Abstract: An installation clip has a base member that fastens to first electrical cable already secured to a structural member in order to mount one or more second electrical cables indirectly to the structural member. A clip structure is disposed on the base member and has a pair of resilient retaining arms that extend outwardly from the base member in opposed, spaced-apart relation to define a clip channel into which the second electrical cable(s) can be placed. Shoulders may be formed on the distal ends of the retaining arms to define an inlet into the clip channel, and lips may be disposed on the shoulders to form a V-shaped opening into the clip channel. The retaining arms may also have opposed central flanges that project into the clip channel parallel to the base member to form upper and lower regions, and a spacer may also be disposed on the base member to separate the lower region into a pair of subregions. These regions are each sized to receive a second electrical cable.

Abstract: A golf training device having a base and a golf ball tethered to it by way of a cord. The base has a protective structure in the form of an upwardly extending resilient member or transverse rod to protect the cord from abrasion when the ball is hit.

Abstract: A support roller and a magnetic separator incorporating the same utilizes a plurality of roller segments which are pivotally mounted to an axle member such that the roller segments are radially spaced from the axle member and extend in longitudinal parallel relation thereto. The opposite ends of the roller segments can move toward and away from the axle member. A first pair of roller segments are interconnected by a linkage that causes the first ends of the pair to move correspondingly and, due to the pivot mount, the second ends move correspondingly to one another in a direction opposite the movement of the first ends. Preferably, at least four equiangularly spaced roller segments are employed and a pair of linkages interconnect each pair of opposed roller segments. Several different linkage assemblies are disclosed. Where the support roller is incorporated in a magnetic separator, a support frame rotatably supports a magnetic roller and the support roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting and mixing of fibrous products for the preparation of animal feed which includes a hopper where equipments for the cutting and mixing of fibrous product are installed. Based on this invention, such mixing and cutting equipment is constituted by a single auger that is separated into two equal sections by a partition that is welded to the shaft of the auger itself. The auger is equipped with a first section of auger blades that turn counterclockwise. The hopper has a bottom that is partially cylindrical where the auger is installed. From this bottom, one wall extends practically vertical and the opposite one extends oblique.

Abstract: A signal detector and signal detection methodology is provided to monitor oscillatory signals to produce detector output in response to the presence of target signals having a frequency within a selected frequency range. The detector has input processing circuitry that receives the oscillatory signals and filters out those which do not fall within the selected frequency range to produce an input signal. This initial signal is processed by a Schmitt-Trigger to create a square-wave signal. The processing circuit includes a scaler sub-circuit to divide the square-wave signal by an integer, and an integrating sub-circuit integrates the resulting scaled signal to produce the intermediate signal. An amplification circuit has variable gain controlled by averaging the amplitude of the input signal by way of the control component so that the initial signal is amplified according to the original amplitude to produce a scaled replica of the filtered input signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detector for monitoring ultrasonic signals which have a selected ultrasonic frequency range and for producing an audible signal in response to the ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic detector employs a sensor element which produces electrical signals in response to ultrasonic signals. Amplification and filter circuitry to remove all frequency components not within the selected range to produce a mixer input signal. An oscillator for producing a reference signal at a selected reference frequency. A mixer to receive the output of the filter circuitry and the oscillator to produce a mixed composite signal between 0 and 20 kHz and the composite signal amplitude corresponding to the input signal amplitude. The composite signal is passed through a low pass filter to produce a filtered composite signal. The filtered composite signal has a first component that is then amplified by a first amplifier to produce an audio signal which may be output to a suitable audio device.

Abstract: An information display bracket mounts directly to an upright pegboard support panel for use in cooperation with a product support bracket mounted on the support pane. The information display bracket includes a base member having one of several disclosed mounting structures, a display arm hingedly connected at a proximal end to the base member such-as by a living hinge structure, and a display plate located on the distal end of the display arm. The display arm has a flattened distal end portion, preferably rectangular in shape, and is sized to cooperate with a selected product support bracket such that the flattened distal end portion rests on the free end of the product support arm of the product support bracket when fastened to the support panel above the product support bracket. The base member has at least one but preferably a plurality of mounting posts that frictionally resiliently engage respective mounting holes.

