Abstract: The instant invention provides a digital audio processing system that includes a mainframe chassis, a central processor card, a plurality of analog input cards, and a plurality of analog output cards for accepting a plurality of audio inputs and producing a plurality of mixed audio outputs.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of precisely locating a football on a football field in order to determine whether a first down has been achieved. The invention employs an optical distance measuring device that communicates via a wireless transceiver with a portable display device controlled by an on-field official. The portable display device is equipped with an operator interface used to request measurements of the ball location and is suitably programmed to calculate whether a first down has been achieved based on first and second ball location data points.

Abstract: With high speed machine tools, there is a desire to dampen vibrations and to retain the damper mass in proper position. The present invention relates to a tuned damped absorber support providing simultaneous energy dissipation in both horizontal and vertical directions which also provides for proper mass position retention. The tuned damped absorber assembly is attached directly or indirectly to a machine component requiring damping. Both single damper mass and double damper mass configurations are shown. With a double damper mass, the system can be tuned to two different frequencies. Therefore, the double damper mass provides for optimization in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.

Abstract: The barrel of the present invention contains a removable trapdoor which fits snugly into an aperture in the barrel and which is easily removed from the aperture, thereby providing for easy access to the interior of the barrel. The present invention provides distinct advantages over the prior art because it allows a worker lacking the skills of a cooper to remove or replace the wood chips or additional staves inside the barrel without removing a barrel head. Since the wood replacement can be done by regular employees, the barrels can be serviced when needed or convenient, rather than accumulating a large number of barrels for a cooper to service at one time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-mold label having a roughened inside surface to engage an article being molded in the mold. This roughened inside surface reduces air-entrapped blistering formed during molding, the air-entrapped blisters being between the label and the molded article. Preferably the label includes a plurality of perforations therein. To create the roughened inside surface at the time of perforating the label, the perforations are made by needles passing from the outside or exterior surface of the label through the inside surface thereby creating burrs on the inside surface; the inside surface being the surface which will engage the article to be molded. The label also preferably, in addition to the plurality of perforations and roughened inside surface, includes adhesive in a pattern on the inside surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for firmly positioning in a trench and securing against movement, while fill is added to the trench, an underground utility pipe and means for marking the utility pipe. An underground positioning and anti-movement apparatus in the form of an underground stake adapted to be driven into a base fill, that includes an integral preferably curvilinear-shaped pipe engaging member which engages the outer surface of an underground pipe to secure the pipe in position above the base fill at the bottom of the trench while additional fill is added to the trench.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic bolt hold-open rotating assembly to convert a manual bolt hold-open function to an automatic bolt hold-open function in automatic and semi-automatic pistols and rifles, such as the Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic .22 caliber rifle. The components of the assembly readily replace standard factory components in the trigger assembly and replace the standard magazine. The assembly comprises a magazine with channel cutout, a bolt stop, a bolt stop handle for manual manipulation of the assembly, a bolt stop spring to apply clockwise pressure on assembly, a cartridge detecting lever which also serves as a cartridge ejector pivotably mounted on bolt stop with an extension which interfaces with channel cutout of magazine, a tab protruding from the ejector lever which rides in a slot on the bolt stop to limit pivoting of the cartridge detecting lever, and a lever spring allowing counter-clockwise pivoting of cartridge detecting lever to facilitate insertion of recharged magazine.

Abstract: A cutting tool retention mechanism, for example, typically used to retain a tool holder in a tool pocket of a tool changer magazine. A horizontal machine tool apparatus typically contains a plurality of tool pockets attached to a movable tool changer magazine and the mechanism of the present inventions provides an affirmative mechanism for retaining tool holders so that they do not separate from their respective tool pockets unless removal is desired. More particularly, a pair of opposed pivotal fingers each include a latch which can engage with or disengage from the internal groove of a tool holder to perform this function. Spring bias can be provided to encourage this affirmative engagement of the latches with the internal groove.

