Abstract: A system for routing an elongated line of an over the highway tractor having a connector for powering a component of a trailer. An elongated line, such as an electrical cable or an air hose, has a first mating connector that mates with a connector on the tractor that provides access to a source of air under pressure or electrical energy. The elongated line also includes a second mating connector that mates with a connector on a trailer. First and second releasable hooks are connected to the elongated line along the length of the line. The first and second hooks are secured to mounting points on the tractor to properly route the cable when the second connector is connected to the trailer and when the second connector is not connected to the trailer.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump having an adjustable clean-out assembly (60), the position of which determines the face clearance between a wear plate (72) and an impeller (20). The clean-out assembly includes an end cover (63) that threadedly mounts a plurality of adjustment assemblies. The adjustment assembly includes an adjuster (104) that defines a through bore for slidably receiving a retaining stud (66) that extends from the pump housing. Each adjuster includes an abutment surface (108) which engages a pump surface and which establishes the face clearance between the wear plate and the impeller. Each adjuster includes a hex-shaped head which is engageable by an associated locking member (120) secured to the end cover. Each locking member includes a locking collar (120a) having 18 teeth which allows the collar to engage the hex-shaped head of the adjuster in 18 different postions.

Abstract: A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a valve lifter for use in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter comprises a body adapted to be reciprocally slidable within a valve lifter bore of an engine. The valve lifter includes a rotably mounted cam roller engaging the cam lobe of a cam-shaft where the cam lobe operates to drive the valve lifter body towards a valve open position. The valve lifter may also include an auxiliary roller rotatably mounted in the valve lifter body and engaging the cam roller where the force from the cam lobe is transferred to the lifter body through both the cam roller and auxiliary roller. The present invention includes a method of making a valve lifter by creating grooves in the walls of the recess to aid in the lubrication of the rollers.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device for retrieving severed tissue or foreign bodies from within a subject is disclosed. The device comprises a support unit and a tissue retrieving net system. The net system is carried by the support unit and may be inserted into the subject through an orifice or small incision and operated to retrieve tissue that has been severed by a conventional method. The net system comprises a net, a net actuator, a net deployment and retrieval assembly for transmitting motion between the net and its actuator. The net system further comprises at least one net connector disposed such that only one connector is within an articulation zone, defined by locations of severe bending of the device during operation.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump (10) having a pump housing (40) that defines a substantially axial inlet port (32), a substantially radial inlet port (34) and an outlet port (30). An impeller (42) is rotatable within an impeller chamber (58) defined by the housing and is operative to pump fluid from one or both of the inlet ports to the outlet port when the impeller is rotated. A removable cleanout assembly (82) located within and forming part of the axial port includes a structure for supporting a wear plate (76) that is positioned axially adjacent the impeller. The cleanout assembly includes an inlet opening adapted to be configured as an axial inlet port to the pump. The cleanout assembly is removable in order to provide access to the impeller for service or cleaning. Either the axial port or the radial port can serve as an inlet or, alternately, both ports can serve concurrently as inlets to the pump. Mounting flanges (88) associated with each inlet port are adapted to connect to inlet conduits or a cap member.

Abstract: A metal cutting insert having a pair of cutting portions disposed on either side of a shank portion which also includes a clamping structure engageable by a tool holder by which the metal cutting insert is held in an operative position. Each cutting portion includes a circular cutting edge that is defined by the juncture of a circular clearance surface and a frusto-conical, positive rake surface. The cutting edge is located in a common horizontal plane. A plurality of elongate spaced apart, radially directed recesses are symmetrically spaced with respect to the cutting edge and include outer ends that merge with the frusto-conical rake surface and inner ends which merge with a plateau-like surface having an upper surface located at a level higher than the cutting edge. The plateau-like surface defines a discontinuous circular edge in the form of arcuate ridges.

Abstract: A metal cutting insert having a pair of cutting portions disposed on either side of a shank portion. Each cutting portion includes a forward cutting edge and two side cutting edges. Each side cutting edge forms part of a shelf that includes chip controlling/breaking structure and is defined by the juncture of a cutting surface with an upper boundary of a side face. The chip controlling structure includes a chip deflecting surface located adjacent the side cutting surface that includes a plurality of concave recesses that generate localized stiffening of a chip as it moves along the chip deflecting surface. Chip controlling structure located adjacent the forward cutting edge includes a downwardly sloping surface that forms part of a channel which extends from the forward cutting edge towards a shank portion of the insert. A pair of ridges located on either side of the channel rise upwardly and reach a height that is above the plane of the forward cutting edge.

Abstract: A monitoring and information system for a vehicle's brakes and tires. The system includes one or more position sensors and/or temperature sensors that are used to measure parameters of the vehicles brakes and tires. The measured parameters are compared to known threshold parameters with one or more comparators. When one of the measured parameters is outside the limits of one of the threshold parameters, the system provides a signal indicating that an undesirable condition exists on one of the vehicles brakes or tires and provides information about the undesirable condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stringed instrument including a body portion, a rigid frame portion and a neck, wherein the neck is attached to the body portion at one end. The rigid frame portion comprises a top and bottom extension cut away from and running generally parallel and coplanar to the length of the neck. The top and bottom extensions pass beyond the neck and join together beyond the distal end of the neck without contacting the neck. The instrument also comprises a plurality of strings attached to the body portion of the instrument extending from the body portion lengthwise of the neck to a plurality of tuning machines located on an extended headstock section of the frame portion such that the neck is not stressed by the tension of the strings.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing bends in tubes, including a bending die assembly having a fixed die section that is rigidly mounted to a support member and at least one a movable die section that is movable relative to the fixed section. When used to make “wrinkle” bends the die assembly includes a pair of moveable die section that are moveable relative to the fixed die section and relative to each other along a predetermined path. The movable die section or sections are supported for movement in a common plane and include camming pins engageable with slots formed in the support member, such that the engagement of the pins with the associated slots define paths of movement for the die sections. When used to make “wrinkle” bends, the fixed die section and movable die sections define wrinkle receiving recesses.