Abstract: A method of molding a plastic with a foamed interior and a dense outer skin of a desired thickness, whereby a blowing agent is mixed with a plastic material and the mixture is injected, under pressure, into a mold cavity of a mold unit. The mixture is allowed to cool along the molding surfaces of the mold cavity for a determined amount of time. The pressure is released and the mold cavity expanded to allow the blowing agent to foam the interior of the plastic article. The molding cavity is then compressed to achieve the desired dimensions for the plastic article, and to give the interior a uniform cellular structure. Control over the timing of the expansion of the mold cavity, the injection temperature, the rate of injection of the mixture, the rate at which the cavity is expanded and compressed, and the timing of the compression of the mold cavity allow a skin of desired thickness to be formed on the plastic article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for filling tooth root canals comprising an isoprene-based powder and at least one sealer. The composition can be prepared by cooling an isoprene-based material, adding any additives that may be present before, during or after comminution, comminuting and then adding a sealer.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for use with a wheeled cargo transportation cart comprised of a frame, wheels for rolling engagement with a support surface, and with cargo ramp assemblies attached to either end of the frame. The cargo ramp assemblies pivot under the weight of cargo, between a engagement position for loading and unloading of cargo, and a storage position for storage. The cart also is comprised of handles removable engagable with the frame, to allow for movement of the cart in any direction. An adjustment member is in rotatable engagement with the frame allowing for selective adjustment between a locked position thereby preventing rolling movement of the cart, and unlocked position thereby allowing rolling movement.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a wheeled transportation cart, comprising an adjustment member in rotatable engagement with the frame of the wheeled cart. The adjustment member is selectively adjustable between a locked position thereby preventing rolling movement of the wheeled cart, and an unlocked position thereby allowing rolling movement of the wheeled cart. The adjustment member contains a first knee formed by a first bent section in the adjustment member which is engaged between a first locking element and a first locking channel, and a second knee formed by a second bent section in the adjustment member which is engaged between a second locking element and a second locking channel. As the adjustment member rotates between the locked and the unlocked positions, the adjustment member forces the first and second locking elements downward toward a support surface and engages a first and second locking assembly spring means to urge the first and second locking elements into contact with the support surface.

Abstract: A method of making a multiple-layer article having a surface application material effectively bonded to an injection molded plastic member is provided along with a method for making same. At least a portion of an intermediary substratum is located inside a mold cavity during injection of a plastic injection material where the plastic injection material contacts and becomes partially absorbed into a first side of the intermediary substratum. The plastic member and the intermediary substratum are then removed from the mold cavity, and the surface application material is applied to a second side of the intermediary substratum where the surface application material becomes partially absorbed into the second side of the intermediary substratum.

Abstract: A method for injecting a plastic material into a mold cavity to precisely fill the mold cavity under low pressure and to avoid packing the mold cavity with plastic material. The plastic material is injected into the mold cavity at a rate sufficient to maintain an unbroken melt front and to avoid any spraying or splashing of the plastic material within the mold cavity. After an initial unbroken melt front is established, the rate at which the material is injected is increased in proportion to the size of the melt front. After a predetermined amount of the material has entered the mold cavity, the material is injected based upon a rate-dominated control algorithm which maintains the unbroken melt front. Once the mold cavity has reached a pre-determined level of fill, the rate-dominated control algorithm is changed to a pressure-dominated control algorithm to prevent overrunning the end point of the mold process and to eliminate splashing and associated backflow problems.

Abstract: An excavating machine is provided having an L-arm assembly located between a power unit and an earth cutting device, the L-arm assembly for raising and lowering the earth cutting device. The L-arm assembly has a first arm for operable attachment to the power unit and a second arm integral with and substantially transverse to the first arm for operable attachment to the earth cutting device. The first arm of the L-arm assembly is longer than the second arm of the L-arm assembly. Hydraulic cylinders are included resulting in an earth cutting device which is held down into the ground in a positive manner so as to be more efficient in operation.

Abstract: A method for injecting a plastic material into a mold cavity to precisely fill the mold cavity under low pressure and to avoid packing the mold cavity with plastic material. The plastic material is injected into the mold cavity at a rate sufficient to maintain an unbroken melt front and to avoid any spraying or splashing of the plastic material within the mold cavity. After an initial unbroken melt front is established, the rate at which the material is injected is increased in proportion to the size of the melt front. After a predetermined amount of the material has entered the mold cavity, the material is injected based upon a rate-dominated control algorithm which maintains the unbroken melt front.

Abstract: A process for determining the precise initial volume of the mold cavity of an injection molding machine in which a first and second section engage into seated alignment thereby forming a mold cavity. Vent valves, controlling communication between the interior and exterior of the mold cavity, are closed thereby sealing the mold cavity. An injection means begins injecting a test substance into the mold cavity. The test substance continues filling the mold cavity until the detection of a predetermined threshold level. A measuring means performs the step of measuring the amount of the test substance in the mold cavity, thereby providing sufficient information for calculating the precise initial volume of the mold cavity of the injection molding machine. The apparatus used to perform the method described herein comprises an injection molding machine with a mold cavity configured with vent valves capable of sealing the interior of the mold cavity from the exterior.

Abstract: A method for forming an angled plastic article of varying density whereby a blowing agent is added to a plastic material and the material is injected into a mold cavity of a mold unit. The interior walls of the mold cavity are maintained at a temperature sufficient to prevent the outer skin of the hardening plastic article from producing gas bubbles. The volume of the mold cavity is increased to allow bubbles to produce and uniformly distribute themselves throughout the mold cavity and then a reconversion phase is instituted whereby the desired density of the finished plastic article is achieved without voids or aberrations appearing in the surface of the plastic article. The mold unit is provided with extensible beveled edges which extend and retract as the mold cavity is enlarged and compressed. By this method, a resulting plastic article of varying density is produced having grooves running the length of the article.

