Abstract: A patty-forming apparatus includes a mold plate having patty-forming cavities and a breather plate arranged over the mold plate. A fill slot is arranged below or above the mold cavities to fill food product into the mold cavity when the mold plate is in a fill position. The breather plate, arranged on a side of the mold plate opposite the fill slot, includes a fill recess open toward the mold plate and arranged to be in registry with the cavities when the mold plate is in the fill position to increase a transverse food product flow area along the longitudinal direction to assist filling of the cavity with food product.

Abstract: A programmable capacitive network for use in a tunable resonant circuit is set forth that may be used in a number of different applications, but is particularly useful in the tuning of a voltage controlled oscillator formed on a substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate or the like. The programmable capacitive network includes a plurality of capacitive elements. An interconnected network of voltage gate elements and fuse elements are interconnected with the capacitive elements to selectively connect one or more of the plurality of capacitive elements in the resonant circuit in response to at least one program control signal. In accordance with one embodiment, the voltage gate elements are diodes.

Abstract: A marking implement includes a structure which is capable of automatic orientation in an upright position upon a horizontal surface. The structure includes a weighted base having a substantially rounded and convex exterior, and adapted to support the marking implement vertically upon a horizontal surface. A handle extends between a making head and the weighted base.

Abstract: A visor and transparent window assembly for a utility vehicle cab roof includes a latch mechanism which is selectively operable to retain the transparent panel closed to the roof or to tilt the transparent panel upwardly. The visor overlying the transparent panel is engageable by the latch mechanism to hold the visor to the transparent paneling in close overlying relationship. Plural gas struts are connected between the visor and the utility vehicle roof to assist in the tilting open of the visor. The visor and the transparent panel are hingedly connected to the roof along a common axis so that the transparent panel and the visor can be opened together as a unit without binding. The latch mechanism includes a hook end which can selectively engage the visor to the transparent panel such that the visor and the transparent panel are latched closed to the roof together or can be pivoted together to an open position.

Abstract: A bowl assembly includes a base having a concave receiving area and a bowl with a compatibly shaped bottom for being fit within said receiving area. The bowl and the base include engaging formations for a mutual releasable engagement. In an alternate embodiment the bowl and base are formed as a single piece. In a further alternate embodiment, the bowl can be adjusted to assume a range of tilt angles with respect to the base. The bowl can be tilted toward the user to assist young children in retrieving food from the bowl with a utensil.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system includes a frame that carries an axle that rotationally mounts a pair of front wheels via a pair of front pivotal wheel support assemblies. For steering, the front pivotal wheel assemblies are pivotal with respect to the axle. The frame also carries a pair of rear wheels that are rotationally mounted to the frame via a pair of rear pivotal wheel support assemblies. For steering, the rear pivotal wheel assemblies are pivotal with respect to the frame about vertical axes. The front pivotal wheel support assemblies are connected together by a front axle tie rod. Steering by an operator causes expansion or contraction of a hydraulic cylinder arranged between one front pivotal wheel support assembly and the axle, causing selective pivoting of both front pivotal wheel support assemblies.

Abstract: A function management system includes a programmable control unit that can automatically coordinate combine traction functions and/or implement functions. In a learn mode, the operator performs a sequence of manual manipulations of the operator controlled traction and implement devices, and the control unit records and then stores information pertaining to the sequence of device operations. In an execute mode, the control unit automatically performs the sequence of device operations so that the sequence of operations occurs at the same intervals at which they were learned.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid diverting arrangement for a utility vehicle provides additional pressurized hydraulic fluid supply to an installed backhoe attachment by diverting hydraulic fluid from the unused rockshaft or three-point hitch of the utility vehicle. A solenoid operated valve manifold is switch actuated by contact from the backhoe during installation of the backhoe to the utility vehicle and diverts hydraulic fluid flow from rockshaft hydraulic cylinders to backhoe hydraulic cylinders. The system increases the available horsepower to the backhoe by using hydraulic fluid otherwise dedicated to the idle rockshaft.

Abstract: A feed conveyor is operable in a first direction to deposit a stream of articles across a width of a downstream conveyor operating along a second direction, the second direction being at an angle to the first direction. The feed conveyor is an extendable conveyor that is accurately controlled for circulating speed, extension speed and retraction speed, to deposit articles transversely onto the downstream conveyor in a tightly spaced, grid pattern. The extension and retraction speed are controlled by a first servomotor and the conveying speed of the feed conveyor is controlled by a second servomotor.