Abstract: A protective seal and method for protecting flow line joints from leakage of fluid conveyed thereby when exposed to elevated temperatures, such as fire, employs the use of intumescent material and a channeling structure for channeling the intumescent material into a separation gap caused by thermal separation of adjacent flow line pieces, e.g., pipe sections. The channeling structure may be a channel formed in the connecting flanges, or in a gasket interposed between the pieces. Alternatively, the channeling structure may be an annulus for directing the intumescent material radially inwardly into the separation gap or a channeling strip in a spiral wound gasket. Where a channel is provided in the flange or gasket, a seal element may be used, and the intumescent material material provides a driving force to advance the seal into the separation gap. The intumescent material material may be bounded by a diaphragm or contained within a bladder.

Abstract: A lid and drinking straw assembly for use with a beverage container having a rim is provided. The lid includes a breakaway port formed with a central panel as a conic shell. The breakaway port comprises a plurality of channel structures that extend from the apex of the conic shell toward the central panel. The channel structures are partible to allow insertion of the drinking straw into the beverage container and may have portions of reduced thickness to facilitate their partibility.

Abstract: A spacer device for a product employs a plurality of elongated first channel structures interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting support structures. The first channel structures have a pair of sidewalls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of endwalls defining a channel interior. The support structures interconnect the first channel structures at spaced locations to hold them in spaced apart relation to form a first lattice having a plurality of openings to permit air circulation. Preferably, a similar second lattice is employed and is inverted and joined with the first lattice to create an endless channel. The support structures on each of the lattices are positioned to enclose the channel interiors on the other of the lattices. The spacer device may also be configured as a container with the lattice openings eliminated so that the spacer device forms an enclosure to contain products. Foam or fluid may be used to fill the channel interiors, if desired.

Abstract: A metal forming machine is adapted to bend flat strips of metal into a desired profile. The machine has a rigid framework that forms a cage in which a drive mechanism is disposed to advance a strip therethrough. An elongated rail structure is secured within the cage's interior and is removable out of one of the entrance or exit of the framework. Preferably, the rail structure is mounted at selected discrete mounting locations spaced laterally of the drive mechanism. A plurality of forming elements are disposed on the rail structure to define at least two longitudinally spaced forming stations, and the forming stations act to bend the strip into the desired profile. The rail structure may be removed from the framework without detaching the mounting stations. A plurality of rail structures may be employed with some of the rail structures formed by a plurality of longitudinally aligned rail sections at least one of which carries a plurality of forming stations.

Abstract: An expandable framework structure can be folded for storage and expanded for use, especially as a canopy when a covering is placed on top of the framework. The framework includes a plurality of upright supports and a plurality of edge scissor assemblies that interconnect adjacent ones of the upright supports. Mounts are disposed on the upright supports to fasten outer, rectangular end portions of the edge scissor assemblies. The mounts have sockets which have facing, parallel sidewall portions to receive the rectangular end portions in close-fitted engagement along planar contact surfaces to resist lateral and torsional deflections of the edge scissor assemblies. A non-compressive fastening pin pivotally secures the outer end of each edge scissor assemblies in its respective socket. The mounts on each upright support are relatively movable to allow expansion and contraction of the framework; one mount is preferably a stationary mount and the other a slide mount.

Abstract: A space filling device for use in a container for cargo shipment to prohibit shifting of the cargo is formed by flat first and second panels, with first and second slots formed in each so that, when assembled, an x-shaped structure is formed. When placed in the container, respective end edges of the panels are supported on the bed of the cargo container while the other of the panels' end edges engage the container's sidewalls. The panel side edges form a pair of x-shaped bases which serve to support the cargo against movement toward the end wall of the container. An anti-slip element may be included on the respective end edges, braces may engage the panels proximate respective end edges, and panel side edge guards may be included to prevent undue wear on the cargo. An auxiliary bearing penal may also be used adjacent at least one of the x-shaped bases.

