Abstract: The beverage brewing system includes a liquid conduit system fluidly coupled to a liquid source, a brew head in fluid communication with the liquid conduit system and configured to selectively receive and retain a quantity of beverage medium to be brewed by liquid delivered by the liquid conduit system during a brew cycle. A pump fluidly coupled with the liquid conduit system between the liquid source and the brew head displaces a fixed quantity of liquid from the liquid source to the brew head during a pump revolution. A microcontroller monitors the pump to determine the real-time quantity of liquid displaced to the brew head during the brew cycle based only on operational characteristics of the pump.

Abstract: The brewing system disclosed herein includes a reservoir for storing ambient temperature water used to brew coffee. A pump displaces water from the reservoir to a heater tank for heating thereof before delivery to a coffee cartridge in a brew head. Initially, the pump displaces a small volume of heated water under pressure through a rotating inlet needle to pre-wet and pre-heat coffee grounds in the cartridge. The pump then pumps a fairly consistent and larger volume of heated water under pressure to the cartridge via the spinning needle. Near the end of the brew cycle, the pump pumps a small quantity of air to purge the brewer head conduit, the brew head check valve, and the spinning needle, and to purge coffee from the coffee cartridge and to reduce dripping.

Abstract: A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. In a shaft-head connection, a metal adapter insert is mounted onto a lower end of the club shaft and includes one or more flat surfaces for reception into a matingly shaped socket in the hosel of a selected club head to prevent relative rotation between the club shaft and head. A compression nut carried on the shaft is threaded onto the hosel to axially engage and retain a thrust flange on the shaft or adapter or adapter insert, to prevent axial separation of the club head and shaft.

Abstract: A combined filter cartridge and manifold for use in a water purification system or the like, to facilitate substantially drip-free filter cartridge removal and replacement. The filter cartridge includes water inlet and outlet ports for respective connection with inlet and outlet fittings on the manifold. A pivoting manifold cap normally overlies and retains the filter cartridge in connected relation with the manifold fittings and a water supply coupled to the manifold. Pivoting movement of the manifold cap toward an open position shuts off the water supply and then permits filter cartridge separation from the manifold, with check valves at the manifold inlet/outlet fittings and cartridge inlet/outlet ports preventing significant water leakage.

Abstract: An improved coffee brewer and brewing method are provided for producing brewed coffee with improved flavor. The coffee brewer includes a brew basket having jet ports connected to a source of heated water and positioned to deliver hot water streams into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of coffee grounds contained therein. These hot water streams turbulently agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds for improved flavor extraction and enhanced aroma. This fluidized bed is directed against one or more mesh filter elements forming a wall portion of the brew basket for outward passage of the thus-brewed coffee which is then directed into an underlying carafe or the like. In one preferred form, a portion of the brew basket incorporates an illuminated window to permit visual observation of the fluidized bed therein.

Abstract: An improved coffee brewer and brewing method are provided for producing brewed coffee with improved flavor. The coffee brewer includes a brew basket having jet ports connected to a source of heated water and positioned to deliver hot water streams into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of coffee grounds contained therein. These hot water streams turbulently agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds for improved flavor extraction and enhanced aroma. This fluidized bed is directed against one or more mesh filter elements forming a wall portion of the brew basket for outward passage of the thus-brewed coffee which is then directed into an underlying carafe or the like. In one preferred form, a portion of the brew basket may incorporate a window to permit visual observation of the fluidized bed therein.

Abstract: A golf club putter head includes a faceplate groove pattern configured to provide the putter head with an elevated center of gravity. In one preferred form, a club head body defines a faceplate having at least one and preferably multiple elongated grooves formed therein to extend generally in a heel-to-toe direction, with at least one groove positioned above a vertical mid-point of the club head body. The groove depths progressively increase in a top-to-bottom direction so that the putter head center of gravity is elevated to a position spaced above the vertical mid-point of the club head body. When striking a golf ball, the elevated center of gravity functions to minimize initial ball skidding and to promote early smooth ball roll toward a target such as a cup on a golf green.

Abstract: A combined filter cartridge and manifold for use in a water purification system or the like, to facilitate substantially drip-free filter cartridge removal and replacement. The filter cartridge includes water inlet and outlet ports for respective connection with inlet and outlet fittings on the manifold. A pivoting manifold cap normally overlies and retains the filter cartridge in connected relation with the manifold fittings and a water supply coupled to the manifold. Pivoting movement of the manifold cap toward an open position shuts off the water supply and then permits filter cartridge separation from the manifold, with check valves at the manifold inlet/outlet fittings and cartridge inlet/outlet ports preventing significant water leakage.

Abstract: An iron type golf club head includes a plurality of weights mounted at a rear side thereof in a spatially laminated array. The club head includes a front impact face oriented at a selected loft angle for striking a golf ball, and a rear side having an integrally formed weight frame protruding rearwardly therefrom. The weight frame defines a plurality of peripheral or perimeter grooves disposed in generally fore-aft spaced relation and adapted to receive and support weights of selected mass. In a preferred form, each weight includes one or more weight elements seated within the associated groove to wrap substantially about the entire periphery of the weight frame, with an outboard marginal edge of each weight element being visible from the exterior of the club head. Abutting ends of the weight element or elements within each groove may be interconnected end-to-end as by welding.

Abstract: A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. In a shaft-head connection, a metal adapter insert is mounted onto a lower end of the club shaft and includes one or more flat surfaces for reception into a matingly shaped socket in the hosel of a selected club head to prevent relative rotation between the club shaft and head. A compression nut carried on the shaft is threaded onto the hosel to axially engage and retain a thrust flange on the shaft or adapter or adapter insert, to prevent axial separation of the club head and shaft.

Abstract: A machine for distributing padding material within a previously dug ditch so that a pipe placed within the ditch is protected from objectionable objects which may otherwise cause damage thereto.The padding machine comprises an earth moving vehicle having a laterally arranged conveyer means connected thereto, so that padding material can be transported laterally away from the vehicle and into a ditch while the machine travels along a parallel path respective to the ditch.