Abstract: A mated hammer and hammer tip combination for releasable engagement are provided. The hammer includes a lower body portion for engagement with a rotor of a size reducing machine, and an upper body portion. The upper body portion of the hammer includes at least one bolt hole and a front face having a raised center section. The hammer also includes an upper and lower ledge, and recessed side grooves. The hammer tip includes a front face with a distally located working edge for debris impact, at least one bolt hole for receipt of a bolt to releasably engage the hammer and hammer tip, and a back having a plurality of protruding opposable members, comprised of opposable shoulders or feet that define a recessed section therebetween forming a saddle-back. The saddle-back in the back of the hammer tip releasable engages with the raised center section of the hammer.

Abstract: A relational database is provided with a plurality of data entries stored in the database. The data entries have a hierarchical relationship. The data entries are assigned an item identifier that uniquely identifies each of the data items. A multiple digit outline number is assigned to each of the data entries wherein the digits of the outline number correspond to the hierarchical levels of the data entries. A hierarchical level identifier is assigned to each of the data entries wherein the hierarchical level identifier equal the number of non-zero digits in the outline number. An organizational table is created wherein the table includes a row for each of the data entries and the table includes multiple columns. The columns comprise a column for the item identifier, a plurality of outline number columns where each outline number column comprises one digit of the outline number such that each of the digits is stored in a separate column, and a hierarchical level column comprising the level identifier.

Abstract: The invention comprises a rotor and hammer assembly comprising a drive shaft allowing for rotating the rotor and hammer assembly. End plates are secured to the drive shaft, and a rotor casing is secured to the end plates. The rotor casing has an outside surface, to which a hammer is removably secured. The outer surface of the rotor casing includes slots, having a first and second slot section with a raised center portion therebetween. The hammer has a substantially flat base with a centrally located notch, such that the hammer base and the slot matingly align. The hammer is further secured to the outer surface of the rotor casing with threaded bolts. The hammer includes a front face with a raised center section and recessed comers that matingly align with the hammer tip, and is further secured with threaded bolt and nut.

Abstract: The invention consists of a sonication and imbibition process for the uptake of water and/or other beneficial substances into a seed. The seed to be treated is immersed in water or other liquids. The seed is exposed to sound energy at frequencies between 15 kHz and 30 kHz for periods between about 1 and 15 minutes. The ultrasonic energy generates cavitational forces by the adiabatic collapse of microbubbles in the liquid medium, particularly those bubbles that collapse at the surface of the seed. The ultrasonic cavitational forces impart an enhanced stable memory for the seeds to imbibe water and/or other substances beneficial to the seed and/or plant. The ultrasonically treated seed can be dried, stored, and later imbibed with a substance that enhances a growth characteristic of the seed or resultant plant. Upon germination, the plant maintains the enhanced growth characteristics.

Abstract: A hammer comprising a hammer body. The hammer body comprises a rotor forming portion with a trailing and a leading edge and is capable of securement to a rotor, a tip support section capable of extending into a debris path, and a production pocket extending from the leading edge of the rotor portion also capable of extending into the debris path. The hammer also comprises a hammer tip secured to the tip section of the hammer body and at least partially shielded from the debris path by the production pocket of the hammer body.

Abstract: A fixture comprised of a base and a tensioning member integrated within the base provides a flexible tensioning force to retain a light bulb within the fixture. The light bulb can be a standard bulb, or a threadless bulb specifically designed for the fixture of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an insert for attachment to a hammer of a size reducing machine for use in size reducing waste material, comprising a body with a centrally located mounting hole to allow for attachment of the insert to the hammer. The body also includes a bullet shaped tip distally located in relation to the body, wherein the tip can size reduce waste material on impact.

Abstract: An application interface for an intelligent communication device. The intelligent communication device is connected to a network with at least one server connected thereto. The intelligent communication device includes an operating system. The application interface allows for application program to run on the intelligent communication device while be written independently of the operating system and the network. In a specific implementation, the application interface can be used in an interactive television system. The interactive television system includes a set top box decoder connected to a network with at least one server attached. The set top box decoder is a digital computer device which utilizes an operating system. The application interface includes an application program interface and a media control layer.

Abstract: A vehicle use profile is created by driving a vehicle with a throttle-controlled engine over a predetermined course at a first period of time. A vehicle use parameter is recorded at predetermined intervals along the course along with the throttle level. At a later time, a vehicle is driven over the same predetermined course with the throttle controlled according to the vehicle use profile. The vehicle use parameter can include real time position, speed, and elevation taken from a GPS receiver, or vehicle emission levels, wind resistance, or vehicle speed, taken real time from various sensors, wherein the vehicle is controlled in accord to one or more of the parameters.

