Abstract: A method of installing distribution systems such as needed piping, ductwork, electrical wiring, and other systems in a new construction having a structural ceiling and floor, comprises the steps of: providing a frame module of main and cross frame members; assembling the modules on site directly below the final placement position; installing ductwork, piping, electrical wiring, and other distribution systems in the modules; fabricating and attaching upper wall portions to the modules; lifting modules with attached upper wall portions towards the structural ceiling; attaching support columns to the structural ceiling and floor; and mounting the modules onto the support columns, such that the support columns support the modules.

Abstract: A conveyor belt having a width and a length, and a longitudinal centerline, also has a first longitudinal edge, and an opposing second longitudinal edge and a load bearing region. The load bearing region is located evenly about the belt longitudinal centerline, throughout the length of the belt. The conveyor belt also has a first flexibility region and a second flexibility region, wherein the first flexibility region is located between the first longitudinal edge and the load bearing region, and the second flexibility region is located between the second longitudinal edge and the load bearing region.

Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.

Abstract: A remote conveyor belt monitoring system for monitoring an operation of a conveyor belt at a first geographic location. A local HMI is operable to acquire and store data representing conveyor belt conditions and operating characteristics. First and second computers at different geographic locations acquire the data via an internet. Thus, data relating to the operating conditions of the conveyor belt can be remotely consolidated and monitored by computers at different global locations.

Abstract: An animal self-carried hydrating system comprises an animal harness, a fluid container for holding the fluid, and a fluid dispensing mechanism. The animal harness is securable on the animal by a fastening system. The animal harness has a fluid pocket for holding the fluid container. The fluid dispensing mechanism is attached to the fluid container, in fluid communication with the fluid in the fluid container. The fluid dispensing mechanism is such that it can dispense fluid from the fluid container to the animal while the fluid container is in the fluid pocket.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a brake assembly has a piston sleeve having a first end, a second end, an external radius, an internal radius, and a cap on the piston sleeve second end. The cap has a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The cap first end has an external radius and the cap second end has an external radius, wherein the cap first end external radius is smaller than the cap second end external radius. The middle portion is stepped to transition from the cap first end external radius to the cap second end external radius. The cap first end external radius is such that the cap first end slides into the piston sleeve. The cap middle portion has a conical mating surface, and the piston sleeve second end has a corresponding conical mating surface. Further, the cap second end external radius is larger than the piston sleeve external radius.

Abstract: A fin locking mechanism for locking in place, and subsequently unlocking fins for installation on a missile having a plurality of otherwise moveable fins. Where the fins are mounted to a crank arm, there is a locking detent, with a locking notch, integral to the crank arm. A spring loaded locking plunger has an end which fits into the locking notch. The locking plungers are mounted into the assembly housing locking plunger channels. A base plate is spaced from the locking detent such that when one end of the locking plunger is fitted into the locking notch, the other end of the locking plunger is slidably pressed against the base plate by the spring loading, and the locking plunger is relatively perpendicular to the base plate. The base plate also has a plurality of locking plunger recesses, wherein when one end of the locking plunger resides in the locking plunger recesses, the other end of the locking plunger will not reach the locking notch and therefore the fins will be unlocked.

Abstract: A protective lug cap assembly for protection of a lug of a friction brake disc comprises a lug cap, and a load bearing fastening device. The disc has a periphery, with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots, separating a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs. The slots are separated by a distance, and disposed for engagement by a spline of a torque device. Each of the slots have two generally radially extending wall portions, wherein each wall portion has a top, a bottom, and opposing sides, and a bottom surface extending between and interconnecting the wall portion bottoms. The lug cap has a lug cap face, wherein the lug cap covers one of the slot wall portions and extends circumferentially away from the slot on the slot wall top and the slot wall opposing sides, covering a portion of the lug. The lug cap face is a portion of the lug cap which covers the slot wall portion.

Abstract: An illuminated identification system comprises a light chamber, a lighting means, an opaque identification stencil, a flashing means, a power on/off switch for the lighting means, and an on/off switch for the flashing means. The light chamber is environmentally sealed, and has one surface which is non-opaque. The lighting means is in series with a power source, and is located in the light chamber. The opaque identification stencil is placed over the non-opaque light chamber surface. When the power switch and the flashing means are both on, the flashing means causes the lighting means to flash on and off. Further, the power switch, and/or the on/off switch for the flashing means, may be operated by remote control.

Abstract: A filter cleaning apparatus for cleaning a filter using cleaning fluid comprises a housing, a filter holder for holding the filter, wherein the filter holder is mountable in the housing, a rotating means for rotating the filter holder, wherein the filter holder holds the filter such that when the filter holder rotates, the filter likewise rotates and, a cleaning fluid injector, wherein the cleaning fluid injector injects the cleaning fluid into the filter holder, such that when the filter holder is rotated, the cleaning fluid is forced through the filter by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A method of producing a brake lining assembly having a wear surface with increased wear characteristics comprises the steps of winding a metal strip, placing the wound metal strip into a brake lining cup, filling the brake lining cup with a brake lining material of powdered metal and then sintering the powdered metal thus embedding the wound metal strip into the brake lining material, forming a brake lining assembly. The metal strip has a width approximately equal to that of the brake lining assembly desired depth, and is wound into a shape and size which will fit into the brake lining cup. The wound metal strip is then placed into the brake lining cup such that the metal strip width is approximately perpendicular to the brake lining wear surface. Alternatively the wound metal strip may be produced by extrusion. The result is a brake lining assembly which is reinforced by a metallic winding structure.

