Abstract: A blended yarn and method of making the same. The blended yarn is formed into a rope adapted to engage structural member and comprises a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The abrasion resistance properties of the second fibers are greater than abrasion resistance properties of the first fibers. A coefficient of friction of the second fibers is less than a coefficient of friction of the first fibers. The first fibers extend along the length of the blended yarn and the second fibers do not extend along the length of the blended yarn. A plurality of blended yarns are combined to form the rope such that, when the rope contacts the structural member, the second fibers of the blended yarn are primarily in contact with the structural member and the first set of fibers substantially bear tension loads on the rope.

Abstract: An aerator system for an artificial pond comprising an aerator housing defining an aerator chamber, filter media arranged within the aerator chamber, and a control valve assembly. The aerator housing defines first, second, and third aerator housing ports. The filter media defines first and second portions of the aerator chamber. The first aerator housing port is in direct fluid communication with the first portion of the aerator chamber, and the second and third aerator housing ports are in to direct fluid communication with the second portion of the aerator chamber. The control valve array is operatively connected to the first and second aerator housing ports and may be configured in a first mode to allow a portion of the water flowing through the aerator housing to bypass the filter media.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for casting a cementitious or stone pile into the ground. The present invention comprises an exterior driving casing and an interior mandrel acting in cooperation to hold and deliver the pile forming material. A retrievable driving driving shoe is also disclose.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for securing a vibratory device to a pile comprising a frame, first and second clamp members, and an actuator. The frame is adapted to be secured to the vibratory device. The first clamp member is supported by the frame and comprises a first engaging surface defined by a first surface layer formed of carbide alloy material. The second clamp member is also supported by the frame and comprises a second engaging surface defined by a second surface layer formed of carbide alloy material. The actuator is arranged to displace at least one of the first and second clamp members such that first and second engaging surfaces engage the pile such that the pile is gripped by between first and second clamp members.

Abstract: A drop hammer for driving piles. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member and a ram member. The housing member defines a housing chamber. The ram member is supported within the housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between an upper position and a lower position. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the impact of the ram member drives the pile. When the ram member falls below a preload position between the lower and upper positions, fluid within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses as the ram member moves into the lower position.

Abstract: A texturing system for applying texture material to a surface. The texturing system comprises a container, a valve assembly, texture material, and propellant material. The container assembly defines a product chamber. The valve assembly is mounted to the container assembly and is operable in closed and open configurations. The texture material comprises a coating portion and a particulate portion and is disposed within the product chamber. The particulate portion comprises urethane particles. The propellant material is disposed within the product chamber and is substantially inert to the urethane particles. Operation of the valve assembly in the open configuration allows the propellant material to force the texture material from the product chamber and onto the surface.

Abstract: An aerosol assembly for dispensing texture material. The aerosol assembly comprises a main container assembly, a secondary container, and a conduit. The main container assembly comprises a main container containing texture material, an aerosol valve assembly, and an actuator member. The aerosol valve assembly is operable in a normally closed configuration and an open configuration. Displacement of the actuator member places the aerosol valve assembly from the normally closed configuration to the open configuration. The conduit is connected between the main container and the secondary container to allow fluid flow between the main container and the secondary container. When the actuator member is displaced to place the aerosol valve assembly into the open configuration, the pressurized fluid within the secondary container enters the primary container to force texture material out of the main container.

Abstract: A rope control device comprising a main part and a bar part. The main part defines a central opening, first and second side portions, first and second end portions, at least one projection portion extending from each end portion, and a friction surface formed at junctures of each end portion and the at least one projection portion adjacent thereto. The bar part is pivotably attached to the first side portion. The bar part may be in a closed position in which the bar part engages the second side portion of the main part. The rope control device may be in an open configuration in which the bar part does not engage the second side portion. When the bar part is in the closed position, the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening.

Abstract: A system or method of analyzing a conductive member for the presence an anomaly. A conductive pipe member is analyzed for the presence an anomaly the electromagnetic properties of which are non-linear. The electromagnetic properties of the pipe member at the anomaly are altered by applying a direct current perturbation signal to the pipe member. At least one test source signal is applied to a first test location on the pipe member remote from the anomaly to cause the at least one test source signal to travel along the pipe through the anomaly. At least one test return signal associated with the at least one test source signal traveling through the anomaly is detected. The at least one test return signal is analyzed for characteristics associated with the anomaly.

