Abstract: A perforated pipe network beneath a playing surface. A blower connected to the pipe network drawing an air flow through the pipe network to create a vacuum. A drain pipe connecting to the pipe network. An air/water separator connected upstream of the blower for separating water from the air flow prior to entering the blower and channeling the water into the drain pipe for discharge. A flow control unit having a unit inlet connected to the drain pipe downstream of the air/water separator and a unit outlet discharging water to a drain outlet. The flow control unit blocking air flow through the unit inlet into the drain pipe when the blower is in the vacuum mode, and opening the unit inlet when a waterhead buildup at the unit inlet exceeds the vacuum level established by the blower to discharge water through the drain outlet.

Abstract: A fiber blending, opening and cleaning arrangement which includes a feed section for delivering a blend of fibers onto a first opening and blending operation, comprising an array of parallel opening and blending rolls rotating in one direction and arranged along an incline and in adjacent positions. The fibers are passed over the rolls in a first direction and under the rolls in a section direction while being also moved along a sinusoid path. Upon existing the array of rolls, the fibers fall into a fine opening and blending operation which fully mixes the fibers.

Abstract: A light assembly for a vehicle mirror is provided. The light assembly in one aspect has a light directing arrangement attached to a transparent pane, which directs a light beam into a specified zone, controls a color of the light beam and controls an intensity of the light. In another aspect, a pane is provided having similar attributes and a water drain and drip edge.

Abstract: The invention is a battery powered source for an air handling system that provides subsurface aeration services when an available power source provides insufficient power. The system comprises a subsurface aeration duct, a motor, an air pump, a storage battery, a battery charger, and a control circuit responsive to commands. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the storage battery to control a connection of the storage battery to provide power to the motor. In response to a command, the control circuit connects the storage battery to provide power to the motor, and the storage battery provides sufficient power to operate the motor and air pump satisfactorily for operation of an air handling system used for subsurface aeration. The system further comprises a reversing valve to provide air under pressure with air flow in a first direction, and partial vacuum with air flow in a second direction.

Abstract: A mirror arrangement for a vehicle having a functional device, control apparatus, and a mode switch located in a mirror housing is provided. An activation device is provided to activate the mode switch for maintenance of the functional device. Various embodiments and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A plate for attachment to an interior side of the housing of a vending machine to overlie the bill validator. The plate including a mask portion protruding to an exterior of the housing for covering a mouth portion of the bill validator exposed to the public. The mask portion includes an entrance aligned with a bill slot in the mouth portion of the bill validator. A bill passageway defined by a first guide flange and a second guide flange is disposed between the bill slot and the entrance for directing bills into an out of the bill validator. The guide flanges terminate in the mouth portion of the bill validator so that bills may reliably pass from the entrance through the bill passageway into the bill slot, and from the bill slot outwardly through the bill passageway to the entrance during bill rejection.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for determining the broadcast coverage of an antenna without having to go through the steps of actually building the antenna. The antenna characteristics, including mechanical and electrical beam tilt, are received and intercept points representing a predetermined decreasing signal strength are calculated to define a broadcast area representing predetermined decrease in signal strength. Once this area is determined, it can be overlayed on the geographical information associated with the antenna so that the broadcast area of the decreased signal strength can be shown graphically. This information can then be altered to anticipate the broadcast coverage of an antenna without having to physically construct or manipulate the antenna itself. This invention is a considerable improvement over the current state of technology so as to allow the optimal determination of broadcast areas for an antenna without having to physically construct the antenna themselves.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a mirror assembly and an antenna assembly with a vehicle cab including a radio which includes grounding the antenna assembly with the vehicle cab. The mounting assembly includes a conductive metal support rod connected with a mounting bracket formed of molded polymeric resin including a conductive filler. The antenna assembly includes an antenna mounted to a support which is secured with the support rod. Also, an antenna cable extends from the antenna through the mounting rod and the cab assembly in usual manner. The arrangement provides a conductive path to the vehicle cab and radio.

