Abstract: A pull-out load platform truck cargo beds. The load platform has a frame with a base, a plurality of outriggers that extend therefrom, and a pair of rails that are aligned with the base. The outriggers and the rails are adjustable and have ends that are configured and arranged to engage surfaces of a truck body in a non-invasive manner, so that when the load platform is installed in a cargo bed of a truck, the base is prevented from moving relative thereto. A deck, onto which cargo may be placed, is operatively connected to the frame and movable relative thereto, preferably in a constrained manner. When the deck is pulled out relative to the frame so that it extends partially beyond the end of the base in a cantilever fashion, the deck is prevented from tipping by the operative connection between the frame and the deck.

Abstract: A wall structure comprising a plurality of columns of preformed, lightweight, stacked blocks, with the columns of blocks connected to each other by a plurality of elongated, vertically oriented, support beams. Preferably, the wall structure is operatively connected to a structure by one or more brackets. Each bracket includes a wall engaging portion and a structure engaging portion, and is configured and arranged to allow constrained movement of the wall structure in a predetermined direction. Preferably, the bracket is positioned such that the wall engaging portion is collaterally aligned with the longitudinal axis of a support beam so that one surface of the wall engaging portion is in a confronting relation therewith and an opposing surface of the wall engaging portion is in a confronting relation with a block.

Abstract: A method of generating a compact representation of a digital image is described. A digital image is converted to a square bitmap and divided into a plurality of cells. Each cell is subdivided into a plurality of regions. A minimum intensity region and a maximum intensity region in each cell are identified in each set of the plurality of cells. Cell representation data is generated for each cell in each set of cells based on the positions of the minimum intensity region and the maximum intensity region in the cell. Combining all of the cell representation data in each set of cells for the image creates a compact representation of the original digital image. A method of comparing cell representation data is also described. Cell representation data for a collection of source images is organized into a database. A search of the database identifies candidate images that are at least minimally similar to a target image.

Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall having a bottom with a non-planar portion which creates a gap between the bottom surface and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon is herein disclosed. The non-planar portion permits the block to rest on a lower course of blocks and provides a space where small amounts of rubble and dirt may exist without interfering with the stacking of the blocks. The non-planar portion of the block reduces the unit weight of the block without significantly affecting the structural integrity of the block. The block's bottom surface may further comprise a plurality of grooves and a gutter constructed and arranged with respect to the non-planar portion so as to define a bearing surface therebetween.

Abstract: Molding material consisting of resin coated reinforcing fibers in a molten mass of resin and fibers is prepared at a molding site for controlled supply to a molding machine. A conveying device, such as a pair of pinch rollers, serves to pull fibers from supply spools through guide orifices of a coating die having a chamber within which the fiber is coated with molten resin. Further impregnation of the fibers with resin takes place in the conveying device, which also develops pressure on its output side serving to push the mass of hot resin and fiber into a receiving device for movement to a molding machine. The receiving device may be the feed screw for an injection molding machine or simply a plate movable to and from a compression molding machine. The fibers may be cut into predetermined lengths by a cutting device positioned downstream of the aforesaid conveying device.

Abstract: A rifle sling for transporting a rifle and steadying the rifle during firing is herein disclosed. The sling comprises a strap that is attached at one end near the muzzle of the rifle and at a second end near the butt of the rifle. An intermediate portion of the strap passes freely through a sling clip that is coupled to the truncal region of the bearer of the rifle. When the rifle is placed in its firing position, muzzle flip caused by recoil in the rifle will be resisted by the strap of the sling. The sling clip may clamp the strap of the sling to more securely couple the muzzle end of the rifle to the truncal region of the bearer. In addition, the sling is constructed and arranged to permit the movement of the rifle between its slung and firing positions without uncoupling the strap of the sling from the sling clip.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus can attach a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are preferably provided with complimentarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by a latching member that operatively connects the end plate to the support frame or a locking member that operatively connects the support frame to the end plate.

Abstract: A connector assembly suitable for use with armored cables. The connector assembly includes a sleeve that is received over and connected to an end of an armored cable. The conductors of the armored cable are connected to a contact holder that is received within the sleeve. A jacket is molded over the sleeve and a portion of the armored cable. A slip ring placed around the sleeve between the molded jacket and a flange of the sleeve secures a coupling nut thereover. The coupling nut secures mating portions of the connector assembly to one another so as to create a conductive pathway across the connector assembly.

Abstract: A retaining wall comprising a series of differently sized, pre-formed horizontal and vertical blocks. Each block includes a projection and a recess, with the projection and recess arranged and configured so that each projection effectively engages a recess in an adjacent course to operatively connect adjacent courses together. The horizontal, blocks are formed in incremental thicknesses and may be stacked in various combinations equivalent to the height of the vertical, blocks. The location of the abutment member relative to the block may be varied to enable adjacent courses to be coplanar or tiered in a variety of predetermined offset distances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cap having a plurality of readily assembled parts that provide a passage for a beverage or liquid through the cap from the pitcher to the exterior thereof. The cap has a cap body made up of top and bottom portions that are formed so as to snap fit together. The cap body defines an interior cavity or passage from an entry defined by the bottom portion to an exit cooperatively defined by the top and bottom portions. The entry is selectively opened and closed to allow fluid or liquid passage through the cap by a valve that is biased into a closed position. In a preferred embodiment the valve is attached to a plunger having a cylindrical configuration and including a plurality of upwardly and outwardly extending shape memory retentive legs that are confined within a receiving collar attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: An oven door hinge having an arm and a hinge assembly pivotally attached thereto. The hinge assembly has an elongated, channel-shaped housing that is configured to be removably and constrainingly received within a pocket of an oven door. The housing has two ends, with one end having a slotted, transverse end wall and the other end pivotally attached to the arm of the hinge at a first location. The hinge assembly also includes an elongated, channel-shaped link having two ends, with one end pivotally attached to the arm of the hinge at a second location, and the second end extending towards the transverse end wall of the housing. The link is configured to be retained within the channel of the housing so that it is able to shift positions with respect thereto as the hinge assembly is rotated.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a sieve bed for a sifting machine, consisting of rectangular sieve elements (10), which are attached to a support frame (1) with their edges abutting each other, the support frame being provided with mushroom-shaped mounting pins (3), each of which is provided with a head which engages in an interlocking manner in corresponding recesses (11a and 11b) of the sieve elements (10). To facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the sieve elements in a sieve bed of this type and to protect the connection from premature wear the invention proposes that the receptacle (11) for the head (4) of the mounting pin (3) be closed off at the top; that the receptacle (11) for the head (4) of the mounting pin (3) be provided at the bottom with an entrance opening for the head (4) of the mounting pin (3); and that the wall of the receptacle (11) be provided with an inward-projecting bed (12), which can be snapped under the head (4) of the mounting pin (3).

