Abstract: A blind accessory support bracket is disclosed. The bracket is configured to fit into the X-shaped framework of a hunting blind, tent, or portable structure. Abutments are located on either side of the bracket, containing the framework therebetween, and securing the bracket in place. The bracket may provide a variety of different supports, including a gun brace, a camera mount, or a shelf. When the bracket is located on framework near an opening of the blind, it may assist in aiming or shooting of a camera or gun at a target outside the blind.

Abstract: A food article end location detecting system for a food article slicing machine. The system includes a sensor located so that each food article passes a sensing range of the sensor as the food articles are loaded onto a food article feed apparatus. The system has instructions for calculating the length of each food article based on a location value provided by the sensor. The system also comprises a food article end disposal mechanism. The disposal mechanism has a transport for receiving said food article ends and for removing said food article ends from said food article path. The disposal mechanism also has a paddle for displacing food article ends from the transport.

Abstract: A food handling system having a vacancy reduction system. The vacancy reduction system includes the main conveyor, a food product parking station, a vacancy detector, a robot, and a controller. The vacancy detector is configured to detect a vacant food product position on the main conveyor. The robot has a working range for moving between the parking station and the main conveyor. The controller is signal-connected to the vacancy detector. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the vacancy detector indicating a vacant food product position on the conveyor. The controller is signal-connected to the robot and has control instructions for instructing the robot to move the food product from the food product parking station to the vacant food product position on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A golf training method and device having at least one flat surface and an annular surface, wherein the annular surface is configured to receive contact with a golf club and the flat surface is configured to contact the surface on which the device is disposed. The device may have a radius greater than the height. The device may be sized to have the diameter of a standard regulation golf ball, and a height approximately 0.25 inches to require the user to swing within 0.25 inches precision in order to hit the training device. The device maybe made from a soft, resilient material suitable for use indoors.

Abstract: A knockout mechanism for a food patty forming machine with one or more knockout cups for ejecting formed food from a cavity of a reciprocating mold plate. A rocker arm moves the knockout cup between a raised position and a knockout position. A linear actuator applies force to the knockout cup to move the knockout cup from the raised position to the knockout position. A spring also applies force on the rocker arm to move the knockout cup.

Abstract: A swimming hoop with a buoyancy member and flexible frame. By increasing or decreasing the buoyant force provided to the flexible frame by the buoyancy member, the user is able to position the swimming hoop at a desired vertical distance within a body of water. To increase or decrease the buoyant force, a pump is used to increase or decrease the level of air within an air chamber. The buoyancy member is adjustably secured to the flexible frame. The flexible frame may be generally circular, square, or any other shape, and is flexible such that other shapes can be further obtained by twisting or manipulating the flexible frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand held gauge for use with refrigeration systems. The gauge includes a service port connector, a display screen, and user interfacing buttons. The gauge also includes electronic storage of the pressure-to-saturation temperature data for different refrigerants. The gauge allows for the measuring of temperature and pressure of refrigeration systems. After a user inputs a refrigerant type, the gauge uses the pressure and the saturation data to determine the saturation temperature. The saturation temperature is compared to the measured temperature to get the superheat or subcooling. These results may all be displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: The invention comprises an engine control device and method for use in a vehicle incorporating an internal combustion engine and a motor that are capable of transmitting motive power to an axle. The device has an engine utilization reduction portion configured to reduce the power supplied by the engine when a requested engine power is above a predefined engine power minimum value when the device is in a hybrid mode thereby increasing power provided by the electric motor. The device also may have a computer readable engine off portion configured to prevent the engine from starting or consuming fuel thereby causing the vehicle to be directionally powered by the electric motor only. The device may also have a warm up portion configured to operate the engine in warmup mode and limit the power supplied by the engine when the engine temperature is below a predefined engine operating temperature thereby reducing emissions during engine warmup.

Abstract: An automated sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus for a high speed slicing machine where food articles can be loaded sequentially into designated and separated lanes of a lift tray and automatically sequentially assume a preload condition. Food article separation is maintained on the lift tray after the food articles are loaded by a plurality of support plates and one or more dividers. A food article sweep mechanism receives the food articles on the lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed mechanism while maintaining the separated positions. The food article sweep mechanism is a substantially open structure without enclosing walls.

