Abstract: An improved self-aligning tree delimbing apparatus for use in conjunction with a knuckle boom loader having an inner frame member pivotally mounted and concentrically received within an outer frame member, which is rigidly attached to a base member. Pivotally mounted within the inner frame member is a tree delimbing cutter head assembly having opposing pairs of tree guide arms and tree delimbing arms pivotally mounted thereon, thereby allowing for simultaneous multi-dimensional pivotal motion of the cutter head assembly within the frame members. Such motion allows the cutter head assembly to easily align with the longitudinal axis of the trees being delimbed, thereby increasing the efficiency of the apparatus while reducing the binding stresses and necessary force applied by the knuckle boom loader.

Abstract: An improved roll-up closure utilizing a flexible cover selected from a material suitable to effect the type of closure sought. The cover is at least as wide as the portal to be covered and is typically longer than the portal. Each lateral margin of the cover has a strip of hook or loop fastener material affixed thereto, with the complementary strip affixed to either the respective lateral margin defining the portal or to a "floating" edge of an elongated strip of flexible material attached at its opposite edge to the respective lateral margin. A first end of the cover is rigidly affixed across a first margin of the portal. The opposite end of the cover can be upturned about a transverse rod and connected to a take-up roller mounted adjacent the first margin of the portal, or it can be attached to the rod such that as the cover is raised or lowered, the cover is wound or unwound around the rod. Channel members prevent movement of the rod in a direction normal to the plane of the portal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory for an ATV (all terrain vehicle) mounted on top of an ATV to allow the use of a stationary ATV as a hunting stand. The accessory is comprised primarily of square metallic tubular members that surround a hunter sitting on an ATV, allowing for waterproof camouflage material to be attached along the outside of the accessory to shield the ATV and user from the sight of passing game. The waterproof camouflage panels also provide a hunter with protection against the elements. The accessory allows a user to sit above the ATV on a seat located at the top of the accessory. Access to this top seat is provided by horizontal tubular members at the rear of the accessory that can be positioned for use as a ladder. The top seat allows a user to have a high vantage point for hunting. The accessory transforms an ATV into a comfortable and effective hunting stand even in an open field.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus that can be universally adapted to golf umbrellas or which can be used with a specialized umbrella. Further, the invention is compact and thus lightweight so as not to detract from nor significantly effect the standard usage of the golf bag. The invention utilizes a spherical adapter which is attached to the bottom of the handle of the umbrella. The adapter is in turn captured within a clamp having a socket formed in it. The clamp is in turn secured to the golf bag. Normally, the clamp will remain with the bag and the spherical member will remain with the umbrella when the two are separated such that additional accessories such as cup holders and scorecard holders may be used instead of the umbrella.

Abstract: An athletic performance evaluation device utilizes ultrasonic sensing circuitry or infrared sensing circuitry, a vibration sensitive switch, and an audio input to signal a microprocessor to start a timing function that calculates therefrom an objective evaluation of the athlete's performance. A light emitting diode (LED) may be included in the apparatus to signal the athlete to begin performance while simultaneously starting the timing function. The vibration sensitive switch may be placed on the ground adjacent to a selected position on which the athlete stands to stop the timing function. In operation, the athlete jumps and the ultrasonic sensor signals the microprocessor to begin the timing function and the vibration sensor sends a second signal to stop the timing function when the athlete lands again. The interval between signals is used in distance formula h=g(I/2).sup.

Abstract: An osteo-integrated implant utilizes a metal seal formed on the outer diameter of the implant components spaced axially from the annular seat or junction of the components. The sealing surface of one component is machined on the internal diameter of a counter-bored cylindrical member extending over the junction to engage the outer diameter of the other component. The mating surface is formed on the outer diameter and is machined such that an interference fit exists between the two surfaces when the abutment is fully seated in the implant. The design allows for both radial and axial micro motion without compromise to the sealing effectiveness.

Abstract: An anchor for a mine roof bolt incorporates a single large rib at the top of a segmented shell. This single large rib is forced into the wall of the bore hole by the downward movement of an associated threaded camming nut during the first few revolutions of the roof bolt. The remainder of the outer surface is generally smooth or unserrated and provides a large bearing surface which is urged against the bore hole wall upon further rotation of the bolt. The camming nut has a specific shape flaring substantially near its upper end such that a relative large area of the bore hole wall below the rib is forced into compression.

Abstract: An air delivery system including a means for defining a plenum near the forehead of a wearer, a baffle for distributing the air from the plenum downward over the wearer's mouth, nose, and face, and a means for securing the plenum to the forehead of the wearer, such as a safety helmet, a cap visor, or a pair of safety eye glasses. The brim of the helmet or visor defines the upper portion of the plenum, and a baffle defines the lower portion. The baffle has openings to distribute the air downward over the wearer's face. In the case of the safety glasses, the baffle has an upper portion and a lower portion forming a plenum between them due to a slightly concave shape of the baffle portions. An inlet nozzle is connected to the plenum through the baffle, baffle portions, or the brim, and a small motor and fan assembly is connected to the inlet nozzle via a flexible hose. In operation, the motor draws air through a filter element and distributes the filtered air via the hose to the plenum.

