Abstract: A hammermill-type shredding apparatus having a rotor assembly disposed in a housing, the rotor assembly including hammer elements of longer and shorter lengths mounted in an intersticed or alternating manner thereon, a grate having thicker and thinner portions in like alternating manner so as to accept longer length hammers adjacent the thinner portions of the grate and between the thicker portions of the grate, the housing further provided with a comb assembly having finger portions extending into the circle defined by the hammers when in operation, and further extending between the hammer elements so as to remove and prevent any undesirable materials accumulations.

Abstract: A valet comprises a frame having a first storage box pivotally secured to the frame. The first storage box includes a front panel and a rear panel, an internal chamber formed therein and a lid for providing access to the internal chamber. The storage box is pivotally secured to the frame such that the storage box is pivotal between an upright alignment wherein the front and rear panels are substantially vertically aligned and a horizontal alignment wherein the front and rear panels are generally horizontally aligned. An elongated slot is formed in a bottom panel of the storage box and extends into communication with the internal chamber. A first layer of compressible material is secured within the internal chamber of said box and a second layer of compressible material is secured to an inner surface of the lid.

Abstract: An improved railroad car loader/unloader apparatus includes a backhoe-type machine adapted to operate atop an open top railroad car. The apparatus includes front and rear support feet and a center support beam to which are pivotally attached a pair of center support feet, one to either end of the center support beam with each of the feet contacting an upper surface of the sidewalls of the railroad car. Each center support foot is pivotable through a horizontal plane between extended support position and a retracted, stored position. In one alternative version, double action hydraulic piston and cylinder units are provided to selectively extend and retract the center support feet.

Abstract: An apparatus for quick freezing tissue specimens includes a base supporting a linear motion platform and a rotational motion platform. Each of the platforms includes a plurality of discs for covering and receiving respectfully specimen to be frozen. Each of the discs includes a chambers positioned to very quickly and rapidly disperse cryogenic fluid therein and convey away evaporated gases therefrom. The discs are flow connect to a cryogenic fluid source such as a liquid nitrogen tank and a vacuum is drawn on the gaseous side system by a vacuum pump. The discharge of the vacuum pump is returned to the cryogenic tank such that the vacuum pump both draws the cryogenic fluid through the system and pressurizes the tank so as to motivate the fluid through the system. A rotational column with a cryogenic junction conveys the cryogenic fluid to and from the platform that rotates. The junction is constructed of axially connected and rotatable quartz tubing.

Abstract: A sod harvesting apparatus including a cutting unit and a sod stacking unit and which is selectively configurable to harvest sod in the form of slabs, small rolls or large rolls. The cutting unit includes at least one sod cutting blade for cutting a strip of sod from the ground, a sod cut-off mechanism which is selectively engageable to cut a strip of sod across its length at set intervals and a conveyor assembly for conveying the cut strips of sod away from said cutting blade. Roller supports, upon which a roller is removably securable are secured to the cutting unit on opposite sides of the conveyor assembly for use in forming large rolls of sod. A small roll roller attachment is removably securable to the cutting unit to extend across the conveyor assembly for flipping a leading edge of a strip of sod onto itself as it is conveyed up the conveyor assembly and causing the sod to roll upon itself for forming small rolls.

Abstract: A seed drill includes a conventional single or double disc blade soil opener for creating seed trenches for the deposition of seeds by a seeder. A scraper/soil firming assembly is attached to the outside of each disc blade axle. The scraper/soil firming assembly includes a bracket for mounting a scraper/soil firming blade and a locking plate for locking the mounting bracket and blade at a selected angle relative to the disc blade axle. The scraper/soil firming blade is a flat bar extending downward and rearward from the respective disc blade and positioned alongside the disc blade and to act both as a blade scraper and as a soil firmer.

Abstract: A tub grinder for grinding animal feed and the like of the type having a hammer mill extending below a stationary floor about which a tub side wall rotates, incorporates a rear discharge opening formed in a rear side wall of the hammer mill and includes deflector plates extending across an end wall of the grinder for directing material out the discharge opening to the rear of the tub grinder. Shear plates are adjustably secured to an end wall of the hammer mill housing. The shear plates are oriented in overlapping and angled relationship with respect to one another and to prevent ground materials from accumulating on the shear plates particularly when wet. Sickle blades are retractably positioned in the mill side walls for providing additional cutting action. Further, hammer assemblies are modified to include a knife edge and a face plate.

Abstract: A product densification method for producing sinking aquatic feed, densified cattle "range cubes" or the like includes a conventional cooking extruder into which feed ingredients, including cereal grains and additives, are introduced. The feed ingredients are cooked, gelatinized and expanded in the cooking extruder to form an intermediate feed product. The intermediate feed product is then loaded onto a cooling conveyor where it is transported to a product densification unit or PDU. The PDU is a specially designed high speed, low shear extruder which is adapted to densify and shape the intermediate feed product into a final feed product which is dense enough to sink in water and stable enough to stay together for a considerable period of time while submerged or exposed to weather. The density of the sinking feed, and therefore, the sink rate thereof, can be controlled by controlling the shaft speed of the high speed screw in the PDU.

