Abstract: The present invention relates to products having a foam carrier or substrate, and particularly to such products employing a reticulated polyurethane foam carrier impregnated with silicone polymer. The present invention also relates to a method of producing these silicone-impregnated foam products.

Abstract: An article of clothing comprising a waistband having a front area adapted to be worn on the front of the user and a rear area adapted to be worn on the rear of the user. Leg members extend from the waistband, each of which has a distal end spaced apart from the waistband and an inseam extending between each distal end of the pair of leg members. A short zipper extends between the front area of the waistband and a location near the inseam. An extended zipper extends between the pair of leg members and extends between a location adjacent to the rear area of the waistband and a location adjacent to the front area of the waistband. A first portion of the extended zipper is positioned adjacent to the short zipper such that both the first portion of the extended zipper and the short zipper are located underneath a flap.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of secure data entry that enables complex data entry work to be performed by unskilled workers that results in data entry with higher productivity, higher quality and higher security than data entry performed by highly skilled workers. The invention identifies data fields on an electronic image of an identified input page, sequences identified data field images, and individually displays data field images for manual data entry. The invention also provides for extracting data from a data field image and displaying extracted data along with the corresponding data field image for approval or correction. Sequenced data field images are optionally reordered or randomized for display and manual entry.

Abstract: A tufting machine comprising a yarn applicator adapted to receive feed yarn and penetrate a surface covering backing and a cutting means adapted to cut the feed yarn to produce a stitch. The tufting machine also comprises a yarn control module that includes a yarn feed wheel adapted to guide the feed yarn, an actuator adapted to move the yarn feed wheel between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a yarn feed gear adapted to engage the feed yarn when the actuator moves the yarn feed wheel into the engaged position. The tufting machine further comprises a power source adapted to move the yarn feed gear and a remote process control computer system adapted to send a first signal and a second signal to the yarn control module. The tufting machine produces a patterned surface covering having a plurality of yarn colors and a plurality of pile heights.

Abstract: A guided boring machine includes a cutter head, a steering head and an internal casing with an auger therein for conveying material cut by the cutter head towards the rear end of the auger. The boring machine bores a tunnel from a launch pit to a target pit along a desired boring direction and simultaneously installing a selected one of a plurality of differently-sized product casings in the tunnel. When the internal casing is placed within a selected product casing with its internal casing longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the selected product casing, an annular space is formed with respect to the selected product casing. The guidance assembly includes a laser that is mounted behind the boring machine and oriented so as to direct its beam in a desired boring direction within the annular space. A target mount is mounted to the steering head inside surface. The target mount includes a roll correction slot which is parallel to the adjacent steering head inside surface.

Abstract: The invention is an ankle derotation and subtalar stabilization system that incorporates a pivoting adjustable-tension oblique tether strap that is anchored to both a forefoot component and leg component, and that is contiguous with pivoting adjustable-tension derotation strap that passes behind the leg and that is secured to a leg component. The system restrains oppositely directed rotation between the foot and the leg, and can actually after the normal biochemical relationship in a manner that produces foot rotation in a direction opposite to that which is normally coupled with leg rotation, without restriction of upward and downward foot movement. The primary application for the system is restraint of excessive subtalar joint inversion, leg external rotation, and anterolateral rotary displacement of the talus, but it can also be configured to restrain subtalar eversion and leg internal rotation through its incorporation into the structure of an ankle orthosis or shoe.

Abstract: A compressed air system adapted for use in connection with a tufting machine having a yarn applicator adapted to penetrate a backing of a surface covering and place a stitch in the backing of the surface covering, a presser foot and a funnel block. The compressed air system comprises an air source adapted to provide air to the compressed air system, a digital presser foot injector adapted to convey compressed air to the presser foot, and a funnel block injector adapted to convey compressed air to the funnel block. The compressed air system is adapted to convey compressed air to the digital presser foot injector and the funnel block injector only when the yarn applicator is in use. The method comprises conveying air to the presser foot only when the yarn applicator is in use, and conveying air to the funnel block only when the yarn applicator is in use.