Abstract: A texturing system for applying a desired texture pattern on a patched portion of a surface. The texturing system comprises a texture material, a selecting system, and a dispensing system. The texture material comprises a carrier, a binder, a filler, and a change material.

Abstract: An aerosol system for dispensing sprayable material in a desired spray pattern.

Abstract: An aerosol assembly for dispensing texture material. The aerosol assembly comprises a main container assembly, a secondary container, and a conduit. The main container assembly comprises a main container containing texture material, an aerosol valve assembly, and an actuator member. The aerosol valve assembly is operable in a normally closed configuration and an open configuration. Displacement of the actuator member places the aerosol valve assembly from the normally closed configuration to the open configuration. The conduit is connected between the main container and the secondary container to allow fluid flow between the main container and the secondary container. When the actuator member is displaced to place the aerosol valve assembly into the open configuration, the pressurized fluid within the secondary container enters the primary container to force texture material out of the main container.

Abstract: A data exchange system that exchanges data with a host device comprising controller and a host housing comprises at least one button assembly and a button reader system. The at least one button assembly comprises an encoder for storing data, a button coil, and a switch. Closing the switch forms an antenna circuit. The button reader system comprises a decoder and at least one reader coil defining at least one button position on the host housing. When the at least one button assembly is arranged at the at least one button position, the controller of the host device causes the decoder to obtain data from the encoder through the button coil and the reader coil when the switch is closed.

Abstract: A parametric design system comprises an estimate generator, a layout drawing generator, and a design generator. The estimate generator for generating a cost estimate based on at least one of predetermined properties of the engineered object as defined by a request for proposal defining the engineered object, parameters associated with components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The layout drawing generator generates a layout drawing based on at least one of specifications of the engineered object as defined by the request for proposal, parameters associated with components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The design generator generates the object design based on an order and a proposal. The proposal is generated based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing. The order is generated based on the proposal.

Abstract: A system for distributing information over communications systems comprising a question database, a solution database, a set of protocols, a user information system, a selecting system, and a filtering system. The question database contains questions related to the information to be distributed. The solution database contains solution elements related to the information to be distributed. The set of protocols links at least one of the questions in the question database with at least one of the solution elements in the solution database. The user information system allows a user to enter user data related to the user. The selecting system allows the user to select one or more questions from the question database to generate a set of selected questions.

Abstract: A system for a carrying an item comprises an inner sleeve assembly comprising first and second side panel assemblies and a perimeter panel assembly joined to define a sleeve chamber. The perimeter panel assembly comprises a first resilient member, a second resilient member, and a first elastic member. The first elastic member is arranged to apply a first bias force on the second resilient member to deform the second resilient member. The second resilient member applies a first sleeve chamber force on the first resilient member when the first elastic member deforms the second resilient member. When the item is inserted into the sleeve chamber, the first sleeve chamber force causes the first resilient member to engage the item, thereby holding the item in place within the sleeve chamber.

Abstract: A material processing system for continuously processing a material defining a destination surface. The material processing system comprises an inking wheel and a handle assembly or a roller press assembly and an auxiliary housing. The handle assembly rotatably supports a first print wheel. The roller press assembly comprises a housing assembly that rotatably supports a second print wheel. The auxiliary housing is adapted to be connected to the housing assembly. The inking wheel is adapted to be connected to the handle assembly and to the adapter assembly. The material processing system is used to apply ink to the image surface in either one of first or second modes. In the first mode, the inking wheel is supported by the handle assembly such that the inking wheel is in contact with the first print wheel. In the second mode, the inking wheel is supported by the auxiliary housing such that the inking wheel is in contact with the second print wheel.

Abstract: A connecting system for connecting a mesh sheet to a concrete member. The connecting system comprises an anchor structure and a first pin member. The anchor structure defines a loop passageway and a pin opening. The anchor structure is adapted to be partly embedded within the concrete member. A mesh loop portion is formed on the mesh sheet. The mesh loop portion extends into the loop passageway. To connect the mesh sheet to the concrete member, the first pin member extends along the pin opening and through the mesh loop portion of the mesh sheet. Force applied to the concrete member away from the mesh sheet causes the first pin member to engage the anchor structure and the mesh loop portion to inhibit movement between the mesh sheet and the concrete member.

Abstract: A motion control system comprising a machine platform, at least one event destination, and an event handler. The machine platform carries out automated tasks and generates events. The event handler is configurable to receive at least one event from the machine platform and send the at least one event to the at least one event destination.