Abstract: A hold-down element for a rotary feeder has a curved elongated member for continuously contacting an article during rotation of a rotary head. The curvature of the hold-down element is selected so that the distance from the elongated member to the rotary head increases from the point of initial contact to the final contact point on the elongated member. The hold-down element preferably maintains contact for at least 20.degree. of rotation of the rotary head, and thus maintains contact with the article for an extended period of time. The hold-down element is attached to a vacuum shaft on the rotary head, and is prevented from rotating relative to the vacuum shaft by a keyway on the hold-down element and a key on the vacuum shaft. The hold-down element, however, is permitted to travel transversely along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum shaft in order to accommodate different shaped articles.

Abstract: A compact lawn aerator comprises a rigid frame having a hitch for releasably fastening tire frame to the back of a self-propelled mower. An elongated axle is secured to the under side of the frame and a set of aerator wheels are rotatably mounted at spaced intervals along the axle. Each of the aerator wheels has a generally disk-shaped hub from the periphery of which four spikes radiate. Each spike initially projects from the hub along a radius but curves along its length in the direction of rotation of the wheel. The spikes are tapered to a sharpened point and their curve is determined so that, as the wheel rotates, the ends of the spikes pierce the soil at substantially right angles and the shank of the spikes slip into the ground progressively through the pierce point. This greatly reduces the force needed to drive the spikes into the ground, thus reducing the weight and size of the device.

Abstract: A yarn feed mechanism for a tufting machine includes yarn feed rolls disposed along parallel axes transversely adjacent to the parallel paths of travel of yarns from yarn sources to the needles. A yarn control assembly surrounds each roll, each yarn control assembly having a pair of opposed, concentrically mounted, indexing plates at opposite ends of each roll. Each pair of indexing plates carries a plurality of individually removable cimcumferentially spaced, yarn control rods, the plates being manually rotatable about the axis of the roll, independently of the rotation of the roll. By collecting intermediate increments of selected yarns on one of the rods, then rotating the indexing plates, with the rod installed to selected positions, the rod is moved in an orbital path for applying the yarn increments to portions of the periphery of the roll, such that the roll feeds controlled successive amounts of applied yarns toward the needles.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for pulverizing empty glass bottles into small fragments of a predetermined maximum size to reduce greatly the storage and handling problems associated in the past with empty bottles. The apparatus comprises a cabinet (11) having a vertical passageway (17) through which bottles are delivered to a pulverizing station (36) where the bottles are smashed into small fragments. The pulverizing station includes a spinning metal pulverizing blade (37) surrounded and partially enclosed by a tapered metal cowl (38). The spinning blade and cowl together ensure that bottles are pulverized completely and into fragments of at most a predetermined maximum size before being deposited into a receptacle (43) that underlies the pulverizing station. Split rubber diaphragms (17, 48 and 49) and a brush filter (67) are disposed along the length of the passageway and prevent the escape of glass fragments and glass dust through the passageway and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing customized telecommunication services through a peripheral 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 response unit for recording, playing, and analyzing audio signals, and a node controller for controlling operation of the node interface and the audio response unit.

Abstract: A continuous sidelight threshold and door sill assembly for use with entryways having at least one fixed sidelight panel and a hinged door panel comprises an extruded aluminum frame having an elongated channel and a sloped sill. A vertically adjustable threshold cap is shorter than the channel is configured to fit in and be selectively positioned at a predetermined location along the channel. A separate panel cap is also configured to fit in the channel and be selectively positioned therealong. The assembly is universally adaptable to be used either with left handed, right handed, or double sided sidelight door entryways simply by positioning the threshold cap and the panel cap at respective appropriate locations along the channel. A removable paint shield is provided to protect the threshold and sill assembly from paint and damage during construction of a building in which the assembly is installed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a thermoplastic coextruded material comprised at least partially of recycled polystyrene. The material has a blown cellular core and a thin, high-impact, cap. In a preferred embodiment the material is used as crown molding and is comprised of a core having about 15% high-impact polystyrene and a cap of high-impact polystyrene. In the preferred embodiment the core comprises 20-85% recycled polystyrene.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing container (5) having a generally rectangular and planar top wall (10), a pair of generally rectangular and coplanar opposed sidewalls (18), a front wall (22), and an opposed back wall (23), fastened to one another along their common edges. A generally rectangular and planar interior partition (30) is fastened to and sealed on the sidewalls (18), front wall (22), and rear wall (23) intermediate the first and second ends of each wall, respectively, to form sealed fluid container (5). Interior partition (30) is angled downward from rear wall (26) toward front wall (22). A fluid outlet opening (32) is defined in the second end of front wall (22) adjacent interior partition (30). A flexible hose (36) is fastened in sealed fluid communication with fluid outlet opening (32), hose (36) having a nozzle (40) fastened to its free end in sealed fluid communication. Nozzle (40) is adapted to be selectively opened and closed.

Abstract: A top opening locking mailbox (5) for receiving mail and other deliveries, to include newspapers and magazines, in a weather and theft resistant housing (7) having a top panel (22) pivotally supported on the top of housing (7), the top panel being movable from an open to a closed position. Top panel (22) is locked onto the housing by a locking mechanism (26) in a closed position on top of housing (7), forming a first enclosed compartment (9) for the receipt of mail and other deliveries. A second and external compartment (10) is mounted on the exterior of housing (7), second compartment (10) holding mail for pickup. Top panel (22) extends beyond front panel (14) of housing (7), forming a protective lip (56) for sheltering mail slot (34) defined in the front panel. Mail slot (34) extends the width of front panel (14) and is enclosed by a flap (36) which is pivotally supported on the inside of the housing within first compartment (9). Top panel (22) is sealed on the top horizontal edges of housing (7).