Abstract: A material carrying reel comprises a pair of spaced apart side flanges and a plurality of staves affixed to the side flanges where the plurality of staves comprise a core of the material carrying reel. Each stave has a cover thereupon which comprises an elongated channel having a flexible extension extending from at least one edge of a closed side of the channel, the flexible extension providing support to material wound upon the material carrying reel.
Abstract: A marinating machine rotates a drum containing the food to be marinated. The drum is positioned on a pair of rotatable shafts only one of which is drivingly engaged to a motor rotating the drum. The pair of shafts is spaced far enough apart from each other such that the vector of force applied by the wall of the drum against the drive wheel is sufficient to ensure that the drum will rotate with the drive wheel. Within the drum is a pair of spaced apart paddles to agitate the food product being marinated. The two paddles are joined to each other by a compressible member, and the compressible member is compressed to allow insertion of the paddles into the drum. The compressible member applies sufficient force against the inner surface of the drum to cause the paddle assembly to rotate with the drum.
Abstract: A compressible sleeve for fitting around the shank of a rotatable tool has a cut out portion at the forward end thereof. The sleeve is compressed to a diameter less than the inner diameter of the bore of a tool holder by an annular wear ring having a generally cylindrical central opening with a diameter larger than the diameter of the bore of the tool holder, but having an inwardly directed projection that retains the cylindrical sleeve in a diameter that is less than the diameter of the bore of the tool holder. When the shank of the tool is subsequently driven into the bore of the tool holder, the wear ring is forced forwardly along the sleeve until the projection of the wear ring falls between the cut out portions of the sleeve thereby allowing the sleeve to expand to the diameter of the bore of the tool holder. The outer walls of the cut out portion of the sleeve engage the ends of the inwardly directed projection of the wear ring thereby preventing the wear ring from rotating with the tool.
Abstract: A seed planter of the type having a metering unit with a seed chute that drops seeds into a seed tube for planting as manufactured by John Deere is provided with a deflector in the metering unit. The deflector directs the path of the seeds as they fall away from the seed disk so as to free fall along a vertical centerline between the leading and trailing walls of the seed tube and between the opposing sides thereof.
Abstract: A control for stopping the rotation of the output shafts of a plurality of multiplexed motors configured in columns and rows with the first connector of each motor in a given column connected in parallel and with the second connector of each motor of a given row of motors connected in parallel. Each motors includes a switch positioned to be actuated when the output shaft of the motor is in its home orientation. One contact of the switch is connected to a first contact of the motor and therefor receives power when the switch for the column is energized. The second connector of each switch in a given row are connected in parallel to a detector for detecting a change in electric potential. The detector will detect a change in potential when the rotating shaft of an energized motor rotates its output shaft to its home position thereby closing its associated switch.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2003
Date of Patent:
May 22, 2007
Inventors:
Jack Chen, Kenneth Such, Eric Gonzales, Jeremy Waldrop, Milan Sebek
Abstract: A kit for modifying an in line skate to role in one direction only consists of locking plate having a rectangular central hole an a shoulder along one edge, a tubular sleeve having a rectangular head sized to non-rotatably fit within the central hole of the plate, and a wheel with a built in one way clutch with a central opening sized to receive the tubular sleeve.
Abstract: A tool has a tapered forward cutting end behind which is a cylindrical shank. A rearwardly facing annular flange separates the forward cutting end from the shank. The shank is received in a tool holder having a planar forward surface, and fitted around the shank of the tool and resting on the forward surface of the tool holder is an annular wear ring. The wear ring has a small outer diameter portion that is less than the outer diameter of the radial flange and less than the diameter of the forward end of the tool holder, thereby allowing a gap between those parts to receive an extraction tool. The wear ring also has a large outer diameter portion at least equal to the diameter of the forward surface of the tool holder.
Abstract: A grip for a handcuff pair comprises a pair of wristlet lock capturing members joined together by a hinge member wherein the pair of wristlet lock capturing members comprising mirror image parts. The mirror image parts of the wristlet lock capturing members capturing at least an end portion of opposed faces of wristlet locks of the handcuff pair therebetween, the mirror image parts of each of the pair of wristlet lock capturing members joined together by a flexible member wherein the hinge member forces the wristlet locks apart and into an substantially planar position upon withdrawal from retention.
