Abstract: A vapor trap for detecting VOCs includes a housing, having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one opening for receiving gas vapor. The housing is at least partially buried in ground with a vapor containment mechanism detachably connected to the first end portion of the housing. The vapor containment mechanism can be removed and replaced with a vapor sampling mechanism. An organic vapor analyzer can be connected in fluid relationship to the vapor sampling mechanism to measure VOCs. Optionally, a vacuum pump can be utilized to draw vapor into the vapor trap and then subsequently into the organic vapor analyzer. There can be a first selector valve located between the vapor sampling mechanism and the vacuum pump and a second selector valve located between the vapor sampling mechanism and the organic vapor analyzer. A preferred organic vapor analyzer is a photo-ionization detector.

Abstract: A pallet assembly device is disclosed that is configured to automatically position pallet components together and to automatically secure such components to each other. Furthermore, the pallet assembly device of the invention is preferably fed stacks of pallet components, and thereby eliminates the need for an assembly operator to manually position various pallet components in a jig or carriage. Yet further, the device preferably comprises a plurality of wheels that are positioned to simultaneously engage opposite sides of a pallet component and comprises a drive motor. The drive motor is preferably operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels in a manner allowing the drive motor to rotationally drive and rotationally stop at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to move the component along an assembly path. A method of assembling pallet components using a pallet assembly device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating control system in a roller grill has means for setting a set temperature, at least one temperature sensor mounted in the region of the rollers to measure the temperature of the area surrounding the food being heated on the grill, a temperature display in communication with the temperature sensor that indicates the temperature of the food area, and a control device that monitors the temperature measured in the area of the rollers and food and adjusts the input to heating elements to minimize variation of the measured temperature from the set temperature. Another embodiment of the system includes an offset heating structure in at least one roller to allow a temperature offset between two sides of the roller; and means for adjusting the temperature offset between the two sides of the roller.

Abstract: A collapsible cup with vented pocket comprises a base member for supporting the apparatus. A plurality of telescoping components form a fluid-tight seal by friction fitting the plurality of telescoping components together. An outermost telescoping component is attached to the base member to form an impervious junction between the base member and the outermost telescoping component. A vented pocket is attached to an innermost telescoping component. The innermost telescoping component is the final component of the plurality of telescoping components.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a magazine comprised of a plurality of fastener slides, each of which carries a fasteners of a different size. The magazine is designed so that an operator may to choose to drive fasteners from any of the fastener slides. In one embodiment, the fastener slides are arranged around a central core. A rod supported by the tool's base and driver fits within the central core and provides an axis of rotation for the magazine. During rotation of the magazine, each slide can be aligned with the driver. Alignment of a slide is maintained by a position locking means. A feed means in each slide forces the fasteners down the slide and into the driver. In another embodiment, the fastener slides are arranged next to one another in the magazine. Each slide can be aligned with the driver by shifting the magazine laterally. A position locking means keeps the magazine in the proper alignment once a particular fastener slide has been chosen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing the emissions of odorous gases and fatty acids generated by digestible and odiferous waste. The apparatus includes a treatment comprising oil, activated carbon and a base buffering agent. The apparatus also includes a system for delivering the treatment through a low pressure output, such as a low pressure manifold with a plurality of delivery pipes. A starter plank made of concrete, used for mounting the apparatus on a wall and a flotation board, made of foamed polystyrene board, directs the flow of the treatment onto the surface of the waste. The method includes the steps of applying oil and activated carbon to the surface of liquid waste and injecting a base buffering agent below the surface of the oil/activated carbon layer. The oil and activated carbon create a seal that prevents odorous emissions from entering the air space above the liquid waste and the base buffering system neutralizes the acidic waste.

Abstract: A fastening bracket system for connecting two abutting members at a fixed angle includes a locking bracket having a flange and attached to one member and a channel bracket having a channel and attached to the other member. The channel or the flange, or both, is tapered. The flange is inserted into the channel until it becomes locked. Multiple locking brackets and channel brackets may be used in series to form longer joints. A method of assembling a joint from two abutting members at a fixed angle includes the steps of attaching at least one locking bracket having a flange to one of the members and at least one channel bracket having a channel to the other member, either the flange or the channel being tapered; positioning the members in the desired angle; and inserting the flange into the channel until it is locked, thereby locking the brackets together and securing the two members in position.

Abstract: Chain conveyors in an agricultural harvesting machine can be tensioned by means of a tension adjusting device including an adjusting unit which is coupled to a displaceable shaft via a linkage means or connector members. The adjusting units are advantageously hydraulic cylinders controlled in synchronism. The hydraulic cylinders can be mutually independently pressurized via bypass lines incorporating control valves.

