Abstract: The invention pertains to chlorine-free extreme pressure metalworking fluid additives and lies in the recognition of the improved hydrolytic stability of alkanoic acid esters of cyclohexane dimethanol and other esters embodying similar structures. The various derivatives which are effective as extreme pressure additives include those which fall within the generic description ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 through R.sup.4 are independently selected from the group hydrogen and C.sub.1-24 hydrocarbyl groups and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently selected from the group C.sub.3-24 hydrocarbyl groups.

Abstract: The improved sprinkler shield comprises a rigid body having a lip extending outward from the top portion of the body which lies on the ,round surface with the body embedded in the ground. Soil gripping vanes may be provided along the outside of the body. The base of the body includes an aperture disposed within providing an interface connection between sprinkler head and the water supply. A sprinkler head retention member, such as a retention disc, having an aperture therein is releasably mounted to the inside of the body near its top. The head retention member provides lateral support to sprinkler heads mounted in the body and through the retention disc. The retention disc may have a variably sized aperture enabling the shield to accommodate various sizes and configurations of sprinkler heads. The shield provides protection to sprinkler heads from lateral and downward impacts.

Abstract: An animal bathing and drying system includes a recirculating bathing system which comprises a water input conduit having a first manually operated valve therein, a drainage output conduit having a second manually operated valve therein, a pump to bring the water input conduit and the drainage conduit, and a recirculation loop which includes a recirculating water supply conduit for supplying recirculated water from the system through a nozzle to a bathtub for bathing an animal, and a return conduit for returning water from the bathtub back to the system. The nozzle is preferably hand held and is surrounded by air. This enables a user to direct an aqueous stream through the nozzle and at an animal which is in the bathtub. Preferably, the water input conduit, the pump and the drainage output conduit and parts of the recirculated water supply conduit and the water return conduit are housed in a portable housing.

Abstract: A video camera or equivalent sensor is mounted on a vehicle and used to detect the lane markings on the road (usually the white painted lines). An associated signal processor (11) estimates the vehicle's lateral position in relation to the lane markings. An electric motor (4) coupled to the steering mechanism (1) is used to provide a torque input to the steering which may either assist or oppose the steering torque from the driver. The processor (11) is designed to assist the driver to maintain the vehicle's lane position by holding the vehicle at a set-point using a biasing torque. This simulates the effect of the lane being cambered upwards towards the lane edges. However the driver is able to override or cancel the effect if the driver applied steering torque exceeds a prescribed torque threshold.

Abstract: A sidewall mounted, pivotable container stop mechanism for use with railcars or other types of transportation vessels having a cargo hold. The mechanism includes an elongate stop member pivotable between a retracted position, wherein the stop member is stored externally of the cargo hold, and an extended position, wherein the stop member extends into the cargo hold through an opening in the cargo hold sidewall. In its extended position, the stop member is positioned adjacent to a container that is placed in the cargo hold thereby preventing displacement of the container during transit. The mechanism includes a latch mechanism for releasably locking the elongate stop member in the stored position. A mechanism is also provided for maintaining the elongate member in the extended position.

Abstract: Method and structure for camber and caster adjustment in a motor vehicle wheel end assembly for a steerable axle where an upper arm extension member is attached to an upper arm portion of a tube yoke for the steerable axle by removable fasteners. Shims are added and/or removed between the upper arm extension member and the upper arm of the tube portion yoke to permit camber adjustment and oversized holes are provided in the upper arm portion of the tube yoke to permit caster adjustment. Such a design provides for adjustment of both camber and caster and eliminates the common problem of preloaded ball joints attributable, at least in part, to tube yoke and steering knuckle dimensional differences inherent in commonly utilized manufacturing processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an operator's station from which a user may control the operation of a stump cutter or machines wherein the operator's station comprises: a control panel including at least one machine control switch or actuator; a controller for receiving commands from the control panel and in turn causing a stump cutter or machine to implement the commands; and, a wireless coupling of the control panel to the controller which is only operative in a pre-determined zone or area.

Abstract: An animal feeder assembly provides food and water at an elevated position from a support surface and is therefore particularly suited for feeding large dogs in a manner which avoids digestive and posture problems associated with feeding such animals from containers positioned at the level of the support surface. The feeder assembly comprises a feeder tray and a plurality of hollow legs releasably attached to the feeder tray. Each of the hollow legs are capable of holding ballast material such as sand or water for lowering the center of gravity of the assembly relative to the support surface, thereby enhancing the stability of the assembly and inhibiting the animal form transporting the feeder assembly from the preferred feeding location. The tray and legs are preferably made of blow molded plastic and the tray is formed to include a closed interior cavity, each of which facilitates cleaning the assembly.

Abstract: A device for displaying inflated balloons, particularly pillow-shaped MYLAR-type balloons has a closed perimeter formed from at least one downwardly-open channel member. The downwardly-open channel member has a width slightly larger than the thickness of the balloons displayed therein, so the balloons are restrained in a position to allow display of one of the generally planar surfaces of the balloon through the outwardly facing surface of the channel member. A top retaining member, comprised of either a ceiling to which the perimeter is attached or a grid-like member attached to the perimeter and suspended from the ceiling, acts with the perimeter to form a downwardly-open cavity in which additional inflated balloons may be stored for sale.

