Abstract: A steering device for decreasing a turning radius of a pallet jack is disclosed. The steering device comprises a first portion fixedly connected to the pallet jack between a main wheel and the extensible roller thereof. A second portion pivotally attaches to the first portion. A spring disposed within the first portion urges the second portion to remain in a selected position. A wheel disposes within the second portion. Positioning the pallet jack towards the lowered position, the wheel engages the ground causing the extensible roller to disengage the ground whereupon the main wheel and the wheel define a second turning radius which is lesser than the first turning radius. Upon the wheel contacting a lower cross member of a pallet, the second portion is urged against the biasing force of the spring to pivot relatively upwards and over the lower cross member.

Abstract: An animal water dispenser according to the present invention includes a base having a base bottom, base walls extending from said base bottom and a base interior defined by said base bottom and base walls. A water valve cover is provided in said base interior. An inlet nipple is carried by said base. A fill valve is provided in said water valve cover. The fill valve has a water conduit communicating with the inlet nipple, a valve communicating with the water conduit, a float slidably carried by the water conduit and a float rod connecting the float to the valve for opening and closing the valve responsive to displacement of the float on the water conduit. A dispensing spout is provided in fluid communication with the valve of the fill valve, and a drain pipe is provided in fluid communication with the base interior.

Abstract: The present invention includes a walking cane having a handle assembly, a support assembly and foot member. The handle assembly includes first and second generally upright rigid posts. A shaft adaptable for grasping by a user's hand connects to each end of the posts. Pliable mounts dispose between the terminal ends of the shaft and each post. The mounts, biased against the shaft, permit omni-directional movement of the shaft relative to each post. The support assembly connects to the handle assembly and includes three parallel elongated rods spaced apart from one another in a triangular formation. The handle assembly can be adjusted relative to the support assembly by means of two cooperating shims. The foot member connects to the support assembly and contacts the ground. The cane provides a light-weight shaft and a shock absorbing handle assembly to assist in relieving hand, wrist and arm strains.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) a mechanized implement operatively connected to an auxiliary power source includes rigid frame connectable to an undercarriage of the ATV. The frame includes a first portion extending past the front axle of the ATV and a second portion extending past the rear axle of the ATV. The first portion of the frame connects to the undercarriage proximate the front axle, while the second portion of the frame connects to the hitch. A base connects to the second portion of the frame to support the auxiliary power source. The mechanized implement attaches to the frame by way of a swingable portion having a first end pivotally attached to the first portion of the frame and a second end mateable with the mechanized implement.

Abstract: A method of forming and delivering a carbonated machining fluid to be used in a machining process, the machining process including a tool contacting a substrate, comprises supplying a pressure vessel with a non-carbonated machining fluid and non-supercritical carbon dioxide. The machining fluid and carbon dioxide are allowed to admix such that at least a portion of the carbon dioxide dissolves into the machining fluid to form the carbonated machining fluid. The carbonated machining fluid is then delivered under pressure from the vessel to an applicator and applied to the tool or the substrate to impart cooling and lubricating effects.

Abstract: A method of forming a plasma to physicochemically modify properties of a fluid spray in a substrate treatment processes includes providing an applicator in proximity to the substrate. The applicator comprises an electrically insulated main body portion containing a cavity, a tube axially positioned within the cavity for transporting a first fluid, an annular electric-field generator positioned within the cavity between the main body portion and the tube, a region between the tube and the generator for transporting a second fluid, and a nozzle connected to the main body portion for mixing the first fluid with the second fluid to form the fluid spray. The tube, the nozzle or the substrate are selectively grounded. Upon activating the electric-field generator, plasma is formed within the tube or about the region between the tube and the generator when the tube is grounded, within the nozzle when the nozzle is grounded or between the nozzle and the substrate when the substrate is grounded.

Abstract: An apparatus to replicate and analyze movement of a mandible relative to a maxilla with dental casts thereof includes a base frame, an arm connected to the base frame and a suspension assembly positionable by a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. The arm connects to the base frame and supports the dental cast of the maxilla in a fixed position relative to the base frame. The suspension assembly, having opposing first and second sides, supports the dental cast of the mandible in working relation to the dental cast of the maxilla. The plurality of actuators each selectively impart movement to the sides of the suspension assembly such that the movement of the mandible obtained during a recording process can be replicated on the apparatus in real time.

