Abstract: A power assist steering system is provided for use on a vehicle that has a steering implement and a steering mechanism operatively connected to a first wheel. The power assist steering system includes first and second vacuum actuators, a vacuum for providing a vacuum to the first and second vacuum actuators, an actuator for selectively activating the first and second vacuum actuators and a power assist for assisting the steering mechanism in turning the first wheel in first and second directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes using in large scales liquid medium volumes is disclosed which passes a hydrodynamic liquid flow at a velocity through a flow through channel internally containing at least one element to produce a local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow. The velocity of the liquid flow in the local constriction is at least 16 m/sec. A hydrodynamic cavitation cavern is created down stream of the local constriction, thereby generating cavitation bubbles. The cavitation bubbles are shifted with the liquid flow to an outlet from the flow through channel and the static pressure of the liquid flow is increased to at least 0.85 kg/cm.sup.2. The cavitation bubbles are then collapsed in the elevated static pressure zone, thereby initiating the sonochemical reactions and processes.

Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly and method of assembly for a riding lawn mower having at least one channel in a seat bracket whereby the operator can manually adjust the position of the seat. Guideposts located on the lower surface of the seat slide within the channel and provide support against a rocking motion. A lever attached to a seat bracket locks the seat in a position comfortable for the operator. The method includes assembling the seat to the seat bracket without the use of tools.

Abstract: A vertical drive shaft lawn edger is disclosed having a curb support roller system. A support roller is mounted directly behind the blade of the lawn edger. A height adjustment mechanism controls the height of the front wheel and the support roller in unison. The support roller has a smaller outer diameter than the front and rear wheels. Therefore, when edging along side a curb the support roller contacts the curb thereby providing support when the front wheel is suspended above the ground.

Abstract: A transmission is provided for use with an associated vehicle having an engine and a drive axle. The transmission has power input means for receiving power from the engine, a hydrostatic unit and first gearing means for communicating power from the power input means to the drive axle, a PTO shaft having first and second ends for use in selectively driving first and second associated implements, second gearing means for communicating power from the power input means to the PTO shaft and, a housing for holding the first and second gearing means as well as the PTO shaft. The transmission also has lubricating means for simultaneously lubricating the first and second gearing means, the PTO shaft and an intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A method of coating ferrous and nonferrous metal substrates that provides cathodic protection from corrosion by coating with inherently conductive polymers and sacrificial anodic metal particles. This method of coating is characterized by its conductivity and cathodic corrosion resistant qualities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a liquid disperse system in a flow-through channel is described. The flow-through channel has first and second chambers. The liquid in the first chamber is maintained at a steady pressure P.sub.1. The liquid is passed through a localized flow constriction creating cavitation liquid jets that flow into the second chamber. The dynamic pressure of the liquid jets is govern by the equation .rho..nu..sup.2 /2.gtoreq.0.15 P.sub.1 where .rho. is the density of the cavitation liquid jet and .nu. is the velocity of the cavitation jet. Cavitation bubbles are produced in the cavitation liquid jets between 1.times.10.sup.-6 m and 1.times.10.sup.-2 m. The pressure in the second chamber P.sub.2 is maintained such that P.sub.1 /P.sub.2 is .ltoreq.9.8. The liquid disperse system is produced by the collapsing of cavitation bubbles under static pressure P.sub.2 in the second chamber. The pressure P.sub.

Abstract: A safety cord-pull apparatus has a top portion and a bottom portion which include raised waves to secure control cords from a blind. A razor blade molded into the cord-pull apparatus cuts the control cords in the event a child or small pet becomes entangled within the control cords. An alternate cord-pull apparatus is also provided which has a circular housing through which the control cords are disposed. The control cords are cut by a sharpened edge in a cap on the housing or by a sharpened washer located inside the housing. The cord-pull apparatus also includes a pull cord that hangs below the control cord-pull apparatus to operate a blind. The method for assembling the cord-pull apparatus includes placing control cords into chutes and over raised waves, folding the top portion of the cord-pull apparatus unto the bottom portion of the cord-pull apparatus, adjusting the control cords level with regards to the blind, and cutting the control cords.