Abstract: A therapeutic sleeping pillow for a user is generally rectangular with longer front and rear edges and a pair of shorter side edges and upper and lower surfaces. A central portion of the upper surface is provided with a cavity for receiving the user's head, with a neck-supporting ridge formed between the front edge of the pillow and the cavity in the central portion. A wedge-shaped extension of the pillow projects from the front edge to support the upper back of the user. At least one of the pair of shorter side edges has an extension disposed thereon. Each such side extension is provided with a relatively shallow central cavity on the upper surface for receiving and supporting the user's head and a front edge for supporting the user's neck. The upper surface of each such side extension slopes generally downwardly from the front edge towards the rear edge.

Abstract: A machine for tumble-coating food or other product with a coating material comprises a product conveyor belt and a carrier conveyor system, which underlies and supports at least a portion of the upper run of the product conveyor belt in a tumble or processing zone. The product conveyor belt and the carrier conveyor system work in conjunction with one another to allow the product conveyor to sag between a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart support rollers on the carrier conveyor system, forming a tumble chamber. Products captured in the tumble chamber are coated with a charge of coating material introduced into the tumble chamber. The formed tumble chambers are moved along as the product conveyor is driven, and products within the chambers are continuously tumbled and moved within the coating material to achieve excellent coating or breading characteristics and appearance.

Abstract: A cup holder designed to be attached to a transit bus fare collection box, for use by a transit bus driver to retain beverage containers in a predetermined position. The invention includes an attachment member designed to engage the fare collection box. A shelf member is connected to the attachment member and extends outward in its operative position to provide a substantially horizontal surface upon which a bus driver can place beverage containers, and other items. The shelf member is preferably provided with apertures or indentations designed to receive the beverage containers and secure the containers in position on the shelf member. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment member is provided in the form of a frame member that engages the fare collection box, and the shelf member is pivotally attached to the frame member such that the shelf member may be folded to an upward or downward position to lie against the fare collection box when the cup holder is not in use.

Abstract: A reversible gerotor pump and a drivetrain subassembly including the reversible pump, wherein the pump includes inner and outer rotors located within an eccentric ring and also includes a drag spring mechanism, such as a band spring, positioned around and frictionally engaged with a portion of the outer rotor. Frictional engagement between the outer pump rotor and the band spring permits the outer pump rotor to apply a rotational force to the eccentric ring when the outer rotor reverses direction, thereby ensuring positive rotation of the eccentric ring 180.degree. upon reversal of the pump. The spring may be a split-band spring having a free diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer rotor, and the eccentric ring preferably includes an ear projecting radially inwardly and positioned between the ends of the band spring. In this manner, rotation of the outer rotor and spring causes rotation of the eccentric ring through force applied on the eccentric ring at the ear.

Abstract: Motor vehicle hydrostatic transmission having an internal oil expansion chamber including a main housing having at least one opening, this main housing including a sump pump oil reservoir having a predetermined volume of sump pump oil and an input cover sealingly attached to an opening in the main housing, this input cover having an internal oil expansion reservoir which captures or traps a specified volume of air above the sump pump oil level. Thus, when the oil level rises due to elevated operating temperatures, this captured or trapped air volume is decreased resulting in an increase in both the captured or trapped air pressure and the sump pump oil pressure. This causes an increase in the hydrostatic transmission's operating efficiency since the sump pump oil pressure acts as a charge pump to supercharge the low pressure inlet of the closed loop hydraulic system. In addition, the hydrostatic transmission bearing performance will increase since they are designed to operate under pressure.

Abstract: Water-saving device for flush toilet. A water-saving device as shown and described herein comprises a frame which can be mounted on the exterior of a conventional toilet water tank, a vertical shaft which is integrally formed on the frame for receiving a reciprocable lever mechanism, and a flush lever mechanism which comprises a vertical member which reciprocate vertically in the shaft and a horizontal extension which extends from the vertical member to the outside end of a conventional toilet tank flush handle. As installed, the outside end of this extension is positioned just above the outer end of the flush handle. When the toilet is not in use, the outer end of the extension will be positioned just above the flush handle. To use the device, a user presses the flush lever mechanism downwardly until it is stopped by a gap adjustment screw against the bias of a compression spring, so that the extension engages the flush handle, actuating the toilet tank flush valve to a partially open position.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a single-step process and composition of a category-2 hair bleach which can simultaneously lighten the hair up to seven levels, and effectively neutralize any undesirable warmth that accompanies the lightening process. This is achieved by including in the bleach composition disperse dye molecules which the present invention has found to be both, stable in the bleach, and capable of depositing the desired amount of various permanent tones on the hair. These disperse dyes do not stain the scalp of the client or the hands of the hairdresser, but are substantive only to the hair fibers. The dyes fall into the classes of anthraquinones and azo compounds.

Abstract: An essentially stable monomer miniemulsion characterized by small monomer droplet size is prepared and is then polymerized to a polymer latex under free radical polymerization conditions. The monomer miniemulsions herein include, in addition to water, a surfactant, and a monomer or mixture thereof, one or more polymers which function as a polymeric co-surfactant. The monomer miniemulsions are characterized by average monomer droplet size of 10 to 500 nanometers, preferably 80 to 150 nanometers. The amount of polymer added as a co-surfactant is about 0.5 to about 5 percent by weight based on monomer weight. The monomer emulsion may contain either a single monomer or a monomer mixture. The monomer emulsion is polymerized under conventional emulsion polymerization conditions yielding a polymer latex having an average polymer particle size of 10 to 500 nanometers, preferably 80 to 150 nanometers, and a narrow particle size distribution, i.e., a polydispersity index of about 1.05 to about 1.40.