Abstract: An animal food dispenser is disclosed. The animal food dispenser includes a base having a base interior and a dispensing slot communicating with the base interior. A food hopper having a hopper interior is provided on the base. A food opening is provided between the hopper interior and the base interior. A food tray pivotally mounted in the hopper adjacent to the food opening is pivotal between closed and opened positions. A water dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from synthetic resin material includes contacting a particulate synthetic resin material containing at least one contaminant with a solvent other than carbon dioxide. At least a portion of the contaminant is removed from the particulate synthetic resin material and becomes dispersed in the solvent. The solvent, with the contaminant dispersed therein, is then removed from the particulate synthetic resin material. Thereafter, at least a portion of the solvent still contained on the synthetic resin material is removed by contacting the particulate synthetic resin material with liquid carbon dioxide to dissolve the solvent into the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to produce and apply a variety of surface cleaning and modification spray treatments. More specifically, the present invention provides the simultaneous steps of selectively removing one or more unwanted surface contaminants, including extremely hard coatings, exposing a native clean surface layer and modifying said exposed and cleaned native substrate surface layer to energetic radicals and radiation to improve adhesion, wettability or coatability. Reactive species in combination with non-reactive, but chemically or physically active, species provide a reaction control and surface treatment environment by which contaminants and surface interlayers are oxidatively, physically and/or chemically removed or modified to prepare an underlying substrate surface for subsequent bonding, deposition, coating and curing operations. Substrates treated in accordance with the present invention have cleaner and higher surface free energy surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and process for cleaning substrates using fluids, including dense fluids. A perforated centrifuge drum operates within a pressure vessel. A dense fluid cleaning and management system including suitable process condition sensors provides for exchanging fluid with the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A pallet jack having first and second turn radii includes a support frame having a first end and a second end. The support frame is positionable between a raised position and a lowered position. A main wheel connects to the support frame proximate the first end while a first extensible wheel connects to the support frame proximate the second end. The distance between the main wheel and the extensible wheel define the first turn radius when the support frame is in the raised position. A ground engaging device attaches to the support frame between the main wheel and the first extensible wheel. Positioning the support frame towards the lowered position, the ground engageable device engages the ground and the extensible wheel disengages the ground. The second turn radius is thereby defined by the distance between the main wheel and the ground engaging device, which is less than the first turn radius.

Abstract: A hand-truck for supporting and transporting the load placed thereon includes a stowable handle. The stowable handle is positionable between a stowed position, a locked position and an infinite number of positions therebetween. The handle is accessible by a user at each position. The hand-truck can transport a load by hand and is accessible to be lifted by a forklift from any side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dense fluid spray cleaning apparatus comprising a gas supply (3) for providing a predetermined amount of a gas to an enhanced joule-thompson condensation reactor (2) and for providing gas to a propellant generator (4), a premix chamber (6) for receiving a solid particulate from the enhanced joule thompson condensation reactor and heated gas from the propellant generator, and a mixing chamber (8) for receiving the solid particulate and the heated gas and producing a spray stream containing the solid particulate.

Abstract: A steering device for decreasing a turning radius of a pallet jack includes a ground engaging member connected to a support member of the pallet jack between a main wheel and an extensible wheel. The load supporting member of the pallet jack is positionable between a raised position and a lowered position. A first turning radius of the pallet jack is defined by the distance between the main wheel and the extensible wheel. While the extensible wheel engages the ground when the support frame is positioned towards the raised position, positioning the support member towards the lowered position engages the ground engageable member with the ground causing the extensible wheel to disengage the ground. The main wheel and the ground engageable member then define a second turning radius which is less than the first turning radius.

Abstract: The present invention includes a nozzle device and method for forming a composite fluid. The nozzle device generally comprises a nozzle portion connected to a main body. The main body includes an inner axial bore extending therethrough. An annular wall extends radially therefore and an annulus extends from an outer perimeter of the annular wall. The annulus and the annular wall define an annular chamber at least partially open to the atmosphere. A portal fluidly communicates the bore with the annular chamber. The nozzle portion includes a converging nose section also having an internal axial bore extending therethrough. An annular collar extends from the nose section and disposes at least partially within the annular chamber. A first tube for transporting a first fluid disposes within the axial bore of the main body and nose section, terminating at an exit port of the nozzle section.

Abstract: A seed planter has at least one rock shaft carrying a rank of planter assemblies. Each planter assembly includes a torsion joint assembly connected to the rock shaft, a planting equipment linkage connected to the torsion joint, a planting equipment yoke connected to the linkage and planting tools or equipment connected to the yoke. The planting equipment linkage is a modified parallelogram linkage that keeps the planting equipment in consistent alignment over the ground even as the seed planter traverses irregular terrain. The seed planter includes a stop mechanism that limits the amount of permissible rotation of the torsion joint on the rock shaft. A stop plate is attached to the torsion joint housing for rotation with it relative to the rock shaft. An edge of the stop plate faces the rock shaft and has a jaw opening defined by upper and lower jaws that at least partially encompasses the rock shaft.