Abstract: A workspace definition system is provided which comprises a plurality of columns having a hollow interior, a plurality of overhead beam assemblies having at least one internal channel, each overhead beam assembly mounted between the columns. Several intermediate beam assemblies also having an internal channel can be provided between some of the columns as well. The internal channel of each of the beams communicates with the hollow interior of the plurality of columns for uninterrupted passage of electrical/data conduit therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapeutic seat or bed for reducing the likelihood of decubitus ulcers, which can form in the skin surrounding a weight-bearing bony protrusion. The seat or bed includes one or more compressible supports in a cushion that can be moved between a compressed, relaxed, or inflated state to relieve pressure from the skin surrounding the bony protrusion to increase the blood flow or stimulate the blood flow through the area surrounding the bony protrusion.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an improved structural handle/support assembly for supporting a vacuum cleaner module. The handle/support assembly has a primary support member, a secondary support member and a snap-in handle section. The primary and secondary support member cooperate to form an integrated support structure that reduces torquing of the vacuum cleaner module relative to the handle/support assembly during use. Further, the primary and secondary support members define an aperture to accommodate rearwardly extending vacuum hose. The handle section includes an open base portion that includes one or more slots therein. A handle mounting portion of the primary support member having one or more integral tabs formed therein is telescopically received within the base portion of the handle section. The one or more slots in the handle section receive the one or more tabs of the handle mounting portion in snap-fit engagement.

Abstract: An interwoven belting fabric for using conveyors, including treadmills, is constructed of a dual layer of weft yarns comprising adjacent couplets, and a plurality of binder warp yarns. Each binder warp yarn extends over of couplets of weft yarns, and under a plurality of adjacent couplets of weft yarns so that the warp yarns extends under more couplets in the lower layer then extends over couplets in the upper layer.

Abstract: A conveyor chain formed of parallel links with pins extending laterally therefrom has pads mounted to the pins. Each pad has an elongated planar upper surface extending further than the distance between adjacent pins on the links. A notch on each end of the pad enables adjacent pads to overlap each other, and the shape of a notch and location of apertures in the pad enables the upper surfaces to define a substantially continuous contact surface when adjacent chain links are not wrapped, and enable the chain to engage a drive sprocket regardless of the direction of wrap.

Abstract: A resistance projection welder for welding first and second work pieces to each other. The first work piece having a body with opposing sides with at least one projection extending from one of the opposing sides and contacting the second work piece to space the body from the second work piece and define an air gap therebetween when the first and second work pieces are properly oriented. First and second electrodes electrically couple with work pieces and apply an electrical current thereto. A source of pressurized air directs a stream of pressurized air toward an interface between the first work piece and one of the second work piece and the first electrode. An air flow sensor detects the flow rate of the air stream directed toward the interface and determines if the work pieces are properly oriented based on the detected air flow rate.

Abstract: A zone control module for a conveyor system includes a manifold unit having oppositely facing first and second surfaces. A valve unit is mounted to the first surface of the manifold unit and includes an electrical valve actuator and a movable valve element. An electrical control unit mounts to the second surface of the manifold unit and is spaced from the valve control unit by the manifold unit. The valve unit includes first and second conductors extending into conductive apertures in the manifold unit for electrical contact with the electrical control unit, such that electricity from the electrical control unit can be transferred to operate the valve unit. The control modules can be utilized with a slug module to control a conveyor. Optical sensors are used to provide drive signals for respective zones of the conveyor system. The optical sensors can be overridden by an electrical slug signal from the slug module.

Abstract: A composition of matter for joint or texture compound used in wallboard applications which incorporates an ingredient which has been reclaimed from waste wallboard panel. A method and system for reconstituting the waste wallboard into the joint compound is also provided. Waste wallboard is thereby recycled so that the waste wallboard does not need to be disposed in a landfill.

Abstract: An AM/FM/WB/CB/cellular telephone antenna includes a first frequency self-resonant circuit at a position above the lower end of the antenna such that the electrical length of the lower section of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength for a frequency in the FM frequency range and a second frequency self-resonant circuit disposed below the first frequency self-resonant circuit. The first self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the FM frequency band and the second self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the cellular frequency range. The entire length of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength in a frequency in the CB frequency band. The antenna wire is wound around a fiberglass core, and the FM self-resonant circuit is formed by a tightly wound, coiled section of the wire together with a thin-walled brass tube extending over the core in the area of the tightly wound section.

