Abstract: A storage rack assembly in kit form is particularly adapted for use on a vehicle and includes a small number of different types of components to simplify shipping, assembly and installation by a purchaser. The storage rack includes side, front and back generally flat panels connected together to form a generally rectangular structure. Opposed side panels are connected to opposed ends of plural elongated cross members which are arranged in a spaced manner along the length of the rectangular structure and are aligned in a common plane to form a flat support bed in the storage rack. Plural telescoping support/mounting members are each connected to a respective cross member to allow for varying the storage rack's width depending on vehicle size and are adapted for secure attachment to the vehicle. Incorporating additional interfitting side panels and cross members allows for increasing the storage rack's length.

Abstract: A tracking device for automatically following a moving light source that is detectable in the presence of ambient light. A carrier platform including one or more radiant energy conversion devices and a sensor array is mounted to an upright support column with a universal joint. Three independently-operated, linear actuators are equally angularly spaced about the support column with an upper end connected to the carrier platform with a universal hinge and a lower end connected to a floating base with a spherical hinge. A sensor array carried by the carrier platform includes a primary sensor associated with each actuator. During operation, when a primary sensor is not receiving direct radiant energy, the actuator retracts, and when it is receiving radiant energy directly, the actuator extends. The result is that the platform will directly track the sun across the horizon.

Abstract: An adjustable support which includes a housing constructed of a sidewall wherein a column is positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the sidewall and wherein the column defines threads. A leg is also provided which is constructed of another sidewall which defines other threads wherein the other threads are dimensioned to engage the threads defined by the column.

Abstract: A continuous splicer includes first and second closely spaced rotating cylinders each having a respective cutting element and tape retaining arrangement disposed on its outer periphery. With a depleting web fed by the first cylinder and a replenishing web fed by the second cylinder, an end of the replenishing web is adhesively joined to the depleting web while in motion and the depleting web is severed by the first cylinder's cutting element in forming a splice of the two webs. As the replenishing web depletes, a third web may be inserted on the first cylinder and automatically or manually spliced to the original replenishing web without stopping or re-configuring the splicer. The splicer is capable of delivering the webs at a constant rate or a rapidly changing and/or dynamic cycling rate, and applies relatively low web tension for operation with delicate, narrow and extensible webs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust system (1) for an internal combustion engine (3) having at least one exhaust gas line (2) that carries exhaust gas and having an injection device (4) for spraying a liquid into the exhaust gas line (2). Downstream from the injection device (4) a vaporizer device (7) which has at least one tubular sheet metal body (8) downstream from the injection device (4), said sheet metal body extending in the longitudinal direction of the exhaust gas line (2) and causing an improved vaporization of the liquid sprayed into the exhaust gas line. In addition, at least one clamp device (12) which is designed like a spring is provided, securing the vaporizer device (7) in the exhaust gas line (2) and/or bracing it elastically against the exhaust gas line.

Abstract: Article and method of making an abrading wheel having a sintered metal core and radially inward openings having curved inner edges to reduce stress in operation and to improve the ability of the wheel to clear residue from the wheel during operation.

Abstract: A mold for forming a snowman includes lower, intermediate and upper generally spherical, hollow members comprised of clear plastic. Each plastic member includes an upper aperture for filling the member with snow. The lower member includes a generally flat base portion for positioning stability and an upper connection ring adapted for secure coupling to a lower connection ring on the intermediate member. The intermediate member also includes an upper connection ring adapted for secure coupling to a lower connection ring on the upper member. The three connected members form a hollow, vertical structure which when filled with snow provides a snowman of classic shape, symmetry and proportions. The individual spherical hollow members are easily connected and disconnected, with the intermediate and upper members having apertures for receiving eye, nose, mouth and arm indicia, with the upper member further including a hat mounting arrangement in one embodiment.

Abstract: A system and method of booking an itinerary on at least one of a multiplicity of host environments include a plurality of host adaptor modules. Each host adaptor module is configured to interact with one of the plurality of host ticketing environments. A booking engine is provided for receiving commands related to booking the air travel itinerary and determining an appropriate host ticketing environment for processing the commands based on a number of predefined criteria. When the booking engine receives a command it forwards the command to a first host adaptor module which is associated with first host ticketing environment selected by the booking engine for processing the command. The host adaptor module receives the command and issues the command to said first host ticketing environment. The first host adaptor module in turn receives a response from the first host ticketing environment and determines whether the response comports with an expected response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing the surface of rubber or synthetic covered rollers (10) is disclosed. As seen in FIG. 3, a rotating hub (16) having a circumferential abrasion band (47) and an adjacent set of rasp blades (20) arranged end-to-end and extending circumferentially about the hub is used to progressively and sequentially removebands of surface material by cutting and then abrading as the hub and roller are rotated and one is moved axially relative to the other.

