Abstract: A contoured pillow includes a top, a bottom, a front, a back and opposite sides. The front slopes forwardly from bottom-to-top and changes laterally in depth from side-to-side for cradling and supporting the shoulder. A neck support extension projects upwardly from the top and front and provides enhanced neck support due to the sloping configuration of the front. The top includes a recess forming a face relief pocket, right and left jaw relief areas, right and left airways extending from the jaw relief areas to the sides and a cranial support ridge. The pillow is molded from memory foam with thermally responsive characteristic for shaping itself to a particular user in conjunction with the generally concave geometry designed to give way to a generally spherical facial structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a marker post includes the steps of preheating a tubular barrel adjacent to a lower end thereof to soften same and deforming the tubular barrel lower end to form a flange assembly. The pre-softened tubular barrel is received in a barrel holder. A mandrel assembly is reciprocated into and out of engagement with the barrel lower end. The mandrel assembly reshapes the barrel lower end to form the flange assembly.

Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.

Abstract: A marker post comprising an embodiment or aspect of the invention includes a body with upper and lower ends, a bore extending between the ends and a sidewall enclosing the bore. A top panel is mounted on the body upper end and encloses the bore thereat. A base is mounted on the body lower end and includes a perimeter positioned outwardly from the sidewall. An embodiment or aspect of the mold assembly for rotary molding the marker post includes first and second mold halves enclosing a mold cavity with body and base subcavities. In one embodiment or aspect of a marker post manufacturing method of the invention, the body and base are integrally rotary molded in first and second mold halves, which are separated for extracting the rotary-formed marker post.

Abstract: A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.

Abstract: A power-actuated jaw is provided for a vise including first and second vise jaws. The actuated jaw includes a force transfer mechanism adapted for transferring a force from a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic piston-and-cylinder unit, through pivoting and sliding subassemblies. The sliding subassembly mounts a jaw contact member and pushes same between open/retracted and closed/extended positions. A compressed air source is connected to the piston-and-cylinder unit through a three-way valve for cycling the actuated jaw through load/unload cycles.

Abstract: An interactive system for a facility, such as a parking facility, a warehouse or some other type of facility, includes a user interface for detecting empty parking spaces, moving vehicles and personnel. The user interface can be associated with a “smart” light fixture or other component mounted in the parking structure. A control subsystem includes a system processor which interacts with a user interface. The user interface communicates directly with a user and with a smart card whereby parking transactions are automatically recorded and debited to an account. A key fob transmitter transmits signals to a smart fixture for summoning emergency assistance. The system processor utilizes GPS coordinates for guiding users, locating parking spaces, and identifying smart light fixtures receiving emergency assistance signals. The system can provide various information about the presence, absence and movement of vehicles and individuals within various structures.

Abstract: An improved equipment guidance system and assembly is described comprising a top plate in releasable engagement with a drawbar of a towing vehicle, a supplemental or ancillary drawbar pivotable about a forward location and movable to an offset position left or right of center by a pair of pistons, and a bottom plate for attachment to the ancillary drawbar and the top plate. The pistons are controlled by a control box that dictates in concert the extension and retraction of the left and right pistons. A signal from the control box is generated from a plurality of sources. One example of a signal source is a tilt sensor that measures inclination relative to gravity. Another example of a signal source is an automatic “whiskers” crop row sensing wand system. Yet another example of a signal source can be generated manually from an operator of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A structural member comprises a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material. A gas producing substance or foaming agent is mixed with the base material and provides a lower density within the interior of the member. The structural member can comprise one or more of the components of a utility pole assembly, such as the crossarms, bracing, insulators and pole. A method of producing the structural member includes the steps of mixing additives with plastic pellets for feeding into an extruder. The extruded structural members are formed, cooled, pulled and cut to desired lengths.

Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.

Abstract: A filter unit in a fluid circuit associated with a machine tool that uses machining fluid is maintained by counting the number of times the machine tool is operated and automatically servicing the filter unit, as by backflushing, after the machine tool has been used a preset number of times. A filter unit control unit counts the number of uses of the machine tool and moves valve units in the filter unit from an operational configuration to a backwash configuration and controls the timing and operation of the filter unit maintenance cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming waste oil for use as fuel for a diesel engine. A mixing tank is provided, along with a waste oil transfer pump for supplying waste oil to the mixing tank, a fuel proportioning pump for supplying a proportional amount of light fuel oil to the mixing tank, and a heating unit for heating the oil-fuel mixture. An additive proportioning pump may also be provided for supplying chemical fuel additives such as emulsifiers and combustion improvers to the mixing tank. A fuel delivery pump delivers the heated oil-fuel mixture from the mixing tank to a diesel engine for use as fuel. Pre-filters are provided to remove a large portion of the particulate material from the waste oil before it is delivered to the mixing tank, and final filters remove additional contaminants from the oil-fuel mixture before it reaches the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for stringing static wire to a utility pole. The apparatus comprises a body having a base portion and a pair of arms extending from the base portion in generally opposing directions. Each of the arms has a sleeve attached to its distal end, the sleeves having a generally vertical receiver and an upper bearing surface. Each sleeve receives a jackscrew, the jackscrews having a lower end with a flange sized and shaped so as to be receivable by a coupler of a standard stringing dolly. A nut is threaded on each jackscrew proximate its upper end and bears against the respective sleeve upper bearing surface. A jack handle is provided for turning the nuts and thereby raising and lowering the jackscrews.

Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.

Abstract: A utility pole crossarm assembly includes a crossarm comprising a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material and a foaming agent. The crossarm is adapted for bolting on a utility pole and for being supported thereon by a pair of diagonal cross braces.