Abstract: A bandanna is provided with a graphics display area defined on at least one side of the bandanna. The graphics display area is defined on each side by a first and second guideline that extend the length of the bandanna. The first and second guidelines are joined together at a terminal end by a third guideline. The bandanna is initially folded along a center folding line, wherein the graphics display area is substantially centered and adjacent to the center folding line. Next, the bandanna is repeatedly folded and wrapped in a manner that creates successive folding lines each substantially parallel to the center folding line. The folding and wrapping continues until one of the folding lines reaches the third guideline. A tip portion is folded about the third guideline thereby creating a pocket. Then, each side of the bandanna is repeatedly folded and stacked about the first and second guidelines, first one side and then the other.

Abstract: A hammer and rotor assembly for a size reducing machine. The rotor of the assembly comprises a drive shaft for rotating the assembly. The drive shaft includes a drive end and an outboard end, wherein the drive end secures to the drive motor of the size reducing machine. End plates secure the drive end and outboard ends of the drive shaft, and a center support also secures to the drive shaft. A rotor casing is secured to the end plates and the center support. The assembly includes a plurality of hammers having a hammer body with a rotor forming portion capable of securement to the rotor casing, a tip support portion extending into the debris path from the rotor forming portion of the hammer body. The hammer body also includes a production pocket. A rotatable hammer tip with a working edge and a protected edge is secured to the tip support section of the hammer body such that the hammer tip is at least partially shielded from the debris path by the production pocket.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a size reducing machine with a rotor having a plurality of hammers arranged to size reduce waste material upon impact. The rotor is contained with a tub that includes a tub floor for feeding the waste material toward the rotor. Located proximate to the tub floor is a gator plate with a serrated edge for initial material for sizing of the waste material.

Abstract: An improved trailer hitch housing is provided having a pair of integrated ribs extending the length of each side of the housing. The ribs strengthen and stiffen the housing by decreasing the tendency of the sides to bend when subjected to stress. The need for internal bracing or end flanges, which are used in prior art devices for strength and stiffness, is eliminated by the use of the ribs.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a growth characteristic of seed by immersing the seed in an aqueous solution including dissolved inert gas and sonicating the seed at a frequency preferably of between about 15 kHz and about 30 kHz and an energy density of between about 1 watt/cm2 and about 10 watts/cm2 for a period of between 1 minute and about 15 minutes. The sonicated seed exhibits an enhanced growth characteristic including resistance to pests and growth properties consistent with the introduction of essential nutrients. Plants grown from the treated seeds exhibit improved characteristics.

Abstract: An audio equipment holder and bracket device that conveniently mounts to a vehicle. The device comprises a substantially planer platform for retaining the audio equipment, and at least one leg with the first end secured to the platform, and a second end terminating at a connection point that allows for releasable securement to the vehicle.

Abstract: An animal chute with animal-actuated gates at each end and a data collection area. The animal enters the chute through one of the gates and both gates automatically lock the animal in the data collection area until the data is collected. The opposite gate then unlocks in order to let the animal exit the chute. The animal chute also has a side safety gate which breaks away upon pressure from the animal in order to allow it to escape. Data such as animal identification and weight is gathered in the data collection area. The gates may be operated with a linkage system and electric linear actuators. The data may be transmitted to a personal computer in order for the data to be stored and analyzed. The chute may be controlled with a programmable logic controller. The chute may be used in conjunction with additional directing devices in order to sort animals which pass through the chute.

Abstract: A computer system that utilizes a method that manages the flow of information between a memory storage area, a display screen, and a cache. The information flow within the computer system is managed by monitoring the initiation of the display screen blanking interval and then selecting a data entry in the cache which corresponds to display memory during the display screen blanking interval, and flushes the contents of that data entry to the memory area. The process repeats for each such data entry in the cache.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a growth characteristic of seed by immersing the seed in an aqueous solution including dissolved inert gas and sonicating the seed at a frequency preferably of between about 15 kHz and about 30 kHz and an energy density of between about 1 watt/cm2 and about 10 watts/cm2 for a period of between 1 minute and about 15 minutes. The sonicated seed exhibits an enhanced growth characteristic including resistance to pests and growth properties consistent with the introduction of essential nutrients. Plants grown from the treated seeds exhibit improved characteristics.

Abstract: A method of clearing fungal spores from seed by immersing the seed in an aqueous solution including dissolved inert gas and sonicating the seed at a frequency preferably of between about 15 kHz and about 30 kHz and an energy density of between about 1 watt/cm2 and about 10 watts/cm2 for a period of between 0.1 minute and about 15 minutes.

Abstract: A wheel rim including a first wheel rim section having a base and a pair of circumferential support flanges at opposite sides of the base, each of which extends radially outwardly from said base. A second wheel rim section has a base and a pair of circumferential support flanges at opposite sides of the base, each of which curves axially and radially outwardly. The second wheel rim section is sized to fit inside the first wheel rim section with the bases of the respective wheel rim sections in contact engagement. The outer peripheral edges of the flanges of both rim sections meet along the circumference of the wheel rim and are joint together by weldments that extend around the entire circumference of the wheel. The result is a composite wheel rim having an inner contour of a conventional roll-formed wheel rim and an outer, distinct contour.