Abstract: A notification system and method of visual notification of different types of events by flashing different colors is provided, wherein the notification system includes a master controller and a notification device. The master controller is configured to communicate at least one signal. The notification device includes an enclosure accepting a plurality of conductors providing both signaling and electrical power to the notification device, and at least one strobe drive circuit configured to supply an electrical signal for periodically flashing at least one strobe. The notification device further includes a strobe system configured to flash at least one strobe, such that the strobe system flashes one of at least two different colors, and a control logic configured to determine which color of the at least two different colors to flash at least one strobe based upon the signal received from at least one of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A motorcycle conversion assembly for a motorcycle comprising first and second side members and first and second cross members to thereby define a rigid frame. The motorcycle conversion assembly further comprises first and second frame plates operably coupled to the frame and first and second axle plates operably coupled and rotatably adjustable relative to the first and second frame plates. The motorcycle conversion assembly further comprises first and second torsion adjustment assemblies, which are used to adjust the torsion acting on wheel assemblies when the motorcycle conversion assembly is operably connected to a motorcycle.

Abstract: A communications system for controlling equipment associated with a vehicle, includes a micro-controller (604) and a digital serial communication link (621, 622, 662, 663) using a multiplexed timing signal and first data signal. A camera or image sensor (650) located in the vehicular component communicates with the micro-controller (604) via the digital serial communication link.

Abstract: A vehicle door articulating mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle structure at one end thereof, a vehicle door pivotally mounted via first and second hinge mounts to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm, a first cam mounted to the first hinge mount at one end of the hinge arm, a second cam mounted to the second hinge mount at an opposite end of the hinge arm, and a belt encircling both first and second cams. The hinge arm is disposed at first and second angular positions when the vehicle door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions. The vehicle door articulating mechanism allows the door to articulate away independent of an adjacent vehicle door during initial and continued opening of vehicle door.

Abstract: A variable refrigeration system including a cooling system having a compressor, a condenser, and a refrigerant. An active insulation system includes an insulation portion disposed therein that holds a gas. The insulation portion is operably connected to the compressor and includes an insulation panel adjacent a refrigerated compartment. A controller is operably connected to the cooling system and to the active insulation system. The controller operates between a first stage, wherein the controller sends a signal to the compressor to compress the refrigerant in the cooling system, and a second stage, wherein the controller sends a signal to the compressor to alter the gas content in the insulation portion of the active insulation system.

Abstract: A lawn decoration comprising edging and a clip connected to the edging, the clip including a rope light accepting portion.

Abstract: A stretch wrap assembly comprising a base, a turntable mounted on the base, a column on the base and a carriage movable upon the column. The carriage includes a first nip roller, a first pre-stretch roller, an idler roller, a second pre-stretch roller and a second nip roller. The carriage is configured to have stretch wrap threaded through the carriage from a roll of stretch wrap, around a portion of a circumferences of the first nip roller, the first pre-stretch roller, the idler roller, the second pre-stretch roller, and the second nip roller and to the package. The first nip roller and the second nip roller can be on a chassis to be able to move rotationally and laterally relative to the first pre-stretch roller and the second pre-stretch roller.

Abstract: An electrical device such as an LED light assembly includes a conductive circuit and one or more electrical components connected to the circuit. The electrical components and the circuit are at least partially overmolded with a thermoplastic polymer material to encapsulate the components. The material utilized to cover the circuit and/or electrical components may also be utilized to form a housing or other structure of a finished part.

Abstract: The disclosure describes new forms of chip-type and other fried or baked snack-type and/or convenience food items, including sweet goods such as cookies, doughnuts, etc., which are externally coated with or which directly incorporate into their dough matrix certain starch-based compositions. Methods of using the compositions to make the food products, and the finished food products themselves are described. As external coatings, the compositions significantly increase the crispness and tensile strength of the food item after it is cooked with the coating in place, and so change the organoleptic qualities as to provide a new form of the underlying food product. On sweet goods, the coating also provides a surface barrier that stabilizes sugar icing on the outside of the product, preventing it from becoming tacky, moist, or wet, while simultaneously reducing moisture loss from the dough, adding crispness at the surface and greatly retarding staling.

