uniform and symmetrical “V” or “W” cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recording interactions between a user and specific objects. An interaction recordation system first receives an indication from a user that an interaction is to be recorded. The system prompts the user for an identification of the object with which the user has interacted. After receiving this identification, the system can then prompt the user for more details regarding the object as well as details about the interaction, including the user's impressions, feedback, and opinions about the object. These various inputs are then uploaded to a server where they can be accessed by the user. At least some of these impressions and feedback can also be anonymously shared by the user with other users who might be interested in the same object. The object can be a location, a business, an item, an application, or anything which the user can use, purchase, visit, or interact with.

Abstract: A mower for cutting grass includes a platform with a motor located thereon. A door on the platform has a first position blocking a discharge and a second door position away from the discharge. A bag has an inlet that mates to a discharge. A support is connected to the platform and a door prop is movably mounted on the support. The door prop has a first position not in engagement with the door to permit the door to be in the first position and having a second position in which a segment of the door prop engages with the door to retain the door in the second position. A handle extends up from the platform. An operable member is mounted on the handle. A connector extends between the door prop and the operable member to transmit force to move the door prop.

Abstract: An arrangement for coupling together end-to-end segmented sections of an elongated member can be used with an elongated apparatus that is broken down into the segmented sections for the purpose of conveniently packaging the elongated apparatus in cardboard cartons and the like. The coupling arrangement is used to join the segmented sections when the tool is removed from the carton. The coupling arrangement can include a locking feature that prevents the segmented sections from being separated from one another after they have been joined by the coupling arrangement.

Abstract: Hand-held blower devices with vacuum function are provided. In this regard, a representative device includes: a housing defining an interior, an intake and an exhaust; an impeder mounted within the interior and being operative to rotate such that air is drawn into the interior through the intake and expelled from the interior through the exhaust; a locking mechanism mounted to the housing, the locking mechanism being movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; and a vacuum tube assembly having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining an air passageway between the inlet end and the outlet end, the outlet end being operative to engage the intake of the housing for the vacuum mode of operation; the locking mechanism being operative to interface with the vacuum tube assembly to retain the outlet end of the vacuum tube assembly in engagement with the intake of the housing for the vacuum mode of operation.

Abstract: To reduce the complexity, maintenance, and cost, and to increase the reliability of a riding lawnmower employing a short turn radius steering system, the riding lawn mower may be configured with a linkage and steering assembly that eliminates or reduces complicated gearing. A riding lawn mower may comprise a link system, pivot brackets, and spindle assemblies. The geometry of the steering system may be configured to provide a turn radius of seven inches or less. Moreover, the geometry of the steering system may be configured to provide Ackerman steering, such that, the inside wheel turns sharper than the outside wheel in a turn.

Abstract: Ultrafine particles are provided having a core region that has a signal amplifying molecule and a shell region that surrounds the core region. The shell region has at least one antibody affixed to its surface that is specific for at least one antigen. Alternatively, the ultrafine particles may entrap the signal amplifying molecule within its matrix and may also have antibodies affixed to its surface for molecular recognition. Ultrafine particles are also provided having a matrix component that includes a signal amplifying molecule and at least one antibody specific for the antigen or biomaterial. The ultrafine particles of the present disclosure may be used in assays for the detection, including quantification, of one or more antigens present in a biological sample.

Abstract: To achieve a particular price point and/or to utilize a particular engine, riding lawn mowers may be configured with reduced size, weight, and/or power requirements, in order. A riding lawn mower may comprise a cutting deck coupled to a cutting blade, and an internal combustion engine having a displacement of less than 225 cubic centimeters. The internal combustion engine may be coupled to the cutting blade via a friction drive, wherein the friction drive is configured with a neutral bearing in order to reduce flat spotting of components of the friction drive.

Abstract: A mechanical breather system for a four-stroke engine includes a rotating member. The rotating member can have at least one inlet channel in fluid communication between an outer perimeter of the rotating member and an inner region of the rotating member. A breather housing having an air receiving chamber formed therein is fluidly coupled to the at least one inlet channel of the rotating member. A passage can be formed through a wall of the breather housing is in fluid communication with the air receiving chamber and an exterior of the breather housing.

Abstract: Refinements and improvements in intermodal rail vehicles for making up a train of highway trailers are shown. The improved intermodal vehicle has a one-piece upper frame assembly (26) with a horizontal load carrying surface below the ends of a drawbar for connecting the trailers. Each highway trailer has a coupler socket assembly at both its front and rear into which the drawbar enters and is connected to the intermodal vehicle by a vertical coupling pin projecting upward from the horizontal load carrying surface. The upper frame is supported from dual steerable lower frames (28) by primary air springs (90). A backup suspension system is provided so as to support the upper frame in the event of failure of the primary air springs. A transition rail vehicle for adapting the unit train of trailers is provided, incorporating the necessary features of the intermediate intermodal vehicles heretofore described.

Abstract: To reduce the complexity, maintenance, and cost and increase reliability of a riding lawnmower employing a center rear discharge deck, the riding lawn mowers may be configured with a cutter engagement system which allows for a cutting system to be engaged and disengaged by a user without a motor clutching system. A riding lawn mower may comprise a center rear discharge deck having a single sided belt and a cutter engagement system. The cutter engagement system may be configured to interface with the belt to provide power and opposing rotation movement through one or more cutter engagements and/or gear boxes.

Abstract: A rope-pull starting device for an internal combustion engine including a hub, rope pulley, rope and torsion damper spring. The hub configured to drivingly engage an engine when the hub is rotated in a first direction. The rope pulley interconnects with the hub by a torsion damper spring. The torsion damper spring coupled at a first end to the hub and at a second end to the rope pulley, wherein the torsion damper spring is coiled from the first end connected to the hub, toward the rope pulley, in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and whereby the rope pulley is rotated in the first direction when the rope is unwound therefrom and the torsion damper spring responsively urges the hub to rotate in the first direction.

Abstract: To achieve a particular price point and/or to utilize a particular engine, riding lawn mowers may be configured with reduced size, weight, and/or power requirements, in order. A riding lawn mower may comprise a cutting deck coupled to a cutting blade, and an internal combustion engine having a displacement of less than 225 cubic centimeters. The internal combustion engine may be coupled to the cutting blade via a friction drive, wherein the friction drive is configured with a neutral bearing in order to reduce flat spotting of components of the friction drive.