Abstract: Add-on filters for heated-air blowers and other electric motor-powered appliances. The filters are fabricated from a washable, flexible, reticulated foam which traps even minute solid and liquid particles and is adhesively attached to the blower housing. A template, which also serves as a protective cover for the adhesive, has index lines along which a blank of the filter material can be trimmed to size and configured for a particular blower intake.

Abstract: An anti-skid brake system to supply brake fluid to first and second wheel brakes of an automobile. There are first and second control valves to receive brake fluid from a master cylinder, and first and second bypass valves to receive the bypass flow from the first and second control valves, respectively. A pump receives the bypass flow from the bypass valves in an anti-lock mode and recirculates the brake fluid in the system. There is a release valve that is responsive to fluid pressure levels of the first and second control valves to selectively connect the first and second control valves to the master cylinder, in a manner that with one of the control valves in its anti-lock mode and the other control valve in its normal operating mode, the pump delivers brake fluid toward the control valve which is isolated by the release valve.

Abstract: Ball bats of composite construction. These bats have a wooden handle and barrel and a metal sleeve which surrounds the barrel. The interaction between the sleeve and barrel keeps a batter's hands from being stung and/or the bat from being broken when a ball is struck.

Abstract: Lightweight, structurally integral enclosures with walls stiffened and strengthened by integral and joined reinforcing ribs which may also serve as heat sinks. These ribs, which may be capped or uncapped and located on the inner or outer sides of the enclosure walls, are formed by chemical milling. Wall components are preferably joined by electron beam welding. Seals may be used between the walls and a closure to isolate the interior of the enclosure. In electronic applications, conductive seals and sealants are employed to provide uniform and continuous shielding from electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference.

Abstract: A beater rod assembly for a crop harvesting machine where the beater rods rotate into and out of a crop row as the harvesting machine moves along the crop row. Each beater rod comprises an elongate fiberglass core surrounded by polyethylene sheath that exerts compressive forces radially inwardly around the fiberglass core. This arrangement alleviates damage to the fiberglass core that would otherwise occur by the tip end of the rod engaging posts or possibly engaging the tip end of another rod.

Abstract: A mounting block by which a fender can be mounted to a stanchion of a railing of a boat. The mounting block has a horizontal access slot, and two laterally extending upper and lower slots which extend in opposite directions. One end of a rope is attached to the fender and another end of the rope extends through two passageways in the mounting block. The mounting block is mounted to the stanchion by moving an access slot of the block into engagement with, after which the block is rotated 90.degree. so that the stanchion extends vertically through the base sections of the upper and lower slots.

Abstract: Art apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a caisson to a device for inserting and/or extracting the caisson. The apparatus comprises three beams. A first beam is relatively long and is normally connected to a vibratory device such that its longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device. The second and third beams are relatively short and are connected to the vibratory device such their longitudinal axes are parallel to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device. Four clamps are mounted on the beams to fix the beams onto the caisson. A flange on the first beam is widened at least a middle portion thereof to stiffen the beam and allow the beam to be securely connected to the vibratory device. The first beam may also be used with its longitudinal axis parallel to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manipulating concrete products having first and second ends. The apparatus comprises first and second engaging assemblies for engaging the first and second ends of the product. The engaging assemblies are mounted on a structural assembly. At least one of the engaging assemblies is displaced along the structural assembly towards the other of the engaging assemblies to grip the concrete product therebetween. A rotational actuator may be provided for each of the engaging assemblies for rotating the concrete product from a casting orientation into an installation orientation. The structural assembly may accommodate one or more sets of engaging assemblies and may be designed to allow fine adjustment of these assemblies relative to the concrete products to be manipulated.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digesting apparatus where wood chips and a cooking liquor are directed into a first cooking zone, and a portion of the cooking liquor is extracted at an intermediate region downstream, of said first cooking zone. Fresh liquor is introduced into said intermediate region to adjust pH level to inhibit scaling and/or clogging of strainers in the digester, and further digesting is accomplished in a second cooking zone downstream of an intermediate region. Liquor is extracted through strainers at a lower location of said second cooking zone.