Abstract: In an agricultural machine having a machine housing, a main drive axle with pivotal drive wheels, and a feed rake, an apparatus for allowing pivotal adjustment of a frontal attachment relative to the feed rake includes at least one pivot element or frame pivotally connected between the feed rake and the frontal attachment, thereby creating at least two separate pivot planes between the frontal attachment and feed rake. The pivot element pivots about a pivot axis that is generally coaxial with a crop path through the feed rake.

Abstract: A ceremonial illuminary including a voltage supply mechanism, a switching mechanism that is electrically connected to the voltage supply mechanism, a first lamp electrically connected to the switching mechanism, a second lamp electrically connected to the switching mechanism wherein the switching mechanism provides voltage to the first lamp to illuminate the first lamp and then switches to provide voltage to the second lamp instead of the first lamp when the first lamp burns-out and no longer illuminates. The first lamp and the second lamp are secured with an enclosure.

Abstract: A method for measuring cognitive efficiency uses the following cognitive tests: Simple Reaction Time; Running Memory Continuous Performance Task; Matching to Sample; and Mathematical Processing Task. A device for measuring cognitive efficiency includes a microprocessor having a memory; the aforementioned cognitive tests loaded into the memory; a baseline stored in the memory, means for computing the score on a run of these tests and for storing the score in the memory; the means for computing being operative for comparing the score to the stored baseline; and means for indicating a cognitive change from the baseline. Changes in cognitive efficiency may be measured by comparing the results of the cognitive tests to a baseline.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the cooler efficiency of a hydraulic drive system in a self-propelled agricultural machine includes a constantly running hydraulic pump which is driven by an internal combustion engine and a diverting device. The hydraulic pump creates a constant circulating stream of hydraulic fluid that circulates separately from the working stream of hydraulic fluid of the system. The diverting device draws a partial stream of hydraulic fluid from the working stream to the cooler. The diverting device adjusts the size of the partial flow depending on the temperature of the constant circulating stream of fluid in order to allow the cooler to work continuously at optimum efficiency without exceeding the maximum permissible pressure in the system.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has a feed conveyor assembly arranged in the front region and a crop receiving assembly attached thereto. The two drive shafts of these assemblies are fitted with drive pulleys over which a common belt is entrained to drive the assemblies. A slip clutch is located between the pulley and the drive shaft for the feed conveyor. A brake is associated with the drive shaft for the feed conveyor by which the drive shaft can be braked suddenly when foreign objects appear in the feed region. The crop receiving assembly is braked by at least one slip clutch which is activated by the brake.

Abstract: A podium which can operate as a free-standing, self-contained reception station housing any needed electronic equipment within its enclosure, defined by a plurality of upstanding sides and a top surface, having a ventilation system to dissipate from the enclosure any heat generated by the electronic equipment; a retractable, writing shelf for use by handicapped customers; a shelf to support a computer monitor below an opening in the top surface; a series of shelves designed to support a computer printer and its paper supply behind an access panel in one of the upstanding sides; and a trash receptacle housed within the enclosure and accessible through a moving panel in an adjacent upstanding side of the podium.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and retaining a crop-cutting device on a pivotal feed rake of a harvesting machine includes at least two pairs of spaced web plates attached to the crop-cutting device, a plurality of load-bearing rods mounted between each pair of spaced web plates, a horizontal axle that connects the crop-cutting device and the pivotal feed rake, and at least two hydraulic cylinder units with the piston end of each unit having a pick-up hook designed to engage one of the plurality of load-bearing rods. This arrangement allows the angular position of the crop-cutting device to be adjusted in a simple manner relative to the feeder housing by pre-selecting those load-bearing rods which are to be engaged by the pick-up hooks when mounting the crop-cutting device on the feeder housing.

Abstract: A device for positioning stock within a metal forming machine has a body containing a pusher arm. The device may use interchangeable standard and reverse pusher arms . The pusher arms mount on pivot pins and have position restoring springs. The springs exert force on the pusher arms at a distance from the pivot pins, thereby inducing a moment in the pusher arm. The pusher arm translates this moment into a lateral force exerted by the pusher arm on a piece of stock metal. The body may be mounted in either a reverse or standard configuration resulting, in combination with the use of either the standard or reverse pusher arm, in the ability to exert a lateral force in different directions depending on the configuration used. The device may also have a single pusher arm which may be used in either configuration.