Abstract: An improved gear drive sprinkler has a pop-up spray head adapted for adjustable part-circle or full circle operation to deliver irrigation water over a selected terrain area. The sprinkler includes a pop-up riser; a gear drive transmission mounted within the riser includes a water-driven turbine for rotatably driving a speed reduction gear train, which in turn rotatably drives the spray head. A reverse assembly includes an upper trip unit defining an individually adjustable pair of end trip stops, and a lower shift mechanism including a shiftable director plate having first and second sets of angularly oriented jet nozzles for respective alignment with turbine jet ports for respectively driving the water-driven turbine and the gear train in a forward-drive or a reverse-drive direction. The upper trip is coupled to the director plate by an elongated trip rod which shifts the director plate between forward-drive and reverse drive positions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 2002
Date of Patent:
May 11, 2004
Assignee:
Rain Bird Corporation
Inventors:
John W. Ingham, Jr., Jerry D. Lawyer, Charles D. Lemme, Michael A. McAfee, Derek M. Nations, Matthew S. Prucinsky, David E. Steimle
Abstract: An information display system and method is provided for computer-based games and the like, particularly of the type involving multiple participants who may be present at a game site or alternately located at one or more remote sites. The display system and method monitors the status of each participant as a particular game progresses. The system combines the monitored status information for all participants and generates a common information display so that individual participants can view their status relative to other game participants, and thereby assess their individual chances of winning as the game proceeds. The invention is suited for rapid and efficient playing of games of chance or skill in a casino environment or the like, wherein the game can accommodate a large number of participants including “active” participants located at the game site as well as “virtual” participants who may not be present at the game site.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 4, 2004
Assignee:
Winnovations, LLC
Inventors:
Rodney K. Moore, Allen R. Hecht, Thomas P. Riley
Abstract: A sports glove provides an improved way of keeping a display convenient for allowing a user to keep time and the score while playing. The sports glove includes a body having a palm portion, a back portion and an opening for receiving a hand. The glove further includes an adjusting means for adapting the glove to a particular user, including a flap having a fastener for connecting the flap to the back portion of the sports glove body. The flap may also include first and second layers defining a pocket therebetween. A non-removable multi-function display may be disposed within the pocket, and an aperture through the first layer for allowing a user to access the display.
Abstract: A deformable grip is provided for a manual implement or other substrate such as a handle for a cooking vessel or a hair brush or the like, wherein the grip resiliently conforms to individualized anatomical contours and preferences thereby providing enhanced user comfort with reduced fatigue. The deformable grip includes a resilient outer sleeve mounted on the implement in a position for manual grasping during normal use, wherein this outer sleeve encloses at least one internal cavity containing a selected quantity of shape-deformable balls to provide the outer sleeve with a deformable tactile feel during normal use. These resilient balls are sufficiently deformable to accommodate injection into the cavity through a hollow needle passed through a small puncture port formed in the sleeve, followed by return to a normal size and shape sufficiently large to prevent backflow leakage through the puncture port to the sleeve exterior.
Abstract: A field part of an electronically switched two-phase reluctance machine includes a plurality of individually wound U-shaped yoke assemblies. Each assembly includes winding carrying U-shaped magnets attached to a non-magnetic carrier frame. Each yoke assembly has winding connections which are interconnected by a form-defined, axially mountable electric conductor compound. Power conducting electric components are electrically connected to the electric connector compound as well.
Abstract: Structural panels are provided which utilize commercially available components and a cost effective method of fabrication. The structural panels include commercially available trusses, fillers positioned between and aligned with the trusses and sandwiched to form a solid panel core, and commercially available wire mesh substantially covering opposing side surfaces of the panel core and attached to the trusses with wire to hold the panel core together. The trusses include generally parallel rods and wire bent around the rods in a zigzag configuration. The fillers may include a foamed filler such as solid foamed plastic or solid foamed glass. Alternatively, the filler may include a stabilized organic material. A commercially available lathing member may also be imbedded into the structural panel. The structural panels are fabricated by aligning the fillers and trusses in an alternating sequence. The alternating masonry reinforcement trusses and fillers are then pressed to form a panel core.
Abstract: A hand-held gemstone viewing scope includes a slidable armature movable relative to a base and defining a viewer housing a lens. A platform is rotatably connected to a top end of the base and configured to adjustably mount a gemstone or ring in line with the lens. A gem laser inscription is determined by mounting a ring or gemstone in line with the lens, moving the armature to focus the lens on the gemstone, and rotating the platform until the gem inscription is located.
Abstract: A foundation comprising one or more layers or mattresses of tires, and a fill material provided within and/or between tires of each of the mattresses. The fill material is preferably a relatively coarse aggregate and provides a porous bed having relatively high drainage capacity. The lowermost mattress is typically wrapped in a porous sheet such as a geofabric cloth which is designed to allow the passage of water across the lowermost mattress whilst preventing the ingress of relatively finer material into the fill material and which can otherwise lead to degeneration of the foundation. At least some of the tires typically also have an upper sidewall removed therefrom.
Abstract: An adjustable paint easel and display rack assembly includes a base having first and second legs extending upwardly therefrom. First and second risers are slidably connected to the first and second legs for adjusting the height of the assembly. Extensions may be pivotally attached to upper ends of the risers and movable between folded and extended positions to further adjust the height of the assembly. An arm is attached to the risers or extensions and has a canvas board platform pivotally and rotatably attached thereto, enabling the height and angle of the canvas board platform to be adjusted. The assembly may include pivoting table leaves, and model attachment plates as well.
Abstract: An electrical generating system including an electric motor coupled to a power source, such as a solar panel array. A magnetic coupling is connected to an output shaft of the motor. The magnetic coupling includes opposed first and second plates each having permanent magnets affixed thereto and arranged such that rotation of the first plate by the motor causes the second plate to rotate by repulsive magnetic force. A gear assembly having a high transmission ratio is connected to the magnetic coupling. Preferably, at least one electrical generator is connected to the gear assembly for generating electricity.
Abstract: A process for monitoring infusion into a patient includes hanging a fluid bag from a monitoring apparatus. The weight of the fluid bag is periodically measured, using an electronic weight sensing mechanism and a microprocessor, to detect either a no-fluid-flow condition, a near empty bag condition, or a preselected amount of fluid loss condition. A switch is depressed on the monitoring apparatus for selecting the monitoring of an amount of fluid to be infused totaling less than the fluid within the fluid infusion bag. Otherwise, the apparatus detects a near empty bag condition. An alarm is activated when either the no-fluid-flow condition, the near empty bag condition, or the preselected amount of fluid loss condition has been detected. The rate of fluid loss from the fluid bag can be calculated and displayed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 7, 2001
Date of Patent:
February 10, 2004
Inventors:
Richard A. Citrenbaum, Laurence R. Nicholson, Clifford A. Tyner