Abstract: The torch jet spark plug comprises a shell with an insulator body concentrically disposed within at least a portion of the shell. A pre-chamber is concentrically disposed within at least a portion of the shell and at least a portion of the insulator body, the pre-chamber having an orifice disposed at a first end of the pre-chamber and at an insulator body first end. On at least a portion of a pre-chamber internal surface is an inner electrode comprising up to about 75 vol. % of a bonding agent, about 20 vol. % or greater of a catalytically active material, and about 5 vol. % or greater of a transition metal material. At least partially disposed within a second end of the insulator body, opposite the insulator body first end is an upper terminal. Finally, an upper electrode is disposed within the insulator body, between the inner electrode and the upper terminal, and in a spaced relation to the inner electrode.

Abstract: A Tonneau Cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are provided with complimentarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed, stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed, stretching position by a latching member that operatively connects the end plate to the support frame or a locking member that operatively connects the support frame to the end plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cutting guide that permits the use of a power saw in trimming roofing materials in the installation of those roofing materials. The cutting guide may be constructed as an accessory or as a contiguous roofing material cutting apparatus and generally comprises a mounting plate for coupling a power saw to the cutting guide, a post extending downwardly from the mounting plate in general alignment with a blade of the power saw, and a base that supports the power saw and cutting guide and which has at least one lateral edge that is arranged substantially parallel with the blade of the power saw at a predetermined offset distance therefrom. The cutting guide of the present invention may be readily configured to trim roofing materials such as shingles, membranes, shakes, or tiles in roof valleys, at ridges, and at the gable end of a roof.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for cutting fibers entrained within a viscous flow is herein disclosed. The present invention is typically part of a system for preparing fiber reinforced molding materials that comprises a viscous entrainment compounding device for compounding a continuous strand of reinforcing fiber with a molding material in a predetermined ratio. The entrained fibers are conveyed to the cutting mechanism which cuts the continuous strand of reinforcing fibers into predetermined lengths and conveys the fiber reinforced molding material to an output device. The cutting mechanism itself comprises a housing having a bore with an inlet and an outlet and a bed knife disposed therein. The bed knife has an inlet channel formed therethrough that is aligned with the gullets of a rotating cutter such that the gullets of the rotating cutter are rotated past the inlet channel of the bed knife in substantial alignment therewith.

Abstract: A fluidized bed pyrolytic carbon coating apparatus (1) is provided for coating substrate surfaces with pyrolytic carbon. The preferred coating apparatus (1) includes a fluidized bed reactor (10) having a reactor chamber (22), a gas feed inlet (24), an exhaust gas outlet (26), a source (12) of process feed gas and a gas line (14) through which the process feed gas can pass from the source (12) of process feed gas to the gas feed inlet (24) and into the reactor chamber (22). The gas line (14) includes an actuator (20) having a timing circuit (37) which acts to vary a rate of flow of process feed gas through the gas line (14) into the reactor chamber (22) such that the rate of flow into the reactor chamber (22), cycles regularly and consistently over a period of time so as to create a pulsating gas flow and a pulsation effect upon the fluidized bed within the reactor chamber (22).

Abstract: An apparatus and system for allowing customers to purchase boutique or specialty items directly from a supplier or wholesaler. The items for purchase are those conventionally available only through retailers such as local boutiques or specialty shops. An example would be salon quality hair care products. The system allows a customer to visit a website on a computer network, such as the Internet, and place an order for the product by providing information on which products are desired for purchase, the mailing address to which the products are to be sent, payment type, and optionally selecting a local retailer the customer enjoys frequenting to which the profits are to be directed. The supplier then processes the order and sends the customer the desired products, charging the customer normal retail prices. The supplier protects its business relationships with the local retailer by crediting the retailer for some or all of the profit the retailer normally would have received had it made the sale of the product.

Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall having a bottom with a non-planar portion which creates a gap between the bottom surface and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon. Preferably, the block's bottom surface further comprises a plurality of grooves. It is envisioned that these grooves be “V” shaped, thereby having angled walls which act to funnel the larger stones into an area of adequate clearance when the block is being placed on a lower course of similar blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing snow and other accretions from difficult to reach areas of motor vehicles. The apparatus comprises an elongated body having opposing first and second ends. The first end comprises an extension that is angled and laterally flared with respect to the elongated body, and which terminates in a substantially transverse edge. The extension is provided with a pair of sidewalls and a rib that provide rigidity and strength thereto, and whose edges may be used for scraping and chipping. The second end of the apparatus comprises a scoop-shaped body that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and which terminates in a curved edge. The different configurations and orientations of the first and second ends enable the apparatus to easily remove snow and other accretions from such hard to reach areas as fender wells and mud flaps.