Abstract: A foldable sawhorse comprising first and second leg structures each having a hinge member integrally formed therewith. One of these hinge members is an outer hinge member having a passageway extending therethrough. The other hinge member is an inner hinge member adapted to extend through the passageway in a way that allows the leg structures to rotate relative to each other about a pivot axis. An engaging member is attached to the outer hinge member such that, when the sawhorse is in use, the engaging member is appropriate for engaging a workpiece or other surface to be supported. The hinge members as described above engage each other in a manner that creates a very strong and durable pivot or hinge mechanism. Locking assemblies are employed to fix the sawhorse in an open configuration and allow it to be closed into a closed configuration for storage.

Abstract: A high-speed bus system which combines at least one parallel bus and at least one serial bus for simultaneous parallel and serial data transfer with serial data transfer taking place after connection setup at the same time as normal transfer of data and/or programs takes place on the parallel bus. Connection setup for both parallel and serial data transfer uses the logic circuit of the parallel bus. The particular adaptability of the high speed bus system is also achieved by using a high speed serial/parallel and parallel/serial converter which is connected between a parallel bus and a serial bus. This high speed serial/parallel and parallel/serial converter contains two functional units, one functional unit contains a no-delay start/stop oscillator and the other functional unit contains an internal control logic circuit which generates a busy signal when the serial bus is occupied.

Abstract: A method for applying a spray texture material to a wall surface utilizing an aerosol container for the texture material, along with discharge tubes through which the material is dispensed. By using tubes of different cross-sectional area, the spray patterns of the material can be made with smaller and larger particle size within more precisely controlled limits.

Abstract: A broadband communications network having an uninterruptible power supply. The power supply has one input connection to AC line voltage and another input connected to a gas powered electrical generator. The power supply contains an uninterruptible power supply module having a controlled ferroresonant transformer and a battery. The power supply also contains a bypass module having a controlled ferroresonant transformer. Switches are provided to allow either of the inputs to be connected to either the UPS module or the bypass module for the generation of power signals for supplying power to the broadband communications network.

Abstract: Methods of making fuel cell electrodes in which the pores of an electrically conductive metal substrate are filled with a slurry containing particles of the same or a different electrically conductive metal. The liquid phase of the slurry is removed, leaving the particles of conductive material in the pores of the substrate; and the conductive metal(s) making up the substrate and the metal particles supplied from the slurry are converted to oxide.

Abstract: A multi-color ink pad assembly with end user configurable pad/plate assemblies. The pad/plate assemblies comprise an absorbent pad impregnated with ink attached to a rigid mounting plate. Attachment means are provided which engage the mounting plate to attach the pad/plate assemblies onto a base such that the user may manually remove and reattach the pad/plate assemblies to the base in any number of configurations. The end user thus has tremendous flexibility in constructing multi-color inking surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for feeding wild birds, where there is a base member (i.e. wood log) having recesses formed therein. A bird feed cartridge having a casing and suet or other bird material contained therein has an end portion thereof inserted into the recess and cut off so that the end portion of the food cartridge is retained in the recess. After a bird eats the bird food in the recess then a second end portion of the cartridge is inserted into the recess.

Abstract: A broadband communications network having an uninterruptible power supply. The power supply has one input connected to AC line voltage and another input connected to a gas powered electrical generator. The power supply contains an uninterruptible power supply module having a controlled ferroresonant transformer and a battery. The power supply also contains a bypass module having a controlled ferroresonant transformer. Switches are provided to allow either of the inputs to be connected to either the UPS module or the bypass module for the generation of power signals for supplying power to the broadband communications network.

Abstract: A material used to fabricate sashes used by window assemblies. The material comprises a foam core covered by a cladding material. The foam core acts as a filler and provides insulation, while the cladding material protects the foam core from the environment and physical abuse. Often, a structural assembly or member is provided to stiffen the sash material. The cladding and structural assembly are placed into a mold and resin is injected into the mold between the cladding and the structural assembly. The resin cures to form the foam core. The foam core bonds the cladding and structural assembly together to form the sash material. The sash material is cut with woodworking tools to form a sash for a window assembly. The cladding is configured such that, when the window assembly is installed in a wall, interior vapor barrier material and exterior air barrier material applied to the wall overlap with the cladding material to reduce air flow through the wall around the window assembly.