Abstract: An electrical switch includes a stationary center contact located between spaced apart stationary first and second contacts. The contacts are mounted-within the interior of a housing, and a movable-contact member selectively establishes contact between the stationary center contact and the stationary first contact, and between the stationary center contact and the stationary second contact. The center contact includes a planar upwardly facing contact surface, and the movable contact member includes a central contact area which remains in engagement with the planar contact surface of the center contact and acts as a fulcrum during movement of the movable-contact member between first and second operative positions. The spaced apart stationary first and second contacts define coplanar upwardly facing first and second contact surfaces, respectively, which are at an elevation below the elevation of the contact surface of the stationary center contact.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a game at a party for enhancing the enjoyment of a plurality participants during the party, while gifts are being opened. The game apparatus and method includes, providing a plurality of gift items, providing a concealing device for individually covering each of the gift items from view, providing a participant with a unit for advancing play during the game. The participant is further provided with a member for making the concealing device more difficult to remove during play. The goal is to remove the concealing device to reveal a gift item before the removing is stopped. If a gift is fully revealed during play, the participant may retain the gift item.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a composite structure which includes an insert that is pervious to a flowable resin, and a mold having a cavity defining contiguous upper and lower portions. The upper portion is adapted to receive a fibrous pre-form, and the lower portion is adapted to receive the insert. The insert defines a volume to accommodate a pool of the flowable resin. Also, the insert preferably includes a plurality of fluid transferable elements. The fluid transferable elements preferably include a generally planar plate and an expanded metal pre-form, wherein the plate and the expanded metal pre-form are configured to facilitate resin flow in a direction generally orthogonal to a bottom surface of the mold to distribute the resin uniformly across the mold cavity.

Abstract: A hanging tray bird feeder including a self-aligning supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism includes a pair of hangers pivotally attached to opposite sides of the bird feeder and a hook slidably mounted to each of the hangers. When the hook is pulled upwardly and away from the bird feeder, the hook pulls each of the hangers outwardly from within the bird feeder into continuously aligned, extended positions above the feeder that allow the feeder to always be positioned in a level configuration when the bird feeder is attached to a tree limb by the hook.

Abstract: Precision castings, such as brake calipers and other parts requiring a fine finish and having complex internal geometries, can be produced by casting a shot of a semi-solid thixotropic metal alloy about a core, preferably a hot-chamber die-cast core, having a lower melting point than the solid-to-semi-solid transition temperature of the thixotropic alloy. Then, after the shot solidifies to form a casting with a captured core, the core is melted from the casting in a liquid bath, in an air furnace, or during other heat treatment of the part. The process dramatically reduces or even eliminates machining requirements for cast metal parts because the inner surface of the casting is of extremely low porosity and meets stringent tolerance requirements and because the melt-away core can be formed with protrusions that prevent mechanical removal of the core from the casting and that form undercuts, threads, bores, etc. in the casting.

Abstract: A system, software program, and method for monitoring performance of a fiber processing apparatus that preferably is a disk refiner or a filter screen that analyzes operating data pertaining to apparatus operation to determine when a plate of the apparatus should be replaced before plate wear undesirably affects performance. Operating data over time is analyzed to determine whether it exhibits a trend characteristic of plate wear.I If so, a plate change recommendation is generated. To avoid fluctuations in performance not due to plate wear from affecting the determination, operating data over several hours of apparatus operation is analyzed. When a plate is changed, an inventory of the plates is updated. If the inventory requires replenishing, plates are ordered over a telecommunications link with a remote supplier computer or system. New replacement plates can be entered into the inventory from information downloaded from a portable input device.

Abstract: Secondary air is strategically introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine event after the main combustion event to reduce HC and CO emissions. While the technique is applicable to virtually any otto cycle engine, it is particularly well-suited for use in a “rich burn” utility engine typically operating at an equivalence ratio (ER) of about 1.2 or above. Such engines start easily, run well, and emit low levels of NOx at ERs on the order of 1.2. The invention takes advantage of these benefits by admitting an air/fuel charge and allowing otto-cycle combustion to occur in at least generally the usual fashion (although at least preferably as rapidly as possible for a given engine design), using the standard fuel-rich carburetor calibration to fuel the engine.