Abstract: A baby bottle holder for baby self-feeding comprises an adjustable hanging mechanism; and, a bottle holding mechanism, attached to the adjustable hanging mechanism, such that when hung, a bottle inserted into the bottle holding mechanism hangs at an appropriate angle for feeding a baby positioned under the baby bottle holder. This baby bottle holder is made of a flexible material, and adjusts easily to fit on a variety of car seat/carrier/stroller handles, or other support.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vibration isolating mount used to mount a furring channel to a mounting surface wherein the furring channel comprises a channel portion and two opposing furring channel flanges. The vibration isolating mount comprises a vibration isolator of a size and shape to fit snugly around the furring channel flanges, wherein the vibration isolator has opposing flanges extending away from the furring channel flanges; and mounting brackets, wherein the mounting brackets wrap around the vibration isolator flanges, and wherein the mounting brackets are isolated from the furring channel by the vibration isolator.

Abstract: A compact ceiling isolation hanger for suspending and isolating a ceiling from the ceiling structure comprises two vibration isolators, two vibration isolator mounting means, a channel bracket having a channel carrier and opposing flanges, and a ceiling bracket mounted to the ceiling structure, wherein the vibration isolator mounting means mount the vibration isolators and the channel bracket to the ceiling bracket such that the vibration isolator mounting means pass through the channel bracket flanges, and wherein the ceiling bracket is adapted such that the vibration isolator mounting means do not contact the ceiling structure.

Abstract: A seismically restrained vibration isolating mounting device seismically restrains and vibrationally isolates equipment which is supported by an equipment support means, from the equipment mounting surface. This seismically restrained vibration isolating mounting device is comprised of a three-axis snubber mounted to the equipment mounting surface and which restrains the equipment support means; and a vibration isolator, wherein the equipment support means is supported by the vibration isolator and wherein the vibration isolator is supported by the equipment mounting surface, wherein the vibration isolator acts in the direction of gravity, and wherein the three axis-snubber is closer to the equipment supporting surface than the vibration isolator, and the vibration isolator is external to the three-axis snubber.

Abstract: A kit for demonstrating Archimedes' principle, comprising a tub having an overflow spout, such that when fluid reaches the overflow spout, all additional fluid added to the tub will flow out the overflow spout; and a stable boat sized to float in the tub without touching the sides of the tub. The kit may further comprise a balance beam which can balance a tub edge, wherein one end of the balance beam has an attachment mechanism for attaching a counter weight, and the other end has an attachment mechanism for attaching a sample weight, such that when the sample weight is attached, and the balance beam is balancing on the tub edge, the sample weight will be submerged in the fluid. There is also a method for using this kit to demonstrate Archimedes' principle both for the buoyancy of a floating body, and the buoyancy for objects that don't float.

Abstract: This is a passively energized floating guide for a parked head scanner having a scanning glass slit. This floating guide applies pressure to the original papers crossing the scanning glass slit in order to wipe the scanning glass slit, and keep it free from contamination. The floating guide comprises a wiper bar which is pivotally mounted above the scanning glass slit such that it extends from end to end of the scanning glass slit, and it rests on the scanning glass slit when at rest. The weight and pivot point for the wiper bar are chosen such that the force of the original paper rotates the wiper bar and causes the wiper bar to press down on the original as it passes between the wiper bar and the scanning glass slit with sufficient force to clean the glass, but not enough force to jam the paper. This is the case even for lightweight papers. After the paper has passed, the wiper bar pivots back to its initial position.

Abstract: A leveling device is useful for paper having at least two different thicknesses for a paper supply tray having a given depth, for a sheet feeder. This leveling device comprises a support upon which the paper having at least two different thicknesses rests, wherein the support height is self adjusting to compensate for the different thicknesses of the paper such that a top sheet of paper is in a position to feed properly into the sheet feeder.

Abstract: A drive belt tensioning method and assembly using a spring loaded, non-active tensioner. The spring is mounted between a base plate, and a tensioner arm, both of which rotate. A belt tensioning pulley is mounted on the tensioner arm, such that the belt tensioning pulley is adjacent to the drive belt. The tension of the spring causes the tensioner arm to rotate which causes the belt tensioning pulley to tension the drive belt. The spring chosen has a predetermined working length at which the drive belt has the desired tension. Because both the base plate and the tensioner arm rotate, the spring may be kept at this predetermined working length for each belt adjustment. This enables the drive belt to maintain the desired tension. An alignment index integral to the assembly may be used to ensure that the spring is at the predetermined working length.

Abstract: A method of operating a vacuum corrugated belt feeder, which may or may not have a positive air pressure separator, during non-feed cycle time. “The result being” to separate a sheet from a sheet supply stack, which method comprises agitating the top sheets in the stack by actuating the vacuum and/or the positive air pressure separator during non-feed cycle time.