Abstract: The present invention, in one form thereof, is an ergonomically useful dispensing assembly including a short dispensing tube adapted to be coupled at its inlet to a mixing bowl outlet. The outlet of the dispensing tube is coupled, for example, to a nozzle. A piston disposed within the tube has seals, such as O-rings which are sized to contact the interior surface of the dispensing tube along the length of the tube as the piston moves within the tube. The piston is constructed so that as the piston travels within the tube and from the tube inlet to the tube outlet, mix is forced through the outlet and mix is drawn into the tube through the tube inlet. As the piston travels from the tube outlet to the tube inlet, mix disposed within the tube travels through the piston. A check valve disposed adjacent the bowl outlet prevents backflow of mix from the tube into the bowl. The dispensing tube piston is driven by a dual piston-cylinder drive unit. The stroke length of the dual pistons is controllable.

Abstract: A method for relocating the center of percussion of an assembled golf club such that it substantially coincides with the center of the club head face, the present method taking into account the weight of the particular club shaft and grip affixed to the club head, the center of gravity of the club head both before and after the club shaft and grip are affixed thereto, and the offset relationship between the center of percussion of the assembled club and the center of the club head face. In its simplest form, the present method includes determining the center of percussion location on the club head face of the assembled club, comparing such location to the center of the club head face, and thereafter specifically weighing such club head so as to move the center of percussion of the assembled club from its previous offset position to substantially the center of the club head face.

Abstract: A product support module adaptable for interlocking engagement with substantially similarly constructed modules to form a selectable width composite display assembly for merchandising products therefrom, each product module including a plurality of friction keeper members associated with one side edge portion of the module and a plurality of corresponding keying slots associated with its opposite side edge portion, the keeper members being substantially T-shaped in cross-section and each including a stem portion and an overhanging flange portion, the stem portion associated with at least the front keeper member being outwardly tapered along its entire length from bottom to top such that the mating surface formed between the stem portion and the overhanging flange portion forms an angle with the front wall side portion of the module.

Abstract: Record and playback apparatus for footwear adapted to be incorporated in the footwear is disclosed which comprises circuitry for receiving signals, circuitry for recording the signals and storing the signals in a memory, circuitry for playing back the recorded signals from the memory, circuitry for controlling the recording circuitry for recording the signals and the playback circuitry for playing back the signals from the memory, and circuitry for receiving the recorded signals from the playback circuitry for transmitting the recorded signals.

Abstract: A method for dynamically balancing any plurality of golf clubs wherein each club in the plurality of clubs is balanced to the same equivalent pendulum length, the present method being based upon simulating the dynamic characteristics associated with swinging any particular golf club by using the dynamic equations describing simple pendulum motion wherein the equivalent pendulum length of any particular golf club is represented by the equation ##EQU1## where EPL=the equivalent pendulum length of the club; Q=the shaft or center of percussion length of the club; and r=distance between the center of gravity of the club and the grip end thereof. The present method also automatically balances all clubs in any particular plurality of clubs to a common period of oscillation and represents a simpler, less time consuming method for dynamically balancing such clubs as compared to the method disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,101.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling change payout from a plurality of coin tubes of a vending machine, each of which plurality of coin tubes has a particular coin type stored therein, including a processor for processing data and controlling vend operations, and coin level sensors for indicating the level of coins stored in each of the plurality of coin tubes, the processor programmed to determine the amount of change payback and whether one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied, including whether a first payout routine has been disabled, and if the first payout routine has been disabled, to execute a global payout routine which includes steps to effect an attempt to payout one coin only from a full coin tube, and steps to effect, if a coin is not paid out from a full coin tube, an attempt to payout one coin from a coin tube storing a coin denomination which cannot be evenly divided into the next highest coin denomination stored in one of the plurality of coin tubes.

Abstract: Illuminated footwear having a power source, at least one light source operatively connected to the power source, a switching circuit for selectively illuminating the light source, and a linear side-glow optical conduit positioned exteriorly on the footwear so as to be visible when illuminated, the linear optical conduit having opposed end portions and being capable of emitting light conducted therethrough radially outwardly from its circumferential periphery substantially along its entire length, at least one end portion of the linear optical conduit being positioned and located in close proximity to the light source so as to receive light therefrom when illuminated, the linear optical conduit being illuminated substantially along its entire length when the light source is selectively illuminated. In the preferred embodiment, the linear optical conduit extends substantially around the outer exterior front and side portions of the footwear, although other arrangements are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A boat trailer marking device capable of automatic deployment from and redeployment to a protected and recessed position out of sight and unobstructed which includes an elongated element pivotally attached to a mounting means wherein the elongated element includes an extension arm with visible means on the outer extremity and a weight arm which preferably includes a spring assist adapted to rotate the boat trailer marking device into vertical position for marking and tracking the movement and location of a boat trailer from a towing vehicle and for gauging the depth of the water when the boat trailer is in position on a boat ramp for loading a boat and for locating and targeting the center of the submerged boat trailer while loading the boat.

