Abstract: An adapter includes connector elements for releasably coupling to a quick-connect coupling of a loader or other off-road vehicle, and a fifth-wheel for releasably coupling to a fifth-wheel king pin equipped trailer. The adapter is adapted for connecting to the coupling from either a resting position on the ground, or a hanging position from the fifth-wheel king pin of the trailer.

Abstract: A portable apparatus is adapted to provide an underwater living environment for air breathing creatures in, for example, an aquarium. The apparatus includes a housing with a sealed upper portion and an open lower portion to allow the creatures to enter into and exit from inside the housing. During normal use, air pumped into the housing exits past a control surface formed in the lower portion of the housing to establish an air-filled chamber in the housing. A weighted base releasably connected to the housing counteracts the buoyancy forces on the air-filled housing to maintain the housing in a submerged position at the bottom of the aquarium. A dry crawling surface is provided for the creatures inside the air-filled chamber by positioning relatively large rocks or driftwood between the base and the housing, such objects being sized to extend into the air-filled chamber. The apparatus also includes provision for adjusting the height of the water level within the air-filled chamber.

Abstract: A system for sensing and indicating the angular position of a shaft through 360 degrees of rotation using a two-axis magnetoresistive microcircuit, a two pole magnet which rotates with the input shaft, a two channel operational amplifier, and an electromechanical device such as air core meter indicator, or an electronic computer to provide remote shaft angle indication. The magnetoresistive microcircuit consists of two Wheatstone bridges with magnetic field sensitive resistor elements. The two pole magnet is attached to the input shaft and configured to provide a uniform, low level magnetic field with maximum intensity less than that which will saturate the magnetoresistive sensors. Operational amplifier circuits are trimmed to eliminate sensor offset, match scale factors for the two channels, and amplify the differential bridge sensor signals. As the input shaft rotates, sinusoidal signals V1 and V2 are obtained from the amplifiers with equal amplitude and a 90-degree phase shift.

Abstract: A grip washer includes a tubular body having a closed lower end for holding cleaning fluid and an open upper end for receiving the grips or handles to be cleaned. A helical cleaning brush with multiple turns for cleaning the grips is threaded into position in the body. A second helical brush of a single turn threaded into the body and spaced above the cleaning brush provides a splash guard function during grip cleaning.

Abstract: A rotating fixture includes work piece holders for carrying work pieces in a circular path for parading the work pieces one-by-one for machining engagement with a grinding wheel. The work pieces holders permit rotation or spinning of the work piece therein independently of the fixture rotation. A drive wheel engages and spins each work pieces in the holder as the work piece travels through machining engagement with the grinding wheel such that a round, outside-diameter surface is ground onto the work piece.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and measuring pupillary size and response to a light stimulus includes a an IR source and optical apparatus for directing an IR beam toward an individuals pupil, a measuring channel comprising optical and photo-optical detecting apparatus for directing and receiving a first portion of the IR illumination leaving the individual's pupil and for providing an electrical output signal indicative of the illumination power detected, and a calibration channel comprising second optical and photo-optical apparatus adapted to receive a second portion of the IR illumination leaving the individual's pupil and for providing an electrical output signal indicative of certain individual-specific pupillary parameters. The output signal from the measuring channel, providing information regarding relative pupillary size changes when the pupil is light-stimulated, is processed with the output signal from the calibration channel to provide absolute or actual pupillary size and response data.

Abstract: A machine for testing material wear and lubrication properties between a bearing pin and opposing bearing blocks includes a wear-test loading apparatus comprising a guide mounted to the frame of the machine, a pair of bearing block holders slidably mounted to the guide, and a low-friction actuator such as a piston-type pneumatic mounted to the bearing block holders for movement there with and independently of the frame. The actuator piston rod is connected to the bearing block holder on one side of the pin adjacent the actuator, and the actuator housing is connected to the bearing block holder on the other side of the pin. When the actuator is pressurized, the piston and housing tend to separate under equal and opposite force due to the pressure in the actuator. This separation causes the bearing block holders to simultaneously slide on the guide and be drawn inwardly toward one another, and thus toward and into bearing contact with the pin, with equal and opposite force.

Abstract: A wire drawing machine includes a draw die for reducing unfinished wire to a predetermined size, a power-driven capstan rotatable about a horizontal axis for drawing wire through the die, and an integral floor-mounted coil-supporting table which carries a coil of unfinished wire for processing through the die. The machine components are located in and connected to a generally L-shaped housing proximate to and wrapping partially around the coil-supporting table. The wire is guided along a path above the coil and housing as the wire travels from the coil to the die such that the floor space needed to process the unfinished wire is confined to the combined space of the turntable and housing.

Abstract: A scoring table, for use at sporting events involving play between two teams and changing possession of a ball between the teams, includes a table top, support legs, a front section with an integral bi-directional indicating sign having oppositely directed horizontal arrows, and a manually operable switch for selectively illuminating the arrows so as to indicate possession of the ball during the course of the event.