Abstract: Process and apparatus for forming plastics by heating an open mold and contacting the open mold with plastic particulate material to form a melted skin on the mold, and resulting articles made therefrom. Single skin molded articles may be multi-layered with or without paint on the surface. Multiple skin molded articles may be made by complementary male and female molds, brought together after the skins are made on the individual male and female molds, and may include sandwiched layers of plastic filler or expandable foam filled centers, with or without various inserts or reinforcements. Multi-layer composite articles are made with inserts and/or reinforcements that may be embedded in and surrounded by expandable foam plastic, if used as a middle layer. Resulting articles include a pick-up truck bed box, an industrial tabletop, a series of modular housing panels, an airplane cockpit door, and material handling pallets, among others.

Abstract: An individual cupcake holder having prongs extending inwardly from the outside shell walls in order to secure a cupcake in place within the cupcake holder, either above the baking liner or anywhere below the lip edge of the cupcake baking liner so that the frosting of the cupcake remains unmarred during transport in lunch boxes and the like. It is also disclosed to include a plurality of prongs that secure a cupcake both above and through the baking liner. Of course, other pastries may be transported in this little container, as well as pieces of fruit and other assorted food items.

Abstract: A roof hatch grab bar assembly for adding comfort to a person ascending or descending a roof hatch and its complementary through the roof ladder. The roof hatch grab bar assembly includes grab bar handrails and a cross support assembly with side supports on either side that include telescoping arms. The design is adjustable, easily installed and will not crush the insulation surrounding a roof hatch that is conventionally adhered to the hatch. Installation may be done while minimizing the potential for leaks in the roof.

Abstract: A remote battery terminal expander for electrically connecting a plurality of appliances to a vehicle battery is disclosed that includes an electrical terminator assembly having a permanent electrical communication with a wire, where the terminator is adapted for electrical connection to the positive terminal of a battery and this terminator assembly is permanently attached to a conductive metal terminal block. The terminal block has a multi-sided block shape, usually with a rectangular shape. The plurality of appliances are in electrical communication with the electrical terminator assembly by use of alternating threaded apertures in each of the sides for receiving threaded fasteners to electrically secure the appliance wires from the plurality of appliances desired to be hooked to the vehicle battery for its power requirements.

Abstract: Human speech is transported through a voice and data converged Internet network to recognize its content, verify the identity of the speaker, or to verify the content of a spoken phrase by utilizing the Internet protocol to transmit voice packets. The voice data (4) entered is processed and transmitted in the same way as Internet data packets over converged voice and data IP networks. A voice-enabled application sends a message (5), which is decoded by the speech API (2) and the appropriate control and synchronization information is issued (7) to the data preparation module (9) and to the speech engine (3). Standard voice over IP includes a speech compression algorithm and the use of RTP (Real Time Protocol), enabling additional processing of the human voice anywhere in the network to perform speaker verification, with or without the knowledge of the speaker.

Abstract: Protective covering for cabinets, appliances, and residential construction components of multi-layer sheeted materials capable of being die-cut into shapes and configurations suitable for protecting kitchen and bath countertops and appliances, home construction components, and desirable multi-layer configurations for various embodiments of the invention. Corrugated materials including paper and plastic are provided in sheets and may be combined with other layers of complementary materials, including plastic sheets, for extending downwardly to protect kitchen and bath cabinets and countertops from paint splashes and for covering air duct openings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making plastic molded articles generally having a double-skinned configuration with a foamed interior extending between the two skins. Such an article can be produced with a double beauty finish, and various inserts can be placed within the foamed interior between the two skins. The apparatus of the present invention includes the machinery used in order to make such a plastic article. The heated mold configurations can be made of inexpensive aluminum, compared to the traditional stainless steel production mold, and therefore will help the manufacture of large molded plastic articles.