Abstract: A method and template are provided for modifying an asphalt dryer/mixer that includes an outer drum and an inner drum with a plurality of mixing paddles, the two drums forming an annular mixing chamber in which asphalt cement and aggregate materials are mixed. The template comprises a bracket marking portion that is adapted to locate one or more brackets on the inner drum and a paddle reference portion that is adapted to locate the bracket marking portion with respect to a mixing paddle. A mixing paddle to be referenced for locating a bracket is selected and the template is placed on the inner drum with the paddle reference portion referencing the selected mixing paddle. The template is used to mark the location of the bracket, the bracket is affixed to the outer surface of the inner drum at the bracket location marked; and an agitation strand is attached to the bracket.

Abstract: A pipe handler comprising a skid and a base having a base longitudinal axis. The base is adjustably mounted on the skid. The pipe handler comprises a means for adjusting the base, a boom, and a means for moving the boom between a position substantially parallel to the base longitudinal axis and a position substantially perpendicular to the base longitudinal axis. The pipe handler includes a pipe gripper that is pivotally attached to the boom. The base of the pipe handler is adapted to be adjusted in any direction relative to the skid when the boom is in any position from substantially parallel to the base longitudinal axis to substantially perpendicular to the base longitudinal axis. The method also includes engaging a pipe with a pipe gripper, moving the boom in a direction toward a pipe rotation mechanism, adjusting the base, and releasing the pipe from the pipe gripper.

Abstract: A compact close contour mechanical joint that uses a snap ring, a transfer gear partially press-fit into a brake wheel, a distal bar having integral gear teeth that engage the exposed portion of the transfer gear, a second bar with a T-shaped proximal end, a handle disengaging an unlocking pin to separates gear teeth that allows incremental distal bar movement, and a two-axis arrangement for distal bar rotation. Instead of using a spring biasing member, the mechanical joint uses a gear ratio reduction that provides a smaller stop increment, less travel, enhanced joint strength, less stress on gear teeth, and less force required to unlock it than prior close contour joints. Although it is contemplated for use of the mechanical joint to be primarily in orthotic, any application for which the mechanical joint's compact configuration would provide some assistance or technical advantage is considered to be within its scope.

Abstract: A boring machine includes a cutter head, an internal casing and an auger that is located within the internal casing. The cutter head and the auger are operationally connected to a rotational mechanism. A rear bulkhead is located at the rear end of the auger, and a rear hopper is located behind the rear bulkhead. The boring machine also includes means for directing material cut by the cutter head into the auger so that rotation of the auger will convey such material rearwardly to the rear hopper. The boring machine includes a transverse conveyor located behind the rear bulkhead in the rear hopper which is adapted to convey material out of the rear hopper in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the auger.

Abstract: A multi-centric orthopedic joint having inner and outer guide plates and upper and lower arms rotatably connected to the guide plates for pivotal movement therebetween. The plates each include upper and lower pairs of curved bean shaped slots, tilted relative to one another. The arms include a proximal end, the proximal end further including pins positioned and proportioned for complimental sliding movement within the upper and lower slots of the guide plates. Set screws are positioned between the inner and outer guide plate against a locking surface of the proximal end of each arm. When the set screws are loosened the upper and lower arms may be moved relative to one another, permitting the guide pins to slide within the slots but in opposite directions relative to one another. Flat-screws secure the inner and outer guide plates and co-act with the set screws as a locking mechanism of proximal ends of said arms at a desired angulation between them.

Abstract: A method for filtering particulate material from cooking oil used in a frying process at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F. includes providing a filter comprising a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of synthetic material, and exposing the filter to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature while drawing the cooking oil therethrough.

Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling pipe into a drilling surface using a drill bit. The drilling assembly comprises a power unit, a thrust frame, a means for moving the thrust frame, a rotary and carriage assembly and a microprocessor adapted to control the load on the drill based upon the level of mud pressure in the assembly. The drilling assembly is adapted to drill pipe at any angle relative to the drilling surface between substantially parallel to the drilling surface and substantially perpendicular to the drilling surface. The method comprises providing a such drilling assembly, placing a drill pipe onto the drilling assembly, moving the thrust frame to a desired drilling angle, moving the rotary and carriage assembly into direct contact with the drill pipe, applying rotational, thrust and pull-back forces to the drill pipe, drilling the pipe into the drilling surface and controlling the load on the drill bit.

