Abstract: A container for holding and dispensing articles such as beverage cans and bottles wherein a first set of said articles are laid horizontally in a row over a slanted floor, and are retained therein by a vertically movable plate resting upon said row. A barrier projects downwardly from the front edge of the plate against the lowermost article in the first set and prevents the entire set from rolling toward an opening at the base of the slanted floor. A second set of articles is similarly positioned upon the plate. The weight of the second set prevents the plate and barrier from moving upward and freeing the first set until all the articles in the first set have rolled toward the opening. Additional plates and sets of articles can be superimposed above the first and second sets. A control gate is provided to allow the articles to be dispensed one by one through the opening.

Abstract: A belt caddy for carrying a number of cylindrical paintball containers during a war game. The outer face of the belt is lined with a first type of hook-and-loop fabric fastener. Each of the containers is surrounded by an elastic sleeve mounting over approximately half of its longitudinal outer surface, a first patch of a second type of hook-and-loop fastener and, over the remainder of the outer surface, the same type of hook-and-loop fabric fastener as the web. The containers can be bunched together in a pack and secured to the belt by interconnection of the hook-and-loop fastener materials. A pair of cooperating straps are used to further cinch the pack of containers to the belt.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt drive system for automatically controlling a belt tension. The system comprises an actuator controlled by a control module. The actuator operates on a pivoted pulley. A belt is trained about the pivoted pulley as well as other pulleys driving various accessories. A series of sensors in the system detect a belt condition including a belt tension. Sensor signals are transmitted to the control module. The control module processes the signals and instructs the actuator to move the pivoted pulley, thereby increasing or decreasing a belt tension. A feedback loop from the sensors to the control module allows the belt tension to be continuously monitored and adjusted many times per second. The system may actively control a belt tension by anticipating a system condition to prevent a belt noise by comparing sensor signals to instructions stored in a control module memory.

Abstract: A belt having a region comprising a non-woven material region on a pulley engaging surface. The non-woven region is infused with an elastomeric compound. A predetermined amount of metal salt of carboxylic acid is included in the elastomeric compound during compounding. The metal salts of carboxylic acid significantly reduce or eliminate slip noise.

Abstract: In a spatial coordinate measurement system using an articulated arm and associated electronic data processor, the workpiece having locations to be measured is held by a carrier rotatively supported about an axis. An angular encoder feeds into the processor the relative orientation of the carrier about the axis. The processor virtually translates the origin or point of reference of the arm as a function of the orientation of the carrier so that the carrier and workpiece can be rotated to place the location to be measured in close proximity to the sensing probe of the arm without affecting the relative coordinate measurement. The extent of movement of the arm around the workpiece that would be necessary if the piece remained stationary throughout measurements of all locations, is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A belt having a non-woven region on a pulley engaging surface. The non-woven region has a random coverage to reduce natural frequency harmonics, control frictional characteristics, permeation and thermal resistance. The non-woven may comprise a combination of softwood and hardwood pulp, or synthetic materials applied in a random matrix to a body having a fiber loading.

Abstract: A ski attachment for the front forks of a cycle with an extension having a first and second end, the first end of the extension adapted to be disposed between the forks of the cycle; attachment structure presented by the first end of the attachment member for releasable securement of the attachment member between the forks of the cycle; and a ski pivotally disposed at the second end of the attachment member. The ski attachment also includes a braking mechanism and shock absorbing structure.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt installation tool comprising a substantially planar body. A belt engaging surface extends substantially normally from a portion of the planar body. A pulley engaging portion extends from the planar body approximately opposite the belt engaging surface. A central bore allows a tool to engage a pulley shaft. In use, the pulley engaging surface engages a pulley whereby the tool is rotated by a pulley rotation about a pulley axis, thereby causing the belt engaging surface to automatically urge a belt onto a pulley. The planar body stabilizes the tool against the pulley as a belt is installed. The molded body may be fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: The invention comprises a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. The tensioner is of the type having a track, a carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement, a pulley rotatably mounted upon the carrier and for engaging the power transmission belt, a spring biasing the carrier in longitudinal relation to the track, and a damping mechanism that modifies the biasing of the spring based upon movement of the carrier in relation to the track. It is improved by the damping mechanism having a shoe placed in asymmetrical damping relation to the carrier and the track. Further, the shoe includes a first friction bearing surface in mating relationship with a second friction bearing surface of the track.

Abstract: A belt installation tool. The tool comprises a pair of arms connected at a pivot. Each arm has an end for engaging a pulley axle. A handtool is engaged with an arm. By a torque applied with the handtool through a short arcuate motion to the arms, the pulleys are moved apart, thereby tensioning a belt. A locking member or linkage is available to fix the arms in a predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention provides a wafer pad assembly for use in an ion implanter for mounting and cooling a wafer. The wafer pad assembly comprises a wafer support pad having an upper surface for mounting the wafer and a lower surface. The lower surface of the wafer support pad is connected to a coolant passage having an inlet section and an outlet section arranged in an opposed configuration, wherein said inlet section is counterbalanced by said outlet section. The lower surface is connected to a frame having an outer curved surface in mating engagement with a complementary shaped bearing surface of a housing wherein said wafer can be tilted or rotated about an axis.

Abstract: A method of playing a mini-Baccarat type game is disclosed. The game is played using a playing surface and playing cards. Three cards are randomly dealt to each of a plurality of players and the dealer. The method includes multiple wager options, including the step of placement of a bet that the cumulative value of the three cards of one or more of the plurality of players will exceed the cumulative value of the three cards of the dealer. A game surface for playing the mini-Baccarat type game of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a wafer pad assembly and actuation system for use in an ion implanter, preferably a batch-type ion implanter. The wafer pad assembly includes a rotatable wafer support pad having an upper surface for mounting the wafer, and a lower surface rotationally mounted to a housing of the wafer pad assembly. The lower surface of the wafer support pad further comprises a flange connected to a rotatable shaft. The shaft is connected to an actuator for selectively indexing the shaft so that the wafer support pad is rotationally indexed about its geometric center. The lower surface of the wafer support pad is also connected to a frame having an outer curved surface rotatably mounted within a mating bearing surface of a housing. The curved frame is connected to a plurality of linkages for moving the wafer support pad within the curved frame so that the wafer is pivotable or tiltable about its geometric center.

Abstract: A refrigerated, open-top food pan that can be used as a counter top buffet, as a store self-service display or as a kitchen food ingredient holder, has two cooling systems. The first one discharges a blast of cool air through the exit ports of an manifold peripherally mounted near the upper rim of the pan. The cooled air is generated by a bwer taking air from a grated port in the inner side wall and forcing it through a chamber housing a cooling expansion coil. A secondary cooling system has an expansion tube in intimate and circuitous contact with the bottom and side wall of the pan.

Abstract: A damping strut. An inner damping member is axially engaged with an outer housing. The outer housing is connectable to a tensioner arm. A wedge member connected to an immoveable mounting member is axially engaged with an inner portion of the inner damping member. The outer housing is axially moveable relative to the wedge member. A spring bears upon and urges the outer housing away from an end cap. The end cap comprises a rod, which extends axially within the wedge member and has an end connected to the inner damping member. The rod transmits a spring load force from the end cap to the inner damping member such that the inner damping member radially expands against the outer housing in response to the spring load force, thereby creating a frictional force between the inner damping member and the outer housing which damps an outer housing movement in proportion to the spring force.