Abstract: A composite hand rail for supporting and protecting pedestrians on steps and inclined surfaces. The rail is a composite comprising a shell having a wide slightly convex top surface extending downwardly and laterally to a convex sidewall before returning and flaring down to a smaller waist section. The shell has an interior cavity open to the bottom that can receive a core material. Preferably the shell is of cellular blended polyvinylchloride or styrene with a hardened skin formed by celuka processing. A simulated wood finish is applied to the shell by hot stamping or paint and print processes. Shells can be easily formed into spiral and curvilinear shapes by bending around a form or mandrel. The decorative wood finish bends with the shell thus enhancing the decorative wood finish appearance. A core is prefabricated to fit within the shell cavity. The core is fastened within the cavity by either adhesive or mechanical means.

Abstract: A rail system and transfer vehicle for a storage retrieval system. The rails are fabricated to include a vehicle support surface that supports a transfer vehicle, a load support surface that supports the skid, tote, vessel, or pallet to be stored, a spacing surface that defines the distance between the load support surface and the vehicle support surface. Attached to the load support surface is an alignment surface that extends upwardly at an angle between 40 and 80 from the horizontal. When a misaligned pallet is lowered, it first contacts the alignment surface and as it continues to be lowered, interaction between the alignment surface and the misaligned pallet causes the pallet to move into alignment with the rail system before coming to rest on the load support surface. The rail system can be used in conjunction with a high weight capacity transfer vehicle. Load lift is provided by a plurality of interconnected screw jacks.

Abstract: An incisor block for mounting on the lingual surface of an incisor to produce separation between the upper and lower posterior teeth in deep bite patients. The incisor block has a block body and a positioning cap. The block body has a mounting surface designed to closely abut the lingual surface of the incisor, a biting surface and a thickness. Proximate to the incisor and extending toward the incisal surface when the block is mounted on the incisor is a positioning cap having a notch and a facial extension. Ferromagnetic recovery fragments may be positioned within the block body and positioning cap. The block is installed on the incisor by the method of first etching the tooth before placing an adhesive bonding agent on the etched tooth surface and the mounting surface of the incisor block. The incisor block is placed into position by placing the positioning cap against the incisal edge and pressing the mounting surface against the incisor's lingual surface.

Abstract: A roller knee pad having a hard shell supported by a plurality of swiveling casters. The inside of the hard shell is lined with a cushioning material to absorb shock when kneeling and to cushion against minor shape disparities between the wearers knees and the inside of the hard shell. A plate is attached to the exterior portion of the hard shell to provide mounting locations for a plurality of casters. The casters are capable of swiveling through a 360 degree range. Ideally three casters are used to support the knee pad allowing the pad to be self supporting and allowing the wearer to easily balance on the knee pad without exerting undue pressure on his/her toes. A rolling knee pad is strapped to each of the wearers knees allowing the user to kneel without concern about placement of the knee pad. Once the knee pads are engaged to the floor surface, the wearer may move laterally in any direction while still on his/her knees.

Abstract: A panel meter having an integrated warning light activated by an abnormal operating condition. The meter embodies a conventional electrical meter movement having dial and pointer. The pointer, connected to an armature, is rotatable by the interaction of a magnetic armature with a varying magnetic field generated by varying a sender current in wound coils. Integrated into the meter and on a surface mount printed circuit board between the dial and coils are the components and wiring traces of a dual comparator circuit that activates a light emitting diode signal lamp when a high or low limit operating condition is reached. The signal lamp is fully integrated and mounted on the circuit board and viewable through an aperture in the dial. The same circuit board is usable for high and low limit sensing devices by choosing the position of a resistor located between the comparator collector and the light emitting diode.

Abstract: An adaptor for mounting a high capacity external oil pump to an original equipment engine block having existing openings for mounting an external oil pump. The adaptor bolts on existing bolt holes in the engine block. Sump oil is routed through the adaptor into the high volume oil pump. The high volume gear pump is driven, through the adaptor, by the previously existing original equipment engine block mechanism and through the previously existing opening provided for driving the original equipment gear pump. The adaptor has openings for accepting dirty sump oil from the engine. Dirty sump oil is directed through a cavity to the intake side of the high capacity gear pump. An oil filter is provided on the gear pump cover. Orifices direct the pressurized oil from the gear pump to the filter. The filtered pressurized oil is returned to the engine by mating orifices in the adaptor, gear pump, and gear pump housing.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine system for sewing a small workpiece to a larger workpiece by moving the sewing head and needle along an extended predetermined path while the workpieces remain stationary. Also provided is a method for using this system. The larger workpiece is positioned on a rotating work plate before the smaller workpiece is loaded in folding apparatus that folds and positions the smaller workpiece in a predetermined position on the larger workpiece. A clamp mechanism secures the workpieces to the work plate before the work plate is rotated under the sewing head and locked in a stationary position. The sewing head is mounted on a programmable computer controlled extended travel X-Y carriage allowing programmable and automatic control of the seam pattern and the rate at which the sewing head traverses the seam pattern.