Abstract: A foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly is adapted for use in connection with a mixer for mixing aggregate materials and asphalt cement to make asphalt concrete. The foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly includes a foamed cement mixing chamber, a first inlet for liquid asphalt cement and a second inlet for water, each of which is in fluid communication with the foamed cement mixing chamber. An outlet for foamed asphalt cement is also provided, which outlet is in fluid communication with both the foamed cement mixing chamber and the mixer. The invention also comprises a method for making asphalt concrete using foamed asphalt cement. The method includes introducing aggregate materials into the mixer and heating the aggregate materials to a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of water but no higher than about 285° F.

Abstract: An article of clothing comprising a waistband adapted to extend around the user's waist. The waistband has a front area adapted to be worn on the front of the user and a rear area adapted to be worn on the rear of the user. A pair of leg members extend from the waistband, each of which is adapted to surround at least a portion of one of the user's legs and each of which has a distal end spaced apart from the waistband and an inseam extending between each distal end of the pair of leg members. The article also includes a short zipper extending between the front area of the waistband and a location near the inseam and an extended zipper extending between the pair of leg members from a location below the front area of the waistband to a location below the rear area of the waistband.

Abstract: An endgate comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a screed assembly, a pivoting plate adapted to be pivotally attached to the mounting bracket, a sliding plate, a pavement contacting surface and a support adapted to be pivotally moved with the pivoting plate, a means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface disposed between the support and the sliding plate, a first adjustment means adapted to adjust the amount of force applied by the means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface and a second adjustment means adapted to adjust the angle of the pavement contacting surface. A method comprising providing such an endgate, adjusting the angle of the pavement contacting surface and adjusting the amount of force applied by the means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface.

Abstract: A burner assembly including a housing having an air inlet and a burner end, a motor, and an impeller mounted in the housing. The impeller is in fluid communication with the air inlet, in mechanical communication with the motor, and adapted to direct air from the air inlet towards the burner end of the housing. The burner assembly also includes at least one pre-mix gas injection nozzle mounted in the housing. Each of the at least one pre-mix gas injection nozzle has at least one orifice adapted to direct gaseous fuel into the housing. The burner assembly further includes a spin vane comprising at least one spin vane blade. The spin vane is mounted in the burner end of the housing and adapted to direct the flow of air in the burner end. The burner assembly still further includes a flattening screen located in the housing downstream from the impeller and an igniter mounted in the burner end of the housing.

Abstract: A modular assembly system comprising a plurality of structural members. Each of the structural members has at least one slot along a lengthwise side of the member. Each of the structural members is also defined by a unique spaced relationship between the predetermined slot-to-side distance and the slot-to-slot distance. The slot-to-slot distance is a whole-number multiple of the predetermined slot-to-side distance. Each of the at least one along a lengthwise side of each of the plurality of structural members is adapted to be detachably and selectively connected slot-to-slot to one of all of the slots along one of the lengthwise sides of each of the other structural members. In the preferred embodiments, the system also includes a circular support structure and an arcuate support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the position of a knife on a tufting machine. The apparatus includes a grounded needle, an electrically-insulated knife adapted to send a knife signal, a solenoid adapted to move the knife, and a programmable logic controller adapted to send a pattern signal to the solenoid, receive the knife signal from the knife, compare the knife signal to the pattern signal, and determine if the knife is in the position prescribed by the pattern signal. The method includes providing such an apparatus, inputting the pattern signal into the programmable logic controller, sending the pattern signal from the programmable logic controller to the solenoid, sending a knife signal from the electrically-insulated knife to the programmable logic controller, comparing the knife signal to the pattern signal, determining if the electrically-insulated knife is in the position prescribed by the pattern signal.