Abstract: A runner for pallets includes a cardboard sheet folded to include a first portion forming an M shape, a second portion folded across the M shape to form two closed triangles, and a third portion folded around the M shape including sections along and adjacent a first outer leg of the M shape and across the M shape and along and adjacent a second outer leg of the M shape. Adhesive bonds the third portion to the first and second portions. The arrangement forms a beam of sufficient structural rigidity to support the vertical and horizontal “abuse” often received by pallets. Notches for fork lift tines are cut into the length for matching a typical location of the fork lift tines. A pallet includes a deck such as cardboard or other material, and three runners attached to a bottom of the deck.

Abstract: A blind fastener has a setting head portion and a shank portion having one end connected with the setting head portion and an opposite end with an internal thread or a threaded bolt receptacle. The shank has a sidewall with an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the setting head portion, and is configured for close reception in an aperture of the workpiece prior to being upset. The sidewall has a deformation area that is disposed between the setting head portion and the internal thread or the threaded bolt receptacle, and is upset radially outwardly to secure the fastener to the workpiece. The deformation area includes a central circumferential region which provides sole weakening for the sidewall.

Abstract: A wheel suspension arm comprises a link opening (12) for pivotably securing the wheel suspension arm to a vehicle frame and an axle opening (11) for securing an axle element (2) to the wheel suspension arm. A peripheral edge (11a) of the axle opening includes at least one discontinuation, such as a slot (13). A screw (17) can be tightened to clamp the axle element (2) in the axle opening (11). The invention also relates to a method for producing the inventive wheel suspension arm and to a wheel suspension comprising said wheel suspension arm.

Abstract: A compressible extended release tablet or tablet layer having a drug release profile that is not strongly dependent on tablet hardness may be prepared by dry blending a pharmaceutically active ingredient with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has a bimodal or multimodal number average molecular weight distribution that includes at least one mode over 20,000 Daltons and at least one mode under 10,000 Daltons. An additional advantage of the invention is that the tablet formulations may be prepared without resort to wet granulation.

Abstract: A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door is provided. The system includes a simultaneous movement system comprising first and second primary hinge arms, first and second secondary hinge arms, primary and secondary rails and guide track. The second primary hinge arm and the second secondary hinge arm are pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure on one end and are pivotally mounted to a primary slide and a secondary slide at the other ends respectively. The first primary hinge arm includes a guide track region and a rail region. The primary rail receives a primary slide. The secondary rail receives a secondary slide. The guide track receive the guide track region of the primary hinge arm thereby allowing the primary hinge arm to travel along both the guide track and the primary rail simultaneously through the guide track region and the rail region of the primary hinge arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerobic biological treatment of waste water and the like includes a tank configured to retain waste water therein, and a wheel rotatably mounted in the tank. The wheel includes a plurality of chambers arranged in axial succession about the circumference of the wheel. The chambers include openings which are oriented generally upwardly and emerge from the waste water adjacent a top dead center position of the wheel and are oriented generally downwardly and submerged in the waste water adjacent a bottom dead center position of the wheel. An air drive mechanism rotates the wheel, and an air pipe communicates with the air drive mechanism, and is disposed generally below the wheel, and is configured to release air bubbles therefrom after the bottom dead center position. A plurality of bubble connectors are connected with and protrude radially outwardly from the wheel at locations preceding the openings, and are shaped to guide the bubbles from the air pipe through the openings into the chambers.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate side mounted step assist mechanism attachable to a vehicle including a vehicle bed coupled to a pillar and a tailgate pivotally attached to the vehicle bed for providing access to the vehicle bed in a tailgate open position and securing contents of the vehicle bed in a tailgate closed position. The mechanism may include generally parallel supports rotatably mountable to a side of the tailgate, the supports capable of being deployed when the tailgate is in the tailgate open position and stowed when the tailgate is in the tailgate closed position. A tailgate step is disposable between the supports at a predetermined distance from the side of the tailgate, and a lockout device prevents the tailgate from returning to the tailgate closed position when the tailgate step is deployed.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.