Abstract: A satellite television reception only receiver includes a programmable microprocessor which has a communications link for communicating between a plurality of receivers connected in a multiple receiver installation. An antenna is connected to only one receiver in the network, and it controls operation of the antenna, and the information relating to the antenna is transmitted to the other receivers to update them. The microprocessor further provides a means to programmably restrict access to particular satellites or transponders on satellites at each individual receiver, and vary the particular transponders or satellites restricted from receiver to receiver.

Abstract: An ultrasonic speed sensor produces a linear voltage directly proportional to the speed of material falling through a chute and contacting a plate. A transducer coupled to the plate produces a second linear voltage which is directly proportional to the force applied to the plate by the material as it impacts the plate. An electronic dual slope integrator circuit combines these two linear DC voltages to produce a digital pulse output whose frequency is directly proportional to the flow rate of the material. The digital pulse output may be used to drive a totalizer which totals the amount of material flowing through the chute, and an indication meter to provide an instantaneous readout of the flow rate.

Abstract: A soccer training and practice device comprising a ball-like target mounted to an anchor member for engaging the ground. The anchor member is preferably a helical coil that can be twisted into the ground. The ball-like target is mounted to the anchor member so that when the anchor member is anchored in the ground the ball is in position where it can be kicked by a person standing on the ground. The mounting means allowing the target to move but retaining the target in substantially its original position where it can be repeatedly kicked.

Abstract: A suspension for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a narrow profile skirt-type hanger with a unitized bolster beam extending laterally beneath the chassis between hangers at opposite sides of the vehicle, an axle seat assembly rigidly secured to the axle with a torque arm resiliently connected thereto at a pair of spaced-apart locations, the forward end of the torque arm being pivotally mounted to the bolster beam at the hanger assembly, and an outboard mounted air spring mounted outboard of the chassis between the axle seat assembly and an upper spring mount. A second embodiment of the suspension includes an overslung axle seat assembly rigidly secured to a trunnion rod, offset from a stub-axle supporting the wheel. A second bolster beam extends laterally between axle seat assemblies at opposite sides of the vehicle, such that both the first and second bolster beams and the trunnion rod extending laterally underneath the chassis between like suspensions on the opposite side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wall bracket for mounting a shelf within an area defined by two walls that intersect at an angle deviating from ninety degrees. The wall bracket has a cradle section and an integral back plate. The cradle section supports a side portion of a shelf. The back plate is convex to allow rotation of the wall bracket about a generally vertical axis, and elongated slots in the back plate to receive wall fasteners.

Abstract: A laser doppler velocimeter with laser backscatter discrimination for determining the relative velocity between an optical platform and another target where a laser beam is generated and directed toward the target. A detector produces a doppler signal in response to the detection of the laser beam. Noise and backscatter signals with bandwidths and amplitudes outside selected thresholds are rejected, and the legitimate doppler signal from the target is enhanced.

Abstract: An antenna system for a television reception only antenna includes an integral declination adjustment comprising an upper and lower curvilinear surface as part of the superstructure supporting the main reflector dish with an upper and lower pad rotatably mounted to a pivot tube providing surfaces matching the curvilinear surfaces against which the main reflector dish rests. Slots and holes are cut into the matching surfaces and a pair of nut and bolt assemblies extending through the slots and holes secure the surfaces once the proper declination angle has been achieved.

Abstract: A rotary cutting cylinder comprising a generally cylindrical central section, the central section having a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves, and at least one longitudinal slot having opposing sidewalls crossing the grooves. A cutting rule and mounting bar are positioned in the slot. The mounting bar has a plurality of set screws aligned with the grooves in the cylinder so that a tool can be inserted in the grooves to operate the set screws to urge the cutting rule and mounting bar against opposite walls of the slot to engage the cutting rule in the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a longitudinally extending beam assembly with a medial section connected to the vehicle axle, a forward end that provides a spring seat for a front air spring, and a rearward end that provides a spring seat for a rear air spring. The air springs are outriggered by mounting brackets that project outboard of the beam assembly. Upper outboard projecting mounting brackets are connected to the vehicle chassis. The beam assembly has a special stepped configuration to avoid interference with existing vehicle components while providing the desired distribution of loads between the air springs. The suspension system incorporates two air springs and two shock absorbers on each side of the vehicle. A parallelogram is provided by upper and lower torque rods. The lower torque rod is of large cross section to provide increased strength and to allow for mounting on large heavy-duty bushings so that the torque rod can transfer push and pull loads.