Abstract: A bypass for an exhaust system for a utility vehicle, such as a combine, that, when substantially closed, provides maximum noise attenuation for road transport, i.e., relatively high back pressure, and then, when substantially open, would provide a reduced flow restriction, i.e., relatively low back pressure, for full power, field operation. A bypass flow path in an exhaust pipe is located upstream of a primary muffler. A diaphragm can be provided to manipulate a damper which acts to close the exhaust flow to the primary muffler and open the bypass to an exhaust pipe to effectively bypass the primary muffler.

Abstract: A cruise control system for a utility vehicle, which is speed-controlled by a hydrostatic transmission, includes a controller having an input for receiving a selectable set speed signal, and an output for sending a speed control signal to at least one proportional valve of a hydrostatic transmission servo control system. The vehicle ground speed is continuously monitored by a speed sensor operatively associated with a rotating gear in the vehicle drive train that rotates in proportion to vehicle ground speed, to create a ground speed signal. The selectable set speed signal can be input to controller memory by driving the vehicle at a desired ground speed and then activating a speed set switch. The speed control algorithm of the controller thereafter compares the set speed to the ground speed signal from the speed sensor and corrects the control signal to the proportional valve to correct hydrostatic transmission speed output.

Abstract: A pressure control system is configured to precisely tune positive air pressure or vacuum to pneumatic seed meters that are located along a pneumatic metering manifold. The system includes pressure control valves pneumatically located at plural seed meters that adjust the air pressure or vacuum at the seed meters. The system can utilize feedback pressure signals from pressure sensors at each meter to equalize positive air pressure or vacuum at the seed meters to ensure consistent row-to-row seed populations.

Abstract: An armrest having an elbow-supporting portion and an associated control panel for a utility vehicle is arranged such that the operator's forearm can be supported on a fulcrum position on the elbow-supporting portion and can be pivoted in a swinging direction to reach plural controls. A hand rest is also provided on the control panel and located such that an operator can span his forearm from the elbow at the fulcrum position of the elbow-supporting portion, to the hand rest located on the control panel.

Abstract: A control for a weigh scale associated with a continuously moving conveyor which is capable of mathematically positioning the sample period on each product weight waveform. The control first triggers on a predetermined sensed weight. The control determines a first inflection point on the weight waveform defined as the “maximum positive slope.” Once the maximum positive slope is found, the control begins recording weight samples at a sampling rate. The control checks the weight waveform of sampled weights for a slope which is a first pre-selected percentage of the maximum slope but negative in slope value. This point is determined as the “weight-off-scale” point. When the weight-off-scale point is reached, then the control looks backward through the recorded data of weight samples to find another point which has a slope which is a second preselected negative percentage of the maximum positive slope. This point is defined as the “end sample position.

Abstract: A control system for a utility vehicle transmission provides for operator selection of vehicle “aggressiveness,” or rates of acceleration in response to operator command. The aggressiveness of a vehicle's performance can be controlled by modulating control signals to proportional control valves, which determine the transmission acceleration, according to two or more electrical ramp-up (or ramp-down) profiles, in response to an operator's acceleration command (or deceleration command). The transmission control system includes a controller, directional switches and electro-hydraulic valves which control hydraulic pressure in the clutch packs in a reverser transmission. The operator is provided with a two-position set switch. With the set switch in the less aggressive position, in response to an operator's command, the software in the controller provides a relatively slow current ramp to energize the control valves.

Abstract: A hand reference for a control panel of a utility vehicle provides a gripping handle for an operator to adjust controls without observing the controls. The hand reference assists in steadying the operator's hand when fine tuning adjustments on the control panel. The hand reference is embodied as an inverted substantially U-shaped handle extending along the length of slots which guide control levers.

Abstract: A drill member, or “drill steel,” is used in a drilling system for installing roof bolts in a mine. The drill member comprises an elongated bar having a central through bore and opposite open ends. The bar has a cross section that defines a circular outside perimeter and a polygonal inside perimeter. The polygonal inside perimeter is configured for coupling of the drill steel to drill bits at one end and to a motorized drill driving device at an opposite end.

Abstract: A control system sets a set maximum speed of a utility vehicle, below the capable maximum speed of the vehicle, and recalibrates speed output signals corresponding to the set maximum speed. The system includes a microcontroller and a user-operated vehicle speed actuator, signal-connected to the microcontroller. The speed actuator is calibrated to actuate speeds, via the microcontroller, in a range from a minimum speed to a maximum speed. A user-operated speed set activator is used in conjunction with a ground speed sensor to set the set maximum speed. The microcontroller records the new maximum speed of the vehicle, and recalibrates the pedal position according to the new maximum speed.