Abstract: The invention is a system for managing a plurality of areas of interest of a golf course. The system comprises a plurality of electromechanical subsystems and a programmable master control module. Each subsystem provides to a specific area at least one of air under pressure and a partial vacuum. In each area of interest, a local control module is responsive to a directive and to a datum. The local control module is configured to operate the subsystem and is in communication with the programmable master control module. The programmable master control module receives from at least two of the plurality of local control modules information representing a status of the respective specific area to which the local control module is dedicated, and in response to the information and to a command, the programmable master control module issues a directive to the local control module to operate the electromechanical subsystem.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for actuating an electronic device having a first protocol with a command device having a second protocol so as to actuate such consumer device regardless of differences in protocol. An electronic device may be remote controlled through a infrared protocol for such functions as being turned on, turned off, or other functions related to the specific device. As such, command devices, such as remote controls are highly specialized and dependent upon the protocol of the electronic device for actuating such device. This invention allows a command device of any protocol to actuate a electronic device of any other protocol through associating the input signal to the electronic device with an output signal from the command device and converting one protocol to another with associated command.

Abstract: A maneuvering aid for a vehicle is provided which has a detector and an information provider in wireless communication with each other. The detector and the information provider are synchronized upon the start of the vehicle, a reversing operation or the like to monitor the area about the vehicle and alert a driver of the vehicle of an obstacle near the vehicle. The detector is portable for use with multiple trailers that are attachable to the vehicle such that the information provider and detector remain in wireless communication.

Abstract: A transportable intravenous stand for carrying medical fluids, such as blood plasma or saline solutions, so as to allow the fluids to be gravity fed into a patient. This invention comprises a base, a collapsible support member, and a hanger member to allow for hanging fluid-dispensing containers. The base being collapsible and support member telescoping so as to provide for a compact, easily transportable stand for use in the field when providing medical treatment to a patient.

Abstract: An upper tray for receiving the maxillary teeth and a lower tray for receiving the mandibular teeth. Upper bite pads carried by the upper tray and lower bite pads carried by the lower tray. The lower bite pads located anterior to the upper bite pads so that the lower bite pads are free to engage the maxillary occlusal surface of the upper tray, and the upper bite pads are free to engage the mandibular occlusal surface of the lower tray to maintain the occlusal surfaces of the trays in a predetermined spaced relationship. The upper and lower bite pads are arranged to abut each other for advancing the mandible and preventing posterior movement of the mandible while allowing limited vertical and lateral movement. The bite pads are releasably carried by the trays for interchanging different sizes of pads to customize the appliance to the needs of the user's mouth.

Abstract: A composite papermaking fabric having an upper support fabric including upper warp and weft yarns and a lower contact fabric including lower warp and weft yarns. The upper fabric is woven in a first weave pattern which forms a support surface and the lower fabric is woven in a broken twill weave pattern which forms the contact surface. The composite fabric includes paired binder yarns which weave in alternating sequences with the upper and lower fabrics binding them together. The broken twill weave pattern provides plural floats of cross-machine direction yarns passing outwardly of a plurality of adjacent lower warp yarns forming a plurality of adjacent cross-machine direction floats. Certain of the paired floats comprise a lower weft yarn and a binder yarn while others may comprise two lower weft yarns. The lower weft yarn floats are positioned to shield and protect the binder yarn floats along their entire length.

Abstract: A fan is modified by replacing its rigid rotor shaft by a flexible shaft so the normal operating speed range is above the first transverse critical speed. During run-up, the assembly of the fan impeller 12 and the drive shaft 11 is accelerated rapidly through the first critical speed at which the peak transverse vibrations could be encountered, and during run-down the shaft 11 is braked to minimize the same exposure to transverse vibrations. The use of a more flexible fan drive shaft of smaller diameter, allows a higher fan operating speed to be used without risk of detrimental shaft aerodynamic chokage effects, and the utilization of the existing fan foundation.