Abstract: A battery holding and dispensing device can hold a plurality of batteries, in an assortment of battery sizes. The battery holding and dispensing device includes a frame having a plurality of compartments sized and shaped to each receive a battery of a particular battery size and each having a detent for releasably retaining the battery in the compartment. Each compartment has at least one opening in the bottom and lower side to expose a corner of the battery to allow finger ejection of the battery from the compartment past the detent, and to allow the user to touch the batteries to ascertain battery size by feel. The assortment of batteries held in the frame is preferably pre-selected to correspond to the batteries needed by a particular profession. An arrangement for illuminating the frame is provided.

Abstract: An automated sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus for a slicing machine where food articles can be loaded sequentially into designated and separated lanes of a lift tray and automatically sequentially assume a preload condition. Food article separation is maintained on the lift tray after the food articles are loaded. A food article sweep mechanism receives the food articles on the lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed mechanism while maintaining the separated positions. The food article sweep mechanism is a substantially open structure without enclosing walls.

Abstract: An adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. The housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. All of the adjustable vanes are gang together and moved together. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes will skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes.

Abstract: A threshing and separating mechanism for a combine includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis on the combine within a rotor housing. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The rotor has a rotor tube that is tapered continuously in the threshing portion and has threshing elements extending from the rotor tube. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor tube to form an annular space between the rotor tube and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. The housing includes a smooth transition section between the threshing section and the separating section of the housing.

Abstract: A bed frame assembly that can be assembled without additional tools. The bed frame assembly has two tubular side rails spaced a distance apart and arranged parallel to each other. The side rails are spaced apart for a distance at least equal to the length of a cross support member. Cross support members span the cross-support length between the tubular rails to support a mattress or a box spring over the distance between the two side rails. Retaining members which are used to secure the cross support members in position extend from opposing sides of the tubular side rail pair. The retaining members and the cross support members interlock via a releasable joint mechanism. The position of the releasable joint mechanism can vary to allow for adjustability in the cross support length to accommodate mattresses of different sizes.

Abstract: A professional networking system and method that facilitates a meeting between two or more users of the system for the purpose of expanding the users' professional networks. Users are matched by the system based on one or more available meeting dates of each user, and one or more sought characteristics corresponding to one or more characteristics of the second user that the first user profile seeks in another user. The system does not directly reveal the characteristics of one matched user to any other user except certain basic contact information may be disclosed to another matched user to facilitate a meeting.

Abstract: A collapsible portable toilet having an expanded and a compressed state. The toilet has a seat and a base. The seat is connected to a top of a collapsible assembly and the base is connected to the bottom of the collapsible assembly. The toilet has a cover that is cylindrical and surrounds the collapsible assembly. The cover contains a coil that is resilient to the expended position. The cover has a plurality of fasteners for holding the toilet in a compressed state. In the expanded state a plurality of segments extend toward the ground or supporting surface. The stop arm is insertable into the collapsible assembly to secure the toilet in an expanded state. The toilet utilizes a disposable inner bag for use in the interior of the toilet. The toilet is fittable within a carrying bag when in a compressed state.

Abstract: A protective goggle assembly includes a protective goggle having two side straps, each side strap comprises a free end and a first surface attachment region adjacent to the free end on at least one surface of each side strap; and a strap assembly that encircles the user's head, on each side of the strap assembly a second surface attachment region is provided that is configured to engage the first surface attachment region of the side straps. Free ends of the base band of the strap assembly are connected to an elastic ring to form a complete encircling band. The base band has a tail for securing the base band in position on a helmet. The complete encircling band is configured to fit around a soldier's helmet and the elastic ring being configured to fit over and around a night vision goggle mount at a front of the helmet.

Abstract: A protective goggle assembly includes a protective goggle having two side straps, each side strap comprising a free end and a first surface attachment region adjacent to the free end on at least one surface of each side strap; and a strap assembly that encircles the user's head, on each side of the strap assembly a second surface attachment region is provided that is configured to engage the first surface attachment region of the side straps. The strap assembly includes a base band with opposite free ends and an elastic ring. The free ends of the base band are connected to the elastic ring to form a complete encircling band. The second surface attachment region is carried on two locations of the base band. The complete encircling band is configured to fit around a soldier's helmet and the elastic ring being configured to fit over and around a night vision goggle mount at a front of the helmet.