Abstract: A non-glazing dressing wheel (10) suitable for dressing a grinding wheel surface to be used for maintaining a certain tolerance to assure reliability and quality control of ground parts during the grinding operation. The dressing wheel includes at least a first dressing wheel component (12) including at least one interrupted cutting outer surface, wherein the interrupted cutting surface is embodied in a cutting wheel (10) with a plurality of tips (12) extending outwardly from the outer surface. The plurality of tips (12) contact the grinding wheel during the grinding operation, thereby alleviating glazing and heat expansion of the grinding wheel while being dressed. Other preferred embodiments include sandwiching the interrupted cutting surface between two flat grinding surfaces, preferably being made of diamond or Borazon.

Abstract: An extremely precise computer controlled grinding machine having the capability to write its own computer programs for controlling the grinding machine to perform individual tasks, including both grinding and dressing to several millionths of an inch. A new device for dressing is included which is directly on the machine, alleviating the need for a separate dressing machine. The Windows-based computer program is easy to use, and includes numerous features for self-maintenance and reproducibility.

Abstract: A light-duty truck dumping mechanism is disclosed for pick-up trucks utilizing singularly molded truck box beds, and the tilting mechanism used to dump the contents out of the pick-up truck box bed. Another embodiment of the invention includes a double-folding ramp which can be utilized to extend to the ground in order to allow for easy carrying and loading of a pick-up box. The combination of the singularly molded pick-up truck box bed having inserts therein with a hydraulic stanchion support and dumping mechanism yields a light-duty truck which can be used for dumping. Although in its most simple form, a singular stanchion and hydraulic dumping mechanism may be utilized, more than one stanchion and hydraulic lifting mechanism may also be utilized.

Abstract: A tire monitoring device for monitoring various tire conditions of a tubeless tire mounted on a vehicle wheel having a recessed portion of the wheel and a wheel rim 5 defining the recessed portion, including a composite wheel having at least one wire free transmitter and a receiver incorporated into and embedded into the surface of the composite wheel in the recessed portions of the wheel. The transmitter and receiver will monitor, transmit and receive signals about the tire condition, including tire pressure and temperature. Also included is an embedded antenna permanently incorporated into the recessed portion of 10 the composite wheel, such that the antenna becomes a part of the wheel, with an antenna winding length of from about 0.5 to about 5.0 meters long. Other embodiments include the use of a toroidal antenna in the recessed portion of the wheel.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (10) including a magnetic actuator (11) having an air pressure transducer therein for generating a signal proportional to the interior tire air pressure. The actuator (11) operates parallel to the axle to alleviate speed sensitivity. Magnetic actuator (11) communicates with a stationary field sensor (12) permanently mounted on the vehicle at a close proximity to the magnetic actuator (11). The magnetic actuator (11) rotates about the access with the wheel (15), and for every revolution of the wheel (15), comes in to close proximity to the sensor (12) at least once, and communicates information about the internal tire pressure to the driver.

Abstract: Power connectors and power adapters for various vehicles including motorcycles, snowmobiles, golf carts, and other off-road vehicles to provide easy access to an electrical system on the vehicle to plug in various accessories, including cell phones, laptop computers, audio systems, communications systems, and the like. Connecting wires with power connectors include various standard-size connectors, including DIN 4165 connectors, SAE two-pin connectors, and cigarette lighter sockets, for example. Specific mounting brackets are disclosed to be utilized in locations on various motorcycles and other off-road vehicles for easy access to the power outlet socket attached to the mounting bracket. Further, various adapter wiring harnesses for changing from one type of connector to another are disclosed, as well as a piece of luggage for carrying all of the accessories, and the luggage piece incorporates a power outlet in the side of the luggage bag. Many embodiments of the above are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer (100) located within an electrical console (102) and a rotationnaly operating machine generally denoted by the number by the numeral (10). As must be noted, the rotating machine of the present example and figures can be used for any rotational operation, such as cut-off operations, lathe work, OD grinding, ID grinding, turning, plunge grinding, form or infeed grinding. The various materials of possible workpieces may include any steel, including stainless steel, tungsten, ceramics, elastomers, plastics and many other materials.