Abstract: An interactive information kiosk assembly (10) for use by automotive dealerships, or the like, to inform potential customers about the exterior paint colors and the colors and materials for upholstery and trim available for selected model automobiles. The interactive information kiosk assembly (10) has a series of turntable assemblies (58, 59, 61) having a series of color and material swatches (67, 68, 69) that are indicative of the color and material choices available for the exterior paint, upholstery and trim of selected model automobiles. The turntable assemblies (58, 59, 61) are rotatable about a vertical axis extending through the kiosk assembly (10) to enable the customer to mix and match varying exterior paint colors with various upholstery and trim materials and colors. An interactive video display monitor (82) is provided for displaying a video image of a selected model automobile having a selected combination of exterior paint, upholstery and trim colors and materials.

Abstract: A method of attaching extruded cellular plastic panels together to form structures comprises the steps of coextruding the cellular panel with a noncellular high impact section that forms a channel or keyway. Keys are received in the keyways of adjacent panels and hold the panels together to form specified shapes.

Abstract: This invention comprises an improved rotational displacement apparatus for measuring accurately the twist induced in an extension-twist coupled specimen in response to application of an axial load. The apparatus has an internal cylinder within which a piston rides. A piston rod extends from the piston through a pair of radial ball bearings in the base of the cylinder block to a free end outside the cylinder block. The piston is sized to be slightly smaller in diameter than the cylinder to provide a small space between the piston and the cylinder walls. Means for supplying compressed air to the region of the cylinder below the piston and means for venting air from the region of the cylinder above the piston are provided. An optical encoder is coupled to measure rotational motion of the piston within the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring feet for fitting shoes which utilizes matrixes of pressures sensors and optical sensors connected to a controller and a monitor. An apparatus of the invention includes a housing which houses a controller and a monitor and defines left and right foot wells for receiving left and right feet, respectively. The floor of each foot well includes a pressure pad assembly which includes a matrix of pressure sensor contacts covered by a variably resistive pressure pad to form pressure sensor matrixes. A digital signal processor normalizes and smooths the pressure data for display on the monitor. Infrared LED's and phototransistors are located around the perimeter of each foot well and are utilized to measure the length, width, and heights of a foot. A microprocessor addresses each LED and phototransistor separately. The controller reads data created by the DSP and IR microprocessor, calculates additional data, and displays the resulting data on the monitor.

Abstract: There is provided a spacing conveyor mechanism 10 having a pair of spaced, identical drive chains 13, 14. A number of conveyors 20 are attached to the chains, each conveyor having a leading carriage 21 pivotally attached to one chain 13 and a trailing carriage 22 pivotally attached to the other chain 14. Connecting the each pair of leading/trailing carriages is a pair of rod 23 extending rearwardly from the leading carriage through corresponding holes in the trailing carriage. The carriages remain parallel throughout their path and the position of the carriages relative to each other are easily adjusted.

Abstract: A carton packaging apparatus for use in wrapping open-ended sleeve type carton blanks around a pre-formed group of articles being moved along a path of travel through a packaging machine as disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of spaced guide members (30) which move along the path of travel and are adapted to engage one of the side panels (12, 13) of a successive series of carton blanks (10) being moved along the path of travel. The guide members are spaced so as to engage the leading edge and trailing edge of each one of the paperboard blanks as they are advanced along the path of the travel. Each guide member has an engagement element (35) which has an elongated link (36) with a foot (37) formed at one end, the other end of the link being pivotally fastened to the guide member.

Abstract: A carton feeder assembly is positioned substantially at the infeed conveyor level and includes a carton supply assembly, a carton selector, a carton opener, and a carton erector. The carton supply assembly has a carton supply position, a carton holding position, and a carton selecting position. The carton selector includes a pair of feeder wheels with corresponding suction devices and respective motion defining assemblies. The motion defining assemblies cause the suction devices to move along a linear pick line as the feeder wheels rotate, so that the suction devices can apply a suction on a carton to be selected. The selected carton is brought into contact with the feeder wheels by retraction of the suction devices caused by respective motion defining assemblies, so that the carton moves with the feeder wheels to the carton opener.

Abstract: A paperboard sleeve (10) for wrapping a plurality of brick-shaped containers (11) is disclosed. The sleeve has two opposed and interlocking base panels (21, 22) with flaps (32) formed as a part thereof, the flaps being sized and shaped to be folded back against protruding base tucks (13) formed on the bases of the containers. The engagement of the flaps against the base tucks on the bottom of the containers prevents the movement of the containers through the open ends of the paperboard sleeve after it is formed about the containers.

Abstract: A multi-media storage container assembled from electrically nonconducting materials and including an elongated rectilinear outer sleeve, or case, that defines a cavity in which a partitionable insert, 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 base plate rests in the bottom of the cavity adjacent to a bottom panel of the outer sleeve and releasably latches to each columnar support to structurally unite the columnar supports and provide increased structural strength.