Abstract: A cable having a conductor assembly containing at least two electrically insulated conductors, where the at least two electrically insulated conductors are cabled together longitudinally into a bundle and enclosed within an overall cover, preferably nonmetallic; a bare bonding/grounding conductor cabled externally over the overall cover of the conductor assembly with the same lay and in concert with the conductors cabled within the conductor assembly; and a metal tape helically applied to form an interlocked armor around the cabled conductor assembly and bare bonding/grounding conductor. The bare bonding/grounding conductor is a similar size to the insulated conductors present in the conductor assembly and is in intimate contact with the inner curves of the convolutions in the interlocked metal tape armor along a substantial length of the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered decapping tool used to remove a cap from a bottle or vial. The powered tool has a vertical housing portion which the user holds to activate the decapping action. The decapping action results form a motor causing a plunger to move downward, thereby initially closing a plurality of jaws and continuing downward to cooperate with the jaws to remove the cap from the bottle or vial. Means may be provided to adjust the starting point of the decapping cycle or the plunger upper limit as well as the finishing point of the decapping cycle or the plunger lower limit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary grinder with an improved ram and screen. Rotary grinders of the present invention are, for example, used to grind plastic or wood to reduce the size of the material to a desired size. Material to be ground is placed inside a hopper and a ram is used to force the material toward the rotor having a plurality of cutters thereon. The ram does not have to ride in horizontal channels on the sides of the hopper so material does not interfere with or jam the ram. Further, a grooved screen may be employed wherein the screen has a plurality of V-shaped grooves therein in which the cutters travel. This permits the cutters to “clean” the screen so that ground material, for example, plastic, does not block the openings in the screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a planar blank for an envelope and an envelope made therefrom. An insert is placed into the envelope at an insertion end and removed by the consumer at an opposed removal end. The removal end is easy to open, as the consumer only has to break a plurality of ties between the envelope front and back. Preferably the envelope back contains a magnet so that the envelope can be removably attached to a metal surface, such as a refrigerator. When the envelope is attached to a metallic object using the magnet, a window in the envelope front is visible, permitting the item mailed, or a photograph or other item to be displayed as if in a picture frame. A window can be included in the envelope back to prevent blind matches of labels to envelopes containing personalized mail, as the address/postage can be part of the insert viewable through this window. Further, one or more legs can be cut into the blank which can be folded out to permit the envelope to stand by itself.

Abstract: A process for producing anodized aluminum with enhanced electrical conductivity, comprising anodic oxidation of aluminum alloy substrate, electrolytic deposition of a small amount of metal into the pores of the anodized aluminum, and electrolytic anodic deposition of an electrically conductive oxide, including manganese dioxide, into the pores containing the metal deposit; and the product produced by the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hockey stick shaft. The shaft includes a core of rectangular cross-section running the full length of the shaft. A cloth fabric, such as an aramid fiber cloth, is wrapped around the perimeter of the core and extends from the shaft blade end at least partways toward the shaft opposed end. A wood veneer is then wrapped around the core/cloth fabric and extends from the shaft opposed blade end at least partways toward the shaft blade end, with a space between the end of the wood veneer and the shaft blade end where the cloth fabric is exposed. This permits heat to be applied to the shaft for removal and/or insertion of a blade without the heat damaging the wood veneer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered crimping tool. In the parent application, referenced above, the tool, having a plurality of crimping jaws, is used to secure a cap onto a bottle or vial. In this application, the tool, having a pair of opposed crimping heads, is used to crimp a solderless terminal, splice, butt connector, or the like, having a wire inserted into a shaft and to be retained therein. The powered tool has a housing portion which the user holds and includes switches for the user to control the plunger and the crimping action. Selected mating crimper heads in the plunger and the crimper housing effectuate the crimping of the selected terminal to retain the wire therein. These mating crimper heads can be changed to accommodate a variety of different size and shape terminals, splices, butt connectors, wires, and the like. Terminals may be insulated or not. Wires may be stranded or solid.

Abstract: A container level sensor is disclosed comprising an elongate strip member for mounting in a container in a generally upright orientation. The strip member has a measurable capacitance that changes as the level of material stored in the container changes. Two insulated conductive strips, held apart by magnetic forces or resilient spacers, can be used to form a capacitor, with the force of material in the container against the sensor pushing the strips together and thereby changing the capacitance. This change can be measured by a circuit.