Abstract: A gusseted envelope or box making apparatus and method including the use of a tractor feed unit (11) which perforates the web stock (5) prior to a subsequent printing step. A thermal print head (61) precisely activates thermal ribbon (57) which is accurately registered with the web (5) by means of pin feed holes (16,17). A product conveyor (74) manipulates the product (75) so as to automatically load the box or envelope (69) thus manufactured and printed. A multipart form (141) is disclosed including a continuous envelope (167), return reply envelope (173) and enclosed coupon (166) which may all be imprinted with unique customer information (161). The complete form (141) is folded and inserted into a parent envelope (167) by a series of vacuum plates (376) and insertion rams (392).

Abstract: A hammermill is presented which includes a plurality of hammers each presenting an arcuate striking profile. The hammermill includes a rotor having rods for swingable carrying the hammers thereon and a motor for rotating the rotor. The hammers are longitudinally spaced along the rotor and preferably helically arrayed thereabout. The hammers present a head and a body, the head having an arcuate striking face which may include a point. As the rotor turns, the hammers are free to swing on the rods and comminute material fed into the hammermill. The hammers preferably present symmetrical striking profiles whereby after one profile becomes worn, the position of the hammer on the rod may be reversed to increase the useful life thereof.

Abstract: A steering and suspension mechanism for use with a vehicle (1) and including a steering gear (14) interconnected to a steering wheel (8) through a series of universal joints (10, 11, 12, 13, 87). An output of the steering gear (14) is connected to a Pitman arm (21) which extends from a point (31) relatively near the axle (34) to a point (22) relatively far from the axle, where the Pitman (21) is pivotably interconnected to a pair of tie rods (25, 26). Extending upwardly from the wheels (6, 7) are a pair of A-frame members (40, 81) which pivotably support end caps (42, 47). A pair of coil springs (45, 46) are retained between the end caps, the faces (50, 51) of the end caps being preserved in a parallel relationship by linkages (56, 61), thus preventing buckling of the coil springs (45, 46).

Abstract: An implement position control device including a central processing unit (6) coupled to an ultrasonic transducer (17) and receiver/amplifier (20) adapted to calculate the distance to a reference target (12 and a relatively more distant surface (9). Control pulses are initiated by the CPU (6) to manipulate a solenoid (25) by means of a valve driver (24) in response to the calculated distance measurements. An autotune task (26) causes a series of precise pulses to manipulate the solenoid, thereby permitting calculation of the transfer function (52) defining the relationship between pulse width and implement position.

Abstract: The present invention is a reusable nursery stock container (1) which is designed to receive the root ball directly from the tree diging machine (2) which may be disassembled at the time a plant (3) is transplanted so as to substantially reduce damage to the root ball of the plant. The container(1) is formed of detachable container halves(9,8) which are securely attached to each other to form an integrated container by means of flanges. A bottom member(19) is secured to a bottom region of the container by a shelf(14) which is spaced above the bottom edge of container and held in place by means of tabs (25). The side walls may be tapered to facilitate vertical stacking, and molded in handles(6,7) are formed near an upper region of the container so as to facilitate handling.

Abstract: A lift arm assembly (30, 32) for a commercial riding mower includes pivotal lift arms (36, 38, 40, 120), each of which is biased downwardly by an adjustable spring arrangement for better control and contact between the underlying turf and the cutting reels supported on the outer ends of the lift arms.