Abstract: An improved hypodermic syringe (5) with safety shield, and method of using same, is disclosed. The hypodermic syringe has an elongate hollow cylindrical barrel (7) with a grip flange (11) formed at a first end (8) thereof, and a hypodermic needle (12) attached to a second end (9) thereof, and in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the barrel. The syringe is provided with a reciprocable plunger assembly (15). An elongate hollow cylindrical safety shield (20) is positioned coaxially about the barrel in a retracted position so that the needle projects axially out of the safety shield for use. The safety shield is constructed and arranged for movement on the barrel from the retracted position into an extended position in which the needle is housed within the safety shield. The safety shield has an integral end shield (36) which can be moved into a closed position transverse to the length of the safety shield for fully enclosing the needle within the safety shield.

Abstract: An improved wood pulverizer is provided with a rotating disc studded with a plurality of curved tapered hammers. One or more anvils is secured to the pulverizer with the anvil having teeth and slots located adjacent the surface of the disc. The hammers of the rotating disc pass through the slots of the anvils as the disc rotates to tear and shard wood into bits and pieces for subsequent use or processing. The anvils of the present invention are formed with two or more useable surfaces so that the anvils can be removed, rotated, and replaced to present fresh cutting surfaces to the disc. Further, the anvils are formed by a series of bolted together anvil segments to allow replacement of only single segments in the event of damage.

Abstract: A plow assembly is provided with a row of colters which cut the stalks when the plow is towed by a tractor over a prescribed area of ground. The plow has additional parallel tool bars which carry staggered plow times or shanks which carry plow shares, the plow shares protruding forwardly so as to cut parallel furrows along the ground. The shanks receive brackets, each of which includes a central tongue straddled by forwardly protruding arms of a bracket which is mounted on the central portion of a V-shaped flat sweep. A bolt or pivot pin passing through the bracket arms and the tongue permit each sweep to pivot about 180.degree. about a horizontal axis of the pivot pin.

Abstract: A spacing conveyor mechanism (10) for conveying cans (11) along an article feed path (12) in a packaging machine for forming the cans into groups of cans is disclosed. The spacing conveyor mechanism has a pair of spaced drive sprockets (15) positioned along the article feed path, and over which an endless drive chain (14) is passed. A spaced series of carriages (17) are pivotally attached to the drive chain. Each of the carriages includes a conveyor (18), the conveyor having a plurality of recessed pockets (19) sized and shaped to engage one each of the cans therein.

Abstract: There is provided an article conveyor mechanism comprising a drive chain 13 on which is pivotally mounted a number of carriages 16 each having a conveyor 17 secured thereto. Each conveyor 17 has a plurality of pockets 18. Each conveyor 16 has two pins 19, 20 for engaging in respective grooves 21, 22 which are identical to each other in shape, but which are offset. When the chain 13 is driven, the conveyors remain parallel to each other throughout their endless paths.

Abstract: A latch housing defines an axial passage accessible at opposite ends thereof. Latch elements are radially displaced about the axis of the axial passage. A solenoid is mounted to an end of the latch housing and a post is inserted axially into the opposite end of the axial passage. The latch elements are biased to constrict around and preclude withdrawal of the post from the axial passage. An armature of the solenoid extends into the axial passage and a disengagement plate is attached to that end of the armature. As the post is inserted into the axial passage, a slot in the post mates with the disengagement plate, and the terminus of the slot contacts the disengagement plate causing the disengagement plate to translate along the axial passage with the post.

Abstract: A poultry skinning apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated rollers rotatively mounted to a support frame at a declining angle to define a longitudinal processing path between a first end and a second end of each roller. Each elongated roller, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, defines a plurality of helical teeth and spaces, having a first helix angle, which extend about a longitudinal axis and define the periphery of each roller. The elongated rollers are independently mounted in pairs and define an adjustable pinch gap originating at the first ends of the rollers. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the elongated rollers include a reversed segment proximate to the second ends having a plurality of teeth and spaces at a second helix angle which opposes the first helix angle.

Abstract: A prefabricated stair system having individually pivotally mounted right angular brackets on opposed stringers, has a control bar which removably contacts the brackets to assume all brackets are arranged at the same angles with respect to the stringer so that the treads, which are supported by opposed pairs of brackets, are parallel to the floors and the risers supported by the brackets are perpendicular to the treads. The stair system is shipped as a kit and assembled in situ following a method of assembly and installation.

Abstract: An improved door jamb and brickmold assembly has a rectangular wooden jamb and a unitary co-extruded thermoplastic member mounted to said jamb and defining both the door stop and the brickmold of the assembly. In one embodiment, an elongated securing tab projects from the brickmold and is positioned to overly the exterior surface of a building in which the assembly is mounted for securing the brickmold to the building.