Abstract: A device for exercising the plantar fascia has a first member positionable under the ball of a foot, and a second member positionable under the toes of the foot. A third member having an eye attaches to the ankle. A first line extends from the first member and a second line extends from the second member and through the eye at the ankle. By pulling on the first and second lines, the plantar fascia is stretched.
Abstract: A vending machine cabinet is retained in a closed position by a hook that is engaged by a vertically moveable latch bar that can be latched closed without requiring a solenoid. The latch bar is moved by means of a cam attached to one of the hooks. Prior to engaging the hook, an angled surface of the cam engages a surface defined by the opening in the latch bar. As the door is closed, the cam rotates through an angle thereby lifting the latch bar until the upwardly extending finger of the hook can move through the opening of the latch bar. When the door is fully closed, the surface of the cam is moved from beneath the edge of the opening in the latch bar thereby allowing the latch bar to drop behind the hook, latching the door closed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2004
Date of Patent:
January 30, 2007
Inventors:
Mohammad Ali Jamnia, Jack Chen, Patrick Forster, Kenneth G. Such, Joe Chu
Abstract: A fuel level sensor has a rotor with two magnets mounted for rotation therewith, the magnets spaced from one another and with like poles directed toward one another. A Hall effect sensor on the housing is positioned between the two magnets such that increasing the volume of fluid in the tank moves one magnet toward the sensor and decreasing the volume in the tank moves the other magnet toward the sensor. A metal sleeve around the magnets protects the parts from interference from magnetic material in the fuel. A static discharge path is provided from a metal rod connecting a float, a plate contracting the rod, and a pivot pin retaining the rotor to the housing, and a ground connector in contact with the pivot pin.
Abstract: A window assembly comprising an elongated transparent pane, at least one lighting assembly and at least one opaque covering, the elongated transparent pane having the opaque covering associated with the interior surface thereof and having the lighting assembly mounted adjacent the interior surface of the opaque covering, the opaque covering having at least one aperture disposed therethrough wherein light emanating from the lighting assembly is visible from the exterior surface of the window assembly.
Abstract: A multipurpose sensing system of detecting, qualifying and quantifying a potential threat to national security comprises a multipurpose sensing module associated with each cargo carrying container. The system tracks the instantaneous location of each cargo carrying container with the multipurpose sensing module on board each cargo carrying container sampling the contents thereof for the presence of material selected from the group comprising nuclear, biological and chemical grade weapons material.
Abstract: A rotatable tool has a cylindrical shank and a compressible sleeve fitted thereon to retain the shank in the bore of a tool holder. A wear ring is positioned behind the forward cutting end of the tool and against the forward surface of the tool holder. The compressible sleeve is locked to the wear ring to prevent rotation of the wear ring with the tool. Also, the outer diameter of the wear ring is greater than the width of the forward surface of the tool holder forming an overhang, and a second tool can then be used to engage the overhang to remove the tool from the tool holder.
Abstract: A manway lift device comprises two hinge assemblies, each hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member, a second hinge member, a smooth bore bushing, an internally threaded bushing and an adjustable biasing assembly. At least one of the bushings of each hinge assembly including a first end protruding beyond an exterior face of the first hinge member of the hinge assembly and including a second end having dogs disposed thereon, the dogs engaged in dog holes disposed through the second hinge member of the hinge assembly. The smooth bore bushing of each hinge assembly receiving a bolt through the internal bore thereof, the bolt threaded received in the internally threaded bore of the threaded bushing of the hinge assembly. The bolts rigidly affix the bushings to the hinge assemblies. Each hinge assembly connected to a manway cover and a manway collar. The biasing assemblies biasing the manway cover toward an open position with respect to the manway collar.
Abstract: A drill bit consists of a bit body having a forward end and a slot in the forward end to hold a hardened cutting blade. The bit body has a table near the center of the blade to reduce the speed at which the drill bores into hard material. The blade has a central slot extending into the forward end thereof such that the slot defines inner side walls and a bridge extending between the inner side walls. The bridge has sloping sides the define a central cutting edge so as to cut particles of hard material accumulating in the slot. The inner side walls intersect the leading faces of the blade and form cutting edges which further cut particles loosened at the center of the cut. Also, relief flats relieve the concentration of forces at the ends of the primary cutting edges of the blade.