Abstract: An improved method for treating liquid foodstuffs to prolong their shelf life wherein the liquid is exposed to intense agitation, preferably through sonication, to disrupt cell walls and membranes of any microorganisms present in the liquid. The liquid is either simultaneously or subsequently exposed to an electrical field. The intense agitation disrupts the cell walls and membranes of the microorganisms so that an electrical current can be introduced through any openings formed in the cell walls and membranes and through their intracellular matrices to kill the microorganisms. It is preferable to expose the liquids to torsional forces so that any microorganisms will be rotating through the stationary electrical field. As a result any openings in the cell walls and membranes of the microorganisms will at some point become aligned with the electrical field so that current can be introduced within the cells to destroy the microorganisms.

Abstract: A dedicated elevator having a "smart" handler mounted thereon to move circuit boards and the like from an assembly line to a storage magazine and back, providing a greatly reduced footprint over apparatus which must move and elevate entire magazines and which must accommodate magazines of various sizes. The smart handler both inserts boards into the magazine and retrieves the boards from the magazine. The smart handler includes a photosensitive gripper/pusher which can detect the edge of a board and grip the board by the detected edge to retrieve it from a slot in a storage assembly. The handler includes an actuator for moving the gripper along the direction of movement of the board for a predetermined distance to detect and engage boards which are irregularly stacked in a storage apparatus. The handler further includes a edge type conveyor which delivers boards to the gripper for full insertion into the storage assembly and receives boards from the gripper for delivery to the assembly line.

Abstract: An apparatus for continually shifting an endless abrasive belt trained between a drive pulley and an idler wheel. The belt is trained around an idler wheel which is supported by an arm above a continually pivoting platform transverse to the travel direction of travel of the endless belt. The platform is pivotally supported by a fulcrum mechanism at a pivot axis bisecting the platform, and a resilient member urges one side of the platform down while an inflatable and deflatable bladder continually urges the other side of the platform up and down. A tensioning means biases the arm supporting the idler wheel away from the drive pulley to maintain tension on the endless belt between the idler wheel and the drive wheel while the idler wheel is reciprocating. The bladder is continually inflated and deflated per a preselected time period to selectively vary the shifting cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in cleaning confinement houses, to be pulled within the confinement house by a small tractor, providing motive force to the apparatus and to its components, is constructed on a wheeled frame, the front of which is connected to the tractor in a manner that allows the height of the leading edge of the apparatus to be adjusted. The leading edge of the frame carries a feeder reel which breaks up the mass of litter and waste on the floor and lifts it to an inclined conveyor. The conveyor is a bar type conveyor in which a plurality of parallel bars are mounted transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor to urge material along a fixed grate having interstitial separation of such size as to allow sifting of reusable litter from waste litter which is too soiled to be reused. A plurality of panels may be detachably affixed to the grate beneath the bar conveyor thereby allowing the user to determine the amount of reusable material returned to the floor.

Abstract: An improved roll-up closure utilizing a flexible cover or curtain selected from a material suitable to effect the type of closure sought. The cover is at least as wide as the portal to be covered and is typically longer than the portal. Each lateral margin of the cover has a strip of hook and loop fastener material affixed thereto, and a complementary strip is affixed to the lateral margins of the structure defining the portal. A first end of the cover is rigidly affixed across a first margin of the portal. The opposite end of the cover can be upturned and connected to a driven take-up roller mounted to the first margin of the portal. In this embodiment, an elongated transverse rod is supported within the upturned end of the cover. In an alternate embodiment, the opposite end of the cover is attached to an elongated transverse rod such that as the curtain is raised or lowered, the curtain is wound or unwound around the rod, respectively.

Abstract: An improved fishing bobber having a light weight quill portion with a stop at a lower end thereof and a denser portion which fits over the quill and abuts the stop. The denser portion has sufficient weight to facilitate casting the line but has enough buoyancy to float at approximately the water surface. Moreover, during a cast, the denser portion helps to maintain the quill portion in an orientation amenable for casting. In the water, an upper end of the quill portion will situate above the water surface as a signal to the fisherman. The quill portion is slidable within the denser portion such that as a fish strikes the bait, the quill portion will move downward with the fishing line without dragging along the denser portion, thus the fish does not feel any drag from the denser portion.

Abstract: An implant abutment system uses a combination of an implant anchor, an abutment having a plurality of connection features for connecting to the implant, and a locking pin for locking the abutment into the implant. The implant anchor includes an axial bore on a superior end having inner surface features matching outer surface features of the inferior end of the abutment. The cooperative operation of these features prevents abutment rotation once the abutment is positioned within the implant and also provides indexability for angled abutments. Such anti-rotation features are accomplished with matching splines and flutes machined on the cooperative surfaces between the abutment exterior and the implant bore inner surface. The invention also provides a retention feature for locking the abutment into the implant consisting of a resilient segmented end having a retention surface positioned to match a cooperatively formed surface in the implant bore.