Abstract: An automatic switching unit for use in combination with a backup processor and a series communications system such as for a retail store operation, and where the series communications system includes a controller having multiple serial ports, each port being connected in a series loop with a plurality of data terminals for registering sales transactions. The switching unit includes a monitor for monitoring each of the series loops to detect the malfunction of any port, and also includes a switching network. When the monitor detects a malfunction of any port, the switching network automatically connects the backup processor and all the data terminals in those loops associated with serial ports detected to be malfunctioning in a single series loop, and automatically disconnects the malfunctioning ports from the single series loop.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for suspending a vehicle from an axle may be used on a steering axle and includes resilient members, such as two air springs, on opposite longitudinal sides of the axle and supported on seats suspended from the ends of a beam. The beam is connected at its center to the axle. The air springs are are connected to hangers that are mounted to the vehicle chassis. The hangers for the air springs include spaced opposed surfaces that allow a longitudinal sway guide to pass between and be transversely restrained by the surfaces. One end of the sway guide is pivotally attached to a hanger on the chassis and the other end to a shackle. The sway guide comprises a small number of spring leaves that can flex but that are not adequate for load bearing, so almost all of the chassis load is on the air springs. The assembly can be installed as original equipment or retrofit to existing equipment. The beam may be inclined to provide caster to the axle.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing and end shield mount for an electric motor or the like. The bearing mount has a spacer with a hub through which the rotor shaft extends and fingers that seat within an annular locating groove of the rotor shaft for securing the spacer to the shaft. The spacer also has a thrust surface. A spring has a hub portion through which the rotor shaft extends and a ring surrounding the hub with resilient arms therebetween. The spring also has a bearing seat and a thrust plate seat. A self-aligning bearing is seated in a bearing socket in the end shield of the motor housing and in the bearing seat of the spring. A thrust plate is seated within the thrust plate seat of the spring with the thrust surface of the spacer running against a surface portion of the thrust plate.

Abstract: A generally rectangular heat sink is mounted in a conduit box by tabs which are deformed to fit within channels along opposite edges of the heat sink. An access hole in the side of the conduit box and aligned with the channel permits a pin to be inserted therethrough to push the tabs out of the channel and release the heat sink and PC board from the conduit box.

Abstract: An air ride suspension having a step spring pivotally mounted from a front hanger by a universal bushing mount. A vertical step positions the trailing end of the step spring below the leading end and supports a transverse bolster beam for connection to the lower side of an air spring. The upper side of the air spring is connected to a seat that is fastened to the vehicle chassis. All the fasteners are bolts so that the suspension system can be readily used as a conversion for a vehicle suspension system. The air spring preferably supports two-thirds of the axle load with about one-third distributed to the step spring.

Abstract: An automatic pellet mill controller controls a vapor steam generator for use with the pellet mill, the vapor steam generator having the capability of producing steam at a constant pressure but with a variable temperature to suit the particular ambient conditions, or formulation of feed being pelleted, or temperature at any point in the pellet mill. After the steam temperature is selected, the control can operate in any one of the various control modes which control the automatic pelleting of the pellet mill for the particular feed formulation.

Abstract: A laser diode array produces one set of beams that are out of phase with those of another set of beams, with the beams of one set alternating with those of the other. The phase plate has first and second sets of regions, with the regions of one set alternating with those of the other. The phase plate is positioned in the near field of the beam pattern such that one set of beams passes through one set of regions and the other set of beams passes through the other set of regions. One set of regions changes the phase of the beams passing therethrough to create a substantially single lobed beam pattern in the far field.

Abstract: A tractor mower system comprising a mower attachment and an oil reservoir and power assembly. The mower attachment has a tool bar from which a plurality of mower units are suspended. The tool bar is connectable to a three-point hitch at the front end of the tractor. Hydraulic conduit means leading from the tractor to the motors that rotate the mowers have quick disconnect couplings. The mower units are staggered with their ends overlapping to avoid unmowed paths between them. Each mower unit has a plurality of rotary blades. The hydraulic reservoir and power assembly is connected to a three-point hitch at the back of the tractor. Fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the motors of the mower units and back to the reservoir through conduits. These conduits are also connected by quick disconnect couplings. The outboard portions of the tool bar support outboard mower units and are pivotal relative to the inboard section.

Abstract: A modular block for engagement to a plurality of similar blocks arranged in a line to form a structural element, the modular blocks being engaged to each other by tension members extending through the blocks. The configuration of the structural element can be easily modified by substituting special blocks. The block has a generally hollow, T-shaped cross-section with an axial hole extending therethrough. The block further has three axial passages for receiving tension members, the passages arranged in a triangular pattern to withstand the high shear and torsional stresses encountered during erection and in service.

Abstract: A masking template for use with bingo games, the mask comprising an obscuring sheet of plastic material to fit over the numbered bingo game sheets and having openings to expose only the numbers of the particular game being called. A binder of such sheets is provided, each sheet having a different group of openings to accommodate different games and the sheets are to be notched and coded so that the player can quickly see how to reach the sheet of the game to be played at any given time.

Abstract: An electric fence holder. Two embodiments can be produced from a common mold cavity. Both embodiments comprise a strap formed of resilient plastic with a wire retaining bracket formed at the center. The first embodiment is longer than the second and has clamps at its ends for engaging the strands of an existing fence. The second embodiment, formed by blocking the outer portions of the mold cavity, has holes in its ends for mounting the strap on a stake that has been driven into the ground. In both embodiments an electrically conductive wire is held by the wire-retaining bracket out of grounding contact with the existing fence or stake. Flexing either strap into a bow for installation locks the conductive wire in place.