Abstract: A golf putter, ball retriever and retainer configured to retrieve and hold a golf ball. The putter defines a substantially symmetrical configuration from heel to toe. The ball retriever and retainer is defined by a spherical recess formed in the sole of the putter and an opening defined on the top surface thereof. At least one resilient tab is defined in the sole to enlarge the sole opening. Ball alignment indicia are disposed on the top surface of the golf putter head, the ball alignment indicia defining at least a C-shaped configuration, whereby a ball is visually aligned between said first and second ends to center the ball on said striking face. The ball alignment indicia may further include at least one line segment disposed coincidentally to the initial direction of travel of the golf ball.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a midsole, a sole having a heel region, and a first wave spring disposed within a vacuity located within the heel region. The wave spring includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A plate, resting upon the top surface of the wave spring, is unsecured to the midsole and sized to permit movement within the vacuity along with the wave spring responsive to a rolling footstrike.

Abstract: A contour-following loin puller for separating the loin from the belly through the finger lean. The contour-following loin puller follows the contour of the surface rib line through at least one rib height sensor and positions the z-blade relative to the surface rib line. The contour-following loin puller offers the ability to greatly increase yield by automating the separation of the loin and the belly to produce finger lean even on thin, soft or nearly frozen product which is very difficult to manipulate manually.

Abstract: A camper having passive solar climate controls. The camper has a solar structure carried by a base. The solar structure includes a cover, a window panel, a ridge vent, a plurality of awnings, and a plurality of side panels. The ridge vent and the awnings are carried by the cover and the window panel. The window panel and the cover are each pivotally attached to the base such that they are rotated toward the base into a collapsed position and/or away from the base into an extended position. A gable connector secures the cover and the window panel in the extended position. The side panels cooperate with the cover and the window panel to define an interior within the camper. The window panel includes a window and a solar curtain adapted to releasably cover the window. The ridge vent is received by a ventilation opening proximate the gable connector.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaner. The optical connector cleaner includes a nonlinear path along which an optical connector is moved. By following the nonlinear path, the optical connector is subjected to planetary motion without requiring the operator to twist the connector by hand. The use of planetary motion improves the efficiency and quality of the cleaning operation. In addition, the optical connector cleaner of the present invention provides improved resistance to damage from the ferrule edge during cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for backlighting a translucent image. At least one polymer thick film conductive strip is applied to a glass substrate, connecting a plurality of light emitting devices, a dropping resistor, and a power supply connection. The glass substrate is positioned behind a translucent image that is backlit by the light emitting devices. The method includes applying a conductive polymer thick film ink to a substrate to form conductive traces, applying at least one light emitting device to the substrate, applying a dropping resistor to the substrate, and curing the ink.

Abstract: A free-standing panel wall system adapted for selectively and adjustably mounting wall panels on either or both sides thereof. The wall system includes generally a plurality of horizontally disposed rails, a plurality of vertical supports carried on either or both sides of the horizontal rails, and a registration mechanism for selectively positioning the horizontal rails and vertical supports relative to each other. Each of the horizontal rails defines a plurality of equally spaced-apart first openings. Each of the upright supports defines a plurality of equally spaced-apart second openings. The first and second openings cooperate to receive conventional fasteners such that the horizontal rails are incrementally adjustable along the vertical supports, and the vertical supports are incrementally adjustable along the horizontal rails.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching optical signals. An optical bench includes a plurality of through-openings for receiving a plurality of collimators and a plurality of actuators. The actuators include a mirror for redirecting an optical signal from one collimator to another. The collimators and actuators are secured to the optical bench by an adhesive system that includes opposing longitudinal slots containing adhesive securing the collimators and actuators to the optical bench.

Abstract: A boat slip step assembly (10) for being mounted proximate the corner of a boat slip (16). The step assembly (10) includes at least one tread member (24) for being mounted in a corner of the boat slip (16) below the level of the upper surface of the boat dock (14) that defines the boat slip (16). The tread member (24) has a first edge portion (26) for being secured to a first dock section (20), and a second edge portion (28) for being secured to a second dock section (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for routing a plurality of optical input signals to a plurality of optical output connections. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical switches are combined to route a number of optical signals that exceed the number of optical inputs for a single switch. The switch array includes a plurality of input switches optically connected to a plurality of intermediate switches, which are optically connected to a plurality of output switches. In the embodiments in which the number of input switches exceed the number of optical outputs of a single input switch, the input switches, intermediate switches, and output switches are arranged in groups or sets.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for isolating and strengthening upper back and shoulder muscles including opposed first and second outboard support members containing separate and opposed sets of stacked weights supported for reciprocation vertically, and an upper cross-member containing a pair of aligned upper roller tracks. The frame includes a pair of inboard first and second crossbars supported at opposed ends in upper and lower roller tracks of the frame, such that the crossbars are manipulated in opposed outwardly directions by the user positioned therebetween. Separate cables and supporting pulleys are utilized to extend between first and second crossbars for connections to respective opposed sets of stacked weights, allowing for concurrent movement of weights when each crossbar is moved laterally outwardly and inwardly by user's right and left hands in palm-out orientation, thereby isolating and strengthening the user's upper back and shoulder muscles.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.

Abstract: A sheath is disclosed for covering a manually manipulated controller having at least one user accessible control thereon. The sheath is elongated and includes a nose portion and linear side portions forming a sheath perimeter removably secured to a carrier for dispensing the sheath therefrom. The sheath includes at least one shoulder segment having a scalloped first shoulder transition and a curved second shoulder segment. The scalloped first shoulder segment provides expansibility in excess of the expansibility of the curved second shoulder segment, thereby providing flexible material that is readily manipulated without tearing when the sheath covers the controller and the user manipulates the control covered by the sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automated milking of dairy cattle employing live capture of the teats of a dairy cow without requiring identification of a particular dairy cow or the prior knowledge of the location of the individual teats. The live capture milking apparatus locates the individual teats of a dairy cow and attaches a teatcup to the teat without the need for human intervention. After the milking operation is completed, the live capture milking apparatus returns to a home position where cleaning and sanitization the milking equipment occurs.

Abstract: A device for use by fishermen to perform several functions including assisting in preparing a hook on a fishing line. The device includes a housing carrying a nipper for assisting in cutting a fishing line. A light is carried within the housing and directed toward the nipper for illuminating the fishing line when fishing in the dark. A threading device receptacle is provided for receiving a threading device, as well as a magnet receptacle for holding metallic objects such as a hook. Further, the nipper of the present invention is provided with means for securing the nipper to a selected object for easy location.

Abstract: A proximity detection system for determining when a single channel receiver becomes proximate to any point on a wireless closed boundary continuously generated by a transmitter. The transmitter includes a magnetic field generator broadcasting a composite, modulated, time-varying magnetic field signal of a particular carrier frequency. The receiver forms a measure of the broadcast magnetic field intensity incident to the location of the receiver or a measure of the power or energy of incident field.

Abstract: Method of grading a sample. An input color image of the sample, such as a sample of raw cotton, is obtained by a scanning technique. This image is first analyzed by an image segmentation module and a binary image where pixels of a first characteristic are marked as 0 (e.g. cotton lint) and non-lint pixels are marked as 1. In a following particle recognition module, the adjacent non-lint pixels are grouped together as particles, and the color, size, shape and edge strength for each particle are computed. The particle descriptions are analyzed and each particle is assigned a trash type, i.e. leaf, bark, grass, pepper trash or shadow. The data of leaf and pepper trash are analyzed by a leaf grading module and leaf grade is reported. The data of bark/grass are analyzed by a bark/grass grading module and the bark/grass grade is reported.