Abstract: A method for tuning resonant spring assembly systems used in appliances such as power toothbrushes, particularly leaf spring systems, includes the step of measuring the frequency-dependent amplitude of the appliance workpiece, and then removing a portion of the spring member so as to decrease its spring rate sufficiently that the resonant frequency of the spring member closely approximates the drive frequency of the appliance.

Abstract: A method for tuning resonant spring assembly systems used in appliances such as power toothbrushes, particularly leaf spring systems, includes the step of measuring the frequency-dependent amplitude of the appliance workpiece, and then removing a portion of the spring member so as to decrease its spring rate sufficiently that the resonant frequency of the spring member closely approximates the drive frequency of the appliance.

Abstract: A head portion of a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush is removable from a handle portion, which has a driving system therein. The head portion includes a spring assembly, having two spring sections, the spring assembly having a node point between the two ends and a nodal mount member at the node point which is connected to a cover member of the head portion. A driving assembly is arranged to drive the first spring section, the second section rotating in an opposing direction from the first spring section, the second spring section having a drive shaft extending therefrom, upon a free end of which a brushhead is mounted. When the head portion is removed from the handle, the spring assembly is removed therewith.

Abstract: A head portion of a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush is removable from a handle portion, which has a driving system therein. The head portion includes a spring assembly, having two spring sections, the spring assembly having a node point between the two ends and a nodal mount member at the node point which is connected to a cover member of the head portion. A driving assembly is arranged to drive the first spring section, the second section rotating in an opposing direction from the first spring section, the second spring section having a drive shaft extending therefrom, upon a free end of which a brushhead is mounted. When the head portion is removed from the handle, the spring assembly is removed therewith.

Abstract: The apparatus for converting side-to-side to rotational motion for a workpiece includes a spring assembly with a movable base mounting element which is driven in a slightly arcuate reciprocal side-to-side motion and a fixed mounting element spaced apart from the base element and mounted in the appliance so that it does not rotate or move in operation of the apparatus. A spring member, such as two planar leaf springs positioned at an angle to each other, is mounted between the movable base element and the fixed mounting element. A drive shaft member extends from the movable base element through the fixed mounting element and beyond. A workpiece such as a brushhead is mounted on the distal end of the drive shaft. The spring member is configured so that it is substantially less resistant to twisting action than bending action, such that the side-to-side motion of the base element results in rotation of the workpiece.

Abstract: The rotational spring includes a base member which is in the form of a ring and includes elements for fixedly attaching it to a body of an appliance, such as a power toothbrush, which includes a drive element such as a drive shaft portion of a motor. Also included is an upper member in the form of a disc having a central opening through which the drive shaft is fitted, such that the disc member rotates with rotation of the drive shaft. Three leg members extend between the upper disc member and the base ring member. The spring is made from a material and is so configured and arranged that it has a symmetric spring rate for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.

Abstract: The vibrating toothbrush includes a first arm portion with a brushhead mounted at a free end and a second arm portion joined by a hinge-like portion. The first and second arm portions have first and second natural resonant frequencies. A spring member connects the second arm portion to the first arm portion, and a solenoid actuator is also connected between the first and second arm portions. A contact switch assembly is responsive to a DC battery voltage such that when the switch is closed, the first arm portion is drawn in one direction by the actuator, which results in compression of the spring and opening of the switch, with the compressed spring moving the first arm portion in the opposing direction until the switch again closes, so that the brushhead moves back and forth with the opening and closing of the switch. A pressure feedback arrangement makes use of the spring element and a nodal mount which extends from the spring at a selected point therealong to the handle of the toothbrush.

Abstract: The apparatus for converting side-to-side to rotational motion for a workpiece includes a spring assembly with a movable base mounting element which is driven in a slightly arcuate reciprocal side-to-side motion and a fixed mounting element spaced apart from the base element and mounted in the appliance so that it does not rotate or move in operation of the apparatus. A spring member, such as two planar leaf springs positioned at an angle to each other, is mounted between the movable base element and the fixed mounting element. A drive shaft member extends from the movable base element through the fixed mounting element and beyond. A workpiece such as a brushhead is mounted on the distal end of the drive shaft. The spring member is configured so that it is substantially less resistant to twisting action than bending action, such that the side-to-side motion of the base element results in rotation of the workpiece.

Abstract: The rotational spring includes a base member which is in the form of a ring and includes elements for fixedly attaching it to a body of an appliance, such as a power toothbrush, which includes a drive element such as a drive shaft portion of a motor. Also included is an upper member in the form of a disc having a central opening through which the drive shaft is fitted, such that the disc member rotates with rotation of the drive shaft. Three leg members extend between the upper disc member and the base ring member. The spring is made from a material and is so configured and arranged that it has a symmetric spring rate for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.