Abstract: A mowing apparatus is provided by a reel-type or rotary mower towed by a vehicle, such as a bicycle, by a draw bar adapted to mount onto existing mower brackets and onto the vehicle by a connector that mounts to a frame element of the vehicle. The draw bar includes a resilient element that preferably permits flexing relative to the vehicle so that the mower articulates relative to the vehicle and so that a normal load force may be applied to the mower. The connector is preferably adjustable to allow selective variance in the load force applied. The draw bar may be a single arcuate piece utilizing a spring as the resilient element. Alternatively, the draw bar may be one or a pair of stiff, yet resilient arms. A guard portion may be provided as an extension of the draw bar or as an auxiliary piece, and a grass shield may be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting and mixing of fibrous products for the preparation of animal feed which includes a hopper where equipments for the cutting and mixing of fibrous product are installed. Based on this invention, such mixing and cutting equipment is constituted by one auger that is separated into two equal (welded) sections by a partition that is attached to the shaft of the auger itself. The auger is equipped with a first section of auger blades that turn clockwise and a second section of auger blades that turn counterclockwise. The hopper has a bottom that is partially cylindrical where the auger is installed and one wall extends vertical and the opposite one extends oblique from the bottom.

Abstract: A roll forming device receives a continuous elongated flat sheet of metal to form selected profiles along at least one longitudinal margin thereof. The roll forming device comprises a drive assembly, located within the apparatus frame which engages the elongated sheet proximate to the entryway and advances the sheet in a downstream direction discharge it at an exit. Preferably, at least one guide bar is supported by the frame which also engages the longitudinal margin of the sheet as it is advanced downstream and bends it into a trough-shaped cross-section. The frame houses at least one forming station having a coacting pair of first and second forming rollers journaled for rotation about respective axes. Some of the forming stations may include a plurality of pairs of coacting first and second forming rollers, at least some of which are mounted to be adjustably positioned toward and apart from one another to accommodate varying widths of sheet metal.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench imparts rotational movement to a relatively large workpiece such as the stem of a water main valve or a fire hydrant. The wrench includes an annular driver member, a housing having an elongated recess, a pawl element and a bias element. The annular driver member is adapted to detachably engage the workpiece and includes a plurality of driver teeth disposed circumferentially around its outer periphery. The housing receives the annular driver member so that rotational movement can be imparted to it within the housing and the handle structure extends from the housing to provide mechanical advantage for imparting the rotational movement. The elongated recess extends into the housing along a longitudinal access. The elongated recess is positioned with respect to an imaginary line tangent to a selected radius of the annular driver member such that the longitudinal axis is disposed substantially parallel to or coextensive with the selected radius.

Abstract: A key control device comprises a primary key, a primary lock, a secondary key, a secondary lock, and a mechanical drive. The primary lock operably receives the primary key and is keyed such that when the primary key is inserted into the primary lock, it becomes movable between a primary key release state and a primary key capture state. The secondary lock operably receives the secondary key and is keyed such that when the secondary key is received by the secondary lock it becomes movable between a secondary key release state and a secondary key capture state. The mechanical drive interconnects the primary and secondary locks such that when the primary lock moves from its primary key release state to its primary key capture state, the secondary lock simultaneously moves from its secondary key capture state to its secondary key release state and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for necking tubular members such as cans utilizes an inner die that expands to support a neck portion to be formed by an outer die that travels around the neck. The inner die has a plurality of first die elements which may be retracted after the neck is formed so that the inner die may be removed. Selected ones of these first die elements nest with the others in the retracted state. Drive assemblies operate each of the inner and outer dies, and the drive assembly for the inner die operates to differentially drive the first die elements to allow nesting to occur. Preferably, the inner drive assembly employs a reciprocally retracting cam, and the first die elements have cam followers to allow reciprocation. A wedge cam can be used to support the first die element sin the expanded configuration, and a wedge drive moves the wedge cam into and out of position.