Abstract: An endless belt display device adapted for mounting on a conveyor system for rotatably moving the device comprises an endless belt having a top surface and a transparent panel having all but one edge bonded to the top surface of the belt, the panel forming a pocket with the belt and adapted for receiving advertisement through the unbonded edge to be viewed through the panel as the belt is being rotated by the conveyor system.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling change payout from a plurality of coin tubes of a vending machine, each of which plurality of coin tubes has a particular coin type stored therein, including a processor for processing data and controlling vend operations and counters for maintaining a count of the coins in each of the plurality of coin tubes, the processor programmed to determine the amount of change payback and whether a particular coin type available for payout is desired to be saved and the identity of such coin type, and further programmed to generate a payout array in which the number of coins of the coin type desired to be saved has been reduced from the number that would otherwise be specified and the number of coins of other coin types are adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A planting unit utilizing a single disk opener supported for rotation about a horizontal axis offset at a small angle from the transverse direction for opening a furrow. A seed tube assembly is located adjacent the rearward facing side of the disk and includes a runner extending forwardly of the lower portion of the seed tube for holding loose soil out of the furrow in advance of seed or other material deposited therein, the runner being located in the shadow of the disk so as not to significantly contact or disturb the side of the furrow. The opener is mounted on an arm which is pivotable about a relatively low point so as to be oriented at a relatively flat angle with respect to the ground and to maintain the general orientation of the opener as it moves through the soil throughout the range of pivotal movement of the arm. The planting unit can include one or more pivotable press wheels which can be mounted for pivotal movement about the same axis as a pivotable gauge wheel adjusting arm.

Abstract: A reusable package and display construction for holding pre-recorded media is disclosed which comprises an integral one-piece plastic housing having a storage compartment for holding the pre-recorded media and integral with the package construction a display compartment for displaying indicia in a portion of the housing adjacent to the storage compartment wherein the display compartment provides an area in which the indicia may be viewed when the indicia is displayed within the display compartment and the pre-recorded media is held within the storage compartment.

Abstract: A differential type sensing unit which includes a winding core having a winding shaft is described. In one embodiment, a post extends from the winding shaft and is located intermediate first and second winding ends of the winding shaft. The post facilitates reversing the winding direction of a conductor wound on the winding shaft. The conductor is wound such that the sensing unit includes a first sensing coil and a second sensing coil formed in a series opposing configuration. The sensing unit may be integrated with a driving unit to include driving coils formed over the top of the sensing coils.

Abstract: An orthopaedic supporter kit comprises a fixing member including a main fixing body enclosed within a moisture-impermeable container, the main fixing body including a support body made of a flexible base material impregnated with a water curable resin, the support body having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, and a covering member covering the outer surface of the support body and bondable to the curable resin, a cushioning member formed of a relatively elastic and bulky material, the cushioning member having an outer surface, an opposite inner surface, and opposite side end portions, the cushioning member being adapted to be positioned around a diseased part of a patient's body and conformed to the shape of the diseased part with the inner surface of the cushioning member directly applied to the diseased part and the opposite side end portions positioned in adjacent relation so as to be capable of being adjustably coupled together by fasteners, and fasteners for adjustably coupling together the

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one form thereof, to making a coin payout from a vending machine having a processor for processing data and a plurality of coin tubes for storing coins, each coin tube having one coin denomination type stored therein. The machine further includes coin counter, coupled to the coin tubes and to the processor, for determining when a coin is deposited in each coin tube and when a coin is removed from each coin tube. In one form of the present invention, the processor is programmed to determine whether certain conditions are satisfied for a particular vend and, if such conditions are satisfied, paying out at least one coin selected on the basis of predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An optical display device to allow a person or a device to physically sense various images. The device includes an image sensor having at least one image input portion adapted to be directed at a scene in which images are to be viewed, a circuit optically coupled to the image sensor to convert the images viewed by the input portion into amplified coherent light energy beam, and a photosensitive display device in optical communication with the coherent light energy beam for producing a physically recognizable display of the viewed scene.

Abstract: An extrusion head includes a housing having a passageway extending therethrough, a portion of the passageway tapered in frusto-conical fashion, an inlet hole extends from the outer surface of the housing into the passageway such that insulating material can flow into the passageway, a first die member is configured to be inserted within the passageway and having a tapered outer surface which engages the tapered portion of the passageway forming a sealed relation therebetween, the first die member includes an opening extending therethrough, an intermediate die member is also configured to be inserted within the passageway and includes an annular groove including a narrow portion and a wider portion, the narrow portion of the groove aligns with the inlet hole when the intermediate die member is inserted within the passageway and allows for substantially uniform flow of the coating material therearound resulting in a substantially uniform and accurate extrusion of the insulating material onto a wire which passes

Abstract: A laser device which comprises a base having an optical channel, a laser diode pump source mounted to the base and in thermal conductive relation thereto, the laser diode pump source positioned in alignment with the optical channel, a laser gain medium mounted in the optical channel and capable of being excited to establish a lasing condition, a lens mounted in the optical channel and positioned between the laser diode pump source and the laser gain medium and aligned with the laser diode pump source and the laser gain medium, a power supply for energizing the laser diode pump source to produce a lasing condition therein to produce an output of lasing energy, the output directed to the lens and focused on the laser gain medium to excite the laser gain medium to establish a lasing condition for producing a beam, and a mirror mounted in alignment with the optical channel adjacent the laser gain medium.

Abstract: A tool member to aid in the attachment and removal of a wide variety of differently sized and shaped clip type fastener members commonly used in a wide variety of different mechanical assemblies such as in the installation and removal of the ball device associated with many different types of trailer hitch assemblies, the present tool member comprising a body portion having opposed end portions, one end portion of the tool body including a hook member for engaging the clip type fastener member to effect removal thereof by exerting a pulling force thereagainst, and the opposite end portion of the tool body including a recessed cavity for receiving and holding the clip type fastener member when positioned therewithin to effect attachment thereof to a particular mechanical assembly by exerting a pushing force thereagainst.

Abstract: An electrical junction box is specifically designed for mounting within cylindrical concrete piers and other curved structures commonly employed for supporting light poles and other mechanisms wherein the front wall portion of the junction box including the face plate member associated therewith for controlling access to the interior portion of the junction box are both shaped and configured to conform to the specific curvature associated with the outer surface of the curved structure into which the present junction box will be mounted. This construction allows the present junction box to be completely embedded within the curved structure thereby enabling the exposed front wall portion thereof including the face plate member to lie substantially flush with the curved structure's exterior surface.