Abstract: An improved golf cart display panel comprises an elongated plastic body forming a frame through which a color graphic representation of holes on a golf course can be viewed. The plastic body is sized to be mounted to the golf cart extending between the upstanding roof support posts on the front of the cart with the graphic display being presented to a golfer in the cart. The graphic display includes areas for advertising copy allowing sponsors to advertise their products and services to golfers riding in the cart.

Abstract: A spill and splash resistant safety paint bucket for supporting and transporting paints or other liquids is disclosed. The safety paint bucket includes a container for supporting the paint or other liquid and a self-closing lid constructed to be removably attached to the container. The container includes a belt clip attachment and shoulder strap attachment buttons so that the safety paint bucket can be attached to a belt or harness, or carried on an attached strap by an individual while maintaining both hands free to perform other tasks. The lid includes a fixed partition, a spring loaded flap, and a spring. When a brush or other applicator is inserted into the container through the top of the lid, the downward pressure applied to the brush or other applicator compresses the spring which allows the spring loaded flap to pivot away from the fixed partition. The opening thus created allows the brush or other applicator to reach the liquid contained below.

Abstract: A suction strainer includes a hollow internal core tube and an external filtering surface built around the internal core tube. A plurality of openings are defined through the side wall of the internal core tube core. In some cases the openings through the side wall are constructed and arranged such that there is somewhat less open area near the downstream end than the upstream end of the internal core tube, and the amount of open area tapers between the upstream end and the downstream end. As a result, when liquid is drawn into the internal core tube through the plurality of openings, a substantially uniform inflow distribution may be defined along substantially the entire length of the internal core tube. The internal core tube functions as a rigid structural support for the external filtering surface, enabling the apparatus to withstand post-LOCA hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing customized, billing-controlled call bridging services through a bridging node which includes a node interface for connection through incoming and outgoing telephone trunks to a carrier switch of a public switched network, an audio peripheral for recording, playing, and analyzing audio signals, and a node controller for controlling operation of the node interface and the audio peripheral.

Abstract: An article packaging machine (11) for packaging articles such as bottles and cans in cardboard containers comprises a carton path along which cartons are moved to be loaded with articles. The carton path is adjustable in width to provide for use of the packaging machine with cartons of various sizes. A series of automatic retractable bed plate assemblies (26), (27), (28), (29) are provided on the machine for underlying and providing support to cartons moving along the carton path. The bed plates are pneumatically actuated and are adapted to be raised automatically into the carton path as the carton path is widened to provide progressively increasing support. Conversely, the bed plates are lowered automatically out of the carton path as the carton path is narrowed to accommodate the narrowing of the path.

Abstract: An overflow and isolation valve is disclosed. The overflow and isolation valve includes a valve body having a chamber defined therein, and an integral leg member formed as part of the valve body having a proximal end on the valve body and a distal end extending away therefrom. A bore is defined within the leg member extending from the distal end to the proximal end thereof, and is in generally fluid-tight communication with the chamber formed within the valve body. An integral float assembly is provided as a part of the valve for sealing the distal end of the leg member in response to the liquid level within the tank.

Abstract: An optical system for determining the axial load, the torsional load or both on a generally cylindrical member, such as a valve stem in a motor operated valve, includes a first system for producing a test light that is modified by a physical change in the valve stem caused by the load, a second system for receiving the test light and converting the same to a first signal indicative of the physical change, and a third system for converting the first signal to a second signal indicative of the load, preferably by utilizing one or more of the relations defined in Equations 1-3. The physical change in the cylindrical member can be, for example, a diametrical change or a longitudinal change, which can be measured by the first and second systems. The dimensional changes can be related to the axial load according to Hooke's Law or Poisson's relation by the third system when material properties and the geometry of the cylindrical member are known.

Abstract: A shortened unitary golf tee includes a pointed base portion for insertion into the ground and a hollow body portion for receiving a golf ball. The body portion includes a side wall defining an inner cavity and a ball receipt surface which substantially surrounds a first aperture extending into the inner cavity. The side wall also defines a second smaller aperture, or vent, extending through the side wall into the inner cavity. Regardless of the location of the second aperture, if air is allowed to flow freely into the inner cavity, it is thought to minimize the effects of depressurization between the golf tee and an accelerating golf ball departing the golf tee so that the golf tee tends to remain stationary and the golf ball retains more momentum from the golf club.

Abstract: An improved method of constructing a cabinet drawer comprises joining the drawer end panels to the back of the drawer front panel and attaching a one piece unitary folded paperboard blank that defines both the bottom panel of the drawer and the back panel of the drawer. The bottom panel slides into a race defined by dado grooves in the drawer sides and front and the paperboard blank defining both the bottom panel and back panel is attached to the drawer by driving staples or other fasteners through the back panel into the back edges of the drawer sides.

Abstract: Briefly described, the present invention includes a product display and delivery system using uniquely tailored, modular, disposable cartridges. In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, disposable cartridges having unique features are created from opposed, interlocking sleeves. Also, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, disposable cartridges are releasably joined in modular fashion to allow easy stacking, arrangement, and replacement of the cartridges.

Abstract: A temperature measurement and control apparatus (7) and a packaging film loading apparatus (9) for use in a packaging machine (5). The packaging machine includes a pair of counter-rotating sealing and crimping head assemblies (22, 23), each of which includes a plurality of sealing and crimping heads (32, 36), respectively, which are rotated past a first infrared sensor assembly (57) or a second infrared sensor assembly (61), respectively, for measuring the temperature thereof. Each sealing and crimping head includes a generally arcuate sensing arc (80) mounted at the first end (77) thereof, the sensing arcs being rotated past either an upper infrared sensor (59) or a lower infrared sensor (63).