Abstract: A cooking pot is provided which includes a base portion and a removable cover therefor. An annular lip of the pot is formed with at least one vent opening therein. Airflow between ambient and a cooking chamber defined within the pot is adjustable by rotating the cover relative to the base portion. The cooking pot is also multifunctional in that it is operable in any one of a plurality of cooking modes including but not limited to an open charcoal-grilling mode, a closed charcoal-grilling mode, an externally-heated charcoal-grilling mode, a grilling and smoking mode, a deep-frying mode, a boiling and simmering mode, a steaming mode, and oven modes.

Abstract: A jack extension tube preferably for vehicles is provided which comprises an elongated tube with a threaded nut securely mounted therein, and a jack screw received in an open end of the tube and threadably received in the threaded nut. The tube has a first flange extending inwardly adjacent an inner end of the threaded nut and a second flange extending inwardly adjacent an outer end of the threaded nut whereby the threaded nut is securely retained within the elongated tube between the first and second flanges. The threads on the threaded nut can be involute threads to reduce noise, wear and chucking between the nut and the screw. The threaded nut can be formed of a rigid synthetic resin material.

Abstract: An improved workspace management system for dividing a space into separate work areas comprises a rigid structural framework formed of rigid rectangular frames rigidly joined together at the edges thereof to form at least one work area. Each of the frames has outer faces on opposite sides thereof and openings on the opposite sides of the frames and a plurality of interchangeable tiles, with each of the tiles having a connector cooperating with the openings on the frames for removably mounting the tiles to the frames for ease of placement on and removal from the frames. The tiles are mounted to the outer faces of the frames to substantially cover both sides of the frames from a bottom portion thereof to a top thereof in juxtaposed parallel relationship.

Abstract: A taillamp assembly for a vehicle is provided which comprises a housing having a first reflector and a second reflector and a lens mounted to the housing juxtaposed to the first and second reflectors. The lens preferably has first and second optic regions in register with the first and second reflectors. A lamp carrier is mounted to one of the housing and the lens and between the housing and the lens and has first and second sets of interconnected light-emitting semiconductor devices. The sets of light-emitting semiconductor devices are directed at a corresponding reflector and are electrically independent from one another. The first and second sets of light-emitting semiconductor devices can thereby be independently actuated to emit light toward the corresponding first and second reflectors and, in turn, outwardly through the lens.

Abstract: A waste container having a wheel assembly comprising an axle assembly on which are slidably mounted a pair of wheels. The axle assembly comprises a pultruded shaft with opposing end caps. The end caps have an indentation for receiving a retainer to retain the wheels on the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waste container of the type typically used in residential waste collection systems. The waste container includes a container body having opposing side walls that extend upwardly from a bottom wall to form a waste compartment with an open top for access thereto. The bottom wall of the container body is reinforced by a series of corrugations to increase the rigidity of the bottom wall to prevent sagging, which can result in premature wear and failure. The corrugations also increase the heat transfer rate of the bottom wall, which improves the cooling characteristics of the waste container during molding. The corrugations further provide airflow channels for the injection of air between the container body and a mold during the molding process to improve the ease of removing the waste container body from the mold and to prevent stretching in the bottom of the container during the molding process.

Abstract: An air diffuser is adapted to be fluidly connected to an air duct. The air diffuser comprises a face and a unitary valve assembly. The face comprises a number of openings separated by louvers, which are preferably of a fixed angular orientation. The unitary valve assembly comprises vanes that are rotatably attached to a body by a deformable web that is integral to the valve assembly body and the vanes. The vanes are adjusted by means of an adjustment arm that extends from each vane through the openings in the face. The unitary valve assembly is preferably constructed of a single piece of material that is shaped so that it will attach to the face. The valve assembly is unitary, requiring no assembly except to the face. The deformable webs are sized so as to give a high cycle life to the assembly, and allow the vanes to be fixedly adjusted.

Abstract: An antenna mount for supporting a whip antenna on a ground vehicle has an upper part and a lower part, the upper part supports the whip antenna and has an upper mounting ring and the lower part extends through an outer shell of the vehicle has a lower mounting ring, one or more intermediate rings are disposed between the upper ring and the lower ring and incorporate a cavity for containing a GPS antenna.

Abstract: A console assembly is provided for mounting within a vehicle interior in an area between a pair of seats. A vehicle support member is provided on the vehicle interior having a quick connect fastener provided thereon. A carrier is adapted to mount to the vehicle support member and an operational lever is pivotally mounted on the carrier for movement between first and second positions. A quick connect fastener is connected to the operational lever at a lower portion thereof and is adapted to mate with the first quick connect fastener on the vehicle support member. The operational lever and carrier can thereby be assembled as a unit to the vehicle and the shift lever can be assembled to a vehicle shifting/braking mechanism through the quick connect fasteners.