Abstract: The vibrating toothbrush includes a first arm portion with a brushhead mounted at a free end and a second arm portion joined by a hinge-like portion. The first and second arm portions have first and second natural resonant frequencies. A spring member connects the second arm portion to the first arm portion, and a solenoid actuator is also connected between the first and second arm portions. A contact switch assembly is responsive to a DC battery voltage such that when the switch is closed, the first arm portion is drawn in one direction by the actuator, which results in compression of the spring and opening of the switch, with the compressed spring moving the first arm portion in the opposing direction until the switch again closes, so that the brushhead moves back and forth with the opening and closing of the switch. A pressure feedback arrangement makes use of the spring element and a nodal mount which extends from the spring at a selected point therealong to the handle of the toothbrush.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile bird feeder which is resistant to invasion and destruction by squirrels. The feeder relies upon a combination of slippery side panels made of polished methylmethacrylate (Lucite™) and a simple geometric configuration to prevent scaling by squirrels or similar small rodents. The transparent Lucite™ guard element provides protection from the weather elements, allows viewing of birds while approaching and feeding, presents an aesthetic appearance while presenting a movable target for the approaching birds.

Abstract: A broiler assembly connectable to a cooking apparatus and provided with a broiler surface that generates a substantially even heat distribution pattern for cooking. The broiler assembly has a broiler housing defining a broiler interior area. Plenum members defining a plenum in the broiler interior area, wherein the plenum is connectable to a gas source and adapted to receive combustion gas from the gas source. A lower one of the plenum members is a burner tile holder that retains one or more burner tiles that define a broiler surface. The burner tiles have a plurality of burner apertures therein that communicate with the plenum to channel the combustion gas from the plenum to the broiler surface for ignition. The burner tiles form a burner portion having an outer set of burner apertures extending therethrough, an inner set of burner apertures extending therethrough, and a middle set of burner apertures between the outer and inner sets of burner apertures.

Abstract: A conversion broiler assembly to adapt a single-sided cooking apparatus to a double-sided cooking apparatus. The conversion broiler assembly has a rear housing that is mountable to the single-sided cooking apparatus. The rear housing movably receives left and right stanchions that are pivotally attached to left and right support arms with a broiler positioned therebetween. The left and right stanchions and support arms are generally hollow and provide passageways for combustion air, exhaust air, gas lines and electrical lines to and from the broiler. A rail system having two rails with running surfaces and one rail with an inclined running surface support rollers on the left and right stanchions to provide for smooth and easy lateral translation of the broiler relative to the rear housing. The conversion broiler assembly has a flue system for directing air flow and high temperature exhaust away from the assembly when in use while maintaining a substantially cool rear wall of the assembly.

Abstract: A conversion broiler assembly to adapt a single-sided cooking apparatus to a double-sided cooking apparatus. The conversion broiler assembly has a rear housing that is mountable to the single-sided cooking apparatus. The rear housing movably receives left and right stanchions that are pivotally attached to left and right support arms with a broiler positioned therebetween. The left and right stanchions and support arms are generally hollow and provide passageways for combustion air, exhaust air, gas lines and electrical lines to and from the broiler. A rail system having two rails with running surfaces and one rail with an inclined running surface support rollers on the left and right stanchions to provide for smooth and easy lateral translation of the broiler relative to the rear housing. The conversion broiler assembly has a flue system for directing air flow and high temperature exhaust away from the assembly when in use while maintaining a substantially cool rear wall of the assembly.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve 10 is provided in a housing 11 filled with oil 23 and having an inlet port 12 and an outlet port 13. A straight elongate vertical tube 14 having a lengthwise slot 19 near its lower end 15 is affixed to the housing and communicates with the inlet port. Closely fitting down into the tube is a piston 16, slidable between a lower position 29 with its lower end 17 below the slot and a substantially higher upper position. A coaxial annular weight 22, surrounding upper portions of the piston and the tube, is affixed to the piston to exert a downward force thereon by virtue of the gravitational attraction of the weight to the earth.

Abstract: A gas fired deep fat fryer has an upper heating section with a bottom wall from which a spaced pair of well sections depend. To efficiently melt solid shortening material initially disposed in the upper frypot section, the frypot is provided with an electric shortening melter that extends along the underside of the bottom wall of the upper frypot section. A solid insulating material panel structure envelopes and abuts portions of the well sections and defines therebetween a heating cavity which receives a dual gas-fired burner assembly. Interior surface portions of the panel structure are recessed to define a multi-pass heating flow passage system which extends along and is partially bounded by laterally outwardly facing exterior surface portions of the wells. During frypot operation, hot combustion gases from the burners are flowed through the passage system to very efficiently heating cooking oil disposed in the frypot.

Abstract: A data processing and storage system includes semi-permanent disk storage for storing transaction data relating to a plurality of parcels. The transaction data includes character information data which is read from the parcels and scale data which is provided by an associated parcel register scale system. When the data processing and storage system is interrogated by a remote host computer, the transaction data is read from the disk and transmitted to the remote host computer for further processing.