Abstract: An air seed meter having a rotating disc with seed openings arranged in a circumferential pattern includes a holder adapted to be mounted to the meter housing and carries two balls spring-biased to reciprocate and enter the seed openings as they pass and clear debris from the openings. The balls may also engage dimples on the seed disc located between seed openings or groups of seed openings (in the case of a hill drop planter) in the disc as it rotates to cause vibration in the disc to promote the release of seeds as they exit the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: In an air pressurized system for use in delivering seeds in an agricultural planter from a main hopper to plural remote bins each associated with a respective seed discharge unit, an air/seed mixture is provided to a seed discharge unit via an air pressure dissipator which vents the air to the atmosphere in controlling the rate at which seed is delivered to the seed discharge unit. The air pressure dissipator includes an upper, angled tube having an outwardly tapered lower end adapted to receive an upper end of a perforated screen tube which extends into the seed discharge unit. As the seed discharge unit fills with seed during operation, the air pressure dissipator regulates the air flow entraining and transporting the seed by directing a portion of the air to the atmosphere when necessary to provide seed to the seed discharge unit to substantially match the seed discharge rate.

Abstract: A corn head includes plural pairs of first and second laterally spaced rotating stalk rolls each having outer fluting and plural outer arrays of spaced knife members extending along the length of each stalk roll. Corn stalks are directed by rotating pick-up cones each disposed forward of a respective stalk roll into the space between adjacent stalk rolls, where the stalks are directed downwardly through the inter-roll space and are reduced by the cutting action of the rotating knives. Each pick-up cone and its associated stalk roll rotate in opposite directions as do the two stalk rolls. Disposed above and extending along the length of the stalk rolls are a closely spaced upper auger and stripper plate which remove an ear of corn from the stalk and direct the ear to the combine for further processing. A skid plate is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion of each pick-up cone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an RFID article such as a label, tag, ticket, envelope, carton, inlay, etc., including a microchip connected to a first antenna which is, in turn, electro-magnetically and coupled to a second antenna.

Abstract: An agricultural implement pulled by a traction vehicle is convertible between use and transport configurations. The implement includes a carrier frame coupled to the vehicle via the combination of a hitch and a draft tongue having an aft portion pivotally coupled to the carrier frame and including a generally vertical cornered post rotatable about a vertical pivot axis. A lift frame having plural spaced row units includes an integral center frame section with a sleeve closely engaging and vertically slideable along the cornered post. A first displacement arrangement moves the aft portion of the draft tongue between the use position and a first elevated position for avoiding obstructions and to facilitate turning in a field, while second and third displacement arrangements respectively raise the lift frame higher on the vertical post and rotate the post and lift frame about the vertical axis to a longitudinal position for transport.

Abstract: A rasp hub for use in tire retreading machines includes two side plates with mounting pins extending between the plates. Rasp blades arranged in stacks are mounted on the mounting pins. The stacks extend end-to-end circumferentially about the hub. The center portion of the mounting pins is curved so that the cut profile of the blades is convex. The blades are inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation to define a cut angle. The center planes of the mounting pins intersect, preferably close to the axis of rotation of the hub, to reduce deviation of the blades from the concentricity.

Abstract: Methods for disabling firearms and firearm safety devices designed to reduce the risk of accidental discharge are provided. Safety devices according to the present invention comprise a chamber-disabling component constructed of a flexible material. The chamber-disabling component is adapted to be inserted through an opening in the firearm into the firing chamber with partial retraction of the bolt.

Abstract: A personal, portable media player capable of receiving and storing audio and video programming is adapted for coupling via a docking system to a portable Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and Compact Disc (CD) player for playing and recording of video and audio programming. The docking system is integrated in the housing of the DVD/CD player and is adapted for receiving the media player and allowing video and audio data received by or stored in the media player to be presented on or stored in the DVD/CD player. When connected via the docking system to the portable DVD/CD player, the media player is disposed in a recessed portion of the DVD/CD player's housing and is further protected by a transparent, removable cover connected to the housing and having an aperture therein to permit the user to provide selection/control inputs to the media player when connected to the DVD/CD player.

Abstract: A biomedia apparatus comprising an elongated central core and a plurality of loops positioned along the central core adapted to collect organisms from water. The biomedia apparatus may further comprise at least one reinforcing member associated with the central core. In one embodiment, the biomedia apparatus is utilized in a trickle tower to treat wastewater. In another embodiment, the biomedia apparatus is utilized outside a power plant to minimize spat that is drawn into the plant through water intake valves.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling drainage/irrigation of a field includes laying out a network of spaced, interconnected water level-responsive valves coupled to drainage tiles, which typically may include a main line and a number of lateral lines, extending from higher elevations to lower elevations and exiting through a manually controlled main valve to a drainage ditch. When the water level adjacent a valve is below a predetermined level, the valve is open allowing water to flow down to the lowest level. As the ambient water level in the soil rises, the valve's float also rises, causing the valve to close when the water reaches a predetermined level and producing a “terracing” effect wherein the rising water is sequentially stored at increasingly higher elevations for irrigating these elevated areas. Overflow conduits associated with each valve allow water to discharge into the drainage ditch when the sub-surface water level is too high.