Abstract: A fishing rod having a motorized vibrator secured to a floating rod blank. The rod blank is substantially displaced from the bore of a handle. A ferrule switch mounted to a suspended portion of the handle contains a battery power source that is manipulated as a switch contact. A vibrator includes a motor and eccentric weight and is supported to the rod blank forward of the handle and responsively vibrates the rod blank for controlled periods and/or frequencies and a supported fishing line and lure.

Abstract: An assembly that provides for the mounting of paired sets of lubricant sample holders into balanced, opposed contact with a rotating rotor and whereby comparative data pertaining to measured load, speed and elicited thermal, audio and visual responses are obtained. The coded data is stored for digital comparison. In one assembly, a metal disc is mounted to rotate from a motor drive shaft in a cylinder block and in contact with calibrated sample support bushings biased to contact upper and lower surfaces of the disc. In another construction, an annular cylinder block supports several radially directed, opposed pairs of sample support bushings in biased, tangential contact with a circumferential wall of a cylindrical race or spherical rotor. Pneumatic or hydraulic pressure may be used to augment or load each bushing. In yet another construction, an annular cylinder block supports a pair of opposed weighted lever arms and sample support bushings in tangential contact with a rotor surface.

Abstract: A resilient, shock absorption assembly that mounts between available sail rigging lines and a boat hull. In one assembly, a piston is resiliently biased relative to a housing and contained spring to permit reciprocating movement. Couplers at distal ends of the piston and housing attach to suitable rigging lines and/or the boat. In other assemblies, resilient elastomer cores bias movement of a piston or cable. In another assembly fitted within a main sail boom, a cable biases the boom rigging lines. In still another construction, an “A-shape”, mast replacement framework is secured to pivot from a boat's deck. Resiliently biased cables act as a mast and support a sail boom. One or more separate resilient assemblies can be coupled to the sail. The cable mast and rigging lines are thus made resilient to counterbalance the boat against heeling with the presence of rough water and gusty winds.

Abstract: A prosthetic leg having a knee joint assembly that includes a plunger-activated, three-chamber cylinder body, a control valve, a control valve actuator, a pylon shaft and artificial foot. The knee joint assembly rotates in a single axis and provides two-stage hydraulic gait control and shock absorption relative to two spring-biased pistons. A cam linkage and actuator valve having a moveable piston and piston chamber responds to knee flexion and switches fluid flow at the control valve and cylinder between a “soft” spring and a “hard” spring to provide two levels of adjustable control to stabilize the user. Alternative microprocessor directed electronic and hydraulic controllers are also disclosed that can be adapted to a knee assembly to sense myoelectric activity and rotation, strain, and/or linear movement of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Single and two-sided hand and finger thimbles constructed to mount over the fingertips to provide non-slip gripping surfaces and improved protection at the fingertips and palm. Several thimbles include surfaces that contain impenetrable shields, elastomer pads or raised patterns of a coated elastomer. The coated thimbles facilitate paper separation, sorting, and counting. Plastic or metallic shields can fitted to shield and/or encase the fingertip. The shield can be exposed through an aperture and can include a pitted surface. Pull-tabs and elastic sizing members facilitate fitting the thimbles to the fingers. Alternative wrist supported, glove-like assemblies having one or more finger pieces fitted with shielding and gripping assemblies and padded palm regions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly for rotating and axially directing a high pressure spray hose and spray head to clean residue from the bores of thermal transfer tubes. The assembly includes a number of subassemblies that are concentrically aligned and mounted to rotate in synchrony and direct a high-pressure hose and spray head. A hose cleaning subassembly washes and/or brushes the hose exterior with a low-pressure spray. A hose drive assembly controls axial hose movement via driven gears and chains and four polyurethane pinch wheels that abut the hose. Spring tensioners control the wheel-to-hose pressure. A layering arm extends from a driven reel axle and stacks the hose in uniform layer onto an adjustable hub at a driven reel. The diameter of the reel hub can adjusted relative to an outer cage. The hose reel, axial hose drive and hose cleaner assemblies can be operated at speeds rotational speeds of 60 rpm to 650 rpm and whereby tubes from ½ to 6-inch diameters can be cleaned at rates of 1 to 80 feet per minute.

Abstract: A watercraft lift having hydraulic cylinders secured to lift towers and pivot axles located above the water surface to raise and lower a cradle that is secured to a surrounding support framework with lift frames that radiate from the framework and cradle corners. Length adjustable legs depend from the framework to appropriately elevate and position the cradle and framework relative to the surface level of the waterway. Brace arms extend from the lift towers to the forward ends of the support framework. The cylinders rotate between a parallel condition to the top of the cradle, when fully elevated, and an inclined condition, when the cradle is fully lowered. The cylinders remain at all times substantially above the water.

Abstract: Conformal-coated devices packaged to be compatible with automated handling equipment. In one arrangement, open-sided, injection-molded shells are mounted around conformal-coated devices to provide dimensionally stable packaging that is compatible with device carriers and automated packaging tool heads that are indexed to select and place the devices. In another arrangement, the coating is heated and additional material is added and re-flowed to define unique surface regions compatible with automated handling equipment.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.

Abstract: Spring biased retainers that are secured to a faucet base and provide gripping surfaces to engage and draw the faucet into engagement with a sink. Resilient retainer members flex to permit mounting and are normally biased to return to a retention position. In one retainer, tapered gripper and retractor pieces are axially biased for reciprocating movement in a housing. Springs fitted to the gripper and retractor pieces direct movement along cooperating inclined surfaces. Another retainer provides pivoting gripper pieces that are biased in repelling relation and have contoured gripping surfaces. Another retainer provides at least one deformable, resilient leaf spring arm that is biased in repulsion to another arm. Each arm has a contoured gripping surface that engages the sink and secures the faucet. Tapered wedging posts can be mounted to a faucet to cooperate with the spring-biased retainers.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.