Abstract: An improved method for fabricating trailer length platform flooring from wooden blanks comprises selecting kiln dried lumber having a predetermined width and thickness and exhibiting preestablished strength and durability characteristics. The lumber is inspected for the presence of unacceptable defects and the defects are cut out to form defect-free blanks of varying lengths. The blanks are aligned successively in spaced end to end relationship with the trailing end of one blank facing the leading end of the next successive blank. The facing ends are then machined with interlockable vertically extending fingers, adhesive is applied to at least one of the ends, and the fingers are pressed together with a predetermined pressure to bond the ends of the blanks together. These steps are repeated resulting in a continuously growing composite plank comprised of end-to-end joined blanks.

Abstract: A large, thin griddle plate defines discrete heating zones, so that each zone has its own temperature. The griddle plate is made of a thin, relatively low conductivity metal and received along its bottom surface substantially thick, juxtaposed heat transfer blocks disposed in spaced relationship, side-by-side, beneath and laminated to discrete portions of the griddle plate. Infra-red burners carried beneath the blocks supply infra-red heat and convection heat to said blocks. The blocks are adhered to the griddle plate by an adhesive thermal barrier having heat conductive metal therein.

Abstract: An first rotor and an second rotor rotate about a longitudinal axis in a housing. The second rotor moves longitudinally relative to the first rotor. Rotor vanes extend outward from the rotors and are longitudinally split into longitudinally extending second vanes and longitudinally extending first vanes that slide longitudinally relative to one another. The second vanes travel longitudinally with the second rotor relative to the first rotor, and the second vanes slide relative to the first vanes that remain with the first rotor. The second rotor and the second vanes move longitudinally toward and away from a recess defined by the first rotor such that the active surface area of the rotor vanes is varied. When the second vanes slide away from the first vanes, surfaces of the first vanes are exposed that reciprocate into and out of specially defined chambers in a pump-like fashion. A movable element is connected to and extends from the second rotor.

Abstract: A system for measuring spring pack displacement of a motor-operated valve (MOV) includes at least one power line having a current. The system includes a current sensor for sensing the current and providing a plurality of digital current values, and a personal computer (PC) processor for acquiring a plurality of frequency values of one or more frequency signatures from the plurality of digital current values and calculating the spring pack displacement from the plurality of frequency values. The processor may include data storage for the plurality of digital current values for at least a time interval necessary to stroke the valve stem in either an open or closed direction. The MOV may include a motor pinion gear having a motor pinion tooth-meshing frequency, a worm shaft having a rotational frequency, a worm shaft gear having plural teeth, a worm having a worm lead, a worm gear having plural teeth and a worm gear tooth-meshing frequency, and a spring pack having a displacement.

Abstract: A carton activating mechanism (26) for opening the gatefold seats of a paperboard carton blank (13) is disclosed. A rotatable disc (30) carries a spaced series of activators (34), each of which includes a plate (35) having a pair of pivotally-connected fingers (37). The plate is reciprocably mounted on the disc by a pin (36) received in a groove (32) defined on a stationary plate (31) positioned with respect to the disc. Each of the fingers has a projection (40) and a cooperating abutment (41 ) so that the respective fingers are moved outwardly into an extended position, and then spread apart into an open position to fold the gatefold seats of the carton blank before closing and being retracted from the gatefold seats of the carton blank.

Abstract: The bottle carrying device 11 has a base 16 and angled side walls 19, 20 with handle portions 23, 24 secured by panel 26. Cuts are made in the base 16 so as to form flaps 28 which are hingedly connected to the side walls 19, 20. The flaps 28 together with edges 32 of cap holes 31 engage below the neck shoulder 15 of a bottle 12 to retain the bottle in the device 11.

Abstract: An ultra low volume fog or aerosol generator produces a fog with droplets whose particle size or sizes are easily varied from about 5 microns to about 20 microns during the operation of the machine. This generator includes an air blower, the discharge of which is directed along a prescribed path, thence, through a passageway and, thence, through a nozzle into the ambient air. Liquid supplied to the nozzle is entrained by the air as it passes through the nozzle for producing finely droplets dispersed in the air. The particle sizes of the droplets are regulated by altering the volume of air discharged through the nozzle by means of an air regulator valve, which diverts a portion of the air from its prescribed path. An electrical motor controls the opening and closing of the air regulator valve.In one embodiment, the motor cyclically modulates the opening and closing of the valve. In another embodiment, the motor is a reversible, D.C.

Abstract: A multi-media storage container assembled from electrically non-conducting materials and including an elongated rectilinear outer sleeve, or case, that defines a cavity in which a partitionable insert assembly, or drawer, resides to receive and securely store different types and sizes of computer data media in a dust-free, static-free environment. A plurality of columnar supports are located within the cavity and adjacent side panels to enhance the structural rigidity of the outer sleeve. The columnar supports extend through the outer sleeve to enable interconnection of the columnar supports of a first outer sleeve to those of, at least, a second outer sleeve, thereby enabling the creation of virtually, continuous column supports to enhance the stackability of storage containers. A plurality of tracks releasably couples to the columnar supports to provide a smooth sliding surface for the insert assembly.