Abstract: A laser range finder includes a circular in-sight field of view which incorporates within it a magnified "TV view" of the target area with the TV view roughly approximating the rectangular shape of a standard television picture. Also within the circular field, over and under the TV view, are a target quality indicator, a range distance display, and other indicators. Within the TV view is a targeting reticle which indicates roughly the footprint of ranging laser pulses such that a target can be selected. The target quality indicator is a bar graph which displays the number of identifiable received reflected laser pulses from a series of such pulses emitted by the range finder. By aiming the range finder at various targets via the footprint reticle, repeatedly firing the range finder and monitoring the target quality graph for each firing, a user can move the range finder to find a surface proximate the target with a reflective quality sufficient to yield an accurate target range reading.

Abstract: An improved golf putter includes a putting face with a plurality of fine spring wires extending outward therefrom. Each of the spring wires includes a substantially horizontal initial leg portion extending outward form the putter face and an angled leg portion which extends upward and outward away from the initial leg portion. As the putter is swung, the angled leg portions spring inward and then upward and outward due to contact with the golf ball. This spring action simultaneously imparts both a forward and a topspin motion to the golf ball. The wires can be attached to an insert which is replaceable and interchangeable. Inserts with wires extending at differing angles can be provided to counteract a player's tendency to close or open the putter face during a putting stroke. A protective molding can be provided for surrounding and protecting the spring wires.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is provided for selectively positioning a chair component such as an armrest or a backrest. The adjusting mechanism utilizes a first member having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of ratchet recesses are spaced longitudinally along the first member. A second member having a longitudinal axis is disposed in substantially parallel relation with the longitudinal axis of the first member. The second member supports a ratchet dog. The first and second members are relatively movable along their longitudinal axes between a ratchet dog-blocking position and a ratchet dog-releasing position. A spring is mounted on the second member for urging the ratchet dog into successive engagement with the plurality of ratchet recesses. A slider is movably mounted on the second member for selectively displacing the spring to effect disengagement of the ratchet dog from the successive ratchet recesses.

Abstract: A three phase motor conversion and monitoring circuit converts a three phase motor to be started and run on single phase line power. During motor start-up, the circuit connects a start capacitor across a first input pair of the motor via a normally closed relay contact. The circuit includes a power supply connected across a first motor input pair which powers both a voltage monitor connected across a different input pair and a phase sequencing detector. When normal run voltage is detected across the first and second input pairs, and if and only if the phase sequencing detector has detected a normal phase sequence indicating that the motor is rotating in the correct direction, the relay is operated to open the normally closed contacts and to remove the start capacitor from the motor circuit.

Abstract: A dual blower railcar discharge and conveyor system and method includes a first, relatively high pressure, low volume blower for pressurizing a railcar and a short section of discharge convey line attached to the railcar. A second, relatively high volume, low pressure blower is attached to pressurize a transport convey line. The discharge convey line is connected into the transport convey line, which is of somewhat larger diameter than the discharge convey line. With a pair of smaller blowers used in place of a single large, high horsepower blower, efficiency is enhanced and system complexity is markedly reduced.

Abstract: A three button programmable sprinkler control system includes a control module having an LCD display, a decrement button, an increment button, and a set or select button. In a preferred embodiment, the control module is battery powered, sized for hand holding, and conveniently positionable in and removable from a system cabinet having therein a power transformer and base triac board including a base set of zone valve triacs. The system cabinet is sized to receive an expansion board having a second group of triacs for expanding the number of sprinkler valves which can be controlled. The control module includes a processor having stored therein a control program which is menu based and which is accessed for setting irrigation control parameters by operation of the three switches with reference to icons displayed for the various menus. The control module interfaces with the base triac board and an expansion board by a connector.

Abstract: An improved comminuting and dehydrating system is efficient, environmentally sound, and may be employed to process sticky materials. The system preferably includes a pair of intercoupled cyclone devices for comminuting and dehydrating, each equipped with a discharge containment unit. A blower is coupled with the primary cyclone to provide air flow, and a channel is included between the blower and the primary discharge containment unit to provide pressure equalization. An injection port is positioned remotely adjacent the discharge portion of the primary cyclone to permit injection of viscid substances such as eggs into the low pressure area of the cone. In preferred forms, the secondary cyclone device includes an exhaust filter and a meter for measuring the passage of material to be comminuted and dehydrated.

Abstract: A panel cover system for covering panels such as those comprising overhead doors. The cover system includes a plurality of covers with longitudinal and side margins for generally being aligned with the door panel longitudinal and side edges. The cover includes a field portion in a first, inner plane and a raised decorative portion in a second, outer plane spaced therefrom. The raised, decorative portion of the cover is bounded by the field portion. The covers are attached to the panels by edge strips extending along the panel longitudinal edges and receiving the cover longitudinal margins. The edge strips have J-shaped cross-sectional configurations.

Abstract: An auxiliary PTO assembly is designed for attaching a front mounted auxiliary rotary driven hydraulic pump to an OEM truck engine. The PTO assembly includes an auxiliary belt drive pulley which is formed by a ring which is shrink-fitted around a harmonic balancer which forms a portion of an OEM fan drive pulley. A bracket attached to the OEM engine is adapted to hold the hydraulic pump and a plurality of idler and tensioner pulleys. Installation of the inventive assembly is relatively simple and straight forward and entails virtually no modification of the OEM components. The entire PTO assembly including the auxiliary drive belt and the hydraulic pump are accommodated behind the original position of the OEM cooling fan such that the fan shaft does not need to be extended.