Abstract: A mold interlocking device that includes a first portion attached to a mold half that has a head with a channel and an insert therein that is received in a pocket of a receptacle of a second portion that is attached to another mold half. In one embodiment, the head comprises sidewalls each with channels that receive a replaceable insert therein. Preferred inserts include rollers, plates, plates with lubricating plugs, and plates comprised of layers. In one embodiment, each sidewall of the head has a tapered section disposed between a mounting base and a straight section and each pocket is defined by a complementarily contoured sidewall. In another embodiment, each head sidewall further includes a second tapered section adjacent the free end of the head.

Abstract: A vertical probe card assembly containing a plurality of vertical probe cards is mounted within a central corridor or opening within a magnetic field generator. Each of the vertical probe cards has a multiplicity of probe needles extending downwardly therefrom for electrically contacting test pads of a device under test that is positioned below the magnetic field generator.

Abstract: A ceramic-based hardwood floor finishing method resistant to panelization, exhibiting improved durability, and suitable for on-site use. The method is comprised of laying down successive layers of water-based primer, armor coat and top coat. The water-based primer utilizes a low resin content and a low co-solvent concentration to substantially reduce panelization of hardwood boards. The water-based armor coat is comprised of large particulate size ceramic additives which, in combination with a low resin content, allow the formation of a microscopic bead structure on the surface of the finish which provides enhanced durability.

Abstract: A generator structure is provided for generating electrical power. The generator structure includes an enclosure having first and second spaced sidewalls interconnected by first and second end walls so as to define an interior. First and second generator sets are positioned within the interior of the enclosure. Each generator set includes an engine, an alternator driven by the engine for generating the electrical power and a radiator operatively connected to the engine. Means are provided for synchronizing the electrical power generated by each alternator.

Abstract: A steering transmission transmits steering forces that must be transmitted from a steering mechanism, such as a steering wheel or handlebars, to a steered mechanism, such as the rudder of a boat or the steered wheel(s) of an off-road vehicle. The steering transmission includes one and preferably both of a multi-ratio speed changer and a torque gate. The multi-ratio speed changer preferably takes the form of one or more planetary gear sets coupling an input shaft of the transmission to a rotary output of the transmission. The speed changer is shifted by manually operating a shifter to switch between two or more distinct speed change ratios, thereby permitting the operator to select the combination of responsiveness and steering effort desired for the prevailing operating conditions. The torque gate preferably takes the form of a release driver, a locking driver, and a wrapped spring disposed between the release driver and the locking driver.

Abstract: A ladder module for use in climbing trees, hunting or other purposes. The module includes a support member having a pair of support brackets mounted at the top and bottom ends of the support member. The brackets are generally V-shaped and include a number of teeth on the interior surface of the bracket that engage the tree on which the module is placed to prevent the module from slipping on the tree. The brackets also include a rectangular slot in the center of the bracket that receives a support member from a second ladder module to form a convenient nested carrying arrangement for the ladder modules. The module also includes a releasable securing arrangement for securing the module about the tree. The arrangement comprises a belt having a buckle and a pair of straps removably engagable with a fastener mounted to the support member on the side of the support member opposite the support brackets.

Abstract: A foot assembly for use in adjusting the height of a truck bed divider. The foot assembly includes a body securable to a bottom rail of the truck bed divider that engages the bottom wall of the truck bed to assist in securing the divider within the truck bed. In order to adjust the height of the divider to accommodate truck beds including side walls of various heights, the foot assembly also includes one or more extensions that are releasably securable to the body of the foot assembly. The extensions serve to increase the overall height of the foot assembly so that the divider can be used with truck beds having higher side walls. The foot assembly and extensions are both formed of a resilient material that enables the foot assembly and/or extensions to frictionally engage the bottom wall of the truck bed to aid in securely positioning the divider within the truck bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a concrete compacting device for compacting plastically deformable concrete in a formwork, comprising at least one vibrating unit which is attached to the formwork and has a vibration-generating unit. The compacting device is characterized in that the vibrating unit comprises an acceleration sensor for generating a signal corresponding to a vibration generated by the vibration-generating unit at the level of the formwork, and a control unit which is impinged upon by said signal and serves to control operating parameters of the vibration-generating unit.