Abstract: A plastic article and method of molding same is provided where the plastic article includes a plastic member having a first ridge and a second ridge. The plastic member is partially absorbed into and is in bonded engagement with at least a portion of a first laminate and the first laminate has an edge imbedded in the first ridge of the plastic member. Also, the plastic member is partially absorbed into and is in bonded engagement with at least a portion of a second laminate and the second laminate has a first edge imbedded in the first ridge of the plastic member and a second edge imbedded in the second ridge of the plastic member. The plastic member is also partially absorbed into and is in bonded engagement with at least a portion of a third laminate and the third laminate has an edge imbedded in the second ridge of the plastic member.

Abstract: A towing arm is provided for use in a tow bar assembly that connects a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The towing arm has an inner leg and an outer leg so that it can move telescopically between a collapsed position which is suitable for storage and an extended position for towing. When connected between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the towing arm will automatically lock in the extended position as the towing vehicle is pulled away from the towed vehicle. The locking feature is accomplished by a slideable collar that moves between a locked position and a released position. When in the locked position, the collar holds catches in place between the outer leg and grooves in the inner leg, thereby locking the legs in fixed relation to each other. When in the collar is moved to the released position, the legs are free to telescope relative to each other. The catches have saddle-shaped surfaces to fit the contours of the grooves. The grooves only partially encircle the inner leg.

Abstract: An extruded-in fabric hinge comprised of a fabric hinge member extruded-in with a first member and a second member such that at least some of the fibers of the fabric hinge member are embedded within the first and second members. An extruder apparatus with an extrusion cavity comprised of a first surface with a first adjustable mandrel, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface integrated to form the extrusion cavity is used to make the extruded-in fabric hinge. A fabric hinge member is captured between the first adjustable mandrel and the second surface, and an extrusion material is extruded through an extrusion inlet of the extruder apparatus and into the extrusion cavity. The extrusion material integrates with the fabric hinge member such that at least some of the fibers of the fabric hinge member are embedded into the first and second members of the extruded-in fabric hinge.

Abstract: An excavating machine is provided having an improved conveyor assembly, the excavating machine having a power unit, a supporting frame assembly operably attached to the power unit, an earth cutting device operably attached to the supporting frame assembly, and a conveyor assembly operably attached to the supporting frame assembly for expelling from the excavating machine the spoil created by the earth cutting device. The conveyor assembly has an interior portion bounded by a first end roller and a second end roller, an endless conveyor belt about the first end roller and the second end roller, a first side assembly and a second side assembly, all to prevent the spoil from entering the interior portion of the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A method for injecting a plastic material into a mold cavity to precisely fill the mold cavity under low pressure and to avoid packing the mold cavity with plastic material. The plastic material is injected into the mold cavity at a rate sufficient to maintain an unbroken melt front and to avoid any spraying or splashing of the plastic material within the mold cavity. After an initial unbroken melt front is established, the rate at which the material is injected is increased in proportion to the size of the melt front. After a predetermined amount of the material has entered the mold cavity, the material is injected based upon a rate-dominated control algorithm which maintains the unbroken melt front.

Abstract: A cargo truck is provided having a loading ramp assembly to aid in loading and unloading items from a cargo box on the truck. The loading ramp assembly is adjustable between a loading position wherein a ramp is provided between a deck of the cargo box and the ground, and a storage position to allow transport of the cargo truck. The loading ramp fits within a pocket between the truck frame and the cargo box when in the storage position. The pocket is formed by long C-shaped box sills that support the cargo box. The ramp is formed by two side rails, a ramp floor between the side rails, and support braces between the ramp floor and the side rails to prevent buckling of the side rails upon application of a load to the ramp. The braces extend below the bottom of the box sills when the ramp is in a storage position. The braces allow for lower profile side rails, thereby reducing the amount the cargo box must be raised above the truck frame to accommodate the ramp assembly.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided where the article of manufacture comprises a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means therein. The computer readable program code means causes a computer to receive information, establish a molding profile based on the information, operate a molding machine to mold an article according to the molding profile, receive additional information corresponding to detected irregularities on the molded article, establish a modified molding profile based on the additional information received, and operate the molding machine to mold an additional article according to the modified molding profile. The additional information received by the computer which corresponds to detected irregularities on the molded article may be provided by a human operator, by a second computer, or by any other means.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift for raising a boat out of water into a raised storage position is proposed. Pivoting booms are connected to a frame that is supportable by a bed of a body of water. A boat rack is provided at an upper portion of the pivoting booms. A hydraulic cylinder is connected between the frame and a lower portion of the pivoting booms. The pivoting booms are selectively adjustable between a lowered position wherein the rack is submerged in the water and a raised storage position wherein the rack is raised above the water. The position of the pivoting booms is controlled by a ram of the hydraulic cylinder. Importantly, the pivoting booms are maintained in the raised storage position when the ram is in a retracted position which protects the ram from corrosion and fouling. In the preferred embodiment, the pivoting booms are rotated over center when they are in the raised storage position.

Abstract: A release tool is provided to aid in the unlocking of extending towing arms. The tool is adapted to fit a tow bar assembly that has a telescoping towing arm which is locked in an extended position by a slideable collar. The collar is moveable between a locked position and a released position. When in the locked position, the collar holds catches in engagement with legs of the towing arm to hold the legs fixed relative to each other. When in the released position, the legs are free to telescope relative to each other. Stress can build-up in the towing arms making it difficult to move the collar from the locked position to the released position. The release tool of the present invention provides a mechanical advantage to aid in the movement of the collar from the locked position to the released position. A cam surface on the tool engages the collar and moves it from the locked position to the released position as a handle is rotated about a fulcrum means.