Abstract: The proposed method comprises passing the hydrodynamic flow of liquid hydrocarbons through a flow-through passage accomodating a baffle body providing for a local constriction of the flow; establishing the local flow constriction on at least one portion of the flow-through passage whose cross-sectional profile area is so selected as to maintain such a velocity of the flow on the portion of the passage that promotes the development of a hydrodynamic cavitation field past the baffle body having the degree of cavitation of at least one; processing the flow of a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons in the hydrodynamic cavitation field to initiate chemical transformations of liquid hydrocarbons resulting in a change in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the mixture of liquid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A mower deck is disclosed that utilizes an auxiliary source of pressurized air in order to avoid clipping buildup under the mowing deck, most particularly at the trailing edge of the discharge chute. The auxiliary source of air comes through a cloverleaf shaped hole in the mower deck. The spindle is mounted to the mower deck through this hole, as in conventional mowers. However, unlike conventional mowers, because the hole in the mower deck has a cloverleaf configuration air can flow through the corner portions of the cloverleaf configured hole and act as an auxiliary source of air even though the spindle is mounted to the mower deck through the hole.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided and includes a frame, a drive shaft, an engine for selectively rotating the drive shaft, a mower deck having first and second ends, coupling for selectively coupling the drive shaft to the mower deck, a lift cylinder for selectively lifting the mower deck, and a deck attachment mechanism for attaching the mower deck to the frame and to the lift cylinder.

Abstract: A vertical drive shaft lawn edger is disclosed having a non-integral flywheel with the edger engine. This allows for the interchangeability of different flywheels for the same engine or different engines. The flywheel disclosed is preferably a combination flywheel/drive pulley. The flywheel/drive pulley is mounted directly to the drive shaft of the engine. The drive pulley is mounted to the top side or bottom side of the flywheel. Preferably, the flywheel/drive pulley in an integral piece.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for use within an associated vehicle transmission includes a shift shaft fixedly attached to the housing of the transmission, a drive shaft rotatively attached to the housing of the transmission and, first and second shift forks operatively connected to the shift shaft and operatively connected to the drive shaft. The shift forks have arms with slots for receiving a shift lever. To shift the associated vehicle transmission, a shift lever is shifted, moving the first shift fork along the shift shaft, sliding a first clutch collar along the drive shaft. Next, a second shift fork is moved along the shift shaft, sliding a second clutch collar along the drive shaft.

Abstract: A bag-full indicator mechanism is provided for use on a mower that has a mower deck with cutting blades, a bag for collecting cut vegetation, and a chute communicating the mower deck with the bag. The bag-full indicator mechanism includes a vacuum actuator, vacuum means for providing a vacuum to the vacuum actuator, and sensing means for sensing that the bag is full. Preferably the vacuum means is the intake manifold of the mower engine. The bag-full indicator mechanism also includes activating means for activating the vacuum actuator and includes a switching means and a pivotable lever. Finally, indicating means is used for indicating that the bag is full and preferably includes a shutoff means for stopping the rotation of the cutting blades.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided that includes a frame, an engine operatively attached to the frame and providing locomotion to the riding mower, a first front wheel operatively attached to the frame, a first back wheel operatively attached to the frame and a back axle forming a back axle axis. The first front wheel forms a front wheel axis and the first back wheel forms a back wheel axis. The back wheel axis is longitudinally spaced from the front wheel axis by a wheel base distance. The engine is longitudinally spaced forwardly of the back axle axis. In this way, the center of gravity of the riding mower is positioned relatively low and forward as compared to other known riding mowers. The first front wheel provides the front-most surface for the riding mower and the first back wheel provides the back-most surface for the riding mower.

Abstract: An air flow structure for use in providing air to an engine mounted on an associated vehicle includes a hood for covering the engine, an air grill and connecting means for connecting the air grill to the hood. The air grill has a contoured cap, air inlet openings around the circumference and a discharge opening. The inlet openings are angled and are covered by the cap so that it is relatively difficult for rain or other unwanted substances to enter the engine.

Abstract: A blade adapter for attaching a mower blade to a blade drive shaft of a lawn mower is disclosed. The blade adapter includes first and second extensions that extend beneath the bottom surface of the blade adapter and correspond with holes located along a longitudinal axis of the mowing blade equadistance from the center hole of the mowing blade. The first and second extensions act to pass torque between the blade adapter and the mowing blade, thereby reducing stresses on the teeth and slots of the central section of the blade adapter and mowing blade. A method for installing a mowing blade onto the disclosed blade adapter is also disclosed which includes the step of aligning the first and second holes of the mowing blade with the first and second extensions of the blade adapter and aligning the central star hole of the mowing blade with the central star section of the blade adapter.

Abstract: A shaft alignment apparatus includes a first bearing block having a first opening for receiving a first associated shaft, a first housing member having a first slot for receiving the first bearing block, a second housing member and fastening means for fastening the first housing member to the second housing member. The first housing member has a junction surface lying on a junction plane and an internal base surface lying on a base plane. The first associated shaft is positioned between the base plane and junction plane of the first housing member. To align a first associated shaft, its first end is mounted into an opening in a first bearing block. The second end of the first associated shaft is then mounted into an opening in a second bearing block. Both the first and second bearing blocks are then slid simultaneously into first and second slots, respectively, in the first housing member. Finally, a second housing member is fastened to the first housing member.