Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a massage especially to the back areas of persons who have to sit for a relatively long time on seats, especially motor vehicle seats. The massage is achieved in accordance with the invention by a periodic or a continuous motion of massage elements placed in the seat surface and/or in the back rest. The massage elements are able to move in a forward and backward direction and an up and down direction with respect to the seat. The apparatus includes a supporting element formed of a flexible material that is positioned on a frame of the seat, a drive mechanism, a mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism to cause at least a portion of the supporting element to be bowed to provide movement of the supporting element in a direction toward and away from a person seated on the seat for the purpose of supporting body surfaces of the person on the seat.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for removing and separating grain from harvested crop has a threshing zone and at least one separation zone for separating the grain. The axial separating rotor is at least partially encased by a separating housing having a plurality of sections. At least one of the sections is displaceable in the axial direction of the at least one axial separating rotor to increase the opening and ensure separation when a correspondingly large proportion of grain are in the outer region of the rotating crop stream and the proportion of admixtures is small.

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: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly and rotating a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a motor operation connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation so that loaded wheel/tire assembly measurements may be determined while the force is applied thereto and a control circuit. The control circuit is responsive the loaded wheel/tire assembly measurements and to a tire stiffness value to make a determination of a predetermined uniformity parameter.

Abstract: A support for an agricultural implement carried on a receiving device of an agricultural machine includes at least one support wheel connected with the receiving device. A support wheel assembly for use with the disclosed method includes a support wheel and a wheel lifting cylinder connecting the support wheel with the receiving device. The load on the support wheel is adjustable via the wheel lifting cylinder. Adjustment is controlled in response to load sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the distance between an agricultural machine and a surface such as the ground, wherein at least one sensor contactlessly determines the distance between the sensor and the surface. The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate through the field vegetation. The sensor may be a radar, a microwave or a laser sensor. The electromagnetic wave is emitted in a vertical direction toward the ground and reflected back to the sensor. The determined distance is used for automatically maintaining a working height of a front attachment, such as a cutterbar.

Abstract: A foot lifter orthosis including a dorsal leg shell, extending over the rear foot, which can be fixed by a strapping means to the calf of the orthosis wearer and which has a forefoot shell section constructed in one piece which extends to a point below the foot sole region, wherein the leg shell exhibits a low resistance in dorsal foot bending and a high resistance compensating for the foot and shoe mass in plantar foot bending with at least one resilient inlay, which extends approximately parallel to and at a short distance from an edge of the leg shell from the calf region thereof to a point below the forefoot shell section. An associated method of formation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A household appliance for steam generation with a boiler containing a heating source for water vaporization intended to be partly immersed in water; a control means for adjusting the pressure valve of the steam in the boiler that operatively associated with the heating source to switch on or off so as to maintain the steam pressure at a desired value; and a steam delivering means. The means for adjusting the pressure value in the boiler is operatively associated with the steam delivery means so as to switch the heating source on and off in function of the open or closed status of the steam delivery means.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring and detecting seat belt usage, having an enforcement device with an enforcement circuit board and a vehicle device with a vehicle circuit board. Each of the enforcement circuit board and the vehicle circuit board has a transformer and a receiver and a pair of antennas for transmitting and receiving a first signal and a return signal. The enforcement device and the vehicle device communicate a properly fastened state or an improperly fastened state for a seat belt.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a feeder housing; A separation unit including a rotor driven by a shaft is arranged in a rotor housing. The separation unit a feed end and a discharge end; and a transfer mechanism located in the region of the intersection of the feeder housing and the feed end of the separation unit; The transfer mechanism includes a plurality of auger blades connected with the rotor in the region of the feed zone; A rotating element located in the feeder housing has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of the rotor and above the feed end of the rotor. The rotating element feeds harvested crops to the separation unit from underneath the rotating element's axis of rotation.

Abstract: An ergonomic weight support device for a seat has a weight distribution surface attached to a traction arching lumbar support. The weight distribution surface is only attached at the apex of the arch of the arching pressure surface. The upper and lower ends of the weight distribution surface are free to flex between a passenger's spine and the arch, distributing the passenger's weight for greater comfort.

Abstract: A turbine power plant utilizing buoyant force is disclosed. This turbine power plant includes a turbine wheel having a vane, wherein the turbine wheel is rotatably attached to a shaft, wherein the vane includes a housing having a chamber for receiving air to propel the at least one turbine wheel, wherein the shaft is operatively attached to an electrical generator for producing electricity through rotation of the shaft. Although the preferred design for the turbine wheel is a quad vane, e.g., fin, design, a wide variety of other vane designs may suffice including dual fin and wing designs. Preferably, there is a weighted portion located within the housing of a fin for the turbine wheel for pulling the turbine wheel downward to facilitate rotation. Moreover, a duct is preferably located within the chamber of the fin to assist the air to rise to the top of the chamber and increase the effectiveness of the buoyant force supplied by the air.

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 flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by the coefficient of friction reduction method of the present invention.

Abstract: A multipurpose cart having a hand truck base with a nose extension, a tub, a handle wherein the handle is adjustably mounted in two positions 90 degrees apart, a shelf, caster wheels and a storage device. The multipurpose cart can be modified into various configurations for a variety of functions.

Abstract: A device is provided for winding a roll of a fabric web made from organic and/or synthetic fibers and which has a relatively high porous material structure and a high volume per unit area. The device includes a winding bed having a plurality of support rollers and a pressure roller located above the support rollers for exerting a pressure force on the fabric web being wound into the roll. An ascending delivery table has a distal end above the pressure roller. The support rollers and the pressure roller are rotated in the same direction during the winding process. A packing station is provided adjacent the winding bed. The direction of rotation of the support rollers is reversed to move the roll from the winding bed to the packing station.

Abstract: A fluid system for plural motor driven pumps is disclosed. The fluid system includes a hydraulic motor, a fluid reservoir, and a plurality of fixed displacement pumps. A control valve selectively directs flow of fluid to either a reservoir or the hydraulic motor. A control system responsive to an external condition and an internal condition generates a signal for each condition. The control valve is operated by the signals. The internal signal may be generated by an internal pressure monitoring device.

Abstract: An improved image sensor for computer systems that use images to calculate vehicle wheel alignments which includes an integrated circuit having a detector array for receiving an image containing vehicle wheel alignment information, an image sensor controller for operating the detector array and directing input/output for external communications outside the circuit, and an internal bus for communications within the integrated circuit. The sensor communicates wheel alignment information contained in the image with the computer system across an interface bus.