Abstract: The use of a frictional engagement with the top and/or side of a lifter ring on the neck of a bottle for controlling the rotation of the bottle during the capping process. The frictional engagement may be used to hold the bottle steady during the capping process or may be utilized to cause counter rotation of the bottle during the capping process. A method and apparatus for using counter rotation of the bottle to apply a cap to a bottle is also described.

Abstract: A light assembly for a multiple-axle or movable axle vehicle with a vertical and horizontal arrangement of lights adapted to enhance visibility of the vehicle as well as the wheels and axles of the vehicle.

Abstract: A novel three-way valve comprising a valve body, a valve sleeve for adjustable position mounting within the body, and a valve stem movable so as to selectively form a pathway between line recesses in the valve sleeve. Three line recesses are used to form a three way valve and the front and rear line recesses are provided around the diameter such that an increased number of apertures may be provided while reducing the diameter of the apertures themselves to provided the necessary fluid flow with a reduced throw requirement for the valve stem. Exhaust valves are provided to relieve pressure on the unused fluid path. Preferably, the apertures are equi-spaced around the recesses diameter to create a more efficient fluid flow. The valve has a knob and/or a hex key for making fine adjustments to the position of the valve sleeve for optimal efficiency.

Abstract: A compactable paintball marker squeegee adapted to compact for carrying on the playing field for paintball games. The squeegee is designed to compact into smaller arrangements while providing the capability of wiping paint out a marker barrel. The present invention is designed such that the system will lock into an elongated position and may be unlocked and flipped closed with a single hand motion for compaction during play of a paintball game. Additional improvements provide for a protective design to provide improved insertion into clothing with a protected cleaning head, and improved cleaning head movements through a pear-shaped connection aperture for the pivoting head.

Abstract: The invention provides a brush cutter and chipper that attaches to the end of an articulating arm or boom on equipment. The cutter may utilize existing hydraulic power and controls. The cutter includes a housing with external feed assembly that feeds material through a gate to an internal cutting assembly. The feed assembly has a tensioned upper roller that may move arcuately and a stationary lower roller. The rollers preferably rotate oppositely and each has peripheral cleats to facilitate feeding. The housing mounts an internal rotating drum that may be rotationally linked with the rollers. The drum has a cutting surface, which may be a peripherally wound toothed chain, that cuts entering materials smaller pieces. The drum rotates against the bottom side of the fed material to insure that the material is cut into small pieces. The small pieces exit through a chute at the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding uniformly-sized spherical projectiles such as paintballs into a gun adapted to shoot said projectiles is positioned in a lower region of a paintball-holding magazine, and includes a spinning body in the form of a spool from the peripheral side of which project radial arms shaped and dimensioned to urge projectiles toward a duct leading to the ammunition intake port of the gun. The spool is driven by a switchable electrical motor. In order to avoid gaps into the row of paintballs that are urged toward the ammunition intake port when the motor is not running which could result in dry firing, a resiliently variable linkage between the propelling arms is provided by a spiral spring or a pair of stretchable coil springs.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automobile hang tag for use in parking control and the like with an integral radio transponder, together with interrogator apparatus associated therewith in a system for parking control or other purposes. The detection range for the RFID interrogator and transponder is at least about six meters (20 feet) to enable rapid control monitoring of parking facilities from a moving vehicle through the back window or front windshield of parked vehicles. Reliable and trouble-free monitoring of the hang tags in a customary rear view mirror location is facilitated by employing directional antennas in the RFID hang tags, increasing the antenna gain while suppressing false signals and noise and improving the range-to-power ratio for the system. The RFID hang tags may be battery powered but are preferably unpowered RFID transponders.